Tree injuries
REFERENCE AND RESOURCE WEBSITES – MANAGING TREE INJURIES
https://extension.psu.edu/prevent-moweritis-from-killing-your-young-trees-and-shrubs https://pubs.nmsu.edu/_h/H505/index.html https://cals.arizona.edu/yavapai/anr/hort/byg/archive/sunscald2021.html forestry.usu.edu/files/utah-forest-facts/sunscald-injury-or-southwest-winter-injury-on-deciduous-trees.pdf https://extension.colostate.edu/docs/pubs/garden/02932.pdf http://pubs.cahnrs.wsu.edu/publications/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/publications/fs197e.pdf https://extension.arizona.edu/sites/extension.arizona.edu/files/pubs/az1222.pdf https://extension.umd.edu/resource/phytotoxicity-damage-trees https://extension.psu.edu/phytotoxicity |
Tree Injuries Multiple Causes
ISSUES
Mechanical damage above and/or below ground from yard equipment, vehicles, trimmers, construction activities Sunscald and sunburn of sensitive trunks, typically on the side of the tree most exposed to afternoon sun in hot dry climates Frost and freeze damage to cold-sensitive trees Tree damage from misuse of herbicides, fungicides, insecticides, plant growth regulators (called phytotoxicity) MANAGEMENT strategies for EXISTING TREES Strategies to protect tree trunks from equipment/mechanical damage: Install temporary fencing between trees and construction areas to prevent injury and soil compaction Construct permanent curb-type barriers around trunks to deflect vehicles and yard equipment Remove grass around base of trees and replace with a bed of organic mulch 1 to 2 feet from trunk, keeping mulch 3 to 6 inches from trunk Place plastic or metal trunk guard around trunk to deflect equipment contact and damage—allow for growth of trunk diameter Strategies to protect trees from sunscald and sunburn include: Where natural tree canopy structure shades tender bark, keep the natural shade as long as possible, and especially during early tree life. Install white or light-colored trunk guard/sleeve to protect trees from extreme sun exposure. Guards should be 8+ inches tall, large enough to allow trunk growth, and pressed 2 inches into soil to deflect burrowing rodents Paint tree trunk with specially formatted white wash or tree trunk paint products to deflect intense sunlight. Help protect cold-sensitive trees from frost and freezing by covering, supplemental heating and/or irrigating; avoid pruning cold-damaged tree until spring Use moderation when applying herbicides, fungicides, insecticides, plant growth regulators; follow directions closely; do not apply in high winds or high temperatures; select correct chemicals to meet goals, do not mix products into “chemical cocktails” |