Get those kids back in school & take time to review your trees!
August is the perfect month to take a close look at your trees. Are they thriving or do they need some attention? As we move into the last dog days of summer, are your trees getting enough water?
- Continue to monitor your trees’ health and water regularly when rainfall is less than 1” per week until the leaves naturally fall.
- Early fall coloration is usually an indicator that your tree is struggling due to a lack of water. It is highly recommended that all trees receive supplemental watering when there less than 1” of rainfall within the past 7 days. Older trees, stressed trees, and especially newly planted trees should be monitored closely and given adequate water.
- Lawn irrigation systems do not supply an appropriate amount of water to established trees. Short and frequent watering provided by irrigation systems do not provide enough water to saturate the ground to reach tree roots that grow beneath the turf or layers of mulch.
- Tree roots also need to have dry periods in between soaking rains because oxygen is vital to a tree’s health. Saturated soils can suffocate a tree’s roots and cause a quick death.
Assess your landscape’s general health and make plans for tree pruning or new plantings. Many outward defects on a tree’s trunk or limbs may be indicating or hiding internal disease or decay.
- Do you notice any limbs that are broken or appear to be “overweighted” or dangerous?
- Can you see any obvious cracks or branches rubbing against another limb? Are there dead limbs in the upper canopy?
- Does the trunk have damaged, missing, or cracked bark?
- In late August, several problematic fungal pathogens which cause tree root rot or death will begin to grow their reproductive structures or their “blooms” which often appear as colorful mushroom growths.
- If you notice any of these type growths on or near your tree’s trunk or in the surrounding soil, you should take good photos before destroying them.
- A certified arborist can help you determine if the mushroom is a troublesome fungus that will destroy your tree.
If you have concerns or want to get proper tree maintenance scheduled for the fall…make an appointment with Gerrein Green.
For more information, see:
https://www.arborday.org/perspectives/are-your-trees-stressedhttps://dof.virginia.gov/urban-community-forestry/learn-about-urban-community-forestry/tree-care/
