Time to Plant Shade Trees

 Now is an ideal time to plant ornamental trees in the landscape.  Spring is generally the time when most people think about planting trees, but fall is the ideal time.  Planting now allows trees to establish a strong root system.  Root growth, not shoot growth, is the first priority after planting.

After the recent hurricanes, now is a good time to step back before planting and plant the right tree for the right place.  Remember that there often is no perfect tree, but here are a few guidelines to follow when planting:

• Avoid planting large trees directly under utility lines.  Locate trees away from lines or plant smaller – low growing trees or large shrubs.  Remember that the small oak you planted under the power line will grow into a large oak all in the power lines.
• Avoid planting trees too close to homes or structures.  Large trees should be planted at least 30 feet from homes or structures.
• Plant large trees away from sidewalks to allow for root expansion without pavement buckling.
• Branches can create hazards or block views.  Locate trees away from street corners, or vehicle and pedestrian traffic.
• Avoid planting trees with leaf or fruit “litter” near pools, decks and paving. 
• One factor that most people overlook when planting is “size at maturity”.  It is critical that you consider this factor before planting and asks the question “What will it look like at 10, 20 or 30 years from now?”  These are a few suggestions to think about before planting, but be sure to plant so you can enjoy the benefit of trees.

Small Flowering Trees to Plant

We get asked about small flowering trees to plant, so here are a few to consider:

• Redbud – flowers in February to March
• Japanese Magnolia – flowers in late winter and early spring
• Taiwan Flowering Cherry – flowers in late January through February
• Cassia’s – flowers in late summer through autumn

                  There are many others, but these often do well here.  Check with your local nursery center about purchasing these flowering trees.

Pruning and Fertilizing Trees

Now through March is the time when most deciduous trees should be pruned.  Late January through March is the time when most deciduous trees should be fertilized.

Questions about selection, pruning and fertilizing of trees can be addressed by me by calling 873-6495 and asking for Barton.

Photophthora Foot Rot on Citrus

Since the hurricanes, I have had calls about citrus trees that turned yellow and dropped their leaves and have died.  Many asked if it was salt related.  In some cases that has happened, but in home landscape cases we are beginning to see Foot Rot.

Foot rot results from an infection of the scion near the ground level and often produces bark lesions on the trunk near the ground.

Most of the time, it shows up on the end tree that is in a row.  Also, it is generally foot rot when you have several trees planted in a yard and one will yellow up and die and the others remain healthy.

After the infection has set in, you will see the water soaking of the bark that appears as a dark spot on the trunk near the ground.  When you look closer at it, the bark will appear firm but with time it becomes cracked, peels and may get gummy.  Once this happens it is best to remove the tree.  Replanting should be done on a raised row or bed for adequate drainage and keep lower branches pruned off the ground for a good air-circulation around the tree.

Question – As my cabbage approaches maturity, the head develops black, circular spots about the size of a penny to a half dollar.  What is this?

Answer – This is a disease called alternaria leaf spot.  Apply recommended fungicides at first appearance and at 7 to 10 day intervals, read and follow label directions.

Question – When is the best time to plant gladiolus in the area?

Answer – Late February to early March, plant at 2-3 week intervals to prolong the blooming season for a couple of months.

“It is the policy of the Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service that no person shall be subjected to discrimination on the grounds of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, or disability.”

Information provided by Barton Joffrion, LSU AgCenter. If you have any questions or need more information, please call 873-6495 or send an email to bjoffrion@agcenter.lsu.edu or Terrebonne@agcenter.lsu.edu.