University of Nebraska Extension - Holt/Boyd News Column for the Week of January 28, 2024

LaDonna Werth, Extension Educator Phone: 402-336-2760 E-mail: LWerth2@unl.edu

Cold Snap, Snap a Photo

The beauty of nature surrounds people every day. Appreciation of nature comes in many art forms. The art of photography becomes easily accessible for all ages with a simple cell phone and basic principles. All seasons are beautiful but the season least captured in photos is winter. Special consideration needs to be taken when capturing photos in negative temperatures and the reflective nature of snow. The results of winter photography are spectacular.

Nebraska Extension, UNL Food and Fitness, gives ideas on how best to be active in the winter weather. It is said, “There is no bad weather, just bad clothing.” Dress in multiple layers. Clothes with some stretching allow for getting down to take close-up photos. Include layers on top and bottom. Socks matter. Opt-in for long socks that are moisture wicking. Sweating feet equal cold feet. A good pair of mid-height, low heel boots with a good grippy sole should serve well on short winter walks. If temperatures dropped below zero, consider taking photos from inside looking out the window.

The cold air zaps the energy from your phone and camera. Keep the phone protected until you are ready to shoot. Keep your equipment dry. Snow may quickly melt on your phone causing damage. Take care not to drop it. A good pair of gloves with thin thermal fabric allows for a secure grip.

Look for interesting objects in the snow to be the focal point of your winter photo. A pop of color or texture contrasting with the white, smooth snow adds dimension to pictures. A photo of a brightly dressed child playing winter games captures a warm memory. Objects also create a sense of scale and interest.

The winter season brings a different angle of the sun than other seasons. Take advantage of the shadows in the early evening. Take care not to capture your own shadow in the shot unless your shadow is the focus. Get off the beaten path to find the unexpected. Remember sunrise and sunset are the best times to photograph landscapes.

Photos of ice and frost show the magic of the season. Use macro or zoom mode to capture the natural elements that are only found in winter. A dried up weed suddenly looks like a fancy ice flower when covered in frost. Use your feet to take you up close to your subject.

Capture the rugged beauty of winter. Stay warm, take special care of your gear, and look for the unexpected. Print the best of the winter photos and consider sharing them as a 4-H exhibit at the county fair. The special challenges of winter photography may just move you to the next level of expertise.

To request additional information about Nebraska 4-H call your local Extension Office or https://4h.unl.edu/

Source: Lori Swanson - UNL Extension Phelps County Extension Assistant (UNL For Families – January 29, 2023)

Proper Time to Prune Trees

An important aspect of pruning is knowing when to prune plants.  Proper timing helps to ensure attractive, healthy, productive plants.  The proper time to prune trees in Nebraska is described below.

Deciduous Trees

February through March is generally regarded as the best time to prune most deciduous trees.  The absence of foliage at this time of year gives the individual a clear view of the tree and allows the selection and removal of appropriate branches.  Also, when pruned in late winter, the walling-off or compartmentalization of wounds can begin immediately with the onset of growth in spring.  Oaks are an exception.  The winter months – December, January, and February – are the best time to prune oak trees.

Deciduous trees can be pruned at other times of the year with little or no negative consequences (To clean up storm damage, for example).  However, if possible, avoid pruning deciduous trees in spring when the trees are leafing out and in fall when the trees are dropping their leaves.

Evergreen Trees

Evergreen trees, such as pine, spruce, and fir, require little pruning.  Dead, broken, and diseased branches can be removed at any time of the year.  Late winter is the best time to remove unwanted lower branches on evergreen trees.

Spruce and fir trees possess side or lateral buds on their newest (outermost) growth.  To promote denser growth, cut shoots back to just above a lateral bud or side branch in early spring.

Growth on pine trees develops from terminal buds.  Pines do not produce side or lateral buds.  The growth of pines can be slowed by pinching or pruning off one-half to two-thirds of the elongated terminal buds ("candles") in spring when the candles are approximately 2 to 3 inches long.  Do not prune branches back to older growth down the stem as new growth will not develop from these areas.

Fruit

Late February to early April is the best time to prune fruit trees in Nebraska. Pruning should be completed before the fruit trees begin to break bud (leaf out) in early spring.

Early spring is also the best time to prune most small fruits with woody stems such as grapes, raspberries, blueberries, gooseberries, and currents.

Source: Aaron Steil – Iowa State University Consumer Horticulture Extension Specialist (Yard and Garden – April 2023)

Guide to Pruning Equipment

The keys to pruning trees and shrubs are a basic understanding of pruning techniques and knowing when to prune plants. It's also important to have the right tools. There are various types of pruning tools. The best tool for the job is determined by the size of the plant material and the situation.

When buying pruning equipment, select high-quality tools. Good, high-quality tools are not inexpensive. However, if they are used and cared for properly, they will perform better and far outlast the poor-quality, less expensive choices.

Hand Pruners

Hand pruners or pruning shears are generally used for cutting branches up to 3/4 inch in diameter. There are two basic types of hand pruners. Bypass (or scissor-types) have curved blades that overlap (scissor action) when making the cut. Anvil-type pruners have a sharpened upper blade that cuts against a flat surface (anvil). Each type is available in different sizes. Anvil-type pruners are effective at pruning dead branches and are less likely to jam than bypass-type pruners. Generally, bypass hand pruners are preferred over the anvil types. Sharp, properly used bypass pruners make close, clean cuts. Anvil types can't cut as close as scissor-types and are more likely to crush stems when pruning.

Lopping Shears

Attempts to prune branches larger than 3/4 inch in diameter with hand pruners often results in torn, jagged pruning cuts and may damage the pruning shears. Branches from 3/4 to 1-1/2 inches in diameter can be effectively cut with lopping shears. Lopping shears consist of blades attached to long handles. The long handles give the gardener greater leverage so cuts can be made through larger branches. Lopping shears are also excellent for pruning difficult-to-reach places. As with hand pruners, lopping shears come in two types, bypass and anvil and for all the same reasons as with hand pruners, bypass types are usually preferred.

Pruning Saw

Use a pruning saw on branches larger than 1-3/4 inches in diameter. Various types of pruning saws are available. Folding pruning saws are convenient and easy to safely carry around the garden. Pruning saws are different than the hacksaws or hand saws found in the tool department at the store. Pruning saws have blades that are narrow, tapered, and/or curved making it easy to remove branches in crowded areas. They also often have teeth oriented in a way that allows the saw to cut when both pushed and pulled. This is beneficial to reduce the amount of effort and time it will take to cut the branch.

Pole Saw and Pole Pruners

Small tree branches that are hard to reach from the ground can be pruned with a pole saw or pole pruner. Whenever possible, pruning should be done standing on the ground, rather than on a ladder.  A pole saw allows you to safely prune high branches from the ground.  A pole saw is essentially a saw blade attached to a long pole. Pole pruners consist of a stationary hook and hinged blade operated by a rope and mounted on a long wooden or fiberglass pole. Pole saws and pole pruners are generally used to cut branches up to 2 inches in diameter.

Chainsaws

Chainsaws are often used by professional arborists when cutting large tree branches. Chainsaws, however, can be extremely dangerous to individuals with little experience or skill in operating these machines. To reduce the risk of injury, home gardeners should use pruning saws rather than chain saws when pruning trees. In potentially hazardous situations, such as the pruning of large branches high in the tree or limbs near power lines, individuals should always contact a trained arborist.

Hedge Shears

Hedge shears (manual or electric) are used to shear formal hedges to a definite size and shape. Unless you are looking to create a high-maintenance formal hedge, they should not be used to prune trees and shrubs.

Source: Aaron Steil – Iowa State University Consumer Horticulture Extension Specialist (Yard and Garden – February 2023)

Pasture Lease Considerations

As pasture grazing leases are getting finalized for the 2024 season, it is important to make sure that some of the key details are clear and in writing.

Traditionally, pasture leases are for 5 or 6 months from April or May through October.  Specific starting and ending dates can be used, but there could be exceptions based on spring weather conditions or if there were drought conditions the previous year that might warrant delaying turn-out to allow some recovery of grasses.

A lease clause that provides details on what would happen if drought occurs during the season is a must. Most often, this is handled by reduced stocking rates or a shorter grazing period. Other situations that could affect the amount of pasture available includes severe hail, grasshoppers, or wildfire.  In fairness, pasture rent owed should also be adjusted accordingly if the grazing period is shortened.  Consider pricing leases based on grazing animal unit months (AUM’s) rather than a flat rate per acre or cow-calf pair.  This can make it easier when adjustments are made to the length of time grazing occurs.  In some cases, an abundance of pasture growth might result in extra grazing.

Other pasture and grazing management details that could be part of a written lease agreement would include fence maintenance and repair, weed control, or any issues associated with the livestock water supply.  Some landowners might also have specific preferences in how grazing rotations are done through several pastures.

Start your communications early and make written agreements for fairness and equity.  A fillable lease form for pasture can be found online by searching ‘Ag Lease 101’.

Source: Jerry Volesky – Nebraska Extension Range and Forage Specialist (Pasture and Forage Minute – Jan 29, 2024)