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.

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'.

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...