Everyone looks at a tree differently, particularly when considering its value.
The artistic person believes a tree to be one of the Lord’s most magnificent creations. To a child, a tree is a beautiful place to climb and hide.
The lumberman is concerned only with how many “boards” he can get out of a tree.
The businessman considers it an asset that is worth dollars and cents.
In this connection, the United States Government and the Department of Internal Revenue have established laws determining trees’ value when damaged.
Therefore, with official recognition that trees can be valuable assets, we should know how to take care of them.
To help us do this more effectively, the comparatively new tree care profession has come into being.
For about 50 years now, with the help of scientific research, this growing profession has been gradually developing standard practices for guarding the health of our trees.
Recently, this has become increasingly complex as the surging importation of new plants has brought about a severe multiplication of insect and disease troubles.
Contacting Qualified Tree Surgeons
Some people naturally wonder how to get in touch with a reliable tree surgeon. This, however, is an easy matter since most county schools and state experiment stations have lists of reputable companies.
Many states require an arborist to pass rigorous examinations before he is allowed to practice tree surgery.
Hence, the local tree association in each state will have a record of all the firms qualified to do tree work.
Dependable concerns will always be glad to make recommendations and give accurate cost estimates whenever desired.
If you, as the homeowner, become confused because the work seems involved or technical, ask for recommendations and costs in writing. This is “common sense” and protects both parties.
Of course, the final decision on how much work is to be done must be yours. However, if conditions necessitate much of it, a long-range program for accomplishing everything is probably advisable.
The important thing is to decide how much you can spend on your trees in the beginning, then to figure, with the help of your arborist, just what work this amount should cover at the start.
Next spring, continue with the work and lay out the second step in your tree program, being sure to talk it over with your arborist so that you have a clear understanding of what is planned.
Such a yearly program is often the most practical approach, for trees are no different from your car or home. They, too, need regular maintenance.
Right here, however, it is wise to remember that the qualified arborist is the doctor on the case. So please make a point of finding out what he will do, but let him worry about the work.
Essential Treatments
Now, what about treatment? The science of tree care is indeed somewhat technical, and it is easy for those not versed in it to become confused.
However, the three essential treatments applied to trees are pruning, feeding, and spraying.
Deadwood is unsightly and dangerous in a tree; it is a breeding place for insects and fungi and is of no value whatsoever.
Good pruning includes removing intersecting branches and developing a tree for proper symmetry and better growth.
Wounds more than an inch and one-half in diameter should be painted with a tree-wound dressing.
Evergreens can be pruned in the spring before change starts and again in August after the growth has been completed.
If, for any reason, you have not pruned yours during these two seasons, do it in September and early October, before the first. Frost.
In the last few years, we have had many storms in the Northeastern part of the country, making it apparent that large trees near buildings need “pollarding,” or cutting back at the top, to give them more structural resistance to all kinds of strain. This treatment should be applied more often here.
In Europe, it is common practice. It is in no way harmful; it invigorates a tree because the crown, made smaller in size by this pruning, gets the full growing strength of the same root system supporting the more oversized top.
Growing Lawns Under Trees
There is also the problem of trying to grow a lawn beneath trees. Generally, this can be appropriately accomplished considering the trees and the property.
First, it is necessary to “raise” the branches to let in the light since grass cannot thrive without the sun.
This will not injure or spoil the natural beauty of a tree unless it is a low-branched lawn specimen, such as beech, which sweeps down to the ground — in which case, there is no need for a lawn under it.
The lower branches of most trees can be removed or “lifted” this way from 10′ to 15′ feet without detriment to the trees.
Many ask whether the small branches on tree trunks should be left on or cut away.
First, let us realize that these can be characteristic of certain trees, according to nature’s way of developing individual species.
Some trees grow with small twigs along their trunks. Others do not. Any such twigs that appear may be removed or not according to the tree owner’s aesthetic feeling for each specimen and its particular place in the landscape.
One of the most economical treatments to improve the general condition of trees includes fertilizing and feeding. A tree is a living thing that requires a “square meal.”
It will respond to “good living” with a better appearance in foliage, more significant growth, and more resistance to insects, diseases, and the drought of our dry Summers.
It is surprising how effective feeding is in reducing the amount of deadwood. However, it is not advisable to use fertilizers composed of “mineral salts.”
Instead, a balanced tree food containing an organic base will release the chemicals slowly so the tree can obtain food throughout the growing season.
Spraying, A Necessity
Burbank said many years ago: “Men should stop fighting among themselves and start fighting insects.”
At present, the insects are winning! Each year, more spraying is necessary to protect the foliage on trees and shrubbery. Everyone knows of the common aphid found in all plant life.
But are many of us aware that a large tree of approximately 1000 leaves can harbor from 20,000,000 to 30,000,000 aphids, all of which suck the sap out of it for their livelihood?
Against such a siege, spraying is the only protection. Therefore, when you first notice that leaves are eaten by “something,” spray at once.
Today, spraying is considered a “must” on any property. So spray as often as necessary, depending on the planting type and the troubles you try to control.
Consult a qualified arborist to help recognize any insects and diseases involved. He can identify them accurately for you and recommend a reliable spraying program.
Such a program is the wisest and, in the end, the most economical approach to the problem, as it suggests sprays by type and timing to prevent trouble before it can even happen.
However, when spraying, remember that complete coverage is important and that a fine mist will cover most effectively.
With the severe storms we have had in the last few years, more and more consideration has been given to the cabling and bracing of trees.
This type of treatment is good tree insurance, and it is particularly effective in large, old trees where the limbs are heavy and are apt to be torn or broken. In addition, the average cable does not cost much to install and lasts a lifetime.
Many large trees that storms have smashed could have been saved by cabling and bracing.
Bracing the intersecting branches with a “rod” or “woodscrew” is good practice because it prevents splitting and the entrance of decay.
All important specimen trees considered valuable should be properly cabled and braced.
Profession With Fashion
As in all professions, arborists have “fashions.” For example, years ago, it was the fashion to do a great deal of surgical cavity work on trees.
This treatment consisted of opening up cavities and removing the decayed wood as much as possible, bracing the tree, and filling it.
Our national figures show that less than one percent of approximately $75,000,000 spent on tree care is used for surgery and cavity work.
Accordingly, when considering tree surgery, first compare the cost of the work with the value of the tree needing it.
Then find out how many years it will prolong the tree’s life. Knowing these facts, you can make a sensible decision on whether or not the tree in question warrants such treatment.
Fine old specimens usually do, but is yours one of these?
Often trees are dead or dying when the average layman calls an arborist. The first thing is to determine what is causing the damage. It may be a disease, insect, or soil problem.
When a tree has lost 50% percent of its crown and is in poor condition, it is generally better practice to take it out and replace it.
There is no point in spending money on a tree that, regardless of treatments, will die in a few years.
To remove trees, skilled personnel with good equipment should be used.
Almost anyone can indeed take down a tree after a fashion, but the first consideration is to take it down safely and not endanger the lives of people or property.
It is best to call in an arborist since he is a “specialist” in just this type of work which is part of his profession.
Furthermore, he has public liability insurance to protect you against any damage to your property when working on your grounds.
The old adage, “A stitch in time saves nine,” holds true in the care of trees, and it is cheaper to care for them than to cut them down.
A little intelligent care each year will pay actual dividends in beauty and value to you as a homeowner.
44659 by Karl F. Amalia