Snow Removal - The Turtle Creek Homeowners Association has contracted with Crowe Co. for snow removal on Turtle Creek Blvd. sidewalk around the monument. If you would like snow removal of you driveway or sidewalk contact: Chris White @ Crowe Co. Landscaping @ 952-361-6433 and ask for the Turtle Creek Neighborhood discount.
Master Gardener, Winter Outdoor Tips: * From an environmental standpoint, spreading sand is the best way to deal with icy sidewalks, steps and driveways. If you'd like to use a de-icer, try urea nitrogen fertilizer. It can burn plants if there's a heavy concentration in one area, but used with restraint it actually helps fertilize grass and shrubs adjacent to treated areas. * After the holidays, chop the branches off your Christmas tree and lay them over bulb beds and perennial gardens. The added insulation helps protect plants against fluctuating soil temperatures and early warm-up. You could also poke the branches into the ground to form a shield or baffle to the south or west side of smaller evergreens that tend to suffer drying and winterburn most years. * Take time this winter to plan landscape improvements for next season. There's more time to talk to experts and look through books for ideas when you don't have a list of yard and garden chores to work on. Many landscape designers and landscape architects are also less rushed this time of year. * Tree Pruning - People tend to forget about their trees during the winter months. We assume that because the trees are dormant, little or no care is necessary or even possible. Actually, the winter months can, and should, be utilized by those of us who are concerned with the health of our trees. While dormant pruning provides the same benefits as does pruning during other times of the year, it has definite advantages in certain situations as in the case of maintenance pruning of mature trees.
Dormant Season Pruning for Mature Trees (Maintenance Pruning), Patrick Weicherding, Extension Educator, Horticulture, Anoka County:
Reasons for winter tree pruning: increased growth reponse, easily viewed branching patterns -The absence of leaves allows the branching patterns of trees to be easily seen. Improved equipment access - Because the ground is frozen, lawn damage is not as great a concern and the improved access may reduce cleanup time. Less Injury to flower beds, improved pest management benefits. Pruning mature trees during the dormant season also minimizes the risk of disease spread via pruning cuts. For example, in areas where oak wilt is a concern, pruning oaks during the winter can minimize the spread of the disease. Insects that carry the disease from infected trees to fresh pruning cuts during the spring and summer are not present during the winter. Thus, the trees can be pruned without worrying that the oak wilt pathogen will be introduced into the fresh cuts. The goal of pruning mature trees is to maintain their structure and form by removing dead branches, and by thinning large branches to reduce weight and wind resistance and allow light penetration to maintain inner growth. Remember, however, pruning should always be performed sparingly. Overpruning is extremely harmful because without enough leaves, a tree cannot gather and process enough sunlight to survive. Proper pruning is one of the best things a person can do for their trees. Improper pruning is one of the worst. Arm yourself with the knowledge about what proper pruning is and what it is not. Remember a healthy tree will seal on its own, so wound dressings, which may actually interfere with this process, are not necessary. To aid in the recovery of pruning wounds, water and mulch your trees well. If you are not confident in the particular pruning needs of your tree, contact your local certified arborist.