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!
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Does My Tree Have Brittle Cinder Fungus?
What is brittle cinder fungus?
Brittle cinder is a fungus found on trees that causes breakage on otherwise healthy trees. This fungus will appear on the base as a grey crust-like body. The fungus will turn black as it ages. It originally enters the tree through open wounds, degrading the structure of the tree, making it brittle and vulnerable for breakage. Without an arborist inspection, this fungus will go on undetected until damage occurs. When the fungus is found at the base, the tree may snap off completely.
Some tree species are more vulnerable than others, including:
Horse Chesnut
Beech
Maple
Oak
How do I treat brittle cinder fungus?
Unfortunately, there are no treatments or pesticides that are effective with brittle cinder. Once your tree is infected with brittle cinder, complete tree removal is recommended to prevent further damage or spread. Making sure your trees are healthy and well maintained is the key to prevention. Having regular arborist inspections will ensure fungus and other disease issues do not go unnoticed.
If you are interested in having a free estimate with one of our certified arborists, please click the link below to be connected!
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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
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!
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!
Call An Arborist
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!
Call an arborist.
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!