I can’t help but starting with concerns about recent weather patterns and most important…… Water, or lack of adequate rainfall. The heavy rains we had in the beginning of June were certainly welcome but few realize that even though we had 4 to 5 inches of rainfall in a short period, that was still too little too late. We had more rain in the first week of June than we had in April and May combined and that is a real problem for all trees and shrubs. Just 1/4 inch of rain fell in the entire month of May.

When our planting crews were digging within days after the big rains the ground was completely dry just 4 to 5 inches below the surface. When it doesn’t rain for a long periods of time soil can become hydrophobic, this means that even when water is applied it will roll over the surface and not soak into the ground where tree roots can absorb and conduct.

I am truly amazed at how oblivious most people are to the moisture requirements of trees and shrubs. Irrigation companies were late to activate automatic irrigation systems this year and I almost never see people hand watering with a hose.

Beware, we are in the beginning stages of a serious drought. Please, please, please get some water going on your valued trees and shrubs. Slow, deep watering is always better than fast and hard watering that runs off into the drains quickly. If you have new plants that were installed in the past 1  to 2 years they will require additional watering because their root systems are not fully developed. Very important to water plants this spring and summer that were installed last year.

With drought stressed plants comes opportunistic insects, particularly mites. If this dry pattern continues we will see an explosion of mites and other sucking insects that will mine much needed chlorophyll from leaves. Winter Moth, Canker Worm and Gypsy Moth Caterpillars have caused serious defoliation in many areas this spring. Every indication is that these and many other insects will be with us for years to come.

Trees and shrubs will require a little extra attention. Always consult a professional arborist and develop a maintenance strategy to protect your valued landscape.

Matt Foti

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, 781.861.0505,
E-mail: mrftree@aol.com

The infestation of Winter Moths this fall could become a serious problem in the Spring. Winter moths were introduced to New England from northern Europe and continue to cause serious defoliation of many of our deciduous trees. Adult moths fly high into the branches of trees at this time of the year to lay eggs that will hatch tiny caterpillars next spring. Winter moth continues to be a serious problem because there is no natural predator to keep it in check. If you noticed moths flying around your home during the fall months you should consider contacting an arborist to develop some type of control strategy for the spring. There are several environmentally safe spray options that are most effective when applied early in the lifecycle of the caterpillars.

My best advice in dealing with what nature has in store for us is to be prepared for the worst and if anything less happens you will not be disappointed. After what we have experienced during the past year I think most will agree that global warming is probably not a conspiracy theory. Hurricane Sandy is fresh on everyone’s mind but just think about what we’ve been through in the past 12 months. Snow in October 2011, record warm winter 2011 – 2012, record heat during the summer with severe drought conditions for most of the country. I believe that hurricane Sandy was the largest storm in recorded history. It’s not what might happen, it’s what is happening here and now!

Hazard tree evaluation is probably the hottest topic to date in the field of arboriculture. The truth is that trees can fail under extreme conditions and when they do they can cause power outages, property damage and personal injury. The good news is that many disastrous situations involving trees can be avoided with proper evaluations and care by trained arborists. If we cut down every tree within 100 feet of our homes because we were afraid of them we would have a sad existence. Of course such drastic measures should not be necessary when more people understand the value of inspecting trees in close proximity to our homes and power lines.

Backup generators are also an excellent idea if you don’t have one already. It is your responsibility to keep the wires from the telephone pole to your house clear of tree branches but trees can take down the main wires that run parallel to the street and when this happens there is nothing you can do but wait until utility crews repair them. Having a generator at your home can make your wait time much more pleasant.

Call a licensed electrician for advice about a generator that will work best for you and always consider a Massachusetts or International certified arborist trained to provide hazard tree evaluations.

Foti Landscape and Tree Service

30 Fairbanks Road,

Lexington, Ma 02421, Ph: 781.861.0505,

E-mail:  mrftree@aol.com