Month: June 2016

Poplar Borer The Urban Menace

Posted on by Leona and Travis

As an insect pest in Alberta, The Poplar Borer beetle has become more and more apparent to the Edmonton Arborist.  Edmonton’s Swedish Aspen Trees and Tower Poplar Trees have been significantly affected by this pest. Local damage has become widespread and unfortunately, has caused the requirement for more tree removals.

Poplar Borer is a common insect found in our local, native forests, historically, primarily feeding on the native trembling aspen trees.  In recent years, this native insect has noticeably moved into our urban environment, adding some of the most commonly planted trees to its diet.   

The Mature Poplar Borer is a flying insect that has a life cycle of approximately 3-5 years. The Adult beetles are grey with orange markings, usually 20-30 mm in length. These flying adults are usually seen in June and July.

Unlike many other insect pests, the Poplar Borer prefers to target healthy, living trees.  The Adult beetle lays eggs usually in a sunny area on the lower portion of the tree trunks.  After hatching, the legless larva of the insect spend  the first 3 years internally, within the tree.  They feed on the sapwood, then progress into the heartwood deep within the tree.    This causes internal damage to the vascular system of the tree, thus causing tree decline.  The larva Pupate in the 4th year, and then later emerge, as adults.  The adults create obvious exit holes in the bark.  These exit holes are approximately   ¼ “ in  diameter, and usually will  bleed reddish-brown sap.  Also, often sawdust can be visible at the base of the trees that these insects push out from holes   in the bark.

 To reduce the likelihood of your tree having Poplar Borer activity, plant your tree   in a less susceptible location to provide more shade and less sun on the lower trunks.  Tree pruning can remove obvious declining tree tops, but will not eradicate the insect.   Mechanical and Chemical Treatments can be limited in their effective treatment for the insect, and on occasion tree removal may be your only option.  A thorough assessment and consultation from your Edmonton Arborist, can help to identify the insect and determine the best plan of action for your personal or commercial landscape.

The Optimal Time to Prune My Birch and Maple Trees

Posted on by Leona and Travis

The best Edmonton arborists are informed, knowledgeable and experienced about the optimal time to prune Birch Trees and Maple Trees. Birch Tree pruning and Maple Tree pruning, in Alberta, should be performed during a very “time-specific” period of the year.

Birch Trees and Maple Trees have strong “turgor pressure”.  This scientific term refers to the pressure exerted within the plant’s cell walls, or the fluids movements within the tree.  Adequate turgor pressure enables the plant’s cell walls to remain turgid which is required for all plants to grow, and thrive without wilting. A knowledgeable Arborist in Edmonton, knows and understands the Alberta growing season, and will prune Birch trees and Maple trees during the optimal time window.  This time is generally, after full uploading of water from the root system to the tree’s canopy has been completed.  The best indicator of the completion of this process is when your Birch Trees and Maple Trees have reached full leaf emergence, and have turned green with their new leaves.  Once these trees are in full leaf, they can be safely pruned without causing the loss of water and sap from any fresh pruning cuts made. This will aid in maintaining tree tissue water saturation and will allow the trees to reach their highest turgor pressure potential.

When Birch Trees and Maple Trees are pruned outside of the optimal pruning time frame, there may be negative results.  It’s not likely that the trees will die, however they may lose vigour. Further, if pruned at the “wrong” time, the trees may “bleed” and loose sap.  This dripping, sugary sap, can be problematic and will continue to flow out of the pruning cuts until full uploading has completed.   This can continue for many weeks depending on the climate and weather.  This sap, dripping from pruning cuts over parking areas, sidewalks, decks etc. can become unsightly, messy and an overall headache!

Contact your best Edmonton Arborist to have your Birch Tree Pruning and Maple Tree pruning completed at the optimal time!

Benefits of Tree Wells

Posted on by Leona and Travis

A tree well is a bowl-like, turf free area that is created around the base of a newly planted tree. Depending on tree size, they usually are dug to a minimum of 1 meter across in diameter. They can be constructed in the ground in a variety of ways but are commonly made into just a simple round depression in the soil.  Tree wells are created for a number of reasons and can offer many benefits for your newly planted trees. In order to give a newly planted tree the best chance to grow and thrive it is essential and best that a tree well is created when planting.

Tree wells provide an efficient area for water to collect directly above the rootzone. Water has a chance to accumulate in the bowl and not wastefully run off. The wells will also hold moisture longer in times of drought or in between watering schedules.

Tree wells provide an area around the base of your new trees to hold and contain a mulch layer. The mulch is held in place in the tree well, depression, and is better protected. Tree wells containing mulch aid in keeping weeds and grass from competing with tree roots.

Tree wells also provide trees with physical protection from mechanical injuries by keeping lawn mowers and string trimmers a good distance away from the tree trunks.  While improving the overall aesthetics of your landscape they also provide a safer area for tree stakes and guy wires to be installed.

The benefits of tree wells are ones that will help your new tree grow and flourish. These benefits will be seen immediately and will continue for the life of your tree.  Contact your Best Edmonton Arborist for a full consultation on the correct methods of tree well construction.