LandscapingNews
Residential Street Tree Pruning Update for December
Neighborhoods scheduled for December are Woodstream, Creekshire, Lakefield, Plantation Colony, Plantation Creek, Sugar Crossing, Oyster Point, Edgewater Gardens, Edgewater Bay, Lakes of Edgewater and Old Mill Park. For more information on the program, visit our website at www. firstcolony. org.
The pruning will consist of raising the canopy of street trees to provide clearance that meets city requirements. Limbs that are removed will be chipped and hauled away from the property on the same day the pruning takes place. Street trees are those located in the area between the sidewalk and the street; yard trees are not included in this service. As the trees are a living organism and are constantly growing, additional pruning may need to be done between visits. This is the responsibility of the homeowner as well as any damaged limbs that may need to be removed.
If you wish to continue to maintain your own street trees, you may do so by using the form located on our website to notify FCCA no later than two weeks prior to the beginning of the month of your neighborhood’ s scheduled pruning. If you opt out of the program and later choose to join, your street trees will not be pruned until the next scheduled pruning of your neighborhood. You will need to inform FCCA in writing if you choose to opt back into the program. Also, if you choose to maintain your own street trees and receive a violation notice from the City or from FCCA, you will be responsible for bringing your trees into compliance and for any fines incurred for failure to do so.
For more information about the program, please go to our website at www. firstcolony. org. You may also contact Bill Grantham at 281-634-9568 or e-mail at landscape @ firstcolony. org.
Ball Moss
Scientific Name: Tillandsia recurvata Common Name: Ball moss
Growth Habits: Ball moss is an epiphyte that perches on other plants and trees. It feeds off nutrients and moisture in the air. The problem with this particular plant is density and growth. Ball moss uses tendrils to attach itself to a branch which reduces circulation to the end of the branch. Typically, it will not kill a healthy tree, but heavy infestation can kill branches and retard tree growth. Weak trees may be stressed to the point where they become more susceptible to insects or disease and will ultimately die. wildlife, causing severe damage to our lovely trees here in First Colony.
FCCSA is investing money on an annual basis to treat this problem in common areas; however, unless residents treat the trees on their property, including the street trees which are the responsibility of a homeowner, it can spread quickly and the issue will be very difficult to remedy. The best time to treat ball moss is January or February when it is cooler.
Treatment: It is best to remove as much as you can by hand and seal it in a plastic bag for disposal. DO NOT COMPOST. Control can be difficult on larger trees. For severe infestations, contact a qualified arborist for suggested treatments. Additional information on treatments can be obtained at https:// www. ballmosscontrol. org / how-to-treat. Left untreated, ball moss can easily spread via wind and
Tree on Austin Parkway; Ball moss is suffocating the tree
Sample of Ball moss; Notice the spores that spread via wind and wildlife
WWW. FIRSTCOLONY. ORG
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