Essential Craftsman - Tree Limbing & Garden Update
The speaker discusses various landscaping and gardening challenges they are facing and seeks advice from the audience. They recently removed a cottonwood tree and need to plant a visual screen for privacy using thuga emerald green trees. They ask for guidance on planting depth, spacing, and soil amendment, emphasizing the poor soil quality and the need for effective fertilization to protect their $500 investment. Additionally, they have two Gravenstein apple trees with different issues: one is rotting but productive, and the other is old and unproductive. They seek advice on whether to prune or replace these trees.
The speaker also faces challenges with chickweed overrunning their garden, which has affected the growth of red clover, a preferred cover crop. They seek solutions for managing chickweed and improving garden conditions. Furthermore, they plan to replace some raspberry plants with blueberries and request guidance on soil preparation and maintenance for blueberries. Lastly, they express interest in grafting cherry trees onto a stump and seek advice on whether this is a viable option or if they should remove the stump entirely.
Key Points:
- Plant thuga emerald green trees for privacy; seek advice on spacing, depth, and soil amendment.
- Address issues with Gravenstein apple trees: consider pruning or replacing based on productivity.
- Manage chickweed invasion in the garden to support red clover growth.
- Prepare soil for planting blueberries; ensure proper acidity and water supply.
- Consider grafting cherries onto a stump or removing it for better yard management.
Details:
1. 🌳 Summer Tree Work Recap
- The tree work was performed with a borrowed man lift, which facilitated the process, indicating a strategic use of resources to enhance efficiency.
- The activities were overdue by several years, highlighting the importance of regular maintenance to prevent potential safety hazards and ensure the health of the property.
- Tasks included removing brush and a cottonwood tree, focusing on essential clearing to improve safety and aesthetics, which suggests a prioritization of high-impact areas.
2. 🌲 Landscaping and Tree Planting Questions
- An individual aims to replace a visual screen after removing a tree under a power line, focusing on privacy.
- They purchased 20 'Thuga Emerald Green 7g' Arborvitae from Costco for $25 each, intended for privacy screening.
- The plants are for visual privacy only, not soundproofing.
- Important questions include optimal spacing, planting depth, soil amendment, and fertilization.
- The soil quality is poor; plans include building a terrace, using boulders, and applying mulch.
- Guidance is sought on achieving successful planting through specific techniques and materials.
3. 🍏 Gravenstein Trees Dilemma
- An individual has invested $500 in Gravenstein apple trees, highlighting the financial value of the trees.
- One Gravenstein tree has been significantly damaged due to a large chunk being cut off years ago, leading to rot, yet it still produces a good amount of fruit.
- The damaged tree is becoming structurally weak, posing a safety risk, and the individual is considering whether to remove it or let it fall naturally without causing harm.
- Another Gravenstein tree, over 100 years old, produces fewer than 30 apples annually, prompting questions about whether to remove it or find methods to increase its fruit production.
- The individual is not experienced in fruit cultivation but values the trees for their fruit, especially since their spouse makes excellent apple pies.
- The dilemma revolves around balancing sentimental value, safety concerns, and productivity of the trees.
- Consulting with an arborist could provide expert advice on managing the structural integrity of the damaged tree and improving the productivity of the older tree.
- Exploring grafting techniques or soil enrichment could be potential solutions to enhance apple production from the older tree.
4. 🌳 Tree Care and Beaver Issues
4.1. Tree Planting and Maintenance
4.2. Beaver Management and Tree Protection
5. 🌱 Garden Challenges: Chickweed and Clover
- Pruning trees every third year may disrupt their bearing cycle. Consider the timing and frequency of pruning to encourage continuous production by adjusting to the specific needs of each tree species.
- The location of planting, such as an area with residual nutrients from an old tree, can significantly impact the growth rate of new plants. Choose planting sites wisely, taking soil history into account.
- Using mulch and paper can boost plant growth; for instance, trees planted on the site of an old willow showed healthier development.
- Protecting young trees from wildlife, such as beavers, is crucial. Consider installing barriers or using repellents to prevent damage.
- After trench work, planting a mix of shade and sun grass can inadvertently result in weed growth, including chickweed that may overtake desired plants like red clover. Implement regular monitoring and targeted weeding strategies to manage such overgrowth.
- Addressing weed overgrowth requires a multi-faceted approach: incorporate regular weeding, appropriate feeding, strategic seeding, and balanced fertilization to enhance plant health and suppress weeds.
6. 🍇 Raspberry Reduction and Blueberry Plans
- Red clover has been used as a cover crop for five years, with a 60% success rate, but faces a 40% failure rate due to issues like late planting and non-germination.
- Chickweed is a dominant weed, overrunning the garden and hampering red clover growth, despite chickens' consumption of the weed.
- Mowing has revealed some surviving red clover, indicating potential for recovery in less affected areas.
- Traditional methods such as plow planting and paper mulching could offer temporary weed management solutions.
- The goal is to achieve knee-high red clover by mid-May, but this is unlikely to be met this year due to current challenges.
- The raspberry patch has been reduced due to excessive production, creating space for blueberry planting.
- Plans for replacing raspberry plants with blueberries include managing soil conditions for optimal growth, focusing on acidity and moisture.
- The transition to blueberries aims to address soil management and production issues, ensuring sustainable growth.
7. 🌿 Grafting Interest and Tree Management
- Explore the benefits of grafting Bing or Rainier cherries into an existing stump to utilize the root system's vitality, potentially creating a robust and unconventional tree.
- Consider potential downsides such as resulting in an awkward tree structure or the decision to remove the stump entirely for planting a more suitable tree or repurposing the area.
- Strategically avoid planting trees too close to your house to mitigate future maintenance issues, as trees grow faster than anticipated, potentially becoming problematic.