There's fine line between pruning tree, butchering it
By JOAN SWENSON, Californian gardening columnist
Call it the season of outrage.
Folks stop me to tell me how furious they are about the bad tree-pruning jobs that are rampant in Bakersfield in the fall. Some years I even receive photographs of really hideous work. I am given directions to commercial parking lots where magnolia trees, for example, which probably should never be pruned, have been whacked back. Or any number of other locations around town where someone has paid to have their trees butchered.
The question always posed to me is, "Why?" <?xml:namespace prefix = o />
And I've always offered some lame ideas, such as "People in Bakersfield don't like tall trees" and "People here just don't know any better."
On a trip to Sacramento last weekend, where trees are huge and beautiful, a couple of friends brought up the subject of trees -- mind you, I didn't even start the lunch conversation on trees -- and I think I got definitive answers.
One fellow wisely said, "There will never be large trees in parking lots as long as there are birds."
Ah, I suddenly understood! Angry customers stomp into merchants' stores to complain about bird droppings falling from trees!
That's why we don't want big trees in Bakersfield parking lots, despite the fact that most people are scrambling to find the tiniest bit of shade on a July afternoon at my Albertson's. My pal Ed perhaps was on to something.
Across the table, another friend had a different theory: "It's because people want to feel that they got their money's worth," Joe said. "They want to see a lot of tree taken down."
I was nearly dumbstruck. Two perfect answers at the same lunch table. I don't know that Ed and Joe have the full answer, but I suspect they are darned close.
My first bit of advice to you when you decide to get your trees pruned is to ask yourself this one, simple question.
Why? Why am I going to trim these trees?
If your answer is, "Because I'm supposed to every fall," think again. Most landscape trees to not require annual pruning. (Deciduous fruit trees do, however, in December and January.)
When you decide to prune, you should be doing it for the following reasons: to improve the structure of the tree or for safety's sake. Artful pruning can beautify trees; trees that have broken limbs or disease problems should also be pruned, of course.
My second bit of advice is to not hire the person who is throwing a business card by your front door. These trimmers may be perfectly competent, but I tend to distrust a tree trimmers who advertise a specialty called "topping."
Topping is the cutting back of branches at any point along the branch, rather than heading back to a branch attachment. Topping is what is commonly done to mulberry trees in the south valley. It's ugly and dangerous. Trees that are headed back typically will sprout great numbers of branches right around the headed back location.
These weakly attached, ugly growths will ultimately need more pruning next year. So, bad pruning begets more miserably bad pruning. Furthermore, these new growths are more likely to break and cause problems for the owner.
Worse, topping done to some trees will alter their shape permanently. One example is the Modesto ash. Topped Modesto ash trees typically will not sprout new growth and will slowly decline in health. Perhaps you've seen half-dead ash trees that were trimmed several years before; they simply don't recover.
Other landscape trees that do not respond well to heavy pruning are evergreen trees and sycamores. Coast redwoods don't need to be thinned. Neither do pine trees. And coat-racked sycamores often decline and die, although it may take several years.
Pruning cuts should be made where branches connect with other branches or the tree trunk, with cuts made just outside the bark collar. Well placed pruning cuts made just outside the bark collar will heal over nicely, leaving a rounded rim.
Do some reading and research before you pay someone to trim your trees.
The Tree Foundation of Kern is an outstanding source that includes illustrations of properly pruned trees. Try the Tree Foundation of Kern's Web site for more advice on tree pruning: www.urbanforest.org.
Hire a tree-trimming company that has a certified arborist on staff. Specify that you do not want your trees topped.
ROSE AUCTION: Roses propagated by Kern County Rose Society members are auctioned each year at the society's November meeting. According to member Richard Shiell, rare and beautiful varieties make it an outstanding rose-acquiring event. At the Monday night meeting at the North of the River Veterans Hall, the group will auction more than a dozen uncommon rose bushes donated by members.
Mike Mulligan of Glory Bee Honey in Shafter will speak about honeybees and gardening, as well.
Socializing is from 6:30 to 7 p.m., with the meeting beginning at 7 p.m.
Copyright © The Bakersfield Californian http://www.bakersfield.com
To Mulch or Not To Mulch
Mulch around trees provides a stable root environment that is cool and moist. Mulch protects the trunk and roots from lawn mowers and weed whackers, and it reduces competition for water from weeds and turf.
The Mt. Vernon Green Waste Recycling Facility, owned and operated by the City of Bakersfield, is the third largest in California, manufacturing two kinds of mulch which can be purchased for under $14 per cubic yard (27 cubic feet.) Compost and mulch are byproducts of green waste recycling which not only reduce landfill mass by 40% but also enhance the health of trees, shrubs and flowers, and best of all, retard weeds. The Mt. Vernon facility diverts 75,000 tons of waste annually from our landfill and recycles it into valuable soil amendments.
Plan Before You Plant!
What Do You Want From A Tree?
Color in the fall, flowers, fruit, screen, visual or noise barrier, a particular shape? Shade is a great benefit, dropping temperatures 10 degrees! That's the difference between 91 degrees F and 101 degrees!
Where To Plant?
Three shade trees strategically planted around your building or classroom can decrease energy costs by 30%. Focus on western and southern exposures.
Plant The Right Tree In The Right Place.
The tree you plant will probably outlive you. With that in mind, pick the planting location and mark the property boundaries. Stay 6 feet away from sidewalks, walls, neighbors, and underground cables. Stay 10 feet under overhead utility cables and power lines. Leave at least 5 by 5 feet open around base of tree for maximum irrigation and air exchange. More is better. Consider The Elements. Don't fight mother nature. Consider sun exposure, prevailing winds, water availability and cost, soil drainage, common pests, and select species accordingly.
Design An Irrigation Plan.
Trees in Kern County need extra water to live. Lawn irrigation is generally insufficient for watering a tree. How will your trees be watered? Each tree needs a bubbler or several drip lines.
Recognize The Size Of Your Investment.
Mature trees will increase property values 10% to 20%. That's up to $20,000 on a $100,000 property! Trees will yield two to three times the return on investment in purchasing and maintaining them. In the course of its lifetime, a tree is valued at about $50,000 in environmental and economic benefits. So when you select your tree, treat it like a $50,000, fifty year investment!
Get Approval For Your Plan.
Talk to property owners first and get their buy in.
Plan Your Event.
Maximize fun and learning and build ownership in the trees. Invite family, friends, teachers, students, and media folk! We can help with ideas and expertise to make it a fun event. Call to find out how.
There's fine line between pruning tree, butchering it
By JOAN SWENSON, Californian gardening columnist
Call it the season of outrage.
Folks stop me to tell me how furious they are about the bad tree-pruning jobs that are rampant in Bakersfield in the fall. Some years I even receive photographs of really hideous work. I am given directions to commercial parking lots where magnolia trees, for example, which probably should never be pruned, have been whacked back. Or any number of other locations around town where someone has paid to have their trees butchered.
The question always posed to me is, "Why?" <?xml:namespace prefix = o />
And I've always offered some lame ideas, such as "People in Bakersfield don't like tall trees" and "People here just don't know any better."
On a trip to Sacramento last weekend, where trees are huge and beautiful, a couple of friends brought up the subject of trees -- mind you, I didn't even start the lunch conversation on trees -- and I think I got definitive answers.
One fellow wisely said, "There will never be large trees in parking lots as long as there are birds."
Ah, I suddenly understood! Angry customers stomp into merchants' stores to complain about bird droppings falling from trees!
That's why we don't want big trees in Bakersfield parking lots, despite the fact that most people are scrambling to find the tiniest bit of shade on a July afternoon at my Albertson's. My pal Ed perhaps was on to something.
Across the table, another friend had a different theory: "It's because people want to feel that they got their money's worth," Joe said. "They want to see a lot of tree taken down."
I was nearly dumbstruck. Two perfect answers at the same lunch table. I don't know that Ed and Joe have the full answer, but I suspect they are darned close.
My first bit of advice to you when you decide to get your trees pruned is to ask yourself this one, simple question.
Why? Why am I going to trim these trees?
If your answer is, "Because I'm supposed to every fall," think again. Most landscape trees to not require annual pruning. (Deciduous fruit trees do, however, in December and January.)
When you decide to prune, you should be doing it for the following reasons: to improve the structure of the tree or for safety's sake. Artful pruning can beautify trees; trees that have broken limbs or disease problems should also be pruned, of course.
My second bit of advice is to not hire the person who is throwing a business card by your front door. These trimmers may be perfectly competent, but I tend to distrust a tree trimmers who advertise a specialty called "topping."
Topping is the cutting back of branches at any point along the branch, rather than heading back to a branch attachment. Topping is what is commonly done to mulberry trees in the south valley. It's ugly and dangerous. Trees that are headed back typically will sprout great numbers of branches right around the headed back location.
These weakly attached, ugly growths will ultimately need more pruning next year. So, bad pruning begets more miserably bad pruning. Furthermore, these new growths are more likely to break and cause problems for the owner.
Worse, topping done to some trees will alter their shape permanently. One example is the Modesto ash. Topped Modesto ash trees typically will not sprout new growth and will slowly decline in health. Perhaps you've seen half-dead ash trees that were trimmed several years before; they simply don't recover.
Other landscape trees that do not respond well to heavy pruning are evergreen trees and sycamores. Coast redwoods don't need to be thinned. Neither do pine trees. And coat-racked sycamores often decline and die, although it may take several years.
Pruning cuts should be made where branches connect with other branches or the tree trunk, with cuts made just outside the bark collar. Well placed pruning cuts made just outside the bark collar will heal over nicely, leaving a rounded rim.
Do some reading and research before you pay someone to trim your trees.
The Tree Foundation of Kern is an outstanding source that includes illustrations of properly pruned trees. Try the Tree Foundation of Kern's Web site for more advice on tree pruning: www.urbanforest.org.
Hire a tree-trimming company that has a certified arborist on staff. Specify that you do not want your trees topped.
ROSE AUCTION: Roses propagated by Kern County Rose Society members are auctioned each year at the society's November meeting. According to member Richard Shiell, rare and beautiful varieties make it an outstanding rose-acquiring event. At the Monday night meeting at the North of the River Veterans Hall, the group will auction more than a dozen uncommon rose bushes donated by members.
Mike Mulligan of Glory Bee Honey in Shafter will speak about honeybees and gardening, as well.
Socializing is from 6:30 to 7 p.m., with the meeting beginning at 7 p.m.
Copyright © The Bakersfield Californian http://www.bakersfield.com