Slide 1: Small Tree Care
Fergus & District Horticultural Society Speaker : Brett Dixon - NeighbourWoods
Registered Professional Forester Certified Arborist
Slide 2: Purpose of Tree Care
Trees add to our enjoyment of outdoor experiences whether in forests, parks, or urban landscapes. Taking care of our trees is an ecological investment whose rewards will be enjoyed for generations.
Slide 3:
Proper planning, planting and maintenance are key for growing trees that will provide long lasting enjoyment. Careful planning should be made for the planting, location of the tree, tree selection and how the trees will be cared for once they are in the ground.
Slide 4: What you need to think about
Where to plant Tree selection Mulching /protection Watering Fertilizing Staking Pruning
Slide 5: Tree Selection
Why do we need a tree What FUNCTION is the tree carrying out
Slide 6: Tree Selection
For Energy Conservation – Pine, Spruce, Maple For Windbreak – something hardy low maintenance – Spruce, Poplar For Shade – Maple, Oak, Basswood
Slide 7: Tree Selection
For Aesthetics – Maple, Apple, Elm For Site – Honey Locust, Chinquapin Oak, Hemlock
Slide 8: What you need to consider:
Soil condition Site (shade, wind speeds….) Local Climate Drainage
Slide 9: What you need to consider:
Hardiness (right region) Species Diversity Drought/ Salt Tolerance Maintenance
Slide 10: What you need to consider:
Spring or fall? Location/ Spacing
Slide 11: Tree selection
Conifer?
Spruce - White/ Norway White Pine Tamarack/ Larch Hemlock Cedar – Red/ White
Slide 12: Tree selection
Deciduous?
Sugar Maple Red/ Silver Maple Walnut/ Butternut Ash? Bitternut Hickory Red/ White Oak Basswood
Slide 13: Tree selection
Deciduous?
Paper Birch Black Cherry Elm Honey Locust Sassafras Tulip Tree Hackberry
Slide 14: Installation
Dig the hole Planting depth JUST BELOW the soil surface
Slide 15: Mulch
Keeps soil moist Decrease competition Creates buffer from weed wacker! Mulch types include bark chips, wood chips, rock, sawdust, hay, straw and even old newspapers.
Slide 16: How to apply a layer of mulch:
Do not cover the area immediately surrounding the stem, measure out 5 cm and begin there. Spread the mulch around the tree. The mulch layer should be approximately 7 cm deep. Reapply as needed.
Slide 17: Mulch
Slide 18: Tree Protection
Tree Guards
Slide 19: Watering
Adequate watering may be the single most important factor affecting the survival of transplanted trees. A drought stressed tree is more likely to succumb to other threats including transplant shock, pests or disease.
Slide 20: Tips on Watering:
Water the tree regularly for the first TWO years after planting. Water the trees at least once a week. Increase frequency during dry periods. Ideally, trees should be watered in the early morning.
Slide 21: Watering
Slow drip is ideal
Slide 22: Fertilizing
Fertilizers are not a cure for an unhealthy tree but rather will enhance growth that is already occurring. Fertilizers should be used with care.
Slide 23: Fertilizing
Fertilizing is part of good long-term maintenance and should be applied every one to two years. First fertilizer application should be at the beginning of the second growing season – Early spring - Late fall
Slide 24: Fertilizing
Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for application method and rate.
Slide 25: Staking
Two reasons to stake your trees: Protective staking is used in high traffic areas. Support staking is used to stabilize a tree as it establishes.
Slide 26: Staking
Support stakes should remain on the tree for only one growing season.
Slide 27: Pruning
Correct pruning is essential to the health and form of your trees. When should you prune…? Why prune…?
Slide 28: Why Prune?
To correct poor tree architecture or weak branching.
Slide 29: Pruning
Correct pruning is essential to keep shrubs and trees healthy.
Use proper equipment
Slide 30: Pruning goals:
Eliminate/prevent forking stems ("codominants"). Eliminate crossing branches. Minimize future infection courts for decay fungi. Reduce interior growth. Develop strong structure.
Slide 31: How to Prune
Remember a simple pruning rule:
Try not to remove more than one-third of the crown of a tree
Slide 32: How to Prune
Proper pruning techniques
Slide 33: Pruning
Improper pruning techniques can worsen the problem, and may ultimately result in the formation of cracks, decay, cankers, or poor tree architecture that lead to very high risk situations.
Slide 34: Topping?
Topping often removes 50-100% of the leaf-bearing crown of a tree. A stressed tree is more vulnerable to insect and disease infestations. create stubs with wounds that the tree may not be able to close. Topping Can Lead to Sunburn Topping Creates Hazards Topping Makes Trees Ugly
Slide 35: Other frequent concerns
Slide 36: Wound Dressing?
Slide 37: Not such a good idea…
Slide 38: Duct tape?
Slide 39: What do we do if we don’t know what to do?
Slide 40: Ask your friends or an expert..
Slide 41: Questions?
