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| Pin Oak on right side of #7 |
This past week Assistant Superintendent, Jason Ferrell, along with Landscape Manager, Donna Zandt, attended a tree workshop in Belle Plain, KS. The speaker for the workshop was Tim McDonnell, the Community Forestry Coordinator for the Kansas Forest Service. The workshop covered areas of selecting and planting trees, drought stress, diseases and choosing the right tree for your location.
There are many different factors to
consider when selecting a new tree. The most important are the size, condition
and planting space for your location. It is also important to know what the
disease and insect pressures are for your area in order to select trees that
are resistant. A few of the more common diseases and insects in our area are
pine wilt, canker and emerald ash borer.
Other things to look for when selecting a new tree are trees with a
well-developed leader, no cross branches and free of mechanical or insect
damage.
Planting the tree can be the most critical step to a trees success. The two most
common ways of purchasing a tree are either in a container or balled and
burlapped. Container grown trees tend to have more trouble establishing due to
spiraling of the roots while in the container. Before planting, the container
must be removed and roots sliced and loosened to promote outward growth. For
balled and burlapped trees, the top half of the wire basket and burlap should
be removed to promote outward growth. Trees should be planted so that the root
flare (which is right above the roots) should be at soil level. A soil ring
that is 4 to 6 inches high should be built around the edge of the hole and
covered with mulch.
As most of
you know 2011 and 2012, were very hot and dry years that has caused a lot of
stress on trees. Water is one of the most important resources for a trees
growth. More than eighty percent of the variation in tree growth is because of
water supply.
Growing periods with little water can lead to decreased rates
of diameter and height, poor resistance to disease and insects, disruption of
food production and distribution, and changes to the timing and rate of
physiological processes, like fruit production and dormancy. The first visible
sign of a tree experiencing drought conditions are wilting of the leaves.
As mentioned
above when selecting a new tree, the size, condition and planting space for the
location must be taken into consideration. Some trees for our area that are
drought tolerant are Caddo Maple, Trident Maple, Red Oak, Shumard Oak, White
Oak, Chinese Pistache, Golden Rain Tree and Lace Bark Elm.
