Links & Tips

Links:

RIGHT PLANT GUY TIPS:

My Special Blended Fertilizer

  • Less environmental Impact
  • Lower potential for leaching
  • Reduces applications for money savings
  • Healthier Palms, Trees and Ornamentals
  • Minimized growth flushes
  • Properly balanced fertilizers
  • Control release Macro nutrients including Boron.
  • Less susceptible to insect and disease pests
  • Long lasting

Sit back, relax and BE PATIENT!

If your palms displays Micronutrient deficiencies it may not show recovery signs until new leaves affected by the treatment emerge from the bud (Apical Meristem) 4-6 months later. If your palms displays Macronutrient deficiencies (N excluded) this will require the entire replacement of the canopy, a process that can take several years.

All of our customized Fertilizer Blends are designed to promote healthier Palms, Trees and Ornamentals, are slow release, have very low leaching potential to have less impact on the environment.

REMEMBER………….NEVER CUT OFF GREEN FRONDS OFF OF YOUR PALM TREES and WATER YOUR TREES DURING EXTENTED DROUGHT PERIODS!!!!!!!!!!!

All fertilizer applications comply with the County Landscape Ordinance. All fertilizer applications will also include a visual on the ground evaluation of your Treated Palm, Trees and Ornamentals. You will receive by email a notification of when your fertilizer application was completed as well as notification of any Plant Health issues noted during the Fertilization Application.

A SHORT COURSE IN PINE BEETLES

Pine beetles inhabit dying Slash Pine, a Native Pine Tree in our area. Please note, I said” inhabit dying Slash Pine” as the Pine Beetles are not responsible for initially killing the tree.

STRESS IS WHAT IS KILLING YOUR TREE! Was there recent construction? Did you add or remove soil near the tree? Was there a grade or site level change? Were there any root disturbances or mower damage to the trunk? Have you been in an extended drought? Were herbicides applied under the canopy? Are there any signs of disease? Are you over watering or has there been recent natural occurrences such as, flooding, high winds or lightning? Any of these conditions can invite Ips beetle infestations to your Slash Pines.

According to Caldwell (2018), Bark Beetle, Ips calligraphus, is more than likely the beetle infesting your STRESSED pines. Adult beetles are small, about 3/16-inch-long and are dark brown to black in color. The Black Turpentine Beetle, Dendroctonus terebrans, is a little larger and may also be present at the base and root flares of Pine Trees. The Black Turpentine Beetle can attack healthy Slash Pines and an insecticidal spray may be warranted. Both beetles have several generations per year.

The Canopy of Pine Trees naturally change color throughout their life time. When your trees are infested with Bark Beetles the canopy color changes rapidly from green to yellow to red to brown. The beetles leave 1/16” to 1/8” round holes in the outer bark. When the beetles are active they leave small, reddish-orange or white masses of resin sometimes called pitch. Sawdust called frass might also be seen in cracks and crevices or at the base of the tree.

The beetle larvae create tunnels called galleries under the bark which inhibit the flow of the phloem, essentially girdling the tree, cutting off nutrient flow to the roots. In addition, the adults transmit a blue stain fungus into the tree. This fungus eventually plugs the xylem, cutting off the water flow and the tree dies.

IN REVIEW

  • Ips beetles don’t usually bother healthy Pine trees, rather they search for sickly STRESSED pines.
  • If your Slash Pine tree is harboring bark beetles, your tree is dying.
  • The tree death is not caused the Ips beetles, they are only speeding up the process.
  • Pesticide applications for the Ips beetle will not prevent the tree from dying. There is no curative treatment for recovery.
  • The application of an approved insecticide may be warranted on high-valued STRESSED landscape Pine Trees as a preventive for the Black Turpentine Beetle.
  • Frequent inspecting/scouting, looking for color changes in the canopy, small round holes in the outer bark, reddish-orange colored masses of resin, white pitch, or frass.
  • Reduce STRESS conditions when possible such as avoiding soil compaction over roots, avoiding trunk wounds and providing supplemental deep watering during extended drought periods
  • If you have already lost a tree, try to determine what is STRESSING your trees.
  • Removal of declining trees is highly recommended.
  • Contact an ISA Certified Arborist if you are concerned about the health of your Pine trees.

WANT MORE INFORMATION ABOUT BARK BEETLES:
https://www.freshfromflorida.com/Divisions-Offices/Florida-Forest-Service/Our-Forests/Forest-Health/Forest-Insects/Pine-Bark-Beetles

Caldwell, Doug, 2018,  Horticulture, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS Extension Pines Beetles Inhabit Dying Slash Pines, but are not Primary Cause.   http://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/collierco/2018/02/10/pines-beetles/ (May 10, 2018)

Services Offered:

  • Plant Health Care Evaluations
  • Fertilization
  • Diagnostics
  • Specialized Palm Care
  • Integrated Pest Management / Pest Control
  • OTC Injections
  • Tree Risk Assessments
  • Tree Protection
  • Training and Education
  • Whitefly Management
  • Palm Weevil Control
  • Pine Beetle Management

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Terry Lipman, Agronomist
ISA Certified Arborist FL 5982A
Sarasota, FL
(941) 504-4386

Email: [email protected]