Tree care tips

Trees are an integral part of any golf course landscape. Keeping them green and healthy requires a proactive approach that reaches into every season, but especially the summer.

Here are a few tips from Mark Chisholm, a third-generation, certified arborist with his family-owned Aspen Tree Expert Co. in New Jersey, and STIHL on what to look for during the summer and moving in to the fall.

DROUGHT STRESS
When the heat is on, water is crucial to a plant’s survival. Yellowing leaves on hardwoods and ornamentals and yellowing or browning of evergreens can indicate a need for supplemental watering. Monitoring the amount of rainfall during the summer months and providing the trees with a cool drink can help a tree to stay healthy and help fight off any other afflictions it may have.

DISEASE AND INSECT DETECTION
Some diseases are easiest to identify in the late summer or early fall. For example, Elm trees may show flagging (wilting or yellowing) or larger dying sections due to Dutch Elm Disease. Oak trees may be struggling with Bacterial Leaf Scorch, and testing is best done in the late summer. Sycamore trees and Dogwoods may get a leaf infection known as Anthracnose that could cause health complications over time. Insects such as spider mites tend to increase in populations when the temperatures rise and rainfall dwindles off.

Tree care professionals, especially certified arborists, can help you identify these problems and provide a great starting point to learn more about your own trees. To find a reputable professional, visit the International Society of Arboriculture or the Tree Care Industry Association at .

LEAF SIZE AND COLOR 
One way to gauge how vigorous your trees are is to visually assess their leaf size and color in peak season. A very light-green leaf or extremely large leaf could tell a tale of a serious stress. Leaf drop ahead of similar trees in the same general area could mean trouble as well. Comparing your trees with the same species in your neighborhood is a great way to stay on top of their preservation.

STORM DAMAGE
Summer storms can spell serious trouble both for you and your trees. Pruning out structural flaws and hazardous deadwood before a storm hits can help reduce damage. After a storm rolls through take great care to inspect your surroundings by looking up into the canopy and trying to identify any broken or damaged tree sections. If you find anything dangerous above the ground, call in a professional arborist to take a look and provide an expert opinion on the proper action to take.

For more storm cleanup tips visit www.stihlusa.com/stormcleanup.