Posts Tagged ‘live oak’

1. It’s time to prune Oaks – especially Live Oaks and Red Oaks.  To avoid the chance of your trees contracting Oak Wilt disease, necessary pruning should be done before February 1, 1995.  The risky and inappropriate time for Oak pruning is February 1 through June 15.  (According to Texas Forest Service).
2. For the best root development, aerification is the key.  Our deep root invigoration process helps considerably with aeration as well as providing your trees with the nutrients required for good growth in our soils.  Fertilization and inspection programs are available.
3. Turf grass and Trees …….. As most of you know, it is extremely difficult to have both beautiful, healthy trees  and a wonderful lawn.  These two types of plants are inherently incompatible.

Trees originated in forests with rich, fertile soils and surface layers covered with decomposing leaves and other organic material.  Yet in many of our landscapes we attempt to grow trees in compacted, disturbed soils with aggressive turf grass competition over the entire root zone.  This competition with grass along with the absence of a humus layer, restricts the development of the absorbing fine roots.  Further, mowing and weed management also lead to tree problems; mechanical bark damage from line trimmers and mowers, as well as the use of herbicides, can cause severe damage to trees whose roots are within the treated area.  Although herbicides that can cause tree damage have precautionary statements on their labels, most applicators do not realize that tree roots extend 2-3 times the branch system.  Therefore, herbicide injury is a frequent occurrence.  Trees cause problems for the grass.  Excessive shade limits photosynthesis and the subsequent production of carbohydrates necessary for turf growth.  Most turf grasses do well in full sun, may tolerate partial shade, and barely survive in heavy shade.

SOLUTIONS:

The most effective strategy to improve conditions for trees is to maintain large, mulched areas around them.  Eliminate grass and use mulch.  A shade tolerant ground cover such as Vinca, English Ivy, Moneywort, or others, can then be introduced into the mulched area, if desired.

For small trees the mulch area should extend to the drip line.  Dramatic growth response can be expected because the mulch improves aeration in the upper portions of the soil, improves water retention and moderates soil temperatures, further, as the mulch decomposes, nutrients become available to the tree.

Tree-Turf conflicts will always be with us, however, beautiful landscapes are attainable if we use the right plants in locations and environments in which they are best suited.

Perhaps you have noticed your Live Oaks dropping new leaves this spring. The moist conditions of the past winter and early spring, in conjunction with seasonably cool temperatures, has allowed a number of fungal diseases to develop on the leaves of many of our shade trees. One of these more pre

Oak Anthracnose

valent this year is Oak Anthracnose. This disease infects the foliage of nearly all Oak species. It is most prevalent in our Live Oaks this year. Although it can cause problems, generally this disease is not a serious threat to the long-term health of the tree.

The spores of the fungus infect young supple leaves just emerging in the spring. After a period of rapid infection, the leaves begin to fall. Symptoms are evident on a portion of the leaf and are expressed by the margin of the new leaf turning brown or becoming necrotic. This area of browning is usually along one of the leaf margins, causing the leaf to become curled and fall to the ground. Not all infected leaves fall. In fact, many will remain on the tree throughout the season causing the overall appearance of the tree to look a bit odd. Trees in areas of little air movement and those with thick, dense foliage are most readily infected. The lower, inside canopy usually exhibits the most intense symptoms, as these leaves dry more slowly.

Temperatures consistently over 80-85 degrees Fahrenheit cause the infection cycle to cease. Fortunately, the portions of the canopy that drop leaves, will produce new leaves. Single year infections rarely cause much damage to the tree. If the disease repeats next season and infects a larger portion of the tree, preventative fungicide applications may be needed. Foliar sprays, which reduce the incidence of the disease, should begin when the new leaves appear in March. It usually requires 2-3 applications at 21-30 day intervals to adequately manage this disease. If evidence of the disease is observed in late spring or early summer, foliar sprays are normally not recommended. Your arborist may however, recommend deep root fertilization in order to encourage the production of new leaves and improve the overall health and vigor of the tree.

Of course, if you have any further questions regarding Oak Anthracnose, Live Oaks, or trees in general, we are here for you.