We had the pleasure of dazzling the Northeast Garden Club in Bogalusa with our green thumbs last week. These ladies roll out the green carpet for guests! If you're in their neck of the woods and love gardening, you should join their club. Not only did they make us feel like royalty, but they also peppered us with some juicy questions about tree health. So, we thought we'd let you in on this information, too!
We had a chat about how a drought can turn our beloved trees into weaklings, opening them up to all kinds of problems. Once a tree is thirsty, it's like an open invitation to pests like bark beetles and borers. These little guys love dry conditions and are running rampant these days. So, if your trees were affected by the drought, keep an eye on them. Look out for sawdust at the base of the tree, small holes leaking sap, or foliage turning colors from the top to bottom. A little check-up every now and then could save your tree's life!
During the presentation we also talked about vines and how they can be a real pain for trees. These sneaky vines can wrap themselves around the tree and choke up its water and nutrient supply. They can also steal the tree's sunshine, reducing the tree's ability to photosynthesize. To top it off, these clingy vines add extra pounds to the tree, making it more likely to snap or tip over in the wind. They even compete with the tree for soil nutrients and water, making the tree weaker. Some examples of these pesky vines include wisteria, Japanese honeysuckle, and poison ivy. To protect trees from these vines, it is important to regularly prune and remove the vines from the tree and the surrounding ground.
After the presentation, we got to talking about the importance of giving your trees a regular once-over. It's a bit like a health checkup for your leafy friends. Why? Because finding any signs of trouble early on can save you from bigger headaches later on. So, keep an eye out for anything unusual, like dead or damaged branches, funky colors or rot, or suspicious critter activity. Anything awry? Take action in a timely manner or seek a professional opinion from a licensed Arborist.
Hats off to the Northeast Garden Club for giving us the chance to chat about our favorite topic - plant and tree health! These ladies were the real deal, and their enthusiasm for foliage was contagious. If you're ever in need of a professional Arborist to unravel the mysteries of your landscape, don't hesitate to buzz us at 985-839-2637. We're always happy to lend a hand, give a presentation, or swap green thumb tips!
