The “perfect” time to prune a tree is a subject of constant debate, but the truth is that timing is a strategic tool. While a healthy tree is generally resilient enough to handle light maintenance year-round, professional pruning should be a purposeful intervention tailored to the species and your specific goals. Dormant Pruning Late fall […]
Tag: treepruning
Aspen Trunk Rot
What is it? Aspen trunk rot is a wood decaying fungus happens on aspen exclusively. Symptom Damages What to do? Other resource: https://tidcf.nrcan.gc.ca/en/diseases-caused-by-pathogens/factsheet/1000008
Why Tree Topping is Bad?
What is Topping? Tree topping is an aggressive pruning method used to reduce a tree’s size by removing most of the tree crown, often to lateral branches that are not suitable to become the new terminal leader. Why Topping is Bad? Alternatives to Tree Topping Tree Pollarding vs Tree Topping While tree pollarding is a […]
Powdery Mildew
What is it? Powdery Mildew is a fungal disease of trees, shrub and grass. It thrives in shade and humid condition, where spores can be spread by rain and wind in warm and humid weather. Damages What to do? Other resource: https://agriculture.canada.ca/en/agricultural-production/crop-protection/diseases-and-pests-agroforestry/powdery-mildew
Cytospora Canker
What is it? Cytospora canker is caused by the fungus Leucostoma kunzei, which attacks conifers such as Colorado spruce, Norway spruce, Douglas-fir, and white pine. The spores can be spread via birds, insects, rain, and wind. This fungus is often present in healthy branches, but the disease typically begins in stressed trees. Symptoms What to […]
Salt Damage
Road salt, or de-icing salt, is used extensively every winter in Canada. Snow is shoveled and pushed away from roads, parking lots, driveways, and sidewalks, and salt is applied to the surfaces to prevent ice and ensure winter safety for road users. Sometimes, snow debris containing salt is plowed under the base of trees when […]
Animal Damage
The leaves, bark, fruit, and seeds of trees are food sources for many animals, potentially causing damage while they feed. Porcupines, squirrels, deer, and sapsuckers are common examples. What is the damage? What to do?
Woolly Elm Aphids
What is it? Woolly elm aphids is an tiny insects that require two hosts (American elm & Saskatoon) to complete their life cycle. The insects alternate between two hosts and cause damage by sucking sap from them. Symptoms Damages What to do? Other resource: https://agriculture.canada.ca/en/agricultural-production/crop-protection/diseases-and-pests-agroforestry/woolly-elm-aphid
European Elm Scale
What is it? European elm scale (EES) is a small soft scale that attacks elm trees, by sucking sap from branches and leaves. They hatch in late July and start feeding in mid-July, then overwinter on branches and twigs. Symptoms Damages What to do? Other resource: https://www.calgary.ca/parks/pests/elm-scale.html
Birch Leafminer
What is it? Birch leafminers are several species of sawflies that attack all species of birch trees. The larvae feeds between the surfaces of a leaf, causing mostly aesthetic problem to the tree. Symptoms Damages What to do? Other resources: https://tidcf.nrcan.gc.ca/en/insects/factsheet/7765 https://natural-resources.canada.ca/forest-forestry/insects-disturbances/birch-leafminer