Notebook continued What can an arborist do for you?


tree to accident, weather or disease. Well cared-for trees are attractive and can add considerable value to your property. Poorly maintained trees can be a significant liabil- ity. Arborists are knowledgeable about the needs of trees and are trained and equipped to provide proper care. Pruning or removing trees, especially


W


large trees, can be dangerous work. It’s a good idea to have any tree work done by those trained and equipped to work safely with our giant friends. Pruning


An arborist can determine the type of


pruning necessary to maintain or improve the health, appearance, and safety of trees. Pruning techniques include removing limbs that interfere with utilities or structures, obstruct streets or sidewalks; are dead, weak or decayed and pose unacceptable risk; are diseased or insect-infested, or have been damaged by storms. Pruning can also increase light penetration and reduce wind resistance within the canopy. Other prun- ing techniques maintain proper structure in young trees, improve tree shape or form,


e all love our trees which are an important part of our lives. We feel very badly when we lose a


and reduce the likelihood of future damage during storms.


Tree Removal Although tree removal is a last resort,


there are circumstances when it is neces- sary. An arborist can help decide whether a tree should be removed: if the tree is dead or dying; is considered an unacceptable risk; causing an obstruction that is impossible to correct through pruning or is crowding and causing harm to other, more desirable trees, the tree may have to be removed. They can recommend replacement by a more suitable specimen.


Emergency Tree Care Storms may cause limbs or entire trees to


fall, often landing on other trees, structures, or cars. The weight of storm-damaged trees is great, and they can be dangerous to re- move or trim. An arborist can assist in per- forming the job in a safe manner, while re- ducing further risk of damage to property. Planting


Some arborists plant trees, and most can


recommend species that are appropriate for a particular location. The wrong tree in the wrong location will lead to future problems as a result of limited growing space, insects, diseases or poor growth.


Grafted tomatoes The answer to watering issues and fruit yield? A


s usual, they are way ahead of us in Europe


and Asia when it comes to systems that assist in food production. The latest is grafting herbaceous veg- etables on to root stock to fight soil born pathogens, improve fruit yield and deal with drought. Not that the practice is


new. They’ve been graft- ing melons onto squash rootstock in Japan since the 1920s and today about 80% of Korean vegetables come from grafted stock. In Japan, grafted produce ac- counts for just of 55% of production. However, it is from Europe that grafted tomatoes are being ex-


ported to Canada and the process is being used on heirloom variet- ies such as the old Big Beef tomato that many will remember for their flavour as well as their size. These tomatoes are being sold under the trade name “Mighty


Mato” with varieties such as ‘Sunsugar’, ‘Jetsetter’ and ‘Green Ze- bra’ available. Grafted tomatoes need to be planted only as deep as they are set


in their pots (in contrast to regular tomatoes, which should be leaf- stripped to the last four leaves and planted up to their necks to en- courage root development and reduce watering issues). If you plant the grafted tomatoes too deeply, your graft will be overcome. The rootstock is supposed to be super strong and the advantage is said to be higher yields. Let us know your experience. `


www.localgardener.net Spring 2012 • 7


Poplar showing wood decay and wood borers at base. Other Services


Many arborists also provide fertilization


and soil modification for improved tree health, including cabling or bracing for added support to branches with weak at- tachments, soil aeration to improve root growth, installation of lightning protection systems, applications to manage certain in- sect and disease problems and consulting and legal expert services relating to trees. Selecting the Right Arborist for the Job • Check for membership in professional


organizations such as the International So- ciety of Arboriculture (ISA), the Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA), or the Ameri- can Society of Consulting Arborists (ASCA). Such membership demonstrates a willingness on the part of the arborist to stay up-to-date on the latest techniques and information. `


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