If you are planting a bare root, container grown, or balled and burlapped (B&B) tree it is a good practice to stake the tree for the first growing season.  There are several conditions that justify staking a tree to ensure solid root establishment such as settling soils, high winds and animals. It is recommended that the staking be done using 3 posts, a wide, flexible tying material (not rope), and positioned in a triangular orientation to stabilize the tree properly.  It is recommended to remove the staking material at the beginning of the second growing season to allow the tree to develop lateral strength.

Irrigation systems are typically designed to water turfgrass plants which are the majority of plants found in lawns.  In order to establish a tree properly, it is best to hand water or use a water bag for at least the first growing season depending on the soil conditions and rainfall.  Watering guidelines for newly planted trees can be found here: https://extension.umn.edu/yard-and-garden

The proper planting depth is dictated by the root flare, the area where the first larger root and the trunk meet.  The root flare should be exposed and visible at the existing soil level.  Planting a tree at the proper depth will mitigate any future problems caused by stem girdling roots.  For more detailed information on tree planting guidelines please visit: https://extension.umn.edu/yard-and-garden   

Trees are living plants, and all living plants require maintenance.  The species or type of tree will largely determine how much or how little maintenance is required for optimal health.  The most basic needs of trees are water, sunlight, and space.  Maintenance practices will improve the conditions of the trees as well as the environments surrounding them to promote the availability of these basic needs. Those needs can fluctuate with the environmental conditions that are present either at the time or for the duration of a season. 

There are several tree pests/diseases that have been posing significant issues with our urban forest.  The following list and affected tree species are just a guide, scouting your trees and monitoring your tree’s health is the best way to identify any issues.  Environmental conditions have a significant role in the types of pest and disease issues so be aware of seasonal changes.  Contact a certified arborist or tree inspector to properly diagnose any issues you may see.

• Ash-Emerald Ash Borer (EAB)
• Oaks-Two-lined Chestnut Borer (TLCB), Oak Wilt
• Elms-Dutch Elm Disease (DED)
• Conifers-Conifer Sawflies

Stormwater is water that comes from rain or melting snow. This runoff can flow over land or impervious surfaces, such as building rooftops, paved streets and parking lots, and does not soak into the ground. As the runoff flows, it can pick up various pollutants, including trash, chemicals, oils and dirt/sediment that can harm our streams and lakes. To help protect these waterbodies, state and federal rules and regulations have been established to help manage stormwater.

Ponds treat and manage a portion of the community's storm water. Primarily, this is the runoff from your yard and your neighbors' yards and the associated streets and sidewalks. One of the City’s requirements is the maintenance of a 17-foot buffer around the pond. This buffer is an area around the pond that contains native, low or no-maintenance vegetation that protects and improves the ability of the pond to treat stormwater. It is the homeowner’s responsibility to not impact the 17-foot buffer. This includes mowing or otherwise modifying the buffer vegetation. Also prohibited is the planting of new vegetation or placement of permanent or temporary fixtures. If you have a wetland on your property, the buffer could be greater than 17 feet.

Especially, but not only in the springtime, soil can still be partially frozen from the winter. This frozen soil does not allow surface water to take its natural path down into the groundwater. As the temperatures warm and the soils thaw, surface water will migrate downward to replenish needed water supplies and feed plants. Additional causes of wet yards include shady conditions, rain gutters and sumps discharging into low or flat areas, and filling or otherwise blocking the intended flow of surface water.

There are several reasons why pruning is not only important but is necessary for optimal tree health.  Pruning trees at a young age can establish the proper structure and form, costs less, and is less labor intensive.  Pruning mature trees is usually necessary to remove dead, dying, or diseased branches to reduce the potential for tree health decline and hazards such as falling limbs.  Trees can also be pruned to reduce canopy density which can minimize unnecessary branch breakage and/or allow sunlight to penetrate other parts of the tree or ground.  The City of Savage routinely prunes trees in public areas for public safety at no cost to property owners.

Ponds with limited flushing of water in and out of them can grow large amounts of algae and other water plants. Most of this plant growth dies off in the winter, but the growth is often accelerated in urban environments due to the excess fertilizers that are flushed into the ponds. The same fertilizer that makes your lawn green will also accelerate the plant growth in the ponds. If water can flow directly from your yard into the pond, the required pond buffer strip identified above can intercept most of these contaminants before they get to the pond.