What Might Be Killing Our Trees ?

What do landscape pros talk about when they get together? This week at David J. Frank, we’re talking about tree-killing Imprelis herbicide...

Each week, staff members from David J. Frank's six branches and specialty divisions all meet to discuss the latest company and green industry news. This week, we received a special report from Nursery Manager Dave Grillaert. Dave has a degree in horticulture and environmental sciences, so when he talks, we listen ... and you should too.

This week we're talking about Imprelis ...

a DuPont-produced selective auxinic broadleaf herbicide that is proving to be even more damaging than initial reports indicated. Dave is quick to note this is NOT a product we have used here at David J. Frank, but we are feeling the repercussions and taking precautions on any sites where it may have been applied. Reportedly "gone rogue," Imprelis doesn't just poison dandelions, Creeping Charlie and other common weeds; it also attacks spruce and pines as well as firs, yews, arborvitae and some deciduous trees and shrubs in the vicinity of treated turf. And it's not just delicate young plants: mature trees – some up to 30 or 40 feet tall – are dying as Imprelis moves from turf to the soil around their roots. What's more, it is not yet known how long this herbicide remains active in the soil but experts have already advised against chipping affected trees for mulch because the residual toxicity in the dead wood may damage plants surrounded by the tainted chips.



The EPA, which approved Imprelis just over a year ago (October, 2010), has now banned further sales and use of this toxin but the damage has already been done in at least 22 states. Aggressively marketed as an environmentally friendly way to kill broadleaf weeds, Imprelis is even more aggressive in its attack on conifers (particularly Norway and Colorado spruce and white pines) as well as honey locust, poplar, willows and other deciduous trees that are dying after contact. DuPont claims the product had been through 400 trials before its release but the deadly impact on trees at homes, businesses, parks, golf courses and more is undeniable. A claim can be filed by calling DuPont at 866-796-4783 but the deadline is November 30, 2011 and requires documentation and photographic support.

We have certified arborists on staff who can easily recognize the symptoms of Imprelis damage, specifically browning and twisting of new growth followed by rapid dieback, and can remove and properly dispose of the ill-fated tree. For better lawn care options as well as professional tree services, trust David J. Frank Landscape Contracting. We welcome your questions about this and all your lawn and landscape needs.

New Ideas From Our Nursery

A recent staff meeting included an informative walk through our tree nursery at the Germantown headquarters, led by Dave Grillaert. Dave is our nursery and facilities manager here at David J. Frank, and also a horticulturist with a background in environmental science. The purpose of his "tour" was to remind our landscape architects and designers that we have a great number of strong, healthy trees and shrubs readily available from our own 120-acre nursery, and that our selection is not limited to maples, spruces and other "standard" landscape plants.

Ours is truly a "signature nursery," with many uncommon specimen trees and plants available only to our customers. For example, you've probably heard of a Japanese Tree Lilac, but we also carry a Chinese variety that becomes more attractive as it ages, with interesting peeling bark and fragrant flowers. Nearby were slow-growing Kentucky Coffee Trees that, once established, look almost tropical.


Chinese Tree Lilac

Kentucky Coffee Tree

Dave also introduced us to the funky specimen Threadleaf Arborvitae, the Heritage River Birch, which has the whitest bark in this family and the Three Flower Maple, which has three seasons of great color plus a cinnamon red bark that peels for about ten years then has a uniquely bare trunk. Also among Dave's favorites is the Seven Sons Tree, and for good reason: most trees flower in spring but this one is at its best in fall, with clusters of white, sweet blossoms that give way to pretty red fruit and bronzy leaves.



Threadleaf

Heritage

Three Flower

Seven Sons

Other shrubs of interest were the Mariken Dwarf Ginkgo, with its bushy habit and unique curled leaves, the hardy Bayberry which is regaining popularity as more than just a holiday candle scent and the colorful Tiger Eye Sumac, which starts out chartreuse in spring, turns bright yellow in summer and finishes with scarlet-orange in the fall.



Dwarf Gingko

Bayberry

Tiger Eye Sumac

Among the flowering shrubs, Dave pointed out the new Bella Anna Pink Hydrangea, the Fairy Shrub Rose that is one of the most reliable producers of pink blossoms, a new variety of Weigela called Fine Wine and woody American Wisteria that flowers at a much earlier age that its predecessors.


Bella Anna



Fairy



Fine Wine



Wisteria


We saw many other new varieties and old favorites during our one-hour tour, and could have spent much longer wandering through aisle after aisle of trees, shrubs and perennials. With so many plants at our disposal, it's no wonder we create some of the most interesting landscapes in the business.

If you're adding to your landscape, new and unique plants maybe be as close as OUR backyard. Ask your David J. Frank architect or designer for a planting plan that includes something special from our nursery, and enjoy the look and feel of doing things just a little different ... and a lot better.

Summer Color.... Contained!

There's nothing like annual flowers for adding color to a patio, front yard landscape, storefront, office entry or any place that needs a seasonal boost.

And you don’t have to limit yourself to the selection of pots or hanging baskets at your local garden center or home store – container gardening is your chance to get creative and surround yourself with color and style that is uniquely “you.” With just a little work and imagination, you can make a one-of-a-kind elegant, eclectic, vibrant or subtle display that lasts all season.


Containers come in all shapes and sizes so choose whatever appeals to you; just make sure it allows for proper drainage. Punch or drill small holes in the bottom if necessary, or add a layer of gravel to the bottom of the pot to help maintain proper moisture. (Adding gravel also adds weight that can prevent pots from being blown over on a windy day, especially if tall plants make them top heavy.) Also using specially blended potting soil – most varieties include fertilizers and are formulated to hold moisture longer for the best result and more blooms.

More than just traditional geraniums, petunias or potato vines, try new combinations like hybrid varieties, flowering vines, multi-colored foliage, tropical plants, accent trees and ornamental grasses. Try several varieties in complementary colors or mix it up with contrasting shades, textures and heights. Maybe you’ll want to match the colors of your home, follow the color scheme of an upcoming party or try different arrangements for spring, summer and fall.

For more ideas or inspiration, check out our portfolio of annual arrangements or visit www.provenwinners.com/combinations - a great source of “recipes” for colorful pots, raised planters or flower boxes.

Whether you buy them or plant them yourself, flower containers need ongoing attention, but the non-stop color is worth the effort. Most annuals come with an information tag that tells you about their height and growth habit as well as light and water needs. Generally, annual plants will require more frequent watering when in a container. Never let the soil dry out completely, and this can mean watering several times a week, or even daily during hot spells. Also consider “deadheading” – pinching off dead flowers so the plant’s energy is focused on forming new buds instead of supporting spent ones. Of course, you’ll need to pull any stray weeds – yes, weeds even find their way into flower pots – and use a “bloom booster” fertilizer as recommended.
Whether they stand alone, in groups to showcase flower varieties or are added to a garden design for special interest, beautiful flowers make summer special, so enjoy these and everything about this wonderful but too-short season!

Spring Ahead and Catch Up!

It's been an unseasonably cool season, but after a few set backs and false starts, Spring is finally here! Time to get out in the garden ...

After a very long Winter, your yard and gardens are going to need some work and you're probably anxious to get started. So anxious in fact that you've probably already been out in the yard in a knit hat and gloves, trying to get a head start. Good for you - we often seem to go directly from Winter to Summer, so you don't want to miss a single Spring day and Fall even further behind!

If you're just getting started, no problem: start with a little Spring cleaning. This means removing leaves, debris and soil mounds around roses, raking out areas of thatch and cutting back perennials and ornamental grasses. Cleaning also means taking inventory of your gardening supplies: toss any expired seed, fertilizers or pesticides and repair or replace necessary tools.

The next big step is to stay a step ahead of weeds. Professional lawn service (by David J. Frank, of course!) really is affordable when you consider the cost per bag plus the time it takes to research, buy and apply the right "weed 'n feed" product. Regardless of how it gets there, get pre-emergent weed control plus fertilizer on your lawn as soon as possible. If crabgrass and other nuisance plants get a comfortable start in your lawn this spring, they'll be with you all Summer.

Finally, it's still a bit early for most annuals but you can start seeds indoors. Cosmos, cleome, allysum, California poppies, bachelor buttons, blue flax, marigolds and sunflowers are all extremely easy to grow from seed and will be ready to add color as soon as Mother Nature adds a few more degrees to our now-chilly overnight temperatures.

Now's also the time to update some existing flower beds or design a new one – on paper. Depending on the size of your project, you may want to work with one of our landscape designers for a plan that takes into account light, soil conditions, plant height and overall harmony in the garden. Having a "shopping list" is also a good idea if you're just stopping at a local shop for a few things – like going to the grocery store on an empty stomach, visiting a garden center with a bad case of spring fever can lead to a car-full of beautiful but mismatched plants.

The next few weeks will be busy ones for gardens and gardeners alike. Just don't forget to slow down from time to time to enjoy the changing scenery!