UGA Extension in Cobb County
The Cobb County Extension office provides trainings, programs, resources and services as the educational outreach of The University of Georgia.
Friday, March 6, 2020
Tuesday, August 27, 2019
Monday, August 5, 2019
Sanitation in the Garden
By Louise Weyer
Septoria Leaf Spot |
Do you see these conditions in your garden? They are triggered by various parasitic fungi that cause leaf spots, rusts, powdery mildew, and cankers. They overwinter in the soil, debris under the plants, cracks in the bark, and in spores attached to the plant. Fungi obtain nutrients by inserting root-like organs (mycelium) into host plants or dead organic matter. Warmer weather and rain will promote the production of spores which can be disseminated by wind and rain.
With a few gardening activities, one can focus on
ways to lessen future disease problems. Sanitation is one of the most important
methods of maintaining a healthy garden. It will reduce the amount of disease
causing fungi present in the area thus reducing the amount of potential disease next season. In some instances, an effective fungicide is not
available, is too expensive, or is difficult for the homeowner to effectively
spray over the entire plant (e.g. trees). In these situations, good sanitation
practices can be one of your strongest weapons to help reduce diseases and keep
them from spreading.
Your sanitation regiment for ornamental trees,
shrubs, fruits, and vegetables should include the following:
·
Employ
proper pruning techniques.
·
Prune
out and destroy all dead and diseased branches.
·
Do
not leave stubs.
·
Cut
just outside the collar tissue to promote rapid wound closure and healing.
·
Disinfect
pruning tools between cuts.
·
Remove
fallen leaves to eliminate this overwintering site.
·
Remove
dried, mummified fruits or vegetables.
·
Remove
old flower heads and stalks.
·
If
plants were severely infected, it is advisable to remove and destroy them. Do
not replace with the same species.
·
Remove
weeds because they provide a winter habitat for fungi, insects, and seeds for
next year’s weed crop.
·
Where
practical, plow the soil to break down small roots and debris that may be
harboring nematodes, fungi and bacteria.
·
Mulch
plants to prevent splashing of soil containing fungi onto the plants.
Sanitation is a year-round process. Removal of infected leaves, diseased fruits, berries, and vegetables as soon as a problem appears will reduce the spread of disease.
References:
“Sanitation Measures for
Limiting Common Diseases in the Home Orchard”, Cooperative Extension Service,
University of Georgia www.pubs,caes.uga.edu
“Disease Control in the Home Vegetable Garden”, Cooperative
Extension Service, University of Georgia
“Azalea Diseases in the Landscape”, Cooperative Extension Service,
North Carolina State University www.ces.ncsu.edu
“Diseases and Insects of Shrubs and Small Trees”, University of
Illinois Extension, www.urbanext.uiuc.edu “Reduce Pest Problems with Garden
Sanitation Practices”, University of California, Davis, www.ucce.ucdavis,edu
“Garden and Landscape Sanitation Important for Plant Disease
Management, Missouri Environment and Garden,
www.agebb.missouri.edu
The content and opinions expressed on this Web page do
not necessarily reflect the views of nor are they endorsed by the University of
Georgia or the University System of Georgia.
Friday, June 14, 2019
Monday, May 20, 2019
Thursday, April 11, 2019
Storm Damaged Tree
STORM DAMAGE TREE MANAGEMENT
Photo Courtesy of George Hoden |
Storm damaged trees left standing after general storm clearance
activities have been completed can become hazardous. Trees that could quickly
develop into hazards need to be evaluated and treated or removed. Good storm
damage management is much more cost-effective over the long run than cleaning
up fallen materials now and reacting to tree problems in the future. Evaluations
should be performed by a certified arborist before or at the time of initial
storm damage service. The goal is to minimize risk and protect assets,
including the tree itself. Always remember to take proper safety precautions
when dealing with and fixing storm damaged trees.
Initially, the homeowner can review storm damage according to the
following three categories:
- Dead tree
- Snapped or twisted stem breaks
- Roots Broken-tree can be pushed over
- Leaning or bent pine
- Pine Lighting strike
- Branch damage leaving lopsided crown
- Hardwood with >50% crown loss
- Pine with >30% live crown damage or loss
- Large stress crack or twists in main stem
Treatment: Damage is not treatable and
the tree should be removed.
Courtesy of The National Park Service |
Category II Damage
Reference: https://static.colostate.edu/client-files/csfs/pdfs/Storm_Damage_Quick_Guide.pdf
- Hardwood top broken <50% live crown loss
- Hardwood branches with <50% loss
- Pine <30% of branches loss or damage
Treatment: Prune the damage (drop the crotch if needed).
Water the tree as needed and watch for insect damage.
A soil test is recommended ad fertilize the tree the following year according to the results.
Category III Damage
- Hardwood lighting strike
- Twigs and small branches blown off
- Foliage destroyed or stripped
- Mechanical damage to main stem <30% of circumference effected
Treatment:Minimize stress on the tree by watering as needed.
Have a soil test done and fertilize based on results the following year.
Watch for insect damage while the tree is healing.
Reference: https://static.colostate.edu/client-files/csfs/pdfs/Storm_Damage_Quick_Guide.pdf
Additional
Resource Links:
Ask a Certified Arborist: The Georgia
Forestry Commission’s on-line service — “Ask the Arborist”. Complete a
form and a certified arborist will answer questions and evaluate conditions.
Is My Tree Dying? Is a helpful
general publication by the UGA Cooperative Extension Office which discusses
signs of a tree in danger. https://secure.caes.uga.edu/extension/publications/files/pdf/C%201100_3.PDF
Certified Arborist
List by The Georgia Forestry Commissions:
Managing Storm
Damaged Trees Do’s and Dont’s:
Wednesday, February 27, 2019
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