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Trees are susceptible to diseases that can stunt their growth, ruin their appearance, and even lead to their demise. But using pesticides and fungicides on plants creates risks that can impact people’s health, their pets, the environment, and even the plants themselves. Water contamination, soil damage, and phytotoxicity are three examples of risks that pesticides and fungicides pose.

Fortunately, numerous natural methods exist that you can use to bolster your tree’s defenses and create a thriving, disease-resistant plant or tree. Natural methods can prevent and control plant diseases without chemicals. These methods include promoting good tree health, using natural sprays and treatments, selecting and planting trees, and monitoring and early detection.

Below, we discuss the benefits of using natural methods for plant disease prevention, provide ideas for preventing plant diseases, and review several natural methods for keeping plants healthy and vibrant

Benefits of Natural Methods

There are numerous benefits to using natural methods to prevent plant diseases compared to conventional pesticides and fungicides. These include:

• Safer for the environment: Natural methods typically rely on organic materials and avoid harsh chemicals. They can protect beneficial insects, pollinators, and wildlife in your garden.
•  Better for people and pets: Many conventional pesticides can harm you and your pets if not handled properly. Natural methods generally pose less of a health risk.
• Reduced risk of resistance: Over time, overuse of conventional pesticides can lead to pests and diseases developing resistance. Natural methods help avoid this problem.
• Promotes a healthy ecosystem: By encouraging beneficial insects and microbes in your garden, natural methods create a more balanced ecosystem that can help regulate pest populations naturally.
• Cost-Effective: Many natural methods utilize readily available materials or require minimal investment, making them a budget-friendly option for treating plants.

If you’re a gardener, natural disease prevention methods can help you maintain a healthy, certified organic garden.

Natural methods, however, come with drawbacks. For example, they can take time to implement. The long-term benefits of using natural methods, however, far outweigh their drawbacks.

Examples of Natural Methods

Using natural methods to prevent tree diseases is as effective as using them in gardens. Let’s take a look at some of these methods:

• Make sure you have the right tree in the right place. Choose trees suited to your climate and soil conditions. Stressed trees are more vulnerable to disease.

• Water your trees deeply and infrequently. Allow the soil to dry slightly between watering. But be careful when watering plants and trees. Overwatering can encourage root rot.

• Prune regularly to help trees grow. Remove diseased branches, improve air circulation, and encourage healthy growth. Spreading organic mulch around a tree’s base retains moisture, suppresses weeds, and regulates soil temperature.

• Natural spray treatments are just as effective as conventional methods. Neem oil, for example, works well against various fungal diseases and insect pests that can harm trees. Introducing natural predators, like ladybugs, lacewings, and predatory mites, in your yard is also effective.  

• Tree selection and planting are also critical. When planting new trees, opt for varieties known for their resistance to common diseases in your area. Local nurseries can advise you. Planting various tree species helps create a more balanced ecosystem less susceptible to widespread disease outbreaks.

• You should also regularly inspect your trees for signs of disease. Early detection is critical to successful disease treatment. Typical signs of disease include discolored leaves, tree wilting, or unusual growths. Amending the soil around your tree with compost or other organic matter can improve tree health and disease resistance.

Trees themselves have built-in defense mechanisms against diseases. They can produce chemical compounds that deter insects and fungi or compartmentalize infected areas to prevent the spread of disease.

Prevention is Critical to Tree Health

Preventing diseases in trees is critical to having robust, healthy trees. But your plants may contract diseases despite your best efforts. Natural methods of treating diseases protect people, pets, and the environment. The methods include promoting good tree health, using natural sprays and treatments, selecting and planting suitable trees, and monitoring and early detection. Natural methods can help you keep trees healthy and resistant.

Treating plant diseases, however, can be challenging. Some diseases can resist your best efforts despite much work and cost, no matter how you treat them, which can frustrate you. If you’re getting nowhere treating a diseased plant, contact RI Tree.   Our experts can help you diagnose plant diseases and recommend the best way to treat them effectively. They’ll also help you create a plan to care for your plants or trees.

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management is warning RI residents to remain vigilant for two invasive species as their lifecycles progress and they emerge this spring. The spotted lanternfly (SLF) and the winter moth are two plant pests threatening Rhode Island’s agriculture and forest. These threats remain the focus of DEM’s Division of Agriculture and Forest Environment‘s Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey (CAPS) and Forest Health Program.

One pest is the spotted lanternfly, which can cause significant damage to crops and native trees. The SLF threatens many fruit crops, such as apples, apricots, cherries, grapes, hops, nectarines, peaches, and plums, as well as native maple, oak, pine, poplar, sycamore, walnut, and willow trees. DEM officials note the lanternfly is an “excellent hitchhiker” spread through human movement.”

Lanternfly adults lay masses of 30 or more eggs on surfaces ranging from tree trunks to patio furniture. These egg masses are typically 1.5 inches long, grayish-brown, and resemble clay. DEM started spraying for SLFs in Rhode Island in 2022. DEM and its partners will continue targeted treatments of trees and bushes infested with SLF as they try to limit the spread of this invasive pest.

Winter moths are an invasive defoliator from Europe. First detected in New England in the early 2000s, the caterpillars of winter moths feed on the leaves of deciduous trees in early spring after larval hatch. Winter moth caterpillars are lime green with creamy-yellow stripes running lengthwise along each side of the body. Preferred hosts include maple, oak, birch, apple, and blueberry. Young larvae feed within their hosts’ leaf and flower buds and are often difficult to spot at this stage. Caterpillar frass (insect droppings) are often easier to observe than the actual caterpillars.

While the increased winter moth activity during the past autumn has generated increased public interest, the winter moth’s defoliation effort isn’t nearly as damaging or widespread as spongy moths, formerly known as gypsy moths. That’s because winter moths do not completely strip leaves. They only cause tree mortality if defoliation is repeated year after year. DEM initiated a successful biological program in 2005 to control winter moths with the specialist parasitic fly Cyzenis albicans.

For more information on the spotted lanternfly and the winter moth, see RI Tree’s Pest to Watch page on its website.

If you live in Rhode Island, your plants face many external threats, including destructive insects, devastating diseases, and harsh environmental conditions. Fortunately, your plants have an arsenal of natural defenses known as plant resistance. This complex system harnesses a plant’s natural mechanisms to create stronger, more resilient plants that can thrive in the harsh New England weather.

Threats that plants need to defend themselves against are pathogens, like bacteria and fungi, and viruses; pests, like insects, mites, and nematodes; and abiotic stresses, like drought, salinity, and nutrient deficiencies. Many plants have a complex set of mechanisms to resist these threats and boost a plant’s immune system.

The article below discusses plant resistance, provides tips on how to boost it in plants, and reviews some natural pest control methods for plants:

Understanding Plant Resistance

Understanding plant resistance offers many benefits that impact agriculture and gardening and promote a better understanding of the natural world. These benefits include:

• Increased agricultural productivity  
• Reduced reliance on pesticides
• Improved food security
• Increased plant growth/stress tolerance
• Enhanced development of disease-resistant plants

Knowledge of plant resistance also offers valuable insights into the complex world of plant interactions and their biology while boosting our appreciation for biological systems.

Boosting Plant Resistance: 7 Tips

Here are some tips to boost plant resistance. They’ll also optimize plant health, enhance soil conditions, create a favorable environment, and minimize stress factors that can help weaken plants, such as sudden temperature changes or transplanting shock:

• Balanced Nutrition: Ensure your plants receive a well-balanced fertilizer that provides all the essential nutrients, including phosphorus, potassium, manganese, zinc, boron, and silicon. 

• Proper Watering: Avoid over-watering or under-watering your plants. Aim for consistent moisture levels suitable for the specific plant type.

• Sunlight Requirements: Provide adequate sunlight as per the plant’s needs. Insufficient light can weaken plants and make them more susceptible to disease.

• Composting: Regularly add compost to your soil. Compost improves soil fertility, aeration, and drainage, promoting healthy root growth and fostering beneficial microbes that suppress pathogens.

• Mulching: Create a layer of mulch around your plants. Mulch helps retain moisture, regulate soil temperature, and suppress weeds that compete with plants for resources.

• Air Circulation: Boost proper air circulation around your plants, especially indoors.

Stagnant air can create ideal conditions for fungal diseases.

• Hygiene: Regularly remove diseased leaves or plant debris to prevent the spread of pathogens. Clean your tools to avoid transferring diseases between plants.

In gardens, you should practice crop rotation, which disrupts the life cycle of pests and pathogens that may have targeted a specific crop last season.

You should also choose plant-resistant varieties when possible, explore natural pest control methods, prune your plants and trees regularly, and minimize stress factors that can weaken plants, such as sudden temperature changes or transplanting shock when you can.

Preventing Diseases is the Key

Prevention is the key to combating the devastating plant diseases out there. Creating a healthy ecosystem in your garden or yard and implementing natural pest control methods can help a plant resist pest pressures without resorting to harsh chemicals. Here are some of the top natural pest control methods that can help prevent plant diseases:

• Companion planting
• Crop rotation
• Physical barriers (floating row covers/netting)
• Insecticidal soap
• Neem oil spray
• Diatomaceous earth

You can also prevent plant diseases by creating a better environment for beneficial predators like ladybugs, lacewings, and minute pirate bugs. These predators are highly effective at combating plant diseases. Ladybugs, for example, are voracious eaters. They can quickly consume large numbers of aphids and other soft-bodied pests.

Boosting plant defenses with these natural methods can help you fend off threats that can devastate plants, including destructive insects, devastating diseases, and harsh environmental conditions. Taking a holistic approach to protecting plants, however, is critical. By combining the tips and strategies described above in a coordinated approach, you can boost your plant’s disease resistance and help it thrive long-term.

Major tree failures happen more than you think. When trees fail, they can pose significant risks to you, your property, and others. Various factors can trigger tree failures, raising questions about tree care, maintenance, and prevention strategies. If one of your trees fail, it can cost you big bucks to have it removed by a professional tree removal service.

Removing a tree in Rhode Island can run anywhere from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand. Key factors affecting the cost include:

• Tree size and type
• Tree health and condition
• Accessibility
• Permit requirements
• Stump removal
• Species
• Location

We can’t pinpoint a specific percentage of tree failure each year. But the last thing you want to do is remove a tree because of failure. Below are some major causes of tree failure and strategies for treating them

Major Causes of Tree Failure

Understanding the factors that cause major tree failure is imperative. It can help you not only save a mature tree but also help raise awareness for better tree care practices and promote the importance of these plants in our communities.

Below are seven causes of major tree failure and how to stop them from devastating a tree.

1. Diseases—Fungal diseases, bacterial diseases, viral diseases. They all can weaken a tree’s structure and cause failure. Plant diseases are often hard to detect and can be compounded by other factors, like root damage and unfavorable weather. 

Treatment: Early detection is critical. Identify the pest and choose the correct control method, such as insecticidal soap, neem oil, or biological controls.

• Pests—Insects and other pests can devastate a tree’s roots, leaves, and/or trunk, weakening its structure and boosting its disease susceptibility. Our website has a list of pests to help with identification.

Treatment: First, identify the pest. Then, choose the correct treatment—biological controls, neem oil, insecticidal soap, etc. You can also consult RI Tree on pests and their controls.

• Weather—The northeast can be harsh on plants. Severe weather events, like storms, high winds, lightning strikes, snow storms, and even excessive rain or drought, can cause major tree failure.

Treatment: Proper pruning keeps trees healthy and minimizes wind resistance, improving overall health. Also, inspect your trees after severe weather events for signs of damage and address a problem as soon as possible.

• Improper planting— Planting trees too deeply, in the wrong location, or using improper techniques can lead to root problems that can eventually cause failure.

Treatment—You can’t do much to fix a tree planted incorrectly. Learn from the mistake and make sure you plant future trees correctly to avoid future problems.

• Root damage—Overcoming this issue is a challenge. Construction, soil compaction, and other activities can damage a tree’s roots, compromising its stability and ability to absorb water and nutrients.

Treatment—Proper care, such as watering, fertilizing, and mulching, can help a tree compensate for some root damage. But it’s a hard problem to beat.

• Poor maintenance—Trees need regular care to stay healthy and strong. That’s no secret. Neglecting trees can lead to various problems that can eventually contribute to failure.

Treatment—Proper maintenance includes regular watering, pruning, mulching, and monitoring signs of disease or pest infestation.

• Age— As trees age, they become weaker and more susceptible to failure.

Treatment: While aging is inevitable, proper care can help extend the life of your tree. Remember that even with the best care, some trees will someday reach the end of their natural lifespan and need to be removed safely. See our blog post on preserving mature trees.

Tree Failures Can Cost You

Major tree failure happens all too often. When it occurs on your property, it can cost you big time. So, be mindful of the seven major causes of plant failure described above. In severe cases of tree failure, you should consult a certified arborist. If you have a tree you think is failing, you can also contact RITree for help.

Special note: Majestic trees like the American elm will be the focus of a lecture presented by RITree’s John Campanini on Thursday, April 4th, at 6:30 p.m. Hosted by the Burrillville Conservation Commission, the lecture will be given at the Jesse Smith Library, Harrisville, RI. It is free, and the public is invited to attend. 

Water is an obvious plant requirement, but so is oxygen. A tree uses oxygen below ground and above to boost its health and growth. The tree’s vascular systems can’t properly function without soil oxygen, and its roots can‘t absorb water. Plus, there are microbes and organisms underground that can help enhance a tree’s survival but need oxygen to do it. That’s where aeration helps.

Aerating around your trees helps them “breathe” fresh air. It boosts tree health and growth dramatically. Here are some additional benefits of aerating your soil:

1. Improves oxygen flow
2. Enhances water flow
3. Increases nutrient absorption
4. Strengthens root growth
5. Increases tree health

Spike aeration is the easiest way for home gardeners to aerate soil themselves. Grab a spiky tool, like a hand cultivator, metal rake, or pitchfork, and puncture the soil in a broad area around your tree. This effort makes the soil more porous so that oxygen can access the roots and water can drain more readily through the soil. Be careful not to stab surface roots with your tool!

Aerate around your trees once or twice a year, in the Spring and/or fall, and always follow up with mulch (You can find a great video on the website how to properly mulch). For mature trees starting to show their age, it’s best to aerate the soil, mulch a large area around the base, and then walk over the roots as little as possible. Mature trees tend to be even more vulnerable to soil compaction.

Lastly – be aware that a healthy-looking tree does not indicate your soil is fine! The negative impacts of soil compaction might not become visible in the canopy for several growing seasons. So be proactive and build aeration into your annual tree care routine.

Want more tips about keeping your trees healthy or planning to install new woody plants? Check out RI Tree Council’s other articles on tree care page or sign up for the next Tree Stewards course. Go to RITree.org for more information.

Matching the right tree to the right soil provides numerous benefits. Matching grows strong, healthy trees by delivering nutrients, drainage, and aeration to the plant, boosting disease resistance, and reducing maintenance needs—all while promoting a harmonious, nurturing ecosystem. Plus, it increases your property’s value. A mature, healthy tree adds anywhere from 3 to 15 percent to your home’s value.

But matching the right tree to the right soil is dicey. So, you need to get it right for the best results. Choosing the wrong soil, on the other hand, stunts a tree’s growth, deprives it of essential nutrients, leaves it susceptible to diseases, and even causes death.

Specific challenges to choosing the suitable soil include:

• Diverse soil types and tree needs
• Generating an accurate assessment
• Limited information about specific trees
• Modifying existing soil
• Monitoring to ensure trees continue health

By understanding these challenges and then overcoming them, you can boost your chances of making a successful tree-soil match that nurtures a thriving, healthy tree for years to come. Consulting technicians at the Rhode Island Tree Council can help as well beat the challenges described above.

 Two Critical Steps to Tree-Soil Matching

There are two critical steps to match a tree to the soil. The first is understanding your soil. Start by consulting the USDA’s Plant Hardiness Zone Map, which is divided into 12 zones. Each zone reflects the area’s average minimum temperatures during the winter in that area. Zone 1 is the coldest, while Zone 12 is the warmest. A powerful tool for growers, the map tells you which trees thrive in your climate.

While most of Rhode Island falls within the plant hardiness of Zone 6a, the state’s complete hardiness zone extends from 5b to 7a. This area averages annual minimum temperatures ranging from -10°F to 5°F. The results reflect the state’s coastal location with its northern and western regions being cooler than its southern and eastern areas. Our blog post on the Plant Hardiness map tells you how to use the map to the best advantage.

Test Soil to Determine Key Factors

The second step in the matching process is testing your soil. This step reveals your soil’s pH, nutrient levels, and drainage—all critical factors for tree growth. Home improvement stores, like Home Depot or Lowes, often sell test kits for this purpose so you can test the soil yourself. Or, you can mail soil samples to a professional lab for a more detailed analysis.

The University of Rhode Island’s Soil Testing service, for example, is free through its Master Gardner program. You provide the school’s lab with a sample of your soil. It will test its pH (acidity/alkalinity), evaluate its texture and content, and recommend what actions to take to improve your soil’s pH and health. 

The booklet “Soils of Rhode Island Landscapes” by William R. Wright and Edward Sautter provides more information on Rhode Island soils. The booklet’s goal is to arouse public interest in soils and make people aware of this valuable natural resource.  As the name implies, this 62-page booklet provides an in-depth look at Rhode Island soils.

Research on Tree-Soil Compatibility

Studies by scientists offer valuable insights into the relationship between trees and soil. One five-year study by the Morton Arboretum in Lisle, IL, for example, targets the impact of organic and inorganic fertilizers on soil quality and tree growth. That study shows that soil compost and mulch have a significant impact on soil quality, but the benefits take three years to kick in.

Here are some additional findings tree-soil compatibility research provides:

• Some tree species prefer specific soil characteristics like drainage, pH, nutrient content, and texture. For example, oaks thrive in well-drained sandy soils, while maples prefer slightly acidic soils with good moisture retention.  

• Certain trees have deep root systems that can access water and nutrients from lower soil layers, while others have shallow roots that rely on surface moisture. Matching root systems to suitable soil depths boosts water and nutrient uptake.

• Adding organic matter like compost can improve drainage and nutrient availability in clay soils, but adding sulfur can adjust the pH for more acid-loving trees. But you need to consider these actions’ long-term impacts and cost-effectiveness.
• Rainfall patterns, temperature fluctuations, and local topography can affect soil moisture and nutrient cycling. That, in turn, impacts tree suitability. Matching trees to local conditions and a site’s microclimates boost plant health.  
• Long-term monitoring after planting trees in new soil proves significant. Monitoring growth, survival rates, and potential disease or nutrient deficiencies helps assess the success of the tree-soil match and identify any necessary adjustments.

Understanding these research findings on tree-soil compatibility is beneficial. It helps you make informed planting decisions about what trees to plant in which soil environments. That, in turn, promotes the tree’s health and longevity. Plus, it contributes to healthy ecosystems, among other things. Put simply, making the best tree soil match possible is a win-win for you and the tree you plant.

You don’t need to plant just any tree in your yard. You need to plant the right tree in your yard. That’s easier said than done. While you have a wide selection of trees out there, there’s no one “best tree” for all purposes.

In fact, you have several considerations when selecting a tree. Once you’ve selected that tree, you must place it in the right spot in your yard. These two activities go hand-in-hand to find the best tree for your yard.

The benefits of planting a tree in the right spot are numerous. Environmental benefits include air purification, soil health, water conservation, and habitat creation, while aesthetic benefits include beauty and visual interest, privacy and screening, noise reduction, and creating a peaceful environment.

1. Pinpoint your climate zone

Start by determining your plant hardiness zone, which indicates your area’s average minimum winter temperature. This step narrows down the trees that can survive the cold in your site. Next, consider the area’s rainfall patterns and its sun exposure. How much sun does your yard get—full, partial, or complete shade? Will you need additional watering for the tree you pick to survive?

2. Determine your needs and preferences

Using the information discovered in step one, you must consider other vital factors, like maintenance, aesthetics, and functions. Do you want shade, privacy, wind protection, vibrant fall foliage, or blossoms? Choose trees that fulfill your priorities and maintenance needs. Do you want a mature tree with size, shape, and foliage color? What about a flowering tree to complement your existing landscape?

3. Choose the right area

You must select the right tree for the site under consideration. That includes matching the mature size of the tree to the site. For example, avoid planting a towering tree under power lines or close to your house. Growth rate, soil type, and drainage are also considerations. You want a tree with suitable growth for your desired timeline. Also, know your tree’s light needs and place it accordingly. Consider its future shade impact on buildings, walkways, or gardens.

4. Set goals for your tree

Setting goals is a must when selecting and placing trees on a site. Do you want the tree to provide shade or privacy? Or maybe you want it to attract birds or add color to your yard. Whatever your goal, you may need to exceed aesthetics to achieve it. Lifestyle is also a consideration. You want a tree that fits your lifestyle. Some trees require more pruning, watering, maintenance, or pest control. Also, stay away from invasive tree species that can harm native ecosystems.

5. Plant at the right time  

Research the tree you want to plant to find the best time to plant it. Fall and spring are typically the best time to plant, but not always. Dig a hole two to three times wider than the tree’s root ball and plant the tree at the same depth as the soil line on the root ball. Straighten the tree in the hole. Once planted, a tree is difficult to reposition. Fill the hole gently but firmly. Avoid fertilizing the tree at this time. Stake the tree only when planting bare root stock or when planting at windy sites. Remove the stakes after a year of growth.

Studies also show that homes with mature trees generally sell for more than those without trees, have lower groundwater fees, and save energy. Below are six tips on how to select the perfect tree for you:

6. Provide the proper care

Having planted the tree at the right spot, you need to water deeply and regularly. New trees need plenty of water during the first year and in dry periods and hot weather. Gradually reduce watering as the tree becomes established. Also, apply a layer of mulch around the tree’s base to retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature. Avoid filling in mulch to the tree’s base. Prune young trees for proper structure and remove dead or diseased branches as needed.
Selecting and planting a tree in the right place in your yard can be a challenge. But if you follow the tips we provided above, you’ll simplify the process. If you’re still unsure about planting a tree in an area, consult a professional! Consulting a certified arborist, qualified nursery professional, or one of RITree’s technical specialists can provide valuable guidance for selecting and caring for your trees.

Do you “mulch” your trees and shrubs regularly? Mulching is a tree care activity we often overlook. But it’s more important than many people think. It delivers vital benefits to trees and shrubs that go way beyond making your yard look nice. Put simply, Mulching boosts a plant’s health and hardiness.

So when should you mulch your trees and shrubs? That depends on your goals and the climate in your area. Each season has its pros and cons. The key is knowing when the best time to mulch is for you. Springtime mulching, for example, stimulates root growth but may require re-mulching later on in the season.

Wintertime mulching, on the other hand, insulates roots from sudden cold snaps but can trap frost and damage roots in freezing temperatures. Ultimately, you want to mulch when it’s most beneficial to your trees and shrubs. Soil temperature, rainfall patterns, and tree health are all factors when deciding when to mulch.

Benefits of Mulching

Mulching reduces water evaporation by 30-70%, increases water filtration 3 to 5 times, and lowers soil temperature by as much as 10° F. It also reduces weed pressure by 50-90%, boosts tree growth by 20-50, and deters pests from attacking trees and shrubs. If you use organic materials, it adds vital nutrients to the soil when the material breaks down, enriching the soil and boosting plant growth.

Mulching also:

• Prevents soil compaction from foot traffic and lawnmowers  
• Promotes better root penetration and aeration
• Prevents soil erosion from wind and rain
• Protects a tree or a shrub’s base
• Reduces the need to mow or weed around your trees
• Saves maintenance time, cost, and effort. 

These benefits can make a difference to your trees and shrubs—no doubt about it. But you need to choose the right mulch to enjoy those benefits. Organic mulch, such as wood chips, tree bark, and shredded leaves, offers advantages inorganic mulch doesn’t offer as discussed above. Inorganic mulch, such as gravel, rubber mulch, and fabric, can suppress weeds effectively but doesn’t deliver organic mulch’s nutrient benefits.

Tips on Mulching

There’s more to mulching than many people think. Here are some tips on how to mulch effectively:

• 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. Avoid mulching when it’s hot and dry, or the ground is frozen.  

• Start by removing any weeds or debris around the plant’s base, then identify your drip line—the outermost edge of the plant’s canopy. 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. Avoid applying mulch too high. It can choke the choke the roots.

• 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 layer as it decomposes, or the wind blows it away. 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. Also, be mindful of nearby structures and walkways when mulching. It can attract pests.

Also, consider using different types of mulch for different areas of your yard. And don’t use fresh or dyed wood chips. They can release harmful chemicals. Mulching regularly can help your trees and shrubs thrive for years to come.

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 20^th 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.

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.