Returning to Our Grasslands, Part II of III

As the bark beetle/pinon die-off situation continues, deeper attention and reflection is needed as well as the most up-to-date information...


Item # 99580 		'The Western Trails' Native Grass Seed Mix

1 lb. bag $21.95

Item # 99590 		'The Western Trails' Wildflower Seed Mix

each $11.95
  • Topic: Native Plants
  • Author: David Salman and Cindy Bellinger
  • Keywords: trees, pinon, disease, bark beetle, region, Other, grasses
  • Date: April 2004

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Due to reader response, this week we’ll elaborate on several points in last week’s article. As the bark beetle/pinon die-off situation continues, deeper attention and reflection is needed as well as the most up-to-date information.

1. Selective spraying of specimen trees.

Two sprays are recommended—Monterey “7” Carbaryl Insecticide, and Hi-Yield 38 Plus with Permethrin. Applications need to be done now, as the insects will be hatching soon. Spraying needs to be done two to three times a year. However, if you do spray keep several things in mind:

Wide-scale spraying is expensive and detrimental to bird and beneficial insect populations. Also, the beetles will eventually develop a resistance to the chemicals creating subsequent generations that won’t be deterred. In turn more damage will be caused.

If you do spray, choose only specimen trees: the ones that are the oldest, the most beautiful, the ones that are most integral to your landscape such as used for screening.

2. Selective watering and mulching of specimen trees.

The goal here is to give the soil a boost and help the trees. For watering, you’ll want to give a good soak once every three to four weeks. Don’t even bother under the canopy. Water won’t reach the roots if applied near the trunk; the roots grow out sometimes 50 feet.

For mulching, you’ll want a light layer between the pinon trees out along the drip lines. A good combinatopm is Soil Mender® Compost mixed with Soil Mender® Humate. Broadcast it by hand; it’ll help retain the moisture and stabilize the soil.

3. Re-vegetating non-irrigated areas where pinon trees have been removed.

The goal here is to plant newly barren areas with native wildflowers and grasses. This will keep the soil from eroding by planting flowers and grasses with deep roots. As they establish, they will hold the soil. With the amount of moisture we’ve been getting lately, the subsoil that establishes the root systems will be damp as far down as 2 to 3 feet.

We carry several good mixes in our Garden Center that combine native grasses and wildflowers suitable for the pinon/juniper region. Our latest mix is one that David Salman created along with native wildflower and re-vegetation expert Don Eversol of Beauty Beyond Belief Seed Company of Fort Collins, Colorado. It’s called Western Trails Native Grass Seed mix and is custom blended for us with 12 native grasses, including Blue Grama, Side Oats Grama, Little Bluestem, Indian Ricegrass, Galleta, Western Wheat Grass, Buffalo Grass and others.

Another custom blend is our Western Trails Wildflower Seed Mix and is a great complement when sown with the native grass seed mix. This mix contains a superb combination of xeric wildflowers for our pinon/juniper region.

For planting instructions, stop in and get a copy of our grass and wildflower seed planting handouts.

With all the recent moisture now is the perfect time to plant seeds. You’ll be able to take advantage of planting conditions. They grow quickly, and grasses and wildflowers are the perfect way to replenish the land.