Wrapping
or painting of trunks on younger trees is
cone to prevent sunburn or scorching of the
trunk that is exposed to the sun. As the tree
grows, the "skin" of the trunk gradually forms
bark whick insulates better against the sun.
At the same time, the canopy of the tree becomes
wider and blocks the sun from reaching the
trunk of the tree. Once these have occurred,
it isn't necessary to wrap or paint. This
usually takes 2 to 3 years for most trees.
If you keep the canopy of your existing trees
trimmed high enough that the sun hits the
trunk, we recommend wrapping during the summer
months. Any light colored cloth material or
light colored, water based latex paint will
suffice. For best results, use professional
tree wrap, available at Moon Valley Nurseries.
Most
trees come from the nursery with a single
growing stake. This provides some support
against wind, but is mainly used to keep the
trunk straight while in growing yard conditions.
After planting, the single stake will suffice
for 3 to 6 months of growth. At which time
we recommend switching to a double stake harness
for the next year or so. This provides a looser
support, which allows the tree to move somewhat,
while still preventing damage in normal wind
conditions. Staking isn't necessary for all
trees. Most palms and smaller slow growing
trees like citrus usually don't require any
stakes. Double staking is available at time
of purchase, from Moon Valley Nursery, for
a small fee or if you want to do it yourself,
click here for double staking instructions.
TRIMMING
/
PRUNING
KEEP
AN EYE
ON YOUR TREES
Pruning
newer trees, during the first couple of years
is mostly done for appearance. Keep the tree
looking as you want it to as it grows. For
grafted trees, be sure to cut off any growth
that may come out below or near the graft
at the base of the tree. The best times to
prune are mid to late spring and early fall.
Never prune new trees during the heat of the
summer.
Also, a good rule of thumb is to use pruning
sealer any time you cut branches that are
˝ inch in diameter or larger, (about as thick
as your thumb). This helps prevent cracking
and possible insect intrusion until the cut
heals over. Always wear leather gloves when
pruning or trimming. This prevents damage
to your hands from thorns, rough branches
or accidental contact with the pruning blades.
Throughout
the life of your trees, it is important to
pay attention for signs that your tree may
be experiencing difficulties. Anything that
is abnormal could be a sign that corrective
measures need to be taken. Wilting leaves
or heavy leaf loss can be a sign of lack of
water. If soil at the base of the tree is
always muddy, this may be too much water.
Sporadic yellowing or spotting on the leaves
may be a sign of nutrient deficiency. Abnormal
damage to leaves or trunk of tree may be due
to insect damage. If you have any concerns
regarding your trees or plants, it’s best
to get a solution sooner than later. Should
you notice any symptoms similar to the ones
above, call your closest
Moon Valley Nursery for assistance.
