TREE & LAWN CARE BLOG
Signs It's Time to Remove a Tree: Insights from Professional Arborists
In the world of tree care, arborists play a crucial role in ensuring the health and safety of our urban forests. These skilled professionals are trained in the art and science of tree care, and they are equipped with the knowledge and expertise to identify and address a wide range of tree problems. One of the key responsibilities of arborists is determining when it's time to remove a tree. In this article, we will explore the common signs of tree problems, the importance of identifying tree pests and diseases, and the dangers of DIY tree removal. We will also discuss the benefits of hiring a professional arborist for tree removal, factors to consider when choosing an arborist, and the process of tree removal. Finally, we will touch on tree care and maintenance after removal. So, let's dive in and learn more about the signs it's time to remove a tree.
The Role of Arborists in Tree Care
Before we delve into the signs that indicate a tree may need to be removed, let's take a moment to understand the important role that arborists play in tree care. Arborists, also known as tree surgeons or tree doctors, are highly trained professionals who specialize in the care and maintenance of trees. They have a deep understanding of tree biology, growth patterns, and the various factors that can affect tree health. Arborists are equipped with the knowledge and tools necessary to diagnose and treat tree problems, and they are skilled in performing a wide range of tree care services.
Arborists are responsible for assessing the overall health and condition of trees, identifying potential issues, and implementing appropriate solutions. They can provide valuable insights into the needs of individual trees, including pruning requirements, fertilization schedules, and disease prevention strategies. Arborists also play a crucial role in tree preservation and conservation efforts, working to protect and maintain the urban canopy for future generations. By partnering with arborists, homeowners, property managers, and municipalities can ensure the long-term health and vitality of their trees.
Common Signs of Tree Problems
Trees are living organisms that can be affected by a variety of issues, ranging from environmental stressors to pests and diseases. Identifying the signs of tree problems is essential for maintaining the health and safety of your trees. Here are some common signs that may indicate a tree is in distress:
Leaf Discoloration and Abnormal Growth Patterns
Dead or Dying Branches
Bark Damage and Decay
Tree Pests
Tree Diseases
When Tree Removal Is Necessary
While arborists strive to preserve trees whenever possible, there are circumstances when tree removal is the only viable option. Here are some situations where tree removal may be necessary:
Structural Instability
If a tree is structurally compromised and poses a significant risk to people or property, it may need to be removed. Signs of structural instability include large cavities or hollow areas in the trunk, extensive decay, or leaning at an angle greater than 15 degrees. In such cases, the tree may be at risk of falling during storms or high winds, posing a danger to nearby structures or individuals.
Severe Disease or Pest Infestation
In some cases, tree diseases or pest infestations can be so severe that they cannot be effectively treated, and the tree's overall health and vitality are compromised. If an arborist determines that a tree is beyond saving and poses a risk of spreading pests or diseases to nearby trees, removal may be necessary to protect the rest of the landscape.
Obstruction or Interference
Trees that obstruct power lines, impede construction projects, or interfere with the growth of other desirable trees may need to be removed. In urban environments, trees must coexist with other infrastructure and landscape elements. If a tree is causing significant interference or poses a safety risk, removal may be the most practical solution.
It's important to consult with a professional arborist to assess the specific circumstances and determine whether tree removal is the best course of action.
Call an arborist who will provide high-quality tree removal services.
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
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!
Connect me with an arborist.
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!
Connect me with an Arborist!
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!
Connect me with an Arborist NOW!
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.
Call An Arborist Now!
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!