Living Landscapes in Minnesota: - Minnesota NRCS - US ...
Living Landscapes in Minnesota: - Minnesota NRCS - US ...
Living Landscapes in Minnesota: - Minnesota NRCS - US ...
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Prescribed burn<strong>in</strong>g can be an effective tool for<br />
ma<strong>in</strong>ta<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g native landscapes. Always check local<br />
regulations and work with experienced personnel.<br />
Prun<strong>in</strong>g is usually done on woody<br />
plants but can also refer to the removal<br />
of seedheads and other mature plant<br />
parts from herbaceous plants.<br />
Herbaceous Plants<br />
Matur<strong>in</strong>g seedheads can be pruned to<br />
stimulate secondary flower<strong>in</strong>g or prolong<br />
vegetative growth later <strong>in</strong> the grow<strong>in</strong>g<br />
season. Herbaceous material should be<br />
trimmed and removed <strong>in</strong> late w<strong>in</strong>ter or early<br />
spr<strong>in</strong>g. Mature specimen plants can be left<br />
to add w<strong>in</strong>ter color, aid <strong>in</strong> trapp<strong>in</strong>g snow<br />
and provide food for wildlife. Herbaceous<br />
specimen plants left stand<strong>in</strong>g over w<strong>in</strong>ter<br />
should be trimmed <strong>in</strong> early spr<strong>in</strong>g to remove<br />
dead plant material and unwanted plant<br />
litter.<br />
Prescribed burn<strong>in</strong>g is often recommended.<br />
However, it is not always practical <strong>in</strong> urban<br />
areas. In that case, mow<strong>in</strong>g is the next<br />
best option.<br />
Prun<strong>in</strong>g/Trimm<strong>in</strong>g<br />
Woody Plants<br />
Woody plants should be pruned at an<br />
early age to conform with the <strong>in</strong>tended<br />
use and landscape design. Trim to a<br />
s<strong>in</strong>gle stem or leave as multi-stem plant.<br />
• Prune lower branches to provide<br />
lower stem sanitation or alleviate<br />
shad<strong>in</strong>g of adjacent groundcover<br />
plants.<br />
• Prune disease and <strong>in</strong>sect-affected<br />
plant parts to m<strong>in</strong>imize spread.<br />
<strong>Liv<strong>in</strong>g</strong> <strong>Landscapes</strong> <strong>in</strong> M<strong>in</strong>nesota: A GUIDE TO NATIVE PLANTSCAPING<br />
M AINTENANCE<br />
• Remove rubb<strong>in</strong>g, deformed, or dead<br />
branches at any time.<br />
• Prune <strong>in</strong>terior limbs to reduce w<strong>in</strong>d<br />
resistance.<br />
• Conifers should be pruned <strong>in</strong> spr<strong>in</strong>g<br />
or early summer. They are usually<br />
pruned to correct deformities.<br />
• Deciduous trees and shrubs should<br />
be dormant-pruned <strong>in</strong> late fall or<br />
w<strong>in</strong>ter.<br />
25<br />
To avoid clipp<strong>in</strong>g basal leaves of wildflowers, mow<strong>in</strong>g height for weed<br />
control <strong>in</strong> established plant<strong>in</strong>gs should be 8 <strong>in</strong>ches or more.<br />
Use sharp, high-quality pruners. Note:<br />
sterilize pruners with 10 percent bleach<br />
solution after cutt<strong>in</strong>g diseased branches.<br />
Avoid leav<strong>in</strong>g a stub. Remove the entire<br />
limb, cutt<strong>in</strong>g close to the branch collar<br />
of the trunk or branch from which it is<br />
removed. Do not cut <strong>in</strong>to the branch collar<br />
(flush cut).<br />
Us<strong>in</strong>g Chemicals<br />
TIP:<br />
Us<strong>in</strong>g Chemicals: Follow the label<br />
for proper pesticide application rates<br />
and target species. For <strong>in</strong>sect and disease<br />
damage it is important to properly<br />
identify the <strong>in</strong>sect or pathogen before<br />
attempt<strong>in</strong>g any control measures.