Salt damaged White Pine along the coast

"Will these plants survive?" is a frequently heard question these 

days. We offer a couple of reminders in response.

First, plants with brown needles or leaves may well have firm, viable buds. On the flip side, plants with green leaves or needles now may still drop their foliage once the weather warms up. So no matter what a plant looks like today, we won't truly know how well any individual plant has fared post-hurricane until the sap starts flowing.

Second, when weighing the choice between "replace now" and "wait and see," don't forget that not all trees may be successfully dug in the fall. If you and your client chose to replace storm damaged trees now, come visit the nursery soon. Freshly dug trees are arriving daily, and evergreens will be coming around the corner.

Third, if mature trees made sparse by Sandy-related needle drop are left to fill out again over the years, consider creating an understory bed. That way your client can have both the important plants plus immediate gratification!

-Thanks Janet