Trees and wildlife

Sit back and enjoy your shade!

Now is the time of year when we all appreciate the shade that your trees give. Sit back in your favorite lawn chair with your favorite frosty beverage and gaze upon the glory that is a (nearly) self-sufficient air filtering, soil-decompacting, air-cooling, shade giving, property value-increasing machine.

Who else is sharing your shade?

While you are sitting back in its cool shade look to see what wildlife is visiting your tree. Bees, birds, squirrels and a myriad of other creatures are likely sharing your tree. Be sure to consider them if any pruning is planned. If your tree has some dead wood or cavities, have them inspected by an arborist but remember that these defects don’t necessarily require removal. Sometimes leaving some dead wood and cavities does not increase the risk from the tree and it makes a big difference to those little creatures that call your tree home.

Fruit and nuts

Right now many trees are setting fruit. Apples and pears, walnuts and filberts are pumping energy into the edible little packages that we can enjoy later. Do you have a plan for their harvest? If not start to consider how you will harvest and store your bounty. Some trees such as apples benefit from thinning to produce better quality fruit.  If you are not going to to take full advantage of the harvest, consider contacting a neighbor or friend who is. The Gleaners also come to pick fruit and share it with low income families.  They are licensed and insured to protect you.  541-758-2645  Much of our city’s fruit goes to waste that could be eaten or converted into cider, applesauce or another preserve. You can also contact the Urban Forester if you have an unwanted fruit tree in the right of way. To contact the urban forester please call 541-754-1723 or email him.

Watering formula

Young trees still need water this month!

Tree diameter (inches) × 10

= number of gallons per week. 

From City Beautification and Urban Forestry (CBUF) and your Urban Forester

Meetings second Thursday at 9:00 am,  at the Parks and Recreation Administrative Office 1310 SW Avery Park Dr

http://www.corvallisoregon.gov/index.aspx?page=1911

What your trees need now!

Water!

First and foremost any newly planted or struggling trees probably need water. That water should be delivered weekly and in a large volume, rather than daily in a light sprinkle. Deep watering helps trees develop deep drought resistant roots and keeps them out of your lawn. Water trees with at least 10 gallons per inch of tree diameter. The easiest way is to purchase a watering bag from a local nursery. These hold between 15 and 20 gallons.

Mulch!

This is a great time of year to spread mulch, don’t wait until it’s hot and dusty. Get out there now and add a few inches in a circle that extends out to the drip-line of your tree. Mulch should not touch the trunk or surface roots as this can lead to decay. Keep mulch 3-4” deep starting 6” from the tree. Mulch helps reduce weeds, moderates soil temperature, helps keep soil moist and reduces compaction.

Keep an eye out for pests

Early detection can make control of insects and disease much easier. Often people wait until a tree is in crisis mode before calling an arborist. If you see something odd or unusual, such as scorching of leaves, yellowing or drooping of foliage, insect damage, or excessive dead limbs call a professional, early detection can save a tree's life and save you money and frustration.

Homemade watering bucket

If you don’t want to shell out for a watering bag or have a lot of trees to water try making your own watering bucket. Just take a 5-gallon or larger bucket and drill a bunch of 1/8” holes in the bottom. Then just fill the bucket as many times as it takes to provide the amount of water in the formula below.

Watering formula

Tree diameter (inches) × 10 = number of gallons per week.