Category: pruning

clean up

Trees in October

Be sure to rake up all the fallen leaves and put them into the compost. If the leaves are left, they can encourage fungal growth, other diseases and insects.

Pruning a treeOctober is also a good time to get deciduous hedges and those big trees pruned before the winter gales.

A tree may need pruning for a variety of reasons:
· to remove diseased or storm-damaged branches
· to thin the crown to permit new growth and better air circulation
· to reduce the height of a tree
· to remove obstructing lower branches
· to shape a tree for design purposes

Why not give us a call today for an estimate?

Planting

How to Help Your Trees in a Drought

One way to do deep root watering

Trees need deep root watering. So during water restrictions, when you are allowed, give them a good long drink. And then mulch, mulch, mulch, to slow evaporation and keep the ground cool.

Minimize or stop pruning or trimming to avoid scorching your shrubs.

For best results, avoid planting until the fall. Local nurseries will often agree to keep your trees or shrubs until fall if you pay for them now when you have more of a choice.

deadwood removal

Wait to prune your trees until after the leaves fall

Willow tree
OK! OK! I’ll wait a bit.

Pruning too soon can harm your trees and shrubs.So, when it comes to fall pruning, procrastination is the way to go.

Pruning a little branch or two may be OK, bigger tasks like thinning the crown or cutting a big limb should wait unless the tree is a hazard. If it is a hazard, you should likely call the professionals in any case. 

  • In early autumn, wounds from pruning close more slowly and plants are at risk for fungal diseases. For most trees, the best time for major pruning is November to early spring because wounds close faster.
  • Pruning in late summer and early autumn may also stimulate new growth, which has little time to harden before cold weather comes.
  • If you must prune in fall, wait until trees drop their leaves and are dormant—usually October or November. Then, you can see the tree’s structure and identify disease and insect problems more easily.
  • Dormancy (especially late winter to early spring) is also a good time to prune evergreens because vigorous spring growth will hide pruning wounds.
  • One exception to the no-fall-pruning advice is that you should remove dead, diseased, and damaged wood as soon as possible –– for tree health and your safety. Take proper safety precautions at all times. Hire a professional tree service to remove big limbs, high branches, and any other tree job that you’re not prepared to do.

 

pruning

Pruning Apple Trees

overgrown apple tree
This tree seriously needs to be Godolphinized!

Most fruit trees should be pruned when they are dormant. Most gardeners are inside shivering in their boots during dormant season, as you well know, if your tree is overgrown!

Unless your apple tree is declining or diseased, it can still be pruned.

It is very hard to kill an apple tree by pruning it, but neglecting it is an invitation to disease and pests. So give us a call today, while there is still time, and you will be thankful later in the year.

deadwood removal

Spraying time again for fruit trees

Sanitation

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.

Dormant Oil

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.

disease

Get Rid of Tree Canker Quickly

Black Knot FungusTree Canker or Black Knot is caused by a fungus and affects a wide range of species including plums, cherries and apricots. Spore release is heaviest at blossom time. Prune and destroy infected branches before bud break.

Prune at least 2-4 inches below each knot. If pruning or removal of major limbs is not possible then you must cut away the knot down to healthy wood at least 1/2 inch beyond the knot.

Infected trees usually require pruning on an annual basis until the disease is completely eradicated. Knots will continue to grow until they girdle the branch and kill it. Severe infections can eventually kill the tree.

If you notice Black Knot on your trees, give us a call at your earliest convenience!

dormant spray

Is it too late to spray your fruit trees?

Cherry BlossomsIf your buds are starting to pop, it is too late. Trees need to be dry for a week after spraying and cannot suffer a frost. Best now to wait till the autumn.

You can be pruning now, but not hedge trimming. Wait for late August or early September, especially for Leyland Cedars.

You can lime your lawn now, too.

In the vegetable garden, it is a good time to plant peas. A cold frame is a good idea this early in the year. We are going to wait another couple of weeks for the broad beans.