Client Update. It's getting dry...
Greetings from Atlanta, GA where I am attending the annual conference of the International Society of Arboriculture, bringing together over 1000 arborists from 28 countries, and some of the top researchers and experts in the world.
The US Drought Monitor from August 6 shows a growing area of drought over the eastern United States. Since then, Tropical Storm Debbie has dumped large amounts of rain well to the east of Cincinnati but not in the Cincinnati area.
Zeroing in on this Cincinnati tri-state, moderate drought was shown from Northern Kentucky into southeast Hamilton County and northwest Clermont county as of August 6. Since then, little or no rain has fallen meaning that conditions in the Cincinnati area are once again getting quite dry.
Conditions monitoring Report August 12, 2024. Mildly dry at Cheviot OH 3.4W. Widespread dry and drought conditions>>>
We are getting increasing call volume and many of the problems are associated with lack of water. It is very important to be watering right now, but don't over react.
Please remember to water…correctly!
Water once per week, one inch per week, under the entire branch spread, in the absence of rain, May through November. Either rainfall or your watering should equal the one inch per week. Do not water if the soil is already moist. Put out a sprinkler and a straight sided soup can or rain gauge and measure one inch per week. Measure the rainfall which falls in your yard. Your trees don’t care what fell at the airport!
If burlap was left on new trees, it will repel water and the tree or shrub may die. Be sure burlap and twine are removed from the top of all root balls. If your landscaper disagrees, refer him or her to the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) industry standard for installation of landscape plants.
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 ( https://getchipdrop.com/ ), 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.
Drought: How Dry Seasons Affect Woody Plants>>>
It is truly a blessing to be able to spend time with some of the most knowledgeable arboricutural professionals in the world.
2024 marks the 100th anniversary of the International Society of Arboriculture. One century. ISA was founded in 1924. The Ohio Chapter ISA was the very first state or regional ISA chapter, created in 1942. The ISA is an international non-profit organization headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. The ISA serves the tree care industry as a membership and credentialing organization that promotes the professional practice of arboriculture. ISA focuses on providing research, technology, and education opportunities for tree care professionals to develop their arboricultural expertise. ISA also works to educate the general public about the benefits of trees and the need for proper tree care.
Worldwide, ISA has more than 22,000 members and 31,000 ISA-certified tree care professionals with 59 chapters, associate organizations, and professional affiliates throughout North America, Asia, Oceania, Europe, and South America.
I began my career path in horticulture and arboriculture 44 years ago by joining my community tree board in Westwood. I spent my high school years with the tree board doing St. tree inventories and planting trees along streets and in parks. Little did I know at the time that I was just beginning a journey that would continue for so many decades and has included becoming an ISA certified arborist in 2004 and the later and ISA Board Certified Master Arborist and finally a Registered Consulting Arborist, A credential of the American Society of Consulting Arborists.
As always, feel free to call our Director of Operations Camille Rechel at 513-661-2673 with any questions.
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
