ward Coniferous trees from d AUGUST is the driest and warmest month of the year and the most reliable for holidays. With this long period of warm, dry weather, however, — most coniferous trees - become stressed. Diseased trees quickly show their poor health under these conditions. In my trav- * ‘els around the North Shore, I am ~ surprised at the number of trees ~- that are showing signs of disease or are already dead. Of the three common coniferous trees, the Western hemlock is the most prone to problems. It is a fast growing tree that is shade tolerant ’ but its thin bark makes it suscepti- _ ble. to damage and it is prone to a number of fungal root rots. Hemlocks are also less able to com- ‘> pete with the more aggressive . Douglas firs and red cedars. _ There are certain carly warning signs when a fungus attacks a hem- “Jock tree’s roots. Watch for a lack . of vigour or poor seasonal growth. A’sick trec will usually produce a very heavy crop of seed cones, begin’ to lose its dark green lustre and may take on rusty tone. In the final stages the ‘needles will start fo fall while still green or partially + green. *' Clusters oft trees that are of the | Same species can be a problem. When one tree becomes infected, often the disease will, over time, removal of one diseased tree may slow or prevent the spread of the fungal disease to the others. Unfortunately, there is no pre- ventative treat- ment for root rot other than pro- viding the healthy trees with adequate nutrients and moisture. Damaging the roots through excavations, regrading or ditching may allow the fungus to enter the root if it is present in the soil. Clusters of different species of trees are less likely to infect one another but are often not compati- ble because of different cultural needs and growth rates. For exam- ple, a small 10- to 15-centimetre western hemlock competing with a sow it Srows -20 to 30 cm red cedar will eventu- ally be overpowered. Rather than leave the hemlock and let it be choked out by the cedar, it is better to remove the smaller hemlock and let the cedar develop a uniform growth pattern. Taking the hem- lock down at a later date when it is _ half dead will not only cost more bur will leave the cedar with a bare side and a lopsided growth pattern. Douglas firs and red cedars rarely blow over or die from root rot under normal conditions but they do have their problems. Firs are very fast growers particularly when they have access to lawn fer- tilizer. This rapid growth creates .long branches and weak wood. ISEGSE « and heat falls when the temperature is very low or when the snow is very wet, the branches can snap off and plunge to the ground like a javelin. A50- or 100-kilogram branch with a sharp end can be lethal and create a lot of damage to a house or car. Red cedars are one of the best tall conifers to grow but do pro- duce a huge volume of needle and twig debris in the late summer and early fall. This can be exaggerated and brought on early if the tree is short of water and begins to flag. There has been a distinct change in our traditional weather patterns although our country’s politicians seem content to ignore the prob- lem. This change has already brought about more frequent and severe weather phenomena as wit- nessed by the recent Pine Lake tor- nado in Alberta. We have had nvo or three devastating storms on the West Coast in the past and it is like- ly we will have more in the future. Knowing how quickly a tree can die when hit with disease it might be advisable to have the tree taken down during the summer or early fall before the fall or winter winds bring it crashing down. A smashed roof, squashed car or snapped power line can create great hardship . for the owner, the neighbours and BC Hydro. If you are unsure about the health and safety of your coniferous trees, consider calling an arborist or independent consuitant to look at them. BC Hydro is interested in trees that are a definite danger to power lines and will check trees and remove them if they are a potential spread to the other trees. The quick | 6asyto-care-for advantages ‘and remarkable ability ‘of vinyl. Birch, pine, maple and oak patterns.are almost impossible fo tell om the real | thing.’ f West Vancouver Christmas Market Sunday, Nov. 19th, 2000 “- . from 10-3 pm West Vancouver - Community Centre a There are limited tables still available. All new crafters must go through a Jury Process on September 7th, 2000. To the Jury Process please drop off three samples of your work between . 6:00-6:30pm and pick them up at 9:00 pm. ©. The Jury fee Pa $7.00. . For more information . please call 925-7270: During wind storms or heavy snow- green guide THURSDAY, AUG. 31: Stanley Park Ecology Society leads an interpretive 1.5-hour walk through the park to dis- cover native plants and their traditional uses. Starts 2 p.m. at Lost Lagoon Nature House. Fee is $4. Pre- register: 257-8544. SATURDAY, SEPT. 9: The West Vancouver Museum and Archives, at 608 17th St., offers an orchid workshop to teach you how to care for your orchids while in bloom and at rest. The workshop is from 1 to 3 p.m. To register, please call 925-7270. problem. Call 983-8293. SEPT. 14-16: From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the University of British Columbia Botanical Garden, the Friends of the Garden present an’ indoor plant sale. SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 17: The second annual North Shore Naturat Gardens Tour, sponsored by the North Shore Reoyclin Program (NSRP) highlight 1) North Shore. babes this year, 10 a.m. to 5 ; B m. Learn more about natur- al ger dening practices and ods like composting, edi- ble landscapes, permaculture and sheet mulching, fawn transformations, native plant- ings, water conservation and habitat restoration and: you will sec working examples of ’ these practices in each garden.” This educational tour is free - but registration is. required. ‘For. more information or ‘to - Tegister, please call the NSRP. ~at 984-9730. ; ONGOING: From September Capilano Flov-er Arranging Club meets:on the second Wednesday of each month in the Cedar Room. of: the Delkrook’ Rec Centre. The — ~evenings ‘include workshops to June the | HEMLOCK trees are prone to 0 problems. dite to their shallow root system and thiri bark which makes the tree suaceptiole’ to damage and’ “demonstrations. Fi more |. information, : Donna Sims at 986: 9360; or ‘Sharon ‘Fairbrother at 985- : Vancouver, B.C. 8 -.