As lakeshore area homeowners begin to dream about getting out in their yards this spring, an area landscaper says he’s had the chance to be outside earlier than usual.
Jerry Haupt, owner of Lakeland Landscape in Manitowoc, appeared on the “Welcome Home” program Tuesday with Brandon Bartow, and pointed out “We’ve had some cold weather, but not a lot of snow. Normally at this time of year [yards] are still under snow, so that has been an advantage, and the same thing will hold true for the homeowner.”
Haupt said people can examine lawns and bushes on their property to see if there’s been any animal damage.
“It may not be quite as bad this year because of the lack of snow cover, because other sources of food are more readily available for rabbits and deer,” he said. “There will be some damage. Deer like arborvitaes and yews regardless of snow cover. That’s just two that are on the top of their menu.”
Also, he says, check for girdling of trees around the base from voles or rabbits.
Haupt added that if it’s girdled all the way around it’s probably not a tree that’s going to survive.
He mentioned after the winter there also could be some dieback on turf areas, resulting from frost and then pooling from rainfall.
