Right Around the Corner
Written by: Tony Arnoldi, Board Certified Master Arborist WI-0102B
The treatment season for the year always comes up so quickly. It seems you barely have time to wave goodbye to the last wisps of winter before the race is on to address the issues that our trees need help with. This is especially true of the fungus problems that attack evergreen trees and crabapple trees.
After enduring many years of droughty weather, spruces and pines were wearing down. But then, the last 3 springs were quite rainy. This wet spring weather allows the development of fungus diseases on the foliage. Needlecast diseases and tip blights cause ever increasing amounts of brown to show up on spruces and pines. Spray programs are capable of protecting the new, emerging growth as it is added in spring and early summer. The progress is slow but sure and Wachtel has added many evergreens to these programs in the last few years. This is because they have enabled the steady improvement in health and appearance of key landscape trees (and saved so many).
A similar story can be told about Crabapples and Hawthornes. Their fungal leaf diseases, Scab and Rust, cause the foliage to turn ugly, spotted and yellow. These leaves fall off prematurely and cause quite a mess and an unsightly tree! Controlling these diseases successfully has created quite a “fan base” of customers who love the result – it is quite the contrast to an untreated tree.
The biggest factor in all of these treatment programs is timing. Most insect and disease problems begin in spring. But with the fungal foliage diseases we have discussed, the first spray timing is the most important and lays down the foundation and protection that is so critical. The other 1 or 2 sprays sustain the protection long enough for good control. However, if the first spray is late, the whole program struggles to obtain control. This is why we stress the early return of your Prescription Letter. When we can begin these protocols on time the results are just stunning.
Please call your Wachtel Certified Arborist (the earlier the better) if you have any questions regarding your Prescription. A lot of time goes into the management and adjusting of the customer accounts and they are the experts who know your landscape situation. Then sit back and relax – your trees are set to shine!