Tree Care

The depth at which you can bury a tree trunk depends on the type of tree. Generally, it is recommended not to bury the trunk any deeper than the level it was originally planted at, as burying it too deeply can restrict oxygen flow and harm the tree's health. It is best to consult with a tree care professional for specific guidance based on the tree species and situation.

Mechanical weathering is caused by ice by water seeping into a crack in, say, a rock. The water then freezes, pushing the crack a little wider. And next time, even wider. And so on. This process is called ice wedging.

Mechanical weathering is caused by growing roots in a similar way. The roots grow bigger and bigger. As they grow larger, they push the soil and anything inside it apart.

Yes, tree sap can be valuable as it is often used to make products like maple syrup, which has a commercial value. Some tree saps are also used in traditional medicine or as a source of natural resins for products like varnish or adhesive.

The trunk, or the roots, don't remove either of them and the tree will survive, the bark is important too.

Tree sap is made up of water, sugars, minerals, nutrients, and various compounds specific to the tree species. It serves as a transportation system for nutrients within the tree and also helps to seal wounds and protect against insects and pathogens.

Woody roots grow close to the surface of the earth to absorb oxygen from the atmosphere. This network helps provide stability to the tree by anchoring it in the soil. Woody roots also help with water absorption and the exchange of nutrients.

A thin tree ring for a particular year suggests that the tree experienced unfavorable conditions during that growing season, such as drought, disease, or insect infestation. This can impact the tree's growth and health for that specific year.

No, only animals can be omnivores, a nut is part of a plant.

Tree rings are caused by the contrast between the lighter-colored, fast-growing cells produced in the spring and early summer, and the darker, denser cells produced in the late summer and fall. This annual growth pattern is influenced by factors like temperature, water availability, and sunlight, resulting in visible rings that can be studied to determine a tree's age and past environmental conditions.

Depending on various factors like temperature, moisture, and leaf size, it can take anywhere from 6 months to 2 years for leaves to decompose fully in soil. Larger leaves or those with tougher tissues may take longer to break down compared to smaller, thinner leaves.

Tree roots can exert force on rock, causing physical weathering through processes like root wedging, where roots grow into cracks and crevices in the rock and expand, eventually breaking it apart. Additionally, roots can secrete acids that chemically break down the minerals in the rock, leading to further weathering over time.

Trees may grow in the cracks of rocks. As the tree grows the roots enlarge and put a pressured force on the rock cracks, causing the cracks to lengthen in size. The rocks start to weather away because of the force of the roots.

However, in many cases, tree roots prevent erosion by helping to hold the soil in place.

Trees get rid of waste products through a process called transpiration, where they release excess water and gases through tiny pores on their leaves called stomata. Trees also shed leaves, bark, and roots as they age, which helps to remove waste products from their systems. Additionally, some waste products may be broken down and recycled by fungi and bacteria in the soil surrounding the tree.

Tree roots can weather rocks by growing into cracks and crevices in the rocks. As the roots expand, they exert pressure on the rock, causing it to break apart over time. Additionally, as the roots absorb water and nutrients, chemical reactions can occur that further break down the rock material.

Growing more trees helps to reduce air pollution by absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen. Trees provide habitat for wildlife and contribute to biodiversity. They also help to regulate the water cycle, reduce soil erosion, and provide shade and cooling in urban areas.

Paper birch trees have adaptations such as white bark that reflects sunlight to prevent overheating, shallow root systems to access surface water, and flexible branches to withstand snow loads in winter. Additionally, their seeds are small and lightweight, enabling them to be dispersed by wind over long distances.

Cutting the bark on a tree disrupts the flow of nutrients and water between the roots and leaves, leading to starvation and dehydration of the tree. The bark also protects the tree from diseases and pests, so cutting it can make the tree vulnerable to infections and further harm.

A branchogram is a diagram used in medicine to visually represent the branching structure of lymphatic vessels or duct systems in the body. It is often used to map out the drainage pathways of lymph nodes and help in the diagnosis and staging of diseases like cancer.

It is generally recommended to soak tree seeds for 24-48 hours before planting to soften the seed coat and promote germination. Be sure to change the water during soaking to prevent mold growth. Refer to specific seed planting instructions for accurate guidelines.

The stem of the tree is called the trunk and the outermost part of the trunk is called the bark of the trunk.

Evergreens stay green all year round because they have needle-shaped leaves that are covered with a waxy coating to prevent water loss and protect them from harsh weather conditions. Additionally, evergreens have adapted to be more efficient at photosynthesis, allowing them to retain their green color throughout the year.

Trees need soil to anchor their roots securely in the ground, providing stability and support against wind and other external forces. Soil also provides essential nutrients and water necessary for tree growth and development. Additionally, soil serves as a medium for root respiration and interaction with beneficial soil organisms.

The tree is not dripping sap, but the sticky substance you took for sap is known as honeydew, a polite term for the excrement produced by the insects feeding on your tree. The bees (and probably flies and ants) are there to consume this sugary substance.

The tree is infested with magnolia scale. It is a common pest of saucer magnolia (Magnolia soulangiana), star magnolia (M. stellata) and cucumbertree magnolia (M. acuminata). You may not have noticed the insects on the smaller twigs -- they look like little white bumps. It is understandable that gardeners have a hard time believing these "bumps" are living insects because they do not move. Once the maturing scale insect inserts its mouthparts into a twig or small branch, it spends its entire life in the same place. Magnolia scale (Neolecanium cornuparvum) is the largest scale insect in the United States.

Magnolia scale resides on trees year-round, but goes unnoticed until it starts producing large amounts of honeydew. Soft scale insects insert piercing-sucking mouthparts into the portion of a plant's vascular system responsible for transporting the carbohydrates and sugars produced by photosynthesis. Honeydew can be a real annoyance when it drips on the lower leaves and anything unfortunate enough to be under the magnolia. It also attracts nuisance insects such as yellow jackets, ants and flies. To make matters worse, a black sooty mold fungus often grows on the honeydew. Although it is unattractive, sooty mold does no real damage to the tree. It is simply growing on the carbohydrate-rich honeydew.

It is helpful to understand this pest's life cycle to control it effectively. Magnolia scale warrants control, not only because of the mess it creates, but also because it can cause severely infested branches to die. It does not take long for a sizable population to build up. Adults are covered with a waxy covering that makes them quite impervious to insecticide applications, so you have a narrow window of time when the young nymphs (immature insects) are susceptible. Newly hatched nymphs are also known as crawlers because it is the only point in their life cycle when they are mobile. There is one generation of magnolia scale a year in our climate.

Control is a two-step process. First, apply a horticultural oil spray just before the tree leafs out in spring to kill the overwintering nymphs. They are quite small and difficult to see as small, gray dots on smaller twigs. They are visible to the naked eye when you know what you are looking for, and you may find it helpful to look with a magnifying glass. Horticultural oil suffocates the pests rather than poisoning them, and it will greatly reduce the number of young produced in late summer. Horticultural oil is more refined and lighter than dormant oil (Volck oil), and there is less chance of burning tender new foliage if you mistakenly spray as the tree begins leafing out in the spring.

The timing for the second step is critical because the newly hatched crawlers are very susceptible to insecticide applications, including environmentally friendly products such as insecticidal soap. Magnolia scale is in its crawler stage in late August and early September in our area. Of course, insects do not live by the calendars that govern our lives; their development is based on temperature and moisture.

It is always best to check to make sure you see active crawlers before applying insecticide sprays to control them. The crawlers are quite small but can be seen upon careful inspection with a hand lens or magnifying glass. They will appear as small, moving, reddish specks. Begin checking your magnolia in late July. Make your first insecticide application when you first see the crawlers moving around.

Sevin (carbaryl), Bayer Advanced Power Force Multi-Insect Killer (cyfluthrin), horticultural oil, Bayer Advanced Garden Tree & Shrub Insect Control (imidacloprid), insecticidal soap, BioNeem (neem), and malathion are all registered for control of magnolia scale crawlers. Depending on the insecticide, you may need to make repeat applications at the intervals recommended on the product label.