The days are getting longer, and before you know it spring will be here. As many of you are aware, the dormant season is the only time to prune elm trees. With the potential threat of Dutch Elm disease, pruning should only be done from October to March.

Property values are greatly enhanced with a healthy, landscaped, well-planted yard. Real estate values can boast up to 10 and 15 per cent of total property value just by planting trees and shrubs.

When I first wandered into the tree business over 30 years ago, I realized how much people love trees. Maybe it is because trees were never in abundance in this prairie city. In fact, it is difficult to realize that, aside from the river valleys and bluffs, virtually all of the trees in Calgary have been planted here.

With Calgary’s weather being so challenging, very few species of plant material grow well as compared to many other Canadian cities. Chinooks, our welcome relief from winter, wreak havoc in the tree world. Fluctuating temperatures can detrimentally affect growing conditions, so that a tree’s very survivial becomes challenging.

In fact, Calgary and Kamchatka, Russia have been identified as two areas on the planet that can have up to a 20 C fluctuation within an hour. With soil temperature fluctuation comes stress. One way to help minimize that stress is by applying mulch (organic material) to the surface of your growing area. Mulch has been proven to reduce soil temperature fluctuation, as well as to retain moisture in the soil. Southern Alberta’s windy conditions increase water evaporation and the application of mulch can reduce your water usage, something that is important both environmentally and financially. Aesthetics to planted areas can be greatly enhanced as well with the use of mulch.

The value of trees is a difficult thing to measure — sort of like the value of your dog. To some, trees may represent a living memorial to a family member or, perhaps, an arbour day planting by a child. However, the true value or replacement value of a tree is dictated by several factors. The species (type of tree), the location, size (diameter at breast height), age and health are variables that contribute to it’s value.

Trees also provide shade, privacy, and wind-breaks, and help to attract birds. Proper pruning, fertilizing and watering can contribute greatly to the health and longevity of your trees.

With respect to pruning, only tree care specialists should touch your trees.I have full respect for landscapers, (I am a Landscape Journeyman), however the person pushing the lawn mower may not know a thing about pruning trees.

Many property managers make the mistake of assuming the guy changing the light bulbs, cutting the grass and picking up the garbage can prune the trees.

Irreparable damage may be caused very quickly when pruning tools are in the wrong hands. Over the years, I have seen many people ruin their trees by trying to be the home handy person. For starters, trees should never be reduced in height. There is no such thing as a tree that is too tall. However, there is such thing as the wrong tree in the wrong place. Under no circumstances should the top ever be cut off. This is not my opinion, it is proven by horticulturists, arborists and botanists the world over.

I always say , “Do you see wardens cutting the heads off trees in Banff?”

When employing proper pruning techniques, only dead- wood, crossing and rubbing limbs, weak attachments, diseased branches, storm damaged or vandalized branches should be cut. People often don’t realize that it is the leaves (or needles) that feed the tree, there has to be a reason to cut. Don’t cut for the sake of cutting.

Commercial properties present a whole list of reasons unto themselves when it comes to pruning. Branches hanging over parking stalls, scratching vehicles or obstructing site lines and reducing visibility, branches scratching siding or fascia and lifting shingles are all are reasons why pruning may be required. Directional pruning may eliminate the need for yearly pruning if implemented properly.

If you have any questions regarding your trees and shrubs, please feel free to contact me at The Branch Manager Tree Expert Inc.

Scott Kellock is the owner and founder of The Branch Manager Tree Experts Inc. and is a Certified Horticulturist, Landscape Journeyman and a member of the International Society of Arboriculture in Calgary.