As a horticulturist with more than 45 years experience, Les Finley has seen Las Cruces grow in plenty of ways. He’s seen the genuine appreciation of trees spread throughout the city, and an interest in making sure that those trees are well-kept and thriving for many years. For a hands-on pruning class, join Finley on Thursday, May 31st, at the final 2018 Lush and Lean Workshop of the season hosted by Las Cruces Utilities (LCU).
A certified arborist, Finley explains that a common mistake usually comes from a heart full of enthusiasm about trees, but maybe not partnered with enough research. “Homeowners sometimes don’t focus on the future,” he said. “They need to know more about what they’re planting, so they don’t plant the wrong tree in the wrong place.”
Sometimes homeowners buy a property with amazing trees, but then may not know exactly how to care for them, or how to fix problems with the trees. “You don’t always get to make those decisions about where trees were planted; sometimes you inherit them,” he said. “Proper pruning, along with proper timing of the pruning and making judicious cuts, will help you keep most plants in the range where they should be.”
Since pruning decisions are permanent, he has a tip to reduce relationship strife following pruning: “For any pruning decision, discuss it early with your significant other,” he laughed. “Like the saying ‘a stitch in time saves nine’… these things get revisited with comments like, ‘If you hadn’t cut that, the tree would be here today.’”
Finley’s focus this year is the timing of pruning at the LCU Lush and Lean Workshop, which will be held outside in the courtyard at the Thomas Branigan Memorial Library (200 E. Picacho Ave.) and City Hall. All Lush and Lean Workshops run from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and are free and open to the public.
Submitted by Las Cruces Utilities
You can reach Las Cruces Utilities at 528-3500 from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Las Cruces Utilities provides GAS – WATER – WASTEWATER – SOLID WASTE services to approximately 100,000 Las Cruces residents and businesses.