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Liriope’s Muse: Tree Care Tips from a Master Arborist
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Liriope's Muse: Herbicide injury in trees
In the tree industry, we are constantly coming across trees who have fallen victim to herbicide damage. In fact, herbicide damage is the most common ailment that we come across. Herbicides, while effective for weed control, can inadvertently harm trees if not applied or managed correctly. Understanding how herbicides affect trees and recognizing the signs of damage is crucial for effective tree care and preservation efforts.
How Herbicides Affect Trees
Herbicides, also known as weed-killer, are chemically replicated allelopathic hormones used in yards to manipulate or control undesirable weeds and plants. There are two kinds of herbicides selective and non-selective (or “total weed killers”). Selective herbicides target specific plant or vegetation groups, while non-selective herbicides kill all plants indiscriminately.
The potential effects of herbicides are strongly influenced by their toxic mode of action and their method of application. Herbicides act by inhibiting cell division, photosynthesis or amino acid production or by mimicking natural plant growth hormones, causing deformities and rendering the affected plants unviable and unable to replicate. In your yard, herbicides alter the PH of the surrounding soils and damage the essential microbial flora. They can enter trees through various pathways:
- Root Uptake: Herbicides applied to the soil can be absorbed by a tree's roots and transported throughout the tree via the vascular system.
- Foliage Contact: Sprayed herbicides are absorbed directly into the exposed tissues, such as bark and foliage, and translocated throughout the tree.
Signs of Herbicide Damage
Recognizing herbicide damage early is crucial for mitigating its effects. Symptoms may vary depending on the herbicide type, concentration, tree species, and environmental conditions, but common signs include:
- Leaf Abnormalities: leaf cupping, curling, twisting, puckering, or strapping.
- Discolored foliage: yellow, white, reddish, purplish, or abnormally light or dark green leaves.
- Leaf Drop: Premature leaf drop, especially outside of the tree's normal shedding season.
- Stunted Growth: Reduced growth or dieback of shoots and branches.
- Bark Damage: Bark splitting, cracking, or peeling.
- General Decline: Overall decline in tree health, including reduced vigor and greator susceptibility to pests and diseases.
**Damage from weather, insects, and diseases can be confused with herbicide damage. So its important to consult with a certified arborist to properly identify and diagnose the issue. There is herbicide injury look-alike symptoms that match every disease/disorder.
Preventative Measures
Preventing herbicide damage starts with careful application and adherence to best practices:
- Read The Labels: It is important that you follow herbicide label instructions exactly as outlined, especially those that help limit drift, vaporization, and runoff. Look for precautionary statements regarding trees.
- Choose The Right Location: Be aware of surrounding properties with sensitive vegetation including parks, gardens, windbreaks, landscape nurseries, orchards, vineyards, organic farms, native woodlands, and other natural areas.
- Application Timing: Most damage occurs in spring when trees and other plants are leafing out with susceptible new growth. So try to shift weed control to fall when many weeds are more easily controlled and damage to trees is reduced. Monitor temperature, wind speed, and wind direction, avoid spraying on warm, windy days.
- Buffer Zones: It’s crucial that you maintain buffer zones between treated areas and trees to minimize accidental exposure. Keep in mind the trees root system expands well beyond the canopy edge.
- Alternative Methods: Consider alternative weed control methods, such as mulching, mowing often, or hand weeding.
Herbicide damage to trees can be a serious issue, but with proper understanding, early detection, and effective management strategies, you can significantly improve the chances of tree recovery. By staying informed and proactive, we can better protect our urban and natural tree populations from unintended harm.
Remember, every tree is unique, and timely intervention can make a significant difference in preserving their health and beauty for years to come.
Resources I found useful during my research:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herbicide
https://nfs.unl.edu/publications/herbicide-damage-trees
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/herbicide-damage-trees-and-shrubs/
Liriope’s Muse - Expert Tree Care Tips
While most people associate Valentine’s Day with roses and chocolates, it’s also the perfect time to think ahead to one of the most breathtaking seasons—fall! If you want your Houston landscape to glow with vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows come autumn, now is the time to start planning and planting.
Winter can be harsh on your trees. Freezing temperatures, snow, and ice can stress even the hardiest species, leaving them vulnerable to damage as the seasons change. As a board-certified master arborist, I’ve seen how proper post-winter care can make all the difference in a tree’s health and longevity. Here are some essential tips to help your trees recover and thrive after a winter freeze:
Lichen is a fascinating organism that often raises concerns among tree owners. Many homeowners notice lichen growing on their trees and wonder if it poses a threat to the health of their landscape. As a certified arborist, I aim to clarify the facts and dispel common misconceptions about lichen and its relationship with trees, read this weeks blog to learn more!
The northern red oak (Quercus rubra) has been named the 2025 Tree of the Year! Check out this blog to learn more about the significance of this tree!
Decorating outdoor trees is a wonderful way to spread holiday cheer and bring festive charm to your yard. However, it’s essential to ensure that your decorations do not harm the very trees you’re adorning. Follow these dos and don’ts to keep your trees healthy and happy throughout the holiday season.
As winter paints the world in frost and snow, evergreen trees stand as steadfast sentinels of life and vitality. Unlike their deciduous counterparts that shed their leaves, evergreens maintain their verdant splendor through the coldest months, offering beauty, shelter, and a festive spirit. These trees, rich in symbolism and ecological importance, are worth celebrating this holiday season.
As we gather to celebrate Thanksgiving, let’s take a moment to appreciate the trees that have quietly shaped this holiday. From the orchards to the forests, trees are woven into our traditions in more ways than we realize.
Pine tip borers are small yet highly destructive pests that can severely damage pine trees if left unchecked. Understanding how to identify these pests, their lifecycle, and their effects is essential for keeping your trees healthy and thriving.
Pine bark beetles are tiny but mighty pests that can wreak havoc on your pine trees. They spread quickly, introduce harmful pathogens, and often mean certain death for infested trees.
Hiring a tree service company can be a big decision, and not all companies offer the same level of quality, safety, and reliability. Your choice of service provider can impact not only the longevity of your trees but also the safety of your property.
The post oak (Quercus stellata) is a remarkable native tree species, known for its rugged beauty, hardiness, and ecological significance. Check out this blog to learn more !
Planting trees is one of the most impactful ways to improve your landscape and benefit the environment. However, choosing the right season to plant can make all the difference in helping a tree thrive. Check out this blog to learn more!
Insurance companies are increasingly pressuring homeowners to prune or remove trees under the guise of liability and safety concerns and in doing so they are murdering healthy and otherwise safe trees.
If you've ever wandered through a forest, admired a sprawling oak, or simply observed the trees in your yard, you might have wondered where these beautiful plants got their color
In many landscapes, trees and grass coexist, but not always harmoniously. It is a common misconception that grass does not grow under the trees canopy due to the shade or lack of sun, which is simply incorrect. check out this blog to learn about a trees natural allelopathy.
When it comes to environmental activism, Julia Lorraine Hill, also known as "Butterfly," stands out as a symbol of dedication and courage. Check out this blog to learn more about Julia and how her determination saved many historical trees.
CODIT is an acronym for Compartmentalization Of Decay In Trees. This term is used in the tree care industry to describe the processes that occurs when a tree is wounded.
Tree girdling is a common condition plaguing many urban trees, often going unnoticed until significant damage has been done. In this blog you'll get a greater understanding of what tree girdling is and how to avoid it.
Ball moss is a small, tufted plant often found on trees in the southern region commonly mistaken to be harmless. In this article, we'll delve into the impact of ball moss on trees and what you can do to manage it.
A common concern among our customers is the impact of tree roots on their yards, particularly regarding the health of their driveways and sidewalks and maintaining the overall aesthetic appeal. In this blog, we'll explore the reality of how roots interact with concrete and structures, as well as the crucial role a tree's root system plays and why it is so essential to the life of the tree.
Crape myrtles are cherished for their vibrant summer blooms and striking bark. However, these beautiful trees and shrubs face a growing threat from crape myrtle bark scale. In this blog we will delve into CMBS, prevention, and management tips tho keep your crape myrtles thriving.
Trees are remarkable organisms that continually adapt to their environment. Among the many fascinating behaviors they exhibit, tropic leaning and mechanical leaning are often misunderstood.
Natural disasters bring out the best and worst in people... and open up communities to unscrupulous services. Read this blog to understand price gouging and how to report it in times of disaster.
Living in a city doesn’t mean you have to miss out on the joys of homegrown fruit! In this blog we delve into planting and care tips to keep fruit trees thriving in your yard year round.
In this blog post, I’ll delve into what carbon sequestration is, how trees contribute to it, and why it’s vital for our planet’s health.
Do you have a dead tree in your yard and dont know what to do with it? In this blog we will explore all of your options from recycling, repurposing, and removal!
Much like humans, trees have a natural balance called mass damping. Check out this blog to see how storm pruning can throw off this balance.
Explore the botanical marvels, ecological significance, and the cultural and economic impacts of the Texas Pecan Tree in this blog!
From its humble origins in the American South to its widespread popularity in landscapes worldwide, the magnolia continues to inspire awe.
We don’t yet have the answer to this age old question and the chances are we won’t be around long enough to find out, but check out this blog for the closest answers we have.
Ever wondered the similarities between a Certified Arborist and a Doctor? Check out this blog that details the fascinating parallels between the two industries.
Phytophthora is a root rot disease that plagues plants of all kinds, causing emmense economic and environmental loss across the world. This pathogen or 'Plant Destroyer' as it kills its host starting from the roots and growing upward through the tree or plant.
The dry and hot conditions of Houston’s summers are hard for even the most resilient of trees to survive. Our Board Certified Master Arborist, Eric Putnam, has compiles a list of 7 tips that can help ensure your beloved trees stay healthy during this trying time.
I recently took a short trip to the beautiful sunshine state of Florida (St. Petersburg) to bask in the sun and take in the nature, and thought I’d share some of my discoveries with you all in this blog!
It's important to keep your trees in mind during the construction process, let us help you help preserve your trees!
Spring has sprung, which means the rainy season is upon us! If your yard turns into a pond this time of year or is prone to flooding in general, you may want to consider planting a Cypress tree.
Read this informative blog about the International Day of Forests and learn what part you can play in conserving our environment.
Want to get your trees into tip-top shape for spring? Well now is the time to do so! In this blog, we cover the best time of the year to prune your trees!
Dealing with pesky overhanging tree branches? Are they yours to trim? Read this blog now to find out your rights!
Should Roses really be number one? Read this article to find out why we think wildflowers are way more beautiful and important.
While Crape Murder is a very real thing, it might now be exactly what you think it is. Read more to find out all about the history of the trees and why they need to be pruned.
Stump grinding is a highly effective and efficient method used to remove unsightly tree stumps from your property. Learn the ins and outs of stump grinding in this comprehensive blog.
In this blog we are covering the dangers of using damaging equipment on living trees and how diseases can be transferred.
The woodpecker is a very interesting and not often talked about species. So in this blog, we will be highlighting the fascinating life of these ubiquitous birds!
“I simply can’t think of another tree that is this diverse” – Eric Putnam. Read now to find out exactly why we are so in love.
If you're considering hiring an arborist to care for your trees, you should know what they do, why they do it, and their qualifications. Read now to find out!
Many conditions present are similar to a PH (Potential for Hydrogen) imbalance, so it is very commonly misdiagnosed. Read to debunk the myths surrounding your tree's soil.
Trusted & Reliable
Charles Eric Putnam
ISA Board Certified Master Arborist ®
TX 0198B
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