Wachtel Tree Science

We are having a beautiful stretch of weather in southeastern Wisconsin. The warm days and cool nights are great for the outdoor activities and projects we were denied most of the summer due to rain and mosquitoes! The crews at Wachtel Tree Science are happy to be out working in such great weather. I do not know about you but I feel like I have earned some nice weather to enjoy my yard.

The problem is, are your trees enjoying your yard? We have now gone weeks without rain and the soil is hard and dry. The fine roots of trees need moisture. This water is not only sent up to the top of the plant for all of the life processes that are carried on in the trunk and crown but is also needed for roots to thrive and grow. A mature tree can use a ton of water a day! Do your trees have that much water? Fall is one of the most important times of the year for root growth. If we have good roots, we will have a healthy tree.

One other critical factor in tree health is soil life. What is soil; it is not just a bunch of dirt particles? No, healthy soil is a complex community of living organisms along with the soil. A teaspoon of soil can have thousands of beneficial bacteria, fungi (called mycorrhizae), protozoa and other creatures. When the soil is dry, the systems that support these beneficial organisms shut down. Not having these beneficial organisms active can lead to tree problems and diseases. We are currently seeing an increase in root rot problems due to these stresses.

The best way to water trees is with a sprinkler to wet down a large soil area. Roots can extend out four to five times the height of the tree away. While it is not practical to water such a large area, getting the entire area under the crown and a little more will have you hitting a large percentage of the root zone. In the spring and summer you do not want to water the leaves or needles, because you can encourage diseases (this is not as critical in the fall). You can set a hose at the base of the tree but this tends to be very spotty. You would be better off setting a sprinkler low (to avoid hitting foliage) and moving it around to cover the needed area.

The rule of thumb is an inch of water every ten days from either you or Mother Nature. Your watering will not totally replace the rain we are not getting but it will help the plant get by. Then when it does rain, the soil will not be so dry that the rain just runs off. So while you are out enjoying the nice weather consider watering your trees and shrubs to help keep them out of stress. The benefits your trees give you make it well worth the investment of a little bit of time and water.

By:

Dave Scharfenberger

Board Certified Master Arborist, WI-0131B

This year’s lush growth is supporting a healthy vole population. Voles can completely girdle the stems of younger / smaller trees and shrubs. Begin setting mouse traps to reduce the population. Or set out poison baits. Put bait in some type of small container so that the baits are protected from the weather and only inviting to a vole. Set under shrubs and along your foundation.

By Bill Reichenbach

Wachtel Tree Science

Certified Arborist WI-0188

Almost all types of viburnums have become susceptible to viburnum borer. This insect tunnels into the stems at, or slightly below ground level. Look for damage in this area. Stressed plants are more likely to become infested. Water properly to avoid drought stress and renewal prune if appropriate to keep plants vigorous.  Symptoms may be a curling and stunting of leaves and premature fall color, as well as dieback of some portions of the plant. Insecticide treatments require multiple applications are warranted only on high value plants.

By Jean Ferdinandsen

Wachtel Tree Science

Certified Arborist # WI0149A

 Because these obnoxious, metallic green and brown beetles feed on over 250 different species of plants (roses, lindens and maples are favored), high expectations are given to traps to help save the day. Japanese beetle traps are very effective in attracting and trapping adult Japanese beetles, but they are ineffective in protecting your susceptible trees and shrubs from Japanese beetle feeding damage.

This seemingly contradictory answer requires an explanation. Japanese beetle traps, sold at most garden center outlets, usually contain two separate, chemical lures. One lure is a feeding attractant that attracts both male and female beetles. The second lure is a pheromone that attracts male beetles. These lures work very well in attracting hundreds, even thousands of adult beetles toward the trap.

 Therein lies the problem. Many adult beetles are attracted into the area around the trap, but they do not necessarily get caught inside the trap. Susceptible plant species located nearby can be more heavily damaged than if the traps were not used at all. This can be true even if the trap is full of captured adults.

 If you would like to experiment with Japanese beetle traps, be sure to locate them as far away as possible from the plants you are trying to protect. Placing a trap in the middle of your rose garden, for example, is just asking for trouble.

 We have more than one treatment available to help control this destructive pest in your yard.  Call our office at 262-538-1900 to schedule a visit by your Arborist.

Submitted By: Jeff Wilson: Certified Arborist #IL0099a  Wachtel Tree Science

Winter is an excellent time for……

• Pruning
• Analyzing storm damage
• Identifying defects in structure which may need cabling or bracing
• Inspecting for gypsy moth egg masses
• Inspecting for sphaeropsis twig blight on pines
• Inspecting for cytospora canker on spruce
• Inspecting for spruce gall adelgids
• Inspecting for stem and trunk cankers
• Inspecting for many other insect and disease problems
• Identifying and remedying crown conflicts between trees

For more information the services Wachtel Tree Science provides, see our website at: HealthyTrees.com.

So certainly do not hesitate to contact Wachtel Tree Science in winter – and if we are on your list for spring maintenance or treatments, give us a call now so we can assess your needs and schedule you for the most advantageous time.

Disease and damage do not wait until the weather warms up, and at Wachtel Tree Science, neither do we!

 

 Wachtel Tree Science Winter Pruning Commercial: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Emerald ash borer (EAB) is a very serious problem that threatens all ash trees in the Midwest. As of 8/5/08 it has been found in Wisconsin and is extensive in northern Illinois. The million dollar question seems to be, “When should I start treatment if I want to protect an ash tree?”

One consistent fact is that whenever they have found EAB, they always say it has been there for 3 to 6 years. It is important to keep this in mind as you make your decisions.
Another important point to remember – you have time to deal with this!

Read the Fact Sheet on Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) for more information on the threat to ash trees in Wisconsin.

A Certified or Board Certified Master Arborist can give you advice before you take removal, planting or treatment action. Contact Wachtel’s experienced staff for help dealing with the emerald ash borer threat to your ash trees.