LandscapExperts Tip of the Week, April 16, 2012

Changes in the Landscape

A landscape is not static, but is ever-evolving. Trees grow larger and create more shade; flowering shrubs that once bloomed profusely in sun may fail to bloom; an area that’s used for many years as a path becomes devoid of vegetation due to soil compaction, and so forth. Additional construction such as pools, storage buildings, patios, fences, gates, sidewalks can affect the landscape plants.

When a homeowner association plans to make a change that could impact the landscape, Crabapple LandscapExperts can minimize injury to existing plants.

LandscapExperts Tip of the Week, April 9

First Aid for Repairing Recent Tree Wounds

If the bark has been newly peeled away from the trunk, the LandscapExperts immediately push it back in place and wrap or securely tie it so it can “knit” the tissues back together.

If the wound is a little older and the bark and wood tissues have dried, we carefully pare away the ragged edges leaving a smooth edge, easier for the tree to callus over so that compartmentalization can proceed. (Wound paint nor sealer is not recommended.)

LandscapExperts Tip of the Week, April 2

Wounds Disrupt the Flow of Water and Nutrients

When a tree trunk is injured, the flow of carbohydrates and elaborated sugars from the leaves downward, and the flow of water and nutrients from the roots upward is disrupted. Conductive tissues are called the phloem. The weakened root system will have a reduced ability to support the tree, and can begin a spiral of decline. 

LandscapExperts Tip of the Week, March 26

Success of Tree Wound Healing Depends on Variables

Some trees are more successful at walling off or compartmentalizing wounds to their trunk or limbs, and this depends on the species of tree, its age, health and vigor. Some trees (green ash, sweet gum) are strong compartmentalizers and can recover from wounds. Other species (river birch, honey locust) are weak compartmentalizers and can be killed if injured a few times.

LandscapExperts Tip of the Week, March 19

Trees Callus Over Open Wounds

Trees don’t heal wounds like people do; instead they grow callus cells and attempt to wall- off or compartmentalize the damage. This process, known as closure, allows the tree to build layers of cells around the wound that blocks the entry of insects and disease. "Tree would paint" and sealer interferes with this natural process. 

LandscapExperts Tip of the Week, March 12

Curing "Lawnmower Blight"

Crabapple LandscapExperts recommend the use of mulch rings (or hardscape edging and mulch) around the base of tender trunks of newly planted or young trees and tree-form shrubs. The mulch that surrounds the trunks keeps a physical distance between the trunks and lawnmowers, string trimmers and edgers. This provides a level of safety from equipment that can accidentally gouge holes or strip away bark, creating an entry point for insects and disease. 

LandscapExperts Tip of the Week, March 5

What are the results of the bad practice of Topping* a tree?

If a tree has been subjected to the unfortunate practice of “Topping” many problems result.

• Large limbs are stubbed off, rendering the tree ruined and unsightly 
• entry ports for insects and diseases are created 
• masses of vigorous, upright “water sprouts” emerge from the stubs and they are not structurally sound, as normal branching would be 
• a large quantity of photosynthesizing leaves are removed, resulting in too little photosynthesis for the remaining root system 
• leaf cover that shades the trunk is removed  and buds that would form a normal branching pattern are eliminated 
• Ultimately, Crabapple LandscapExperts may advise that the topped tree is better removed

(Last week Crabapple explained the bad practice of  topping .