Tree Service Blog

March Calendar – From OSU, Corvallis Oregon.
These are a few of the recommendations OSU advises for landscapes in Western Oregon:
NOTE: Oregon State University Extension Service encourages sustainable gardening practices, which True Care Inc. prescribes to. Preventative pest management is emphasized over reactive pest control. Identify and monitor problems before acting, and opt for the least toxic approach that will remedy the problem. This is part of the IPM (Integrated Pest Management) practice that is the basis of True Care Inc.’s philosophy

 Prune gooseberries and currants; fertilize with manure or a complete fertilizer.
 Fertilize evergreen shrubs and trees, only if needed. If established and healthy, their nutrient needs should be minimal.
 If needed, fertilize rhododendrons, camellias, azaleas with acid-type fertilizer. If established and healthy, their nutrient needs should be minimal.
 Prune spring-flowering shrubs after blossoms fade.
 Plant berry crops (strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, currants, gooseberries, and other berry-producing crop plants). See OSU Extension publications for varieties.
 Monitor landscape plants for problems. Don’t treat unless a problem is identified.
 Spray trees and shrubs for webworms and leaf rollers, if present.
 Protect new plant growth from slugs. Least toxic management options include barriers and traps. Baits are also available for slug control; iron phosphate baits are safe to use around pets. Read and follow all label directions prior to using baits or any other chemical control.
 Learn to identify the predatory insects that can help keep aphids and other pests under control.
 Spray to control leaf and twig fungus diseases in dogwood, sycamore, hawthorn, and willow trees.
 Prune ornamentals for air circulation and to help prevent fungus diseases.
 Start rose blackspot control tactics at budbreak. Control rose diseases such as black spot. Remove infected leaves. Spray as necessary with registered fungicide.