Do We Believe The Groundhog??

To Trust or Not Trust the Ground Hog:

Even if Spring is 'early' this year, we seem to have a zinger
of a storm near the end of March or early April every year.
Enough to shrivel all of the new growth on roses.
"Cautiously optimistic" advice -  Think happy spring thoughts
and look at pictures.  Order catalogs, but don't dig up soil.
You should, however, prune fruit trees: apples, pears, crabapples
now.  Also dogwoods and maples - cooler weather retards sap run.  www.Almstead.com

SAVE A TREE
This lovely tree is
Prunus Okame. The
first cherry to bloom in spring - late March sometimes.
If you look past the incredible bloom, down to the
trunk, and where it enters the soil, you will see a problem.
Unlike cartoon pictures of trees that go straight in to the
ground like sticks,  real trees have a flare of root- sort of like
feet - that hold them to the soil, and provide oxygen for the
tree.  This tree is buried in mulch.

You will see this problem all over, in all sorts of landscapes.
Because the trees don't die immediately, it doesn't get corrected.
For a long life, remove this heavy blanket of mulch until the
flare of root is visible. Sometimes it is too deep to clear at
one time.  If there are considerable small roots already growing,
remove as much as 4" of mulch, out to a ring 3 feet from the trunk.
Next year, more can be taken off.

Three important things to know about your trees:

1.  They need 1" of water per week: especially our lovely dogwood.
Supplement in dry times -  1" of water takes about 2 hours with
a sprinkler and city water.  Don't spray them with the hose - doesnt
help.
2.  They provide you with massive oxygen and shade benefits:
especially when planted on the South side of your home . Statistics
also indicate that there is 25 percent less crime in areas with street trees.
3.  Only Feed (fertilize) them in November, and April in the Northeast.
Check with your Co-operative Extension service in other areas - listed
in the blue pages of government phone listings - One place your tax
dollars get you good information.

If you purchase trees mail order, know they will be small and need soaking
3 times a week for the first 3 months -www.waysidegardens.com
Wayside gardens has unusual trees.
For larger trees, contact your local nursery. They will often be
able to plant it for you, and guarantee it for a period of time.
These people are often a great source of information.

Beautiful little tree for Spring bloom:  Cercis chinensis 'Avondale'
www.olivernurseries.com