April 2007
Landscape Recovery Suggestions from
Fran, our Tree & Shrub Manager
The effects of October 2006 suprise unusual, early, heavy snowfall on landscape trees and shrubs is going to make this year's spring garden cleanups much more difficult.
The following information may be useful to home gardeners who are wondering how to proceed with this year's spring cleanup and how to evaluate the storm damage incurred by their trees and shrubs.
Walk the Yard: If you have not already done so, walk your yard as soon as drier lawn conditions allow. Walk the entire property to assess storm and winter damage in order to determine which trees or shrubs will require pruning to help restore them to good health and which trees or shrubs will have to be replaced.
Prune to remove all tree and shrub branches that are visibly broken or cracked. Prune tree branches back to 'good wood' beyond the injury. Apply a wound dressing to all dry cuts or scars that are 2" or larger in diameter. Prune all damaged flowering or evergreen shrubs below the damaged wood. Removing damaged wood as early as possible will allow for the longest period of growth this year and will result in the best chance for severely damaged plants to recover.
Remove all yard waste after all pruning is complete and before continuing with your spring cleanup. Yard waste from the storm can harbor insects and diseases.
Fertilized damaged trees and shrubs are better able to recover in the both the short and long term as compared to those that are not fertilized in the spring. Damaged trees and shrubs definitely have a greater nutrient requirement to fuel growth. Seek the advice of our nursery staff for the type of fertilizer to use, the number of applications, and the appropriate timing of the applications.
Damaged landscape trees and shrubs can be very forgiving, therefore a hasty determination that a plant is lost and needs to be replaced may be very costly. Unless a plant has been totally destroyed, there would always be some hope that it could recover. The age of the plant, the amount of branch damage, and the planting site characteristics would ultimately determine survivability. Older trees or shrubs with substantial damage may take up to three or more years to recover, if at all.
After proper spring fertilization and pruning, give most damaged trees or shrubs all of the spring season to show signs of life and potential recovery.
Your nursery professionals at Adams can assist you with the products and professional advice your trees and shrubs will require to return to good health this season, as well as suggestions on replacement plants if needed. Just bring in your pictures and we'll be happy to help.