Extension Communications
3614 Administrative Services Building
Ames, Iowa 50011-3614
(515) 294-9915
10/12/98
Contacts: Jeff Iles, Extension Horticulture, (515)
294-0029
Elaine Edwards, Extension Communications Systems, (515)
294-5168
Yard and Garden Column for the Week Beginning Oct. 16.
AUTUMNAL GREETINGS FROM THE PLANT GUY
By Jeff Iles
Extension horticulturist
Iowa State University Extension
Hey, Plant Guy: I just bought an expensive camera (set me back about $500) so I could capture the beauty of fall in Iowa. You know, brightly colored leaves and all of that stuff. Well, here it is October, my camera is loaded and ready for action, but I'm sitting here looking out at a landscape that is about as interesting as reading the telephone book. Most of the leaves on my trees are still green, and those that tried to "color-up" have only managed an uninteresting yellow-brown. Give it to me straight, Plant Guy. Is there still time for fall leaf color to develop or should I start reading about winter photography tips? Still Green in Greene
Dear Green: If you remember, Green, the same thing happened last fall. Fall color, if it appeared at all, developed late. The reason is the weather conditions in September. Yes, the shorter days of autumn set the leaf-coloring process in motion, but hot, sunny days and very warm nights like those that occurred in 1997 and 1998 temporarily delay the breakdown of chlorophyll (the pigment that gives leaves their green color) and the formation or expression of other pigments responsible for yellow, orange and red leaves. There is time, however, for good leaf color to develop this fall, especially if mother nature provides us with warm, sunny days and cool, dry nights. But, if cloudy, wet conditions prevail, or if very low temperatures arrive prematurely, fall colors will be muted or absent all together. As for your winter photography plans, what if we don't get any snow?
Hey, Plant Guy: I'm just beside myself, Plant Guy. Last night as I was doing the evening dishes, I peaked outside and witnessed my neighbor painting the tree trunks with a white paint-like substance. Now Plant Guy, I don't like to meddle, but this kind of behavior is just the thing that can ruin a good neighborhood. But before I bring this up at the next community meeting, I wanted to find out from you if there is any scientific reason someone would treat trees in this manner. I'll be waiting anxiously for your reply. Vigilant in Vinton
Dear Vigilant: Your neighbor probably was treating the tree trunks with diluted latex paint in an effort to prevent a physiologic disorder called sunscald, sometimes called "southwest disease." Sunscald appears as dead bark that eventually sloughs away on the south and southwest sides of trunks of thin-barked trees like ash, maple, linden and crabapple. Theoretically, coating the tree trunks with white paint will reflect light, thereby reducing dramatic temperature fluctuations thought to be responsible for sunscald. In fact, orchardists have employed this technique for decades to protect their trees. However, in a residential landscape, white trunks, to some, might be as inappropriate as wearing white shoes after Labor Day. You should know, Vigilant, trunk wrapping or trunk protection has become a rather controversial topic of late. Some scientists feel painting or wrapping the trunks of trees is simply a waste of time and money and does nothing to prevent sunscald. Others believe trunk wrapping, at least while trees are young, will reduce the incidence of sunscald. Until this debate is settled I have decided to ride the fence on this one. In the case of young, sunscald- susceptible trees, I think using a commercially available trunk wrap (preferably the white fabric wraps) during the winter months only, is potentially beneficial, particularly if the tree in question is on a harsh, exposed site. Of course, trunk wrapping will not negate damage caused by improper pruning, mechanical injury or neglect. Now, there's always the chance your neighbor is oblivious to the facts surrounding this entire discussion and simply likes the look of white tree trunks. If this is the case, it might be time to think about that evergreen screen.
Hey, Plant Guy: I know you're not a lawyer. In fact, my buddies down at the shop and I can't really tell what you do for a living. Just the same, I hope you can help me with a tree problem. Actually the problem is with my neighbor's tree. You see, he planted this silver maple between our two houses on his side of the property line back in 1960, and unfortunately it survived. Don't get me wrong. I like trees and everything, but this baby is huge, completely hollow inside, and thanks to that wind storm last June, is leaning over my house. Now I've politely asked him to take it down. I've even volunteered to remove it for him, but no dice. He tells me it would upset the neighborhood ecosystem. Even you, Plant Guy, can tell I'm dealing with an irrational individual here. I know, I know. I should have cut the tree down back in 1961 but you know what they say about hindsight. Anyway, as I see it I've got three options: (1) I could cut the tree down while he's at work (I think I know which way it would fall), (2) poison it and then he'd have to remove it or (3) take him to court. I'm leaning towards option number one, but won't do anything until I here from you. Running Out of Patience in Runnells
Dear Running: You're right. I am but a lowly plant guy devoid of any legal training. However, let me state this as clearly as I can. Forget options one and two, unless you've always had a hankerin' to live in Fort Madison in a cozy room with bars on your windows, if you know what I mean. If your neighbor won't listen to reason, then your only option is to rely on the courts to settle this dispute. And I think you have a pretty strong case. According to Merullo and Valentine in the book Arboriculture and the Law, the current trend in recent court cases is that the landowner (in this case your neighbor) is responsible for maintaining trees on his property in such a way as to prevent injury to a neighbor's property and person. He also is responsible for inspecting trees on his property to discover possible defective conditions in order to prevent the tree from falling and injuring others. My guess is your neighbor probably will become very reasonable when confronted with these issues. Just one more thing. Leave the tree removal work to a trained arborist. After all, you're no tree guy!
ml: isugarden
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