Reading Time: < 1 minute The Society to Prevent Dutch Elm Disease (STOPDED) is reminding Albertans the provincial elm pruning ban remains in effect until Sept. 30. Under the Alberta Agricultural Pests Act, it is illegal to prune elm trees during this time or store elm wood. Stored elm wood can harbour the elm bark beetles that can carry DED […] Read more
Elm pruning ban in effect until October
Dry conditions leave trees stressed and vulnerable
Monitor trees regularly for boring insects and bark beetles, says provincial woodlot specialist
Reading Time: 2 minutes Recent dry conditions will take a toll on trees, says the province’s woodlot extension specialist. “It’s an invitation for insect infestations, not just for this year, but for upcoming years as well,” said Toso Bozic. This is because stressed trees are less able to resist invasion, and some boring insects and bark beetles increase during […] Read more
Opportunities abound in horticulture, says provincial specialist
The financial startup costs are typically lower and a host of information resources is available
Reading Time: 2 minutes More people are interested in a career in agriculture these days and horticulture offers many opportunities, says a commercial horticulture specialist. “Increased interest in local production as well as the desire to know where and how food is grown means more people are looking to get into agriculture and primary production,” said Dustin Morton. Horticulture […] Read more
Dutch elm disease on the march, so check your trees
Both the number of beetles carrying the disease and the number of municipalities with infected beetles are increasing
Reading Time: < 1 minute Albertans are being urged to check their elm trees for symptoms of Dutch elm disease (DED). “All species of elm trees in Alberta are susceptible to DED,” said Janet Feddes-Calpas, executive of the Society to Prevent Dutch Elm Disease (STOPDED). “If a tree is infected with this fungus, it must be removed immediately to prevent […] Read more
Keep watch for drought stress in trees, says specialist
Toso Bozic said several pests are adding to the stress on trees this year, and recommends weekly monitoring
Reading Time: < 1 minute Recent dry conditions are putting a lot of pressure on trees, says a provincial woodlot extension specialist. “It’s an invitation for insect and disease problems, not just for this year, but for upcoming years as well,” said Toso Bozic. There are several insects to keep an eye out for. “Yellow-headed spruce sawfly has been a […] Read more
Tips on the whys and hows of tree pruning
But less is often best as you can always prune more later
Reading Time: < 1 minute There are many reasons for pruning a tree, says provincial tree specialist Toso Bozic. Cleaning is the removal of dead, dying, diseased, crowded, weakly attached, and low-vigour branches from the crown of a tree. Crown thinning is the selective removal of branches to increase light penetration and air movement through the crown. Thinning opens the […] Read more
Majestic trees threatened by Dutch elm disease
Here are tips for spotting this devastating disease and preventing its spread
Reading Time: 2 minutes Alberta Dutch Elm Disease Awareness Week concluded on June 28. “American elms are planted extensively in Alberta and throughout the years have become the tree of choice for the Prairies with good reason,” said Janet Feddes-Calpas of the Society to Prevent Dutch Elm Disease (STOPDED) executive director. “These giants with their height and broad vase-shaped […] Read more
Tree planting dos and don’ts
Agroforestry specialist Toso Bozic outlines the basics from buying to planting
Reading Time: 2 minutes A tree needs a healthy head start and that begins with selecting the right seedlings. “Ask where the stock came from, as many trees are not adapted to Alberta’s harsher climate,” said provincial agroforestry specialist Toso Bozic. “If you don’t get a tree that suits your needs, wait for next season and order in advance.” […] Read more
Funding for trees lost to beetles or floods
Application deadline is July 30
Reading Time: < 1 minute Rural landowners in Alberta are eligible for two tree-replacement programs offered by Tree Canada. Under the mountain pine beetle ReLeaf program, landowners who have shelterbelt trees or landscape trees around their yard killed by mountain pine beetle can apply for tree seedlings or potted trees (up to a five-gallon pot size) to a maximum amount […] Read more
Planning is key to preparing an effective shelterbelt
Specialist recommends visiting mature shelterbelts and talking to landowners
Reading Time: 2 minutes Trees and shelterbelt planting is a long-term investment that requires careful planning and design. “Ask yourself what you want to accomplish by planting trees or shelterbelts on your property,” said Toso Bozic, a provincial agroforestry/bioenergy specialist. Trees should always be managed with future generations in mind, he said. “The goals can be many — ranging […] Read more
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