Our Dying American Elm Tree

The Great 'American Elm' Tree

As a practicing Massachusetts Certified Arborist, I had known of American Elms and their curse which kills.  The fungus which penetrates their vascular system through an insect vector and the elm bark beetles.   I also knew the control methods available which may or may not ward off infection.   

At the front of our home in Massachusetts is a multi-trunk mature Elm, my estimation 50 years old.  I had created a shade garden 5 years ago below it.  Nobody enjoyed mowing under the tree as part of a hill so I just landscaped with a number of shade plants, many hosta, bleeding heart, lily of the valley and Solomon seal.  But now their home and shade was coming unraveled.

Fernwood Nursery and Gardens, Montville, Maine

Fernwood Nursery and Gardens, Montville, Maine

My wife and I took off on a car adventure from the small town of Lincolnville, Maine after a friend enthusiastically suggested that we visit the Fernwood Nursery in Mid coast Maine.   We got in the car the following Saturday and started driving northwest to Rt 3, west of Belfast and yes, we found it down the characteristic “dirt road” just off Rt 3.  What a wonderful surprise we had in store!  There were 2-3 other customers walking the nursery, ample parking and a lot to see!  To our left were Ash trees creating a high shade canopy over lightly organized, informal rows of shaded plants.

Fernwood Nursery & Gardens

58 North Ridge Rd.
Montville ME, 04941 | 207 589-4726

Is The Yard Ready For Spring 2015? Tips to Ready Your Yard for the Spring

Tips to Ready Your Yard and Garden For the Spring

Tips to get your yard and plants ready for the Spring

As the snow has begun to recede, many, including myself are shaking our heads, and looking at what has been buried since January; wondering 'what does one do and where to start?' So here goes!

Lawnmower - Is it tuned up with a sharp blade?  Well it should be!

Plow Damage - No doubt, plows have damaged much of the turf and plantings in their wake, so there's several tings to check.

Sprinkler heads: If broken mark them for later repair.

Sod: Replace sod where it has been scalped, it will grow back if bedded back into the soil.  Resist the temptation to rake unless VERY LIGHTLY!  Sod is the most tender and at risk of damage now, better to wait until the grass has started to grow, this will not happen until the soil warms up, mid April-ish at least! No fertilizer now, your grass is still asleep!  There will be some winter fungus but this will grow out.

Atlanta Botanical Gardens in Downtown Hosts Orchid Daze: Pop!

Click on the photo to enlarge

This February, I had the great fortune to drive to downtown Atlanta Georgia to the Atlanta Botanical Gardens for their Feb 7-April 12^th orchid program called “Orchid Daze:Pop!“  The orchid display billed as the largest orchid center in the US, held in the Fuqua Orchid Center was amid dramatic pop art exhibits as well across the center!

Wigert Bonsai Nursery in N. Ft Myers Floriday delights this New Englander

In my travels this winter, I pointed my truck south toward the southwest corner of Florida and Wigert’s Bonsai Nursery.  I had not visited any bonsai displays/shops in the tropical/warmer climates of the US before and was very pleasantly surprised!   

The Leu Gardens in the City of Orlando

Earlier this month I visited Paul J. Ciener Botanical Garden in North Carolina and found it to be a wonder to these New England eyes.   And this wonderment continued further down the coast as I made my way to the Harry P. Leu Gardens in Orlando, Florida.

This amazing 50-acre botanical oasis, just off I-4 in downtown Orlando is convenient for anyone in the area; visiting a theme park or heading to Tampa-St. Pete and points south.  Leu Gardens is beautifully maintained with mature collections in a wonderful lake side setting maintained by the City of Orlando, and it has plenty to boast!  

The Paul J. Ciener Botanical Garden Inspire, Enlighten, connect People to the World of Plants

While visiting my sister in Greensboro, N.C., I was enormously happy and so surprised when she suggested that we go to the town of Kernersville, just west of Winston-Salem.  Our destination was a botanical garden she had heard of in a local publication.

Established in 2011 and still developing… the Paul J. Ciener Botanical Garden on 215 S. Main Street was an unexpected wonder for someone from New England, namely me.

How to Care for a Weeping Japanese Maples in the Winter

Caring for Japanese Maples in snow regions

Now is the time to examine and prune 'Weeping' varieties of Japanese Maples where snow is a common occurrence.   

With the leaves off the tree, finally you can see the structure and it’s key supports.  The nature of the plant is to produce an abundance of branches and branching, many of which can cause problems because of the 90 degree structure of trunk-to-branch relationships.

This 3” caliper* Japanese Maple (right), has been cabled to support the crotch** shown in figure 1, and is thinned every winter,  (like now), to reduce the chances of snow load, (known as fulcrum effect), on the branch attachment.  This can result in branches ripping right off the tree!  

Pruning by 1/4 to 1/3 of canopy;  all inward growing branches; all crossing branches and all duplicate branches such that you can easily see through the canopy.  

This should be performed annually.

Have a question about your garden; plant or tree?  Ask 'The Garden Tutor'.

Improving the Nature of Cities and Towns: Urban and Community Forestry Program

Improving the Nature of Cities and Towns: Urban and Community Forestry Program

A publication brought to you by  USDA Forest Service, Northeastern Area, State and Private Forestry

Community trees are part of a vital resource-the urban and community forest. This forest is made up of the trees in yards, along streets, beside rivers and streams, in parks and other green space areas, and around the buildings in your community. Because of their close proximity to people, urban and community forests are dynamic ecosystems where humans interact with trees, other vegetation, soil, wildlife, waterways, and other natural resources. For partner organizations, space is available on the back panel to overprint your organization's contact information.

Tree Owner’s Manual for the Northeastern and Midwestern United States

Tree Owner’s Manual for the Northeastern and Midwestern United States

Brought to you by the US Forest Service

One common issue facing our urban forests is the fact that trees are dying prematurely. Many are planted improperly, setting them up for failure. Many do not receive regular maintenance. And few are adequately protected during construction projects. To help remedy this issue, the Forest Service has created this Tree Owner’s Manual.

Just like the owner’s manual that comes with automobiles and appliances, the Tree Owner’s Manual includes a parts list, instructions for installation, tips for troubleshooting common issues, recommended service, and more.

Learn more and download your guide here...

Improving Your Tree Health

Improving Your Tree Health

Original source: treesaregood.com

While trees are dominant ornamental features in your home landscape, they share this area with turfgrasses, shrubs, and other plants. All these plants are bedded in a common resource: the soil. The roots of trees, shrubs, turfgrass, and bedding plants intermingle and compete for water and nutrients. The roots of a single mature tree may extend well into your lawn or flower beds.

Every treatment applied to the lawn (fertilizer and herbicide, for example) can impact the appearance and vitality of a tree. Conversely, treatments applied to a tree, such as pruning and fertilizing, can influence the appearance and vitality of the underlying turfgrass. The care of each plant in a landscape can affect the health of every plant in that landscape.  Learn more about improving your tree's health...

Benefits of Trees is Social, Communal, Environmental, Economic

Benefits of Trees

Original Source: treesaregood.com

The benefits that trees provide from social, communal, environmental, and economic perspectives.

Most trees and shrubs in cities or communities are planted to provide beauty or shade. While these are excellent benefits, woody plants serve many other purposes. The benefits of trees can be grouped into social, communal, environmental, and economic categories.

Human response to trees goes well beyond simply observing their beauty. We feel serene, peaceful, restful, and tranquil in a grove of trees. We are “at home” there.

The calming effect of nearby trees and urban greening can significantly reduce workplace stress levels and fatigue, calm traffic, and even decrease the recovery time needed after surgery. Trees can also reduce crime. Apartment buildings with high levels of greenspace have lower crime rates than nearby apartments without trees.  Learn more here...