Spring 2025 – Tree News
Weather patterns directly influence the health and well-being of our managed landscapes. Four of the past five years have brought severe drought conditions. These droughts weaken plants, making them more susceptible to insect infestations and disease.
The winter of 2023 into the spring of 2024 was the wettest in recorded history, but it was followed by a severe drought in the summer of 2024.
While we did receive some rainfall in the fall, it wasn’t enough to adequately hydrate evergreens before what turned out to be an exceptionally cold, old-fashioned winter.
Although we had some snow, it was insufficient to insulate the ground before it froze—reaching depths of 12 to 16 inches.
As a result, I’ve been fielding dozens of calls about winter-burned Rhododendrons and other broadleaf evergreens that couldn’t withstand the dry conditions prior to the hard frost. In some cases, severely burned or desiccated evergreens can be cut back hard to encourage a new flush of growth. This type of pruning should be done by mid-June at the latest.
Last year brought an incredible display of blue flowers on Nikko Blue hydrangeas and other Hydrangea macrophylla varieties, thanks to a mild winter. However, I suspect we won’t see many blue blossoms this summer, as these varieties bloom on last year’s wood—which was likely damaged by the same harsh frost that burned many broadleaf evergreens.
There’s never a dull moment here in New England. The odds are that we’ll continue facing extreme weather: heat, cold, and often excessively dry conditions.
Managing irrigation systems is crucial in our built landscapes. I see many issues stemming from both over watering and under watering. Moisture meters are inexpensive, easy to use, and a great tool for checking soil moisture levels. As a general rule, if we go more than two weeks with intense heat and no rain, consider supplemental watering.
Mulch is another key element. It not only suppresses weeds but also helps retain moisture. However, too much mulch can have the opposite effect—preventing moisture from reaching roots and suffocating them by limiting oxygen access.
We’re always here to help with any questions you may have. Our nursery is now fully stocked with fresh plant material—from flowering trees and shrubs to evergreens for privacy screens, and shade trees that act as natural air conditioners.
Good planning is essential, especially when choosing plants that are both drought-tolerant and cold-hardy.
Matthew R. Foti Landscape Design & Construction is a full-service landscape design and construction firm. Established in 1977, Foti has maintained a year-long commitment to high-quality workmanship and personalized customer service. As a long-time educator of aspiring Arborists and Horticulturalists, Matt’s small construction crew employs the most up-to-date planting and transplanting methods to ensure your landscape’s health and longevity. Our continued education in a constantly changing industry, combined with state-of-the-art equipment, has made Foti one of the leaders in the field. Contact Matt at 781-862-1010.