SouthEast WisconsinMaster Gardeners
Milwaukee County UW-Extension Office
414-256-4600http://milwaukee.uwex.edu9501 W Watertown Plank Rd., Building A
Wauwatosa, WI 53226-3552
Waukesha County
UW-Extension Office
262-548-7770http://www.uwex.edu/ces/cty/waukesha515 W Moreland Blvd., AC-G22Waukesha, WI 53188
Become aMaster Gardener
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UW-Extension Horticulture Websites http://hort.uwex.edu • 1-877-WIS-PUBS
http://learningstore.uwex.edu
UW Extension Publications:Chlorosis (XHT1002)
Conifer Diseases Quick Reference (XHT1025)
Deciduous Tree Leaf Disease Reference (XHT1190)
Homeowner Guide to Emerald Ash Borer Treatments
(XHT1181)
Prune Deciduous Shrubs (XHT1015)
Prune Deciduous Trees (XXT1014)
Prune Evergreens (XHT1013)
Salt Injury to Landscape Plants (A2970)
UW-Extension Horticulture Help LinesMilwaukee County 414-256-4664Waukesha County 262-548-7779
UW-Extension Horticulture Centerat Boerner Botanical Gardensin Whitnall Park, Hales Corners, WI
For MoreInformation
Graphic Design by Connie Reeves, SEWMG Milwaukee/Waukesha Counties
Smaller, paler, and fewer Smaller, paler, and fewer Smaller, paler, and fewer Emerald Ash Borer may be Emerald Ash Borer may be Emerald Ash Borer may be
insects or disease. serious rootzone problems,in a tree’s canopy indicate
leaves and dieback of branches Smaller, paler, and fewer
insects or disease. serious rootzone problems,in a tree’s canopy indicate
leaves and dieback of branches Smaller, paler, and fewer
serious rootzone problems,in a tree’s canopy indicate
leaves and dieback of branches Smaller, paler, and fewer
ash trees should be treated.larvae. Find out if your valuable
S-shaped tunnels made by holes and loose bark covering the cause. Look for D-shaped Emerald Ash Borer may be
ash trees should be treated.larvae. Find out if your valuable
S-shaped tunnels made by holes and loose bark covering the cause. Look for D-shaped Emerald Ash Borer may be
ash trees should be treated.larvae. Find out if your valuable
S-shaped tunnels made by holes and loose bark covering the cause. Look for D-shaped Emerald Ash Borer may be winds can break branches
ice, heavy snow and strong In both winter and summer,
winds can break branches ice, heavy snow and strong
In both winter and summer,
winds can break branches ice, heavy snow and strong
In both winter and summer,
attaches to the next branch, at pruned back to where it
A broken branch should be
attaches to the next branch, at pruned back to where it
A broken branch should be
attaches to the next branch, at pruned back to where it
A broken branch should be
structure or neglect.weak due to poor tree
especially if they are already winds can break branches
structure or neglect.weak due to poor tree
especially if they are already winds can break branches
structure or neglect.weak due to poor tree
especially if they are already winds can break branches
soon after it happens.leaving a stub. Repair damage the proper angle and without
attaches to the next branch, at
soon after it happens.leaving a stub. Repair damage the proper angle and without
attaches to the next branch, at
soon after it happens.leaving a stub. Repair damage the proper angle and without
attaches to the next branch, at
depth show a gradual Trees planted at the proper
DO
depth show a gradual Trees planted at the proper
circling roots hide the root Planting too deeply and
depth show a gradual Trees planted at the proper
DON’T
circling roots hide the root Planting too deeply and
DON’T
circling roots hide the root Planting too deeply and
roots called the “root flare”.transition from trunk to
depth show a gradual
roots called the “root flare”.transition from trunk to
depth show a gradual
telephone poles at the base.flare making trees look like circling roots hide the root
roots called the “root flare”.transition from trunk to
depth show a gradual
telephone poles at the base.flare making trees look like circling roots hide the root
telephone poles at the base.flare making trees look like circling roots hide the root
heal even large wounds. Any restrict internal decay and Trees posses the ability to
DO
heal even large wounds. Any restrict internal decay and Trees posses the ability to
heal even large wounds. Any restrict internal decay and Trees posses the ability to
remove dangling wood and or fill trunk wounds. Just
DO NOT paint, cut, scrape,
DON’T
remove dangling wood and or fill trunk wounds. Just
DO NOT paint, cut, scrape,
DON’T
remove dangling wood and or fill trunk wounds. Just
DO NOT paint, cut, scrape,
tree’s natural defenses.serve to breakdown the
treatments we make only heal even large wounds. Any
tree’s natural defenses.serve to breakdown the
treatments we make only heal even large wounds. Any
tree’s natural defenses.serve to breakdown the
treatments we make only heal even large wounds. Any
wound requires no treatment.bark – nothing more. This remove dangling wood and
wound requires no treatment.bark – nothing more. This remove dangling wood and
wound requires no treatment.bark – nothing more. This remove dangling wood and
against it!) will keep grass near the trunk (but NOT up Even a narrow band of mulch
DO
against it!) will keep grass near the trunk (but NOT up Even a narrow band of mulch
DO
and weed whips causes wounds of the tree with lawn mowers Hitting the bark at the base
against it!) will keep grass near the trunk (but NOT up Even a narrow band of mulch
DON’T
and weed whips causes wounds of the tree with lawn mowers Hitting the bark at the base
DON’T
and weed whips causes wounds of the tree with lawn mowers Hitting the bark at the base
mow close to the trunk. making it unnecessary to and weeds from growing, against it!) will keep grass
mow close to the trunk. making it unnecessary to and weeds from growing, against it!) will keep grass
that lead to trunk decay, root and weed whips causes wounds
mow close to the trunk. making it unnecessary to and weeds from growing, against it!) will keep grass
rot and death.that lead to trunk decay, root
and weed whips causes wounds
rot and death.that lead to trunk decay, root
and weed whips causes wounds
DO DON’TDON’T
Wound treatments are angle without leaving a stub.
another branch, at the proper cuts where the branch meets When needed, make pruning
Wound treatments are angle without leaving a stub.
another branch, at the proper cuts where the branch meets When needed, make pruning
Wound treatments are angle without leaving a stub.
another branch, at the proper cuts where the branch meets When needed, make pruning
decay. Professional arborists It causes weak branches and
order to lower a tree’s height. DO NOT allow “topping” in
never top trees.decay. Professional arborists It causes weak branches and
order to lower a tree’s height. DO NOT allow “topping” in
never top trees.decay. Professional arborists It causes weak branches and
order to lower a tree’s height. DO NOT allow “topping” in
not recommended.not recommended.
CANOPY THINNING & DIEBACK
LAWN MOWER DAMAGE
GIRDLING ROOTS
TRUNK WOUND TREATMENT
PROPER PRUNING
DAMAGED BRANCHES
the tree’s shade.away when the grass dies in thicken and the soil washes
Roots become exposed as they
the tree’s shade.away when the grass dies in thicken and the soil washes
Roots become exposed as they
away when the grass dies in thicken and the soil washes
Roots become exposed as they
trunk will cause decay.the tree. The soil on the
Added soil will gradually kill except 3” of organic mulch.
or cover them with anything DO NOT cut exposed roots
trunk will cause decay.the tree. The soil on the
Added soil will gradually kill except 3” of organic mulch.
or cover them with anything DO NOT cut exposed roots
trunk will cause decay.the tree. The soil on the
Added soil will gradually kill except 3” of organic mulch.
or cover them with anything DO NOT cut exposed roots
trunk will cause decay.
EXPOSED ROOTS
from 3” of organic mulch to The entire rootzone benefits
DO
from 3” of organic mulch to The entire rootzone benefits from 3” of organic mulch to The entire rootzone benefits
trunk - it will rot the bark. DO NOT put mulch on the
DON’T
trunk - it will rot the bark. DO NOT put mulch on the
DON’T
trunk - it will rot the bark. DO NOT put mulch on the
keep roots cool and moist.from 3” of organic mulch to keep roots cool and moist.
from 3” of organic mulch to keep roots cool and moist.
from 3” of organic mulch to
away from the trunk. Start the mulch several inches
trunk - it will rot the bark.
away from the trunk. Start the mulch several inches
trunk - it will rot the bark.
away from the trunk. Start the mulch several inches
trunk - it will rot the bark.
MULCH THE ROOTZONE
DON’T
DON’T
DON’T
DON’T
The most important 10 minutes of a tree’s life!
1. First, find & expose the root flare. It may be covered by several inches of soil.
2. Dig the hole no deeper than the depth of theroot ball up to the flare. Make it 2-3 timeswider than the root ball.
3. Place the tree in the hole gently. Avoid carryingit by the trunk.
4. Cut away as much twine, burlap, and wire basket as possible without disturbing the rootball.
5. Fill the hole using the same soil you removed.
6. Settle the soil with water NOT by stepping on it.
7. Starting at least 3” from the trunk, cover the entire planting area with 3” of shredded barkmulch.
DO NOT PUT MULCH AGAINST THE TRUNK.
8. On windy sites, loosely support the tree with 2 stakes and webbing held straight out fromthe trunk.
9. Water new trees weekly with a soaker hose,more often if it’s hot and windy.
Most of a tree’s water and nutrient absorbing
roots are in the top 6 - 12” of soil. Mature
trees need watering. They do not get water
from deep in the ground.
• Watering is critical when it’s hot and dry andduring droughts. A tree’s roots extend wellbeyond the “dripline.”
• Grass in a tree’srootzonecompetes forwater.
• A 3” layer of shredded barkover the entirerootzone will helphold moisture in the soil.
KEEP MULCH AWAY FROM THE TRUNK
• Trees need 60 gallons ofwater per 100 sq. ft. ofroot zone per week.
For young trees:
• Use a soaker hose and water weekly or moreoften if it’s hot and dry.
How to water:
• Soaker hose over therootzone
• Garden hose on tricklemoved around therootzone
• Oscillating sprinkler• Root feeder that
attaches to a gardenhose inserted 6 - 12” deep
By Sharon Morrisey, Consumer Horticulture AgentMilwaukee County UW-Extension
They do not get water from deep in the ground. ♦
m
m
m
What to Prune:
• Dead
• Damaged
• Diseased
• Watersprouts
• Rootsuckers
• Conflicting Branches
• Competing Leaders
Exceptions:• Spring flowering trees - prune after you’ve
enjoyed the flowers• Dead, damaged, diseased - prune anytime• Rootsuckers - prune several times a season• Watersprouts - prune in early August• Oaks between November and March only!
• Otherwise, the sap attracts sap beetles thatcan spread oak wilt disease
• April thru October, wounds from damagedbranches should be treated with wounddressing.
• “Bleeders” elm, maple, birch, black walnut -prune in late spring when sap slows
• Conifers - prune only if necessary
WOUND DRESSING IS NOT
RECOMMENDED EXCEPT WHEN
OAKS NEED REPAIR
Do not fertilize for the first 3 years after
transplanting.
Then fertilize young trees to encourage growth.• Apply 1 lb. of
nitrogen (N) per1,000 sq. ft. ofrootzone
• In early June (or split into 2applications - thesecond in early August).
• At least half the Nshould be slow release (water insoluble).
How to Apply Fertilizer:
• Lawn fertilizer spreader in the area under treecanopy
• Root feeder 6 - 8” deep throughout area undercanopy
• Spray foliage for quick but short-lived deficiencytreatment
Mature Trees Seldom Need Fertilizing
• They rely mostly on nitrogen stored from the previous year.
• Only fertilize mature trees to:• Increase flowering, fruiting or growth• Increase vitality of trees in stressful conditions• Correct deficiencies (nitrogen, iron,
manganese)• Symptoms of deficiencies are small, pale leaves;
slow growth;yellowing orchlorosis (onlyveins aregreen).
Do Not Over
Fertilize
• Become moresusceptible to some pests.
• Do a soil test to determine what’s needed.
When to Prune:
November thru March
Use a 3-step cut so bark doesn’t tear (A, B, C, D)
PLANTING WATERING PRUNING FERTILIZING