Transcript Home Vegetable Garden

Arboricultural
site analysis & preparation
“The best friend on earth of man is the tree.
When we use the tree respectfully and
economically, we have one of the greatest
resources of the earth”
Frank Lloyd Wright
Prepared by
Dr. Teri Hamlin
Georgia Department of Education
For the Georgia Agricultural Education
Curriculum Office
May, 2002
August 2008
August 2008
Trees
• Beautify our surroundings
– Offer a wide range of forms, textures, seasonal
color
– Define our outdoor space, frames a view
– One acre of forest absorbs 6 tons of carbon
dioxide & puts out 4 tons of oxygen (enough to
meet annual needs of 18 people)
August 2008
• Save Energy
– Net cooling effect of a young, healthy
tree is equivalent to 10 room size air
conditioners operating 20 hours a
day.
– Properly placed trees around building
can reduce air conditioning needs by
30% & can save 20 % in energy used
in heating
• Increase property values
– Trees planted around existing home
can boost market value 6-7 %
– Healthy mature trees add an average
of 10% to a property’s value
August 2008
Selecting the Right Place
for the Right Tree
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Evaluating site attributes
Potential site modifications
Tree Management Capabilities
Desirable Tree Attributes
Selection of Appropriate Tree
August 2008
Hardiness Zone
August 2008
Above the Ground
SITE ANALYSIS
• Sun Exposure
– Full sun
– Part sun
– Part shade
– Shade
August 2008
Above the Ground
SITE ANALYSIS
• Slope Exposure
– Thin Bark Trees (Cherry, Plums, Maples,
Ash) planted on South & West Slopes
bark split from direct sun & dry
conditions
• Coat trunks with white latex or truck wraps
to reflect light
August 2008
Above the Ground
SITE ANALYSIS
• Wind
– increases the amount of water
loss from a tree
– big problem if root space is
limited or poorly drained soil
(lack of root development)
– Select a species tolerant of
drought
August 2008
• Overhead Wires
– Cost utility companies (ultimately us) more than 1 billion
dollars to trim tree branches
August 2008
Above the Ground
SITE ANALYSIS
• Buildings
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one-sided, unbalanced root system
compact, clay soil shallow root system
hazardous conditions as tree matures
Select:
• Tree with open or narrow canopy
• Small to Medium size trees
• Plant a grove if canopy of shade is desired
August 2008
Below the Ground
SITE ANALYSIS
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Soil Texture
Soil pH & Fertility
Drainage
Underground obstacles to root
growth
• Appreciate how far roots can
extend
August 2008
• A. Because roots need oxygen, they don’t
grow well in compacted clay soil
• B. Framework of major roots lies 8-12
inches below the surface
• C. Roots often grow outward to a diameter
one two times the height of the tree
August 2008
Clay Soil
vs.
• pH
• Texture
• Well
Drained
• Fertile
August 2008
Good Soil
Soil pH
• pH governs the availability of nutrients &
activity level of microorganisms
August 2008
pH Test
August 2008
pH
• Most Trees can grow in a soil pH 5.0 - 7.0
• Low pH < than 5.0 (acidic soil)
– Dolomite or Limestone
• High pH > 7.0 (alkaline soil)
– Ammonium sulfate , Aluminum sulfate, Sulfuric
acid
August 2008
Soil Texture
A soil factor that limits tree growth
• Fine Texture Clay
– compact
– poorly drained
– low oxygen
• # 1 cause of tree decline in North
Georgia
August 2008
Test Soil Drainage
Dig & Fill with water several 12” deep holes
Good Drainage: water drains in 2 hours
Fair Drainage: water drains in several hours
Poor Drainage: 8-10 hours water still there
August 2008
Compact Soil
• Select Wet-Site Tolerant Trees
– American Hornbeam, Sweet Gum, Sumac,
Redbuds, Bald Cypress, Weeping Willow, River
birch, Red & Silver Maple, Sawtooth, Water &
Willow Oak, Sweetbay Magnolia, Loblolly Pine
• Avoid Tree with Aggressive Root
Systems
• form surface roots which disturb mowing,
sidewalks, etc…
• Red & Silver Maple, Beech, Ash, Walnut, Sweetgum,
Popular, Oak, Weeping Willow, Pecan
August 2008
Improving Drainage
Before Planting
• Area should be
turned and dug to
a minimum depth
of 12 inches and
minimum width of
2x the canopy
August 2008
Organic Materials Improve
Drainage mixed at least top 12” of area
• Decomposed
– Animal Manure
– Bark
– Peat Moss
• Grass Clippings
– Leaves
– Wood Chips
– Sewage Sludge
What makes a difference? 50 lbs per 100 sq ft
August 2008
Compost
August 2008
Elevate Beds
Increase drainage
Decrease soil compaction
30% great growth
Thoroughly mix amendments with native soil
Break subsoil and hardpans
August 2008
Improve Soil Compaction
• After Establishment
– Coring Machine
– Verti-Drain / Vertical Mulching
• (dig 2-3’ deep trenches out from tree & refill with
soil)
– Pitch fork
– Gypsum applications
• (if compaction caused by sodium saturated
exchange in soil)
August 2008
Newly developed sites
• Plan before construction begins
• Don’t allow debris to be buried
• Work with contractors to prevent
excessive soil compaction in future
landscape areas
August 2008
Tree Selection
• Determine Max Tree Size at Planting
– Irrigation only during establishment
• Small size nursery stock w/ small tops
– Allows roots to come into balance with tree soon after
planting
• Drought - tolerant trees
– (Redbud, Eastern Red Cedar, Lacebark Elm, Crape
Myrtle, Ginkgo, Sumac, Golden-rain tree, Sycamore,
Live, Chestnut & Sawtooth Oak, Locust)
– Irrigation regularly
• Any tree - Any size
August 2008
August 2008
Desirable Tree Attributes
• Mature size
– Large trees provide shade to large open
spaces
– Medium trees shade on buildings
– Small trees good for next to building,
deck, patio provide little shade
• showy trunks, fruits, foliage, flowers
• Longevity
– Large trees live longer than small trees
August 2008
Desirable Tree Attributes
Match Tree Form to Function
August 2008
Desirable Tree Attributes
• Canopy Density
– denser canopy = more shade, better screen, less
noise
• Foliage
– deciduous versus evergreen
• Growth Rate
– fast versus slow
• Wood Strength
– brittle wood, narrow/wood crotches
August 2008
Desirable Tree Attributes
• Insect & Disease Resistant
• New Varieties
– Kousa Dogwood
– Crape Myrtle
• Disease Resistant (Apalachee, Lipan,
Cherokee)
• Dwarf (less 3’) Petite Embers, Orchid, Pinkie
– Chinese Fringe Tree
August 2008
Tree Selection
• Weak crotches have bark included in
trunks
• Strong crotches are wider, without bark
August 2008
Tree Selection
One Central Leader with branches evenly spaced
August 2008
Tree Selection
August 2008
August 2008
Root Ball Defects
Effect Growth & Survival of
Tree
• Kinked roots
• Lack of roots
• Circling surface
roots
• Tree planted too
deep in field or
container cuts off
oxygen to roots &
trunk rot
• Root Rot
August 2008
August 2008
Tree Selection
Trunk Form
• Strong Trunks taper & thickest near ground
• Do not require stake to support them
August 2008
Tree Selection
Trunk Form
August 2008
Tree Selection
• Insects & Diseases
August 2008
Avoid Trees with…
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Trunk injury and broken branches
Trunk Wrap
Smaller, Lighter than normal leaves
Dead tips (Die-back)
Stakes (tree should stand on its own)
Weeds in rootball
August 2008
Arboriculture
planting & management
“No shade tree? Blame not the sun but
yourself.”
-Chinese Proverb
August 2008
Tree establishment
• 3 most common causes of poor tree
establishment
– planting too deep
– under watering
– over watering
August 2008
Fall
is the best time of
year to plant
roots continue to grow
and establish through
the winter months
August 2008
Before Planting
• Water plants in thoroughly
• Bare root plants should be soaked 3-6
hours
August 2008
Inspect & Tease Roots
• Remove burlap and fabric containers
August 2008
Planting
• If a tree is planted correctly, it will grow
twice as fast and live at least twice as long
as one that is incorrectly planted
• Well drained soils:
– top of root ball even with soil line
• Poorly drained soils:
– top of root ball slightly higher than soil
line
August 2008
Planting
• Ideally dig or till an area the same depth and
approx. 5 x the diameter of the root ball
August 2008
Planting
• Backfilling with
loosened original soil
• Tamp lightly to
eliminate air pockets
• Add soil until even with
top of root ball
• Do not cover root ball
with soil
August 2008
Planting
• Construct 1-2” soil berm at edge of
root ball to entrap irrigation water
• For newly planted trees, water directly
on root ball
• After establishment: remove berm to
encourage root growth
August 2008
Transplanting
• Timing: Dormant stage of plant
• Keep as much soil around roots as
possible
• Don’t let the root ball dry out
• Handle plant by the ball, not the trunk
or branches
August 2008
Mulch
A tree’s best friend
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Insulates soil
Retains moisture
Keeps weeds out
Prevents soil compaction
Reduces lawn mower / weedeater
damage
• Adds an aesthetic touch
August 2008
Mulch
August 2008
Mulch
• Max depth of 2-4”
• Do not touch the
trunk
• Mulch too deep can
lead to
– trunk & crown rot
– poor root ball
aeration
August 2008
Ground Cloth under Mulch
???
August 2008
Establishment Period
August 2008
Irrigation
How much ? How often?
• During establishment
– Minimum of 1” of water per week
Water between
9 p.m. & 9 a.m.
August 2008
Types of Irrigation
• Sprinkler
• Micro Sprinkler
• Drip Irrigation
August 2008
Drip Irrigation
Uses 30-50% less water
Efficient and effective application
Fewer pest problems
Fewer weeds
No wind effects
Easily automated
Economic to install
August 2008
Drip Irrigation
August 2008
Drip Irrigation
August 2008
Time Clock
August 2008
Xeriscape
Water Management Practices
August 2008
Staking
• Good - quality trees do not require
staking
• When to stake:
– Windy Location
– Top Heavy
– Plants 8’ or taller
– Weak Trunks
– Small Root Ball
– Evergreens
August 2008
Types of Staking
Support weak
trunk
August 2008
Root ball
anchorage
Staking
August 2008
Staking
• Rubber straps are
nicely suited for
attaching stakes to
trunks
• Wire threaded through
hose can girdle plant if
left to long
• Never leave a plant
staked for more than
one growing season
August 2008
Trunk Protection
• Little protection against insect & disease
• Some sun scald protection for thin bark
plants
• Uneven wraps w/exposed bark = temp
difference in trunk tissue
• Products :
– Paper Wrap
– Burlap
– Plastic
– White Latex Paint
August 2008
Trunk Wraps
• If used, wrap from the bottom of the
tree toward the top overlapping
material
• Use electrical tape or flexible
adhesive versus string
August 2008
Fertilizer
• Nitrogen
• Phosphorus
• Potassium
Landscape plants needs should be based on
Soil Sample
August 2008
Forms of Slow-release
Nitrogen
Ammoniacal nitrogen
IBDU (Isobutylene diurea)
Sulfur-coated urea
Ureaformaldehyde
August 2008
General Recommendation
August 2008
Types of Fertilizer
• Sources:
– Inorganic
– Organic
• Formation:
– Dry / Granular
– Liquid
– Slow-release
August 2008
How to Apply Fertilizer
August 2008
Fertilizer Burn
August 2008
When to Fertilizer
• Main Meal
– Slow Release ( 1 time per year)
– General Purpose (2-3 x per growing
season)
• Dessert
– During active growth (Spring-Summer)
– Liquid
• Soil drench
• Foliage Spray
August 2008
Weed Management
• Mechanical
• Chemical
– Pre-emergent Herbicide
• Surflan, Treflan, Ronstar, Balan
– Post-emergent Herbicide
• Selective
– Kills grasses in shrubs & flowers (Poast)
– Kills broadleaf weeds in lawns (MSMA, Trimec)
• Non-Selective (Round up)
August 2008
Arboriculture
Pruning
The appearance of a properly pruned plant
is like a good hair cut: hardly noticeable at
first glance.
August 2008
Pruning
• Pruning at Planting:
– If quality plant stock,
pruning is not
necessary
• Do not prune to
compensate for root
loss
– latest research show
pruning does not help
overcome transplant shock
August 2008
Why Prune
• Removal of dead, broken,
diseased, or insectinfested branches
• Maintain desired shape &
size
• Promote healthy,
vigorous growth
• Promote flowering &
fruiting
August 2008
Pruning
Tools
Sharp
&
Sterile
August 2008
Making the Cut
Directional Pruning
August 2008
Making the Cut
August 2008
Pruning Technique
Heading
Removes a part of
a shoot
August 2008
Thinning
Removes the entire
shoot or limb
Rejuvenating
Restores
overgrown
shrubs
Cut all branches
4-8” above
ground
August 2008
Pruning Time
General Rule
• Plants that flower before May
– Prune after bloom
• Azalea, Dogwood, Forsythia, Redbud,
Rhododendron, Clematis, Saucer Magnolia,
Flowering Cherry, Climbing roses
• Plants that flower after May
– Prune prior to spring growth
• Camellia, Chaste Tree, Crape Myrtle,
Nandina, Sweetshrub, Abelia, Sourwood,
Floribunda roses
August 2008
North Georgia Pruning Time
January - March
• Broadleaf evergreen
• Needleaf evergreen
• Renewal Pruning
• Large Tree Limbs
August 2008
A. Remove suckers
B. Remove low
growing branches
that interfere with
maintenance
practices
C. Remove upright
growing shoots or
waterspouts
D. Remove inward
growing branches
E. Remove branches
that compete with a
leader
August central
2008
Pruning Young
Trees
Crown
Thinning
No more than 1/4 of the
living branches
should be removed
at one time
August 2008
Crown
Raising
• Remove branch
from bottom to
provide clearance
• After pruning the
ratio of living
crown to total tree
height should be
at least two-thirds
August 2008
Crown
Reduction
Ratio of live crown to
total tree height should
be at least two-thirds
Never cut
main
branches of
tree back to
stubs
August 2008
(Topping
Trees)
Large Limbs
A. Make partial cut from
underneath
B. Make a second cut
from above several
inches out
– allows the limb to fall
C. Complete job with
final cut just outside
the branch collar
August 2008
Pruning Limbs
An Improper Cut
made through the
branch collar will
take 3x longer to
heal
August 2008
Pruning Paint
“Placebo” - making the user feel good
Research shows that paint or wound dressings do not
stop decay nor cause the wound to close faster
Successful Pruning
Correct Tools
Correct Time
Correct Technique
August 2008
Trees
• Add interest to the landscape
– Seasonal Color
– Foliage Texture and Form
• Hardy
– Temperature
– Drought
– Insect & Disease
• Easy to maintain
August 2008
Fringe Tree
• Height: 10-15’
• Width: 8-10’
• May Frangrant
Blooms, fall
berries
• Sun- Semi sun
August 2008
• Varieties :
“Grancy Gray beard, Chinese
Fringe Tree
Serviceberry
August 2008
Crape Myrtle
• Height: 3-20’
• Width: 3-15’
• July - August
flowers, bark, foliage
• Sun
• Varieties :disease
resistant
– Natchez, Muskogee,
Yuma, Lipan, Tonto,
Powhata, Sioux
August 2008
Eastern
Redbud
• Height: 20-30’
• Width: 25-35’
• Early Spring
• Sun- Semi sun
• Varieties :
– Alba: white blooms
– Forest pansy:purple leaves
– Silver Cloud: variegated
leaves
August 2008
Deciduous Magnolia
• Height: 10-20’
• Width: 10-15’
• Early Spring
Blooms
• Sun
• Varieties :
Royal Star
August 2008
American Yellowwood
• Height: 30-50’
• Width: 40-50’
• Bright Yellow in
Fall, Fragrant
flowers in
spring-early
summer
• Sun-part shade
• Varieties: Rosea,
Sweetshade
August 2008
Kousa Dogwood
• Height: 10-20’
• Width: 10-20’
• May Blooms, fall
berries
• Sun- Semi sun
• Varieties :Milky way,
Summer Stars,
Moonbean
August 2008
Red-Osier Dogwood
• Height: 8-10’
• Width: 8-10’
• Spring Blooms, Fall Red
foliage, Winter interest
stems
• Sun- Semi sun
• Varieties : Cardinal,
Flaviramea, Golden Twig
August 2008
Japanese
Maple
• Height: 2-20’
• Width: 4-20’
• Foliage RedPurple-Green
• Direct morning sun
& afternoon shade
• Bloodgood, Beni
Hime, Crimson
Queen
August 2008
Trident Maple
• Height: 15-25’
• Width: 10-20’
• Multi stem trunk
• Sun- Semi sun
• Form and Fall
Foliage
August 2008
Maples
August 2008
Sourwood
• Height: 25-40’
• Width: 15-20’
• Good Fall Color,
Flowers in summer
• Sun
August 2008
Vitex Chaste Tree
• Height: 8-10’
• Width: 8-10’
• Summer Blooms
• Sun
• Varieties :
Latifolia, Alba
August 2008
River Birch
• Height: 20-50’
• Width: 20-30’
• Multi stem and trunk
• Sun
• Dry to Wet Soil
• Varieties : “Heritage”
August 2008
Flowering
Cherry
• Height: 15-20’
• Width: 15-25’
• Spring Blooms
• Sun
• Varieties :
• Kwanzan: ‘Royal Burgandy’
• Yoshino: Shidare (weeps)
August 2008
Ornamental Pear
• Height: 20-30’
• Width: 15-25’
• Spring Blooms
• Sun
August 2008