canopy thinning & dieback damaged branches ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˝ ˇ˚˛ · deciduous tree leaf disease...

SouthEast WisconsinMaster Gardeners

Milwaukee County UW-Extension Office

414-256-4600http://milwaukee.uwex.edu9501 W Watertown Plank Rd., Building A

Wauwatosa, WI 53226-3552

Waukesha County

UW-Extension Office

262-548-7770http://www.uwex.edu/ces/cty/waukesha515 W Moreland Blvd., AC-G22Waukesha, WI 53188

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UW-Extension Horticulture Websites http://hort.uwex.edu • 1-877-WIS-PUBS

http://learningstore.uwex.edu

UW Extension Publications:Chlorosis (XHT1002)

Conifer Diseases Quick Reference (XHT1025)

Deciduous Tree Leaf Disease Reference (XHT1190)

Homeowner Guide to Emerald Ash Borer Treatments

(XHT1181)

Prune Deciduous Shrubs (XHT1015)

Prune Deciduous Trees (XXT1014)

Prune Evergreens (XHT1013)

Salt Injury to Landscape Plants (A2970)

UW-Extension Horticulture Help LinesMilwaukee County 414-256-4664Waukesha County 262-548-7779

UW-Extension Horticulture Centerat Boerner Botanical Gardensin Whitnall Park, Hales Corners, WI

For MoreInformation

Graphic Design by Connie Reeves, SEWMG Milwaukee/Waukesha Counties

Smaller, paler, and fewer Smaller, paler, and fewer Smaller, paler, and fewer Emerald Ash Borer may be Emerald Ash Borer may be Emerald Ash Borer may be

insects or disease. serious rootzone problems,in a tree’s canopy indicate

leaves and dieback of branches Smaller, paler, and fewer

insects or disease. serious rootzone problems,in a tree’s canopy indicate


serious rootzone problems,in a tree’s canopy indicate


ash trees should be treated.larvae. Find out if your valuable

S-shaped tunnels made by holes and loose bark covering the cause. Look for D-shaped Emerald Ash Borer may be


S-shaped tunnels made by holes and loose bark covering the cause. Look for D-shaped Emerald Ash Borer may be


S-shaped tunnels made by holes and loose bark covering the cause. Look for D-shaped Emerald Ash Borer may be winds can break branches

ice, heavy snow and strong In both winter and summer,

winds can break branches ice, heavy snow and strong

In both winter and summer,

winds can break branches ice, heavy snow and strong

In both winter and summer,

attaches to the next branch, at pruned back to where it

A broken branch should be





structure or neglect.weak due to poor tree

especially if they are already winds can break branches





soon after it happens.leaving a stub. Repair damage the proper angle and without

attaches to the next branch, at





depth show a gradual Trees planted at the proper

DO


circling roots hide the root Planting too deeply and


DON’T


DON’T


roots called the “root flare”.transition from trunk to

depth show a gradual



telephone poles at the base.flare making trees look like circling roots hide the root





heal even large wounds. Any restrict internal decay and Trees posses the ability to

DO



remove dangling wood and or fill trunk wounds. Just

DO NOT paint, cut, scrape,

DON’T



DON’T



tree’s natural defenses.serve to breakdown the

treatments we make only heal even large wounds. Any





wound requires no treatment.bark – nothing more. This remove dangling wood and



against it!) will keep grass near the trunk (but NOT up Even a narrow band of mulch

DO


DO

and weed whips causes wounds of the tree with lawn mowers Hitting the bark at the base


DON’T


DON’T


mow close to the trunk. making it unnecessary to and weeds from growing, against it!) will keep grass


that lead to trunk decay, root and weed whips causes wounds


rot and death.that lead to trunk decay, root

and weed whips causes wounds

rot and death.that lead to trunk decay, root

and weed whips causes wounds

DO DON’TDON’T

Wound treatments are angle without leaving a stub.

another branch, at the proper cuts where the branch meets When needed, make pruning





decay. Professional arborists It causes weak branches and

order to lower a tree’s height. DO NOT allow “topping” in

never top trees.decay. Professional arborists It causes weak branches and


never top trees.decay. Professional arborists It causes weak branches and


not recommended.not recommended.

CANOPY THINNING & DIEBACK

LAWN MOWER DAMAGE

GIRDLING ROOTS

TRUNK WOUND TREATMENT

PROPER PRUNING

DAMAGED BRANCHES

the tree’s shade.away when the grass dies in thicken and the soil washes

Roots become exposed as they

the tree’s shade.away when the grass dies in thicken and the soil washes


away when the grass dies in thicken and the soil washes


trunk will cause decay.the tree. The soil on the

Added soil will gradually kill except 3” of organic mulch.

or cover them with anything DO NOT cut exposed roots







trunk will cause decay.

EXPOSED ROOTS

from 3” of organic mulch to The entire rootzone benefits

DO

from 3” of organic mulch to The entire rootzone benefits from 3” of organic mulch to The entire rootzone benefits

trunk - it will rot the bark. DO NOT put mulch on the

DON’T


DON’T


keep roots cool and moist.from 3” of organic mulch to keep roots cool and moist.

from 3” of organic mulch to keep roots cool and moist.

from 3” of organic mulch to

away from the trunk. Start the mulch several inches

trunk - it will rot the bark.





MULCH THE ROOTZONE

DON’T

DON’T

DON’T

DON’T

The most important 10 minutes of a tree’s life!

1. First, find & expose the root flare. It may be covered by several inches of soil.

2. Dig the hole no deeper than the depth of theroot ball up to the flare. Make it 2-3 timeswider than the root ball.

3. Place the tree in the hole gently. Avoid carryingit by the trunk.

4. Cut away as much twine, burlap, and wire basket as possible without disturbing the rootball.

5. Fill the hole using the same soil you removed.

6. Settle the soil with water NOT by stepping on it.

7. Starting at least 3” from the trunk, cover the entire planting area with 3” of shredded barkmulch.

DO NOT PUT MULCH AGAINST THE TRUNK.

8. On windy sites, loosely support the tree with 2 stakes and webbing held straight out fromthe trunk.

9. Water new trees weekly with a soaker hose,more often if it’s hot and windy.

Most of a tree’s water and nutrient absorbing

roots are in the top 6 - 12” of soil. Mature

trees need watering. They do not get water

from deep in the ground.

• Watering is critical when it’s hot and dry andduring droughts. A tree’s roots extend wellbeyond the “dripline.”

• Grass in a tree’srootzonecompetes forwater.

• A 3” layer of shredded barkover the entirerootzone will helphold moisture in the soil.

KEEP MULCH AWAY FROM THE TRUNK

• Trees need 60 gallons ofwater per 100 sq. ft. ofroot zone per week.

For young trees:

• Use a soaker hose and water weekly or moreoften if it’s hot and dry.

How to water:

• Soaker hose over therootzone

• Garden hose on tricklemoved around therootzone

• Oscillating sprinkler• Root feeder that

attaches to a gardenhose inserted 6 - 12” deep

By Sharon Morrisey, Consumer Horticulture AgentMilwaukee County UW-Extension

They do not get water from deep in the ground. ♦

m

m

m

What to Prune:

• Dead

• Damaged

• Diseased

• Watersprouts

• Rootsuckers

• Conflicting Branches

• Competing Leaders

Exceptions:• Spring flowering trees - prune after you’ve

enjoyed the flowers• Dead, damaged, diseased - prune anytime• Rootsuckers - prune several times a season• Watersprouts - prune in early August• Oaks between November and March only!

• Otherwise, the sap attracts sap beetles thatcan spread oak wilt disease

• April thru October, wounds from damagedbranches should be treated with wounddressing.

• “Bleeders” elm, maple, birch, black walnut -prune in late spring when sap slows

• Conifers - prune only if necessary

WOUND DRESSING IS NOT

RECOMMENDED EXCEPT WHEN

OAKS NEED REPAIR

Do not fertilize for the first 3 years after

transplanting.

Then fertilize young trees to encourage growth.• Apply 1 lb. of

nitrogen (N) per1,000 sq. ft. ofrootzone

• In early June (or split into 2applications - thesecond in early August).

• At least half the Nshould be slow release (water insoluble).

How to Apply Fertilizer:

• Lawn fertilizer spreader in the area under treecanopy

• Root feeder 6 - 8” deep throughout area undercanopy

• Spray foliage for quick but short-lived deficiencytreatment

Mature Trees Seldom Need Fertilizing

• They rely mostly on nitrogen stored from the previous year.

• Only fertilize mature trees to:• Increase flowering, fruiting or growth• Increase vitality of trees in stressful conditions• Correct deficiencies (nitrogen, iron,

manganese)• Symptoms of deficiencies are small, pale leaves;

slow growth;yellowing orchlorosis (onlyveins aregreen).

Do Not Over

Fertilize

• Become moresusceptible to some pests.

• Do a soil test to determine what’s needed.

When to Prune:

November thru March

Use a 3-step cut so bark doesn’t tear (A, B, C, D)

PLANTING WATERING PRUNING FERTILIZING

canopy thinning & dieback damaged branches ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˝ ˇ˚˛ · deciduous tree leaf disease...

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