Winter Wisdom

Brought to you in cooperation with the Kansas State University Johnson County Research and Extension Master Gardeners.   Each week we feature interesting topics for winter reading.

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Winter Wisdom
2/2/04

Many of us are gun-shy when our weather prognosticators mention the dreaded words “ice storm”! They summon up visions of shattered trees and shrubbery ravaged in past storms by the incredible weight of ice accumulation. The most recent threat of ice damage seems to have missed most of us, but new warnings remind us that the threat still exists. We are reminded of the trees’ ability to recover in many cases, and that Nature inevitably has the last word!

It is good to know that there are a few things we can do with a protective view in mind. We need to remove downed branches when the danger of live electrical wires has been removed, and prepare them for pick up.
In the case of badly split trees, it is almost a tree-by-tree decision as to whether or not to try and salvage them. Although removal is an expensive proposition, the damage may be so severe that the tree represents a hazard, or although still viable, their appearance will make removal desirable.

Unfortunately, little can be done for heavily iced branches. Propping them up or tying them up may help some smaller branches, but warm air and melting are the only solution for many large trees. Commercial assistance is usually needed to prune and remove damaged parts high up in the tree. The best we can do in many cases is to plan ahead by doing some preventive pruning.

Here are some things you may consider to limit the extent of future damage from wind, ice and snow.

• Pursue a regular maintenance program to remove dead, diseased or unsightly branches.
• Remove branches growing inward toward the tree’s center, or cross branches that rub and cause bark damage.

Remember it’s never too late to reduce the number of narrow, acute angle crotches, although it is much easier when the tree is young. Select the main scaffold or lateral branches that grow at right angles to the trunk. These should be stronger and resist splitting.
Prune your trees to encourage their natural or characteristic form.

If you are starting with a new tree, choose a species or variety whose normal growth form has wider angled branching. One to avoid is the notorious Bradford pear, with its narrow-angled crotches that split easily under weight and stress. Most nurseries stock other varieties of Callery pears that bloom profusely, but have wider branching structures than Bradfords.

There have been many recent reminders about cutting branches back to the collar near the trunk rather than flush with the trunk itself. This minimizes the size of the wound and helps speed healing where the cut is made.
The use of creosote-type wound dressings is no longer recommended. Wounds tend to heal more satisfactorily when left open to air and light in the opinion of most arborists.

You may find it desirable and beneficial to thin a tree’s top growth to reduce wind resistance, promote symmetry and strengthen it structurally. This is distinctly different from “topping” a tree. Doing this will ruin the appearance of the tree and lead to future problems.

Consult your County Extension office for publications that deal with pruning of trees and shrubs of all sizes and kinds.

With a carefully planned program of care, you may enjoy your trees through many a storm to come!

Articles submitted by Bill Latimer, Johnson County Extension Horticulture Assistant and Dennis Patton, Johnson County Extension Horticulture Agent.

Click here for the 2002 - 2003 Winter Wisdom Topics
Click Here for the 2001 - 2002 Winter Wisdom Topics
Click Here for the 2000 - 2001 Winter Wisdom Topics
 

* Winter Wisdom is an information service of the Kansas State Johnson County Research and Extension Master Gardeners.  Research-based responses are provided by Extension Master Gardener volunteers weekdays from March 1 through October 31, from 9:00 am to 4:30pm .  To telephone, call (913) 764-6306 or visit the Extension Office at 13480 South Arapaho Drive, Olathe, Kansas.  Visit their website at www.oznet.ksu.edu/Johnson 

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