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Jan 30, 2012 12:31 PM
We will be much more active with several new authors posting. Look for many ideas about caring for your landscape!
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Successful Tree Planting
Jun 13, 2011 01:29 PM
Time to Plant Trees!
With the arrival of spring, our thoughts turn to the outdoors and especially those landscaping projects that we've been planning. Maybe National Arbor Day inspires us to planting a tree in our yard. As an arborist, I sometimes cringe to think of how many trees that are planted are doomed to an early death just because a few basic principles were not followed during planting.
Planting Successfully
Most people would be surprised to hear that only 20% of plant problems and especially tree problems are due to insects or pests! So what about solving the other 80%? That comes from abiotic problems, not where a pathogen or insect is involved, but the whole planting environment. That has more to do with choosing the right plant and using the right procedures and providing the right soil conditions at planting. Properly mulching a plant or tree after planting is also critical for its success.
Choosing the Right Place
Planting the right plant in the right place may sound trivial but it is critical for a plant to thrive. Each plant prefers (and is genetically programmed based on its native habitat) a certain set of conditions for it to do well. Variables for a planting location can include sun or shade, hot or cool, high or low pH soil, wet or dry, soil volume, as well as height restrictions including city ordinances. Ignoring specific needs of a plant will likely prove futile.
Seeing the Root Crown
It is amazing to me how much of the time people have the impression that the deeper at tree is planted, the better it will do. I personally believe that well over 50% of trees that I observe are planted too deep and this includes those planted by professional landscapers. And the result will be a declining and eventually dying tree.
The root crown or root flare, that is the base of the tree where it flares out, is a very important spot to understand. This is where the trunk ends and the roots begin, and should be located about 1-2 inches above the soil level. When buying a balled and burlapped tree, this flare may be as much as 3- 4 inches down into the root ball. Finding the flare and properly placing it slightly above grade level (a little more in heavier soils) is vital. If the tree is established, the flare should be visible and if not, excavation of soil away from the tree is necessary to prevent root crown rot. We can provide much more detail about tree root crowns and avoiding root crown problems for anyone who requests it.
Benefits of Tree Mulching
One way to simulate a tree's native habitat is to cover as much of the root zone area as possible with organic mulch. Mulching depth should be a 2-4 inch layer of preferably organic material over the root zone. Benefits of this organic mulch is very significant and includes moisture retention, root temperature reduction, additional nutrients through decomposition, elimination of mower/trimmer contact, increased microbial and beneficial fungus activity, and numerous other positive effects. New methods of dying mulch products also provide an aesthetically pleasing look to mulched areas.
I am confident that your tree success will be increased dramatically by assuring these simple three things are covered when you plant. Who knows, your tree may just reach out and give you a hug for having done them!
Vole Damage
Jun 13, 2011 01:16 PM
Vole Damage and Control
Many people in southeastern Idaho are frustrated each spring when they find rodent damage in their lawns. Damage to the lower bark of younger trees like apple also can occur. They find an abundance of dead and thatchy litter and burrowing ‘runs” all through their lawn.
This type of damage is caused by voles or meadow mice (Microtus montanus). These mice are larger than house mice or deer mice and are recognized by their robust body and short tail. They are grayish brown to black with a whitish belly. Populations of voles this past winter have been very high and feeding on the foliage of lawns underneath snow cover has been significant.
Normally, voles will spend most of their time during the summer in pastures feeding on groundcover of grasses or grass like plants. By fall they look for seeds, tubers, bulbs, and rhizomes. As winter approaches they find an abundance of rhizomes and other food sources in our ornamental landscapes. A more serious problem is the girdling off smaller trees in our landscapes especially when that opportunity comes under snow cover. Rarely do they ever enter a home.
We are asked many times how can one control these voles. The answer is probably that complete control is unlikely, however, we can concentrate our efforts around our more critical plants such as trees. Removing snow back several feet around young trees can eliminate the cover that voles prefer which minimizes damage. Wrapping the lower 1-2" of bark with fine metal screen during winter months may also limit vole access. Lawn damage though it looks serious is generally superficial and limited to the foliage only. Once cleaned up in the spring, grass quickly re-grows and provides a full stand of grass within a few weeks.
Baits are available and can reduce populations. Placement of bait must be done to avoid access by pets such as cats and dogs since ingestion can be fatal. A professional pest control technician is advised when using bait.
Thanks for Visiting
Successful Tree Planting
Time to Plant Trees!
Planting Successfully
Most people would be surprised to hear that only 20% of plant problems and especially tree problems are due to insects or pests! So what about solving the other 80%? That comes from abiotic problems, not where a pathogen or insect is involved, but the whole planting environment. That has more to do with choosing the right plant and using the right procedures and providing the right soil conditions at planting. Properly mulching a plant or tree after planting is also critical for its success.
Choosing the Right Place
Planting the right plant in the right place may sound trivial but it is critical for a plant to thrive. Each plant prefers (and is genetically programmed based on its native habitat) a certain set of conditions for it to do well. Variables for a planting location can include sun or shade, hot or cool, high or low pH soil, wet or dry, soil volume, as well as height restrictions including city ordinances. Ignoring specific needs of a plant will likely prove futile.
Seeing the Root Crown
It is amazing to me how much of the time people have the impression that the deeper at tree is planted, the better it will do. I personally believe that well over 50% of trees that I observe are planted too deep and this includes those planted by professional landscapers. And the result will be a declining and eventually dying tree.
The root crown or root flare, that is the base of the tree where it flares out, is a very important spot to understand. This is where the trunk ends and the roots begin, and should be located about 1-2 inches above the soil level. When buying a balled and burlapped tree, this flare may be as much as 3- 4 inches down into the root ball. Finding the flare and properly placing it slightly above grade level (a little more in heavier soils) is vital. If the tree is established, the flare should be visible and if not, excavation of soil away from the tree is necessary to prevent root crown rot. We can provide much more detail about tree root crowns and avoiding root crown problems for anyone who requests it.
Benefits of Tree Mulching
One way to simulate a tree's native habitat is to cover as much of the root zone area as possible with organic mulch. Mulching depth should be a 2-4 inch layer of preferably organic material over the root zone. Benefits of this organic mulch is very significant and includes moisture retention, root temperature reduction, additional nutrients through decomposition, elimination of mower/trimmer contact, increased microbial and beneficial fungus activity, and numerous other positive effects. New methods of dying mulch products also provide an aesthetically pleasing look to mulched areas.
I am confident that your tree success will be increased dramatically by assuring these simple three things are covered when you plant. Who knows, your tree may just reach out and give you a hug for having done them!
Vole Damage
Vole Damage and Control
Many people in southeastern Idaho are frustrated each spring when they find rodent damage in their lawns. Damage to the lower bark of younger trees like apple also can occur. They find an abundance of dead and thatchy litter and burrowing ‘runs” all through their lawn.
This type of damage is caused by voles or meadow mice (Microtus montanus). These mice are larger than house mice or deer mice and are recognized by their robust body and short tail. They are grayish brown to black with a whitish belly. Populations of voles this past winter have been very high and feeding on the foliage of lawns underneath snow cover has been significant.
Normally, voles will spend most of their time during the summer in pastures feeding on groundcover of grasses or grass like plants. By fall they look for seeds, tubers, bulbs, and rhizomes. As winter approaches they find an abundance of rhizomes and other food sources in our ornamental landscapes. A more serious problem is the girdling off smaller trees in our landscapes especially when that opportunity comes under snow cover. Rarely do they ever enter a home.
We are asked many times how can one control these voles. The answer is probably that complete control is unlikely, however, we can concentrate our efforts around our more critical plants such as trees. Removing snow back several feet around young trees can eliminate the cover that voles prefer which minimizes damage. Wrapping the lower 1-2" of bark with fine metal screen during winter months may also limit vole access. Lawn damage though it looks serious is generally superficial and limited to the foliage only. Once cleaned up in the spring, grass quickly re-grows and provides a full stand of grass within a few weeks.
Baits are available and can reduce populations. Placement of bait must be done to avoid access by pets such as cats and dogs since ingestion can be fatal. A professional pest control technician is advised when using bait.