I live on approximately 1.75 acres of land and I have approximately 50 varieties of trees, with only two or three of spruces and pines being alike. The other 45 or so deciduous trees have no sisters nor brothers, just cousins… if ya know what I mean. Nearly all of the trees that I have have been planted from nursery stock in the past 13 years. So I'd surmise that not many of them are over 20 years in age.
My most immediate concern is a Tri-Color Beech that had sustained some winter damage to its trunk over a two or three year period. Halfway around its 6" diameter trunk was/is exposed to the elements. To my dismay, last year I discovered it had become infested with a family of borers. After ridding them with Lindane last fall, I wrapped its trunk last winter and painted the protective paper barrier white. I've kept close tabs with this particular tree all summer long and it appears that it has begun its slow healing period.
My question is this;
After reading some of the pros and cons - considering the fertilization of trees, possibly causing them more long-term harm than good, what can anyone tell me about the plusses and minuses of treating my tree(s) with Mycorrhiza. I know virtually nothing about this product and/or concept. Is this treatment something that I seriously need to consider, being it goes without saying that keeping a tree free from undue stress is the first line of defense in keeping them nearly disease and pest free. If treating my trees with a dose or two of Mycorrhiza is the way to go, can a landowner such as I economically perform this service to the number of trees that I have - without having to pay out hundreds and hundreds of dollars. Where would be a good source of this product? Do I need special tools to apply it? Timing… what time of the year is the optimum? Is there a good source of information of this treatment… in elementary "layman's" terms of course!
I realize that I've fired off quite a few questions there. Any and all help would be so much appreciate… 'Cos kinky as this might come across, even though I've been guilty of negligence at times, these trees are my "pets" ya know!
Thanks! mb
My most immediate concern is a Tri-Color Beech that had sustained some winter damage to its trunk over a two or three year period. Halfway around its 6" diameter trunk was/is exposed to the elements. To my dismay, last year I discovered it had become infested with a family of borers. After ridding them with Lindane last fall, I wrapped its trunk last winter and painted the protective paper barrier white. I've kept close tabs with this particular tree all summer long and it appears that it has begun its slow healing period.
My question is this;
After reading some of the pros and cons - considering the fertilization of trees, possibly causing them more long-term harm than good, what can anyone tell me about the plusses and minuses of treating my tree(s) with Mycorrhiza. I know virtually nothing about this product and/or concept. Is this treatment something that I seriously need to consider, being it goes without saying that keeping a tree free from undue stress is the first line of defense in keeping them nearly disease and pest free. If treating my trees with a dose or two of Mycorrhiza is the way to go, can a landowner such as I economically perform this service to the number of trees that I have - without having to pay out hundreds and hundreds of dollars. Where would be a good source of this product? Do I need special tools to apply it? Timing… what time of the year is the optimum? Is there a good source of information of this treatment… in elementary "layman's" terms of course!
I realize that I've fired off quite a few questions there. Any and all help would be so much appreciate… 'Cos kinky as this might come across, even though I've been guilty of negligence at times, these trees are my "pets" ya know!
Thanks! mb