Mulching benefits trees and shrubs. It reduces water evaporation, prevents soil compaction, and boosts root penetration and aeration. It also prevents soil erosion from wind and rain, reduces pressure from weeds, and enriches the soil. In short, mulching promotes plant growth and hardiness when done correctly. But there’s more to mulching than many people think.
Here are six tips on how to mulch your trees and shrubs:
Mulch when it’s best for your trees and shrubs. Early spring (after the last frost) or late fall are generally ideal because soil temperatures are mild.
Remove any weeds or debris around the plant’s base, and identify your drip line then. spread the mulch to at least this edge but at least three to five feet from the trunk.
Apply a 2 to 3-inch layer of organic mulch for mature trees and a 1 to 2-inch layer for young and new trees. Leave a gap between 2 to 3 inches from the tree trunk or shrub base.
Create a clean border around the mulch using either bricks, stone, or other edging material, which prevents the mulch from spreading and helps maintain a nice appearance.
Replenish the mulch as it decomposes. The mulch won’t suppress all your weeds, so you may still have to pull some from the ground. Pull them gently to avoid disturbing the mulch. it
Check the soil under the mulch during dry periods. If it feels dry, water it deeply. You want to make sure the water gets to all the roots.
Apply these tips to mulch in a way that’s designed to boost your tree’s and shrub’s health and hardiness. For more help with mulching, contact RI Tree .
Christmas is a great time of the year. But once it’s over, you have to do something with your tree. You can always put it out on the curb for trash pickup if your municipality provides that service. But if that option doesn’t appeal to you, you can make better use of the tree by giving it another role.
Here are five options that involve giving your Christmas tree a new role:
Use it as firewood — If you want to cut it up and use it as firewood, you can. But the wood is still wet, so use it only in an outdoor fire pit. And use it only when the wood is dry. Using it indoors otherwise is a fire hazard.
Recycle it as winter mulch — Leave the tree in your yard for the winter. It can provide much-needed shelter for small animals and birds. You can chop it up in the spring and use it for mulch.
Make it a bird feeder — Place it in its stand outdoors. Then, fill some bird feeders and hang them from the tree’s boughs. You can also drape the tree with a swag of pinecones coated with peanut butter.
Protect plants with it — The winter is hard on tender plants. Cut a few branches or boughs from the tree and cover your tender plants for the winter. The branches will protect them from the season’s harshness.
Add Christmas freshness to your home — Strip the tree’s pine needles and make a sachet of them. Then, hide them around the bathroom and kitchen for some cheerful fragrance.
These options highlight the idea that your tree’s needles, boughs, and trunk can do more than hold ornaments. Each option has advantages. Choose one that works best for you. No matter which options you choose, however, they all let you dispose of your tree safely and responsibly. Never throw trees Christmas trees in garbage or landfills.
Christmas is always great. Good food. Good friends. And plenty of fun. Many think it’s the best time of the year. Add some snow for Christmas day and it’s perfect. But now that the holiday is over, you need to dispose of your Christmas tree. You can always put it out on the curb for trash pickup if your municipality provides that service. But if that option doesn’t appeal to you, you can make better use of the tree by giving it another role.
Here are several options that involve giving your Christmas tree a new role:
Use it as firewood — If you want to cut it up and use it as firewood, you can. But the wood is still wet, so use it only in an outdoor fire pit. And use it only when the wood is dry. Using it indoors otherwise is a fire hazard.
Recycle it as winter mulch — Leave the tree in your yard for the winter. It can provide much-needed shelter for small animals and birds. You can chop it up in the spring and use it for mulch.
Make it a bird feeder — Place it in its stand outdoors. Then, fill some bird feeders and hang them from the tree’s boughs. You can also drape the tree with a swag of pine cones coated with peanut butter.
Protect plants with it — The winter is hard on tender plants. Cut a few branches or boughs from the tree and cover your tender plants for the winter. The branches will protect them from the season’s harshness.
Add Christmas freshness to your home — Strip the tree’s pine needles and make a sachet of them. Then, hide them around the bathroom and kitchen for some cheerful fragrance.
Additional Tree Disposal Options
Many Rhode Island cities and towns offer curbside pickup during designated weeks in January. This option is easy to take, but check your local municipality’s website or sanitation department for pickup dates and guidelines. Providence, for instance, will collect trees on its regular trash pickup day in January. Check with the Department of Public Works for when the program starts and ends. The pickup period ran from January 3rd to 20th last year.
Remove everything from the tree before putting it out. The Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation (RIRRC) has an online guide with detailed information on when cities and towns pick up trees. You can also bring the trees directly to the Johnston facility. RIRRC grinds the trees up and adds them to a composting operation that produces 40,000 tons of compost annually.
Another popular option is to donate the tree to the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) Division of Fish and Wildlife for its Trees for Trout program. RI DEM partners with Trout Unlimited Rhode Island Chapter on this program, which uses donated trees to build fish habitats in rivers and streams. This effort restores the water bodies and gives trout and other aquatic animals a place to hide from predators. Contact RIDEM for drop-off locations or your local Department of Public Works to see if they participate in the program.
Composting is a third option if you have the resources and space. Break the tree into smaller pieces and add it to your compost pile. Remove any tinsel, lights, and ornaments on the tree, and avoid using trees with pesticides. If composting doesn’t work for you, you can donate the tree to local organizations and farms, such as the Mount Hope Farm, which uses Christmas trees for goat feed or mulch. Check with your local parks department to see if this option is available in your area.
Many of the options provided above highlight the idea that your tree’s needles, boughs, and trunk can do more than hold ornaments. Each option discussed above has advantages. Choose one that works best for you. No matter which options you choose, however, they all let you dispose of your tree safely and responsibly. Never throw trees Christmas trees in garbage or landfills.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USA) recently unveiled a new iteration of its Plant Heat Zone Map for the United States. The new map shows that the contiguous United States is about 2.5° F. warmer than the previous 2012 map, meaning about half the country has shifted into another half-zone. It also means that many sections of the country have gotten warmer since 2012.
Also known as the Plant Hardiness Map, this map is a proven tool for nursery growers, farmers, gardeners, and homeowners. Providing a standard for determining which perennials have a good chance of surviving in an area, the map helps growers zero in on the right plants, shrubs, and trees for their location. Homeowners, for example, can use the map to choose the best trees, shrubs, and plants for their property.
The map divides the U.S. into 12 zones, with Zone 1 being the coldest and Zone 12 the warmest. Heat Zones are a relatively new map idea. The zones reflect the area’s average minimum temperatures during the winter. The updated map also has several new features, such as map widgets, which let you zoom into your current t location and zoom out to the map’s default view.
Valuable Tool for Growers
The Hardiness map is a valuable tool for homeowners, commercial growers, and dedicated gardeners, enabling them to pick plants well-suited for the location’s weather conditions. That is critical for Rhode Islanders because of its difficult winters. Rhode Islanders now have a tool that helps them determine trees, shrubs, and other plants have a greater likelihood of
surviving New England winters.
While most of Rhode Island falls within the plant hardiness zone 6a, its complete hardiness zone extends from 5b to 7a. This area offers average annual minimum temperature ranging from -10°F to 5°F. The placement reflects the state’s coastal location—with its northern and western regions being cooler than its southern and eastern areas.
Below are more specifics on what this means for Rhode Islanders:
Zone 5b is the coldest in the state. Its average annual minimum temperature is -10°F to -5°F. The zone covers the northernmost part of the state.
Zone 6a encompasses the largest part of the state. It features an average annual minimum temperature is -5°F to 0°F. The zone includes much of the state’s interior.
Zone 7a has an average annual minimum temperature is 0°F to 5°F, the warmest section of the state. It’s located in the southeastern part of the state.
How to Use the Map
Using the map is simple and straightforward. Start by entering your zip code to find your location on the map. Click on this section of the map. The result tells you your Plant Hardiness classification. If you want to access the map in a different resolution, toggle down to the “Maps Downloads” tab at the page’s top. You can even print copies of these maps. The map also has several interactive features called “widgets.” They are located just below the Zip Code search on the map.
The widgets support the usual map tools for zooming in to a specific location and returning to the default map view. The layers widget, represented by the stack of papers symbol, lets you turn off or on any of the map’s layers, including roads and place names. Meanwhile, the slider widget lets you adjust the transparency of the selected layer to boost visualization. It also allows you to adjust the transparency of the selected layer to enhance visualization.
If you want to have a healthy tree on your property, you must ensure your soil has plenty of nutrients and organic matter. If the tree doesn’t get these materials from the soil, it could wither and die. Fertilizing your tree is a great way to boost its health, appearance, and lifespan —all while helping benefit the environment.
Below are seven tips on fertilizing a tree or trees:
Choose the right fertilizer: You want a fertilizer that’s right for your situation. Fertilizers include a mixture of nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium. Generally, use a fertilizer with an NPK ratio of 10-10-10 or 12-4-8.
Apply fertilizer from early spring to late fall. Those are the best times to fertilize trees in most areas. Don’t fertilize during the winter. It’s the worst time to do it.
Apply fertilizer over the root zone: This area is beneath the tree’s canopy. Spread the fertilizer evenly using a broadcaster or drop spreader.
Water the fertilizer thoroughly: Watering helps the nutrients penetrate deep into the soil.
Sandy soil drains faster than clay soil: You may need to fertilize sandy soil more often than clay soil.
Fertilize in the fall: If you live in New England, where it can get cold, fertilize in the fall. Plants will store nutrients all winter to return strong in the spring.
Avoid overfertilizing: That can not only damage plants, it can also pollute the environment. Follow the directions on the fertilizer label.
These tips can help you when it comes to taking care of your trees and shrubs. If you have any questions regarding fertilization, contact an arborist or RI Tree. Asking for help from a professional never hurts.
Trees need plenty of nutrients to grow healthy and strong. If they don’t get them, they’ll wither and die. The soil provides plenty of nutrients for trees. But nutrient depletion over time, poor soil management, natural factors like soil type, and pollution (acid rain and agricultural runoff) can strip nutrients from the soil and make it less rich. So can soil erosion, excessive tilling, overfertilizing, soil that’s too sandy, and acid rocks.
To preserve trees on your property, you must ensure your soil has plenty of nutrients and organic matter. Below are five signs you need to fertilize your trees and shrubs to boost your soil’s nutrient content.
Yellowing leaves
Stunted growth
Poor flowering
Thin foliage
Dead or dying branches
If you see any or all of these signs with your trees, they indicate that your soil may lack the nutrients needed to grow healthy trees. Testing your soil will tell you for sure.
Testing Your Soil
Testing your property’s soil can uncover any problems you have with it. You can test soil anytime the ground isn’t frozen. The best time to test your soil, though, is in the spring. That way, you can address any issues before planting. If you live in Providence, you can get your soil tested for free. You can also get a soil test through URI’s Master Gardener program. Consult a local arborist or RI Tree for help or advice on soil testing.
The Morton Arboretum in Lisle, Illinois, recently conducted a five-year study designed to evaluate the effects of organic and inorganic fertilizers on soil quality and tree growth. Its researchers tested several substrates, including hardwood mulch, compost, aerated compost tea, synthetic NPK fertilizer, and a commercial biological product (mycorrhizae). The study shows that soil compost and mulch boost soil quality the most, while mulch and compost increase tree growth the most.
Benefits of Fertilizing Trees
Fertilizing benefits trees enormously. Put simply, it’s a cost-effective way to improve a tree’s health, appearance, and lifespan of a tree—all while helping benefit the environment. Here are several benefits of fertilizing trees:
Boost tree growth and vigor
Increase resistance to stress
Improve full fruit and floor production
Extend life span
Enhance esthetic value
Improve the quality of air
Cut noise pollution
Keep in mind that trees absorb pollutants from the air and release oxygen. Plus, they reduce noise pollution by blocking sound waves.
Tips on Fertilizing Trees
The first step when fertilizing trees and shrubs is choosing the right fertilizer. Look for the letters NPK on a fertilizer label. That indicates the fertilizers include a nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium mixture—three critical plant nutrients. Types of NPK fertilizers include balanced, incomplete, and organic.
If your trees have yellow leaves or show stunted growth, the soil may be deficient in nitrogen. In that case, you’ll want a fertilizer rich in nitrogen content. Otherwise, you may want a good “balanced” fertilizer with an NPK ratio of 10-10-10 or 12-4-8
Here are six additional tips on fertilizing trees and shrubs:
Apply fertilizer from early spring to late fall. That’s the best time to fertilize trees in most areas. Don’t fertilize during the winter. It’s the worst time to do it.
Spread the fertilizer over the tree’s root zone. That’s the area beneath its canopy. Apply the fertilizer evenly with help from a broadcaster or a drop spreader.
Water the fertilizer thoroughly. That will help the nutrients penetrate deep into the soil.
Sandy soil drains faster than clay soil. So, you may need to fertilize sandy soil more often than if you have clay soil.
Fertilize in the fall in areas with cold winters, like New England. Trees will store nutrients all winter so they can return strong in the spring.
Avoid overfertilizing. That can not only damage plants, it can also pollute the environment. Follow the directions on the fertilizer label.
These tips can help you when it comes to taking care of your trees and shrubs. If you have any questions regarding fertilization, contact an arborist or RI Tree. Asking for help from a professional never hurts.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USA) recently unveiled a new iteration of its Plant Hardiness Map for the United States. The new map shows that the contiguous United States is about 2.5° F. warmer than the previous 2012 map, meaning about half the country has shifted into another half-zone. It also means that many sections of the country have gotten warmer since 2012.
The Plant Hardiness Map is a proven tool for nursery growers, farmers, gardeners, and homeowners. Providing a standard for determining which perennials have a good chance of surviving in an area, the map helps growers zero in on the right plants, shrubs, and trees for a zone. Homeowners, for example, can use the map to choose the best trees, shrubs, and plants for their property.
The map divides the U.S. into 12 zones, with Zone 1 being the coldest and Zone 12 being the warmest. Heat Zones are a relatively new map idea. The zones reflect the area’s average minimum temperatures during the winter. The map also has several new features, such as map widgets, which let you zoom into your current t location and zoom out to the map’s default view.
While most of Rhode Island falls within the plant hardiness zone 6a, it extends from 5b to 7a, with its average annual minimum temperature for the area ranging from -10°F to 5°F. The state’s coastal location—with its northern and western regions being cooler than its southern and eastern areas—contributes to this placement.
Visit this USDA website page for a copy of the map and instructions on how to use it as a guide to choosing the best plants for your area.
Watering plants is the key to helping plants to survive and thrive. They need water for not only photosynthesis—the process by which they convert sunlight into energy—but also to transport nutrients throughout the plant.
Water also helps plants absorb critical nutrients. Without water, plants can’t dissolve the soil’s minerals and nutrients needed for growing and developing. Plus, water provides turgor pressure, which keeps plant cells rigid and upright. Lacking turbo pressure, plants will wilt and die.
Below are tips we suggest to people to keep your plants hydrated:
Research your plant’s water needs:
Cluster plants with similar water needs
Water deeply and infrequently:
Water early morning or late evening
Use a soaker hose or drip irrigation system
Mulching correctly
Check soil moisture
One caveat when it comes to watering plants: don’t over-water. It can lead to root rot—a deadly fungal disease. Also, make sure you adjust your schedule to the region’s weather. Water more during dry periods. Water less during cool, rainy periods. Finally, watch for water stress.
Water is the lifeblood of trees and other plants. A lack of water also leaves plants susceptible to diseases and pests. Plants can also die if you don’t water them adequately. Trees and plants growing in New England are no exception. In fact, they typically need more water than if planted in other regions—thanks mainly to the cooler climate and variable rainfall patterns.
New England often has long, cold winters and short, cool springs. If the ground freezes during those months, plants may be unable to access water, stressing them out. Poor access to water can also lead to a plant’s death. Then there are the summers to deal with. Summers can feature dry conditions or drought. With the region being relatively humid, water will evaporate quickly from the soil. Plants can wilt and die if it does not rain for several weeks.
Specific Reasons Why Watering Is Critical
Watering plants is the key to helping plants to survive and thrive. They need water for not only photosynthesis—the process by which they convert sunlight into energy—but also to transport nutrients throughout the plant. Water also helps plants absorb critical nutrients. Without water, plants can’t dissolve the soil’s minerals and nutrients needed for growing and developing. Plus, water provides turgor pressure, which keeps plant cells rigid and upright. Lacking turbo pressure, plants will wilt and die.
Plants also lose water through transpiration. This process, which is how water from leaves evaporates, cools plants so they don’t overheat. Water also helps plants fortify themselves against pests and diseases. Plants lacking water become more susceptible to injury from insects, fungi, and other pathogens. Maintaining a healthy plant impacts our environment. Plants improve air quality, reduce soil erosion, provide shade and shelter, and enhance the beauty of our surroundings.
Practical Tips on Watering Trees and Plants
New England’s weather is unpredictable. So, providing enough water to plants can test your patience. Below are tips we suggest to people to keep your plants hydrated:
Research your plant’s water needs: Not all plants are equal when it comes to watering. Some, like succulents, can survive long periods of dry conditions or even drought. Others, like ferns, need more water. So, do some research to determine how much water your plants need, then give it to them.
Cluster plants with similar water needs: Clustering makes it easier for you to water them on a timely schedule. So, you’re more likely to keep to a regular schedule. One way to do this is to group plants needing water daily and those needing water weekly.
Water deeply and infrequently: That promotes healthy root growth. Roots will grow deep into the soil, which will help them become more drought-tolerant. This approach also is ideal for trees and shrubs. But be careful. Not watering enough can lead to shallow root growth, which makes them prone to wilting and dying during dry times.
Water early morning or late evening: Watering plants mid-day is the worst time to do it because the water can evaporate quickly, leaving the roots dry. Instead, water early in the morning or late evening. That way, the water filters through to the roots.
Use a soaker hose or drip irrigation system: These approaches to water are ideal for watering your plants. They deliver water directly to a plant’s roots. Plus, they are much more efficient and less wasteful, which saves you money on your water bill.
Mulching correctly: Mulch helps retain soil moisture, which means you can water less often. Plus, mulching helps eliminate the growth of weeds and regulates the soil’s temperature. Mulch around your plants is what’s usually advised.
Check soil moisture: Checking soil moisture tells you when to water your plants. So, do it regularly. All you need to do is slip your finger into the plant’s soil up to your first knuckle. If the soil feels dry, then water the plant. If it feels moist, wait a few days and then recheck soil moisture.
One caveat when it comes to watering plants: don’t over-water. It can lead to root rot—a deadly fungal disease. Also, make sure you adjust your schedule to the region’s weather. Water more during dry periods. Water less during cool, rainy periods. Finally, watch for water stress. Some common signs of stress in plants include wilting, drooping, and yellowing or browning leaves. If you see any of these signs, water your plants.
Beech leaf disease is ravaging our forests. A recent article in the Providence Journal by Alex Kuffner describes just how bad an impact BLM is having on R.I. forests. First detected in Ohio in 2012, this plant disease is relentless. It interferes with chlorophyll production and starves beech trees to death.
The beach tree is a “foundational species” in New England forests. It produces a high-fat nut for black bears and other animals to eat, a place where woodpeckers can forage, and homes for
animals to nest and raise their young. A beech tree can live up to 400 years.
BLM is invisible to the naked eye. The only way to spot the plant disease, says Kuffner, is to cut the leaves open and then wet the area. Thousands of nematodes (worms) will exit the leaf. The nematodes winter over in the beech’s long, cigar-shaped buds and attack leaves as they emerge in the spring.
That effort interrupts the leaves’ ability to photosynthesize and produce food. No known cure for this disease exists. But research projects are underway to combat it. One problem confronting research scientists in this area is the lack of funds that could help tackle the issue.
Below are four other plant pests Rhode Islanders need to be alert to:
Spotted lantern fly — This pest attacks plants and trees. The adult fly features spotted patterning, scarlet underwings, and yellow markings on the abdomen. It also has semi-transparent forewings. Adults are an inch or so long and active from August until the first late hard freeze, which occurs around late October into November. While the SLF can survive independently, it mainly spreads through human movement. The SLF was first detected in Pennsylvania in 2014
SLF is invasive. It lays its inconspicuous egg masses on pallets, vehicles, and other goods. So, inspect any shipping materials you get and abide by travel restrictions when moving through areas quarantined for the SLF. If you go to states with SLF, check your gear and equipment thoroughly before leaving and scrape off any egg masses. If you spot one in RI, take a photo, squash the insect, and then make a report to RI DEM’s agricultural pest alerts website.
Emerald ash borer
Emerald ash borer beetle — EAB attacks American ash trees. Responsible for destroying millions of ashes in 30+ states, EAB is native to Asia. It arrived in the U.S. hidden in wood crates and wood packing materials. Scientists first identified the EMB in southern Michigan in 2002. Since then, it has spread throughout the country. While no cure exists for EMB, several treatment options are available for controlling EMB’s spread. Since pesticide regulations differ from state to state, homeowners should contact their state department of agriculture for the best option in their state.
Asian longhorned beetle
Asian longhorned beetle — This pest threatens hardwood trees. It can cause more damage than Dutch elm disease, gypsy moths, and chestnut blight combined. No cure exists for ALB, so early identification and eradication are critical. It infests New England, New York, and Ohio areas, threatening recreation and forest resources valued at billions. It’s destroyed millions of acres of this country’s hardwoods in national forests and backyard trees. These pests live in firewood, solid wood packing material, branches, logs, stumps, and wood debris and trimmings.
Box tree moth
Box tree moth — BTM is invasive. Thriving on boxwood trees as caterpillars, it originated in Asia, migrated to Europe, and now threatens the U.S. It was first spotted in North America in Canada in 2018. It decimates both wild and ornamental boxwoods. BTM caterpillars feed on the underside of leaves, giving them a “peeled” appearance from the top.
Mature caterpillars eat the whole leaf but not the midrib. It can lead to complete defoliation. BTM can web together leaves and construct silken retreats. BTM eggs appear pale yellow and aid in groups of 5 -20, overlapping like shingles. If the infestation is small, hand-picking the caterpillars and disposing of them in soapy water is effective. You can also knock them off with a strong jet of water, which eventually kills the pest.
Additional threats to R.I. forests include winter moth, Lymantria dispar (formerly known as gypsy moth), Southern pine beetle, oak gall wasps, and hemlock woolly adelgid.
If you spot one of these pests or think you’ve seen a pest not native to Rhode Island, let DEM know as soon as possible.
