If the tree expert is the doctor, you are the nurse. This is your busy season because your shade trees need the most help between now and mid-July. This is the time of year when trees face the most ravaging effects of insects and diseases.
It is when trees must be at their peak efficiency – to put forth new leaves, make terminal growth, lay down annual wood, start new buds for next year, and extend their root systems. Besides those things shown on our big drawing of a maple. There are other things you can do to help your trees right now:
Get rid of deadwood. Dead and dying wood caused by winter injury, last year’s drought, or borers and beetles will appear in the spring. So will branches twisted and ‘broken by winter storms. All dead and diseased wood should be pruned, and the diseased timber burned.
Pruning The Trees
Pruning is a science and often needs experts. Owners are advised to prune only low trees or shrubs (not high trees) for safety’s sake. Burn diseased wood some distance away front living trees (Fire is deadly to growing plants).
Check the leaves. Are they as complete, as large, as green as last year? If not, the tree may be in trouble.
Check to brace. Tighten cables, braces, and other supports that may have become loosened during winter.
Check twig growth. Does it compare favorably with the development of previous years? If not, be concerned.
Check Trees For Pests
Look for insects. Are there tiny holes in leaves? Egg deposits? Cankerworms may be at work. Tent caterpillars, scale, aphids, and mites may be building up.
Watch for diseases. Leaf spots are the first symptoms of outward trouble. Leaf fungi are most damaging if the spring is wet and cold. Internal diseases, such as Dutch elm disease, maple wilt, and oak wilt, may appear first in wilting leaves.