TREE TIPS TREE & SHRUB CARE FROM BARTLETT TREE EXPERTS

Root Invigoration™ by Thomas Smiley, PhD Wood boring insects One of the most effective ways to treat that it tills the soil without damaging by Kevin D. Chase, PhD soil compaction and tree decline is with roots. Once the area is tilled, organic Wood boring insects feed on the Root Invigoration™. This is a treatment amendments including biochar and inner wood (xylem) of roots, that was developed and patented by the fertilizer will be applied and then trunks, branches or shoots of a Bartlett Tree Research Laboratories. incorporated into the soil. Next, mulch plant. While there are hundreds of The treatment program begins with is applied over the root-invigorated wood boring species that are not an evaluation of the tree and its site. soil. This reduces the soil temperature, considered pests, some species reduces water evaporation, and can cause branch dieback or even Soil conditions can be provides a future source of organic optimized, and a tree's water matter. All that is left to do is to water uptake can be improved as well. the area a few times a week if there is no rain to activate the full potential of If the tree is thought to be capable of the treatment. responding to treatment, soil samples Root Invigoration is one of the unique may be collected to determine the exact services provided by Bartlett Tree needs of the tree. A Bartlett Arborist Experts. Contact your Bartlett Arborist Representative will determine the size Tiny beetle larvae in twigs can cause branch dieback. Representative to find out if your trees of the treatment area and which soil are suitable candidates for the Root mortality. Recently transplanted amendments are needed. Invigoration process. young plants and stressed plants When the crew arrives, they will are most susceptible to attack from remove any turf that remains in the wood boring insects. Damage occurs treatment area. Soil will be tilled using when the larvae of wood boring high pressure air with a tool called an insects chew through the nutrient- AirSpade™. The beauty of this tool is and water-transporting tubes of the plant.

Close-up of an Emerald ash borer.

Close-up of a Japanese cedar longhorn beetle.

Photo credit: Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, Bugwood.org

With the increase in international trade, many new invasive species have been introduced to North America over the past 20 years. One of them is the emerald ash borer—a metallic green beetle that kills ash trees. It is imperative to treat an

Continued on page 2 Wood boring insects Saluting Branches events (Continued from page 1) Saluting Branches: Arborists United for Veteran Remembrance is a nonprofit ash tree or American fringe tree if organization that honors American servicemen and servicewomen by organizing the emerald ash borer is nearby. volunteer tree and landscape care for property across the country dedicated to our Otherwise, tree mortality will occur. veterans. A number of Bartlett employees in the Southeast participated last fall. Other wood boring insects such as In , Matt Carpenter, Raul Mederos and Sam Tourangeau (US Army veteran) the velvet longhorned beetle and the from our Tucker office volunteered at the Georgia National Cemetery in Canton. Japanese cedar longhorned beetle They helped with the removal of more than 100 trees from around the cemetery have been recently introduced and with young tree pruning near the parking areas. to North America. To have a certified arborist inspect your In , Jeffrey Wayne Justice, Jr. (US Marines veteran Afghanistan), Michael trees and discuss potential wood Gendrau, and Spencer Condon from our Oakland office volunteered at the South boring insect issues in your area, Florida National Cemetery in Lake Worth. They worked pruning the young live contact your local Bartlett Arborist trees lining the cemetery entrance, and look forward to keeping those trees in the Representative. best structural shape as they mature. In North Carolina, Brian Frierson, Vince Girdauskas, Tyler Jones and Nick Turco from our Charlotte office and Dan Clemson and Stephen Varnell from the Durham office provided a day of tree work at Historic Salisbury National Cemetery. All enjoyed this annual opportunity to give back using their skills together with others in the tree care industry.

Michael Gendrau, Jeff Justice, and Spencer Condon at South Florida National Cemetery.

Matt Carpenter, Raul Mederos and Sam Tourangeau at Georgia National Cemetery.

In North Carolina, Brian Frierson, Vince Girdauskas, Tyler Jones, Nick Turco, Dan Clemson and Stephen Varnell at Historic Salisbury National Cemetery. Fun with trees Ladybug rocks – Add some fun under a tree or in your garden! This easy project requires smooth oval rocks, outdoor craft paint, a few small paint brushes, and enough patience to wait for the paint to dry between each step. First, make sure your rock is clean and dry, and use red to paint all but the bottom where the “bug” will rest on the ground. Second, paint a black head and a line down the middle. Third, use the end of a paintbrush handle to dot on black spots and white eyes. Fourth, add smaller black dots onto the white eyes. Finally, if desired, paint your bug with a coat of clear craft outdoor sealer. If you have more paint colors, standard red and black ladybugs may be only the beginning! TREE FOCUS: Red maple (Acer rubrum)

History The red maple is one of the most common and widespread deciduous trees throughout eastern and central North America. It is native to most regions of the near to and east of the Mississippi River. Culture 7 Can thrive in many soil types and conditions Structural 7 Can grow in very wet or dry soil conditions, pruning is but prefers well-drained, moist sites needed for proper lateral branch 7 Root growth responds to conditions; however, is primarily shallow and horizontal development in and can interfere with the hardscape young red maples. Concerns 7 Structural defects due to co-dominant stems

7 This tree has relatively weak wood, and can suffer internal decay

7 Gloomy scale on the trunk and structural limbs can lead to decline. Scale is most problematic in urbanized areas

7 Micronutrient deficiencies can occur in areas where soils have alkaline pH Bartlett Management Practices 7 Frequent structural pruning is necessary to obtain a central leader and proper lateral branch development. We ensure proper pruning cuts are made, so pruning wounds close rapidly to prevent extensive decay WONDERS OF NATURE 7 Micronutrient applications may be necessary to green up the foliage until soil pH can be A plant that can grow up to modified 35 inches a day!? 7 Insecticide applications for scale Yes! There is a species of bamboo which has been found to should be applied grow up to 35 inches (91 cm) per day. Bamboo produces when immature scales new canes (culms) in the spring. For 60 days these new (crawlers) are shoots grow in height and diameter, and produce limbs active in late spring/ and leaves. After the 60-day growth period, a bamboo early summer cane never grows in height or diameter again. It will put out new foliage each year, however; bamboo is a colony plant, so it uses energy from an existing plant to produce more plants and to expand the root system. For more about the anatomy and growth of this fascinating plant, visit www.lewisbamboo.com/how-bamboo-grows. Compliments of

Make sure your trees and shrubs are ready for the spring season.

Visit Thomasville, Georgia, and “The Big Oak” The oldest and most cherished natural landmark in of the Past Museum; and Pebble Hill Plantation, a home rich Thomasville is The Big Oak. This massive Southern in both art and history. () dates back to approximately 1680 and is Plan your visit at www.thomasvillega.com/attractions. one of the original members (#49) of the Live Oak Society. Bartlett Tree Experts is honored to have cared for this The Big Oak important landmark for many years—we think the tree has a spread It is 72 feet tall, of 169 feet! and the trunk alone is worth a visit to Thomasville! circumference is 27.9 feet. The town itself, however, is distinctive in that it is full of historic homes and buildings, many of which are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Visitors will find a variety of other attractions, including the whimsical Lapham-Patterson House; thousands of artifacts at Jack Hadley Black History Museum; antique aircrafts at the Power

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