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Time to Plant: Part 2 - Purchasing Quality Nursery Stock

3/28/2016

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In the second part of our tree planting blog series, we're tapping into the knowledge and wisdom of horticulturist and owner of Great Plains Nursery, Heather Byers. Great Plains Nursery, located in Weston, NE, focuses on growing high quality plants that are native or especially suited to our climate. They start their trees from locally-collected seeds and grow them with love!  Here are three things Heather advises you to look for when shopping for a tree.
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When choosing a new tree to add to your landscape there are lots of things to look for. Here are a few tips when purchasing a quality tree.

1.  First of all… start at a LOCAL nursery or garden center.

  • If you can buy toilet paper and screws there, it’s not the best place to find quality trees.
  • Check the tag or ask where the tree was grown. Locally grown trees are best adapted to our erratic Nebraska weather. Go even one step further and ask the seed source – again local is always best.​

2.  A tree is only as good as its root system so that’s where we’ll start:

  • The root ball should be free of circling roots and contain lots of small, fibrous roots – a tree grown in the Rootmaker® containers and RootTrapper® bags are our highly preferred choice.
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  • Check for stem girdling roots around the trunk – these are bad.
  • The root collar or flare should be right at the soil level. If it looks like a telephone pole then it’s planted too deep and this can cause problems down the road.
  • Don’t hesitate to dig around in the tree a bit before buying it – this is going to be your tree, so get to know it before you make the purchase.

3.  Evaluate the Crown

  • Shade trees should have one relatively straight central leader. 
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  • Main branches should be well distributed along the central leader, not clustered together.
  • Temporary branches particularly on trees 1 inch caliper or less should be present along the lower trunk below the lowest main branch – in other words, it shouldn’t be “limbed up” just yet.
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  • The trunk should be free of wounds, sunburned areas, cracks, signs of boring insects, cankers or lesions. Properly made pruning cuts are acceptable.
  • The trunk caliper (thickness) and taper should be sufficient so that the tree remains vertical without a stake. 
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By following these basic guidelines you’ll be enjoying your new trees for years to come.

Diagrams courtesy of Dr. Edward Gilman
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Emerald Ash Borer: Do you know what to look for?

3/9/2016

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The Emerald Ash Borer hasn't officially been detected in Omaha, but it's wise to know what to look for. Here is a great instructional video on how to identify EAB damage before it's too late. To summarize, here are a few things to look for:
  • A thinning canopy
  • Woodpecker damage
  • Cracking branches and vertically splitting bark
  • D-shaped exit holes that measure 1/8"

​As always, consult a certified arborist if you suspect infestation, as these symptoms can also be caused by other insects. The earlier we can detect it, the higher the survival rate!
EAB Exit Holes
D-shaped exit holes measuring 1/8"

Watch out for scammers!

The Nebraska Forest Service has issued a press release (3/8/16) warning homeowners of scammers surfacing in Nebraska to sell EAB treatments. 

'The Nebraska Forest Service (NFS) is encouraging homeowners to beware of solicitors promoting tree services and products related to Emerald Ash Borer (EAB). Unconfirmed reports have surfaced from around the state of person(s) providing misinformation, or claiming they will eradicate the invasive insect through treatment or removal of ash trees. These “companies” may be uninsured, unlicensed or request payment upfront—all possible indications of a scam.

“If the treatments seem too good to be true, that’s likely the case,” says NFS Forest Health Specialist Jennifer Morris. “Familiarizing yourself with EAB and what options are out there is an excellent way to sniff out possible scams.” 
​
Read the full press release here.
Splitting bark
Vertically splitting bark

Source: 
http://entomologytoday.org/2016/03/07/heres-how-to-inspect-your-trees-for-emerald-ash-borer/
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Time to Plant: Part 1 - Pick the "Right Tree for the Right Place!"

3/2/2016

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Welcome, March! Spring is finally near, which means it's a good time to think about tree planting. This blog post is Part 1 of a series of 3 posts that will help guide you in planting a new tree this year! NOW is the time to start researching!

We recently had the pleasure of assisting a customer select a replacement tree after we removed one from their front yard. There were many factors we and the customer had to take consider before ultimately selecting a Ginkgo Biloba tree. 
​
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How did we decide on this tree? They were looking for a tree to plant near their driveway for shade, and a tree that would offer privacy for the house. The tree would have a somewhat limited canopy space later in its life because of other nearby mature trees and a power line. Ginkgos are heat tolerant, work well as street trees and are good for somewhat confined spaces. Lastly, the customer also loved the aesthetics of this tree and its gorgeous yellow fall color. Ginkgos are a great choice for southeastern Nebraska!

Eeny Meeny Miny Mo

Many times, deciding on which tree to plant is more complicated than, "Hey - that one's pretty!" There are a number of factors that should be considered to responsibly select the "right tree for the right place."

What is its purpose?

  • Shade & Cooling - One of the best and most obvious uses of a tree! Trees not only cool by providing shade, but add moisture to the air through transpiration. Remember the sun's rays will be different from spring to summer to fall. Plant for where you want the shadow during the hottest time of the year - and the time of day you desire the shade. (See illustration)
  • Aesthetics - Use trees to create depth and visual appeal. Are you looking to add color? Height? Texture? Trees can really help frame a space and add a background to an empty lot. The US Forest Service suggests not placing a tree where it will split your lot or view into two equal halves.
Shade Diagram
Sun ray angles change throughout the seasons.
  • Privacy & Wind-breaking - Consider a low-branching conifer for hiding unsightly areas. Using a combination of densely planted conifer and deciduous trees provides the best protection from wind, dust, noise, light or nosy neighbors.
  • Creating Boundaries - If you simply need to define the boundaries of your property, a small narrow-crowned tree will do the trick.

Size & Location

This is often the most overlooked factor when selecting a new tree. You'll need to envision the planting site in 5, 10 or 20 years to consider the tree's mature height, canopy spread and root space. Sure, you can prune the tree as it grows to keep it properly elevated over sidewalks, driveways or your home, but it's best to select the right tree from the get-go so you won't need to rely on pruning in the future. But hey - when you need that pruning, give us a call, won't you?

Location considerations:
  • Power lines
  • Existing trees
  • Buildings, decks & gazebos
  • Driveways, streets & sidewalks
  • Space available for root spread (consider container/planter size or easement size between street and sidewalk)

Crown Shape

At the nursery, those young canopies all look the same! Ask for assistance or do your research so you know what canopy shape you'll be dealing with when the tree matures. To the right, the US Forest Service illustrates common canopy shapes.
Canopy Shapes
Trees mature into a variety of canopy shapes.
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Typical root spread of a mature tree.

Environmental Factors

We cannot stress enough the importance of selecting a tree that is genetically inclined to thrive in our climate!
  • Soil & Drainage - Is your soil sandy, clay-y (is that a word? I'm using it...) or a combination of both? Sandy soils will require more water, and clay-y soils will require less water (no more often than every 7 days in the summer). An easy method to determine the drainage of a site is to dig a 12x12x12 hole in the planting site. Fill the hole with water. If the water drains in fewer than three hours, the drainage is excellent, and plants suited for dry locations will perform well. However, this method should be done only when the soil is already moist or the test will yield false results.

    Also consider that high traffic areas generally yield compacted soil, which means poorer drainage. 

    Lastly, each tree species has a tolerance range related to acidity and alkalinity. If you're unsure of your soil pH, you can have a simple and affordable soil test performed by Midwest Laboratories here in Omaha.

  • Pests & Diseases - Research common pests and diseases for the trees you've got your eye on, and consider their long term care requirements and the costs and effects of repeated pest or disease treatments. You might consider a disease-resistant variety, like the Valley Forge Elm which is resistant to Dutch Elm Disease (vs. American Elm). Some trees are naturally resistant to most pests, like Ginkgo, Bur Oak and Goldenrain Tree. 
    ​
  • Climate & Hardiness Zones - Omaha, Nebraska is in Hardiness Zones 5-6. Click the button for a comprehensive list of trees suggested for our hardiness zones from Arbor Day:
Suggested Trees for Zones 5-6
  • Light - "Shade tolerance is the term foresters use to rate the light requirements of each species. Some species, like white birch or most pines, require full sunlight. They are shade intolerant. Tolerant species, like most maples, hemlocks, and lindens can do well in shade. Others, like white oak, are somewhere in between and are referred to as having intermediate tolerance. Don't make the mistake of planting your tree where it is mismatched with its need for light."  - US Forest Service
Good Trees for POOR Drainage:
  • Bur Oak
  • River Birch
  • Red Maple
  • Sweetgum
  • PawPaw
  • Hornbeam / Ironwood
  • Sycamore
  • Bald-cypress
    ​
Good Trees for GOOD Drainage:
  • Red Oak
  • Ginkgo
  • Bur Oak
  • Japanese Tree Lilac
  • Sassafras
  • American Yellowwood
  • London Plane Tree
  • Ohio Buckeye
  • Amur Maple
  • PawPaw
  • Hackberry

    ​
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Nope.

Fruit, Flowers & Foliage

The truth is, every tree flowers and fruits to some degree. The planting site of your tree and your own personal tolerance for "tree litter" will help you determine what kinds of trees to avoid. Some people have a lower tolerance for "messy trees," and some of the following examples may not bother you at all! At any rate, here are a few examples:
  • A Bur Oak will drop large acorns, so you may not want to plant over your driveway or street.
  • Crabapples, female Ginkgos and Walnuts produce messy fruit that you may not want to scrape off your sidewalk or driveway (or the bottoms of your shoes!) These trees may be better to plant over a grassy or mulched area.
  • Lindens, tulip trees and maples produce samaras (Helicopters? Whirly-gigs?) that may clog gutters. 
  • Kentucky Coffee Trees and Catalpas produce large seed pods that you may need to rake up periodically if you prefer a clean and tidy lawn.

Whew! That's a lot to consider!

So it's time to do some research. Please feel free to reach out to us if you need some suggestions or insight from a Certified Arborist!

Additional resources that may help you in your decision process:

  • Nebraska Statewide Arboretum's Tree of the Year
  • Nebraska Statewide Arboretum's Conifer of the Year
  • Native Trees & Shrubs for Nebraska
  • Trees for Eastern Nebraska
  • ReTree's Top 15 Trees for 2015 (with pictures!)

Stay tuned for Part 2: Purchasing your New Tree


Sources:
US Forest Service: The Right Tree for the Right Place
Arbor Day: Right Tree in the Right Place

Trees for Poorly Drained Soils
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    Author

    Amy Grewe, Certified Arborist & Co-Owner 

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Arbor Aesthetics Tree Service

Arbor Aesthetics Tree Service
6724 Irvington Rd, Omaha, NE 68122
402-408-5600
info@arboraesthetics.com
  • Residential Services
  • Free Proposal Request
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