Pruning, Trimming and Tree Pests

Many people do not realize it but pruning and trimming done in the wrong way can actually hurt trees. The reason these activities can hurt trees is that improper pruning and trimming can actually spread some diseases that can kill trees.

Tree killing diseases like Oak Wilt actually spread faster if trees are pruned at the wrong time of the year. To make matters worse the waste left from trimming and pruning can also spread fungus if it is not disposed of in a proper manner. Such wastes can spread some of the insects that attack trees. The best way for a property owner to prevent the spread of fungus like Beech Bark and Maple Tar Spot is to have trees maintained by a professional tree service. A good service will employ professional arborists who can prune and trim trees in such a way as to spread diseases. Unfortunately many home and property owners do not do this. Instead of proper maintenance they hire the first person who knocks on their door or that guy hanging around in the Home Depot parking lot. Yes these characters are cheap but they are probably not professional arborists. They do not know how to prune or trim trees properly. Nor do they know how to prevent the spread of fungus. In addition to proper pruning and trimming a professional tree service can spray trees for diseases. This can prevent the spread of the diseases, some of which can quickly kill trees. Unfortunately the trees most vulnerable to these blights are the big leafy ones that are the most attractive like oaks, willows and maples. These are the trees most likely to enhance property values and provide shade. They also give neighborhoods and towns their character. The best way to maintain these trees and preserve property value is through proper tree maintenance done by professionals. A professional service will cost more but it can keep your trees healthy and preserve the beauty of your property.

The Growing Threat to Your Trees

The threat to trees from insects, fungal diseases and other pests is growing everyday. Almost every species of tree found in the United States is now under threat from some sort of nasty bug or deadly fungus. To make matters worse new threats to trees are arriving from all over the world everyday. State officials in Southern California are now warning property owners about the Red Palm Weevil. A pest that they think could wipe out every palm tree in the Golden State. Back east Chestnut Blight almost wiped out American chestnut trees. Every year home and property owners loose thousands of trees to such menaces. Protecting Your Trees Fortunately there are steps that property owners can take to protect their trees and the value they add to properties. The first and best step you can take is to have your trees regularly inspected by a professional tree service. Such a service should employ trained arborists that can spot threats to trees and stop them. Once a threat has been identified there are steps that can be taken to protect trees, shrubs and other greenery. Almost all of the insects that kill trees can be stopped by spraying but to be effective and safe, spraying has to be done early and quickly. Fungus can also be also controlled by proper spraying. Improper pruning and trimming can damage trees and actually encourage the spread of fungus and some pests. Having this work done by a professional tree service can stop the spread of such menaces. Finally, dead, dying and infected trees must be removed as soon as you notice them. Such trees must be removed properly to keep pests and diseases from spreading. Professional tree removal is often the best means of protecting a properly from tree killing pests and diseases.

Preventing Winter Tree Damage

Winter tree damage can come in many forms: from minor headaches to expensive disasters. Many people keep a close eye on their gardens, but many homeowners falsely believe that trees can hold their own during the harsh cold season. Even if you have already prepared your trees extensively for winter it’s difficult to predict how each year’s changing weather is going to effect your investments and property. The hardiest and most established of trees still face significant damage if the homeowner doesn’t keep a keen eye.

Inspection- Better Late than Never

It may seem like mid-December is a bad time to be thinking about potential winter tree damage, but the standard rule still applies: bad luck is impossible to prepare for. Take a special look at aged, leaning, or previously damaged trees as they are the most susceptible to the forces of wintery nature. Exposed and isolated trees in residential landscapes are often the biggest risk, so keep note of damages sustained over previous years. 

Common Threats

Ice Damage: Frozen water can affect trees in many different ways. Cracks can become filled with moisture and then burst open to create a huge crack. Weight is also another issue for many trees, whether it is due to an accumulation of snow or ice. Be aware of how low the branches are hanging over power lines, because branches are surprisingly flexible and can cause expensive damages that may result in lawsuits against the property owner. Make sure that a tree service professional is contacted for emergency winter trimming if there is any possibility that power lines may be affected. 

Winter Moths: For the past ten years, homeowners on the south coast have experienced a rather startling increase in invasive tan moths which swarm windows and headlights during the early December months. These pests land on trees and deposit eggs- their offspring are responsible for defoliating and ultimately killing hundreds of thousands of acres of trees each year. The larvae feed on the tender buds of springtime trees. Late winter is a great time to begin spraying trees for this pest, although winter birds like cardinals are thought to enjoy the otherwise unwelcome guest.

Pruning Fruit Trees in Late Winter

According to an extension horticulture specialist at North Carolina State University, winter pruning is extremely important to the growth of a young fruit tree. Growers that neglect annual training and pruning find themselves with short-lived trees that produce lower quality fruit. Failing to care for the framework of the tree can result in serious limb breakage under a heavy load of snow or fruit. Since fruit trees in the Northeast should not be pruned after July (due to potential winter damage), it’s important to take advantage of the increased growth potential that winter trimming offers.

Which to Trim and Why?

Summer and winter pruning have very different effects on fruit trees. Winter pruning, also known as dormant pruning, is an invigorating process that can spurs growth but reduces the fruit bounty of the next season. That’s why only young, relatively untrained fruit trees need a vigorous winter trim- it will prepare them to bear larger loads later in life. Older trees can benefit from a little work as well, but keep in mind that new growth on an established tree often causes more trouble than it’s worth. The reason that this growth spurt occurs after winter pruning is because the trees are still in their dormant stage, so the level of energy doesn’t decrease despite the removal of nutrient-consuming shoots. This extra energy shows up in the spring in the form of rapid growth.

When to Trim Fruit Trees

Pruning should begin as late in the winter as possible, because cold weather injury could pose a real threat to a newly trimmed tree. Those who are unfamiliar with winter pruning should seek the advice of a local tree maintenance professional who can advise on proper technique to decrease the chances of damage. Apple and pecan can be pruned the earliest. The typical rule of thumb for other types of fruit bearing trees is to prune the latest blooming first, and the earliest blooming trees last. Age is a significant issue to the health of a tree during pruning, as well, since younger trees are more susceptible to winter injury of any type.

What You DIDN’T Know About the North Carolina State Tree

So you thought you knew your state trivia, huh? The longleaf pine has been a lasting testament to the strength, endurance, and rich history of North Carolina- standing tall over the state like proud monuments to lasting peace. Stands of these majestic trees cover much of the Southeastern United States paying tribute to the phrase “of the marsh” from which this pine’s scientific name of “pinus palustris” is derived. Besides the beauty and hardiness of this species what do we really know about this type of tree which once sustained our coast’s great navies? You may be surprised after contemplating these three facts that you most likely didn’t know about the history and nature of this special North Carolina tree.

1. The state tree is actually invasive to some parts of NC!

Before mainstream settlement of the Piedmont of North Carolina, the plateau was covered by a diverse forest consisting of various hardwoods including oaks, sycamores, and ashes. These trees were valued for their high value as lumber and were commercially cleared in vast amounts over generations. The longleaf pine had room to expand and have remained ever since. The climate of the region has actually changed because of this phenomenon: the area is now much more dry and arid because of the lack of hardwood forest canopy to create humidity!

2. The longleaf pine used to share the spotlight. 

Another surprising fact about the longleaf is that it was never originally the state tree. It shared the glory with an array of different pine species. In fact, the General Assembly of 1963 honored eight different types of pine equally. The loblolly, pitch, shortleaf, and pond are just a few examples of other indigenous trees that were part of this distinction. Each native species of pine carried it’s own role in turning North Carolina into the home of a very successful building industry and, more recently, a booming Christmas Tree producing state.

3. The longleaf pine now has TWICE the spotlight!

Did you know that the longleaf pine is also the state tree of Alabama? This species once covered over 90 million acres in the Southeastern United States but less than 3 million acres are currently thriving today. Similar to the state tree situation of NC, Alabama’s state legislature originally declared every pine to be equally important in the eyes of history. In 1997 the longleaf was specified, bringing it twice the attention! In my opinion, this species is formidable enough to be shared by countless states as an important icon of America’s industrial strength.

So whether you are a North Carolina or Alabama longleaf pine fan, be sure to give your special trees extra loving maintenance now that you know how truly unique they are. Each and every tree is important to a homeowner but any NC native has extra reason to take a second look at their unique state tree.

Beware -- Popular Species that are Actually Invasive!

The eastern United States is the perfect target for these attractive varieties of rapidly spreading and difficult to control plants. Every species on the following list are being willingly introduced by the hundreds of thousands each year to landscapes from Texas to North Carolina for their vigor and tasteful appearance, but many homeowners don’t realize their mistake until years later when the land clearing professionals must be called in. Being familiar with these harmless looking varieties can prevent your yard from being the next victim.  The expensive damage done to home landscaping is nothing compared to the invasion that is being suffered by millions of acres of prized Eastern forest. 

Chinese Privet 

The famous hardy hedges of Sanford Stadium in Athens, Georgia are an iconic and historical living monument for Bulldog fans, but outside of the stadium they are considered a weed that must be constantly and vigorously eradicated. These “shrubs” can become trees that can grow up to 20 feet tall, producing extremely hard to remove stumps. Since the fruit produced by these shrubs lack a significant amount of nutritional value for wildlife, birds tend to eat more than usually necessary which spreads these fast growing nuisances at an alarming rate. Regardless, they are increasingly popular in Georgia suburbs where garden-savvy neighbors have to take on the task of pulling up new sprouts every few days. 

Wisteria 

Exotic varieties of Wisteria are bought throughout the southeast, from Texas to North Carolina, where they proliferate much to the distress of these unknowing homeowners. These destructive beauties are known to “infest” trees, girdling them with thick vines and choking off growth. Quick spreading, any tiny bit of root system left behind is likely to sprout more the next growing season. In order to successfully maintain an exotic Wisteria vine, you must be able to mow around each side and heavily pruned in the fall. American wisteria is not as attractive but is a wonderful native substitute. 

Bradford Pear

Originally marketed as a sterile decorative tree, these short-term investments ended up being popular for lining streets and parkways. The years passed, and a tendency of the tree to self-destruct during high winds or snowfall quickly changed the minds of city planners. It was unfortunately much too late and the Bradford pear had already become a popular flowering tree for many residential landscapes. 

Many of the cultivars produced today are no longer sterile, and produce fruit which propagate the trees at a rate that is uncontrollable. You can find these ornamental pears spreading along ditches, and seedlings that infiltrate neighborhoods produce sprouts with thorny undesirable traits. Flowering dogwoods are a wonderful native variety if you don’t want to a tree removal service for one or more weather-destroyed Bradford Pears.