Tree Diseases Common in Spring

Tree diseases can crop up any time of year, but in spring especially, thanks to warmer weather and an influx of insects which might exacerbate or even cause some tree diseases. Bacteria and viruses can thrive in the spring, which encourages decay. Fungus is also a problem, especially in wet weather. Fungi can cause leaf spots, by far one of the most common problems that can plague your tree, discoloring parts of leaves and/or even killing them. These spots can be found on ornamental trees anywhere in the country. Fungi spores are spread by the wind, so any tree can get them, but the good news is that leaf spots are almost always mostly a cosmetic problem, so don’t worry about losing a tree to them. Still, they don’t beautify your yard, so you might want to try treating aff

Call Arborists in Early Spring

Go ahead and add calling an arborist to your spring cleaning to-do list. Early spring is the ideal time for tree-trimming services for many reasons. Some gardeners love winter pruning, and that certainly has benefits, but early spring is the last window of opportunity you have for preventive insect control, last-minute pruning and other chores. In a few weeks, birds will be nesting and chicks chirping from your treetops, so you certainly don’t want to disturb or endanger them. Peak Time It’s much easier to see if any branches are dead once the leaves start to unfold. In the winter, some limbs can be mistaken for dead when they are simply dormant. A skilled arborist will be able to tell the difference, but it can require a little more time and effort. You’re in the c

Use Tree and Shrub Fertilization to Remedy Nutrient Deficiencies

You might need tree and shrub fertilization if your soil has nutrient deficiencies. Our trees are a lot like us. Even with a great diet, they might need a little help in the supplement department. Too much use and abuse can also cause deficiencies. Fertilizers and nutrient additions are saturating the market, but how can you tell what your soil really needs? Trees need 17 key nutrients to thrive. Utah State University Extension horticulturist Jerry Goodspeed says all 17 are critical, but you might need bigger quantities of some nutrient. The major nutrients and micro nutrients need to be perfectly balanced for a healthy yard. Major nutrients include carbon, oxygen and hydrogen. The great news is that these three are totally free and come from air and water. However, if y

Holiday Lighting Still Up?

Don’t be embarrassed if your holiday lighting is still up! In some instances, like with white twinkling lights, it’s perfectly OK (socially speaking) to keep these ambient lights up year-round. Just make sure they were properly strung in the first place. If professionals didn’t install them, they might be strung improperly across some plants and trees, potentially damaging them and even posing a fire risk. If you want permanent lights, only use lights designed for year-round outdoor use, and never string them across foliage. However, if what you have up are true seasonal lights, consider it your first spring cleaning task to remove them. Unplug them all and carefully examine them (when and where it’s safe to do so) for any tangles or obvious damage. If your lights are

Tree Care: Beware of Borers

Tree care includes battling those pesky borers, which are abundant in Utah in the spring. These insects cause some of the most devastating damage to trees and shrubs, destroying the tree’s vascular system and in some cases causing permanent, irreparable damage. However, most trees can be saved if they’re caught in time and the borers are professionally exterminated. Just like some illnesses in humans, once a plant gets borers, it’s more likely to get them again. Don’t worry. With proper tree care from experts, you can win the battle against the borers and put defenses in place to prevent them from targeting your yard again. However, like in any war, it’s wise to know your enemy. These are some of the most common borers in Utah: Ash borer: Also known as the lilac