August ’22 Tree News
I t’s the middle of August, and I feel just as happy as everyone I talk to that the extended period of heat and humidity has finally given way to very pleasant days and cooler nights. Let’s hope that it stays this way for a while.
I remember being very concerned about the dry conditions we had in May, and my fears about drought conditions this summer have become a reality. We haven’t had substantial rainfall since early May, and we are experiencing one of the worst drought years on record. I see drought-stressed trees dropping leaves every day now in my travels, and many trees that are holding leaves look like they are shutting down. Lexington residents are fortunate to have a voluntary water ban now but most of the surrounding towns have very strict water bans where private residents are being monitored daily.
My best advice right now is water, water, water, but do it slowly so the water has a chance to soak in. When the soil becomes this dry, it becomes hydrophobic and will repel water unless it is applied slowly. Mulch will also help the soil retain moisture.
I am very alarmed as well about a new tree disease discovered in just the past two years that is afflicting both the native American Beech and introduced European Beech trees in New England, know as Beech Leaf Disease (BLD). Not a lot is known about BLD other than it is fatal and possibly spread by nematodes that get into the buds in the fall and the symptoms of curling leaves appear on the new growth in the spring.
Yesterday, I drove into the neighborhoods of Lexington that include Hastings Rd, Childs Rd, Diana Lane, and Hill Street down Cedar St onto Constitution Ave, where I know there is a large area of naturally occurring American Beech trees. Every tree is showing symptoms of BLD. These neighborhoods that I’ve known for so many years looked completely different to me, with the sun shining through the thinning crowns of so many trees. I am left with a sad impression of what our urban canopy will look like in the next three to five years without Beech trees.
I confer with many local arborists about the daily challenges we are faced with, and I have been speaking with Jonathan Bransfield, who owns Bransfield Tree Care out of Lincoln, MA. Jonathan has been experimenting with a bioagent that he has been spraying on Beeches that is showing promising efficacy against BLD. You can call Jonathan at 781-237-2446, and he will be happy to answer questions or help if you have Beech trees on your property.
As you may already know, there’s concern that every Ash tree will be gone in the next three to five years due to the Emerald Ash Borer. Now, the entire Beech population is in jeopardy, along with tree mortality caused by severe drought conditions. We can help by maintaining trees that are within our control, and that can start with something as simple as water.
The town of Lexington has been planting close to 150 trees per year, and most of them have been placed outside of the road setback area and in your front yard. Whether or not these young trees are in your front yard or along the roadside, please water them and think about adding trees on your property where others have been lost.
Matthew R. Foti is the owner of Foti Landscape and Tree Service. Matt is a 1977 graduate of the University of Massachusetts
at Amherst and holds degrees in social science and general business. Matt became a Massachusetts Certified Arborist in 1979 and served as president of the Massachusetts Arborists Association from 1993 to 1995. Matt currently employs six Massachusetts Certified Arborists.
Foti Landscape and Tree Service 30 Fairbanks Rd.
Lexington, Ma 02421, Ph: 781.861.0505,
E-mail: mrftree@aol.com