Johnsons's Garden Centers Text File document - copyright 2005
PDF file available at http://www.johnsonsgarden.com/newsletter/nurseryplants.html

After The Storm
April 2005
Jeremy Johnson, Johnson's Nursery Buyer & KS Certified Nursery
			Professional

    I know that I'm ready for spring. I have been obsessively checking
all of the plants in our home landscape for the past month for any sign
of growth. If I see something changing a little bit, I run inside the
house to make my wife come and see all that is going on. I never knew
that buds swelling on a maple tree could make a person so anxious. My
practices drive her crazy. It was a rough winter on our landscapes, and
I am glad to get it all behind us. From the wide-spread ice damage to
the lack of moisture that was just as wide spread, our landscapes need a
chance to show their true colors.

    Disasters like January's ice storm can often teach us valuable
lessons in hindsight. We already knew that Bradford Pears and Siberian
Elms were trees that should not be planted, but the damage to so-called
good trees like River Birch and Lacebark Elm was severe as well. Am I
going to stop recommending these two trees? Absolutely not. An ice storm
like we had is not going to come around every year. I have seen much
lesser storms still wreak havoc on the Bradford Pears and Siberian Elms.
What we had were the perfect conditions to damage even resistant trees.

    What the ice storm and its resulting damage does teach us is proper
selection and proper pruning practices. Instead of planting a Bradford
Pear, if you really need a pear, plant a better branching cultivar such
as Aristocrat or Cleveland Select. Instead of a Silver Maple, look at
some of the newer maples like Autumn Blaze, October Glory or Sun Valley.

    Preventative pruning can go a long way in reducing future risk of
breakage. When we talk about pruning, the question always comes up about
the best time to prune. I'm sure that there are "better" times than
others, but if you have your pruners or saw out, there is no better
time. You are going to do more for the long-term health of your trees by
properly pruning against breakage than you will cause damage from
pruning two weeks early.

    Proper nutrition is also important to your trees, especially if you
lost a major piece from the storm. My favorite tree fertilizer is
ferti-lome Tree & Shrub Food. This fertilizer is the easiest to use.
Simply broadcast it with a fertilizer spreader and water it in! How much
easier can it get?!

    If you need help selecting a new tree for your landscape, or to
replace one damaged by the ice storm, our nursery professionals are
ready and willing to help you with any questions you may have. Also
remember that we can plant those trees for you, and if you use MYKE
when planting, you receive a five-year warranty on your plants!