For October 24th Northfield News
Yard & Garden Notes
By Leif Knecht
While the changing of seasons from fall to winter continues, there should be ample time to get out and complete late season projects and cleanup chores that will prepare you for next spring. Hard frosts in the mid to low twenties will end insect activity for the most part and make it safe to prune elm and oak trees. Other deciduous trees and shrubs can be safely pruned and shaped now that dormancy has arrived. Regular and determined pruning of shade and ornamental trees is the best way to assure long term good health and resistance to storm damage and produce a tree that will give beauty, protection and value for many decades. Pick dry periods with low humidity to do your pruning so the fresh cuts in sap wood will dry and seal off quickly. Avoid the use of pruning sealants.
A common activity this time of year is the clearing of brush and overhanging limbs along field edges and at the margins of residential properties. If you are trying to eliminate the brush and avoid re-sprouting, consider grubbing out the root systems or treating cut stumps with a brush killing preparation which can be obtained at garden centers or farm co-ops.
If you have decided to try to eliminate common buckthorn that is invading parts of your property, this is an ideal time to identify this invasive exotic woody plant that is displacing native vegetation in many meadows and woodlands. Now that almost all leafy shrubs and trees have changed color and dropped their leaves, buckthorn is easy to spot since it tends to maintain green leaves well into mid to late November, and seems to get its foothold in the understory of woodlots and along field edges and fence rows. Small buckthorn can actually be pulled out by the roots since they seem to be fairly shallow rooted. Larger plants of 1” diameter and larger may require more vigorous effort to grub stumps or chemical treatment to kill the root systems. If you do not remove or kill the root system, you can be sure you will see vigorous re-sprouting. I recommend doing the job completely the first time and eradicating buckthorn in one area at a time, even if it takes several years to make your way around all the problems areas on your property.
Planting of leafy shrubs and trees that are now dormant can continue safely up until the ground freezes, and they will be ready to establish quickly next spring. Mulch and water thoroughly following planting. Moving of large trees with spade trucks can continue into late November. Some evergreen shrubs and trees which are sensitive to winterburn might be best planted next spring, but tougher species such as spruce should do fine if watered in well. Extra protection can be obtained by applying an anti-transpirant spray to the foliage after planting.
Plant Spotlight: Autumn Blaze Maple. Perhaps you have noticed some shade trees around town that turned a beautiful reddish-burgundy the past couple of weeks. Some of these trees are an excellent hybrid of silver and red maple, called Autumn Blaze. Adaptable to many soil types with rapid growth rates and quite reliable with spectacular fall color, this hybrid tree has become very popular. With this variety protection for the bark from winter sun damage can be important until the tree is large enough to produce scaly rough bark. Also be sure to aggressively prune out weak branches to assure a sound, strong branch architecture.