952.922.3810
Prepare Your Trees and Shrubs for Winter
Sub-zero winter temperatures and drying winds can be hard on our urban trees. Here are some tips to help them weather the cold.
To Enhance Tree and Shrub Health
- Water trees until the ground is frozen, especially in drought conditions.
- Prune trees and large shrubs in the winter to minimize plant stress, schedule an appointment with an arborist to address any pruning needs.
- Finely mulch organic matter (leaves, grass clippings, etc) and incorporate into soil. This will add nutrition to the soil and reduce the number of disease spores that may infect new growth in the spring
- Fertilize where soil nutrients are limited. An arborist can help determine what type of fertilizers to use.
- Avoid using de-icing salts near trees
We strongly recommend to those with oak and elm trees, that they address any pruning needs during the winter season. Research has shown that pruning these species during the warmer growing season makes them more susceptible to deadly infections by oak wilt and Dutch elm disease.
While the infection risk is not as high with diseases and insects on other species of trees, winter pruning is advantageous in that any pests such as branch canker pathogens, or branch boring insects are removed from the site, reducing the potential for re-infestation.
Registration is now open for Arborist Certification Training in early 2010. For more information and registration form please download our brochure.
Emerald Ash Borer
The Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) has killed millions of ash trees since its discovery in southeastern Michigan in 2002. Native to Asia, this insect was probably introduced to the United States in wood packing material carried in on cargo ships or airplanes. 
Through a combination of natural spread and human activity it is now found in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia, Wisconsin, and now Minnesota, placing millions of additional ash trees at risk.
Insecticide Options for Protecting Ash Trees From Emerald Ash Borer
For larger trees, XytectTM (imidacloprid) soil drenches provided most consistent control of EAB when applied experimentally at twice the rate... This is not an option for Bayer AdvancedTM Tree and Shrub Insect Control and other homeowner formulations of imidacloprid, which are limited by the label to one application per year. Homeowners wishing to protect trees larger than 15-inch DBH should consider having their trees professionally treated.
Read the full report (PDF) by clicking below.
Watch Rainbow Treecare In Action
A video created by a client while Rainbow worked on his trees.
