TREE TIPS
TREE & SHRUB CARE FROM BARTLETT TREE EXPERTS
Trees and soil fungi
When caring for trees, it’s easy to see
fungi as the enemy, since most tree
diseases and decay organisms are fungi.
However, many fungi are important
contributors to tree health. Symbiotic
associations with mycorrhizal fungi
are absolutely critical for optimum tree
health and growth.
Not all fungus is bad! Mycorrhizal
fungi are critical to tree health.
There is no question scientifically that
mycorrhizal fungi benefit trees, but
some debate exists about how to best
encourage these associations. Most
research shows that plants perform
better with mycorrhizas, however, only
a few experiments show any benefit to
trees when mycorrhizal fungi are added
to soil. Many times this is because
spores in store-bought mycorrhiza packs
are dead on arrival. Product selection is
also important because trees have very
specific fungal associates, which vary
depending on species, environmental
conditions, soil type, and more.
trees is because no attention was paid
to improving the poor soil conditions
in these studies. Soils that lack
mycorrhizas are too hot, too dry, too
wet, lack organic matter, lack oxygen,
etc., and without addressing the soil
environment, any added fungi will soon
perish. A better option is to create a soil
environment where natural and applied
mycorrhizas can flourish.
Mulching trees, de-compacting soils,
managing moisture, and adding
organic matter are all methods for
improving soil biology. By creating a
soil environment as similar as possible
to the forest floor, trees and their
beneficial microbes will thrive.
Important tips for
planting a tree
Planting a tree is a fun family project.
To help assure that your new tree
thrives, look for these two problems
often found in young trees from a
garden center or nursery -- circling
roots and stem buried too deep.
Follow these steps to correct both
conditions during planting:
Loosen and spread out the
roots. If some circling roots
have become woody, they can
be cut (not torn). When left as
is, a circling root can develop
a chokehold around the trunk
eventually killing the tree.
77 Locate where the roots begin to
spread at the stem base. This
is the root flare; it should be
positioned slightly above the
soil line. This will encourage
better root health. Roots begin
establishment within the top foot
of soil.
77 Dig a hole three to five times
the diameter of the root ball.
This allows the roots to expand
properly and become well
established.
If you wish to plant a larger tree,
contact your Bartlett Arborist
Representative for advice.
77
Perhaps the most important reason
several studies show little benefit
from adding mychorrhizal fungi to
Our original process called Root
Invigoration uses an air spade to
clear away debris from roots without
damaging them. It allows air and
water uptake to improve, helping soil
conditions to be more beneficial.
Sudden Oak Death
TREE & SHRUB
MAINTENANCE CALENDAR
MARCH
Have Bartlett monitor for fireblight, and treat
and/or prune out when seen
Spring caterpillars such as leafrollers and
California oakworm start to appear and may
require control by your Arborist
Protect pines from red turpentine beetles and
other bark beetles
APRIL
Check irrigation systems in preparation for dry
season
Monitor/treat apples for coddling moth
Fungicide treatments to susceptible fruit and
shade trees should be applied by your Arborist
MAY
Have Bartlett release predator mites for spider
mite management
Monitor soil moisture and irrigate once deeply if
the month is dry
If needed, Phytophthora root disease treatments
should be applied
Second pine beetle treatments should begin
WONDERS OF NATURE
One gigantic plant!
The ample rains of last winter
were welcomed in California,
but one potential downside
is that previous wet winters
have resulted in an increased
incidence of Sudden Oak Death
(SOD), caused by the funguslike pathogen Phytophthora
ramorum. Citizen-science
surveys led by researchers at
UC-Berkeley in 2016 showed
a concerning increase in the
number of bay laurels that are
harboring the pathogen, and
spread from bay laurels to oaks
is the most common disease
transmission process.
The two longstanding
recommendations for managing
SOD include potassium phosphite
bark treatments to improve
resistance, and removal of bay
laurel foliage from within the
Affected oak trunk
immediate area of valuable oaks. Affected bay laurel leaves
These remain the best options,
and new research from UC-Berkeley has shown improvement in efficacy of
these treatments when gypsum soil amendments are included. Amending soils
according to nutrient analyses has always been a key component of Bartlett’s plant
health programs, and gypsum is a common component of our custom California
soil prescriptions. Preventative treatments are far more effective than treating
once ‘bleeding’ cankers are present, but effective management options exist
for actively ‘bleeding’ trees as well. SOD-infected or drought stressed
oaks are also more susceptible to beetle attack; fortunately,
preventative treatments against these pests are also available.
There is a forest in Utah that is
actually one giant plant. Known
as Pando (Latin for “I spread”), or
the Trembling Giant, it is a clonal
colony of a single male quaking aspen
(Populus tremuloides). Scientists
determined it to be a single living
organism due to identical genetic
markers and its assumed to have one
massive underground root system.
The clonal colony covers 106 acres, weighs nearly 6,600
short tons, and has over 40,000 stems (trunks), as some die
they are replaced by new stems growing from the roots. Tree
rings show the average age of Pando’s stems is 130 years. The
roots are 80,000 years old.
When to prune flowering trees
Because flower buds develop on the
last year’s growth, if trees are pruned
too early the full potential of the
floral display is lost. Pruning should
occur after the flowers begin to
fade and not later than two weeks
afterward. We can advise you about
ornamental pruning and the best care
for your flowering trees.
TREE FOCUS:
Coast Live Oak (Quercus agrifolia)
History
Native to California from Mendocino County south to Northern Mexico,
the coast live oak is one of the most common and widespread trees of
coastal California. This tree’s contorted and gnarled trunk spared it from
use as lumber. Interestingly though, in the 18th and 19th centuries
shipbuilders sought out the odd, angular branches to make special joints.
Culture
77 Performs best in rocky well-drained soils.
The live oak is
one of coastal
77 Often found in proximity to California bay laurel in moist
California’s most
areas and valley oak on drier plains and hillsides.
common trees.
77 Drought tolerant, though may need some summer
irrigation during very dry years.
77 Most often multi-stemmed, younger trees are very dense and bushy in
appearance while older trees (75+ years) develop thinner crowns with
visible branch architecture.
Concerns
77 Susceptible to sudden oak death (SOD).
77 Health and stability may be affected by decay fungi, more often when
roots are disturbed or damaged.
77 Planted live oaks are impacted by powdery mildew, pit scale insects
and gall wasps more often than native acorn-grown trees.
77 Drought stressed trees are also attacked by western oak bark beetles,
leading to “foamy canker”.
77 May be completely defoliated during California oakworm outbreaks.
Bartlett Management Practices
77 We recommend annual treatments for SOD, treatments to prevent
beetle infestation are also recommended during moisture stress.
77 We should prune early in development to focus on preventing or
subordinating co-dominant stems.
77 Treatment for oakworms should be performed during outbreaks which
typically last 2-3 years.
Fun with trees
Make a flowering tree with a child
Blow painting creates a wonderful tree with
interesting branches! Add brown or black poster
paint to a small bowl of water. Then the adult drips
the watery paint on the paper and the child blows through a
straw. Repeat the steps of drip and blow to create your tree.
Flowers are made with little torn and crinkled up pieces of
colored tissue paper. The adult dabs a spot of craft glue and
child presses on the flower. Add as many as the child likes!
Compliments of
Spring has sprung
and its a great time
to focus on your
landscape - Bartlett
can help!
Maintaining trees at Pebble Beach
Whether you are playing the world famous Pebble Beach
golf links or just enjoying the natural beauty of Monterey,
you’ll certainly see a few feature trees pruned by Bartlett Tree
Experts’ San Jose office. In the last few years, we’ve brought
our talented staff to provide scientific tree care in areas that
need our unique expertise.
At Pebble Beach, we crown cleaned Monterey Cypress groves
to reduce end-weight over structures and golf cart paths. We
also performed some restoration pruning on a Japanese maple
garden and did some unexpected storm damage clean-up.
As Bartlett’s service area has expanded, we look forward to
caring for more properties on Monterey Peninsula as well as
returning to Pebble Beach next year.
James Mahutga, crew leader, Geno Vitale, climber, and grounds persons
Arturo Ramirez and Heber Lagunes worked on this project.
© 2017 The F. A. Bartlett Tree Expert Company
published by THE F. A. BARTLETT TREE EXPERT COMPANY
(877) BARTLETT (877-227-8538) in U.S. and Canada • www.bartlett.com
For Tree Tips information contact [email protected]
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