
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, February 24, 1991                   TAG: 9102250398
SECTION: HOMES                    PAGE: E-5   EDITION: METRO  
SOURCE: John Arbogast
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

NOW'S THE TIME TO PRUNE SHADE TREES

Many home landscapes with established shade trees can have a new and improved look if lower limbs are removed from leafy trees in lawn areas. Late winter is still a good time to prune shade trees (non-flowering trees) since there are no leaves obscuring the framework of the branches.

Don't worry about the sap and water that will seep from the pruning openings, especially on maple trees. This is a natural occurence.

Removing lower limbs from most landscape shade trees will open up the overall appearance, allow room for turf or some other ground cover to grow, and allow a better view of the house itself.

Whether the job is done by professional tree workers or by a homeowner with proper equipment, the final cut to remove a side branch should be made just outside the branch collar, the swollen ring of bark and wood that seems to connect the side limb to the trunk. This branch collar contains some natural anti-decay materials that will enable the tree to heal itself following the removal of that limb. The collar may only stick out from the trunk about a half inch and may be angled. Do not cut a side limb back flush with the trunk.

Q: Last fall, we noticed that the branches of our rhododendron appeared sawed off and wood shavings were on the ground. We called the nursery and were told that it was damage due to a borer and that it was nature's way of pruning. However, one of the rhododendrons is so severely pruned that only one branch remains. What can we do to save the many rhododendrons we have? Also, do you have any suggestions for preventing the deer from eating our shrubs and plants. D.M.M., Blacksburg

A: The borer species that can do the type of damage you have experienced is commonly called the rhododendron borer. To prevent further damage from this species, cut out and destroy all dead or dying branches from your rhododendron plantings. Thoroughly wet the bark of all rhododendron trunks and branches with lindane around June 10-June 15 and again July 5-10. Maintain the vigor and health of your rhododendrons by fertilizing this spring and watering once a week during dry times.

Deer can be deterred from trees and shrubs by various methods, which include: nylon or mesh bags of human hair from a barber or beauty shop hung from tree branches and on stakes throughout the plantings to be protected; physical barriers to prevent deer from entering, such as very tall wire fences with a 4-foot width of chicken wire spread flat on the ground on the outside of the fence to hinder jumping, chicken wire rings and electric fences; bars of fragrant bath soap hung throughout the area; commercially prepared deer repellant that may be available through some local stores or through gardening magazines.

by CNB