Winter plant damage — and recovery

PEG TILLERY | Winter plant damage — and recovery

What a dismal winter and spring we've had so far. At least during May we've had some nice sunny days. But when even optimistic and venerable veggie grower Chris Smith says to wait until things warm up to plant seeds, we can allow ourselves to be a bit pessimistic.

While we're talking about this sad topic here's the winter damage report — but after we digest it, let's move on to optimism and ideas about a hopefully wonderful gardening season ahead.Madrones (Arbutus menzeseii): These venerable trees seem to be failing big-time. The last two years of nearly constant rain have contributed largely to the release of a plethora of fungi that have attacked our Madrones. There are more than 18 species of fungi impacting these magnificent trees. Additionally phytophthoras and other root rot diseases also attack.

Read more: http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2011/may/10/peg-tillery-winter-plant-damage-151-and-recovery/#ixzz1MGknBuSn


Read more: http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2011/may/10/peg-tillery-winter-plant-damage-151-and-recovery/#ixzz1MGkTrxSV

Arbutus menziesii

Re-posted from Curbstone Valley Farm - native plant gardening and organic farming on California's central coast. This is a good description of issues facing Pacific madrone throughout its range, and also has nice pictures:

The Pacific Madrone (Arbutus menziesii) is perhaps our second most favorite tree growing here (second only to our Coast Redwoods). Recently, however, we’ve realized our Pacific Madrones are likely the most at risk of disappearing from Curbstone Valley, permanently.

read the full post here:
http://curbstonevalley.com/blog/?p=4001