Page 20 - Waterfall City Issue 6 June 2023

Waterfall City News

The right way versus the wrong way

Creating tree bowls
The most significant human error that ends up creating
problems for a tree is when the base is too moist and humid,
resulting in the perfect environment for a fungus to thrive.
A tree bowl is the water basin where you water the tree. It is
vital to have a watering basin at each tree that is dished and
not formed like a volcano that wraps around the trunk. When
creating a tree bowl, think of it as a
saucer.

Crown lifting
Crown lifting is defined as “the
removal of lower branches to lift
the height of the crown’s base”. It
is important to crown lift trees to
promote upward growth, general
health and the aesthetics of the tree.

Although winter and early spring
are a great time to prune, if the tree ✗ No tree bowl ✔ Tree bowl
or shrub is a spring flowering plant
and you would like it to bloom, it may be best to wait and There are many reasons to prune woody plants, and it’s
to rather prune that plant shortly after it is done blooming. a good idea to understand why you are pruning before
Even though pruning spring-blooming plants in the winter you start. Before making the first cut, ask yourself: “Why
will never adversely affect the plant’s health, it can reduce am I removing this branch?” Have a goal and a vision for
those blooms. how you want the shrub or tree to look when you are
done.

The most common reason homeowners prune their
plants is to reduce or maintain a plant’s size. Other
reasons to prune include removing dead, diseased
or damaged branches; increasing flowers or fruits;
stimulating growth; and removing branches that
may interfere with or obstruct pedestrians, traffic and
buildings.

✗ No crown lifting ✔ Crown lifting

18 Waterfall City Issue 6 2023