Category Archives: Tree Care

The Most Important Tree Care Step: Right Tree, Right Place

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A  few weeks ago I had the opportunity to attend the Partners in Community Forestry National Conference in Philadelphia.  The three day conference brought together a diverse group of individuals that all take care of or build urban forest.  Groups included utility arborists, city foresters, non-profit tree planting organizations, city planners, and city employees (just to name a few).  While sitting in one seminar about the 2030 Shade plan for the City of Phoenix the point came back to me again about how important Right Tree, Right Place is.  The city is making a huge investment to increase their urban canopy from under 10% to 25% by 2030.  

The plan focuses much of its effort on Right Tree Right Place because so much of their current effort and budget is currently about fixing trees because they were Wrong Tree, Wrong Place. Read more…

Conifer Winter Tree Care

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Colorado Blue Spruce in Winter

Q: Robert, since winter is quickly approaching can you give readers any general advice about winter tree care focusing on caring for conifers in winter?

The main problem we hear about in winter seems to be bent or broken limbs or trunks on young conifers (pine, evergreens, spruces…).  Don’t give up on these young plants.  As soon as possible after snow or ice bends them down, use rope, strong cord or wire to secure them upright to stakes or sturdy parts of the tree.  Spring growth will usually provide the strength needed to maintain the upright position.  At some point during the first or second summer, you should be able to remove the support system. Read more…

Autumn Tree Care

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Autumn Tree Care

Cooler weather is a great time for planting trees and for the trees that you currently it is time to prepare them for the rapidly approaching winter months.

Here are some tips from our friends at Casey Trees in Washington DC.

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Arborist Question and Answer: Yellow Poplar and Newly Planted Red Maple

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I have a couple of questions for you accompanied by a few photographs about a yellow poplar and a maple in my yard.

Q: The first question is about a yellow poplar that was here when we moved in about three years ago. It was in need of a trimming, so I did so that winter, especially to remove a lower branch that was out of place. I know certain varieties of the species tend to grow straight up and produce a pyramidal crown later, but this tree seems pretty mature to have not done that yet. I’m wondering, is there any special pruning or anything I can do to help it spread out and start producing shade? The tree is about 20-25 feet and about 6-7 inches in diameter at the trunk. Read more…

Smoketree

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If you should ever find yourself luxuriating in the French Riviera, and in the unlikely event you grow tired of the sand and sea, a walk in the hills will introduce you to the unique woodlands of the Mediterranean.   There, among the scrubby oaks and umbrella pines you will find a familiar bush or small tree, the European smoketree – in its native environment.

There are only two species of trees in the genus Cotinus.  One is the American smoketree, the other is its close relative from Europe.  For both, their claim to fame is the wispy clumps of filaments that look all the world like smoke.  The mirage has given rise to other names such as mist tree, cloud tree, wig tree, and Jupiter’s beard.  By whatever name, the site of this tree is what Minnesota garden writer Don Engebretson has called “one of the most arresting shrubs available to…gardeners today.”
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Dogwood: Beautiful Tree With Many Uses

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Writer-naturalist Donald Peattie once wrote, “Lovely as it is, dogwood stoops also to be useful.”

What’s in a Name?

For all the beauty of this tree, the common name of dogwood may come from something less lovely – “dagger.”  This, in turn, may actually come from its early use as a skewer, or thin piece of wood used to hold meat together.  The tendency of its wood to not splinter made it popular for this purpose.

The scientific genus name, Cornus, derives from the Latin, cornu, or horn, in reference to another use of its hard wood.  The species name, florida, is also from Latin, flos, meaning flowery. 

Seasonal Color

The blossoms of dogwood add a welcome touch of color in early spring.  If space allows, the white can be accentuated with a background of conifers.  Bright autumn foliage and red berries that linger into winter add a bold stroke of color to any landscape design. Read more…

Summer Tree Care

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Q:  I’ve noticed that sometimes trees drop their twigs and leaves in the summer.  Is this normal for certain species or is this an indication of a problem?

   The terms for what you are seeing are “summer dormancy,” “summer leaf drop,” and “cladoptosis,” the latter meaning “a branch” and “falling.”  By whatever name, what you see is a reaction to stress.   Read more…

Drought-Tolerant Trees in Hot Summer Months

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Q: I’ve planted some drought-tolerant species that later died during the hot summer months.

If they are listed as drought-tolerant, shouldn’t this be a guarantee against mortality in the dry period?
Trees listed as drought-tolerant are those that have genetically adapted to sites in their native habitat that regularly experience prolonged dry spells.  However, all newly-planted trees can use some help from us. 

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How to Care for Arborvitae, the tree of life

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Arborvitae is truly the “tree of life.”  To the early Indians, and the first French explorers with whom they shared their knowledge of natural medicines, arborvitae meant vitamin C and a cure for scurvy.  To the new home owner today, it is a quick hedge and a foundation planting to soften the corners of houses.                               

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Deer Resistant Trees and Shrubs = No more Deer Repellent

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Deer often cause damage to trees, shrubs, and other landscape plants causing avid gardeners and tree planters to spend money on deer repellents or deer tubes.  No tree or shrub is completely deer proof, but some are more deer resistant than others.  The ratings below are based upon research from Rutgers University Experiment Station in conjunction with nursery and landscape professionals and master gardeners.  Hopefully this new research will help eliminate the need to purchase deer repellent or deer fences. 

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