Some Western Red Cedars are under serious stress in these recent drought like conditions over the summer. And in fact, some are actually dying. If you have a red cedar on your property, please check it out, particularly if it is close to your house.
If you have any concerns whatsoever, we are qualified to do dangerous tree risk assessment. Please call us at (250) 748-4489.
This article from Federated Insurance has some good tips about fireproofing your property in light of the wild fires we are seeing in BC this year.
They suggest that you inspect the land surrounding your property and remove highly flammable vegetation such as pine and fir trees, and keep lawns green and mowed. Move landscaping plants and vines away from the sides of your property.
They recommend the creation of a “safe zone” around your home. Make sure your roof is free from debris and clean your gutters often. Read the full article here.
Dormant spraying your fruit trees for pests is best done starting in November up until March if the weather stays cool.
Spraying fruit trees during the cool seasons, November through March, can help control pests that take up residence in the cracks and crevices, according to Ross Penhallegon, horticulturist with the Oregon State University Extension Service. Such dormant spraying is more effective than waiting until the weather warms and pests become active.
Some sprays that can be used are:
Apples: Spray copper before fall rains; dormant oil once or twice from January through March; lime-sulfur in January or February (just before buds open) and wettable sulfur just after petal fall.
Apricots: Spray copper before the fall rains and dormant oil in February.
Cherries: Use wettable sulfur or lime-sulfur applied weekly during blooming for brown rot. Information on synthetic sprays to control cherry fruit fly is available at your local county office of the OSU Extension Service.
Pears: Spray copper before the fall rains; spray lime-sulfur two to three times beginning in fall, again during winter, and finally in March just before buds open; spray dormant oil in early spring before buds open and wettable sulfur just after petal fall.
Peaches: Spray copper or a good dormant fungicide three to four times between December and bud break. Spray copper or lime-sulfur before fall rains and in spring just before bud break; apply sulfur weekly during blooming and again after all petals have fallen.
For the full list and further information, click here.
Young trees, whether planted by you or by your municipality need lots of help to get established.
The City of Vancouver is asking residents to please help by watering new trees a couple of times a week. We should all be doing the same.
The whole of the CVRD is now under Stage 2 Watering restrictions, but these do not apply to trees and shrubs. For everything else, it is twice a week between the hours of 6 am – 9 am and 7 pm to 10 pm. While the above link is to the CVRD information, it is true for Duncan, Ladysmith, Lake Cowichan and North Cowichan as well.
Disease problems in fruit trees often overwinter on dried fruits and leaves that fell to the ground in the Autumn and were never cleaned up. The spores stay to re-infect the tree in the spring as the leaves begin to emerge. This is why sanitation beneath and around your fruit trees is critical. Rake up and removes all debris from the tree, each year. Dead or diseased branches must be pruned and removed each spring.
You should apply dormant oil spray to your fruit trees before they begin to bud out. For apple and pear trees, dormant oil is used to control scale and spider mitesPlum, peach, apricot and cherry require lime-sulphur spray.
The spray must be applied at the right time with complete coverage of the tree. Dormant oil or lime-sulphur should be sprayed on the tree while it is still dormant. Thin out excessive growth before spraying.
DO NOT combine dormant oil applications with lime-sulfur, or pesticides containing sulfur, as tree injury may result.
Here is a link to a dormant spray guide. Learn more about dormant spraying here.
Godolphin Tree Service is a company that spans three generations, that was established in 1978.
If your trees are looking ragged and unkempt you still have time to get them pruned before the spring!