blooming flowers climber in tree to prune beneficial mushrooms close up of lady bug on leaf japanese maple being pruned
Current Issue - Spring/Summer 2013

Show Back Issues
Fall 2012
Spring 2012
Fall 2011
Spring 2011
Fall 2010
Summer 2010
Spring 2010
Fall 2009
Spring 2009
Fall 2008
Summer 2008
Spring 2008
Spring 2007
Fall 2006
Spring 2006
Fall 2005
Summer 2005
Spring 2005
Fall 2004
Summer 2004
Spring 2004
Fall 2003
Spring 2003

The Arbor Advisor
SUMMER 2010
> Rhododendron and Azalea Care
> Winter Injury to Plants
> Sustainable Sites Project
> Poison Oak
> Top 12 Small Native NW Trees, Part 2

Sustainable Sites Project

A recently installed tank fuels our fleet with bio-diesel. Our “Arbor Car” sales vehicles run on bio-diesel and get 40 mpg. A recently installed tank fuels our fleet with bio-diesel. Our “Arbor Car” sales vehicles run on bio-diesel and get 40 mpg.

Collier Arbor Care has been chosen to participate in an international pilot program testing the nation’s rating system for green landscape design, construction and maintenance.

Collier’s site on SE Jennifer Street, completed in 2002, is one of 175 pilot projects from 34 states, Canada, Iceland and Spain participating in the program designed to evaluate the new national uniform Sustainable Sites Initiative (SITES) rating system for sustainable landscapes.

Collier’s initial site development, which abuts Carli Creek, included replanting and creation of a conservation corridor along the creek and installation of bio-swales to collect run-off water from parking lots and the two buildings on the property.

Under the pilot program the firm will retrofit the property’s irrigation system, re-develop the bio-swales into a rain garden and replant the conservation easement.

The firm also will use 100 percent organic products for weed and pest control and for plant maintenance and soil health.

“We’re using composted mulch, compost tea and organic fertilizer for plant maintenance and soil health,” said Collier President Terrill Collier.

Although not part of the SITES project, Collier Arbor Care also is in the process of installing solar panels.

Ultimately, Collier hopes to obtain LEED certification for the site.

Under the pilot project, Collier will be reducing landscape irrigation by 70 percent and replanting the conservation corridor with native shrubs to make it a mini-arboretum.

“When we’re finished, we’ll have 40 species of trees and that’s not bad for an industrial site said Collier.

Poison Oak

Poison oak Photo: Gary A. Monroe @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database

If you work outdoors in the Northwest you have probably encountered the effects of the skin rash of poison oak (Toxicodendron diversilobum). Poison-oak occurs only on the Pacific Coast (poison ivy in the East), where it is common, and ranges from Canada to California. In the open it forms a dense shrub. In shade, it is a climbing vine often associated with Douglas fir or oak. Its leaves are divided into 3 leaflets with lobed edges. Remember the old adage: “Leaves of three let it be”. The leaves are bronze colored in the spring, turning green with a slight glossy look. In the fall, they turn a bright red and then drop.

Poison-oak leaves and twigs have a surface resin, urushiol, which causes a severe allergic reaction, itching, rash and blistering in most people. Some people show immunity but most will become sensitized over time with exposure. Avoidance is the best protection from getting the rash. Never burn poison oak, the smoke is also toxic. If working in areas that might contain poison oak, wear gloves, a long-sleeved shirt and pants. There are protective creams for prevention and also a special cleansing soap under the Tecnu label to wash off the toxic resins when exposed. Ordinary soap does not work and may cause it to spread.

 

Rhododendrons in bloom, with root weevil damage and with signs of chlorisis
(Top) Rhododendrons add spectacular color and thrive in the northwest climate (Middle) Root weevil larvae damage (Bottom) Signs of chlorisis

Rhododendron and Azalea Care

The spectacular spring flowers of rhododendrons and azaleas make them among the most popular garden shrubs in the northwest. However, azaleas and rhododendrons are shrubs for all seasons as the leaves add a pleasing, deep-green color to the garden. Some deciduous azaleas add bright fall color before the leaves drop. With over several thousand species and named varieties, there is a dizzying array of sizes, shapes, and flower color to fit your taste. Several species of rhododendrons grow here natively so they flourish in our climate, and are very reliable performers in the landscape.

Rhododendron and Azalea Differences

All azaleas and rhododendrons are classed in the genus Rhododendron. Azaleas generally are smaller plants, have smaller flowers with five stamens (male flower parts that produce pollen), bloom a bit earlier, and have much smaller leaves that may be deciduous or evergreen. Rhododendrons usually are bigger plants, have larger flowers (10 stamens), bloom later, and have large leaves that persist during the winter.

Location

Rhododendrons and azaleas grow natively on forest floors, in shaded habitats, with acidic soils rich in organic matter and a mulch layer of leaf litter. Matching these conditions is the key to their good health in the landscape. Locate plants in areas with good soil drainage, acid pH and partial shade that are sheltered from direct afternoon sun and winter winds. Generally rhododendrons and azaleas that are smaller growing, with smaller leaves and red varieties can tolerate full sun. Very deep shade may cause poor growth and failure to bloom.

Selection

Size is the first consideration. Rhododendrons range from ground hugging varieties reaching about a foot tall, to larger hybrids which can reach tree like (10’) proportions. Flower colors vary from white to yellow into the red and purple tones. Some deciduous azaleas are available in pastel shades ranging from cream, through pink to yellow and orange. Bloom time varies from March thru June.

Care

  • Planting. Plant in well drained acidic soil with plenty of organic matter. Do not plant deep! Plant with the trunk flare above grade.
  • Mulch. Use organic mulch 1-2-inches thick under the plant.
  • Fertilizer. Apply an organic fertilizer with iron at moderate rates, two times per year in spring then summer. Don’t over-fertilize, excess nitrogen will cause excessive growth and few blooms.
  • Watering. Rhododendrons are not very drought tolerant. Keep soil moist but allow to dry out between watering. Over watering will cause root rots and kill plants.
  • Pruning. Best time to prune is right after bloom, allowing flower buds to set for next year. Thin thick plants for shape and air circulation, prune back leggy or errant branches. Large rhododendrons may out grow their space and require regular pruning for size containment or replanting with a shorter variety.
  • Dead Heading. This is the removal of the dead flower parts for appearance purposes and also puts more energy into growth instead of seeds. If you don’t have time for this don’t worry, your plants will still do fine.

Problems

Although rhododendrons and azaleas thrive in our soils and climate there are several serious problems. Visit the Fact Sheets area of the web site for more information and controls for these problems or schedule a visit with one of our certified arborists.
  • Root Weevil. Adult weevils feed on leaves producing notching in the leaf margin and can be quite damaging. Most of the damage comes from weevil larvae feeding on the roots. Often small and newly planted rhododendrons will die.
  • Bark scale. Small white sucking insects that are found on the bark. Sticky honeydew and black stems are symptoms. Severe infestations can kill plants.
  • Lace bug. Small sucking insects with lacey wings leave black spots from feeding on the underside of leaves. Leaves turn yellow and have a mottled appearance.
  • Root rot. Phytophthora root rot is a common problem in heavy clay soils, areas of poor drainage and over watering occurs. This disease will cause a general decline, branch dieback then death.
  • Chlorosis. This condition is characterized by dark green veins and yellow areas in between. Mainly caused by high ph and lack of iron. But root damaged plants from root rots or transplanting can also show chlorosis.

Varieties

There are thousands of rhododendrons and azaleas you can choose, but here are some selected varieties that do well in our climate:
  • PJM: small rounded leaves, medium size, lavender flowers root weevil resistant. Cold hardy and sun tolerant.
  • Loderi Venus: large pink flowers, fragrant, large size, large leaves, plant in shade.
  • The Honorable Jean Marie de Montague: love the name, bright red flowers, thick heavy foliage, sun tolerant, large size.
  • Unique: bright pink buds that open to a cream color. Heavy bloomer.
  • R. impeditum: dwarf plant, small leaves, purple flowers, good for rock gardens.
  • Kurume Hybrid Azaleas Hino-Crimson: evergreen crimson flowers on a small plant.
  • Exbury hybrid azaleas: deciduous, pastel yellow and orange flowers.

* top »


Winter Injury to Plants

A winter-injured Viburnum
A winter-injured Viburnum

Many commonly planted ornamentals have suffered from cold winter injury when our temperatures went down into the teens this last winter. We have found injury and plant death from cold temperatures to the following plants: Escallonia, Hebe, Viburnum, Jasmine and Daphne, to name a few. These are all introduced ornamental plants that are genetically not cold hardy in our climate during our coldest winters. Our native shrubs are adapted to our cold weather and were not affected.

Stems of tender plants can freeze then split. This prevents transportation of food and water up and down the stem and the whole plant dies. Flower buds can die outright from the cold. Leaf tissue can freeze or burn, turn brown and die outright.

How to Tell Whether a Tree or Branch is Alive

Before pruning a damaged-looking plant to almost nothing or removing it, check to see whether it is still alive. Scrape the bark away with a fingernail or knife. Live branches are bright green or white just beneath the bark. Dead branches are brown and may be soggy. Check the tree or shrub in several places: at the twigs, down the branches, and at the crown or soil line. If it is dead all the way down to the lower stem, remove it.

What to Do for Winter-injured Plants

  • Prune out dead wood back to live, green, healthy wood. Prune to a bud, stem, or trunk. Prune out only dead and severely damaged wood. Do not prune live wood. Do not leave stubs.
  • Use compost tea and organic fertilizer in the Collier soil health program to help speed recovery and reduce stress of damaged plants.
  • Mulch with a loose organic mulch to maintain soil moisture and to protect from temperature extremes.
  • The best thing you can do for your injured tree or shrub is to avoid further stress during the coming season by giving it special attention and care.

* top »

Top 12 Small Native Trees For Western Oregon and Washington

Weeping Alaska Cedar
Weeping Alaska Cedar

Continued from last issue: Spring 2010.

Bitter Cherry (Prunus emarginata) 20 to 30’ tall, 15-20’ spread
White flowers in the spring often visited by bees. Small red cherries develop not edible for humans but tasty for birds. Bark is gray to reddish with horizontal banding. Grow in full to part sun.

Cascara (Rhamnus purshiana) 15-30’ tall, 10-25’ spread
Cascara prefers a shady, moist condition, The small black berries, not especially tasty for humans, are attractive to raccoons and a variety of birds. The bark was used medicinally by Northwest natives and continues to be harvested for its laxative properties.

Alaska Cedar (Chamaecyparis nootkatensis var. ’pendula’) 20-30’ tall, 5-10’ spread
Has a weeping growth habit. ‘Pendula’ variety does not get as large as the species form. It has scaly reddish cedar bark. Very handsome distinctive tree.

Shore Pine (Pinus contorta var. contorta)) 20-30’ tall, 20-30’ spread
Our native coast pine related to the lodge pole pine. 2 needles in a bundle. It is densely foliated, generally pyramidal in shape but can grow somewhat irregular into interesting shapes. Takes training and bonsai well.

Pacific Yew (Taxus brevifolia)) 20-40’ tall, 10-30’ spread
The Pacific Yew is a small understory tree. It has an irregular shape, small flat dark green needles on pendulous branches. Fleshly red fruit is attractive to birds. Wood is used for bows. Bark contains Taxol, a cancer fighting compound.

Mountain Hemlock (Tsuga mertensiana)) 20-30’ tall, 10-15’ spread
Native to western mountains but slow growing in valley gardens. Needles are short, blue-green with a silvery cast. Needles grow around a branch giving a plump appearance.

* top »