Even though trees go dormant in the winter, there are a few things that we can do at this time of year to keep them healthy for years to come.
- WRAP YOUR TRUNKS
You may have seen vertical cracks in the trunks of trees. These are called frost cracks, and can result from varying temperatures on the tree trunks in the winter. Thin-barked trees, such as maples, are more susceptible to this. You may also have noticed damage due to browsing or rubbing by wildlife such as deer, rabbits and voles. All of these can cause significant damage, and may even be fatal to a tree, especially when young.
- Install trunk guards as close to the ground as you can, even digging it a couple of inches into the ground if possible to protect against voles.
- Extend trunk guards about 4’ tall to protect against deer and any small animals that may stand on top of snow drifts in winter.
- For multi-stem trees or trees with low branches, try making a cage out of hardware fabric as an alternative to trunk guards.
- Remove wraps in Spring to allow for air circulation and new growth.
- PREVENT WINTER DRY-OUT
Many evergreens in our area are susceptible to winter “desiccation”, or drying out. You will typically see this on portions of the plant that are most exposed to winter wind, and will generally see damage starting at the tips of the branches. There a few things we can do to help prevent this.
- Water evergreens right up to the first frost, especially new plantings that may still be establishing root systems.
- Wrap evergreens in burlap to protect against winter wind.
- If salt spray is also an issue, use stakes with burlap to prevent direct contact with the salt soaked fabric.
- Ask about anti-desiccant sprays at your local garden center.
- Remove burlap as soon as possible in early Spring to allow sun exposure and air circulation.
- TO PRUNE, OR NOT TO PRUNE?
Winter is an ideal time to prune many trees. However, winter pruning can affect flowering and may contribute to “bleeding” sap in some species. There are also many proper pruning techniques to keep in mind when pruning trees. When in doubt, contact an arborist. However, here are a few guidelines to keep in mind.
- Have your oak trees pruned in winter to help avoid oak wilt.
- Clean, disinfect and air dry pruning tools regularly.
- Always prune back to a bud or a branch—do not leave stubs.
- Do not attempt to prune anything within 10 feet of a power line.
Realtor’s Home & Garden Show 2014
The 2014 Realtor’s Home & Garden Show is themed “Home is Where the Art is.” Each year this show comes up with a new theme, and this year, in addition to the usual home and garden displays, there will also be local art on display! At Kelly’s Greenscapes, we are once again thrilled to be part of such a great home and garden show. For us, this show is always a sign that spring is near! We can’t wait to meet all of the excited home owners and hear their ideas for improving their outdoor spaces this year! This show runs through two weekends, so there is plenty of time for everyone to stop down! So, spread the word and join us for a taste of spring at State Fair Park!
Location: Wisconsin Expo Center, State Fair Park
Date: March 21-23 & March 26-30, 2014
Additional info? Click here!
There are plenty of reasons to visit a local home and garden show, even if you don’t mind that spring is being a bit stubborn this year. For us, the most exciting part of the Realtor’s show is that there are 12 large scale (30’ x 30’) landscaping booths displaying outdoor living spaces.
The Express News Home, Garden & Landscape Show is a great, local tradeshow representing some of the best local companies in the Waukesha County area for home and landscape improvements. There are over 100 different companies represented from various aspects of the home improvement and landscape industries. We are happy to announce that Kelly’s Greenscapes, LLC will be among them again this year featuring a brand new landscape display! Each year we aim to create an even better display than the year before, and this year we are confident that we will achieve that goal!
Location: Waukesha County Expo Center
Date: February 21-23, 2014
Additional info available here: http://discoverhometown.com/specialSections/HomeGardenLandscapeShowinfo.asp
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