Timely Watering
Winter is a normally quite dry period on the High Plains of Texas. This winter is certainly no exception. We've had less than 3" of moisture over the last 5 months. The .5" of rain and ice we got this week was nice, but not nearly enough. Apply 1-1.5" per month.
There is a little time left to apply dormant oil to suppress many pests for the coming growing season.
Due to the spring being a high risk period for the transmission of Oak Wilt, we don't prune oaks during the spring (March-May), so call 785-8733 now to schedule an appointment with one of our arborists to assess your trees.
Feb/17/2008
Water Your Landscape
Late fall and winter is normally a very dry period on the High Plains of Texas. However, there is a lot of root growth during this time so thoroughly water at least monthly. Ideally, for most landscapes, sprinklers should be operated manually and 1.5-2" should be applied every 3-4 weeks.
Nov/06/2007
Timely Tip - Fertilize After Freeze
The recent freeze burned a lot of new and succulent foliage that trees had just put on. Since nitrogen is important for foliar growth, fertilizing your trees and shrubs is especially important right now. Schedule an appointment with Tree Loving Care today.
Apr/19/2007
Timely Tip #4 - Don't Turn On Sprinklers YET
Timely Tips-March 12, 2007
Without having had measurable rain for about a month, it was about time to turn the sprinkler system back on. Now, we’ve had a wonderful slow all day rain averaging over an inch over most of the South Plains area. So leave your sprinkler off a little while longer. When you do turn it back on, set it for no more than once per week.
The high winds that we experienced the first week of March was very stressful on trees. Check your trees for broken branches and narrow crotches for split branches and trunks. If a split is caught early enough, cabling and bracing may allow the branch or trunk to be saved. Stubs from broken branches need to be removed.
Any wounds on oaks over the next 3 months need to be painted with tree paint immediately after wounding. This is to prevent attraction of the Nit beetles that spread Oak Wilt.
Mar/13/2007
Timely Tip #3 - Apply Pre-emergant Weed Treatment
There is still time to apply pre-emergent weed killer. On warm season grasses such as Bermuda grasses, this needs to be done soon before the grass starts to become active.
Mites, scale and other soft body insects can be suppressed with a dormant oil treatment on many trees and shrubs. This needs to be done soon. By the second week of March, many trees and shrubs will have broken dormancy and it will be too late for them.
Cool season vegetables such as Broccoli, Spinach and Radishes need to be planted now.
Prepare the bed by working in about 2-3” of Tree Loving Care’s compost. This is a great way to get organic matter into the soil.
Feb/23/2007
Timely Tip #2 - Control Weeds & Insect Pests in January
January is a great time to plant trees and shrubs. Be sure you prepare the soil well. This includes incorporating soil amendments if your soil is poor and adding a 2-3 inch layer on top after planting. Be sure the root flare of trees is visible at the soil level.
January is also a great time to manage many of those pesky insects with a dormant oil spray. Late winter is generally when insects are at their weakest and dormant oil works well as a suppressant.
The January application of pre-emergent weed control is the most important for getting a head start on controlling hose pesky weeds. Call 785-TREE (8733) to set up an appointment with one of our Certified Arborists to discuss how to keep your landscape the envy of the neighborhood.
Jan/26/2007
Timely Tip #1 - Subscribe to Our Email Newsletter
As an introduction to our Timely Tips section, we'd like to show you our best bit of information by email.
Sign up for the Email version of 'Love Letter', our popular quarterly publication, to get advice and news about seasonal climate changes and critters that might affect your beautiful trees.
Getting the Email Newsletter is easy. Just check 'Please add me to your E-Mail Newsletter' on our handy contact form. We'll add you to the list.
Past Newsletters are also available Online. Check our Newsletter section to get the latest edition orview our archives for previous editions.
Jan/11/2007