THE LANDSCAPE REPORTER

SPRING 2012

TREE TALK

DID YOU KNOW? THE

with Steve Devoe, ValleyCrest Tree Care Manager MA & ISA Certified Arborist Proper and proactive care is crucial for your trees long-term health and beauty. Below are a few benefits of pruning the trees on your property.

EFFECTS OF A WARM WINTER ON YOUR LANDSCAPE

This season, you may notice some out of the ordinary occurrences concerning spring flowering trees, shrubs, perennials and bulbs, as a result of this mild winter. All of these plants are very resilient and adaptable; however, you may observe a few differences in your landscape this spring as compared to last.

SAFETY: Pruning dead branches helps to eliminate the potential hazard of falling During years that New England limbs to people and property. experiences a mild winter, spring Trimming branches that may fun fact: flowering bulbs may emerge obscure or interfere with One acre of trees removes early. This year, we are seeing street lights, traffic signals, up to 2.6 tons of carbon bulbs which are planted in sunny and overhead wires help to locations, start to pop as early as dioxide each year and shade February due to soil temperatures eliminate visibility issues. trees can make buildings that have remained warm. up to 20 degrees cooler Raising the canopy of trees in the summer. over walkways, lawns and Often when bulbs emerge too parking areas help eliminate soon, the chance of a late frost potential injury to pedestrians may occur and damage the and vehicles. exposed tips. This can result in a stunted flower, smaller plant size and/or discolored foliage. This also pertains to early flowering trees and AESTHETICS: For most landscapes, a plants natural shrubs such form is best. Avoid pruning or shearing shrubs into as Magnolias tight geometrical shapes that may adversely affect and flowering their growth. Change the natural form of a tree or Dogwoods. In shrub only if it needs to be confined or trained for a some cases, the flower may be specific purpose. burnt around the edges or it HEALTH: Pruning trees encourages development of a may not flower strong structure and reduces the likelihood of weather as profusely. damage. By removing interior branches and sucker growth that could develop into interfering, crossing The lack of Magnolia blossom damage by snow this and or rubbing branches opens up the interior of the late frost. winter is also a tree which helps allow sunlight into the canopy of the concern. Typically, snow blankets the ground and tree allowing wind to pass through helping to dry out provides insulation and moisture to the soil and the tree to prevent fungus disease. Additionally the roots beneath. The lack of moisture and freezing nutrients that the unwanted branches are using will temperatures may cause damage to the roots of now be available to the rest of the tree. your plants, and as a result they may suffer.

PLANT CARE
VALUE OF FERTILIZATION:
It is easy to forget that shrubs, perennials and annuals need to be fed regularly during their growing season. If they were fertilized only when initially planted, they would be starving six weeks later. Plants response to low nutrients is few flowers, weak growth and more susceptibility to harmful insects and disease. There are two ways to fertilize: If you water your plants regularly, use a granular fertilizer like 10-10-10, applying one pint per 100 square feet of flower bed. If the plants are not watered regularly, use a water soluble fertilizer (MiracleGro, Peters, etc) and fertilize regularly according to label directions. Fertilizing shrubs (or trees) can take place two or up to, three times each year. Remember that fertilizing will not make up for other problems such as soil that is constantly moist or dry, compacted, overly acid or alkaline. Check the planting site and correct any existing problems first.

BARK MULCH.NOT JUST FOR AESTHETICS While mulch enhances the look of your landscape it also serves as protection for the health and well-being of the plants that it surrounds. It reduces competition from grass and weeds in search of water and nutrients, resulting in improved growth of landscape plants while protecting tree and shrub roots from drying during extreme temperatures. Mulch also acts as a vapor barrier to prevent rapid evaporation of water from the soil, which is especially useful in areas prone to drought. Because mulching can improve water absorption and retention in the soil, irrigation water can be conserved and maintenance time can be reduced.

IRRIGATION TALK
with Brian Crowe, ValleyCrest Irrigation Account Manager Managing your irrigation system is more than just fixing your sprinklers. Today, water is money. It makes good sense to ensure that your irrigation systems are working as efficiently as possible. The two easiest ways to do this is to first make sure your controller is programmed correctly to accommodate the landscape needs and not set to overwater, and secondly that the heads are adjusted so they water the turf and shrub beds and are not over spraying pavement, walks or other non-landscape areas. If you have seen a spike in your irrigation water bill or the charges seem unusually high, there are a number of cost saving solutions that include; low volume head and nozzle upgrades, installing drip irrigation where possible, installation of smart controllers and computer water management systems. A complete irrigation system audit is the best way to find out just how inefficient your system may be. A typical audit will map the entire system and identify all head types and water usage per head and per zone as well as overall water usage for the run time of each watering cycle. The audit can also summarize overall coverage and head distribution issues. The results of this type of audit can be used to manage your water costs as well as plan for possible upgrades.

Properly treated Hydrangea

Properly treated annuals

DID YOU KNOW?

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Evergreen trees and shrubs are especially susceptible to winter burn during dry winters. The dry winds draw moisture away from the plants leaf or needle resulting in a curling leaf with brown edges. However, winter burn can easily be remediated by pruning away the damaged growth Rhododendron damaged by in the spring. winter burn. While it is impossible to predict exactly what effect the warmer winter will have on your landscape, it is likely that well see fewer blooms on flowering trees and shrubs in the spring and some perennials may be less vigorous. Your ValleyCrest Account Manager will bring any issues discovered to your attention and suggest any necessary remedies.

TURF UPDATE
Kentucky bluegrass will be emerging from winter dormancy soon with warming temperatures, longer day length and predictable spring rainfall. To make your lawn look its very best apply a balanced nitrogen fertilizer to enhance spring turf color and promote overall plant development while at the same time limiting excessive top growth. This application should also consist of a preemergence crabgrass control as well as a postemergence control for existing broadleaf weeds. Snow mold disease incidence is likely to be below average this spring given the lack of winter moisture. Likewise, springtime grub activity should be limited due to low incidence last year.

Serving Massachusetts, Southern New Hampshire and Rhode Island from 5 locations: Belmont, Billerica, Boston, Foxboro and Lunenburg. www.valleycrest.com www.valleycresttakeson.com

The Landscape Reporter is published quarterly to help educate property managers on sustainable and horticulturally sound landscape practices.

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