Espalier is a pruning and training technique that shapes a tree or shrub to grow in a flat, usually two-dimensional form, often against a wall, fence, or trellis. Rather than allowing branches to grow in every direction, espalier uses careful cutting and tying to guide stems into a planned pattern. The result can be both…Read more about Pruning Highlight; Espalier Pruning: Training Trees into Living Patterns[Read More]
pruning
Pollarding is a tree pruning method in which the upper branches of a tree are cut back to the same points on a regular schedule, creating a framework of knobby growth points from which new shoots emerge. The practice has been used for centuries and is especially common in landscapes where trees must be kept…Read more about Pruning Highlight- Pollarding Trees: A Traditional Pruning Practice with Modern Uses[Read More]
It’s finally October, and we should be enjoying lovely fall temps and colors. While some of the trees are changing, it’s not necessarily due to the change in seasons. As I write this, the temperature is 84 F (29 C). I look out my window and see mostly green leaves with some colors from the…Read more about Help Your Trees Transition into Autumn[Read More]
Yews are widely used as foundation plantings in many areas and are valued for their dark, evergreen foliage. The most widely used landscape yews are Japanese yew (Taxus cuspidata) and Taxus x media hybrids, such as Hicksii or Wardii Yew. While few diseases and insects attack yew, there are a few problems to watch for….Read more about What’s Killing My Yews? Top Problems and How to Prevent Them[Read More]
Dieback and canker diseases caused by Botryosphaeria, Sphaeropsis, Diplodia and other closely related fungal pathogens are exceptionally common on woody landscape plants. This group of diseases are often referred to collectively as Botryosphaeria diseases and this article will follow that convention to discuss them as a group. Examine any mature oak tree long enough and…Read more about Botryosphaeria Dieback and Canker[Read More]
Finally, spring has sprung and summer is on its way. The hot days and warm nights are welcome for us, but summer isn’t always so kind to our trees, especially in our urban forest and landscapes. Trees are dynamic living organisms that respond to external stimuli in very strategic ways and each season presents its…Read more about Summer Tree Care[Read More]
Pruning is an important maintenance practice on trees that is discussed a great deal. An essential part of making the pruning cut properly is the ability to identify the parts of a branch. Identification of the branch bark ridge and branch collar are vital to severing the branch in a place that facilitates fast and…Read more about Branch component identification for better pruning cuts[Read More]
