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This is the last issue of Horticulture 2001. The first issue of Horticulture 2002 will be sent January 9. Your electronic newsletter subscription will continue automatically, so you don't need to do anything. Each week we have newsletters that 'bounce back' from subscribers who have changed e-mail providers, so please let us know if you expect a change, and remember to re-subscribe from your new address.
We appreciate your continued interest in information supplied in this electronic format. We appreciate the suggestions, comments, and observations readers provide through the year. Please encourage others to subscribe who might be interested. The newsletter also may be viewed at our K- State Horticulture Web site: http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/horticulture
Click on Horticulture Information Center and you will find a link to the weekly newsletter, all of our horticultural publications, a listing of common horticultural plant problems, and links to other horticultural sites. On behalf of all of us at K-State we wish you a safe and relaxing holiday season, and good gardening in 2002. (WU)
After the holidays, many municipalities allow old Christmas trees to be placed curbside. Trees are then collected and ground up for mulch or burned. If you miss the designated date, or your trash collector doesn't accept trees, there are several options to prolong the useful life of the tree.
An old Christmas tree can be used to benefit birds, fish, and the landscape by placing it in a corner of your deck, and spreading some birdseed nearby, or tying it to a deciduous tree or post near a bird feeder. The birds benefit from having escape cover nearby when hawks or cats threaten, and the dense boughs reduce the windchill on a cold night.
Sinking your Christmas tree in a pond is an easy way to improve fish habitat and fishing. The tree serves as little coral reef, in that the branches provide substrate for water plants to grow, and cover for minnows and other forms of small aquatic life. Larger fish are drawn by the shade and the presence of prey.
How do you sink a tree? Tie the base to a cinder block with a short, stout rope, and toss it in. Just be sure to get permission from the pond owner first!
Using the little tree around the landscape requires clipping off all of the branches. Use the boughs to add extra insulation around semi-hardy perennials or to trees and shrubs that were recently planted. The leftover trunk may be used as a garden stake next spring. Or cut and let it dry for a few weeks, and you will have some easy lighting firewood. Just beware that most conifer species tend to spark and pop more than hardwoods, as resin pockets in the wood make tiny explosions. This can delight the youngsters, but for safety's sake keep an eye on the fire when burning Christmas tree logs! (CB)
Be on the lookout for mouse tunnels around your fruit plants. Trunks and roots of apple trees are among the favorite meals for mice. There is probably no damage yet. But if we receive enough snow to cover winter food supplies, mice will begin to feed on the lower area of tree trunks and roots. This feeding may be severe enough to girdle tree trunks and result in death of the trees.
Mice like to hide in dead grass and weeds around the trees, especially close to the trunks. They will often tunnel near the soil surface and feed on the tree bark. You can check on mice being present by placing baited mouse traps in PVC or other pipe near your trees. Insert the traps far enough so that pets are unable to reach the trap. Check the stations about once a week and reset the traps if necessary. Mouse damage can be severe enough to kill trees that are old enough to bear fruit. Clear dead grass and weeds away from your trees and monitor for mice if you are using a mulch around your fruit plants. (WU)
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