Master Gardener Level 2 class covers the top five issues causing tree problems
1. Insufficient water: If the tree is in your lawn, your tree is going to need 2-3 inches of water in the summer months. Water needs to be applied at the canopy (outside perimeter) of the tree. A tuna fish can is a great device for determining water application rates. Soil probes purchased from Montana Salinity control in Conrad are a great tool for measuring soil moisture in turf. Excess soil moisture (especially in heavy clay soils) is also a concern. When a tree is over watered, roots can be damaged and the plants ability to absorb water and nutrients is reduced. The end result is development of new roots close to the soil surface. In most cases, the deeper older roots will rot away. Removal of the unsightly surface roots can severely damage tree growth.
2. Wrong tree for the location: Blue spruce needs more water than a ponderosa pine because spruce grows naturally in higher rainfall areas. Selecting species scoring within the 2-3 hardiness zone is a good practice. Red and yellow dogwoods, willows, maples, cottonwoods and mountain ash must be planted in areas with moist soil conditions or be provided with ample supplemental irrigation.
3. Weather: Winter desiccation and winter burn occur in evergreens when winter sun and wind cause excessive water loss from the twigs and needles. At the same time, roots are frozen in the soil and unable to replace the desired moisture. The best line of defense against winter desiccation is to water all trees and shrubs prior to soil freeze.
4. Herbicides: Spray drift or spraying to close to a tree is very harmful to trees and shrubs. Reading the pesticide label and spraying during the calm part of the day are highly recommended practices.
5. Harmful management practices:
• Planting flower beds around trees restricts oxygen to the tree roots.
• Placing garbage bags over plants in the winter will warm the plant to dangerous levels on bright winter days.
• Planting trees to close together will promote winter burn in evergreens because of water deficiencies. Know the 20 year crown width of the tree before planting a tree in the back yard.
• Strikes by weed wackers and lawn mowers can harm the cambium and sometimes girdle the tree.
• Staking a tree for more than one year can destroy the cambium and girdle the tree.
