The Wide World of Trees

I got this from Ohio State University’s website. I don’t know to whom to attribute the graphic, but I’ve seen it in many power point presentations, the ISA Best Management Practices handbook for Tree and Shrub Fertilization, and probabaly a few other places. Its relevance for my clients in and around Houston is for iron and manganese, although we shouldn’t ignore that blip at the high side of phosphorus and the downward progression for copper and zinc.

I think it’s also important to note that Dr. Kim Coder of the University of Georgia tells us that there are actually dozens of elements on the Periodic Table that are essential for plant growth, and researchers are only just beginning to scratch the surface as to how pH affects them all.

Observations/Recommendations.

1. I met with (crew leader) of (landscape maintenance company), who clarified for me that their role on the property includes all ornamental plant material 14 feet tall and shorter. They have not fertilized, treated for scale, treated for algal leaf spot, etc. any of the magnolias, hollies, oaks, young water oaks or any other plant material over 14 feet in height. This includes trees that they planted themselves which are 14 feet tall at date of planting. (crew leader) agreed with me that there is some catch-up to do, particularly as regards magnolias, hollies and young oaks. I assured him I did not intend to step on his toes, and that I would take care to limit my recommendations to plant material taller than 14 feet in height.

2. In 2011 we did a systemic application (Visit 1) and 5 plant health monitor visits (Visits 2-6) on 7 live oaks and 10 magnolias. For 2012 I have included in my plant health recommendations 28 magnolias, 18 hollies, 11 live oaks and 3 young water oaks. Also, last year, due to the late start (I didn’t first visit the place until late April), there were only 6 visits; this year there are 8 (not counting prescription fertilization).

3. I have also included recommendations for preventive pine bark beetle treatment to 55 pines throughout the property.

4. 3 young water oak transplants have scale, mites, whiteflies and powdery mildew. I have therefore added them to my plant health monitor program mentioned above.

5. There is one distressed live oak located far front, outside the fence, that I have also added to the program.

6. There are several podocarpus, cedars, cherry laurels, fruiting pears, 1 mulberry that are to be monitored but not necessarily treated unless a problem is found.

7. There are several noteworthy specimens, including a cherrybark oak, a large raintree, a lacebark elm, that are not included in my plant health care recommendations, including several native oaks along the wood’s edge. These are trees I want to keep an eye on, but recommend no action at the moment.

8. Ms. (estate manager) and I walked together last week, and one concern she noted was the line of bamboo at the far north end of the property, which is not doing a very good job of providing a privacy screen to the neighbor. What about xylosma? It’s not used too much in Houston, but it’s a fast-growing privacy screen that might do well in that spot.

9. Several specimens have buried root collars. The root collar is the part of the trunk that flares out to meet the roots. It is very important for the health of the plant that this collar remain exposed. Some are buried under too much mulch and leaf litter; others were planted too deep; still others were too deep in the pot before they were even planted. Excavating these, and pruning any girdling roots, is especially important.

10. I am very pleased with the care that the maintenance crews take. Usually I find much more mechanical damage–lawn mowers and weedeaters–scarring at the bases of the trees. I also see a lot of bacterial crown gall, which is in indication that infected tools and equipment are used. I am also pleased with the care they took when planting the water oaks–the problems I found with them are par for the course for young water oaks, and fairly easily controlled.

11. Young live oak at slope north of Main House: need to remove the guys, which are too tight on the trunk.

12. Since I first walked the property about 10-11 months ago, at least one tree has been struck by lightning. At least one tree in proximity to each house should have a lightning protection system. I have attached some technical literature pertaining to lightning protection, trees and adjacent structures.

13. My pruning recommendations only cover those trees by the Main House and along 4646 Drive. At some point, dead branches 2 inches diameter and larger should be pruned from all shade trees located along the street and elsewhere throughout the property. I did not include a comprehensive pruning quote, but there are some trees that look like they haven’t been addressed in many years. This is something I ordinarily recommend in stages.

Please let me know if you have any questions regarding these recommendations, or if you have any question about any plants, soils, or trouble spots that I didn’t address here.

Sincerely,

Gene Basler

Board-Certified Master Arborist #NE-6315BT

Texas Department of Agriculture #0503358

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