Hail Damage to Trees - Ask Extension
Could you please provide advice for how to help my Autumn Blaze Maple and Cleveland Pear trees recover from the hail damage we recently had.
The m...
Knowledgebase
Hail Damage to Trees #872700
Asked June 11, 2024, 7:25 PM EDT
Could you please provide advice for how to help my Autumn Blaze Maple and Cleveland Pear trees recover from the hail damage we recently had.
The maple was installed SEP 2015 and the pear JUN 2020.
In the fall I apply fertilizer spikes to both trees and used a soaker hose to water them over the winter. I know that keeping them healthy is the best way to be proactive.
The tree service I use recommended a Soil Health Program of 3 treatments of various fertilizers and soil additives with the goal of reinforcing the health of the trees. Is this a good idea?
They also recommended having the maple trimmed during the winter (I last had it done in March 2022).
What do you recommend? My trees have sentimental value and I want to ensure their survival.
Thank you for your time and expertise.
Denver County Colorado
Expert Response
In caring for any tree look for damage; broken limbs, size of limb being of concern and whether an arborist should be contacted.
Below is the link to the Park people which has a great deal of information, choosing an arborist that is licensed, watering, pruning.
https://theparkpeople.org/What-We-Do/Denver-Digs-Trees/Tree-Care
Leaf spot diseases can easily be controlled by good sanitation and seasonal spraying if necessary.
*Pick up and compost, bury, or burn fallen pear leaves in autumn. Old pear leaves are the main source of overwintering inoculum.
*Provide adequate plant spacing to encourage good sunlight penetration and rapid drying of the foliage.
*Regular seasonal applications of fungicides can be made to prevent infections if leaf spot is severe. Fungicides containing ferbam, ziram, mancozeb (early in the season), or fixed copper compounds should be effective for disease prevention.
While I cannot guaranty the tree's survival, these practices should help you keep the tree disease free.
Thank you
Below is the link to the Park people which has a great deal of information, choosing an arborist that is licensed, watering, pruning.
https://theparkpeople.org/What-We-Do/Denver-Digs-Trees/Tree-Care
Prune
At the time of planting, prune off only broken and dead branches to leave healthy foliage available to produce energy for the tree during establishment. Over the next few years, prune suckers at the base of the tree and branches that cross and rub one another. Proper pruning cuts are crucial to minimizing disease and enabling a tree to seal off its wound. Visit this link for recommended pruning techniques
The Cleveland would be best to also look for damage and how much. Pruning needs to be with sterilized tools. An arborist will know.Leaf spot diseases can easily be controlled by good sanitation and seasonal spraying if necessary.
*Pick up and compost, bury, or burn fallen pear leaves in autumn. Old pear leaves are the main source of overwintering inoculum.
*Provide adequate plant spacing to encourage good sunlight penetration and rapid drying of the foliage.
*Regular seasonal applications of fungicides can be made to prevent infections if leaf spot is severe. Fungicides containing ferbam, ziram, mancozeb (early in the season), or fixed copper compounds should be effective for disease prevention.
While I cannot guaranty the tree's survival, these practices should help you keep the tree disease free.
Thank you
