A Dozen Things to Do Before Snowfall

A Dozen Things to Do Before Snowfall Clean up leaves and fallen fruit to prevent disease and pests from over wintering. Remove diseased wood from trees and other plants. Wrap trees to protect against sunscald and rodent damage. Put up fencing or other means to protect fruit trees from moose. Send in soil samples for testing. …

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At War with Voles and Fungi

by Tom Marshall   During the spring of the Year 2002 an army of voles invaded the orchard on my homestead west of Wasilla, Alaska.  They were probably attracted by the white clover in the lawn surrounding the trees.  The invaders girdled 6 trees killing them outright and severely retarded 6 more trees.  Unfortunately, one…

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Arborgards — better than burlap

After some bad experiences this past winter with bark rotting caused by wet burlap applied originally to my apple trees for sun scald protection, I found an alternative: Arborgards. Arborgards are white spiral perforated tubes, 24 – 40 inches high, made of durable, springy plastic. Used by professional landscapers to protect trunks of newly planted…

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