Construction zones can be hazardous places, for humans and trees. Trees can’t protect themselves with hard hats. Therefore, it’s up to us (humans) to ensure nothing happens to damage a tree’s health in work zones. Read on for tips for protecting trees in work zones. Tree Protection during Construction Did you construct your house near mature trees to benefit from their visual appeal and beauty? You aren’t alone. Several trees take years to create attractive canopies and strong deep roots they achieve at maturity. Sadly, the trees you want near your residence are at risk during construction. Stopping tree damage in work zones is an issue of planning cautiously and partnering with your tree contractor. Preventing Tree Damage in Work Zones Trees are at risk when construction work is happening around them. They can get several different injury types. Use these tips to aid in preventing tree damage. Branches and Trunks The machinery used during construction can harm a tree’s branches and trunk. It can snap branches, create wounds in the trunk, slice into the bark, letting in diseases and pests. You could and should stress to the contractor that you want your trees protected during construction. Also, you’ll want to take action to guarantee this instruction. One way is to install a durable fence around each tree. Put it as far away from the trunk as you can. Keep all construction equipment out and tell the construction workers to remain outside the fenced area. Tree Roots Also, tree roots are at risk when work includes grading and digging. Roots can spread out over twice as many feet as the tree is high. When construction workers damage a tree’s roots near the trunk, it can destroy the tree. Additionally, it limits the tree’s capability to remain upright in storms and winds. Tell your crew and contractor that the fenced area is out of bounds for trenching, digging, or anything else that will disturb the soil. Soil Compaction Trees need porous soil for excellent root development. Preferably, the soil will have over 45% pore space for irrigation and air. When hefty construction machinery goes over a tree’s root space, it compacts soil severely. Many species of phylloxera are pecan pests, but just the pecan phylloxera creates financial damage in a specific period. The southern pecan leaf phylloxera as well as the pecan leaf phylloxera feed mainly on the foliage. The pecan phylloxera infects the foliage, fruit, and shoots and therefore is the most destructive. The pecan phylloxera is an aphid-looking, little insect that is never seen. Though, the galls it develops are noticeable and prominent. Serious infestations create weak, malformed shoots that ultimately die. The pecan phylloxera hibernates as eggs in the dead body of an adult female, which is in protected parts on pecan tree branches. Right after budbreak, the eggs hatch and the little insects travel to leaf tissue or opened buds to feed on increasing new growth. Stem mothers are the ones that come from the hibernating eggs. Eating by the stem mothers encourages the growth of galls, which surround the stem mother in a couple of days. In the gall, the stem mother grows old, lays her eggs and perishes. The stem mothers’ laid eggs emerge within the gall, and these pests feed in the gall until they become old. Description The nymphs and adults are 1/8 inch, little, the color of cream, and has soft skin. They look like aphids minus the cornicles. You'll want a hand lens to see and detect them. Control Because the galls are easily seen, pecan phylloxera plagues typically look worse than they are. Only when galls appear on vast numbers of nuts or shoots should you think about using insecticides. Time management of your pest control applications is crucial, and you must aim insecticide applications in the direction of the stem mothers. Apply budbreak sprays to the new growth. When the galls appear, it is too late to manage pecan phylloxera. Typically, only the trees that were affected the previous year will require treatment, not the whole orchard. Certain grafted varieties and native trees within an orchard get more seriously infested than other plants. Getting tree removal service or spraying can stop monetary infestations from expanding all over the whole orchard. The pine needle scale is the most well-known armored scale found on conifers in North America. The white, oyster shell-shaped scales can cover needles, creating plant discoloration to needle and limb death. These pests like pines, particularly mugho and Scotch. However, it can infest other firs, Douglas-fir, pines, and spruces. How Pine Needle Scale Damage Trees Substantial infestations of pine needle scales eliminate significant amounts of plant juices resulting in discolored needles. From a distance, trees look silvery or frosted. If any outbreaks continue, limbs and twigs could die and will need to be trimmed out. Life Cycle and Description This scale stays on the needles of its host and develops shell-shaped, white wax covers. These covers are around 1/8 of an inch when the scales are completely grown. There is a yellowish spot, the exuvim, on the little end. The male scales are typically slender and smaller. This scale overwinters as deep-red colored eggs are safe under the female's old armor. The eggs hatch in the spring into flat, tiny nymphs known as crawlers. These crawlers go to new places on the tree to find the right needles on which to feed. These clumsy crawlers usually drop from the trees and could be blown onto trees close by. Once on an appropriate needle, the crawler attaches its mouth and starts to develop new armor. After a couple of weeks, the nymph sheds under the armor and continues to grow in size for about 21 days. Control Hints This scale usually is spread by crawlers going from tree to tree. Spread is also swifter when mature trees start to touch branches. Also, scale crawlers could spread with animals or birds which brush or roost against trees with active crawlers. Early discovery will stop the spread and lessen the need for extensive spraying. Using horticultural oil sprays along with insecticides or insecticidal soaps are even more effective. The pine needle scales are usually killed by the pesticides used for other insect pests. Close monitoring of the parasites and using a pesticide can be successful. It is best to get a professional tree care expert to do the work. Elms once lined the streets of many towns and cities. In the 30's, Dutch elm disease almost completely destroyed these lovelies. But they are making a huge comeback, thanks in part to the creation of resistant types. Elm tree diseases still have a significant role in the life of a tree and thwart their care. Anyone with an elm in their outdoor space must recognize common elm tree issues so they can promptly handle them. Elm Trees Diseases Many elm tree leaf diseases create defoliation and discoloration. When the leaves fall, the spots have often grouped, and other discolorations have established, making it difficult to differentiate without testing. Elm tree diseases that affect the leaves are due to fungi, however elm leaf scorch, due to a bacterium, is slightly different. With this disease, the vein bundles in the leaves get blocked so that water can’t travel in the leaf. This makes the leaf appear scorched. The most destructive elm tree diseases are elm phloem necrosis and Dutch elm disease. Dutch elm disease is due to a bacteria spread by beetles. White-banded leafhoppers disperse the microscopic bacterium that creates elm phloem disease. Elm Trees Disease Treatments Once elm tree leaf diseases get hold, there is no real treatment. Burn and rake leaves to stop the development of the diseases. If you have issues with leaf diseases, try applying an anti-fungal spray in the early part of the next year. This may help stop the disease. There is also no cure for elm phloem or Dutch elm disease. Trees contaminated with Dutch elm disease sometimes react to pruning. This is a treatment that prolongs the life of the tree for many years if caught early and done correctly. It’s best to employ a certified arborist for the work. Trees infected with elm phloem necrosis must be cut down immediately. Since there is no simple cure, it is vital to know how to safeguard your elm trees from any disease. You should watch for the bugs that spread elm tree diseases and begin a control program immediately. Black knot fungus has the potential to contaminate Mayday trees, Chokecherry trees, and any other tree in the Prunus family. Though black knot fungus infects mostly the plant species named Prunus, it is still worth your attention because it can significantly alter the look of these trees and if it spreads, black knot fungus can kill a tree. It is known by a group of thick black masses that develop along the tree branches. This fungal condition is usually seen on cherry trees, but it is not limited to only this tree type. What Damage is Black Knot Fungus? Although black knot fungus is not always deadly, it can spread and grow all through your trees. It will destroy your trees' health and its value. When cherry trees are contaminated with black knot fungus, they can live for several years, yet they won’t be as visually pleasing as your other trees. The last thing you want is to have a diseased, sickly looking tree in your outdoor living space. How to Deal with Black Knot Fungus Put forth the effort and put in the necessary time to eliminate the branches that have been infested with black knot fungus. Be sure to accurately sanitize your pruning tools to stop how much of the fungus is transported between your trees. Do a precise pruning, and you will boost the tree’s vitality and visual appeal. Prune the infested branches about two to four inches under every knot. Then take the diseased branches to the nearest landfill. Black knot fungus replicates in the springtime so don’t prune during this time. Only prune the trees when they are dormant. Preferably, you will prune them in the late winter months when the knot-like lumps can be easily detected. If you were to wait until the springtime to prune the branches, you would discover that the disease is very active and transportable via the spores. Contact Tree Contractors If you have any question about limbs and trees that have been infested with black knot fungus, contact a tree contractor for assistance. A tree specialist is thoroughly educated in a host of pruning methods such as black knot fungus removal. All around the globe, there are data regarding dying pine trees. There isn’t any more gorgeous than a healthy pine tree. However, it is important to remember that trees are living organisms. As such, they are vulnerable to trauma and diseases. Let’s take a look at issues that only affect pine trees and some remedies. The Reasons Pine wilt is due to Pinewood nematode, a bug in the pine sawyer beetle family. It feasts on the resin canal of the tree. This hinders the nutrients and water flow to the branches. Attacking one branch at a time, the needles become brown, and the tree dies quickly. The only remedy for this disease is to cut the tree down and burn it. You can also schedule a tree removal service. The aim is to save your other trees from getting infested. Diseases Needle blight (dothistroma)is a slow-moving fungal infection found in the needles. You’ll know it when you see a white band in the middle of the needle that gradually turns brown. Ultimately, one half of the needle stays green while the tip becomes brown. If not treated, the tree will die, but the disease can be stopped using applications of copper fungicide. Treatments You can also treat diplodia by using a copper fungicide. This virus distresses separate branches on a tree, and you’ll spot it when the limbs start to leak resin and look underdeveloped. Stress The vital thing to remember is that trees suffer from anxiety and stress, making them susceptible to illnesses. Trees such as the Japanese black pine are more vulnerable because they have been damaged due to environmental problems including lousy diet and dehydration. Maintenance Perform a soil test every three years to make sure that your pine tree is receiving the right amount of water amount and food. Also, keeping your outdoor space neat and clean can lessen the risk of disease. Moreover, you want to gather up fallen needles periodically and throw them out. Needles can hide parasites. Another suggestion is to trim dead limbs and disinfect your trimmers afterward. Make sure to burn the limbs. When it comes to your landscape, stones provide practicality and beauty. What things should you consider when choosing landscape stone for your outdoor space? Aesthetic Appeal Regardless if you’re building something like a driveway, deck, or walkway, framing landscaping beds with stones draw the eyes to the natural beauty of the stones. Also, you can use stones to stop weeds as an alternative to mulches if you want a sophisticated look. Stones are available in a vast range of textures, colors, and sizes. The design choices for stones are truly impressive. Price Few folks can afford to disregard the issue of price, so it is smart to pick a type of stone that satisfies your budget. When considering the possibilities, remember that the size of the stone influences the cost needed to finish the job. When determining your expenses, make sure to include the price of the stones. Texture The texture of your stone selection should be right for the way that you want to use it. Rounded or crushed stones like river rocks are usually more comfortable underfoot, so they are a well-liked pick for heavy foot traffic areas such as patios, decks, and walkways and patios. Though rounded stones are more likely to disperse than their peers, so they may not be the best choice for sloping surfaces or borders. Temperature The temperature isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when you’re thinking about landscape stone. But, cooling and solar heating has a crucial impact on the health of your plants and your comfort. Dark colored stones retain heat. This can be wonderful on a crisp fall evening, but it could cook your plants in the summer. In contrast, light-colored stones reflect the sun’s rays, maintaining a cool space. If you are interested in use stone to improve your landscaping, it’s critical that you think about how the stone you pick will function and the influence it will have on its setting. If you want some assistance, talk with a knowledgeable tree care professional to help you make the top stone selection for your landscape project. Fruit trees are both an attractive and beneficial addition to any landscape. Though, their health can be endangered by a bacterial disease called fire blight. How do I spot fire blight on a tree? Fire blight attacks fruit trees such as:
Tree damage can range from minor disfiguring to death. When are my trees at risk? The disease is active mostly in spring with its high humidity and prolonged rain. Late spring is also the time when microorganisms are from a dormant plant. Birds and insects are carriers of the disease, but humans also play a part. Practices like sprinkler irrigation, use of high nitrogen, fast release fertilizer and use of dirty pruning tools are all helpful in spreading fire blight. What should I look for? As is in the name, fire blight makes many parts of a plant look like it was burned. The disease affects every area of a tree the same way. Flowers Flower clusters or individual flowers look to be water soaked and ultimately drop, shrivel and turn black or brown. Fruit Similar to flowers, the fruit will turn black or brown and wilt. Twigs and Branches The end stages of the disease cause cankers to form and produces discolored oozing patches. The cankers have a water-soaked look before turning dry and sunken. Twigs turn a red-brown color and, often, develop into an inverted U-shape. Treatment and Management Fire blight bacteria will go on multiplying as long as ecological conditions are satisfactory. Therefore, it is critical to be active regarding management and treatment. A program of proper pruning, mulching, fertilization, and irrigation will help the tree’s natural ability to fight this disease. Pruning of all blighted branches and twigs can slow down the spread of the disease. This practice is most efficient when done during the dry, cold periods in late winter. After every cut, pruning tools have to be disinfected using a bleach and water solution. To manage a newly budding tree, don’t use high nitrogen, quick release fertilizers. To eliminate this disease from your trees, contact your local Tampa arborist. Envision this. You’re walking through your fabulously maintain lawn on a beautiful summer day, and you want to rest against a tree to absorb everything. It’s a beautiful feeling of being one with nature until something sticky drops on your shoulder. Sap dripping from trees is a natural thing, but the chances are that it’s not one that you enjoy. You are like, “Sap coming out of my tree. What am I to do?” Here’s your answer. What Is Sap? When you have something as big as a mature tree, it takes lots of work to evenly spread the nutrients, water, and hormones necessary for survival. Every tree makes sap to some degree, but some stand apart when it comes to producing sap. One standout here is a maple tree. Sap from sugar maples is the central element in maple syrup. Why Should I Get Rid of Sap? This question is misleading. If you care about your tree, you shouldn't want to stop sap production. This is a vital part of your tree remaining healthy, similar to the importance of blood for the human body. Though like blood, sap is supposed to remain on the inside. As said before, certain trees are more likely to drip sap like honey locusts, elms, and maples. In terms of why sap drips from a tree, it can differ. The usual reasons are similar to the causes of tree problems. These are pests, diseases, and excessive tree trimming. How to Halt a Tree from Dripping Sap If you have a tree that is always dripping sap, you want to take extreme care in terms of when you trim it, being sure to do it in the right season. If your problems are from other sources, in many cases, elevating your tree care regimen will aid with your sap problems too. For instance, try to reduce tree stress to be sure that insects don’t feed on the trees and create sap leakage. Sap can come from numerous sources, and the right professional tree service will help you deal with all of them. Any size or shape hill in a landscape has always been an issue. Anyone who has mowed grass on a hill understands it’s no joy and can be hazardous. Also, there are steep banks where nothing appears to grow naturally. They can be unattractive and a threat to erosion control. Plants for hillsides can be the answer to myriad issues. There are many appropriate ground cover plants for hills. Steep hill ground cover for a steep hill can be dense shrubs for a timberland look or fast-growing ground covers for a sunny slope. When considering whether to plant ground cover on a hill, you need to use the same principles as you do for flat land: water, maintenance, and sun. The information below could aid you in picking a ground cover for a hill. If you need more advice, an arborist can make some helpful suggestions. Hillside Ground Cover Plants English Ivy – A well-liked steep hill ground cover, this wood-like vine will take hold wherever it touches. Variegated Goutweed – develops around 6 inches high and offer good coverage for vast areas. Vinca Minor – an evergreen trailing plant with purple/blue flowers, this is one of the top ground cover plants for gardening on a hill. Dense enough to squash weeds, it’s still slack sufficient to be scattered with crocus and daffodils for an incredible spring display. Dead Nettle – a quick-growing ground cover for a shady bank or sunny hill. Once this green and white beauty are formed, it will flourish under any unfavorable conditions. Steep Hill Ground Cover Shrubs Bearberry – a northwest native, this one can be seen in many garden centers all over the country. It’s a low-spreading evergreen with pink-white flowers, and the colors range from golden to deep green. Cotoneaster – a quick-growing evergreen that lives for a long time and needs very little care. Planted closely, they’ll develop into a dense mat in a few years. Roses – many low-spreading assortments as well as always-blooming shrub roses. Virtually pest free and low maintenance, these beauties can make a serious color statement when grouped. Roses should be considered the fastest growing ground cover for sunny hills. |