TREES SLEEPING !

This young Japanese Maple tree is going dormant, slowing down, getting ready for winter. Fall is a spectacular time of year !

Careful ! when Selecting your Ornamental Pear Trees

Ornamental Pears have spectacular flower displays each Spring, but when selecting your pear trees pay attention to what variety you are purchasing. Some varieties have a round shape to their crown and others a tighter more upright growth pattern. If you are planting the pears in a row for a dramatic flowering effect each spring, be sure to match varieties so they have a similar mature growth pattern/shape.

Notice the different shape of the tree in the middle.

Tree Cracks Wall !

I was installing a tree swing in this large oak tree last year while a man was installing this concrete and stone wall. He said to me "chances are the wall will crack where it curves around this large oak". He explained how the action of a large tree blowing in heavy winds moves the roots and ground under the tree slightly, but enough to crack a wall. He was right !.

Tree are amazing.

Hemlocks in trouble

I went for a walk recently in the Naugatuck State Forest. There is a spot provided to park on route 42 (Bethany Mountain Road) near the Cheshire/Bethany townline. What a great hike. Lots of views across the Valley and a nice stream to cross. I did notice that many of the hemlock trees are dead, due to an imported pest known as the hemlock wooly adelgid. If you have hemlocks in your yard you can have them sprayed with horticultural oil to control this pest.

To find out if you have a problem look for discoloring of the needles and white cottony looking material on the needles.

Living Trees

Lichens (plant made of algae and fungus) insects, spiders, squirrels, birds and many other organisms all live on trees. Just stop and look and you will see an incredible world on each tree.
Nature is amazing.

Groups of Trees

This group of trees functions as one in the lanscape.

When trees are allowed to grow as a group, they all help each other.

Punishing winds, winter weather, and other stresses are absorbed by the group instead of the individual tree. The result is healthier, longer lasting trees.

If you do plant trees in a group as shown above, proper pruning and thinning should be provided over time to ensure an evenly distibuted crown.

Arborvitaes Split ?

To prevent damage from winter snow loads and wind, or to repair it, you can use twine hidden inside the foliage to pull your arborvitae tops together. You can leave the supporting twine in permanently, although you might want to adjust or replace it in a couple of years. I use a special flat nylon strapping called "Arbortape", beacause of it's strength and durability, but for the average homeowner twine is sufficient. Don't be afraid to repair larger arborvitae. Even if they are 10' or 20' high they can often be repaired by using rope and/or cutting the top a bit to lighten the damaged leader. Just be careful or contact your arborist.