TREE & LAWN CARE BLOG
After a Tree Removal, Can I Replant Another In The Same Spot?
If you have just had to remove a tree from your property that leaves a big open space, you may be wondering, when and where can I plant a new tree to take its place?
Replanting another specimen in your yard provides a substantial increase in property value as well as an overall increase in aesthetic nature.
Can I replant a new tree in the same spot as the other I removed?
Yes and no. Planting a new tree will ALWAYS do best in fresh soil, however there are a few things to keep in mind if you decided to stick with the same spot.
There could be some roots still in the area, preventing your new tree from reaching its full capacity until they disintegrate.
If you had stump grinding done, the sawdust left behind could change the components of the soil immensely.
If you had the previous tree removed due to disease or pests, its important to note that the pathogen that caused the disease could be lingering in the soil and attack the new tree as well.
Having the area assessed by an ISA certified Arborist is best to rule out any potential future issues for you and your new tree.
If you are ready to plant your new tree but still have some questions that you would like to be answered by a professional tree care associate from our team, click the link below to get connected now!
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What is the green stuff growing on my trees?
Most of the time, in damp, shady areas you will spot a substance on the branches or trunk of a seemingly declining tree. This substance can be either lichen or moss.
What’s the difference between lichen and moss on trees?
Lichen
A combination of fungi and algae
Can be a range of colors including blue, green gray etc.
Appears in thin flaky patches
Moss
Always dark green
Coarse texture
Does moss or lichen harm my tree?
Lichen does not harm trees, though it might seem that way because they are usually found on declining specimen. Actually, lichen just tends to thrive on unhealthy trees because when they are under stress, there are usually less leaves and branches, allowing more light to shine on the trunk and creating the perfect environment for lichen to take over.
How can I get rid of moss or lichen on my trees?
There is no pressing need to rid the tree of moss or lichen as it does no harm to your trees and actually can be beneficial to the environment by providing a food source for many birds and other animals. However, if you would still like to get rid of it, a fungicide called copper sulfate can be applied by an ISA certified Arborist to kill it.
If you have moss or lichen on your trees, it is best to have them assessed properly by one of our ISA certified Arborists to rule out any potential tree disease, tree decay or pests that could be causing stress on the tree to begin with. Use the link below to be connected with an ISA certified arborist today!
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Signs You Might Have A Bark Beetle Infestation
There are more than 600 different species of bark beetles and over 41.7 millions acres of land destroyed from them. They are becoming more common as time goes on and date back to 1996, when the first outbreak began in the U.S. Bark beetles usually go after the weaker trees, decayed or already taken over by some sort of fungus or bacteria. They kill the trees by cutting off their food and water transport abilities.
Symptoms of bark beetles include:
Pitch tubes, reddish brown in color on the outside of the bark
Sawdust substances around bark
Woodpecker holes could indicate there are bark beetles present
Leaves and needles turn from green to reddish brown
Tree decline
Unfortunately, once the symptoms of bark beetles are noticed, it usually is too late to apply a pesticide and the tree must be removed to prevent further spread in the area. If you notice the bark beetles early on in their cycle, a pesticide can be applied by a certified Arborist that kills the adults when they land on the tree. This will prevent them from entering, laying eggs and repeating the cycle.
When applying pesticides, make sure you use a certified arborist, as these chemicals can be dangerous and cause more harm to the good and helpful insects of the tree.
If you suspect bark beetles on your trees, it is important to contact your local ISA certified arborist immediately to remediate the situation before they take over.
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Most Common Crepe Myrtle Problems
Crepe myrtles can be a perfect selection for smaller landscapes or suburban areas. They are available in all different sizes and colors that are some of the most vibrant blooms of all the trees. From June to August its hard to miss these bright, beautiful blooms. However, they are susceptible to a few different types of diseases and pests:
Powdery Mildew
Powdery Mildew is the most common problems that crepe myrtles carry. The fungus, Erysiphe lagerstroemiae leaves patches of grayish white powder on the leaves and flowers of the tree. If there is enough of the fungi present, the flowers may fail to bloom. This is most common if the tree is in a dark, shady and damp location.
Japanese Beetles
Japanese beetles are about an inch long and are metallic in color. The essentially feed on the foliage and can multiply enough to destroy the entire tree. Eggs are laid in the soil from June through August for them to emerge and start the cycle all over again the following year.
Aphids
Aphids feed on crepe myrtles by sucking the plant sap out of the leaves. They leave behind a liquid called honeydew. If the infestation is large enough, it will cause yellow spots to appear on the leaves and sooty mold fungi to take over.
Cercospora Leaf Spot
The fungus Cercospora usually occurs during warm, humid weather. This fungus appears in yellow spots on the top of the leaves and a greyish color of fungi on the underside of the leaves. This can result in a loss of all the foliation on the trees.
If you have a crepe myrtle in your yard that looks to have Japanese beetles or other threatening insect infestation, give us a call as soon as possible to have one of our ISA certified Arborists out to perform an evaluation on your crepe myrtle problems!
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What Can We Learn From The Trees In Fall?
There is something special about fall time. The perfect weather, cool breeze with sun just warm enough to go out and enjoy without all those pesky mosquitoes. Most of all, the trees and watching their leaves change colors. Many people call fall a “second spring” where the leaves are all flowers blooming to drop again and return next season.
There are a multitude of life lessons the trees can teach us. We have listed just a few.
Embracing change
Most of us hate change, its scary and unpredictable. But every fall, the leaves show us that change can be a beautiful thing.
Learn to let go
Just as the trees let go of their leaves in fall, we must learn to let go of things that are no longer meant for us in order to grow stronger, healthier and return more beautiful next season.
Dark seasons are necessary
No rain, no flowers. Dark times are inevitable for all of us. It is important to remember that without dark times, we wouldn’t have the determination to be reborn and start again.
Nothing lasts forever
The bad news is that nothing lasts forever, the good news is also that nothing lasts forever. The changing of the seasons reminds us that no matter what, time will still be marching along. Take time to enjoy your life and live to the fullest everyday.
We hope these lessons give you a new way to look at the beauty in the trees that surround us!
How To Keep Your Christmas Tree From Dropping Needles
Christmas is right around the corner and its time to start thinking about which tree you will pick to light up your living room with some holiday spirit! Some might choose to go with a fake tree for easy cleanup and most of all NO MESS. However, there are some tips and tricks we can give you so you can enjoy your real Christmas tree and keep the droppings at a minimum. Because lets face it, there truly is nothing like a real Christmas tree.
So how can I keep the needles from dropping on my Christmas tree?
The fresher, the better.
Cutting your own tree is best because its hard to tell how long ago the trees on local tree farm were cut.
Give it a shake.
If you shake the tree around a bit, you shouldn’t notice a ton of needles falling off. If so, NEXT!
Water, water, water.
The most important part of keeping your Christmas tree thriving is making sure the water is full at all times.
If you can find a Christmas tree with a root ball that will be your absolute best bet on preventing large amounts of needle drop.
Keep the tree away from heating vents or fireplaces. Extreme hot and cold temperatures will likely cause needle drop.
These are just a few of our favorite tips to keep your Christmas tree healthy and glowing this season! Give us a call if you have any additional questions about tree care!
What Is Ganoderma Root Rot?
Fungus such as mushrooms, conks, and other fruiting bodies are never a good sight to see near one of your valued trees. The presence of these different fungi can indicate a larger problem on the inside of the tree such as root rot or generalized wood decay.
What is Ganoderma root rot & how can I identify it?
Ganoderma is a particular type of fungus that infects your trees through open wounds. Open wounds from spike holes, lightening, lawn maintenance equipment or nails in the tree could all make it susceptible to this specific fungi. Ganoderma can easily be spread by not properly sanitizing your landscape tools such as loppers or hand trimmers.
The symptoms of Ganoderma root rot are similar to any other issue occurring on the interior of the tree and include:
Dead branches
Yellow leaves
Leaf drop
Small leaves
Presence of fungi around the base or the trunk
There could be a variety of other symptoms occurring that will indicate an issue with your trees. This is why it is important to have your trees regularly inspected by an ISA certified Arborist.
Will Ganoderma root rot kill my tree?
Once your tree has become infected with this specific type of fungi, unfortunately, there is no way to stop it. Preventative measures always work best when it comes to fungi. A couple steps to ensure your trees will be safe from root rot are:
*Make sure your trees are inspected regularly by an Arborist
*Be careful not to cause damage to the cambium (outer) layer of your trees when using lawn equipment
*Never drill into trees unless consulted with an Arborist first
*Call your local Arborist at the first sign of decay, open wounds or pest
If you are concerned about root rot in any of your trees on your property, click the link below to be connected to an ISA certified Arborist today!
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3 Most Dangerous Tree Pests
Some tree pests only do minor damage such as defoliation, while others can actually kill or cause irreversible damage to your trees in the matter of a couple of days. That’s why it is so important to have your trees inspected by an ISA Certified Arborist at the first sight of any kind of tree pest infestation and routinely as a preventative measure.
A couple of the most dangerous tree pests in Georgia are:
Ambrosia Beetle.
Ambrosia beetles produce ambrosia fungus that is deposited within your trees as they excavate tunnels throughout the sapwood that serve as food for other larvae and adult beetles. Once these beetles have infested your trees, it can be very problematic and hard to address. The pesticide used to control and treat these infestations must be timed exactly when they fly. Re application can sometimes be necessary as timing their flight intervals can be tricky. Severe infestations will require the tree to be removed to prevent the spread of the pest.
Southern Pine Beetle.
Named the most destructive insect of them all as this beetle must kill the host tree in order to reproduce. This 3 mm beetle causes rapid loss of habitats, forests and watersheds. They do not discriminate and will take down even the healthy, resistant trees. The most recent outbreak resulted in $1.5 billion dollars of economic damage. They live in the in the inner bark of the trees and can usually be identified by the pitch tubes on the outer bark. The SPB also carries blue-stain fungi, which blocks the water flow within the trees causing eventual decline.
Asian Ambrosia Beetle.
If you have cherry or Japanese Maple trees on your property, be sure to look out for the Asian ambrosia beetle. They were accidentally imported from overseas on some peach trees in 1974 and since then has costs millions of dollars worth of plant and tree loss. These little insects can take down large trees very quickly, causing nursery and homeowners to spend extra just to prevent the infestation from beginning. They emerge in spring and bores into limbs about 1-2 inches thick, leaving nothing but sawdust behind.
If you suspect your trees are in danger of any of these common tree pests in Georgia, please give us a call using the link below to be connected with an ISA Certified Arborist for a tree evaluation. Remember, the best treatment is prevention!