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34 May/June 2017 Landscape and Irrigation www.landscapeirrigation.com LANDSCAPE AND TURF MAINTENANCE things in the landscape, such as turf and trees. Applications of healthcare treatments in trees can be done a few different ways, including spray applications, trunk injections, and applications made to the soil at the base of the tree. Applications to turf can be made by spray application or by spreading granular products. Shrubs, however, are generally too small for trunk injection to be feasible, and soil treatments have their challenges as well. Ideally, soil applications (both granular and liquid formulations) should be made to the mineral soil, but shrubs in the landscape have mulch, decorative stones, weed barrier fabrics or, more commonly, a combination of these products covering the soil beneath them. Not removing these barriers prior to application can result in uneven uptake and a further delay in efficacy of the treatments. Timing of soil applications is also an issue in shrub care, as there is a lag between the treatment date and when you can expect to have efficacy of the product. Depending on the treatment being utilized, that lag can be anywhere from a few days to a matter of months. Combining this uncertainty with the difficulty of properly dosing treatments for shrubs, the vast majority of shrub healthcare treatments are performed by spray applications. Spray treatments eliminate the soil cover issues, they have fast efficacy, and they are fairly foolproof in terms of dosing accuracy. Spraying has fallen out of favor in arboriculture of late, as drift issues make scheduling and planning difficult. But spray remains the most popular management tool in shrub care with relatively short plants and significantly lower equipment costs than in tree care. Unsung heroes Shrubs are asked to do many things in the landscape: provide structure, provide color, provide texture, provide screening, and yet they remain overlooked by the casual viewer. When it comes to maintenance, the client often wants the shrubs to look perfect. Particularly in highly manicured landscape designs, shrubs are one of the top reasons a maintenance contractor may receive a callback. Keeping an eye out for potential health issues, and employing quick management tools can keep these unsung heroes looking their best, and keep your clients happy. Brandon M. Gallagher Watson is a Certified Arborist and creative director at Rainbow Treecare Scientific Advancements. Shrubs are the unsung heroes of landscapes. Foliar sprays are ideal for shrubs. Scout for off-color foliage.