The Almanac

Continue feeding every 2-3 weeks. Use dilute liquid feed.

• Satsuki Azalea 1

No prior Fertilize

Pause or reduce depending on vigor.

• Copper Beech 1

No prior Fertilize

Reduce nitrogen; use lower nitrogen fertilizer.

• Boxwood 1
• Boxwood 2
• Boxwood 3
• Boxwood 4
• Boxwood 5
• Boxwood 6
• Boxwood 7
• Boxwood 8
• Boxwood 9
• Boxwood 10
• Boxwood 11

Last Fertilize: 1 month ago

Reduce frequency if growth slows.

• Hall's Crabapple 1

No prior Fertilize

Light feeding only; avoid stimulating excessive growth.

• Ginkgo biloba 1

No prior Fertilize

Continue nitrogen-based feeding if pushing growth.

• Chinese Juniper 1
• Chinese Juniper 2
• Chinese Juniper 3

No prior Fertilize

Pause if growth stalls in heat.

• Creeping Juniper 1

No prior Fertilize

Stop fertilizing in peak heat to avoid stressing roots.

• Himalayan Juniper 1

No prior Fertilize

Suspend or use weak feed to avoid burning roots.

• Procumbens Juniper Nana 1

No prior Fertilize

Light feeding with low nitrogen.

• Japanese Larch 1

No prior Fertilize

Continue monthly with organic or slow-release.

• Lilac Sensation 1

No prior Fertilize

Taper nitrogen; hold feed during hottest weeks.

• Bigleaf Maple 2

No prior Fertilize

Taper nitrogen; hold feed during hottest weeks.

• Japanese Maple 1

No prior Fertilize

Taper nitrogen; hold feed during hottest weeks.

• Japanese Maple 6
• Japanese Maple 9

No prior Fertilize

Taper nitrogen; hold feed during hottest weeks.

• Japanese Maple 2
• Japanese Maple 3
• Japanese Maple 4
• Japanese Maple 5
• Japanese Maple 7
• Japanese Maple 8

No prior Fertilize

Reduce nitrogen, focus on potassium if flower/fruit desired.

• Trident Maple 2

No prior Fertilize

Withhold fertilizer during heat waves to avoid root burn.

• Canyon Live Oak 1

Last Fertilize: 3 years ago

Continue biweekly feeding with low-nitrogen fertilizer.

• Dawn Redwood 1
• Dawn Redwood 2
• Dawn Redwood 3
• Dawn Redwood 4
• Dawn Redwood 5

No prior Fertilize

Resume light feeding if growth has slowed naturally.

• Colorado Blue Spruce 1
• Colorado Blue Spruce 3

Last Fertilize: 3 years ago

Discontinue high nitrogen; switch to low or zero nitrogen.

• Engelmann Spruce 1

No prior Fertilize

One final low-nitrogen feed can be given early.

• Japanese Yew 1

No prior Fertilize

Avoid.

• Creeping Juniper 1

No prior Repot

Only light pruning to maintain shape.

• Satsuki Azalea 1

Last Prune: 3 years ago

Minimal; avoid heavy pruning.

• Boxwood 1
• Boxwood 2
• Boxwood 3
• Boxwood 4
• Boxwood 5
• Boxwood 6
• Boxwood 7
• Boxwood 8
• Boxwood 9
• Boxwood 10
• Boxwood 11

Last Prune: 1 month ago

Only minor trimming; avoid heavy stress.

• Hall's Crabapple 1

Last Prune: 3 months ago

Avoid heavy cuts; tip pruning only.

• Chinese Juniper 1
• Chinese Juniper 2
• Chinese Juniper 3

Last Prune: 1 year ago

Very light touch-ups only.

• Creeping Juniper 1

No prior Prune

No structural pruning. Only minimal cleanup of browning tips.

• Himalayan Juniper 1

No prior Prune

Minimal—only remove excess shoots or suckers.

• Procumbens Juniper Nana 1

No prior Prune

Only tip pruning if needed.

• Japanese Larch 1

Last Prune: 1 year ago

Light trimming to encourage branching.

• Lilac Sensation 1

Last Prune: 2 months ago

Pinch back soft spring growth; wait until fall for structure.

• Bigleaf Maple 2

No prior Prune

Pinch back soft spring growth; wait until fall for structure.

• Japanese Maple 1

Last Prune: 2 months ago

Pinch back soft spring growth; wait until fall for structure.

• Japanese Maple 6
• Japanese Maple 9

No prior Prune

Pinch back soft spring growth; wait until fall for structure.

• Japanese Maple 2
• Japanese Maple 3
• Japanese Maple 4
• Japanese Maple 5
• Japanese Maple 7
• Japanese Maple 8

Last Prune: 1 month ago

Pinch new growth; wait until fall for structural changes.

• Trident Maple 2

Last Prune: 1 month ago

Minimal pruning; allow energy storage. Maintain form if needed.

• Canyon Live Oak 1

Last Prune: 1 month ago

Minimal pruning; avoid stress during high heat.

• Dawn Redwood 1
• Dawn Redwood 2
• Dawn Redwood 3
• Dawn Redwood 4
• Dawn Redwood 5

Last Prune: 4 months ago

Minimal intervention. Focus on health.

• Japanese Yew 1

Last Prune: 1 month ago

Monitor wires carefully to prevent scars.

• Boxwood 1
• Boxwood 2
• Boxwood 3
• Boxwood 4
• Boxwood 5
• Boxwood 6
• Boxwood 7
• Boxwood 8
• Boxwood 9
• Boxwood 10
• Boxwood 11

No prior Wire

Only clip-and-grow; avoid wire burns.

• Hall's Crabapple 1

No prior Wire

Inspect for wire bite, remove or adjust if needed.

• Chinese Juniper 1
• Chinese Juniper 2
• Chinese Juniper 3

No prior Wire

Monitor existing wire for bite, especially on fast growers.

• Creeping Juniper 1

No prior Wire

Remove wire that’s biting. Avoid new applications.

• Himalayan Juniper 1

No prior Wire

Avoid unless necessary; high sap pressure increases breakage risk.

• Procumbens Juniper Nana 1

No prior Wire

Avoid—branches are brittle under heat stress.

• Japanese Larch 1

No prior Wire

Remove wires that have started to bite. Do not apply new wiring.

• Canyon Live Oak 1

No prior Wire

Remove or adjust wire to prevent scarring.

• Dawn Redwood 1
• Dawn Redwood 2
• Dawn Redwood 3
• Dawn Redwood 4
• Dawn Redwood 5

No prior Wire

Not recommended.

• Copper Beech 1

Last Leaf Prune: 1 year ago

Disbud excessively long shoots.

• Satsuki Azalea 1

Manage strong apex shoots.

• Hall's Crabapple 1

Manage sun exposure for internal buds.

• Chinese Juniper 1
• Chinese Juniper 2
• Chinese Juniper 3

Remove overextended shoots or reversions.

• Creeping Juniper 1

Minimal activity; foliage may be static in heat.

• Himalayan Juniper 1

Trim long runners only if health allows.

• Procumbens Juniper Nana 1

Allow buds to rest.

• Japanese Larch 1

Let tree rest. Avoid forcing new growth.

• Canyon Live Oak 1

Light trimming of coarse growth to preserve silhouette.

• Dawn Redwood 1
• Dawn Redwood 2
• Dawn Redwood 3
• Dawn Redwood 4
• Dawn Redwood 5

Control mildew and lace bugs. Watch leaf undersides.

• Satsuki Azalea 1

High fungal pressure—monitor closely.

• Copper Beech 1

Monitor closely for pests; treat proactively.

• Boxwood 1
• Boxwood 2
• Boxwood 3
• Boxwood 4
• Boxwood 5
• Boxwood 6
• Boxwood 7
• Boxwood 8
• Boxwood 9
• Boxwood 10
• Boxwood 11

Fire blight and scale may appear—act quickly.

• Hall's Crabapple 1

Watch for spider mites in dry conditions.

• Ginkgo biloba 1

Aphids, mites, fungal spots common—treat proactively.

• Chinese Juniper 1
• Chinese Juniper 2
• Chinese Juniper 3

High risk for spider mites—hose foliage gently to deter.

• Creeping Juniper 1

High risk for mites and fungal leaf blight. Treat proactively.

• Himalayan Juniper 1

Peak pest season—use systemic treatment only if needed.

• Procumbens Juniper Nana 1

High risk of spider mites and mildew.

• Japanese Larch 1

Continue mildew and pest monitoring.

• Lilac Sensation 1

Check for powdery mildew in humid weather.

• Bigleaf Maple 2

Check for powdery mildew in humid weather.

• Japanese Maple 1

Check for powdery mildew in humid weather.

• Japanese Maple 6
• Japanese Maple 9

Check for powdery mildew in humid weather.

• Japanese Maple 2
• Japanese Maple 3
• Japanese Maple 4
• Japanese Maple 5
• Japanese Maple 7
• Japanese Maple 8

Spider mites can appear—use horticultural oil or insecticidal soap.

• Trident Maple 2

Watch for fungal leaf spot from overhead watering. Increase airflow.

• Canyon Live Oak 1

Watch for fungal infections, mites, and leaf scorch.

• Dawn Redwood 1
• Dawn Redwood 2
• Dawn Redwood 3
• Dawn Redwood 4
• Dawn Redwood 5

High risk period for spider mites; spray with water regularly to deter.

• Colorado Blue Spruce 1
• Colorado Blue Spruce 3

Watch for spider mites in hot weather; inspect needles.

• Engelmann Spruce 1

Watch for root rot and mites in heat.

• Japanese Yew 1

Maintain strong airflow and filtered sun.

• Satsuki Azalea 1

Critical—sun scorch is a major risk.

• Copper Beech 1

Protect from intense sun to avoid leaf scorch.

• Boxwood 1
• Boxwood 2
• Boxwood 3
• Boxwood 4
• Boxwood 5
• Boxwood 6
• Boxwood 7
• Boxwood 8
• Boxwood 9
• Boxwood 10
• Boxwood 11

Maintain airflow and shading.

• Hall's Crabapple 1

Provide shade during extreme heat or intense sun.

• Ginkgo biloba 1

Essential; shade cloth or dappled sun recommended.

• Chinese Juniper 1
• Chinese Juniper 2
• Chinese Juniper 3

Increase humidity around pot and use mulch or moss cover.

• Creeping Juniper 1

Shade cloth or dappled sun is ideal in extreme temps.

• Himalayan Juniper 1

Critical—shade, wind protection, and airflow required.

• Procumbens Juniper Nana 1

Shade netting advisable.

• Japanese Larch 1

Use shade cloth or dappled shade.

• Lilac Sensation 1

Ensure root ball doesn’t overheat—shade or pot insulation.

• Bigleaf Maple 2

Ensure root ball doesn’t overheat—shade or pot insulation.

• Japanese Maple 1

Ensure root ball doesn’t overheat—shade or pot insulation.

• Japanese Maple 6
• Japanese Maple 9

Ensure root ball doesn’t overheat—shade or pot insulation.

• Japanese Maple 2
• Japanese Maple 3
• Japanese Maple 4
• Japanese Maple 5
• Japanese Maple 7
• Japanese Maple 8

Shield roots from extreme heat if uninsulated pot.

• Trident Maple 2

Maintain shade. Watch for sun scorch on older leaves.

• Canyon Live Oak 1

Provide mid-day shade and wind protection.

• Dawn Redwood 1
• Dawn Redwood 2
• Dawn Redwood 3
• Dawn Redwood 4
• Dawn Redwood 5

Maintain shade and wind protection.

• Colorado Blue Spruce 1
• Colorado Blue Spruce 3

Protect from peak heat; humidity trays help indoors.

• Engelmann Spruce 1

Shade and airflow essential.

• Japanese Yew 1

Don’t prune heavily in high heat.

• Creeping Juniper 1

Delay major work.

• Procumbens Juniper Nana 1

Do not create wounds in extreme heat.

• Japanese Larch 1

Only minor cleaning of callus areas.

• Canyon Live Oak 1

Seal fresh cuts to prevent sap loss and desiccation.

• Colorado Blue Spruce 1
• Colorado Blue Spruce 3

Only in shaded, cooled conditions.

• Creeping Juniper 1

Avoid unless shaded and humid—heat stresses wood and tools.

• Procumbens Juniper Nana 1

Delay until cooler months.

• Japanese Larch 1

Continue as needed but avoid carving during extreme heat.

• Colorado Blue Spruce 1
• Colorado Blue Spruce 3

Continue soft/semi-hardwood propagation.

• Satsuki Azalea 1

Semi-hardwood cuttings can be taken.

• Hall's Crabapple 1

Try semi-hardwood cuttings with rooting hormone.

• Chinese Juniper 1
• Chinese Juniper 2
• Chinese Juniper 3

Difficult but possible with mist bench.

• Creeping Juniper 1

Take semi-hardwood cuttings if necessary, root with auxins.

• Himalayan Juniper 1

Attempt layering.

• Japanese Larch 1

Continue air layering if started earlier.

• Canyon Live Oak 1

Continue softwood or semi-ripe cuttings.

• Japanese Yew 1

Mid-point growth push. Encourage fine branching.

• Satsuki Azalea 1

Let energy rebuild after early pruning.

• Hall's Crabapple 1

Minimal training; focus on health and hydration.

• Ginkgo biloba 1

Allow vigor to store energy for fall.

• Chinese Juniper 1
• Chinese Juniper 2
• Chinese Juniper 3

Hold; avoid major shaping in heat.

• Creeping Juniper 1

Monitor tree health. Maintain energy balance across branches.

• Himalayan Juniper 1

Do not force growth; manage health.

• Procumbens Juniper Nana 1

Maintain silhouette only.

• Japanese Larch 1

Rest phase. Maintain health.

• Canyon Live Oak 1

Observe growth habits; avoid stress.

• Dawn Redwood 1
• Dawn Redwood 2
• Dawn Redwood 3
• Dawn Redwood 4
• Dawn Redwood 5

Indoor or shaded exhibition only.

• Creeping Juniper 1

Avoid showing trees in distress during heat.

• Himalayan Juniper 1

Not recommended—heat stress risk.

• Procumbens Juniper Nana 1

Limit exposure; avoid hot venues.

• Japanese Larch 1