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Arizona Arbor Care

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7 Tips to Protect Your Plants from Frost

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With a little knowledge and planning, you can protect your landscape plants—and your investment—from frost damage.  In Arizona, we can get frosts from about Thanksgiving to Valentine’s Day.

 As a rule of thumb, it’s important to know that younger, dehydrated and actively growing or flowering plants are most at risk for frost damage.

 As the weather cools, plants naturally “harden off” by slowing their new growth and ceasing blooms. Therefore, it’s important to protect landscape plants both from frost and from budding or blooming too soon before the danger of frost has passed. Still, the faster the drop in temperature, the lower the temperature and the longer the exposure, the more at risk any plant is to frost damage.

  1. Select frost-tolerant plants. Native plants will fare the best in all temperatures, whereas tropical plants may suffer in the cold. To find a plant’s temperature hardiness, search https://www.amwua.org/plants, AMWUA’s Plants for the Arizona Desert
  2. Keep soil appropriately moist. Although water requirements for different plant species vary year-round, it’s important to know that frost damage can be more severe in dehydrated plants. And, although it seems counterintuitive, it’s beneficial to water plants before a predicted frost because water releases energy in the form of heat when it cools, thereby warming the foliage above ground.
  3. Cover at night. Each night a frost is predicted, drape over sensitive plants a cloth that touches the ground, allowing warmth from the ground to fill the resulting dome structure. Remove the cover in the morning so the ground warms up again the next day. If you need to keep plants covered for multiple days, look for purpose-designed frost cloths or frost blankets. Do not use plastic because it freezes.
  4. Choose warm locations. Frost-sensitive plants will be better protected when they are sheltered, when they are exposed to full daytime sun (south and west sun are best) or when they are located near rocks, walls or benches, which radiate daytime warmth.
  5. Resist pruning. Pruning stimulates new plant growth, which can be even more susceptible to frost. Do not prune frost-damaged plants until spring, after the danger of frost has passed.
  6. Wrap tree trunks. For young citrus and other frost-sensitive trees, loosely wrap the trunk from the lowest foliage down to the ground using multiple layers. Leave wrapped for the winter.
  7. Add heat. Add incandescent lights or string lights below the foliage because their heat radiates upward. LED lights do not generate sufficient heat for this purpose.

If the weather forecast shows low nighttime temperatures, refer back to these 7 tips to prevent frost damage to your sensitive plants. You’ll be protecting their shape and giving them a head start on budding and blooming when spring comes.

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Fall Colors from Arizona Trees

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By Northeastern U.S. standards, fall tree color comes to Arizona late in the season. Here in the Sonoran Desert, we might see our deciduous trees change to the iconic reds, oranges and yellows of autumn between October and sometimes January. Think of it this way—Arizonans get to enjoy an even longer leaf peeping season.

Detail of Yellow Fremont Cottonwood Leaves in Autumn Stream

The Science Behind the Colors

Getting a little scientific for a moment, leaves change color on deciduous trees, trees that shed their leaves in the winter, as opposed to evergreen trees, which tend to keep their leaves on their branches throughout the year. In the warm months, trees are busy producing food to grow. That process is called photosynthesis and produces chlorophyll, which creates the green color in leaves. When seasonal temperatures cool and the amount of daylight shortens, most trees slow down their growth and photosynthesize less. As chlorophyll production declines, other pigments that are always present in leaves gradually dominate over the green. In trees where the leaves turn yellow and orange in the fall, carotenoids are the pigments you see showing through in the leaves. In leaves that turn red to purple in the fall, you see the anthocyanin pigments come through.

Leaf Peeping in Arizona

To leaf peep in Arizona, look along our many waterways and riparian areas. You’ll spot fall color dotting our lower elevation cities, but the most showy fall tree varieties tend to be very large and generally aren’t suitable for urban landscapes. So head for the hills, where you are likely to see a preponderance of native trees that change color in autumn.

Easy to spot where there’s flowing water, Fremont Cottonwood (Populus fremontii) trees turn a gorgeous yellow in fall. Deep red leaves characterize tall Texas red oak (Quercus texana or Quercus buckleyi), the oak variety that is more common in urban landscapes and at lower elevations, while the shorter Gambel oak (Quercus gambelii) grows at higher elevations and shows in bright yellow and orange. At higher elevations, look along streams for the orange fall leaves of Arizona sycamore (Plantanus racemosa var. wrightii), for gold on quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides) and for light yellow on the Arizona walnut (Juglans rupestris var. major).

Add Showy Trees at Home

Want to add some fall color to your home landscape? This author is partial to the shape and color of the non-native Chinese pistache (Pistacia chinensis) tree, whose red and orange anthocyanins and carotenoids burst through in fall. Another tree for urban landscapes is the Arizona ash (Fraxinus velutina), and cultivar ‘Modesto’ is known for particularly splendid yellows. The boxelder (Acer negundo) ‘Sensation’ cultivar turns light pink in fall. In smaller spaces like patios, Pomegranates (Punica granatum) are excellent choices, with stunning reds and oranges, plus edible fruit in autumn. (Note, however, that dwarf varieties of pomegranate will give you a colorful autumn show but produce inedible fruits.)

This is by no means a comprehensive list of native or desert-adapted plants that change colors in autumn in Arizona, but now you have a little bit of the science behind the transformation in leaf color and a lot of pointers on what to look for on your leaf peeping escapades between now and January.

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Proper Citrus Care: Pruning Basics

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Citrus trees have strong wood that requires minimal pruning. A healthy tree can bear the load of heavy fruit. A common misperception is that a heavily pruned citrus tree will result in new growth and improved fruit quality. In fact, the opposite is true; minimally pruned citrus trees can produce fruit that is of better quality than heavily pruned trees.

Spring is Citrus Pruning Season

If your citrus tree requires pruning, the best months in Arizona are February to April. Best is after the danger of frost has passed but before the tree flowers. Pruning between April and October can expose the tree to sunburn damage, and November to February exposes the tree to potential frost damage.

Regular Maintenance with Minimal Pruning

Citrus trees produce the least fruit in areas of the tree canopy that are most shaded. Thus, your citrus tree may only need to be pruned in the spring to thin out those deeply shaded sections inside the tree canopy, opening them up to sunlight for fruit production.

Year-round maintenance of citrus trees involves regularly snipping off suckers and removing branches that are weak, diseased or dead. As with other trees, a limb that crosses another should also be removed to prevent damage to and consequent disease in the other limbs it touches.

Citrus trees, like roses, are most often grafted varieties onto a base rootstock. Shoots growing up around the base of the trunk or in nearby soil are rootstock suckers that should be removed. They are characteristically thorny and will not produce the desired citrus variety.

Thorny, unproductive varietal branches higher up in the tree can also be removed as part of regular maintenance.

Protect Cuts with Paint

Especially for large cuts, protect the exposed citrus wood by painting it with a 50%/50% mix of latex paint and water. Never use an oil-based paint on citrus.

Want to know more about how you can maintain the investment in your landscape and improve its value? Call us at (602)-243-1106 or fill out a request a bid form by clicking here.

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How Much Water Should You be Giving Your Trees This Summer?

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Water, water, water! Water is one of the most important things you can give your landscape- especially in the Summer months! In fact, according to the University of Arizona College of Agriculture, plants use 3-5 times as much water during Summer as they do during Winter months. To ensure you are efficiently watering your trees as temperatures rise, you should be aware of how water absorption works, the amount of water you should be giving your tree, and the best techniques for administering that water.

Water Absorption in Trees

While many people may think the best place to water a tree is near the trunk, the most active water absorption area is actually located at the drip line and beyond. The drip line is the area that can be found under the ends of the tree’s canopy and is also known as the Critical Root Zone. This is where trees shed rain water and it works as a storage tank for the plant to draw nutrients and water from when needed. While that may seem far from the base of the tree, most tree roots actually spread 1 to 4 times as wide as the canopy!

Evapotranspiration is a process where trees can move water through their roots, branches, trunks, and leaves- ensuring that all parts of the tree receive water. In the Summer, when the temperatures are high and the ground is dry, trees find water to be a more limited resource and have to choose where to delegate that water- with the leaves typically being the ones that suffer the drought. Common signs that a tree is not absorbing enough water is yellowing/browning of leaves or complete leaf drop-off.

Amount of Water to Give Trees in the Summer

The amount of time that you should be watering your trees and plants depends on a variety of factors including the weather, soil status, size of tree/plant, and type of irrigation system. A good rule of thumb is to water the root zone at the indicated depth (based on size of the tree) and not any deeper than that so as to cause wasted water. If your soil is shallow or compacted, be sure to water more often but for less time and water younger plants more often than you would older plants to prevent wilting in the Summer months.

How to Water Your Trees Efficiently

There are multiple different systems for irrigating your trees and each has its own set of pros and cons of use. Drip Systems, Bubblers, Soaker Hoses, and Sprinklers are all common ways to ensure your landscape is getting the irrigation it needs. For more information on the differences in these systems, click here.

To make sure you are watering in a way that will not harm the tree or waste water be sure to avoid spraying water on leaves (salts in the water can harm the leaves), water your tree separately than your turf if your tree is planted in a turf area, control weeds near your trees and plants, and expand the watering area as the tree grows.

Arizona Arbor

Arizona Arbor Care; Spring Bloom of Purple Leaf Plum Trees

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Spring is right around the corner and with that comes the beautiful bloom of some of our favorite plants and trees here in the Valley. One noteworthy item that is expected to bloom quite early this season is the Purple Leaf Plum tree. This tree is known for its fragrant pink/purple flowers and its shrub-like shape that it takes on during bloom. It is also known as being one of the first trees to start blooming in the early Spring, with an estimated start date around the end of January for Arizona communities.

Tree Maintenance

The Purple Leaf Plum tree is a great option for communities not only because of its ornamental nature and the beauty it supplies but also because it is relatively low maintenance and heat tolerant. This tree can withstand both heat and drought, common here in the Arizona desert, and thrives when there is ample sunlight. In fact, large amounts of sunlight are what makes this tree produce the beautiful pink, purple, and white flowers that it is known for.

Maintenance that can be expected for this tree species involves pruning on an annual basis and additional pruning when necessary, water and feeding practices as needed, and cleanup of fruit and leaf drop. Though this tree is beautiful with the leaves on it, this species is notorious for having quite a bit of leaf drop and should not be planted near busy walkways or sites where there is heavy foot traffic.

Pruning

The Purple Leaf Plum tree is a small to mid-size tree that has a rounded growth pattern, similar to that of a shrub. Typically, its blossoms produce leaves that are 1-3 inches long and it can yield round fruit that ripens in late Summer. These trees do not always bear fruit and are typically chosen for their ornamental flowers rather than for their fruit, as fruit can attract unwanted mites and flies. These trees will need annual pruning to control flowering/fruit growth and achieve desired shape.

Keep an eye out for the bloom of the Purple Leaf Plum trees as they are sure to be the start to other bloom happening in plant species throughout your landscape!

Interested in Arbor Care for your HOA community or commercial property? Request an Arbor Bid or submit a general inquiry here.

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Hiring the Right Arborist for Your HOA Tree Management

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Trees are an important asset to any HOA community or commercial property as they provide a number of benefits including adding economic value to a property, energy savings, carbon dioxide capture, and shade production for the surrounding landscape. When it comes to tree management, it is important to find certified professionals who are able to keep these amazing assets maintained.

Certified arborists are trained individuals who understand the ins and outs of tree care and can perform all of the necessary steps of installing and maintaining a tree to maturity. When looking for a certified arborist to trust with your community’s largest asset it is important to consider the certifications that your arbor contractor holds as well as their education and reputation as tree experts.

Arborists should be trained in the planting, pruning, removal, and maintenance of trees. Their job goes far beyond the installation of trees in a community and reaches out to maintaining the health and structure of the tree into maturity.

Planting: Arbor care professionals may plant or transition trees from nursery to a new site. It is not uncommon to have different companies install and maintain the trees. However, companies that offer a wholesale nursery or other service to provide trees while also offering arbor care are a great way to go to get the job done from start to finish.

Arizona Landscape Contractor’s Association Sustainable Tree Planting

Pruning: The ultimate goal of tree pruning is to maintain a healthy and structurally sound tree that grows naturally into its mature size. Your arborist should be pruning only when these goals are not being met or when there is a need caused by external factors. Common tree pruning purposes include the removal of tree limbs or foilage due to (or to prevent from) storm damage, seasonal pruning, pruning to keep the tree from obstructing walkways, structures and streets, and removal of branches that may cause a safety hazard to others or to the tree itself.

Pruning Deciduous Shade Trees

Removal: Tree removal is inevitable over time and needs to be done carefully so as not to harm the overall landscape. Certified arborists should be able to help you understand when the correct time is to remove a tree and provide you with a plan for the removal as well as reason. Reasons for tree removals can range but typically include the changing of a certain species of tree, death of a tree, risk, and a tree outgrowing that area in which it was planted.

It is important to have a professional perform any tree removals to ensure safety of everyone in the community.

Maintenance: Maintenance of trees includes all of the above steps as well as emergency tree services, disease control, fertilization and soil management, and more. In finding a company to provide these services and maintain your landscape it is a good idea to go with a comprehensive company that has divisions dedicated to both Arbor and overall maintenance.

Here at ELS, we have five divisions dedicated to ensuring that all of your landscape needs are met. Check them out here.

Need Tree Work Done? Request an Arbor Bid!
Palm Tree

HOA Arbor; Planting and Maintenance of Palms

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Palm trees are notorious for their height, beauty, and position as focal points in a community. While they are not native to Arizona, they fit in perfectly with the Southwest desert climate and landscape- making them a popular choice in homeowners associations and commercial properties.

Palm trees are low maintenance and represent higher monetary value. They are an investment that is well worth what you put in as they add value to a community and serve as an accent planting in the landscape design. When maintaining this investment, it is important that your landscape management company properly cares for these trees to avoid costly replacements.

Our Arbor team has established some tips to follow when maintaining Palms:

Pruning:

  • Only remove fronds that are deceased
  • Refrain from using spikes/nails to climb the trunk of the tree for pruning. Instead use a hydraulic lift so as not to cause damage to the trunk of the tree
  • Do not remove over a quarter of the foilage at any given time
  • When removing fronds, keep removal minimal and to a 180 degree angle

Irrigation

  • Palm trees are not drought tolerant, this is a common misconception
  • Administer slow irrigation drop every couple of weeks to a depth of about 2 feet.
  • In Winter, keep irrigation administration to every 4-6 weeks

If your community or commercial property needs arbor care services to ensure that your trees are being maintained correctly, reach out to our arbor division here at ELS Maintenance.

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Tree Being Staked to Promote Growth

Arizona Arbor Care; Tree Staking

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Tree staking of younger trees here in Arizona is a common practice that promotes strength and proper growth of the tree. This practice holds tree roots in the soil until they are able to securely establish themselves and helps these young trees in the transition from nursery to landscape. This important step is not necessary for every young tree (multi-trunk trees and low branching trees can typically be planted without a stake) however it can make a world of difference for smaller, main trunked trees that do need growing assistance.

When staking, it is crucial to ensure that you are following the proper steps, monitoring the staking materials and tree growth, and not leaving the stake on the tree for too long. There are detrimental effects for those trees where staking is performed improperly.

Here at ELS, we have an entire division of our company dedicated to Arizona arbor care and this team has come up with some helpful tips and best practices for tree staking that will help you ensure your next young tree is staked properly and can grow to its full potential.

Staking Best Practices

  • Position tree stakes outside of the rootball
  • Position stakes at a depth of 24 inches. Utilize 2″ poles on each side of the tree and ensure that wires/ties used are coated with plastic or flexible to protect the tree itself
  • Monitor tree growth and staking materials so that the stake is removed at the appropriate time without causing damage to the tree
  • Change and adjust wires/ties if they effect tree growth over time
  • Ensure tree is not tied too tightly- the top of the tree should be able to move freely in the wind while the trunk remains stable and anchored
  • Remove staking materials once the trunk of the tree is 3/4 inches in diameter or the tree is able to securely stand by itself

For more information about tree staking and/or tree management for your HOA community or commercial property, reach out to our Arbor Divison!

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Arizona Arbor

Arizona Arbor Care; Tree Planting

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Trees are a great addition to any landscape as they protect soil underneath them, provide shade for surrounding plants, and mitigate wind effects. However, it is important to consider that in the Arizona desert landscape, the choice of which trees to use may be quite a bit different than that of a cooler climate.

In Arizona, we have a variety of native trees that look great in a community landscape and thrive in the desert climate. Trees such as Mesquite, Palo Verde, and Acacia are recommended as they typically adjust better to the local environment and are much healthier to use in an Arizona landscape in comparison to their non-native counterparts.

When planting a new tree, make sure to do your research and refer to professionals such as certified arborists or landscape architects to help you make the best decision when it comes to species of tree.

Planting How-to

Once you’ve decided the type of tree/trees you want to plant in your landscape, it’s time to get started!

When planting new trees make sure to:

  • Plant them in a space that they can grow in! Plant trees in areas large enough for them to grow to their projected full size.
  • Leave temporary/small branches on the new tree if possible
  • Dig a large enough plant pit for the new tree (This should be anywhere from 1/2-2 times the width of the tree’s root ball, according to ALCA)
  • Loosen outside of the root ball to help with growth into the new soil of the planting pit
  • Backfill the planting pit with soil that was previously removed, while ensuring not to mix with any decomposed granite surrounding the area
  • Cover the backfill with granite or mulch

Arizona Arbor Care Specialists

It is always a good idea to work with an arborist or landscape management company when looking to plant multiple new trees, especially in the case of a larger landscape project such as a commercial property or HOA community.

For trusted and certified arbor care, contact the ELS Arbor team today!

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