TREE & LAWN CARE BLOG
How Do I Know If My Tree Needs To Be Removed?
Several factors can determine whether a tree should be removed. While trees are valuable assets to our environment, there are circumstances where tree removal becomes necessary. Here are some common considerations for tree removal:
Structural Integrity: If a tree is structurally compromised, it may pose a significant risk to people, property, or nearby structures. Trees with extensive decay, severe trunk damage, leaning at a dangerous angle, or large dead branches that could fall present a safety hazard and may need removal.
Disease and Pest Infestation: Trees affected by severe diseases or infested by pests may become irreversibly damaged or weak. If efforts to mitigate the problem prove ineffective, removing the tree might be necessary to prevent the spread of the disease or pest to other nearby trees.
Root Damage: Significant root damage, such as from construction activity, can compromise a tree's stability and long-term health. If a tree's root system is severely compromised, it may not be able to support the tree adequately, leading to structural issues or a decline in health.
Encroachment and Space Limitations: Sometimes, trees may outgrow their allocated space, interfering with power lines, structures, or other plantings. When a tree's growth cannot be adequately managed through pruning or other measures, removal may be the best option to prevent ongoing conflicts or damage.
Poor Health or Decline: Trees suffering from chronic poor health, such as extensive dieback, repeated leaf loss, or a general decline in vigor, may not be viable in the long term. If efforts to restore the tree's health have been unsuccessful, removal might be necessary to maintain the overall well-being of the landscape.
Landscaping Renovations: When renovating or redesigning a landscape, the removal of certain trees may be desired to accommodate new plans, create space for new plantings, or improve overall aesthetics. However, it's essential to consider the value and benefits of the existing tree before deciding on removal solely for cosmetic purposes.
It's crucial to involve a certified arborist or tree care professional to assess the tree's condition, evaluate the risks and benefits, and provide expert advice on whether removal is the appropriate course of action. They can provide an accurate diagnosis, explore potential solutions, and recommend alternatives like pruning, cabling, or bracing whenever possible.
If you would like to speak to one of our certified arborists, click the link below to set up a free estimate!
CALL AN ARBORIST
3 Ways To Prep Your Trees For Hurricane Season
Hurricane season is here and now is the time to ensure your trees and home are protected from damage. The National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration is predicting 14-21 named storms to come our way this season. This number is far above average and we should expect winds of 111 MPH or higher. Hurricane season in Georgia starts June 1st and runs through November 30th.
How can I prep my trees for hurricane season?
Arborist inspections
The first step to protecting your trees from storm damage is to have a consultation by a certified arborist. They will be able to identify weaknesses in your trees and construct a unique plan to ensure your home and loved ones are safe from storm damage.
Proper pruning
Maintaining a regular pruning regimen on your trees is not just for aesthetics. This can help to balance out the weight by thinning the canopy, remove dead, weak or overhanging branches that could potentially cause a threat during a storm.
Cabling
When you have an ISA certified arborist come to your home to inspect your trees they will be looking for weak spots in the canopy that would be a good candidate for cabling or bracing. By strategically installing flexible steel strand cables and heavy brace rods, your tree becomes stronger. This makes them less susceptible to suddenly break during high winds.
If you think your home is in danger of storm damage from your trees, click the link below to be connected with one of our certified arborists now for a free evaluation!
CONTACT AN ARBORIST
Why Are My Trees Losing Leaves Already?
Fall is right around the corner and everyone is getting ready to watch the trees display their beautiful colors before going dormant for winter.
“But what if my trees are already losing their leaves before fall”?
Trees dropping leaves during summer can be caused by a variety of factors. It is always best to have your trees evaluated by an ISA certified arborist if your trees look unhealthy. However, we have listed a few factors that could play a part in premature leaf drop.
Drought stress
Georgia summers can be rough on your trees, especially newly planted trees or ones that are already suffering from another health issue. Making sure they are on a proper watering schedule (early morning) during those times of high temperatures and little rain can help them recover faster.
Pests/disease
Summertime creates the perfect breeding ground for pests and disease of all shapes and sizes to enter and take over. If you suspect your trees have fallen victim to pests and disease, it is important to call an arborist right away for a tree inspection to prevent further spread.
Crowded canopy
Regular maintenance tree pruning is imperative for your trees. It improves their overall aesthetics as well as clears out the canopy of dead limbs and overcrowded foliage. Sometimes trees can grow more leaves than they can support so leaf drop will occur in order to protect them from hot, dry weather.
If you still have questions about your trees health, click the link below to be connected with an ISA certified arborist today!
CONNECT ME WITH AN ARBORIST
Summer Heat Stress In Trees
It has been a hot summer here in Georgia. With the heat index stretching to 115 degrees, all of us are wondering how our gardens, plants and trees will survive. Heat stress in trees can open them up for pests and diseases to enter while they are in a vulnerable state, lacking the nutrients they typically have to ward them off. Having a certified arborist evaluate your trees regularly is always the best practice in preventing costly damage. They can detect pests and diseases from the start and mitigate the problem before it takes over.
…So what is heat stress?
Heat stress occurs when a tree loses water faster than it can replace it. When trees are in a continual state of transpiration, they lose more water than they can absorb through their roots. This is especially concerning in times of drought when there isn’t enough water available for the tree to absorb.
Below are some signs and symptoms of heat stress in your trees as well as some tips on how to avoid it.
Signs of heat stress:
Leaf drop
Wilting leaves
Yellowing leaves
Lack of new growth
Brown spots or bumps on leaves
Leaf scorch
Sap loss from the trunk
How to protect your trees from heat stress:
Tree trimming is usually only recommended during the dormant season, however, if you have dead, dying or diseased branches in your trees, it is important to have them removed as soon as possible. This will reduce the amount of energy your trees have to provide to “repair” the dead branches.
Watering is a given. Whether your trees are young or mature, during periods of drought and high heat it is important to thoroughly water your trees using a drip irrigation system or soaker hose. Keeping the hose away from the trunk and focusing on the roots will help to prevent root rot. Trees under 2 years old will need more water than older trees.
If your trees are browning, or show signs of disease, contact your local certified arborist to have an evaluation by clicking the link below!
CALL AN ARBORIST.
How To Care For A Crepe Myrtle Tree
Crepe myrtle trees are one of the top favorite trees to plant in the southeast region. There are a wide range of hybrids that all present different colors, hardiness and bark. They are a deciduous tree and will provide showy flowers in summer time and a bright fall color shortly before they return to a dormant state.
How do I care for my crepe myrtle tree?
Proper planting
First and foremost, ensuring soil pH is slightly acidic and well draining will give you the best results. Not sure what type of soil you have? Local certified arborists can take a soil sample from the area you would like to plant to give you an inside look on what you may need to supplement with. Plant your crepe myrtle in full sun (6 hours or more per day) to get the best blooms!
Fertilization
We recommend having a tree care specialist apply a fertilizer to your soil to keep your crepe myrtle healthy and thriving.
Watch out for fungus and pests
Crepe myrtle trees are susceptible to a number of fungus and pests including:
Aphids
Spider mites
Scale
Japanese beetle
Powdery mildew
Cercospora leaf spot
Having routine tree health exams by a local certified arborist provides early intervention of any and all pests and diseases to stop them before or when they start.
Regular pruning
The basic maintenance of a crepe myrtle tree is regular tree trimming. While you should remove all dead branches throughout the year, extensive crepe myrtle trimming should only be performed in the dormant season by a reputable tree service company.
If you are interested in crepe myrtle care or have additional questions, click the link below to be connected with a local arborist today!
CONNECT ME WITH AN ARBORIST.
Do I Have A White Pine Weevil Infestation?
The eastern white pine tree is characterized by its blue-green needles. It grows best in zones 3-8 and is a valuable hardy tree. Easy to grow and maintain, the eastern white pine is known for its adaptability to grow in many different conditions. However, it is susceptible to the white pine weevil.
What is the white pine weevil?
The white pine weevil is considered one of the most destructive tree pests in the U.S. It primarily feeds on the white pine but has been known to favor a few other species such as the spruce and fir. This insect is extremely small in size, averaging at 7mm in its adult cycle. They tend to gather in the leaf debris at the base of your trees in winter, to emerge in spring and attack its hosts. The damage from a white pine weevil is extensive and can escalate extremely fast. If you suspect white pine weevils on your trees, it’s important to get a tree care estimate by a certified arborist immediately.
What are the signs of white pine weevil?
Presence of adult weevils on bark
Pin sized holes
Spongy or softened areas under the bark
Wilting or drooping
How do I get rid of the white pine weevil?
Unfortunately we cannot recommend any at home treatment for this pest, as it is so destructive and must be maintained properly. An application of insecticide should be applied by a tree care specialist between March and April when drops of resin are first detected. Depending on the extent of the damage, the remaining infected portions of branches should be removed and burned to prevent further outbreak.
We recommend a regular tree health inspection by an ISA certified arborist to prevent pests and decay from taking over. Click the link below to set up a free estimate with one of our arborists and start your tree pest prevention plan today!
CONNECT ME TO AN ARBORIST NOW
How Can I Make My Trees Healthy Again?
We’ve all been there. Schedules get full and the seemingly smaller things get forgotten about. Taking care of your trees and plants doesn’t have to be hard and we have come up with a few key things to focus on going into the new year with tree health care!
Soil Care
Healthy trees will not thrive in unhealth soil. If you have an area on your property where your trees aren’t thriving as usual? It might be a good idea to have a soil sample taken by yourself or an ISA certified arborist to check what your specific soil might be lacking.
Fall Fertilization
Deep root tree fertilization works wonders by improving soil aeration, rejuvenates and improves soil structure, reducing soil compaction and providing key nutrients essential to the health of your trees. This process is best performed in fall or winter, before the growth expands in the spring.
Replace Mulch
Mulching the base of your trees is great for a number of reasons including moisture retention, blocking weed competition, adding organic matter into the soil, preventing erosion, etc. However, as it decomposes, it will need to be replaced. We recommend once a year placing an additional thin layer of mulch to replace what has gone into the soil.
Tree Trimming
Having a regular tree trimming schedule is the best prevention method for avoiding damage, disease and decay in your trees.
Support Weak Tree With Cabling
Winter time can bring about environmental stress on trees that is potentially irreversible if they are already suffering from large cracks, lightening damage etc. Cabling and bracing is a procedure our tree care technicians perform to strengthen the tree without damage so it can withstand heavy winds poor conditions.
Inspect For Disease And Fungus
Sometimes disease and decay are on the inside and don’t show any prominent symptoms. In this case, an ISA certified arborist is needed to properly assess the tree and its condition. However, in most cases, there will be a number of warning signs such as poor growth, loss of foliage, yellowing of leaves, presence of pests or fungus, etc. If you spot any of these issues, its important to get in touch with an arborist as soon as possible to set up a treatment plan for your trees.
If you have questions about your trees or would like a free tree health care assessment by one of our ISA certified arborists, please click the link below to be connected!
Call An Arborist!
How To Winterize Fruit Trees
Prevention is key in caring for fruit trees. After your fruit trees have become infested with certain diseases such as peach leaf curl, brown rot, or pests, it can be much more costly to cure the problem rather than simple prevention.
If you haven’t yet planted your fruit trees yet, its a good idea to do some research on different varieties. There are many different specimens of fruit trees that are resistant to the bigger diseases and problems such as:
Pears
Plums
Cherries
How do I prepare my fruit trees for winter?
The first step in preparing your trees for winter time is doing a good old fashioned fall cleanup. This includes removing any rotten or dropped fruit on the ground and on the trees and raking up all the leaves around the base that could be a good hiding spot for particular pests.
Next, you will want to establish, if you haven’t already, a solid maintenance tree trimming plan with an ISA certified arborist. Tree trimming in winter is vital to removing all dead and diseased branches, allowing your trees to reach their full potential next season and ward off any threats of pests entering old wounds. Be sure you have your tree trimming done in winter time, their dormant season, unless otherwise deemed necessary by an ISA certified arborist.
Finally, you can choose to spray dormant oils, a non toxic prevention method that seems to work well for apple trees, plum trees and pear trees in winter. This can help to keep common pests like aphids and scale insects away.
If you have fruit trees that could use some attention or would like more tips and tricks to provide them with the best fruit tree care in Snellville, click the link below to be connected with one of our certified arborists now!