11-27-2007, 07:10 PM
DNR NEWS HEADLINES - NOV. 27
Minnesota DNR warns of thin ice danger<br />
Mille Lacs winter walleye regulation starts Dec. 1 DNR urges people to complete snowmobile safety training now DNR announces 2008 grant applications now available Open houses to discuss forest classification and road/trail designation for northern border state forests
DNR QUESTION OF THE WEEK - NOV- 27
Q: Given the extremely dry summer we had followed by a wet fall, should we still prune our trees if they need it? If so, when?
A: Good question. If they are already showing signs of decline as a result of the drought, it's best to wait on any pruning activities - because although pruning is good for trees, it is a temporary stressor, and on top of severe drought, stress may be enough to invite in secondary pests like the two-lined chestnut borer that loves stressed oak trees.
Signs of decline would be late spring leaf-out, early fall color, branch die-back in the tree tops, smaller than usual leaves and/or pale colored leaves. If these symptoms are present, I'd wait to see if the trees can increase their vigor before being pruned.
If the trees are vigorous with no signs of stress, and have normal color, normal growth, etc, then pruning is fine. The best time to prune is during the winter when trees are dormant. But it's hard to tell what's live wood and what's dead wood during the winter. Pruning in fall is the next best time to prune. Spring is the worst time to prune because the bark is loose and injures easily and because disease agents are in full swing during those cool wet months.
Susan Burks, Minnesota DNR forest health specialist
Minnesota DNR warns of thin ice danger<br />
Mille Lacs winter walleye regulation starts Dec. 1 DNR urges people to complete snowmobile safety training now DNR announces 2008 grant applications now available Open houses to discuss forest classification and road/trail designation for northern border state forests
DNR QUESTION OF THE WEEK - NOV- 27
Q: Given the extremely dry summer we had followed by a wet fall, should we still prune our trees if they need it? If so, when?
A: Good question. If they are already showing signs of decline as a result of the drought, it's best to wait on any pruning activities - because although pruning is good for trees, it is a temporary stressor, and on top of severe drought, stress may be enough to invite in secondary pests like the two-lined chestnut borer that loves stressed oak trees.
Signs of decline would be late spring leaf-out, early fall color, branch die-back in the tree tops, smaller than usual leaves and/or pale colored leaves. If these symptoms are present, I'd wait to see if the trees can increase their vigor before being pruned.
If the trees are vigorous with no signs of stress, and have normal color, normal growth, etc, then pruning is fine. The best time to prune is during the winter when trees are dormant. But it's hard to tell what's live wood and what's dead wood during the winter. Pruning in fall is the next best time to prune. Spring is the worst time to prune because the bark is loose and injures easily and because disease agents are in full swing during those cool wet months.
Susan Burks, Minnesota DNR forest health specialist