It is hard to believe but we have passed the mid summer mark so quickly. It has been a comfortable summer for the most part with plenty of rain and heat. This has created great growing conditions for lawns, gardens and most “wild” plants. Great growing conditions leads to more lawn mowing and trimming. You are reminded to be very careful when mowing or whipper snipping near young trees. It only takes a brush up against the young bark to damage trees. Once the scar is created, fungal growth often takes advantage, which often leads to premature death. Also, inattentive or careless use of lawn mowers and whipper snippers too often causes the complete girdling of trees and shrubs, which leads to death soon after.
It is important that we all take great care when working with these machines near plants. One method to protect trees and shrubs, and encourage good growth, is to use a 5 to 7.5cm thick bark mulch layer around the plants to be protected. When there is no grass growing near the tree stems, it dramatically decreases the chance of accidental tree stem damage.
Despite the great grass growth, it is also important to not mow lawns too low. If the conditions turn try, a short lawn is less resilient to lack of moisture and will be at higher risk of insect infestation or drying out completely.
This warm, moist summer has also created ideal conditions for various tree leaf fungal infestations across the province which generally creates ugly leaves but is not so serious for tree survival. More information on this subject will appear in next week’s newspaper.
Similarly, as you hopefully are well aware, we are still in tick season. In fact, one should sadly assume that it is possible to be bitten by a tick – either black legged or wood ticks, year-round. Ticks can be found just about anywhere outdoors. Recently, I have had two friends acquire the dreaded Lyme Disease. Neither knew when they were bitten by the infected black legged ticks, but both think it was likely while golfing at a golf course. So, instead of staying inside and being bored, keep enjoying the outdoors to the max while taking the proper tick precautions.
Due to the large deer population in many urban areas like Truro, HRM, and New Glasgow area, the population or ticks has also increased. Along with climate change, which has allowed the spread and flourishing of ticks, female ticks that become engorged on deer, eventually fall off into their urban neighbourhoods and soon after produce hundreds, if not thousands, of baby ticks which will soon be looking for a blood meal. Recently more ticks have been found on backyard lawns for this reason.
It is recommended that you tuck your pants into your socks when walking in tall grass, shrubs or forest settings. As well, it is essential to check yourself and those you love in your home to make sure you are safe. Lyme disease can be life-changing and crippling, and when a tick bites you, the bite creates no sensation because of the anaesthetic chemical it uses at the beginning of the biting process. These eight-legged blood sucking critters may range in size from as small as a pin’s head to as large as a pencil eraser. Always be on the lookout.
Along the topic of deer, most urban dwellers have stories of close encounters or frustrations with the growing urban deer population. As each generation of deer becomes more familiar and fearless of humans and our world, it is becoming more and more difficult to avoid their impacts, whether it be feeding on and destroying gardens and shrubs, spreading ticks, and creating unsafe conditions in some backyards and while driving on some streets where deer are commonly struck by vehicles.
Some solutions include tall fences, double or electric fences, and sometimes planting plants that deer do not seem to like – yet at least. Some communities, such as Truro, are considering what actions might be taken to deal with the high urban deer population.
The key forest insects to keep an eye out for in the coming months and years include Emerald ash borer, Hemlock woolly adelgid, and the old familiar spruce budworm. The first two exotic pests could sadly wipe out our ash and hemlock tree species, perhaps even worse than the impact of Dutch elm disease.
Most people realize the multiple benefits of planting trees, including softening the climate crisis impacts. Can you get involved in planting trees? Yes, you can. You may choose to plant small trees you transplant from the forest, you can choose trees from nurseries to plant yourself, or you may hire a landscaping company to look after the planting for you. The Town of Truro is known for its beautiful urban forest. It is up to all of us, if we are able, to continue developing a healthy and diverse urban forest. The Town of Truro offers a great deal for residents during the spring to fall period. For the planting of approved tree species that are known to survive our climate, the Town will provide a 50% rebate. It is a great deal for all involved. Simply call Andrew at 902-893-6071.
Finally, be thankful we live in a beautiful little province that doesn’t have the wildfires, heat waves, droughts and flooding that has occurred in western Canada. However, always be careful not to cause wildfires in our forests. In August and September, it doesn’t take too many hot and dry days to suddenly create serious wildfire spreading conditions.
Despite the pandemic restrictions that we have been wisely living by, it has been a great spring and summer for outdoor recreation activities and sports such as tennis, golf, biking and hiking. Good luck getting outdoors and staying active.
-Don Cameron, RPF
Aug. 15, 2021
|