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.

What's the Temp. outside?

2nd week of December

All you have to do to see how cold it is outside, is to look at your Rhododendrons.

-Leaves are curled (to prevent moisture loss from cold temp./wind) 20 degrees F.

- Leaves open due to warmer temperature. Pictures were taken only a day apart 58 degrees F.

WINTER 2009 Look Up !!

I love to look up in winter. The leaves are off of most of the trees. You can see things that are not readily apparent during the warmer growing season months. Examples are things like:

*Squirrel nests which appear as bunches of leaves stuck up in the tree tops. It's amazing to me that these "bunches" can stand up to the punishment of storm winds, driving rain, etc. Upon closer inspection the nests are also made of strips of bark, sticks, plastic, etc.

*Bee Hives are easy to spot also. I am often surprised to see a nest only 6'or 8' from the ground in small trees near peoples homes. Don't worry, they are usually high enough where people do not bother them.

*Tree Shape & Branch Structure really stands out in winter. This is a good time to prune many trees. You can see which branches are strong, or which ones are weakly attached/dead and should be removed.

George's Favorite Trees

These are pictures of some of my favorite local trees. I will be adding new pictures from time time time.

Birch - This tree is located along the street on Summit Road in Cheshire, CT. most people would think these branches would be weak, sticking out so much. The opposite is true. The branch/trunk union area is mostly solid wood and very strong. Branches that are closer and look like a "v" in this area are mostly bark against bark and will often break away from the tree when they are subject to heavy wind or snow loads. What a nice looking tree !

White Oak - What a beautiful tree ! That's a 30" ladder at the base. I've been taking care of this tree on Payne Drive in Cheshire, CT for years.