How to Keep Your Trees Healthy

How to Start Up Your Tree for Spring

Watering: As soon as the ground begins to thaw in the spring season, begin watering your trees so they do not dehydrate – this is especially important if we have a hot and dry spring season. Continue to monitor the soil to determine how much water is needed throughout the spring season. It takes about two years for a tree to become fully established after planting, so regular watering two years after planting is expected.

Fertilizing: Complete a three-part fertilizing treatment in the spring, one per month, in April, May, and June. We recommend using water-soluble fertilizers such as 28-14-14 or 30-10-10 for trees planted the previous season to promote healthy roots, top growth, and greening. These fertilizers can also be used on mature trees. Avoid using fertilizer stakes as the fertilizer is not properly distributed to the root systems. The quantity of fertilizer will vary depending on the fertilizer used and the size of the tree. Follow the specific fertilizer directions, to avoid over-fertilization.

Monitor and Ask Questions: Monitor your newly planted trees throughout all the seasons and reach out with any questions. In most cases, if a tree is struggling, it will be an easy fix of watering more, watering less, applying nutrients, or adjusting an environmental factor. If your tree is struggling, reach out immediately so the FHN team can identify the problem and pass on instructions to fix the issue. Waiting to fix the problem could cause irreparable damage to your tree.

Winter Protection

How to Shut Down Your Tree for Winter

Protecting trees for winter is essential to help them withstand cold temperatures, harsh weather conditions, and potential damage from frost, ice, and snow.

Mulching: Apply a thick layer of organic mulch, such as wood chips, shredded bark, or straw, around the base of the tree. Mulch helps insulate the soil, regulate soil temperature, and retain moisture. Apply mulch to a depth of 2 to 4 inches, but keep it several inches away from the trunk to prevent rot and disease.

Watering: Continue watering trees until the ground freezes, especially during dry periods. Deep watering helps trees retain moisture and reduces the risk of dehydration during the winter months. Water early in the day to allow time for moisture to penetrate the soil before temperatures drop at night.

Pruning: Prune dead, diseased, or damaged branches before winter to prevent them from breaking under the weight of snow or ice. Remove any branches that pose a safety hazard or are rubbing against each other. Avoid heavy pruning in late fall, as it may stimulate new growth that is susceptible to frost damage.

Anti-desiccant Spray: Apply an anti-desiccant spray to the foliage of evergreen trees and shrubs to reduce moisture loss through transpiration. Anti-desiccant sprays create a thin, waxy layer on the leaves that helps retain moisture and protect against drying winds and cold temperatures.

Snow Removal: Gently remove heavy snow or ice buildup from tree branches using a broom or soft brush. Use caution to avoid damaging the branches, especially when they are brittle from cold temperatures. Shake off snow from low-hanging branches to prevent them from bending or breaking under the weight of the snow.

Deer Protection: If deer are a concern in your area, protect young trees from browsing damage by installing deer fencing or wrapping the trunks with plastic tree guards.

By taking proactive measures to protect trees for winter, you can help ensure their health and vitality, and cut the risk of damage from cold temperatures, frost, ice, and snow.

How to Apply Anti-Desiccant to Your Conifer

Applying anti-desiccant to evergreen trees is a straightforward process. Here's a step-by-step guide:

Choose the Right Time: Apply anti-desiccant spray in late fall or early winter, before the onset of freezing temperatures and harsh winter weather. Aim to apply the spray when temperatures are above freezing and when there is no precipitation in the forecast for at least 24 hours.

Select the Product: Purchase a commercial anti-desiccant spray from a garden center or nursery. These products are often labeled as "anti-transpirants" or "anti-desiccants" and are specifically formulated to reduce moisture loss from plant foliage. We recommend the anti-desiccant spray, Foli-Guard.

Prepare the Spray Solution: Follow the manufacturer's instructions to prepare the anti-desiccant spray solution. Most products come in concentrated form and need to be diluted with water before application. Mix the solution thoroughly in a clean backpack sprayer or large spray bottle.

Choose a Suitable Day: Select a calm, dry day for applying the anti-desiccant spray. Avoid spraying on windy days, as the spray may drift and affect unintended plants or areas.

Spray Application: Start by thoroughly watering the evergreen tree a day or two before applying the anti-desiccant spray. This helps ensure that the tree is adequately hydrated before the spray is applied.

Spray Coverage: Begin spraying the anti-desiccant solution onto the foliage of the evergreen tree, starting from the bottom and working your way up to the top. Ensure thorough coverage of all foliage surfaces, including the undersides of leaves. Apply the spray evenly to create a uniform coating on the foliage. Avoid over-saturating the leaves, as excessive moisture may lead to fungal problems or other issues.

Allow Drying Time: Allow the anti-desiccant spray to dry completely on the foliage before exposure to rain or freezing temperatures. This typically takes a few hours, depending on environmental conditions.

Repeat Application: Depending on the product's label instructions, you may need to repeat the application of anti-desiccant spray every few months throughout the winter season for continued protection. We recommend re-application throughout extended Chinook winds.

By following these steps, you can effectively apply anti-desiccant spray to evergreen trees to help reduce moisture loss through transpiration and protect them from winter damage.

Tree Disease and Pests

In Alberta, like in many other regions, trees can be susceptible to various diseases and pests. Some common tree diseases and pests that affect trees in Alberta include:

Black Knot Disease: Black Knot Disease affects certain species of Prunus trees, including chokecherry and Mayday trees. It is caused by a fungal pathogen and appears as dark, knobby growths on branches, and can be pruned back yearly. It is only fatal if it overtakes the mainstem of the trunk, and is considered a manageable and low-risk disease.

Canker: Canker affects various species of trees, but is mainly seen in varieties of Aspen and Poplar. The symptoms of poplar canker can vary depending on the specific fungal species involved and the environmental conditions. Management of poplar canker focuses on preventing infection and minimizing the impact on affected trees. Strategies include:

    • Avoiding mechanical damage to trees, such as from mowers or trimmers.

    • Pruning trees during dry periods to minimize the risk of infection through wounds.

    • Removing and destroying infected plant material to reduce inoculum sources.

    • Applying fungicides preventatively, although this is typically not practical for large trees or extensive infections.

Needle Cast Diseases: Various needle cast diseases affect coniferous trees in Alberta, such as spruce and pine. These diseases are caused by fungal pathogens and result in premature needle drop, thinning foliage, and an overall decline in tree health. Treatments include:

  • Maintaining tree health through proper watering, especially during dry periods, and avoiding overwatering, can promote fungal growth.

  • Pruning affected branches to remove infected needles and promote airflow within the tree canopy.

  • Disinfecting pruning tools between cuts to prevent the spread of fungal spores.

  • Apply fungicides to protect healthy needles and prevent further spread of the disease. Fungicides containing active ingredients such as copper, chlorothalonil, or mancozeb are commonly used for needle cast control. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for proper application timing, rates, and safety precautions.

Leaf Spot Diseases: Leaf spot diseases, caused by various fungal pathogens, can affect a wide range of tree species in Alberta. Symptoms include leaf discoloration, spotting, and premature defoliation. Treatmnet includes:

  • Practice good plant hygiene by avoiding overhead watering, which can promote fungal growth by splashing spores onto foliage. Instead, water plants at the base to keep foliage dry.

  • Removal and disposal of fallen leaves and debris from around plants, as they can harbor fungal spores and contribute to disease spread.

Dutch Elm Disease (DED): Dutch Elm Disease is a fungal disease spread by elm bark beetles. It affects elm trees and can cause wilting, yellowing, and eventually death of the tree. Alberta has strict DED restrictions in place to keep the province free of the disease. Ensure you are pruning your Elm varieties within the allowed time frame to keep Alberta DED-free. We are still planting Elm varieties as DED is not an active threat to Alberta.

Emerald Ash Borer (EAB): Emerald Ash Borer is an invasive beetle that attacks and kills ash trees. Alberta is currently free of Emerald Ash Borer, and we are continuing to plant Ash as one of the most hardy and recommended shade trees for our urban canopy.

To manage tree diseases and pests in Alberta, it's important to practice good cultural care, such as proper watering, pruning, and fertilization, to maintain tree health and resilience. Additionally, early detection and appropriate treatment measures, such as fungicides or insecticides when necessary, can help mitigate the impact of diseases and pests on trees. We recommend consulting with a reliable arborist to get professional help with the diagnosis and treatment of any pests and diseases. At-home remedies can result in harming the integrity of the tree, leading to its demise.

Clean Plant Certification:

Foothills Nurseries is proud to be a Clean Plant Certified Nursery. The Clean Plant Certification program establishes rigorous standards for plant health, including criteria for the absence of specific pests, diseases, and pathogens known to be harmful to plants. As a Clean Plant Certified nursery, we do follow quarantine measures to prevent the introduction and spread of pests and diseases.

Our nursery carries out a robust disease management procedure to prevent the introduction and spread of pests and diseases. This includes sanitation procedures, pest monitoring, and integrated pest management (IPM) strategies. Clean Plant Certification assures our customers that the plants purchased from our nursery are free from known pests and diseases. This can help prevent the introduction of harmful pathogens into new environments and reduce the risk of plant health problems for growers and gardeners.

Clean Plant Certification is a voluntary program that demonstrates a nursery's commitment to producing healthy, disease-free plants and contributing to the overall health and sustainability of plant ecosystems. Foothills Nurseries is happy to be a part of this program.