Trees and shrubs play an important part in the landscape as they make up the foundation of the landscape. They are an investment that increases the value of the home over time as the trees/shrubs grow larger and mature. Trees and shrubs need to be maintained annually to keep them healthy and attractive. Part of that maintenance is done in the spring as the weather warms up.

Many of the deciduous trees and shrubs benefit from an application of Lime Sulphur and Dormant Oil. Lime Sulphur and Dormant Oil can be purchased in a kit or separately but are mixed together and then sprayed (according to the manufacturers directions), on deciduous trees and shrubs before they break into leaf. Spraying the trees and shrubs in the spring helps eliminate overwintering pests and disease, which can lead to larger problems later in the season.

Pruning, is an important part in a tree/shrubs health, appearance and productivity. Many of the deciduous trees and shrubs are pruned in the early spring with the exception of the early bloomers such as forsythia, purple leaf sand cherry, double flowering cherry and lilacs which are pruned after they have finished blooming. The other exception is Birch, Maple and Walnut trees. These trees are pruned in the fall, when the sap has stopped flowing. Pruning them in the spring could potentially kill the tree.

Just as important when pruning, is knowing what to prune off and how to to prune. Each branch that is pruned off the tree is pruned off for a reason. Branches that are dead, diseased, or damaged are the first ones to remove. These are pruned off to the healthiest point. It is important to always clean the pruners with a mild bleach solution after removing diseased branches so that the disease is not spread to healthy parts of the tree/shrub. Non-productive branches and 'suckers' are then removed. These branches would be the ones that do not produce flowers, or fruit. On ornamental shrubs such as the red twigged dogwood, one-third of the oldest branches are removed to encourage new brightly coloured growth. The next step would be to step back, and look at the tree/shrub and see if there are any wayward branches randomly sticking out which takes away from the formal shape of the tree. These would be removed as would any other branches that cross over or rub against each other. To help keep trees/shrubs healthy, you want to have good air ventilation which is done by keeping the centre of the tree open, by removing some of the older branches. If the tree has a lopsided shape, where one side is fuller then the other side, pruning the more bare side will encourage new growth, thus, creating a fuller look.

If you are not sure how to prune or whether the tree needs to be pruned it is better to not attempt to prune, as you can cause more harm then good. Over the years I have seen many trees that were pruned incorrectly, and it can take a few years of correct pruning to get the tree back in shape.

Every year Art Knapps ( West location only, located at 4411 Kimball Road) hosts a pruning clinic that is open to anyone interested in learning how to prune. The clinic covers different types of trees/shrubs and when to prune. There is a demonstration on real trees, showing which branches should be removed, and where on the tree, the branch is removed from. There are two clinics. One is on Saturday, April 12, and starts at 10:00 a.m., and the second clinic runs Sunday, April 13, at 1:00 p.m. There is a $10.00 charge which is donated to the Hospice House.

-Jos

Jos VanHage owns and operates two Art Knapp Home and Garden Centres

Highway 16 West at Kimball Road

Highway 97 North at Northwood Pulpmill Road