Tree & Shrub Care
The "Root" of the Problem
While we at The Bug Clinic do not specialize in this
area, we are prepared to provide some general information and some
solutions.
Trees and shrubs are affected by the environment in
a number of ways. Beside the usual problems such as insects and disease,
plants such as these are affected by the weather, animals, pollution (salt, acid
rain, etc.), improper planting procedures and more. Even worse, plants
susceptible to insects or disease are installed where they should not be which
makes for both an unhappy plant and a more unhappy property owner.
Proper Plant Health Care
Most important is proper plant
selection. If you are planning to add new plants to your home or office
environment, discuss the suitability of each item according to need for light,
water and soil quality with a professional or with someone at Cooperative
Extension. Plants should be suitable for the climate and the
most insect and disease resistant variety of the plant should be specified where
possible.
You can also talk to a knowledgeable landscape architect
or arborist and they can advise you as to which plants are best suited for your
specific environment.
Building from the Bottom, Down
For both new and existing plants, it
is a good idea to check the quality of the
soil by extracting a soil sample to test to determine if there are deficiencies
in the surrounding soil that can stress the plant.
Cooperative Extension can test the soil for you.
If deficiencies are found, a
group of products called biostimulants is available at nurseries to help with
certain specific problems. These products can be used for both new plantings as well as for
established trees or shrubs. Liquid and dry formulations are
available. Liquid versions may be applied with a garden hose end applicator.
Granular products may be applied with a spreader. It is important to get a sufficient amount of water
out with each product to move the product into the root zone.
Help for Established Plants
While spraying trees with insecticides or fungicides
can be helpful, the size of some plants makes this impractical as a
do-it-yourself project. We do offer solutions which minimize one's exposure
to pesticides while helping plants affected by insects, disease or stress related
to a number of environmental factors.
Easily installed implants containing acephate (Orthene) may be used for a number of insect problems on trees.
Acecap implants** are are installed by drilling into the plant
to a depth just below the cambium layer. The number of implants needed is
determined by measuring the tree at breast height (DBH) and multiplying by 3.14
(pi) to determine the circumference. One implant is needed for each 4
inches of circumference.
Acecap** implants can be used to treat many different
insect problems including Emerald Ash Borer which is devastating trees in a
number of states. It can also be used for common pest species such as
gypsy moth, birch leaf miner, scale, pine tip moth and others. These
implants are sold in a 3/8" implants and a 1/4" (Mini) implant.
Medicap MD implants contain a 12-4-4 fertilizer plus
micronutrients Iron, Manganese and Zinc. They are applied as described
above. These fertilizer implants can give a healthy plant a boost or aid a
tree that is suffering the effects of iron, manganese or zinc deficiency.
Once installed, the implants can remain effect for up to two growing seasons.
Acecap Mini** and
Medicap Mini implants are 1/4" in diameter
and can be used for plants of 3" diameter or less.
Professional Care of Trees and Shrubs
While many individuals enjoy taking care of the landscape
around their home, a lot of us are really too busy to pay attention. Ask
the professional about proper plant maintenance. An arborist that is
involve with plant health care services such as fertilizing, pest monitoring and
pesticide applications when needed is a good approach for the busy household.
In addition to offering these services, an arborist can
also provide the physical maintenance such as pruning and trimming to best
maintain the plants around your home or office.
**In response to a request by a representative of
the Canadian Government on 4/29/2005, we have agreed not to ship Acecap products to Canada.**
At The Bug Clinic, we're here to help. If you
have any questions, send an E-Mail and we will respond. By telephone, we
may be reached in the US and Canada, toll free at 800-433-1128 or 845-356-2837
or by fax at 845-746-9018.
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