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March 17 - April 6, 2007 27
Harsh winter leaves plants down, but not out
by Joele Connolly harm frost-sensitive plants, but coming back, scratch on one of
The worst of the frost season is over for Southern lower temperatures combined the limbs. You can usually see
Chandler, but that’s not the end of it for most with longer exposure and rapid if the green is underneath, it’ll
homeowners. Freezing cold nights that devastated temperature drops, like the be coming back. Use a pocket
area landscapes have many wondering if the now- Valley experienced this winter, knife or something sharp.
bronzed fi cus trees, wilted oleanders and shriveled have caused damage. Scratch some of the branches.
bougainvillea will survive. According to Derek Wagner, Usually you’ll see the top layer
A couple of nights of freezing temperatures may not manager of Moon Valley peel off and then you’ll see the
Nursery on Arizona Avenue, the green. Don’t do any pruning
business lost fi cus trees, pygmy yet,” he cautions.
palms, yellow oleander, citrus De Pauw recommends
trees, hibiscus and lantana. But preserving the leaves on the
instead of giving the plants up tree, even though they’re dead,
for dead, workers at the nursery to act as a sunscreen for new
have moved them to the back of growth.
the yard. “The new leaves will push
“We’re waiting to see what out the old,” he adds. “The fi cus
happens to them, whether have a 90 percent recovery rate.
they’ll come back,” explains Just leave them alone and they
Wagner. “We’re keeping our will recover on their own.”
fi ngers crossed.”
Ficus trees, prevalent in
Joele Connolly is a retired high school
many neighborhood yards,
STSN photo by Joele Connolly teacher who lives with her family in
PLANT CARE: Lorenzo Luna of Moon Valley Nursery
Chandler. She can be contacted at
were particularly vulnerable.
waters plants at the S. Chandler business. Moon
Joele@SanTanSun.com.
“The leaves are fragile and
Valley also lost a number of plants during the
recent cold spell.
they’re very susceptible to the
frost,” says William De Pauw,
certifi ed arborist with the Chandler streets department.
On the other hand, notes De Pauw, ash and elms are
deciduous trees that go dormant during the winter.
The frost was of no consequence to them.
While pruning all the brown, dead, dry leaves may
seem the most helpful thing to do, it’s not quite time
yet.
To learn more landscaping tips, visit
STSN photo by Joele Connolly
DAMAGE DONE: Plants at this Riggs Country Estates home
“The best thing to do is leave them alone,” says
www.SanTanSun.com and click on Neighbors.
suffered severe frost damage this winter.
De Pauw. “If you want to check your tree to see if it’s
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