LandscapExpert Tip of the Week, April 30

Damage Due to Weather or Natural Disaster

A variety of natural disasters, ranging from hail to high winds, tornadoes, ice breakage, lightening strikes, flooding or split trunks, can occur suddenly to landscapes in good health.

Although little can be done to protect plants from natural occurrences, quick corrective action will be taken by Crabapple LandscapExperts. Uprooted plants can be replanted or removed, broken limbs can be properly pruned flush, and saturated or eroded soils can be restored. Set-up a contract with the responsive folks on the Crabapple LandscapExperts Team before hand.  

LandscapExpert Tip of the Week, April 23

Reaction to Changes in the Landscape

If additional construction changes are planned for an existing landscape, Crabapple Landscape Experts can help property managers minimize potential damage to the landscape. Plants can be moved, pruned back, or in some cases, even removed prior to the construction.

Changes occurring on neighboring properties, little or no control over the results may be possible, but even then, our LandscapExperts Team can offer suggestions.

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.