Is My Sprinkler System Damaging My Trees?

Irrigation systems are great for low maintenance landscaping. Essentially you just set it , forget it, and watch everything bloom. However, if these irrigation systems are not properly placed, they can cause a problem for your trees and plants.

In the strong Georgia heat, we rarely think of overwatering posing any threats to our gardens. In the heat of the summer especially, it is very important to provide a substantial amount of water to keep your trees, plants and grass thriving.

When you decide to have your sprinkler system installed its important to make sure the location is ideal. Too much water can do just as much harm as too little. Overwatering with trees can be a dangerous situation as excessive moisture provides a perfect breeding ground for pathogens and fungus to develop, essentially leading to the weakening of your trees. If you notice any fungus or mushrooms growing at the base or the trunks of your trees, call a certified Arborist as soon as possible to have your trees properly assessed for decline.

Some signs your plants/trees are getting too much water are:

• root rot

• bark falling off the trunk

• trunk damage

• saturated soils

• fungus (mushrooms, etc.)

Some signs your plants/trees aren’t getting enough water are:

• wilted or curling leaves

• smaller leaves than normal

• leaf drop

• yellowing or burning of the leaves

After installation, walk around to different spots checking the soil after a run to ensure it is getting proper moisture. If the soil is heavily saturated you know your trees and plants are being overwatered and visa versa.

If you would like an ISA Certified Arborist to come assess the health of your trees, click the link below to be connected!

Call An ISA Certified Arborist Now!

What Is A Certified Arborist & Why Do I Need One?

If you are in the search for tree care professionals in Athens, you have probably heard the term “Arborist” pop up once or twice.

So what is a certified arborist?

Properly caring for your trees requires a professional that has knowledge and expertise in arboriculture. Arboriculture is essentially the cultivation, management, and study of trees and other woody plants.

Becoming a certified Arborist in Athens is done so through the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) and requires a number of years of experience as well as extensive testing. Most ISA Certified Arborists will attend a 2-4 year college in order to obtain the knowledge to pass the lengthy exams.

After the exams are over, ISA Certified Arborists are required to maintain their status and certification by taking classes, participating in labs, etc. As our environments evolve, so do the trees and the plants around us, which is why it is important that Davey Certified Arborists stay up to date on current diseases, pests and problems in order to properly assess your trees.

Hiring a certified Arborist from Davey will ensure your trees are getting the correct attention they need in order to survive and thrive in your specific environmental conditions.

Why do I need a Certified Arborist?

Some tree services do not have certified Arborists on staff with them which leaves you wondering why you really need one in the first place.

Taking proper care of your trees requires an extensive knowledge and background on tree care that only a certified Arborist will carry. By hiring a tree service that does not have proper knowledge or expertise in tree care, your trees could be in danger of improper pruning, unnecessary removals, and more!

An ISA Certified Arborist in Athens will always try to save your dead and dying trees before offering a simple removal. There are a number of treatments given to kill and prevent certain pests and diseases from taking over your trees before it is too late. Our certified Arborists will always recommend tree care over tree removals.

Last but not least, safety is the number one concern of an ISA Certified Arborist. When you hire an ISA Certified Arborist, you can rest assured you will not be putting your self or your trees in danger.

If you would like more information on how you can receive a free estimate from one of our certified Arborists, click the link below to be connected!

Call A Certified Arborist

When Should I Lay Grass Seed In Georgia?

Planting grass seed as opposed to laying sod is a much more economical way to satisfy your landscaping dreams or improve/thicken up sparse areas in your existing lawn.

The most important thing to remember when planting grass seed is that timing is everything! Soil temperature and condition can make or break the outcome of your grass seeding project. The timing depends on the specific grass seed you plan to lay as well as what zone or region you reside in. In Georgia, Zone 8, you will most likely be planting warm season grasses such as Bermuda, Zoysia, Centipede, Bahia or St. Augustine.

Each of these specific grass seeds should be planted at different times during the year, listed below:

• Bahiagrass - warm-season, USDA zones 7 to 11, plant in spring/summer

• Bentgrass - cool-season, USDA zones lower 4 to 6, plant in spring or fall (fall is best)

• Bermudagrass - warm-season, USDA zones 7 to 10, plant March through August

• Bluegrass - cool-season, USDA zones 2 to 6, plant February to May and September to November

• Buffalograss - warm-season, USDA zones 5 to 8, plant in spring

• Carpetgrass - warm-season, USDA zones coastal 8 to 9, plant in spring/summer

• Centipedegrass - warm-season, USDA zones 7 to 10, plant in spring/summer

• Fescue (tall) - cool-season, USDA zones 4 to 7, plant spring or fall (fall is best)

• Fescue (creeping red) - cool-season, USDA zones 3 to 7, plant spring or fall (fall is best)

• Ryegrass (annual) - cool-season, all USDA (seasonal), plant in fall

• Ryegrass (perennial) - cool-season, USDA zones 3 to 6, plant in spring or fall (fall is best)

• St. Augustinegrass - warm-season, USDA zones 8 to 10, plant in spring April to August (Available as sod, plugs or sprigs; not available as seed.)

• Zoysiagrass - warm-season, USDA zones lower 5 to 10, plant in spring April to August.Most zoysiagrass varieties are available as sod; some are available as seed.)\

Should I plant grass seed in spring or fall?

Warm weather grasses will perform best when planted in spring and early summer. On the contrary, cool weather grasses should be planted in the fall.

However, there are a couple of things to keep in mind when planting in each of these seasons.

Planting grass seed in spring will allow the seed to establish in the warm weather before any chances of freeze might arise in winter. Conditions in spring however, might bring too much heat and water, generating a breeding plaza for disease.

The main disadvantage of planting grass seed in the fall is that you won’t be able to enjoy it until the next spring/summer rolls around. However, you do have the advantage of beating the heat/drought that summer brings along with the lack of nearby weed competition.

If you are planning on seeding your lawn and have questions about how or when to seed, feel free to reach out to us using the link below! We have plant health care technicians on staff ready to assist you with your new grass seeding venture!

CALL A PLANT HEALTHCARE TECHNICIAN

Source:

https://blog.davey.com/2021/03/best-time-to-plant-new-grass-seed-pros-and-cons-for-each-season/