Upcoming talk - January 7th

Paul's active gardening blog can be found at https://xeraplantscom/author/pau

Video of an Arborist at Work

CBUF's Guide to Hiring Tree Work

Checklist for having tree work completed:

1: Hire a Licensed Contractor: 

Make sure your tree care company is licensed and bonded. Tree care companies, like other contractors, in Oregon are required to be licensed by the Oregon Construction Contractors Board (CCB). You can check the status of any contractor at their website www.oregon.gov/ccb. The CCB ensures that contractors carry sufficient liability insurance and bond in addition to providing mediation between clients and contractors and requiring continuing education for license renewal. 

2: Hire a Certified Arborist:

 While not required by law for residential tree work in the U.S. it can be a good idea to look for a tree care company that also has one or more certified arborists on staff. According the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) outreach website TreesAreGood.org:

“An arborist by definition is an individual who is trained in the art and science of planting, caring for, and maintaining individual trees. ISA arborist certification is a nongovernmental, voluntary process by which individuals can document their base of knowledge. Certified Arborists are individuals who have achieved a level of knowledge in the art and science of tree care through experience and by passing a comprehensive examination developed by some of the nation’s leading experts on tree care.”

3: Find someone you like:

Arboriculture is a unique field that involves the proper blend of experience, artistic vision, and athleticism/agility. Different arborists like different people will approach the work based on varied life experiences and values. For example, a former lineman might have a more production-oriented approach to tree work when compared to someone with a horticultural or botanical background. While some tree work is fairly clear cut a lot of it involves a fine balance between aesthetic concerns and the preservation or enhancement of tree health. Finding someone who shares your values will greatly improve your experience and ensure that your vision will be fulfilled. To accomplish this, take a little time checking out your arborist’s website, independent review sites and if getting multiple estimates make sure everyone is bidding on the same amount of work. If one person is significantly cheaper make sure it’s not because they are cutting corners. Finally, be patient, with the affects of climate change and new disease outbreaks on our local trees and forests most qualified arborists are struggling to keep up with demand. Plan ahead or expect to wait as much a couple months when scheduling non-emergency work. 

Editor's note:  Remember that it is not always in the contractor's best interest to save a tree.  Get at least one other opinion if they tell you it has to be removed.

Everyone is Reading our Garden News!

Even the local horses want to be in the know about garden news in Corvallis!

The Joy of Gardening Moves Indoors

December is the month to enjoy your winter garden, a warm cup of tea, and the new seed catalogs that grace your mailbox among the many holiday cards and catalogs.

Onion, Leek, Shallot, Chives - Flowers are edible too!

Consider starting members of the onion (Allium) family 

         like chives, leeks, onions, scallions (Garlic is usually best planted in October though.) 

or members of the rose family 

         like alpine strawberries

Alpine Strawberry

indoors with added light and heat so they will be ready to plant outside in early spring.

Or maybe you decide to start some slower-growing annuals like 

geraniums, snapdragons, yarrow, or violas

to transplant under a cloche in late March.  Get creative with this - antique or reproduction glasswork cloches are beautiful, but clear plastic bins are economical and readily available.  

Hardy geraniums

Invite Wildlife into your Garden

Provide water not only for birds, but also for predatory insects.  A shallow bowl with rocks in it helps both birds and insects get a sip.  In the winter, check the water every morning and thaw it out with warm water if it freezes.

Provide shelter for wildlife.  Bird houses are lovely, but a rotten log, stump, or snag can be a home for birds and insects, too.  Don’t clean everything out of your garden over the winter; a bit of grass, a pile of rocks can be a home for insects.

Provide habitat.  Plant natives in your garden along with vegetables, herbs, and flowers.  This provides a habitat for both birds and insects.  As a bonus, the birds help you out in summer by eating pest insects.

Corvallis Urban Forestry Free Street Tree Program

Do you need a street tree?

The City of Corvallis Urban Forestry staff is excited to work with homeowners to carefully select the most appropriate tree for your adjacent public right of way. If you are interested in getting a street tree at no cost to you, there’s still time! For more information, or to see if you are eligible for a street tree, contact Jennifer at 541-740-3186. Planting will take place in February-March 2019.

Why plant a street tree? 

When planted in the right location, a mature tree can:  

·     Save money on your home heating and cooling costs

·     Beautify your home and improve property values

·     Provide habitat for birds and other beneficial wildlife

·     Help to intercept and distribute rainwater which lessens erosion and recharges groundwater

·     Dampen noise and block unwanted views

Winter Tips and Holiday Greetings from the Evening Garden Club

Winter Tips and Holiday Greetings from the Evening Garden Club

Pyracantha ‘Yukon Belle’

*Visit local nurseries over the winter months to see plants which will add winter color and interest to your garden.  Don’t miss evergreen ferns and native groundcovers – you’ll be surprised! 

*Check that frost has not lifted ground around newly planted shrubs and trees.  If it has, stamp ground down firmly.

*Check that wind has not rocked newly planted evergreens – they are more susceptible than deciduous trees.

* Don’t leave heavy mulch or evergreen boughs over emerging bulb foliage.

Hellebore “Gold Collection” ‘Snow Fever’ 

    Pyracantha ‘Yukon Belle’

                                                                  

*Roses still blooming? They need to go dormant to thrive next year.  Prune lightly and remove all foliage. Allow buds and hips to form.

*Lime soil where dahlias will be planted next year – 5lbs:100 square feet, every three years.

*Add a thorough CARE tag to any plant you give as a holiday gift. There’s nothing sadder than killing a plant you’ve been given by a loved one.

*Read January garden magazines and look at websites now for the newest annual flower and vegetable introductions.

*If you want to use and plant a live Christmas tree:

--Acclimate it in an unheated garage both before and after its time in the house.

--Don’t keep it in the house more than a week.

-- Keep root ball moist but not sopping and coat needles with an anti-dessicant spray.

-- Plant ASAP in an appropriate full sun location with plenty of space to reach its potential.

*Great garden book for a gift: Month-by-Month Gardening in Washington & Oregonby Mary Robson with Christina Pfeiffer – many of these tips originated there!

MOST IMPORTANT WINTER TIP:

*Attend the Evening Garden Club’s Annual Greens’ Party, 7:00 pm December 3, 2018!  Bring greens and plant material to share and learn to make wreaths and decorations.  Shepherd of the Valley Church.

more at www.corvalliseveninggardenclub.org

What to do in the Garden in December

Maintenance/Clean up-

·     Rake leaves to mulch flower or vegetable beds, adding extra layers over marginally tender plants.  Leaves naturally decompose to return nutrients and improve the soil.  If they are taken away yearly, soil is gradually depleted and impoverished.

·     Clearing weeds and mulch a few inches around tree trunks prevents rodent and rot problems.

·     Hoe, pull, or (best) thickly mulch winter weeds.  

·      Protect newly planted trees from wind with windbreaks or guying. Use stretchabletree chain, arbor tie, or even old bicycle inner-tubes to tieon the windward side.  Be sure to loosen them in spring to allow for more growth and movement. The swaying of the trunk makes it grow stronger. Trees should never be tied in place longer than one year. 

·     Protect nutrients in compost pile from heavy rains with tarps or structures.

Planting/Propagation-

·     It’s still a good time to plant trees and shrubs to establish before summer drought hits!

·     Check that seeds are sealed up in a cool area.

Landscaping-

·     Consider adding rain gardens and bioswales to your landscape to capture rainwater.  Check out the Oregon Rain Garden Guide for ideas and plant lists.