Trees & Shrubs Flashcards

1
Q

What is a tree?

A

A perennial plant with a single woody self-supporting stem or trunk usually unbranched for some distance above the ground.

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2
Q

What is a shrub?

A

A woody perennial, usually smaller than a tree, which is divided into separate stems at or near the ground.

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3
Q

What are some of the uses of trees in a garden?

A
  • Structural planting
  • Shade
  • Shelter
  • Privacy
  • Decoration
  • Area division
  • Wildlife habitat
  • Fruit production.
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4
Q

Explain some considerations when choosing a tree or shrub for a site.

A
  • Aspect and soil. Sun, prevailing winds, drains and other services, soil fertility and pH.
  • Type of garden. Choice should suit garden style/local environment
  • Available space. Size tree/shrub gets to, distance from house etc
  • Aesthetics. Shape, leaf colour, flower, fruiting time, etc.
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5
Q

What’s the difference between a standard and half-standard tree?

A

Standard: single clear stem 1.5m - 1.8m in length. Tree should be around 3m in height.

Half-standard: 1.2m - 1.5m of clear stem. Tree should be around 2m in height.

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6
Q

When are the best times of year to plant a tree?

A

Autumn or spring. (Container grown stock may be planted almost all year around.)

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7
Q

Explain the planting of a tree, including site preparation.

A
  • Remove all weeds, esp. perennial weeds like Aegopodium podagraria.
  • If planting in a lawn, cut a circle and skim off turf
  • Excavate the hole.
    • Hole should be square and large enough to accomodate the rootball + 5cm all round.
    • Depth should ensure the flare of the trunk will be at soil level.
    • Base of the hole should be flat and the sides vertical.
    • Don’t turnover the soil in the base of the hole.
    • Don’t add organic matter or fertiliser to the base of the hole.
  • Drive in the stake according to the method appropriate to the tree (do this before planting to avoid damaging rootball).
    • Should be 45 degree angle on windward side.
    • Stake should be 1/3rd the height of the tree.
  • Position the tree (ensuring level is correct. Look for nursery mark if bareroot). Check for best angle from vantage points.
  • Backfill. Take care to eliminate air pockets, firm with boot. Finish neatly.
  • Water tree in well.
  • Mulch. 7.5cm layer to retain moisture. Not up to crown.
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8
Q

What after care does your tree need in spring?

A
  • Refresh the mulch (water it first) to prevent weeds and to retain moisture
  • Formative pruning to develop shape of tree. Remove any water shoots from main stem, any double leaders, crossing branches, DDD.
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9
Q

What after care does your tree need in summer?

A
  • Ensure tree is well watered in first 2/3 years. 15-20 litres every fortnight during growing season if sufficient rain has not fallen.
  • Keep weed free around base as weeds compete for nutrients and may harbour pests and diseases. Fork or hoe, but be careful not to damage tree roots.
  • Check for pests and diseases and treat.
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10
Q

What after care does your tree need in autumn and winter?

A
  • Check the stake and loosen the tie if necessary
  • Remove heavy snow falls from branches, esp from conifers so shape isn’t damaged.
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11
Q

List three ameliorants that can be added to the soil when planting a barerooted tree.

A
  • Leaf mould
  • Grit to improve drainage
  • Mycorrizhal fungi
  • Fertiliser (e.g. Growmore base dressing).
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12
Q

Describe three methods for staking trees.

A
  • A short stake at 45 degrees up to 1m up the trunk, angled towards the wind, secured with a buckle tie
  • Double stakes at 1m or up to 2m from the crown and 30cm-45cm between the stakes, using cross ties or a cross beam to secure the tree to the stakes
  • A single upright stake at 1m to 2m in height, secured by a buckle tie.
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13
Q

Name some common diseases that affect trees.

A
  • Honey fungus
  • Fireblight
  • Bacterial canker
  • Dutch elm disease.
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14
Q

What kind of pruning should you do for all trees?

A

Remove dead, diseases and damaged tissue.

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15
Q

Describe how to prune three distinct named shrubs for different seasons of interest.

A

GROUP 1: Forsythia x intermedia: Grown for spring flowers. Pruned in April/May, directly after flowering by removing some branches back to the base and reducing the length of some branches to retain shape

GROUP 2: Buddelja davidii: Grown for summer flowers. Prune in February/March, by cutting all stems back to 5cm of the old wood (staghorn shape)

GROUP 4: Cornus alba: Grown for winter stem interest. Pruned in March/April by stooling (cutting all stems back to 5cm from their point of origin).

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16
Q

Name one shrub for each of the following:

  • Spring flowering
  • Summer flowering
  • Autumn display
  • Winter interest
A

Spring flowering: Camellia japonica, Forsythia x intermedia ‘Lynwood’

Summer flowering: Buddelja davidii, Lavandula angustifolia

Autumn display: Euonymous alatus, Cornus alba

Winter interest: Rhus typhina, Stachyurus praecox.

17
Q

State how powdery mildew can be minimised on woody plants.

A
  • Removal and destruction (by burning) of infected, fallen leaves
  • Pruning out and destroying infected plant material
  • Mulching to reduce water stress and make plants less susceptible
  • Water plants at soil level
  • Prune plants to improve air flow.
18
Q

Describe the symptoms and control of honey fungus.

A
  • Fungal diseases
  • Wilting foliage in spring, yellowing
  • Bootlace or black straps of fungal rhizomorphs present under bark and in the soil at base of tree
  • In autumn light brown toadstools may be present
  • Plant less susceptible species
  • Remove and destroy infected plants, especially roots and stump. Dig around tree to 70cm depth to impede progress of rhizomorphs.
19
Q

Describe the symptoms and control of Apple and Pear Canker.

A
  • Fungal infection
  • Cankers present (areas of dead sunken bark on fruiting spurs and branches) Old cankers have dead wood at centre. Branches eventually die.
  • Plant less susceptible cultivars
  • Cut out infected branches
  • Use chemical fungicide (after picking fruit but before leaf fall, then again after leaf fall).
20
Q

Describe the symptoms and control of Coral Spot.

A
  • Fungal infection
  • Dieback of branches. Small coral-pink pustules appear on the bark of infected stems throughout the year, esp winter
  • Avoid pruning in wet weather
  • Cut infected stems back to healthy wood and burn infected wood.