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Tree Care
EXPERT ADVICE ON HOW TO SAVE, REMOVE AND CARE FOR TREES IN YOUR LANDSCAPE River Birch trees with native Virginia Sweetspire. Photo courtesy of Home & Habitat.
Mature trees can provide shade, habitat and an effortless magnificence to a home, neighborhood, even an entire city. Think of the splendid places you visited during travels and here in the Houston area: do you think of trees along great boulevards? Trees at parks and universities? Trees on the grounds of historic homes? Trees of many sizes and shapes grow quite easily all over Houston, that is, provided our area receives its typical amount of rainfall. The past year’s severe drought took a great toll on the tree population across Houston and Texas. How can homeowners determine when a tree is truly dead and what’s the best way to remove a tree? Can a tree look dead, but still come back in the spring or summer? We asked Barry J. Ward, Executive Director of Trees for Houston, these tree-related questions to help readers save existing trees and make smart choices for planting and caring for new trees. Here are his expert responses. 64
1. How can a homeowner or neighborhood volunteer know when a drought-damaged tree cannot be saved?
During the winter, use a small, sharp knife to peel away the outer-most layer of bark. If it is green underneath, then it is still alive. Also, small peripheral branches should be flexible. If they snap, they are dead. The problem with stressed trees is that trees, unlike humans, can be mostly or partially dead. The key is knowing when to give up the fight. 2. Can a tree that looks dead be revived? Are there signs to look for? Steps to take?
Yes, but generally speaking, trees in this condition tend to not look as good even if they do come back. If the majority of, or even a few, primary peripheral branches die, the tree may never regain the classic, species-specific look you want. The key is to water well during the hot, dry months; don’t over-water during the winter. Most of our local varieties can drop leaves once over the course of a summer due to stress
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Landscaper David Morello planted Quercus macrocarpa (Burr Oak) trees along the roadway by his home in the Heights. Photos this page by Acker/Zvonkovic.
and make it back. A second die off will usually be fatal or cause irreversible harm. 3. If a tree cannot be saved, how should Houstonians go about removing dead trees? If hiring professionals, what are questions to ask and practices that should be insisted upon?
Only hire a licensed, bonded arborist. Tree removal can risky for both the worker and surrounding structure. Training in tree care, tree removal, tree climbing, etc., are all part of the licensure and insurance bonding process. This will not guarantee a great job on your tree, but at least you will be starting with a minimum level of competence. Ask yourself, “Will this company make good if they drop a tree through my roof? Will they have insurance if there is an accident with a chain saw or 5 tons of falling lumber?� Accidents are uncommon, but they tend toward the serious/fatal end of the spectrum! 4. Do you know of good resources and options for repurposing trees or limbs debris? Are there local drop-offs for tree waste? Can homeowners have their tree waste converted into mulch?
For the scale of the individual homeowner, the best option is to simply ask the tree removal company to mulch it right at your home and leave it with you. 66
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project 5. What are some recommended species to replace lost trees? Please give several types in both large and small sizes.
Note: This list is not comprehensive, but names large and small trees that survived the historic 2011 drought with very little or no supplemental watering. For a comprehensive list of recommended trees, see texastreeplanting.tamu.edu/viewalltrees.aspx. DROUGHT TOLERANT LARGE NATIVE TREES RECOMMENDED FOR THE HOUSTON AREA
1. Carya illinoenses - Pecan 2. Quercus macrocarpa -Burr Oak 3. Quercus virginiana - Live Oak 4. Taxodium mucronatum - Montezuma Bald Cypress (few or no knees) 5. Ulmus alata - Winged Elm 6. Ulmus crassifolia - Cedar Elm 7. Platamus occidentalis - American Sycamore 8. Juniperus virginiana - Eastern Red Cedar 9. Quercus stellata - Post Oak DROUGHT TOLERANT SMALL NATIVE TREES RECOMMENDED FOR THE HOUSTON AREA
1. Cercis canadensis - Eastern Redbud 2. Cordia boissieri - Anacahuite – Texas Wild Olive 3. Crataegus marshallii - Parsley Hawthorn 4. Ilex decidua - Possumhaw - Deciduous holly 5. Ilex opaca - American Holly LEFT: Montezuma Bald Cypress features feathery green foliage that turns bronze/brown in the winter. Photo by FFprod66 - Fotolia.com
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project 6. Ilex vomitoria - Yaupon Holly 7. Myrica cerifera - Southern Wax Myrtle 8. Prunus mexicana - Mexican Plum 9. Viburnum rufidulum - Rusty Blackhaw Vibernum 10. Ungnadia speciosa - Mexican Buckeye 6. What are some key tips for caring for newly planted trees? WATERING
Root development is the primary concern in caring for your newly planted tree. It is essential to maintain the proper moisture level in the root zone to keep all roots alive and encourage growth. Improper watering will stunt the growth of a tree and eventually kill it. Note: The most common cause of plant loss in the Houston area is improper watering. Symptoms associated with inadequate watering are browning edges of the leaves, wilting and leaf drop. Unfortunately, these are also the symptoms displayed by a tree that is receiving too much water or insufficient oxygen in the root zone to allow the tree to respire and take up the water by the roots. It is best to water your newly planted tree daily, but in moderate amounts. Please refer to the watering table for your tree type and size. Also, keep a 2-inch layer of mulch around the root ball; DO NOT create a mound of mulch stacked up against the tree! The bare branches of Redbud trees sprout tiny purple/pink flowers in early spring, followed by heart-shaped leaves by early summer. Photograph by Mark Ross - Fotolia.com
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project FERTILIZING
Fertilizing a newly planted container grown tree is best accomplished by top dressing with a time released fertilizer, applied in early spring. This should be done for the first three years after planting. 7. When and how can residents purchase trees from Trees for Houston? Are there other local sources for new trees that your recommend?
Trees can be obtained from TFH year round; anything we can’t provide we can generally help people find through reputable growers. CLASSES
&
EVENTS
Trees for Houston hosts Urban ForesTree Keeper adult education classes are held each year in the early fall. Check their site, www.treesforhouston.org for dates. LEARN BY DOING: VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Trees for Houston, www.treesforhouston.org Hermann Park Conservancy, www.hermannpark.org Memorial Park Conservancy, www.memorialparkconservancy.org Houston Arboretum, www.arboretum.org
The glorious spreading branches—and roots—of live Oaks are best suited for wide open areas. Photograph by RalfenByte - Fotolia.com
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Soil conditions and available water can make all the difference for a tree’s survival. Photograph by finnegan - Fotolia.com
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