| Tip of the Week |
| Think ahead and schedule the removal of undesirable trees now. Trees you may be considering for removal are; dead, diseased, unwanted junk trees and trees that are overcrowding better ones. Tree removal costs less in the winter. It is easier for Arborcare due to the fact that the leaves are gone and it is the slower part of the year. Junk trees you may want to eliminate are mulberry, cherry, black locust, hedge apple and water maple. It is best to perform removals from November till the first of May. Remove limbs broken in the ice and wind storms during the winter to insure none are missed and for the trees' added protection. |
| SUMMER WATERING |
| PETIOLE BORER ARE MAPLE LEAVES FALLING IN LARGE NUMBERS? |
| TREE FERTILIZATION |
| Fall is the best time to apply slow release tree food. After a season of growing above the ground, winter is the season for the tree to grow below the ground. Photosynthesis in the leaf manufactures sugar and starch for storage in the trunk and roots for next seasons growth. That is how the leaves come out in the spring. During the time that the leaves change color in the fall, to the time that the ground freezes to a depth of about 12 inches, roots grow. As long as the ground is still unfrozen near the frost line, roots are pushing towards new food collection areas. This is why Arborcare chooses fall to apply a mixture of fertilizer and special spores to help the new roots become more efficient. High nitrogen slow release fertilizer is best since the phosphorus and potassium are plentiful in the soil already. |
Spring Pruning
Q; My sycamore tree is
shedding its bark, is that a
problem and what can I do
about it?
A; This is a natural
occurrence after the trunk
experiences a growth spurt.
Shedding of loose bark
indicates a healthy and
vigorously growing tree.
We want our trees to grow
vigorously to fend off
insects and disease. Do
nothing but pick up the bark.
shedding its bark, is that a
problem and what can I do
about it?
A; This is a natural
occurrence after the trunk
experiences a growth spurt.
Shedding of loose bark
indicates a healthy and
vigorously growing tree.
We want our trees to grow
vigorously to fend off
insects and disease. Do
nothing but pick up the bark.
| John L. Detherage 502-241-6108 E-Mail Contact |
| From February till bud break is by far the absolute best time for pruning. Just in time for the sap to rise and after the dangers of freeze damage have passed. This timing allows for quick repair of the wounded site where a limb has been removed. The callus growth ring begins during the spring growth cycle, reducing the time for foreign biologic vectors to attack and damage your trees. You should avoid pruning just after the leaves have unfolded. The tissues are still tender and do not harden off till June. Excessive sap flow may also be seen. Spring is literally the best time to perform almost every tree maintenance operation. Pruning you may consider are; to raise the limb level over your roof, driveway or lawn. To remove dead, diseased or structurally incompatible limbs. In pin oak trees timing is more important. In order to prevent infections of bacterial leaf scorch, do not prune limbs between bud break and June. Prune before or afterwards. |
FEAR NOT. THIS ONE HAS AN EASY ANSWER. DO NOTHING. THE PETIOLE
BORER IS A PESKY BUG THAT CHEWS THROUGH THE STEM OF THE LEAF
(PETIOLE) UNTIL IT WEAKENS AND FALLS OFF. THE NUMBERS MAY SEEM
GREAT BUT USUALLY VERY LITTLE HARM IS DONE. THERE IS NO NEED FOR
CONTROL AND NO NEED TO PANIC. JUST GET OUT THE RAKE AND START
CLEANING UP. A TREE WOULD HAVE TO LOSE MORE THAN 30 % OF ITS
LEAVES TO MAKE A SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCE.
BORER IS A PESKY BUG THAT CHEWS THROUGH THE STEM OF THE LEAF
(PETIOLE) UNTIL IT WEAKENS AND FALLS OFF. THE NUMBERS MAY SEEM
GREAT BUT USUALLY VERY LITTLE HARM IS DONE. THERE IS NO NEED FOR
CONTROL AND NO NEED TO PANIC. JUST GET OUT THE RAKE AND START
CLEANING UP. A TREE WOULD HAVE TO LOSE MORE THAN 30 % OF ITS
LEAVES TO MAKE A SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCE.
| Summer is here and it is time to think about watering our trees. When trees go more than 3 weeks without rain, supplemental watering may be needed. Weather conditions play a role in determining when to apply additional water. Three weeks of 80 degree temperatures are not as drastic as 95 degree temps for the same time period. When the ground is hard and cracking, it is time. You need to place your soaker hoses 10 to 20 feet beyond the drip line of the tree canopy. Let it run for 3 days. Yes you read right, 3 days. If you don't totally soak the ground deeply, then the grass gets most of the water and more importantly you train the tree roots to be too shallow. This sets up the tree for damage in the winter. A long duration soaking also reduces the need for subsequent short term waterings. Move the system to the next tree for 3 more days. Nature wants to give trees one inch of rain per week to optimize plant health. In summer we need to help out old mother nature. |
SCHEDULE WINTER REMOVALS
