Oak Leaf Miners - Identify & Control

What’s wrong with my oak tree leaves?

Over the past few dry, hot months we have received numerous phone calls about discolorations on Oak tree leaves. Upon further inspection by our certified arborists, oak leaf miners are to blame.

What is a leaf miner?

A leaf miner is an insect, about a quarter inch long, that lives in and eats the tissue of plants. They often leave behind a squiggly trail or big, discolored blotches. A certified arborist can determine the exact tree pest with a tree care inspection.

Can leaf miners damage my trees?

Fortunately, most leaf miner damage is purely cosmetic and is seldom a concern of the overall health of your trees. Leaf drop and defoliation is common, but not threatening. All the leaves on your oak trees will come back next spring with new growth.

How can I get rid of leaf miners?

While there are certain pesticides our tree care experts can apply in large infestation cases, the best practice for getting rid of oak leaf miners is simply raking up and destroying the damaged and dead leaves from around the base of your trees. This can prevent the infestation from spreading to other trees in the area.

If you have any questions or concerns about your trees, click the link below to be connected with one of our ISA certified arborists today!

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Japanese Maple Diseases

Japanese maple trees are a highly favored variety among homeowners for many different reasons.

• They are fairly easy to grow and maintain, if they are planted properly and on a sufficient watering schedule.

• They come in many different varieties of heights and colors.

• They can adapt to smaller spaces where other specimen might fall short.

• Usually any issues that arise are due to maintenance, as they are pretty disease resistant.

However, no tree is completely disease free and are susceptible to certain types of pests. We’ve listed a few of the most common pests and diseases that typically attack Japanese Maple trees.

Verticillium Wilt

This is a soil born fungi that is usually brought on by environmental stressors such as drought, frost or wet soil. The most common symptom of verticillium wilt is branch die back. We recommend regular maintenance pruning of all trees, but especially if dead limbs are present. Other treatment options might be available to you by a local tree arborist.

Anthracnose

Anthracnose is another type of fungal disease that not only attacks Japanese Maple trees, but a large variety of other trees and shrubs as well. This is most commonly seen during rainy seasons or areas with high humidity. Symptoms of anthracnose on Japanese Maple trees are spots or scorch on the leaves. Performing regular tree trimming and removing all infected leaves are good practices to avoid and treat this disease.

Phytophthora Root Rot

Japanese maple trees have never adapted well to over watering. They are highly susceptible to root rot because they have a low tolerance to soil that does not drain well. Proper planting and maintaining a watering regimen specific to Japanese Maple tree is the best treatment.

Japanese Maple Scale

Scale insects such as the armored scale favor the Japanese Maple tree under stress. If your Japanese Maple tree is not getting enough water, has suffered an injury or is under any other type of environmental stress, this can be an open invitation to scale insects to attack. These insects are usually seen on the bark and sometimes can be manually removed with soapy water. We recommend consulting a local certified arborist if you notice any pests on your trees.

If you have noticed your Japanese Maple trees showing any symptoms of stress, we encourage you to click the link below to be connected to a certified arborist for a free tree assessment. Remember the best practice is prevention!

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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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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 Do I Protect My Newly Planted Trees In Winter?

Planting new trees in your landscape can be a fun and satisfying project. If you timed your project right, planting your new specimen should be performed in dormant season through winter.

But maybe you found the perfect tree for your yard and wanted to plant it sooner than later. That’s okay! We understand. Now that winter is rolling around, however, it’s most important to provide them with the best support possible to ensure their survival.

Cold weather brings along a lot of troubles for new trees. Ice storms, sub-zero temperatures, and strong winds can break branches and damage trees that haven’t had enough time to establish a healthy root system. The constant freezing and thawing of the soil with random spurts of sun can cause root damage and dry out the tree, exposing it to cold damage.

Winter weather in Georgia is unpredictable so having a certified Arborist help you with your newly planted tree will ensure optimal growth. But we have come up with a few tips and tricks to help in the meantime!

• Water, water, water! - Until your tree has a healthy root system, it is important to keep the soil moist, not saturated before the ground freezes in October through mid-November. This will ensure your tree is properly hydrated through the winter drought. If you notice any browning on evergreen trees feel free to give a little extra after this time period, though.

• Insulate the soil with mulch - Mulching around the base of your trees provides a large number of substantial benefits from preventing erosion, weeds and retaining moisture as well as heat. It can help prevent cold winter air from penetrating the soil, exposing the roots to cold damage before they are established. We recommend placing a 4 inch layer around the base of your trees, new or old, keeping it at least 2 feet from the trunk.

• Tree trimming - The dormant season is the perfect time to prune back those new or old trees since they are growing much slower in this time frame. Removing dead or dying branches can help your trees maintain their energy for the beautiful blooms in spring time!

• Wrapping - Wrapping your trees in a breathable fabric such as burlap is a great practice that can help to preserve your trees health while they are still getting established in their new home. There is a specific way to do this, however, so it is best that you consult with a certified Arborist about tree wrapping and preservation

Are your trees ready for the harsh effects of winter in Georgia? We give FREE estimates with our ISA certified Arborists. Give us a call today for a free risk assessment and evaluation of your trees health by clicking the link below!

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Why Is Topping Your Trees Deadly?

Sometimes, due to improper planting or planning, the trees we once loved outgrow them selves and become a problem. It may seem easiest to just chop them at the top to shorten them back down to a reasonable size. However, doing so could put your trees at major risk for decline.

Why is tree topping bad for my trees?

• Improper pruning leaves the tree open for pests and decay to take over

• It triggers response growth, a trees natural reaction to grow a large amount of smaller weaker branches in place of what was lost. This can be very unsightly and dangerous in heavy storms

• The tree struggles to repair the large amount of leaves and branches lost, its main food source

Topping your trees can end up being much more costly than just removing them al together and replanting and specimen that fits your style.

If you have trees that have outgrown their space and need some recommendations on how to fix them, our Arborists in Monroe are always available at the link below!

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Why Are My Shrubs Dying?

Some of the most common types of shrubs to plant around suburban houses are azaleas, boxwoods and holly’s. But sometimes, due to a number of reasons, these shrubs don’t last long before turning brown and dying off little by little.

But what’s causing my shrubs to die?

Many factors come into play when determining cause for decline in shrubs.

Environmental factors. Georgia heat can be a lot to handle, especially for certain specimen who prefer partly shaded areas or thrive in cooler environments. Before planting your desired shrub, be sure to do some research on where and how you should plant it to ensure it isn’t getting too much or too little sun.

Pests/diseases. Small insects such as borers or different types of diseases can cause your shrubs to turn brown or die. Be sure to have your property inspected by a certified Arborist to be sure that those diseases or pests don’t spread to your other trees or plants.

Soil moisture. In summertime, your shrubs will need a little extra TLC. Especially when it comes to water. The most vital thing to your plants health is ensuring they are getting enough water in extreme heat temperatures. However, it is also possible to over water your shrubs and trees as well so it is important to establish a schedule that fits.

Fertilizer overload. This can be tricky because unless a soil test has been performed, the proper amount or type of fertilizer you may need can be a guessing game. By applying too much of the wrong type of fertilizer to your shrubs, you can actually burn your shrubs by increasing the salt levels in the soil.

How can I stop my shrubs from dying?

If your shrubs are suffering from something simple like leaf scorch or drought, getting them in a shaded area by replanting or putting another species nearby to provide them with more shade could do the trick. Establishing a proper watering schedule especially in extreme heat situations is important to keep them healthy and happy as well. But if you are concerned about diseases or pests that could have infected your shrubs, be sure to contact your local ISA certified Arborist to schedule a free consultation on your landscape!

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How Much Does It Cost To Remove a Tree?

The first step to a tree removal is an ISA Certified Arborist consultation at your home. At North American Tree Service, our first priority is determining if the tree can be saved or brought back to health if it was in decline from pests, decay or damage. However, if the tree cannot be saved, or is in too risky of an area to try, you may decide tree removal is your best option.

But how much does tree removal cost?

You might think there is a standard set of pricing for tree removal, or we have a standard per tree price. But, every tree is very different and there are a lot of factors that go into pricing out a tree removal.

Size. The actual size of the tree you are removing will determine how long our crews will be on your property and will need to be measured by our Arborists while on site.

Equipment. Usually, most trees can be removed with standard equipment such as our Omme tracked lift or bucket trucks. But if neither of these pieces of equipment can reach your tree, we may have to bring larger equipment such as a crane out to the job site, which could incur a higher rate.

Location. A large determining factor of cost is the actual location of the tree. This also plays into what type of equipment we may need to bring to the job site. Tree removal is much more risky and dangerous when powerlines are involved, the tree is completely dead, or is hanging over your home or other structures. This is why it is important to have your trees regularly assessed by a certified arborist. Doing this is a preventative measure that might save you on a tree removal later on.

Ultimately, our technicians need to come out to your home and take an in person look at the trees you are concerned about in order to give a proper estimate.

If you are concerned with dead trees you may have on your property, click the link below to be connected with one of our certified arborists today!

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