Shrub & Landscaping Tips
When planting you may run into a number of problems. The site "area", in which you choose, can be unsuitable for the type of plant. Soil-borne plant diseases, such as root rots, wilt diseases, nematode infestations, can cause problems even if the site previously supported plants of the same kind. The transplants are more vulnerable to the effects of the disease. Sometimes plants produce toxins that leach into surrounding soil and disrupts growth of other plants. Walnut trees are well known for this. In these cases, one may have to wait a year or more after the removal of the toxin producer to plant replacements.
Mulch is good for your trees and shrubs, but you can over due a good thing. The common problem is creating a Mulch Volcano, or piling too much mulch near the trunk. Having a mulch volcanoes may look pretty, but too much mulch near the trunk can actually suffocate the roots which leads to a damaged tree. Mulch volcanoes and compacted soil will block nutrients from going into the soil. In addition, it can cause cankers (open wounds) on the lower trunk. Once your tree develops cankers, the damage cannot be reversed, and your tree will die within a few seasons.
is a progressive deterioration in the health of a tree that is attributed to a combination of factors, such as competition among plants, environmental stresses, injuries and diseases like defoliating leaf diseases, root rots, wilt diseases, and nematode infestations in the soil. Although each of these may be unimportant individually, in combination they may cause decline and death of the plant. Avoid unnecessary injury. To avoid stress, know and supply the maintenance needs of the plant. Water deeply during dry periods. Don't induce rapid top growth by applying high nitrogen fertilizers in the root zone. Prevent serious, recurrent defoliating disease with fungicide treatments and treat serious insect and mite infestations.
Annual needle shed Older needles inside shrub yellow. Younger needles remain green. May occur in late spring or early summer, or more slowly over the entire season. A normal part of the growth cycle. No control is necessary. |
Fall Needle shed Inner branchlets turn yellow, then brown. Outer foliage remains healthy. Normal part of growth cycle. No control is necessary. |
 | Iron chlorosis Interveinal chlorosis of youngest leaves. Leaves may eventually become yellow, cream colored, or white. Usually caused by reduced availability of iron in high pH soil. Correct site-related conditions such as high soil pH, water logging, and poor aeration. Iron chelate applied to foliage may provide temporary greening, but for long term control, lower the soil pH. |
Leaf Scorch Leaf Scorch is a symptom that can occur any time the leaves need more water than they receive. It may be caused by diseases of the roots, crown and vascular system; cankers; inadequate available water; high air temperatures; damage to the roots from transplanting, "wet feet," soil compaction or excavation or natural gas leaks; chemical injury such as herbicides, excessive fertilizer and road salt; root girdling; "pot boundness" that occurred in containers before planting or following planting if roots fail to extend beyond the planting hole. Be sure soil is moist in the fall. |
Spine spot Small, grayish-brown to dark punctures and scratches on both leaf surfaces in early spring. Spots caused by wounding of leaves by spines of nearby leaves during windy conditions. Plant in sheltered locations or erect wind barriers. |
Wet feet Plants turn yellow and brown. Whole plant may die rather rapidly. Usually occurs in spots where moisture has been excessive. Can be complicated by root and crown diseases. Can occur in long established planting if periods of drought alternate with periods of saturated soils. Maintain good drainage. Plant yews in spots that do not get overly wet. |
Winter injury Foliage brown and scorched. Twigs die back. Bark splitting. No control is necessary. Protect plant from injury as in frost situations. |