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You are here: Home / Archives for Tree Care

Winter is Ideal for…

January 18, 2019 by admin

Winter is the ideal time to prune most shrubs and trees

Correct pruning is a landscape practice that can enhance the health, vigor and aesthetics of your trees and shrubs. In this blog, we are discussing five advantages to pruning in the winter: [Read more…]

Filed Under: pruning, Shrub Care, Tree Care

No Mulch Volcanoes

May 12, 2017 by admin

Benefits of Proper Mulching
Good tree maintenance is common sense – it is what trees need to flourish in nature. In the wild, the forest floor is naturally covered with a layer of decomposing leaves, twigs and other plant material. In urban settings, the most common mulch is made of wood chips of varying types and sizes. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Tree Care Tagged With: mulching

Types of Pruning

January 4, 2017 by admin

Winter is the ideal time to prune trees and shrubs. The type of pruning depends on what each tree needs. Here are the basic types of pruning that we perform. [Read more…]

Filed Under: pruning, Tree Care

Protecting Your Shrubs with Oil

January 15, 2016 by admin

Dormant Oil ApplicationDuring dreary winter days I envy a plant’s ability to go dormant. I’ve considered putting a sign on my office door stating, “Dormant – do not disturb until spring”.

This time of year it is often recommended to spray “dormant oil” to control insects on everything from fruit trees to lilacs. But is it just any oil sprayed when the plants are dormant? Some commercial dormant oil sprays are refined from petroleum oil. But Dos Amigos Landscaping uses an eco-friendly horticulture oil made from Cottonseed Oil. Unlike home remedies, commercial spray oils have an emulsifier added to allow the oil to mix with water, so they won’t be damaged by rain.

Applying “Dormant Oils” kills exposed insects and mites by either suffocating them (covering up breathing tubes) or by directly penetrating the outside cuticle and destroying internal cells. Spraying dormant oil after bud break and leaves have emerged will still control the pests, but it may kill the young leaves or cause leaf edges to turn black if the correct oil is not used at the proper rate. So it is best to apply these oils in the dormant season—here in Virginia that means between February 1st to March 15th, with variability for the specific weather pattern of any particular year.

The cost of applying the Dormant Oils is generally nominal—you don’t have to spend a lot, to protect the high value of landscaped trees and shrubs.

Dr. Phil Nixon and Dr. Raymond Cloyd of the University of Illinois outlined the benefits of making an application of dormant oil.
Advantages include:
(1) a wide range of activity against most species of mites and scales, including some activity on eggs;
(2) minimal likelihood of insects’ or mites’ developing resistance;
(3) generally less harmful to beneficial insects and mites than other pesticides
(4) relatively safe to birds, humans, and other mammals.

Disadvantages of using dormant oil are:
(1) potential plant damage if incorrect oil is used or used at improper rate during the growing season and
(2) minimal residual activity to kill new pest infestations.

Dormant Oils are a great alternative to chemical pesticides. These oils don’t increase pesticide resistance because their mode of action is mechanical, not chemical.

Dos Amigos Landscaping can apply “Dormant Oil” to your important landscaping shrubs. Holly, Boxwood and Azaleas often benefit from this treatment. We have the equipment to spray upwards from underneath the plant, which makes it more effective since many of the pests hide on the underside of the foliage. The homeowner does not have to do a thing. Just contact us, and we will stop by your property to inspect and assess your landscaping plants. We will provide a proposal, including any remedies for other issues we may have identified when inspecting your valuable landscape trees and shrubs. And then schedule the treatment at the optimum time.

Contact Daniel Martin at Dos Amigos Landscaping today to begin the inspection process—or call: 434-465-0075.

Source material: Sandra Mason, Extension Educator, Horticulture, University of Illinois

Filed Under: Landscaping, Shrub Care, Tree Care, Uncategorized Tagged With: dormant oils

Pruning shrubs and hedges

February 26, 2015 by admin

pruning hedgeAfter the initial pruning at planting, hedges need to be pruned often. Once the hedge reaches the desired height, prune new growth back whenever it grows another 6 to 8 inches. Prune to within 2 inches of the last pruning. Hedges may be pruned twice a year, in spring and again in mid-summer, to keep them dense and attractive. Prune hedges so they’re wider at the base than at the top, to allow all parts to receive sunlight and prevent legginess.

Renewal pruning for older or overgrown shrubs

Every year remove up to one-third of the oldest, thickest stems or trunks, taking them right down to the ground. This will encourage the growth of new stems from the roots. Once there are no longer any thick, overgrown trunks left, switch to standard pruning as needed.

Rejuvenation pruning for older or overgrown shrubs

Deciduous shrubs that have multiple stems (aka, cane-growth habit), and that have become very overgrown or neglected can be rejuvenated by cutting all canes back as close to the ground as possible in early spring. That season’s flowers may be sacrificed but the pruning shrubsbenefits from bringing the plants back to their normal size and shape outweigh this temporary “collateral damage.” This pruning technique works best for shrubs such as overgrown spirea, forsythia, cane-growth viburnums, honeysuckle and any other multiple stemmed shrubs that are otherwise healthy. Within one growing season, these shrubs will look like new plantings, full and natural shaped.

Pruning evergreens

With few exceptions, evergreens (conifers) require little pruning. Different types of evergreens should be pruned according to their varied growth habits.

  • Spruces, firs and douglas-firs don’t grow continuously, but can be pruned any time because they have lateral (side) buds that will sprout if the terminal (tip) buds are removed. It’s probably best to prune them in late winter, before growth begins. Some spring pruning, however, is not harmful.
  • Pines only put on a single flush of tip growth each spring and then stop growing. Prune before these “candles” of new needles become mature. Pines do not have lateral buds, so removing terminal buds will take away new growing points for that branch. Eventually, this will leave dead stubs.
Pines seldom need pruning, but if you want to promote more dense growth, remove up to two-thirds of the length of newly expanded candles. Don’t prune further back than the current year’s growth.
  • Arborvitae, junipers, yews, and hemlocks grow continuously throughout the growing season. They can be pruned any time through the middle of summer. Even though these plants will tolerate heavy shearing, their natural form is usually most desirable, so prune only to correct growth defects.

To learn more about the best time to prune shrubs download the Shrub Pruning Calendar courtesy of the Virginia Cooperative Extension. (pdf)

At Dos Amigos Landscaping we have the expertise to prune your trees and shrubs properly for maximum health and beauty of your trees, shrubs and landscaping. Right now (January to March) is the best time to prune most deciduous trees in Virginia. Contact us today we’ll come to your property, make an assessment and give you an estimate for pruning. Call Daniel Martin at 434-465-0075 to schedule an appointment or send an email.

 

Filed Under: Landscaping, pruning, Shrub Care, Tree Care Tagged With: pruning, when to prune

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