So, Spring is just days away, and it's time to start thinking about the yard and garden. A big problem for the past few years here in Rhode Island has been the winter moth. Read about them here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winter_Moth
Luckily, they can be controlled with a natural product called Spinosad (There are at least two trade names for this product including Conserve and Comfortis). Spinosad is a chemical derived from a unique form of bacteria that affects the nervous system of target insects, and has virtually no non-target effects, which we like.
Other concerns this year are broken off stubs or snags left from storm damage. It is important to prune these out to allow trees and shrubs to compartmentalize wounds and limit future decay. There seems to be alot of storm damage this year, so if you see a broken branch on the ground, look up. There's probably a wound or stub left behind in the tree. Early Spring is a good time to prune most trees, before many functions involved with flowering and leaf production begin. Structural pruning, sucker/watersprout removal, crown cleaning and crown raising are a few of the most common types of pruning. Most trees in the built environment (most of our neighborhoods) can benefit from one or more of these practices.
With Spring coming on Sunday, and the warmer days on the way, it's time to get outside and breathe in the sweet Spring air! Go on, now, get out there!
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