Timing Really Is Everything

Written by: Keith Glaznap, Certified Arborist WI-0678A

Posted: 2016 | Disease Treatment | Insect Control | Spring | Tree and Shrub Pruning

Have you ever heard the phrase “timing is everything”? With regard to tree care, this phrase fits very well as timing is critical to achieving good results. At Wachtel Tree Science every application that we perform is completed in a specific window of time to help achieve the best results for your trees. You might be wondering how we know what window of time is best for each application. This information is collected from a combination of university research, advice from our state entomologist and pathologist, plant indicators, an equation using maximum and minimum day time temperatures (growing degree days), and many years of education and experiences within our own staff.

Proper timing vs. poor timing can be the difference between a crabapple that retains most of its leaves and looks great or a crabapple that still loses most of its leaves by July. Timing can be the difference between a pine tree that recovers nicely from a needle cast disease or a pine tree that continues to decline and die with brown needles and dead tips. Timing can be the difference between a soil injection that kills the target insect or one that misses the feeding stage of the insect all together resulting in the continued decline and death of the tree. These are all common examples of how critical the timing of each application can be.

Equally important, by knowing when the proper timing is for protecting a tree from a disease or controlling an insect, we actually make fewer applications and use less product. This means less of an impact on the environment. Anyone can spray or treat; it is another thing to know the right time and then making it happen properly.

There is one major factor outside of our control that affects the timing of all applications. Weather plays a significant role in timing. Spring temperatures literally set the clock in motion each season and will affect the future timing of all applications to come during a given season (ie. growing degree days). For example, if we have a cool spring the timing for each application may be delayed and if we have a warm spring the timing will likely be early. This will then trickle down to all subsequent applications for that particular season. If it seems that we are early or late in a given year, this is almost always the reason for it. It is essential to the health of your trees that we abide by this ever fluctuating weather clock.

In any case, your arborist at Wachtel Tree Science is planning out a management strategy using all of the above factors and more to guide them. The earlier that we know about an issue, the better the chance is that we will be able to properly time the application(s) for your tree or trees. You can rest easy knowing that we are always looking out for the best interest of you and your trees. So if you still have a prescription letter or proposal nestled snuggly on the kitchen table with intentions of sending it back to us, please consider that “timing is everything” for achieving the results that you want. Help us to make sure that your trees are the best they can be by contacting your arborist to schedule your application(s) today!