Photograph by Haraldius, Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Whether you inherited that saucer magnolia or planted it yourself, keeping it healthy and properly pruned can be tricky. Caring for annuals versus trees is like beagles versus elephants; a tree is a decades-long commitment, not to mention a very expensive problem if it happens to have been planted in the wrong place. And of course the longer a tree lives, the vaster the catalog of pests and mildews it can fall prey to.
Next Thursday, Certified Arborist and Urban Forester Perry Eckhard of the Missouri Department of Conservation lectures on "The Biology of Your Backyard Tree," at the Academy of Science-St. Louis. He'll start with a basic lesson in tree biology, then address basic tree and plant care. Topics on the agenda include picking the right species for your space and microclimate, good planting practices, mulching, fertilizing, watering and pruning. The class, which'll be held at OASIS at the O’Fallon Senior Center (106 North Main O’Fallon, MO 63366) starts at 10:30 a.m. and runs to noon.
The class is free to the first 10 registrants, but if you don't get in line fast enough, the fee is pretty reasonable ($9). Space is limited, so registration is required. Even though the class is held at a senior center, it's open to anyone with an interest in the care and feeding of trees, including middle and high school students. To register, 314-533-8586 or e-mail events@academyofsciencestl.org.
