Arbor Doctor February 2022 client update and latest blog postings
Can you believe it? Meteorological winter is almost over and the Bengals are in the Super Bowl! Will miracles never cease? Who Dey!
Winter Ups and Downs
We had one of the warmest Decembers on record this winter followed by a colder than normal January. Then, of course, there was the mother of all sleet storms in February. Will it ever all melt?
- December 2021. Very warm. Historic and tragic tornado outbreak
- January 2022 Weather Summary. Cold with below normal rain and snowfall
- Feb 2nd-4th Snow/Sleet/Ice Totals
It’s been a busy winter, with some down time due to snow and ice. Many of our services, including plantings and air knife work, can be done throughout the winter when conditions permit. We are beginning our dormant oil treatments and other services as conditions permit.
Supply Chain, Postal Service Issues, and Software Issues. Oh My!
The supply chain issues and labor shortages which are affecting everyone have affected us as well.
Besides supply chain issues, we have been experiencing significant issues with US Postal Service deliveries. This has significantly slowed our receipt of payments and other correspondence. If we call you regarding a late payment even though you sent it some time ago, this may be the reason. It is as frustrating for us as it is for you. We apologize for the inconvenience but it is largely out of our control.
2022 Prepay Letters Are In The Mail
This winter, the slow postal deliveries combined with some internal software issues to result in our prepay letters being sent out late, with delivery potentially even later. Those have now been sent but who knows when they will be delivered.
You will be receiving a letter regarding services scheduled in 2022 and offering the option to prepay. This letter is NOT an option for renewal. Ongoing services do not end at the end of a given calendar year. If you are in a situation where you need to end or suspend services, you may do that at any time in writing or by calling our office. Do not assume that doing nothing cancels the service. It does not.
Cutting back on services can be problematic. In general, our plant health care programs are timed to address specific needs in the landscape. Skipping one or more services can mean some tree or shrub issues will be missed or not addressed.
Spring is the season for mulching
Mulch plays an important role in regulating soil moisture and soil temperature. To the extent possible recycle fallen leaves back into the soil around the trees and maintain mulch around the trees to a radius of at least 3-5 feet. Keep mulch off trunks. Use a coarse textured mulch. Avoid triple shredded mulch. Aged arborist wood chips, mulched and composted leaves, pine bark, and pine straw are all good. Very finely ground mulches such as triple ground hardwood mulch are not beneficial and may inhibit moisture and oxygen exchange.
Here are updates posted on our blog page over the past month or so:
- Love Letter to Paperbark Maple
- Tree Care: Proper Pruning Practices for Professionals
- Arbor Doctor recommended larger trees which can grow in an existing woodland
- Tonga Volcano: A volcanologist explains what we know about this once-in-a-lifetime eruption
- Quick recovery of Amish community in Kentucky tornado aftermath
Recently, I was invited by the Ohio Green Industry Association to contribute to their Plant Health Care Newsletter. 14 issues of the PHCN are sent out to green industry professionals during the growing season. This newsletter has a long history. For years is was entitled the PEST newsletter and was authored by Bug Doc Dr. David Shetlar of The Ohio State University.
I have been in the horticultural profession for 40 years and am continually learning and growing. By no means do I know everything. If ever I begin to think I do, nature will remind me very quickly that I don’t. A recent edition of the Daily Bread Devotional illustrated the importance and role of humility in our lives.
Please call us any time you have a question. We get really busy in the spring so sooner may be better than later. Thank you for trusting us with your valuable trees, shrubs, and landscapes.
I pray your late winter and spring season may be a blessing.
Sincerely,
Ronald E. Rothhaas, Jr.
Principal, Arbor Doctor, LLC.
ISA Board Certified Master Arborist®, OH-5177B
ISA TRAQ, ASCA TPAQ
Member ASCA, ISA, OCISA, IAA, KAA, NALP, ONLA
(513) 661-2673
