TREE & LAWN CARE BLOG
Most Common Winter Tree Problems
Georgias weather has taken quite a few unexpected turns lately but we have finally reached the winter weather of the south. These hot days and freezing nights can take a serious toll on your trees, especially if they are not native to the area or are still young, newly planted trees.
We have listed a few of the most common issues you might come across with your trees in the winter.
Drought
As the ground hardens and freezes over, it makes it impossible for your trees to receive the water they need throughout the dormant season. Be sure to check out our other blogs for more information on watering your trees in the winter time and have a certified Arborist assess the health of your trees in Monroe on a regular basis to prevent irreversible drought damage.
Dead Branches
As the ice takes over the branches of your trees, it can be hard for them to support the extra weight, resulting in breakage throughout. Routine winter pruning by a certified Aborist in Monroe can help prevent your tree from damage or opening it up to winter pests.
Rodent Damage
Have you noticed bark being removed from your trees at a faster rate than your normal shedding? Rodents and other small critters feed on the bark of your trees to survive the harsh winters. Try keeping them out with any type of fencing material or call a certified Arborist in Monroe to apply a common repellent to keep them from damaging your trees.
If you are concerned about the health of your trees, it is always best to contact a certified Arborist to have a free tree risk assessment performed on your trees. This is especially important in the winter time and if the trees are close to your home or other valuables. Give us a call by using the link below to contact a certified Arborist for more information!
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Should I Water My Trees In Winter?
Winter time is dormant season for your trees, meaning they will “hibernate” essentially until its time to use up all the energy for new blooms in the spring.
However, even though your trees are essentially in “protection” mode in winter, they are not immune to drought or extremely cold, dry conditions.
In fact, cold, dry conditions usually put your trees under the most significant amount of stress.
These conditions can cause a substantial amount of damage to your trees root systems, ultimately leading to the decline of your trees.
Tree die-back from these conditions usually happens over a longer period and will not show signs of decline until the next spring hits.
There is one very important rule when it comes to watering your trees in the winter.
Only water your trees when the temperature is ABOVE 40 degrees Fahrenheit and there are no signs of snow or ice close-by.
We have listed a few other helpful tips in regards to watering your trees below:
Water in the morning so the trees have time to absorb the moisture before the sun dries it out.
Water slow and deep, watering bags are a good option as long as the weather is still above 40 degrees F.
Check the soil moisture to determine your specific trees watering schedule.
Apply the water around the base and out to the edge of the trees roots, keeping in mind the root systems are typically the width of the crown of the tree.
Avoid spraying the leaves or the trunk of the trees in Statham if possible.
Mulch around the base of the tree to promote soil moisture retention and hold warmth in the winter months.
Evergreen trees need more water than hardwoods. Be sure to research your trees specific needs by area.
If you are concerned with the health of your trees in Statham, be sure to contact a certified Arborist in Statham using the link below!
What Types Of Trees Are Best For Firewood?
Nothing beats curling up next to a cozy fireplace in the winter but the ambiance isn’t free. Looking to chop your own firewood this year? We have a couple tips to get you started on free firewood.
Maybe you have downed trees in some nearby woods and are wondering if they would be a good fit to throw in the fireplace this evening. Choosing the right kind of firewood is important to achieve the perfect fire.
Let’s start with the best types of firewood.
If you are relying on firewood as the primary heat source for your house, it’s important to choose one of these top three to ensure optimal wood burning consistency. Hardwoods are the best type for this.
Oak
The easiest to find of these three would be oaks. Oaks can be found just about anywhere in Georgia and are known for their dense nature - producing the best heat possible.
Hickory
Hickory and pecan trees are similar to oak in the dense nature but can be harder to chop if you are doing it manually.
Maple
Maple trees in Bishop have a reputation of burning with less smoke and sparks than other types of wood.
These are just a few of our favorites, however if you choose any type of hardwood tree in Bishop, typically the result will be ideal.
If you have questions about tree identification in Bishop, please feel free to give us a call at North American Tree Service. We are staffed with certified Arborist’s that can help you with your toughest tree care problems in Bishop today.
Call a Certified Arborist in Bishop
How To Tell If Your Tree Is Dead Or Dormant In Winter
All trees go into a dormant stage in the winter months to rest and prepare for the spring and summer months.
Deciduous trees can be hard to determine the health condition during the winter months when there are no leaves to any homeowner.
While it is best to have a certified Arborist in Athens determine the health of your trees, we have a few easy steps to follow to determine if your tree is in fact dead or if it is simply in dormancy for winter.
Check for buds
Inspection of the trunk and branches is first and foremost. Even in dormant season, your trees should still have buds throughout.
If the branch you are looking at doesn’t show any signs of buds or they are shriveled and dead, check another, as this might just be a dead branch.
If you see multiple branches with dead or nonexistent buds, it is important to contact a certified Arborist in Athens to come out and assess the health of your trees and form a tree health care plan.
Check for missing bark
The bark of your trees naturally sheds and replaces itself regularly.
However if you notice bark on the trunks of your trees that has shed and hasn’t grown back, this could be an indicatior that your trees need a health assessment by a certified arborist in Athens.
Scratch the trunk
Last but not least, the oldest and most accurate way to tell the health of your trees is to take a knife or your nail and scratch the surface of the trunk of your tree or a twig.
Being careful not to damage the cambium layer of the tree, you will be looking for a moist, green color.
If under the first layer is brown and brittle, you might need a certified Abrorist in Athens to come evaluate your trees fully.
If you still have questions about your trees in Athens, or need further assistance to determine the risk of your dead or dying trees, please contact North American Tree Service to have a free estimate on your trees today!
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Most Common Winter Tree Pests
Most common tree insects and pests hibernate for the winter not to emerge again until the next spring. However, some pests favorite hibernating spot is inside of your trees. If they are left untreated, they can cause serious damage to your trees.
What are the most common pests my trees might see in winter?
There are a couple of different types of pests we most commonly see on trees in Georgia in the winter including:
Aphids
The least alarming type of pest, however does multiply very quickly and and quickly overwhelm your trees and plants especially if your trees are already declining or in bad health. Aphids lay their eggs inside your trees to emerge when the next spring comes. They are relatively easy to treat as long as they are identified quickly. Have a certified Arborist in Snellville assess your trees in winter for health issues and pest problems!
Moth Grubs
Fruit bearing trees are a favorite for this worm like grub. They hide in the crevices of your trees during the winter months and pop out around the time your tree starts to bear fruit! These need to be nipped in the bud before they do serious damage to your new growth in the spring. A certified Arborist in Snellville can identify and treat moth grubs and other winter tree pests easily!
Red Spider Mites
Last but certainly not least the infamous red spider mite. They will go after a variety of species but prefer apple trees as a personal favorite. They remain active through spring summer and fall and hide out in the crevices of your trees during winter until it is warm enough for them to emerge again. What is especially hard about identifying these guys is their size. They are extremely small and you likely will not even be aware you have an infestation until it is far too late. They can be a harder pest to get rid of so its important to contact a certified arborist in Snellville if you notice any health issues with your trees.
Still have questions or concerns about your trees health? Give us a call at North American Tree Service, we are staffed with highly trained certified Abrorist’s ready to assist you with your next tree care problem! Click the link below to get started on your free estimate with a certified Arborist!
Call an Arborist!
Why Should I Use A Licensed Arborist?
So you’ve decided to come up with a tree care plan to protect and preserve the health of your trees. Now its time to pick a company! So what should you be looking for when searching for a reliable and safe tree service to use?
Valid business license
Fully insured for your safety in case anything were to go wrong (make sure to get a copy and call the company to verify the insurance is in fact valid)
Certified and accredited Arborist’s (ask for their accreditation number)
TCIA accredidation is a plus
Why do I need a certified Arborist?
Certified Arborists in Grayson have extensive training in the tree care industry and are able to properly assess and evaluate the health of your trees. Working with a ISA accredited Arborist will ensure you are getting accurate diagnosis of health issues and tree risk assessments. TCIA accreditation relies heavily on the safety factor and you can feel comfortable knowing the people removing a dangerous tree from your property will know all the proper techniques to get the job done safely and effectively.
Alternatively, working with a company that is not accredited can:
Put the safety of your home and valuables at risk in dangerous tree removal situations
Leave you liable for any injuries that occur on your property at the time of the job
Have you remove falsely identified dead trees in Grayson from your property for profit and not for safety concerns
Damage your trees with the use of spikes for a simple pruning job
Cause your trees to decline from improper pruning or fertilization
If you have dead or dying trees in Grayson that need to be assessed by a certified Abrorist, please don’;t hesitate to give us a call using the link below!
Call An Arborist Now
What Kinds of Trees Attract Birds?
As natural habitats for birds continually gets smaller, they are forced to rely on our suburban area for food and shelter. Birds now rely on native plants and native insects to survive. So which trees can you plant in Athens in your yard to get the most interaction from them?
Red Maple
The best thing about this tree is its habit and color. It is the perfect tree to plant in a neighborhood for fall color and also provides tons of caterpillars and insects for the birds such as Vireos. Red maples in Athens drop seeds in samaras which are also a source of food for birds like the Northern Cardinal.
Flowering Dogwood
Smaller than the red maple, this tree might be better for a smaller planting area. Contrary to its size this tree blooms large white flowers that attract the insects and caterpillars in spring and summer. In the fall the local birds love to eat the high protein berries this tree drops.
Red Mulberry
Mulberry fruit is a favorite of a large variety of bird species. This colorful fruit also attracts insects for the birds to feed on as well. This tree holds the number one species for the sole purpose of attracting birds.
American Holly
Ideal for smaller landscapes, this tree is a favorite for birds because it provides optimum shelter and delicious red berries. The leaves on this holly tree are hard and sturdy enough to protect against the harshest weather conditions which is why birds tend to nest in this particular tree throughout the winter time.
These are just a few of the most loves species in the area for attracting birds, if you are planning on tree planting in Athens and need further assistance as to which species is best, contact a certified arborist in Athens using the link below!
Call An Arborist
Will My Trees Survive A Fungal Infection?
There are thousands of different types of fungi that can affect your trees ranging from deadly to not harmful at all so the first step is to identify what type of fungus your tree has. An important thing to remember is that tree fungi cannot be cured permanently after they develop we can make them go into remission but will need routine tree health care after wards to ensure the fungi doesn’t return stronger. In some cases with certain fungal infections of your trees, the best option might be to remove and replace the tree before the infection spreads to other nearby trees. However, the very first step in assessing the issue is to identify it by having a certified Arborist in Snellville come out and take a look at your trees. The certified Arborist in Snellville will then develop a plan or procedure to follow to make sure your tree gets back to health.
How did my tree get a fungal infection?
Trees can develop fungus for a number of reasons that are usually gone without notice and unmanageable until they appear. A few different reasons are:
excessive watering
improperly placed irrigation systems
bad environmental conditions
wood decay
lopers or other gardening tools carrying infected spores from other areas of your yard
spores being transported to your trees by the wind
How can I prevent my tree from developing a fungus?
Trees are naturally immune to most fungus infections just as humans use their immune systems to fight off viruses, trees do the same. The strength of the immune system of a tree depends on its growing conditions, how well it is maintained, etc. A few key things to remember in keeping fungus away from your trees are:
Perform proper pruning routinely in dormant season only by a certified Arborist in Snellville.
Remove dead or dying branches from the tree as they arise.
Do not over water the tree.
Make sure the soil is well draining, or visa versa dependent on the species.
Have a certified Arborist in Snellville inspect your trees on a regular basis to check for infections, decay, or declining health.
Tree fungal infections in Snellville are very common and can survive given the proper fungicide treatments by a Certified Arborist. However, the survival rate depends on the current health of the tree, the type of fungus and other environmental factors. If you think your trees are infected by a type of fungus give us a call to have a certified Arborist in Snellville come out and evaluate the health of your trees.