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My job as an Arborist is to assess the health and
function of woody plants in a variety of situations and
provide recommendations to mitigate any problems
they may have. On any given day it’s not uncommon for
me to inspect several different properties with a variety
of problems. There are however certain problems that
have a higher frequency than others. I thought that it
may be beneficial to the readers
if I briefly talked about two of
the most common problems that
I see in the urban forest. Here are
the two most common problems
that I encounter.
The absolute most common
problem that I see in the land-
scape all too often is the misuse
of mulch around trees. When I
say problem what I really mean is epidemic. Mulch is
something that when applied properly is so beneficial to
trees. However when it is misused or over applied it can
have serious negative effects on trees. The best way to
think about how mulch should be used is to look at a
forest floor. In the forest trees grow leaves every spring
use them to make food and then loose them in the fall.
The leaves fall to forest floor and decompose forming a
natural layer of what is essential-
ly mulch. This mulch keeps the
root systems cool and moist while
providing nutrition as the leaves
decompose. Enter man. In the
landscape what I most commonly
see being done wrong with
mulch is that it is mounded
around the base of the tree form-
ing what I commonly refer to as “mulch volcanoes”. I’m
not sure where this phenomenon started, but it began
a trend that has led to the decline and death of many
trees. Aside from the fact that there is little aesthetic
benefit from this practice, it can quickly lead to the
decline of a tree. In order to understand
why this practice is so detrimental to
trees one has to know how the vascular
system of a tree works. At the base of
every tree there is a part of the tree
called the root collar. This is where the
base of the tree forms a flare where the
tree meets the ground. This is also
where all of the roots transition from
below ground to above ground. This
area of the tree is also what is most affected by improp-
er mulching. Water and nutrients flow up the tree from
the roots through part of the vascular system called
xylem. Xylem is much like the pipe that carries water
from the street into your home. If this pipe is compro-
mised you will likely loose water to your house. In the
case of the tree when the vascular
system is compromised the tree’s
ability to transport water and nutri-
ents is compromised. Some of the
symptoms that this has happened
are the tree may start to decline
from the top down – we call this tip
die back. This happens because
water and nutrients are not getting
to the top of the tree. Another symptom that I com-
monly see as a result of a buried root collar is a symp-
tom called bleeding cankers. These cankers present
themselves as a dark spot on the trunk of the tree that
oozes liquid from the vascular system of the tree. The
most common reason I see this symptom is because the
tree has begun to produce roots from the trunk in the
layer of mulch that it is buried in. These roots being
above ground seek out the resources within the “mulch
volcano”, and as a result grow cir-
cularly around the trunk, and choke
off the vascular system. We call this
phenomenon a girdling root.
Another problem that follows the
symptom bleeding canker often
caused by girdling roots is a devas-
tating insect called the Ambrosia
Beetle. This borer type of insect is
attracted to the bleeding cankers. They are attracted to
the cankers because as the tree bleeds it produces ethyl
alcohol as a byproduct. Ambrosia Beetles have the abil-
ity to hone in on trees that produce this ethyl alcohol.
Although this insect is small in size
they invade in large numbers. They
bore into the tree and colonize
under the bark in the vascular sys-
tem, and as a result greatly reduce
the tree’s ability to transport water
and nutrients. The Ambrosia Beetle
is particularly devastating to
younger trees for the simple fact
that there is less of a vascular sys-
tem because of their smaller diameter. The effective
treatment of the Ambrosia Beetle greatly depends on
early detection. The best way to do this is through reg-
ular inspection. It is very important to remember though
that the reason Ambrosia Beetles are active in certain
trees is the vascular system has been compromised. In
most instances Ambrosia Beetle can be avoided alto-
gether by keeping trees healthy in the first place.
The second problem I want to talk about has to do
with a common evergreen tree the Canadian Hemlock
Tsuga Canadensis . This tree is commonly used as a
hedge and can be quite effective in
that function. It is also an effective
evergreen border or even a specimen
tree as there are some weeping vari-
eties that are very interesting. They
do have some common problems
though. The most common of which
is an insect called Hemlock Scale Fiorinia Externa. This
insect has a life cycle that begins in the early spring as
eggs that have overwintered. The scale insect then pro-
gresses into what is known as the crawler stage. This is
when the insect is mobile, and most susceptible to
treatments. While in this crawler stage it has not yet
formed the shield or scale-like part of its body that gives
it its name. It is at this point that Hemlock Scale can be
treated effectively. The most effective treatment that
has the least impact on the environment is a foliar appli-
cation of a type of insecticide called a Sufi cant usually
derived from highly refined oil. This treatment is only
good on trees that are short enough to be reached with
a spray truck usually less than forty feet. In trees with
higher canopies it is best to treat Hemlock Scale sys-
temically with an insecticide that is injected into the soil
in the root system of the tree in the fall. The insecticide
is taken up through the vascular system and out to the
leaves where Hemlock Scale are feeding.
Early symptoms that indicate
a hemlock may be infected with
scale are lackluster color. Hem-
locks in good health should be
bright green. When they are not
there may be a nutrient deficien-
cy or some other abiotic disorder
affecting them. A progressively
worse symptom of Hemlock Scale is thinning of the
crown. Healthy hemlocks have a crown that is difficult
to see through especially if they are pruned in the form
of a hedge. If the canopy becomes thinner over time
there may be a significant population of Scale present,
and should be treated immediately. If populations
become very high, the crown may become so discolored
and thin that its effective function in the landscape may
be lost. The best way to avoid severe damage to your
hemlocks from Hemlock Scale is by having your trees
inspected annually by a Certified Tree Expert or Certified
Arborist.
What I hope anyone who reads this article walks
away with is the need for regular inspection of your
trees. Not only by an Arborist but by the homeowner or
caretaker; take the time to look a little closer. Its usual-
ly the small things that are part of a much bigger story.
This will not only save you money and headaches in the
long run, but if your trees are healthy your property will
look beautiful.
The root collar exposed
above ground with
proper mulch depth.
This is perfect!
Mulch Volcano.
This is very bad.
“
Tip die back”
from a buried
root collar.
Ambrosia Beetle
damage to a young tree
that will likely die.
Bleeding canker caused
by a girdling root.
Hemlock Scale
Girdling roots caused
by over mulching
Healthy Hemlock Hedge
TWO MOST COMMON PROBLEMS
IN THE HILLS OF SOMERSET COUNTY
By: Joseph Oszust, ISA Certified Arborist,
NJ Certified Tree Expert, The F.A. Bartlett Tree Expert Company
1996
Washington Valley Road
P.O. Box 305
Martinsville, NJ 08836
Lidia S. Gabinelli
Sales Associate
The Jannone Team
Bus: 732-469-7470 x357
Cell: 908-334-1151
Email: Lidia@jannoneteam.com
www.baskingridgethehills.com
New Jersey
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