Last week we discussed the various types of plant damage that can happen during the winter. After all this winter’s storms, the coming weeks would be a good time to assess ice, snow and wind damage to trees and shrubs. So what do you do? Start by asking yourself two questions.
1. Is it worth saving? Probably not if most of one side or the top is gone, especially if it has brittle wood that will be prone to similar problems in the future. Repairing a seriously damaged tree is often a bad investment, since it may never again be attractive and may even become a hazard. A qualified arborist is the best judge of a tree's condition. Request bids from multiple businesses and ask to see proof of professional training and certifications. If you can see that the natural shape will remain after pruning, then you may want to try to salvage it.
2. If you can salvage it, should you do the repair work yourself or hire a professional? If you can safely reach the limbs from the ground with pruning shears or a pole-lopper then you can do it yourself. But take care- many homeowners are injured or do serious property damage while working on trees. And if you aren't familiar with proper tree maintenance procedures, you may do further damage to the tree when you attempt repairs. Also, let a professional arborist work on large trees, trees near utility wires, near buildings and near other landscape plants. You can look in the phone book or go to http://www.isa-arbor.com/ to find a certified arborist by zip code. Make sure they carry proper liability and workmen's compensation insurance before allowing them to start the job. They should be prepared to show you proof upon request.
Questions? Contact your local extension office. In Lackawanna County ask for the Garden Help line at 963-6842 or email LackawannaMG@psu.edu
Terry Schettini, Extension Educator
Penn State Cooperative Extension in Lackawanna County
Friday, February 25, 2011
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Winter Injury
Phil made his predication a couple weeks ago that we will have an early spring, and it seems that so far the indications are true. We have had a string of warmer weather. The days are getting longer and the sun is getting stronger. As much as most of us would like this season to be over, the pattern is that this is just a tease. As tough as these long winters are on us, it is much rougher on the home landscape.
Storm damage is the most obvious. With the high winds, ice buildup, and snow we typically receive, it is important to prune any broken or damaged limbs. As soon as it is feasible this should be done. Make certain when the cuts are made no further injury is made to the bark. If a tree or shrub is leaning or bent, consider staking it to see if it will straighten out.
Drying out, or desiccation, is overlooked. With all the snow on ground, it may seem strange that plants dry out. The extreme winds and dry air can cause excessive water loss, as can milder temperatures and sunny days. This type of injury is usually seen as discolored, burned evergreen needles or leaves. Watering during the nicest days in the upcoming months will help offset winter dehydration.
Freeze damage may occur in different ways. If you notice plants looking like they have been pushed out of the ground, that is a result of frost heaving. As soon as the soil thaws, replant and be careful not to damage the root system making sure it is entirely covered. Dead branch tips are indication of late season growth which did not harden enough to survive. Also because of the fluctuation of temperatures, bark and trunks may split or crack. Sometimes this is called southwest injury . Most often the plant will repair itself so no action is needed, but be careful not to further injure the plant as they are vulnerable at this stage.
Common and controllable is salt injury. This type of damage is visible later in the year. Burnt looking leaf edges are the usual sign of salt injury. Most affected are plants along a driveway or road where splashing and runoff is prevalent. To reduce this damage, use much less salt, shovel more, and try not to let snow piles build up around the plants. Salt builds up in the soil and will interfere with plants being able to access essential nutrients vital to good growth. If salt building up is found, flush the area with regular intervals of water in the early spring. Try using sand or sawdust as an alternative to salt too.
For more information on winter injury please contact the Penn State Master Gardeners at 570-963-6842 or email LackawannaMG@psu.edu and we will send you the free publication “Managing Winter Injury”.
Storm damage is the most obvious. With the high winds, ice buildup, and snow we typically receive, it is important to prune any broken or damaged limbs. As soon as it is feasible this should be done. Make certain when the cuts are made no further injury is made to the bark. If a tree or shrub is leaning or bent, consider staking it to see if it will straighten out.
Drying out, or desiccation, is overlooked. With all the snow on ground, it may seem strange that plants dry out. The extreme winds and dry air can cause excessive water loss, as can milder temperatures and sunny days. This type of injury is usually seen as discolored, burned evergreen needles or leaves. Watering during the nicest days in the upcoming months will help offset winter dehydration.
Freeze damage may occur in different ways. If you notice plants looking like they have been pushed out of the ground, that is a result of frost heaving. As soon as the soil thaws, replant and be careful not to damage the root system making sure it is entirely covered. Dead branch tips are indication of late season growth which did not harden enough to survive. Also because of the fluctuation of temperatures, bark and trunks may split or crack. Sometimes this is called southwest injury . Most often the plant will repair itself so no action is needed, but be careful not to further injure the plant as they are vulnerable at this stage.
Common and controllable is salt injury. This type of damage is visible later in the year. Burnt looking leaf edges are the usual sign of salt injury. Most affected are plants along a driveway or road where splashing and runoff is prevalent. To reduce this damage, use much less salt, shovel more, and try not to let snow piles build up around the plants. Salt builds up in the soil and will interfere with plants being able to access essential nutrients vital to good growth. If salt building up is found, flush the area with regular intervals of water in the early spring. Try using sand or sawdust as an alternative to salt too.
For more information on winter injury please contact the Penn State Master Gardeners at 570-963-6842 or email LackawannaMG@psu.edu and we will send you the free publication “Managing Winter Injury”.
Steve Ward
Master Gardener Coordinator
Penn State Cooperative Extension in Lackawanna County
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Master Gardener Training
Penn State Cooperative Extension in Lackawanna County will be offering the Master Gardener Training Program starting in March 2011. This program involves extensive training in the major aspects of home horticulture. In addition, candidates will commit to fifty hours of volunteer time including staffing the garden helpline. The training will be held Tuesdays 1pm – 4pm beginning March 1st through May 24th. For more information or an application, please call 570-963-6842 or email: LackawannaMG@psu.edu.
Steve Ward
Master Gardener Coordinator
Penn State Cooperative Extension in Lackawanna County
Penn State is committed to affirmative action, equal opportunity, and the diversity of its workforce.
Steve Ward
Master Gardener Coordinator
Penn State Cooperative Extension in Lackawanna County
Penn State is committed to affirmative action, equal opportunity, and the diversity of its workforce.
What’s Munching On My Garden And What Can I Do About It?
If you want to know what animal assaulted your apple tree or committed a felony on your tulips, you should learn crime-scene-investigation techniques. Gary San Julian, Penn State professor of wildlife resources, will kick-off a free online seminar series about those techniques at noon and at 7 p.m. on Feb. 7. The series of one-hour webinars about wildlife damage will continue on the first Monday of each month through May. You will learn how to recognize just who the culprit is and techniques for dissuading the attentions of some of the more persistent wildlife critters.
To view live and previously recorded webinars, all you need is a "Friend of Penn State” user ID, a high-speed Internet connection, and a computer with sound. To register and take part in the live webinars or to watch programs in the archives, visit the Pennsylvania Forests Web Seminar Center website (http://rnrext.cas.psu.edu/PAForestWeb/). If you do not already have a Friend of Penn State user ID, click “Register Now” on the Seminar Center website and it will walk you through the process.
Archived sessions will be available at the Seminar Center website, along with a copy of the presentation and any handout materials, so you can watch it at your convenience.
Other webinars scheduled in the Wildlife Damage series include:
For a list of free publications on a variety of Forest-related topics, call 800-234-9473, send an email to RNRext@psu.edu, or write to Forest Stewardship Program, Forest Resources Extension, The Pennsylvania State University, 416 Forest Resources Building, University Park, PA 16802.
For the full article about the Wildlife Damage webinars and other Forest Stewardship programs, go to http://live.psu.edu/story/51033#nw69, or contact your local extension office. In Lackawanna County call our garden help line at 963-6842 ext. 1377 or email LackawannaMG@psu.edu
Terry Schettini
Extension Educator Penn State Cooperative Extension in Lackawanna County
To view live and previously recorded webinars, all you need is a "Friend of Penn State” user ID, a high-speed Internet connection, and a computer with sound. To register and take part in the live webinars or to watch programs in the archives, visit the Pennsylvania Forests Web Seminar Center website (http://rnrext.cas.psu.edu/PAForestWeb/). If you do not already have a Friend of Penn State user ID, click “Register Now” on the Seminar Center website and it will walk you through the process.
Archived sessions will be available at the Seminar Center website, along with a copy of the presentation and any handout materials, so you can watch it at your convenience.
Other webinars scheduled in the Wildlife Damage series include:
- March 7: "Groundhogs -- the Good, the Bad, and the Funny."
- April 4: "The 'oles -- Give me a V, give me an M." This presentation is about voles and moles.
- May 2: "Squirrels and Chippies Acting Out."
For a list of free publications on a variety of Forest-related topics, call 800-234-9473, send an email to RNRext@psu.edu, or write to Forest Stewardship Program, Forest Resources Extension, The Pennsylvania State University, 416 Forest Resources Building, University Park, PA 16802.
For the full article about the Wildlife Damage webinars and other Forest Stewardship programs, go to http://live.psu.edu/story/51033#nw69, or contact your local extension office. In Lackawanna County call our garden help line at 963-6842 ext. 1377 or email LackawannaMG@psu.edu
Terry Schettini
Extension Educator Penn State Cooperative Extension in Lackawanna County
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