Gardening ExperienceFountainHills.org Enjoy small town charm within the Greater Phoenix Metro Area. Close proximity to: • Outstanding healthcare and wellness facilities • Six of Arizona’s finest 18-hole public golf courses • Scenic vistas and trails • Saguaro Lake and Canyon Lake • We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort • Many unique dining experiences FOUNTAIN HILLS WELCOMES CANADIAN VISITORS! Cedar hedges in winter A cedar hedge standing in fresh snow is a beautiful thing. But when heavy snowfall packs inside the hedge, splaying branches out and downward, returning to vertical form is not always certain. To keep cedar shrubs in uniform shape during winter weather, weave jute twine gently through the branches to add stability and maintain form when heavy snow falls. (Jute is a natural fibre and will eventually degrade if you forget to remove it in spring.) Handling woody plants in freezing temperatures requires delicate attention. Frozen wood is susceptible to cracking, weakening the plant’s structure and opening paths to disease infection. The boughs of long needle pines, spruce, fir, false-cypress and junipers often accumulate heavy snow loads, weighing them down to the ground. It’s best for them to remain this way until natural thawing releases the branches (often within a few days, when strong sunlight returns). If absolutely necessary to remove heavy snow from coniferous branches, do this delicately, with no wrenching or twisting of the wood. Use a broom or leaf rake on the underside of branches, gently pressing them upward with a gentle bounce to release the snow accumulation. Never attempt to remove ice from coniferous plants, as this will certainly cause injury to foliage and wood. Allow ice to melt naturally when bright sunlight returns. River Birch winter bark 'Red jade' crab apple autumn fruit Ginkgo in summer CSANews | WINTER 2020 | 53
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