Milford chronicle., 1961-04-21
TREE TALK


Whether you buy a new home
or an older one, shade trees are
an important part of the invest
ment
Yet surveys show the condition
of the house is checked by the.
buyer but the condition of the
trees seldom noted. Then, accord
ing to Don Cantwell of the Bart
lett Tree Experts. many priced
shade trees begin to die two. three
or five years later and home own
er wonders why.
If a tree expert had been called
in to make an inspection early he
would have found how the tree
environment had been changed,
with the water table altered, roots
manned. soil packed tight Steps
in time could often have been
taken to save those trees.
A new development is carved out
of a woodland tract. During build
ing of a house roots of existing
nearby trees are frequently DANA
ged or severed by laying of utility
mains and construction of drives
and sidewalks. Suffocating fill a
bout roots is often added during
grading. C0mpaction by earth NOV
ing machinery crushes roots and
changes soil texture.
The same tree injuries occur in
established neighborhoods. With
the population explosion. re-zoning
slices are lots into smaller and
smaller plots. New houses spring
up about older homes. City water,
gas mains and sewers are brought
in Roads. drives and walks are
laid Drywells and cesspools van-
ish. Water that once seeped to tree
roots run off.
Suddenly tree environment is
changed. Some trees can adjust to
it: some cannot. Decline sets in
and tree damage is not far off.
"All across America" says Mr..
Cantwell, this is happening. The
loss of shade trees depletes our
resources. It's a home owners loss
too in beauty and shade and in
vestment A home owner should
know if his trees are healthy. He
should also know if they are not.
then take prompt corrective steps.
A tree inspection will tell him
both"
Bud break is an important event
for the tree owner. It's the time
to shield his trees against ieaf-dis-
figuring fungus diseases and bact-
eria-
Prevention is the key. According
TO Don Cantwell of the Bartlett
Tree Expert Co.. fungicids are
most effective when applied just as
buds are unfolding. Delay them un-
til leaves become blotched with in
lection and control is difficult
Anthracnose. which blemishes
and blotches leaves. is common on
oak ESPECIALLY white oak). syca-
more. ash. dogwood, elm. hickory.
London plane. maple and walnut.
A copper fangicide is recommended.
If spring is wet. second appliaca-
tion 10 days later may be needed.
Fungicides similarly times will
curb Gnomonia (black spot on elm
leaf spots on catalpa. blackberry. as
we'll as ezalea. laurel. rhododend-
ron and Boston ivy. Antibitics.
such as agrinycin are used to sup
press fire blight Ca bacteria dis
easel on apple. Towering crab,
hawthorn, montain ash and pear
Trees As Air-COnditioners Keep
House Cool In Summer
Trees are natures best air con-
ditioners. When planting them this
spring. place them where they do
the most good the year round.
Don Cantwell of the Bartlett Tree
Co., says summer temperature in
the shade of a tree can be as
much as 10 degrees cooler than in
the nearby sun.
Studies have also shown that
roof temperatures of houses in
summer can be reduced as much
as 20 to 40 degrees by a tall shade
tree.