Callers:

• Robin – She planted a desert willow tree and after the hard rains during the last monsoon season a large branch broke off and she’s wondering why that would have happened.

Recommendation – John doesn’t think the rain caused the damage and if the rest of the tree is fine, simply remove the broken trunk and it should get back to growing.

• Brian – He just bought a house and one of the trees in the yard died. He kicked the stump and it was hollow underneath it. Should he replant or move it?  (His neighbor’s think the last owner might have killed it on purpose)

Recommendation – It should be fine to plant in the same place, just verify that the soil conditions are fine.  Click here for John’s recommendations.

The crew moves on to talk fertilizing…Fall is the perfect time!

• Roots are very active in the winter and that means a great spring as it takes on the nutrients during the cooler months.
• Most trees take on the same fertilizer’s and studies show trees that are treated are consistently healthier. Get to work!

Callers:

• John – He has a string accacia and it’s giving off pods this year and is growing faster than he anticipated. Would it hurt the tree to cut it back some right now?

Recommendation – Cutting back the shoots might backfire and send out more growth. It creates a “witches broom” look.  Calling and arborist would help him out. Cutting back the water would slow down the growth too.

• Gordon – He has 6 pistacho trees, 30 feet apart. Some are healthy, some are not…what is he doing wrong?

Recommendaton – Even if the trees are planted at the same time and in the same manner, genetics can affect the growth and soil conditions can create problems too.

(One common problem is planting the tree to deep and burying the tree trunk. This suffocates the tree and no tree trunks should be covered up. Digging back the soil to the proper level often jump starts a trees growth)

• Elaine – Her son bought property with several pecan trees and she wants to know how to care for them and when to harvest the pecans?

Recommendation – Prune them every other year and don’t let others come in and get too aggressive. The best time to prune is December/January. (They are deciduous and as we mentioned at the top of the hour, winter is when to prune)

Letter from a Listeners:

• Karen – She’s looking for a tree recommendation for privacy.

Recommendation – John recommends going to a local  nursery in his area that has similar elevation.  Romey suggests going to Plant Fair Nursery in Payson and shares a few tips on trees he likes.

Callers:

• Doug – He has a few citrus trees that have a lot of dead wood in the trees and his grapefruit is producing fruit on branches laying on the ground.

Recommendation – Pruning the branches on the ground is a good idea. (About a foot) Roof rats can crawl right in that way. Eww!!  Pruning the interior of a citrus tree is fine, just be careful!

**Steven shares why his favorite tree is the Ghost Gum and a few tips on where to plant it.

If you have quesions on tree care, Call John or Steven at Integrity Tree Service!