Tree care

Oystershell scale is a very secretive little insect that usually goes unnoticed. But despite it’s tiny size, this insect can cause significant damage in trees or shrubs. Some gardeners aren’t even aware the insects are present as they prune out dead branches the insects have killed. If you had branches die on a rose, dogwood or lilac shrub last year, inspect the base of branches for the presence of oystershell scale.

High temperatures and dry conditions have resulted in many lawns turning brown in the last few weeks, but all plants suffer during hot, dry conditions not just lawns. From June 1 to July 24, 2022, we’ve had 24 days of 90+ degree heat this summer. Lancaster County had a rain deficit of 0.75 inches in June and we’re also 0.84 inches short for July, based on normal monthly rainfall averages from the High Plains Regional Climate Center (CLIMOD). For a current look at Lincoln drought status, visit U.S. Drought Monitor.

An old horticulture practice of controlling plant growth in a flat plane against a solid surface or trellis has merit in today’s smaller landscapes. This is the art of espalier, pronounced ess-PAL-yer, or ess-PAL-yay. The word espalier is French, but is derived from the Italian word spalliera meaning “something to rest the shoulder against.” The technique of espalier is not the same as that of topiary, which creates a free-standing, 3-dimensional plant pruned to a decorative shape. Espaliered plants have only two dimensions, height and width, and most commonly have a support structure.

Planting depth was not recognized as a major tree health problem until recent years. But foresters and nurserymen now know that if a tree's root system is buried too deeply in the soil overall root growth is reduced and tree health, for the rest of that tree's life, is compromised.

All pine trees have needles, but all needled evergreens aren't pine trees any more than all dogs are dachshunds. Telling pines, firs and spruces apart isn't any harder than distinguishing beagles, Bassett hounds or bloodhounds -- you just need to know how each one is distinctively different from the others.

Step One: Look at the needles. Are they arranged singling on the branch or in groups?

Dothistroma needle blight is one of the most common fungal diseases of pines in Nebraska, resulting in sparse trees with thin canopies. Older, inner needles are affected first causing premature needle drop. Many species of pine are affected by this disease, but in Nebraska it's found most commonly and causes the greatest amount of damage on Austrian and Ponderosa pine, both in windbreak and ornamental trees. Mugo pine, a common landscape shrub, can be infected, but Dothistroma is seldom seen in Scotch pine.

Every summer an unusual type of insect makes an appearance in many landscapes. Actually, there is a small group of insects, called twig girdlers or twig pruners, that cause similar damage in a variety of trees. But fortunately, these insects are not a serious problem and their activity doesn't have serious consequences for the trees. But their presence can be seen as small twigs at branch tips turn brown and die.

Fall is the best time of year to plant new trees, from early September through late October. Fall's cooler temperatures and increased rain allow trees to establish their root systems quickly, giving them a jump-start on spring growth. Tree root growth continues late in fall, until soil temperatures drop below 40°F.

But growing healthy trees, that will provide beauty, shade and wind protection for your property long-term, means getting them off to a good start by avoiding common problems at planting.

Stem girdling roots (SGR) are serious problems for trees. They slowly kill trees as roots grow in diameter and compress the trunk. Affected trees grow slowly, are often stunted, and are much more susceptible to secondary stressors like drought.  They often have scorched leaves when summer conditions are hot and dry.

Do hedge apples really repel insects? They're available in grocery stores now, but do they work? And where does such a strange fruit come from? There are many uniquely curious plants and hedge apple is one.

This tree has many names, so depending on where you're from you may know it as hedge-apple, Osage-orange, bodark, bowwood and bois d'arc. Botanically, it’s known as Maclura pomifera. Its not a member of the citrus family; the fruits are nothing like oranges and are not edible.