Spring is just around the corner
From setting your clocks forward, to enjoying some warmer temperatures. Spring is definitely the season of love and new beginnings!!
As we begin to travel back into our outdoor spaces, we should be mindful of all the changes that are about to take place. Flowers will begin to open soon, and we should schedule our aggressive pruning projects for a time that doesn’t disturb the reproduction cycle. Oh Yes, ladies and gentlemen. Those beautiful flowers are the reproductive methods of nature. No wonder they are so beautiful! Pruning should be done after flowering, especially if it is aggressive.
THIS WEEK’S TOP STORIES
The Emerald Ash borer is still wreaking havoc.
We are still getting my calls about dead or dying Ash trees. Sometimes we are at a property for a different reason and happen to notice the dying tree. If you have an Ash that is still healthy, think of yourself as blessed. We have lost a great amount of our beautiful tree canopy to this beetle.
It is always best to have a certified Arborist to look over your property once or twice a year. If you have a working relationship with one, they are most likely stopping by at random times or looking as they pass by in their car. An Arborist has a trained eye to not just pick out obvious hazards but can see precursors to things that will lead to future failures.
Planning your planting
It has been long debated: Should I plant my trees in the Fall or Spring? There’s no scientific evidence that can back up one as being better than the other. Fall planting helps with germination, allowing extra time for the process to take place before the next growing season. But, transplanting a tree or shrub from a pot or container into the ground doesn’t quite fit the extra time needed like germinating seeds.
What we do need to keep in mind is all the criteria on the little plastic cards stuck into the pot along with the plant. Mature size should be a top consideration before sticking that tree in the ground five feet from the corner of your house. Amount of sun needed, and hardiness zones are a close second and third in mindfulness decision making. Massage the girdled roots before throwing your tree or shrub into the ground and be sure to not dig your hole too deep. Your plant should slightly crest the ground to allow for settling. Spring rains should aid in the watering process, but there may be a week or two that it doesn’t rain, and you’ll need to add a small amount of water. Always stick your finger into the soil or take a core sample of the soil before deciding to add water. Mulching should be added in a manner that begins with very little depth at the base of the tree and deepens or thickens the further out you go. Tree guys (the strings people use to hold plants upright) are typically only needed for taller trees. Guys should be monitored and removed after the tree is stable enough to stand on its own.
From setting your clocks forward, to enjoying some warmer temperatures. Spring is definitely the season of love and new beginnings!!
As we begin to travel back into our outdoor spaces, we should be mindful of all the changes that are about to take place. Flowers will begin to open soon, and we should schedule our aggressive pruning projects for a time that doesn’t disturb the reproduction cycle. Oh Yes, ladies and gentlemen. Those beautiful flowers are the reproductive methods of nature. No wonder they are so beautiful! Pruning should be done after flowering, especially if it is aggressive.
THIS WEEK’S TOP STORIES
The Emerald Ash borer is still wreaking havoc.
We are still getting my calls about dead or dying Ash trees. Sometimes we are at a property for a different reason and happen to notice the dying tree. If you have an Ash that is still healthy, think of yourself as blessed. We have lost a great amount of our beautiful tree canopy to this beetle.
It is always best to have a certified Arborist to look over your property once or twice a year. If you have a working relationship with one, they are most likely stopping by at random times or looking as they pass by in their car. An Arborist has a trained eye to not just pick out obvious hazards but can see precursors to things that will lead to future failures.
Planning your planting
It has been long debated: Should I plant my trees in the Fall or Spring? There’s no scientific evidence that can back up one as being better than the other. Fall planting helps with germination, allowing extra time for the process to take place before the next growing season. But, transplanting a tree or shrub from a pot or container into the ground doesn’t quite fit the extra time needed like germinating seeds.
What we do need to keep in mind is all the criteria on the little plastic cards stuck into the pot along with the plant. Mature size should be a top consideration before sticking that tree in the ground five feet from the corner of your house. Amount of sun needed, and hardiness zones are a close second and third in mindfulness decision making. Massage the girdled roots before throwing your tree or shrub into the ground and be sure to not dig your hole too deep. Your plant should slightly crest the ground to allow for settling. Spring rains should aid in the watering process, but there may be a week or two that it doesn’t rain, and you’ll need to add a small amount of water. Always stick your finger into the soil or take a core sample of the soil before deciding to add water. Mulching should be added in a manner that begins with very little depth at the base of the tree and deepens or thickens the further out you go. Tree guys (the strings people use to hold plants upright) are typically only needed for taller trees. Guys should be monitored and removed after the tree is stable enough to stand on its own.