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

Since the spring of 2008, Wachtel has been performing the duties of Village Forester for the Village of Fox Point.

John Gall is using his 20 years of municipal experience to work with the village four to six hours per week.

We are able to provide technical skills without the village having to hire a full-time person.

As a result, Fox Point can save money and still have years of experience at work.

John is using his skills to keep the street trees healthy and to protect the sensitive bluff areas running through the Village.

By Jeff Wilson

Wachtel Tree Science

Certified Arborist #IL0099a

It is not to late to mulch. If your mulch is thin at the base of plants, top dress before winter. Mulch will insulate the roots, moderating temperature extremes; maintain soil moisture and control weeds next season. Long term as mulches biodegrade they add organic matter to the soil, building better soils. Proper mulching is one of the best things we can do for our trees. Keep mulch about two inches away from the trunks and stems, mulch the soil and root system – not the trunk!

By Bill Reichenbach

Wachtel Tree Science

Certified Arborist WI-0188

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

Congratulations to Mr. & Mrs. Nordyke of New Berlin. They are the seventh of our year long monthly contest winners in our 75th Anniversary celebration.  Our Plant Health Care applicators were at the Nordyke property in July to apply the last of 2 treatments to their 8 Austrian Pines to help control Dothistroma/Sphaeropsis diseases. We have been helping Mr. and Mrs. Nordyke care for their property since 2007 and look forward to our next visit to check the progress of our programs.   They will be receiving a $75 gift certificate to Johnson’s Nursery at the following locations:
W180 N6275 Marcy Rd in Menomonee Falls or Johnson’s Gardens at 8504 Hwy 60 in Cedarburg. If you have never been to Johnson’s they have a wide selection of trees, shrubs and flowers at both locations.   As a reminder; we enter your name in our monthly drawing each time we perform a service at your home during the month.
 Our prize for August is a selection of  autographed books written by a friend of our company, Melinda Myers.  An expert horticulturist that you may have seen on TV or heard on the radio, Melinda is known through out Wisconsin and the Midwest. Learn more about Melinda on her website.

Submitted by Jeff Wilson

Certified Arborist #IL0099A

Wachtel Tree Science

Homeowners and businesses investments in tree installations can reduce nearby noise 50% percent and site temperatures by as much as 9 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and American Forests, a nonprofit conservation organization.

99 out of 100 appraisers agree attractive landscaping increases the speed of home sales according to a survey conducted by the Society of Real Estate Appraisers.

Submitted by Jeff Wilson

Certified Arborist #IL0099A

Wachtel Tree Science

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