Landscape Nevada January 2013

Official Publication of the Nevada Landscape Association | www.nevadanla.com

Planting for Winter Interest

JANUARY 2013

Page 9

LANDSCAPE OFF-SEASON: The Perfect Time to Upgrade Drip Irrigation Page 8 Page 10

P.O. Box 7431 Reno, NV 89510

Nevada Landscape Assoc.

PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID RENO, NV PERMIT NO. 200

Winter Landscape Care

NEW members Amerigas NV Energy Robert Kelly Tree Care Titan Construction Supply

To join... please call the Nevada Landscape office

at 673-0404 or visit our website at www.nevadanla.com

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Landscape Nevada

JANUARY 2013

www.nevadanla.com

A Letter from the President

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ith 2012 officially behind us and 2013 rapidly approaching, although that may be hard to believe with the thermometer at 6 degrees, I am cautiously optimistic about our little industry. As an organization, 2012 provided us with some unique challenges that caused us to do things differently than we have in the past, a trend that I do not see changing much in 2013. Change is inevitable in our lives and we can try to ignore it or we can embrace it and move forward. The NLA is choosing the latter…

I think this is a good opportunity to touch on some of the highs and lows of last year.

Actually, now that I am reflecting on the year, I think there were more highs than lows.

The year started off as it always does with our annual conference and tradeshow which was drastically improved over the last few years. And I have been told by the Conference and Tradeshow Committee that this year is on pace to be far better yet (February 13th by the way). This year also saw the final year of the NLA golf tournament. The event has been declining over the past few years and we feel that there is no need to beat a dead horse any longer. Hopefully, there will be opportunities in the future to come together as a group at a purely social, fundraising event (suggestions welcome!). Two Landscape Industry Certification tests were run this year with the end result being seven new LIC landscapers in our midst. The Trophy Awards saw a new venue and the highest attendance in recent years. It was a fantastic event and I think that a good time was had by all. We were also able to help out Ole Marin and his family through a tough time and many landscape companies stepped up to help as well. It was my favorite part of the whole year.

As we gaze into 2013, what isn’t there to be optimistic about? I see houses being built all over town, granted it’s not what it once was, but things are happening. We have a little snow pack in the Sierras and hopefully a few more storms will help with our water concerns. The NLA has climbed out of some of our budget woes and is eagerly searching for projects to get involved in side-by-side with our members. We have focused our attention heavily into our events this year, as well as introspectively, to make our board and organization more functional.

One last thing, please remember that our meetings take place the first Tuesday of every month and we encourage any and all members to attend. An active member is a good member.

Here’s to a prosperous 2013. Cheers.

Matt Melarkey NEVADA LANDSCAPE ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT

PUBLISHER Landscape Nevada is published by: Kathy Hess, Just Imagine Marketing and Design 775.746.4138; kathy@justimaginemktg.com

NEVADA LANDSCAPE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Matt Melarkey, President — Crop Production Services (775) 358-6166 Heidi Kratsch, Director — University of Nevada Cooperative Extension (775) 784-4848 Jason Perry, Director — Western Turf and Hardscapes

(775) 356-8873 Tim Laskowski, Director — Signature Landscapes

(775) 857-4333 Dan George, Director — Century Landscapes

(775) 358-5222

David Grillo, Director — Nitro Green

(775) 828-2900

Leslie Lyles, Director — Stewardship Horticultural

(775) 849-1215 Steve Churchillo, Director — City of Reno Urban Forester

(775) 334-2270 David Squire, Director — Reno Green Landscaping (775)852-8952

LANDSCAPE NEVADA is the official publication of the Nevada Landscape Association, P.O. Box 7431, Reno, Nevada, 89510, phone 775.673.0404 or 800.645.9794, fax 775.673.5828, website: www.nevadanla.com, email: nlainfo@nevadanla.com.

The first snowfall of the season brought a light dusting of snow, accentuating a beautiful winter landscape.

Here, evergreens and ornamental grasses bring structure and texture to the winter garden.

Photo by Leslie Lyles

QUESTIONS, COMMENTS & SUBMISSIONS Write to Landscape Nevada at the address above or email the editor at kathy@justimaginemktg.com or phone 775.746.4138.

MISSION STATEMENT The Nevada Landscape Association provides leadership by promoting professionalism and integrity within the Green Industry through education, high standards and community involvement. We guide policy and uphold responsible resource management for the beautification and enhancement of our community.

www.nevadanla.com

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2012

TROPHY AWARD ENTRIES

LARGE COMMERCIAL INSTALLATION 1st Tahoe Forest Hospital — Signature Landscapes (A)

B. COMMERCIAL RENOVATION 1st Hearts Companion — 2 Crazy Gardeners (B)

RESIDENTIAL RENOVATION 1st Bensinger Residence — Greenhouse Garden Center (C) 2nd Farnsworth Residence — Signature Landscapes 2nd Lynch Residence — Greenhouse Garden Center 3rd Stewart Residence — 2 Crazy Gardeners

RESIDENTIAL INSTALLATION < $50,000 1st Foothill Estates — Signature Landscapes (D) 2nd Barsodi Residence — Reno Green

RESIDENTIAL INSTALLATION $25,000 TO $50,000 1st Dirks Residence — All Seasons (E)

RESIDENTIAL INSTALLATION > $25,000 1st Mangus Residence — Signature Landscapes (F)

LARGE COMMERCIAL MAINTENANCE 1st Esplande — Signature Landscapes (G)

SMALL COMMERCIAL MAINTENANCE 1st Summit Racing — Reno Green (H)

LARGE RESIDENTIAL MAINTENANCE 1st Shakespeare Ranch — Signature Landscapes (I)

A

F

B

G

C

H

D

I

ENVIRONMENTAL AWARD Barsodi Residence — Reno Green PRESIDENT’S AWARD Shakespeare Ranch — Signature Landscapes

E

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Landscape Nevada

Photos: (left) Matt Melarkey and Sal Perez, Signature Landscapes, receiving award for Large Commercial Installation for the Tahoe Forest Hospital project. (bottom left) Matt Melarkey and Scott Leonard, Signature Landscapes, receiving award for Large Commercial Maintenance for Esplanade at Damonte Ranch. (bottom right) David Dabner and Ryan Harvey from Reno Green receiving the Environmental award for Barsodi Residence.

2012

SPECIAL AWARDS TONY ARMSTRONG HUMANITARIAN AWARD Given to an individual or company who has given unselfishly of their labor or materials to benefit the community.

Rodney Bruns — Pyramid Landscape EDUCATION/RESEARCH AWARD Given to the individual or company who has contributed to the education of the members of the Green Industry.

Heidi Kratsch — University Nevada Cooperative Extension AMBASSADOR FOR THE LANDSCAPE INDUSTRY Given to the individual that has best served as a representative for the Green Industry.

Jim Stanhouse — Signature Landscapes LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD Given to an individual who has devoted many hours throughout the years to the Nevada Landscape Association to strengthen not only our organization but the Green Industry as a whole.

Brian Dean — Signature Landscapes

JIM STANHOUSE NAMED AMBASSADOR FOR LANDSCAPE INDUSTRY

J

im Stanhouse, commercial manager for Signature Landscapes was awarded with the Ambassador for the Landscape Industry by the Nevada Landscape Association.

Given to the individual who has best served as a representative for the Green Industry, the award is a testament to Stanhouse’s commitment to educating Northern Nevada’s future landscape professionals.

His dedication to leading the certification process for the NLA over the years has resulted in certifying more than 100 landscape professionals, and helping to raise the bar for landcare and maintenance in the community.

“Landscape professionals who become certified are recognized for having the high level of industry knowledge plus the experience to do a great job,” Stanhouse said of the certification process.

Always humble, and willing to share the spotlight, Stanhouse celebrated the award by presenting certifications to this year’s seven new landscapers at the award banquet held at the Silver Legacy, Friday night.

Photos (top, from left to right): New and current Landscape Industry Certified Team for Signature Landscapes: Chris Gavin, Irrigation Technician; Jim Stanhouse, Commercial Maintenance Manager; Lee Goodmanson, Irrigation Technician; Erin Reinhardt, Residential Crew Leader; Shawn Vassar, Crew Leader; Sal Perez, Construction Manager; Scott Leonard, Account Manager; Tim Scott, Residential Manager; Nazario Marin, Residential Team Manager; Brian Dean, Arborist. (left) Matt Melarkey and Rodney Bruns receiving the Tony Armstrong Humanitarian Award—given to an individual or company who has given unselfishly of their labor or materials to benefit the community.

www.nevadanla.com

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THE NEVADA LANDSCAPE ASSOCIATION IS CELEBRATING ITS 22nd ANNUAL

Trade Show & Conference February 13, 2013 Reno Sparks Convention Center 4590 S. Virginia, Reno, NV 30 Seminar Opportunities 5 Conference Tracks Nevada Agriculture, PLANET, ICPI, and ISA CEU’s Available Plan now to attend this valuable event co-sponsored by the Nevada Department of Agriculture, University Nevada Cooperative Extension and Reno Urban Forestry Commission.

For conference information, contact NLA at 775.673.0404.

Nursery & Design

Irrigation & Maintenance

Arboriculture

Hardscape

Pesticide

TRACK

TRACK

TRACK

TRACK

TRACK

8–9 am REGISTRATION / TRADE SHOW

8–9 am REGISTRATION / TRADE SHOW

8–9 am REGISTRATION / TRADE SHOW

8–9 am REGISTRATION / TRADE SHOW

8–9 am REGISTRATION / TRADE SHOW

9–9:50 am Storm Water BMP’s for Landscapers Speaker: Lynell Garfield, City of Reno

9–9:50 am Irrigation Scheduling Speaker: Steve Emerson, Hunter Industries

9–9:50 am Tree Species Selection and Proper Planting Speaker: Jon Bryun, The Plant Doctor at Moana Nursery

9–9:50 am Segmental Retaining Walls Speaker: James Moterex and Ron Illium, Basalite

9–9:50 am Pesticide Laws and Regulations Speaker: Lee Lawrence, Nevada Department of Agriculture

10–10:50 am Recognizing and Avoiding Contaminated Compost and Soil Materials Speaker: Beau Miller, Agrosciences

10–10:50 am NETWORKING & TRADESHOW

10–10:50 am Rootstocks, Espaliers, and Restoring Overgrown Trees Speaker: Michael Janik, Michael’s Apples

10–10:50 am NETWORKING & TRADE SHOW

10–10:50 am NETWORKING & TRADE SHOW

11–11:50 am Monitoring for Insect Pest Speaker: Jeff Knight, Nevada Department of Agriculture

11–11:50 am Justify Water Savings in Your Proposals Speaker: Mike Pimental, Rainbird Corporation

11–11:50 am Diseases Affecting Trees in the Landscape Speaker: Brian Dean, Consulting Arborist

11–11:50 am Soils Speaker: James Moterex and Ron Illium, Basalite

11–11:50 am Three Weeds of Landscape Concern and Their Control Speaker: Robert Little, Nevada Department of Agriculture

12–1 pm LUNCHEON / TRADESHOW

12–1 pm LUNCHEON / TRADESHOW

12–1 pm LUNCHEON / TRADESHOW

12–1 pm LUNCHEON / TRADESHOW

12–1 pm LUNCHEON / TRADESHOW

1–1:50 pm Biocontrol of Insects and Weeds Speaker: Jeff Knight, Nevada Department of Agriculture

1–1:50 pm Who Needs Which Contractors License and the Consequences of Not Having Them Speaker: Fred Shoenfelt, Nevada Contractors Board

1–1:50 pm Integrated Pest Management Strategies for a Healthy Landscape Speaker: Leslie Lyles, Stewardship Horticultural

1–1:50 pm 12 Volt Design, Install, LED Speaker: John Bass, Vista Lighting

1–1:50 pm Pigeon Control Speaker: Ed Foster, Nevada Department of Agriculture

2–2:50 pm NETWORKING & TRADESHOW

2–2:50 pm Diagnosing and Controlling Turf Diseases in Northern Nevada Speaker: Bill Carlos, Washoe County Horticulturist

2–2:50 pm NETWORKING & TRADESHOW

2–2:50 pm Sealers and Maintenance Speaker: Dave Morris, Surebond

2–2:50 pm Vertebrate Pest Control Speaker: Nate Weber, Crop Production Services

3–3:50 pm Preventing Herbicide Damage in the Landscape Speaker: Jon Carpenter, Nevada Department of Agriculture

3–3:50 pm What is Your Landscape Telling You Speaker: Leslie Lyles and Holly Bromley, Stewardship Horticultural

3–3:50 pm Arborist Involvement with Legal Issues and Ethics Speaker: Molly Sinnott, Sinnott Consulting Arborist

3–3:50 pm Basic Paver Installation Speaker: Gene Weddle, Belgard

3–3:50 pm Best Turf Management Practices Speaker: Dr. Jerome Pier, Crop Production Services

4–4:50 pm Keeping Landscape Water Clean and Safe Speaker: Susan Donaldson, University Nevada Cooperative Extension

4–4:50 pm Preparing for the Landscape Industry Certified Technician Exam Speaker: Jim Stanhouse, Nevada Landscape Association

4–4:50 pm Electrical Awareness in the Landscape Speaker: Gerald Fassett and Mark Young, Utility Arborists for NV Energy

4–4:50 pm Permeable Pavers Speaker: Gene Weddle, Belgard

4–4:50 pm Principles of Industrial Weed Control Speaker: Mike Carrigan, DuPont Specialty Products

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Landscape Nevada

calendar of events IDAHO HORT EXPO January 23–25, 2013 Boise Centre, Boise Idaho www.inlagrow.org

AMERICAN SOCIETY OF CONSULTING ARBORISTS February 19–22, 2013 San Francisco, CA www.asca-consultants.org

UTAH GREEN CONFERENCE January 28–30, 2013 South Towne Expo Center, Sandy, Utah www.utahgreen.org NORTHWEST AGRICULTURAL SHOW 2013 January 29–31, 2013 Portland, OR www.nwagshow.com NEVADA LANDSCAPE ASSOCIATION ANNUAL CONFERENCE AND TRADESHOW February 13, 2013 Reno Sparks Convention Center, Reno, NV www.nevadanla.com

GREEN INDUSTRY GREAT ESCAPE February 21–23, 2013 Las Vegas, NV www.LandcareNetwork.org/ GreatEscape

2013

Trade Show & Conference

PLANET DAY OF SERVICE April 22, 2013 Nationwide www.planetdayofservice.org LICENSED INDUSTRY CERTIFIED EXAM August 16–17, 2013 Reno, NV

CONFERENCE REGISTRATION FEES: $80 Member $95 Non-Member Discounts apply for multiple attendees per company.

Parking at the Convention Center is $7 per vehicle.

Buffet lunch provided.

Trade Show is free of charge.

UNCE Horticulturist Honored with Award for Education Kratsch oversees three educational programs for Green Industry

T

his month Heidi Kratsch, University of Nevada Cooperative Extension western area horticulture specialist, won an award for Education from the Nevada Landscaping Association. The focus of the association is to educate those within the Green Industry as well as upholding responsible resource management for the beautification of Nevada.

The award is given once a year to a member of the NLA who exhibits excellence in educating their group and doing research that benefits them.

Kratsch, who is on the Board of Directors of the NLA, conducts three different educational programs.

The first being the Green Industry Training program, which provides new and experienced workers with valuable information that can help them be successful in their job. Her next program is the Green Industry Continuing Education Series, a free monthly noon-hour educational event that allows people in the green industry to get an hour of credit towards their certification. The last program is Bio-plastic Pot Project, which looks at 30 different types of bio-plastic pots that biodegrade in the ground and determines which ones will work best in Nevada.

Pamela Bedard, NLA administrative assistant and certified member of the landscape industry said Kratsch has impacted many of those who are in the Green Industry.

“Her impact is huge,” Bedard said. “With how things are going with the economy, it is harder for employers to send their employees to get certifications in the industry. Kratsch is instrumental in helping those people by offering free seminars so they can get certified.”

Kratsch, who has been involved with the NLA since 2010, was honored to be given such an award from the association.

“To me this award is validation from this group as an Extension professional that I am meeting their needs,” Kratsch said. “It says that I am providing them with the researched-based information they need and links to other sources of information that is valuable.

The University of Nevada Cooperative Extension is the outreach college that extends knowledge from the University of Nevada—and other land-grant universities—to local communities to address critical needs. UNCE is a federal-state-county partnership providing practical education Nevadans can trust, to help people, businesses and communities solve problems, develop skills and build a better future.

www.nevadanla.com

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Landscape Off-Season:

The Perfect Time to Upgrade Drip Irrigation

By Holly Bromley ISA Certified Arborist (#WE-5339A)

T

he landscaping industry, more than most businesses, is certainly one that has huge seasonal fluctuations in the work load. Often companies look for ways to supplement their income in the off-season by offering services such as snow removal or Christmas light installation. But here is one practical and very good way to add work for your business and an invaluable service to your customers…

When new landscapes are installed, the drip irrigation is set up appropriately to keep the new plants well watered and healthy. But within a few years, the plants have grown larger and their water requirements have increased proportionate to their size. Increasing the watering time on the irrigation clock may seem like a solution, but understanding tree root physiology will lend understanding to why this is simply not enough.

As trees grow and mature, their roots grow out in a spoke like pattern away from the trunk of the tree. It is vital to understand that the only part of the root system that has the ability to take up water into the plant’s tissues is the tips of the fine hair roots at the end of the root system. Because of the natural shedding of precipitation down the outside of the canopy during rain or snow showers, water absorbing roots are concentrated at or near the tree’s drip line—each year farther from the trunk of a maturing tree.

When new trees are planted, the drip emitters are placed at the root ball close to the trunk. However, as the trees mature, there are no longer any water absorbing roots where the emitters were initially placed. Increasing the amount of water through longer irrigation times is, therefore, ineffectual at supplying sufficient water to trees dependent upon drip irrigation. Instead, expanding root systems need to capitalize on whatever water they can find, which means acquiring it from emitters placed at nearby shrubs and perennials. This only serves to reduce the amount of water that the other plants get when trees compete for the water.

As a Consulting Arborist specializing in landscape health evaluations, the single biggest issue I see when diagnosing landscape problems is the fact that mature plants, particularly trees, exist in a perpetual state of drought stress. This leads to plants that are far more susceptible to disease and insect problems than healthy plants are.

Sometimes the stress becomes so severe that trees become unsightly due to multiple

Irrigation system in need of adjustments: Not only are the emitters placed where there are no longer water-absorbing roots, the trunk growth of this tree has started to crimp the drip line, cutting off water to all ‘down-stream’ plants.

dead branches and ultimately die. Unfortunately, as a consultant I am usually called on when the health of a landscape is greatly compromised. Many of my clients hire professional landscape maintenance companies and when deficits in irrigation are pointed out and explained, one of the first questions I get is, “Why didn’t Company X notice the problem?” I have no answer. Company X is supposed to be the landscape expert, not the home owner.

Because we live in a desert environment and annual precipitation is so low, it is essential that drip irrigation systems be upgraded and expanded to meet the water needs of the plants as landscapes mature. This should be done around five years after installation, then again in five to ten years.

As landscape professionals, you can do much to educate your clientele about the benefits of a healthy landscape. Insect damage and the cost to control pests goes up when trees are stressed. Additionally, removing and replacing sick and dying trees is expensive and a huge disappointment to owners who were looking forward to seeing their trees grow into beautiful, mature assets to their yards or businesses. The investment that your clients make having your company audit and repair their drip irrigation systems (adding drip emitters around the tree’s drip lines, replacing clogged emitters and readjusting the time clock for more effective watering of mature plants) ultimately saves them money.

The slow season in the landscape industry is the perfect time to take on projects such as upgrading inefficient irrigation systems. Economically, it benefits both you and your client.

The majority of water-absorbing roots occur beyond the dripline of trees, where natural precipitation falls. As landscapes mature, drip irrigation emitters should be added around the dripline to adequately water trees.

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Landscape Nevada

Winter Interest PLANTING FOR

By Joan Miller

D

uring the dreary winter months when all but the evergreens have gone dormant for the winter, there are a few shrubs and perennials that always catch my eye. I appreciate the use of plants that lend winter interest to landscapes when the color and texture of spring and summer fades into the skeletons of bare plants waiting to burst forth after a long winter. When planning a new landscape, or remodeling an existing one, try to focus on creating year-round appeal with plants that lend interest no matter the season. Of course, evergreens are a standard for this purpose, but here are four plants to keep in mind when trying to create year-round beauty:

Red Twig Dogwood: The name says it all. Of all of the various dogwood species, this one is particularly attractive in winter for its brilliant red bark, especially when the ground is covered in snow. It is all the more attractive when it is allowed to grow in its natural shape, as hedge shearing will create a dense ball or mound shape with “witches-broom” tips that distort the tips and hide the grace and beauty of the branches natural shape. To keep the optimal beauty of this plant, natural target pruning is best; simply shorten the longest branches with single cuts into the plant’s interior at a branch union. Thinning out a few of the oldest branches each year will also encourage new growth and preserve the beautiful red twigs.

The seed heads of Caryopteris.

Photo by Leslie Lyles

Caryopteris: The common name for this perennial shrub is “Blue Mist Spirea”, (although it is not a Spiraea). There are several cultivars of this shrub: my favorites are ‘Blue Mist’ and ‘Dark Knight’. Personally, I find the shape and bloom of Caryopteris much preferable to Russian Sage, which has the same timing and color of bloom, but which is rather scraggly looking in winter. Once the gorgeous blue blooms of Caryopteris fade, they are replaced with very attractive papery dried seed pods that remain on the stems. Even in the winter, these tan dried pods lend a delicate and attractive appeal to the shrub in its dormancy. Because Caryopteris blooms on new wood, it is best to prune in late winter or early spring right as it is coming out of dormancy. Prune it back about one half to two thirds its height for another magnificent bloom in late summer.

Rugosa Rose: These hardy roses are a very good choice for our high desert landscape. They are drought tolerant and nearly free of the pests that plague other rose varieties. Rugosa roses also require very little pruning and are, therefore, nearly maintenance free. To keep them healthy and beautiful, simply prune out dead or aging canes on occasion and trim them back slightly when they become a little too large for their space. The winter appeal of this shrub is the brilliant red rose hips that grace their tips. As an added bonus, the rose hips provide a good food source for non-migratory song birds that remain through the winter.

Perennial Grasses: Nothing saddens me more than to see well-meaning landscape crews pruning down attractive landscape grasses at the end of summer, leaving nothing but harsh, stubby, unattractive clumps where dormant grasses could have graced the landscape with their waving seed heads. No matter if it is a smaller variety like oat grass with its full, nodding seed heads, the slender waving mass plantings of Calamagrostis, or the impressively large Ravenna grass accenting a corner of a yard, grasses provide a high degree of winter interest to any landscape. Resist the urge to “clean up” dormant grasses and don’t prune them down until the break of spring. As a point of caution, however, resist planting Pampas Grass at all. Despite the fact that it is an impressively large grass, its blades are razor sharp and present a liability due to lacerations of both your landscape maintenance crew as well as the public when planted anywhere near foot traffic. A good substitute for pampas grass is Miscanthus.

Any landscape can benefit in every season of the year by just accenting it with a few plant species that lend beauty and interest even when dormant. These are just four examples of species that can make terrific additions to any landscape for year round appeal.

www.nevadanla.com

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Winter Landscape Care

By Leslie Lyles, M.S. Horticultural Consultant ISA Certified Arborist (#WE-1220A)

T

rees and the mature shrubs that are around them are one of the most valuable assets to our landscapes, yet too often they are not properly cared for. During the growing season trees and large shrubs are often stressed from inadequate irrigation systems scheduled for too little watering time. Come winter, they may not fair much better. Because of their size and water demand, trees suffer more from water stress than the shrubs and perennials in our landscapes, but all can benefit from winter care.

Many people believe that once trees and shrubs go dormant there is no maintenance required; this couldn’t be further from the truth. While it is true that deciduous plants are dormant once they lose their leaves, they still need soil moisture to keep their roots alive. Trees have two basic types of roots, structural roots and water absorbing roots. These roots have separate functions (just as your heart and lungs have separate functions). The structural roots’ primary function is for stability and anchorage of the tree, but they also serve as energy storage for the tree. These large diameter roots grow deep into the soil. The water absorbing roots are fine, small diameter roots that are found mostly in the top foot of soil, where oxygen and moisture are plentiful. During dry winters if the soil dries out too much these fine roots desiccate and die. In the spring, when it is time for the tree to come out of dormancy, the tree can not take up water and start producing leaves until it grows a new water absorbing root system. To do this, the tree uses reserve energy from the structural roots, thus depleting its stored energy and ultimately stressing the tree. For newly planted trees with few structural roots to rely on, loss of the fine water-absorbing roots can lead to the death of the tree.

Think of your tree’s energy reserve as you would your bank account: Say you have a healthy savings account—things are good, and for years you deposit money into that account each month. When times get tough you stop depositing money into the account and start pulling money out of savings each month to help pay the bills. Since you built up the savings account, you can get by doing this for some time; however, eventually the savings will run out. The same goes for your trees: if the tree is continually using more energy in the spring than it can store up during the growing season, then eventually it will start to decline and die.

So far this winter Mother Nature has been generous with deep soaking December storms, but if the storms don’t continue through to the spring when irrigation systems are charged, landscape trees and shrubs can become stressed from root death, increasing their susceptibility to insects and disease organisms.

So, what can you do to help ensure healthy trees in your client’s landscapes? Advise your clients to water in the winter if natural precipitation is lacking. This is particularly important for young trees (less than 5 years in the ground) and evergreens.

Trees and shrubs planted on the south and west sides of buildings, where they get high reflective heat, also require more water.

A good rule of thumb is to water if there has been no significant precipitation (at least .5 inch) within a three week period. Most of a plants water absorbing root system is at the drip-line and beyond, so it is important to water out near the drip-line, not at the trunk (unless it is a newly planted tree whose roots have not left the root-ball). Advise your clients to apply enough water to soak at least twelve inches deep into the soil. This can easily be done with a hose end sprinkler or a soaker hose. Another option, if daytime temperatures allow, is to charge the irrigation system for the day and run the irrigation zones through several cycles.

Trees are living organisms and need proper care to live a long healthy life. Providing water to landscape trees and shrubs in the winter when natural precipitation is lacking is an important step in insuring a healthy, beautiful landscape come spring.

Advising your clients to water during dry periods will not only improve the health of their landscape, but also their trust and satisfaction in your services.

Broadleaf evergreens, such as these Euonymus planted on the west side of a building, are particularly susceptible to winter desiccation and would benefit from winter watering.

Top dieback on trees and shrubs is a sign the plant is water stressed. Proper irrigation design and scheduling, along with winter watering, can improve plant health.

Photos by Leslie Lyles

Photo by Leslie Lyles

Winter is a great time to remove tree stakes.

Stakes are rarely needed after the first growing season. If a tree is well rooted and can stand upright on its own, then remove the stakes.

Tree stakes can inhibit root growth and weaken the trunk if left too long.

Any central stakes need to be removed. These stakes should NEVER be left on after planting.

3 3

If the stakes are still needed:

Check that the ties are not too tight, strangling the tree.

Make sure stakes aren’t protruding into the canopy and damaging the limbs.

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Landscape Nevada

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11

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FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO RESERVE SPACE: Call Kathy Hess 775.746.4138 office | kathy@justimaginemktg.com

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