How feasible is a living Christmas tree in Iowa?
A living Christmas tree has great appeal. After a short stay indoors during the holiday season, the living tree is moved outdoors and planted in the landscape. In areas of the United States with a mild winter climate, living Christmas trees are a viable option. In colder regions of the country, such as Iowa, planting an evergreen in mid-winter is challenging because of our harsh winter weather.
In the Midwest, good site preparation and care of the live tree can dramatically improve its chances for survival. Small, evergreens that are balled and wrapped in burlap or container-grown evergreens are the best choices for live Christmas trees. Small trees are less expensive, easier to handle and are more likely to survive. Prepare the planting site for the tree before the ground freezes in the fall. Dig the hole, store the soil in a warm place, and then fill the hole with straw and cover with a tarp to keep the soil from freezing.
Once purchased, store the tree in a sheltered, cool location, such as a garage, shed or porch. Make sure the soil ball is kept moist but does not freeze. The maximum stay indoors for an evergreen should be six or seven days. Indoors, place the tree in a cool location and keep the soil ball moist. Shortly after Christmas, remove the tree from the house and place it in a cool, protected location for several days. (Don't place the tree directly outdoors. A sudden, large drop in temperature could injure the tree.) Wait for a period of mild winter weather before planting the tree outdoors. Water the tree thoroughly after planting and apply 3 to 4 inches of wood chips or shredded bark over the planting area.
How often should houseplants be watered during the winter months?
In general, houseplants require less frequent watering during the winter months than in spring and summer. Watering frequency depends upon the plant species, composition of the potting mix, environmental conditions (temperature, light and humidity) and other factors. When watering houseplants, water them thoroughly. Some water should flow through the potting soil and out the bottoms of the pots. Discard any excess water.
When is the best time to prune oak trees?
Winter (December through February) is the best time to prune oak trees in Iowa. Pruning oak trees in winter greatly reduces the risk of an oak wilt infection.
Oak wilt is a fungal disease that is lethal to many oaks. It can be spread from infected trees to healthy trees by sap-feeding beetles (“picnic bugs”). Oak wilt infections occur most commonly in spring and early summer.
The sap-feeding beetles are very active in spring and early summer. During this same time, oak wilt infected trees are producing masses of spore-producing fungal material (spore mats). These mats release a fruity odor that attracts sap-feeding beetles and other insects. As the beetles feed on the spore mats, spores often accumulate on the surface of their bodies.
Sap that forms at the surface of pruning cuts made in spring or early summer may attract sap-feeding beetles that may have been previously feeding on an oak wilt infected tree. As the beetles feed on the sap of the pruning cut, fungal spores get into the fresh wound, infecting the tree. Pruning oak trees in winter greatly reduces the risk of an oak wilt infection as the beetles and fungal mats are not present at that time of year.
If an oak tree must be pruned in spring, summer or fall (such as after a storm), apply latex paint to the pruning cuts to avoid attracting sap-feeding beetles to the wounds.
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