August is traditionally the hottest month of the year. With increased temperatures, plants demand more water. Soils also dry out more quickly at high temperatures, which places additional stress on plants. So now is a good time to examine and adjust irrigation systems. Soil should be checked for moisture content at the end of an irrigation cycle. If the soil is dry, extend the watering time for that zone. Ensuring that landscape plants are properly and adequately mulched is also helpful in conserving soil moisture and irrigation water.
If you don't have an irrigation system, apply water through soaker hoses that help conserve irrigation water. Irrigate thoroughly by allowing water to penetrate the upper 8-10 inches (20-25 cm) of soil. For most established woody plants, thorough irrigation once each week is adequate. For shallow rooted plants and newly planted trees and shrubs, water should be applied two or three times per week depending on weather conditions. And if you are going on vacation, make provisions for watering while you are away.
EARLY FALL COLOR/premature leaf drop
It’s easy to overlook problems with your trees and shrubs. Sometimes, it’s nearly impossible to identify issues without the help of an arborist. But, there are certain things you should look for that can indicate a serious problem may exist.
This time of year, it’s important to notice any unusual changes in the leaves of your trees. Trees under stress frequently develop autumn coloration early and cast their leaves prematurely. This condition is often associated with serious root and soil disorders. If addressed early, soil or root management treatments like fertilization, proper irrigation and root invigoration, can help remedy issues.
Premature autumn color and leaf drop could also be caused by vascular diseases or certain boring insects. As such, it is important to have an arborist inspect trees to determine the underlying cause of this symptom and recommend appropriate action.
As summer ends, it’s important to note any changes in your trees. Trees under stress display key symptoms indicating that a serious problem may exist or could develop if ignored. Some things to look for:
wilting or unusual loss of leaves or needles;
yellowing of leaves or browning of needles;
premature autumn color and leaf drop;
wet, sappy spots on branches and stems.
In some cases, it may be your trees simply need more (or less) water. However, these signs could be evidence of insects and disease or may indicate problems with the roots or soil. Correctly identifying the underlying cause is critical to addressing the problem and nurturing trees back to good health. A yearly check-up is a good idea to identify any early warning signs and keep your trees in top shape.
There's a lot to worry about during storm season, including falling trees and limbs. The high winds and saturated soil conditions typically associated with summer storms can cause tree roots to fail and branches to weaken. Limbs may be torn free during storms or an entire tree may fall, causing power outages, property damage and even personal injury.
While it is impossible to totally protect your trees and property from hurricane force winds, there are some basic procedures that can help reduce the risk of damage. Have a certified arborist carefully inspect your property for:
Dead, dying, and weakly attached branches and dead trees
Decayed or split stems and branches
Root disease or disturbances
Exceptionally dense canopies
Trees with poor architecture
Species with weak wood
Additionally, your arborist should not use climbing spikes when performing maintenance procedures as they create wounds in stems that can lead to insect and disease infestations. A good arborist will be aware of these and their industry standards so don't hesitate to ask questions, request proof of insurance and ask for references. Arborists care for a valuable landscape asset and one that is reputable will do whatever is possible to maintain the beauty and safety of the trees on your property.
SCALE INSECT MANAGEMENT
Scale insects are parasites on many evergreen and deciduous plants. They can occur on leaves, twigs, branches or trunks. These small pests feed on sap drawn directly from the plant’s vascular system. These pests are often controlled with horticultural spray oils, biological control or pest resistant plants.
Preventive maintenance is the most cost-effective way to keep your landscape trees and shrubs from infestations. Healthy plants resist insects, diseases and damage. As such, it is important to have an arborist inspect your property and recommend appropriate action.
INVASIVE PLANT MANAGEMENT
Some normally well-behaved plants become problematic and resist all efforts for control simply because they are able to out-survive the plantings around them. There may be no local factors - like insects or diseases - limiting their growth, which means these plants can spread aggressively. Depending on the area of the country, knotweed, honeysuckle, kudzu and ivy are among the species that are particularly invasive.
Proliferation of an invasive species can pose serious problems, throwing off the natural balance of an ecosystem. For example, invasive species can sometimes overtake and replace indigenous plants, leaving animals and birds without forage for their normal diets.
If you have invasive plants on your property, now is an excellent time to treat them to prevent their spread. Systemic herbicide treatments applied to stems or foliage during the late summer and early fall can help provide effective control. Treated brush can then be removed in winter and desirable species planted in spring to provide a more sustainable environment.
Tree Artisans 3415 Cedarlawn Dr. Colorado Springs, CO 80918 www.treeartisans.com 719.822.6733