TREE & LAWN CARE BLOG
Benefits of Deep Root Fertilization
Older, matured trees are often overlooked as “healthy” and not in need of any fertilization. Just because your trees are full grown doesn’t mean they wont benefit from a fertilization boost.
Why do my trees need fertilization?
Most trees that are planted in urban areas can be subject to a number of obstacles such as:
soil compaction
competing for nutrients
air pollution
poor soil quality
All of these factors can contribute to the overall decline of your trees over time. Deep root fertilization adds natural soil nutrients around the roots of your trees while providing a means for aeration of the soil at the same time. Performing a deep root fertilization on your trees will give your trees the extra push they need to overcome certain environmental setbacks where they might otherwise fall short.
What are the top benefits of deep root fertilization?
Fertilizing your trees provides a large number of benefits such as:
prevents chlorosis (yellowing of leaves)
provides substantial protection against pests and diseases
naturally aerates the soil for optimal oxygen to your trees roots
helps aid in the prevention of damage during winter such as frost
stimulates fast growth of the canopy
promotes the growth of healthier foliage
All of these benefits will help your tree thrive in some of the less favorable conditions of urban settings. However, it is important to have a certified arborist assess your trees to determine what mixture will work best for your goals. Unfortunately, there isn’t a “one size fits all” fertilizer that will provide ideal results and could potentially harm your trees if not performed properly.
If you would like more information on deep root fertilization of your trees, feel free to contact us using the link below!
Contact An Arborist Now!
Spring Landscape Checklist
With spring just around the corner, it’s important that you do a full and thorough inspection of your landscape to identify any problems before the new growing season. We are staffed with highly trained certified arborist’s who can help you to identify issues with your trees that you might not have noticed. If you would like a certified arborist in Athens to inspect your trees, use the link at the bottom of this page to be connected! Otherwise, we have developed a checklist with tips on DIY landscape/tree inspections and tips to follow for this spring.
Check for any dead branches.
This is not limited to only trees, if you have shrubs or plants in your landscape with dead branches it is essential for the new growth to prune those back. If you notice any limbs on your trees with fungal looking material, holes, or signs of pests, it’s best to contact your local certified Arborist in Athens before trying to tackle pruning that one on your own. Large dead branches can be dangerous and are best left to professionals.
Check foliage.
Have you noticed any yellowing on the new leaves this spring? Or perhaps less foliage or flowering than last year? If you have an older, more mature tree, a simple deep root fertilization in Athens might just do the trick but it is important to identify if other environmental factors are affecting your trees.
Check around the base and trunk.
When checking the base be sure to lookout for any oozing, slimy material, as this could be something as small as slime flux that is easily treatable. It is important to identify any major structural issues such as large cracks or cavities, meaning your tree might have been struck by lightening and needs to be evaluated by a certified arborist immediately. Any signs of mushrooms or other fungal matter in the soil around the trunk is a sure sign there is some root rot going on and should be addressed immediately.
Tips for ultimate spring growth
There are a few key things you can do in the meantime to ensure your trees are in their healthiest state and receiving all the nutrients possible.
Mulch your trees.
Mulching around the base of your trees can prevent erosion, retain soil moisture for those hot summer days, as well as eliminate weeds and grass. Check out our other recent blogs for information on proper mulching techniques.
Fertilize, fertilize, fertilize.
Slow release deep root fertilization can help your trees so much! Any trees over 2 years old should be fertilized in the spring by a certified technician. Call our office to set up an appointment.
Plant new trees.
Being sure dormant season is still in session, this is a great time to plant some new specimen in your landscape. We have multiple blogs on our website for tips on our most recommended tree species to plant. You can also contact our office to receive more information by one of our certified arborist on recommended species for your specific landscape or area!
Give us a call today to have a certified Arborist inspect your trees for any issues!
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Is My Lawnmower Damaging My Trees?
Sometimes it’s easier to run over a few roots with your lawnmower than it is to add more time on the weed eater after the fact. However, the mechanical damage a lawnmower or other yard equipment can do to your trees is quite serious and should be avoided.
The outer layer of your trees just underneath the bark is called the Cambium layer. The Cambium layer contains the Xylem and Phloem - the structures within the tree responsible for transporting food and water from the roots to the stems. When this is injured or damaged, it can limit the tree’s ability to properly transport these nutrients. It is most vital to protect this layer in the spring months when the tree is putting on new growth.
What can happen to my tree if I damaged it with lawn equipment?
It can open the tree up for pests and decay to enter
Poor growth and dead branches
Multiple damage wounds can cause the tree to girdle, which weakens the structure and can be deadly
How can I eliminate grass/ weeds from growing around the base?
Weed eating isn’t everyone’s favorite chore and can be taxing when the Georgia heat creeps in. So why not eliminate all the weeds and grass from around the base of your trees altogether? Applying a couple inches of mulch around the base of your trees can prevent weeds, retain soil moisture, prevent erosion and supply the tree with a healthy mix of natural material to stimulate growth.
Did you know? All of our trees are brought back to our office and recycled into premium quality landscaping mulch? Click the link below to get in touch with one of our Arborist’s or schedule a delivery of mulch to your home today!
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Is It Too Late To Prune My Trees In Georgia?
Tree pruning, among other tree maintenance techniques can determine the health, longevity and cosmetic look of your trees. Tree pruning, especially on larger specimen is best left to the professionals as improperly pruning your trees can do more damage than good.
Here are just a few key benefits tree pruning provides:
Improves nutrient intake
Adds value to your home
Allows you to see and identify pests more easily
Stimulates growth
Prevents damage from branch droppings on your valuables
Allows the tree to absorb more sunlight
Saves money from costly dead tree removals down the road
Should I remove dead branches from my trees in summer?
Pruning heavily diseased or dead branches from your trees can be performed year round. Dead or dying wood on your trees can be an easy entryway into your tree for pests and diseases to enter and take over. If you are performing this at home, be sure to sanitize your shears or lopers after use to prevent the spread of any diseases from tree to tree on your property.
So when is the best time to trim my trees?
There are a lot of different factors that determine the best time of year for trimming your specimen. However, there are a few general rules to follow in regards to timing your tree trimming:
Most trees in Georgia will benefit most from trimming in early December to late March.
Young or newly planted trees should not be trimmed until they have completed a minimum of two growing seasons.
Keep any dead or diseased branches removed throughout the year.
If you have trees on your property that could use a good trim, now is the time to reach out to one of our certified Arborist’s for a free estimate! Click the link below to be connected with a certified Arborist on our staff.
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How To Grow Peach Trees In Georgia
The most important thing when it comes to growing your own peach trees is location. The location you choose to plant your peach tree can determine its success or failure. It is important to check the site location for well draining soil. Well draining soil and 8 to 10 hours of sunlight per day are the basic requirements when growing peach trees in Georgia.
How to plant a peach tree
Now that you have found a location on your property with well draining soil and optimal sunlight, you’re ready to plant! It is best to plant your peach tree in dormant season, anytime between December and March, before the weather starts to warm up and trees are budding out. To plant your peach tree:
Dig a hole twice the size of your potted peach tree
Place the rootball in the hole, making sure to line the top of the root system even with the ground. Placing the root ball in a deep hole can cause root rot and soggy soils.
Fill the rest of the hole with the soil that was removed, refraining from packing the soil in too much to ensure drainage is ideal.
Cover the soil around the base of your peach tree with mulch about 1-2 inches thick, being sure to keep it away from the trunk of the tree.
Water the tree, around the base, being sure to soak all of the roots multiple times per week until the tree is established.
Enjoy!
How to control pests and diseases on peach trees
Peach trees can be among the harder types of fruit trees to grow because they attract many different types of pests such as:
Fruit Moths
Peach Tree Borer
Mites
Plum Circulio
Diseases that commonly affect peach trees are:
Scab
Brown Rot
Bacterial Spot
Some of these diffrent diseases and pests have the ability to kill the tree off if not identified and maintained early on. Make sure to contact a certified Arborist in Conyers for questions regarding spraying your peach trees or just maintaining their overall health.
Still have questions about growing peach trees in Conyers? Give us a call, we would be happy to assist you with your next tree care in Conyers questions!
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Why Do Some Trees Stay Green Year Round?
With spring right around the corner, all of us are anxiously awaiting the beautiful color brought back on the leaves and flowers of all our favorite deciduous trees(trees that drop their foliage and flowers in fall). But why do some trees hold on to their deep green color while others don’t?
Evergreen trees…
Evergreen trees were originally established and brought in from colder climate areas, which gives their needles the shape and texture they have. The shape of evergreen leaves allows them to hold maximum moisture and nutrients in order to survive throughout the winter months.
Deciduous trees…..
In winter, deciduous trees will drop their leaves and close up their buds in order to protect the tree from harsh weather. Evergreen trees will continue to photosynthesize throughout winter, allowing them to keep their deep green color.
A few examples of our favorite deciduous trees are:
Oak
Poplar
Maple
A few examples of our favorite evergreen trees are:
Cedar
Cypress
Cryptomeria
Thinking about planting a tree in Grayson this spring? We can help! Give us a call using the link below to consult with a certified Arborist in Grayson on which trees would be best suited for your specific landscape.
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When Should I Fertilize My Trees?
Trees, generally speaking are easy to maintain. Food, water, and shelter from harsh environments, basically the same things humans need to survive. But for your trees to live at their fullest capacity, extra nutrients and minerals that your soil might not provide are necessary.
How do I know if my tree needs to be fertilized?
First, always consult a certified arborist if you have any questions or concerns with your trees health. Arborists will come out to assess the overall health of your trees and formulate a plan to keep them happy and healthy.
However, there are a few indicators that the nutrients in the soil are lacking.
Abundance of dead branches
Dead twigs
Yellowing leaves
Leaf drop
Smaller than normal leaves
If you are noticing any of these issues on your trees, fertilization might just be the best treatment for them.
When should I fertilize my trees?
Timing of fertilization depends greatly on the type of formula. Certain formulas can be applied year round, such as the formulas used by the Arborist’s at North American Tree Service. However, most tree fertilization should be applied during spring or fall for the best results.
There are different benefits to applying in each of these seasons, that your certified Arborist in Grayson can help you decide on.
Still have questions?
Give us a call! We are staffed with highly trained certified Arborists in Grayson ready to assist you with your next tree fertilization!
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Top 4 Tree Care New Years Resolutions
2020 has finally come and gone, and has brought all of us a new humbling feeling as 2021 approaches. We hope this year has taught you as much as it has taught us! Let’s start the new year off right with a couple of our top tips to maintain your beloved trees and landscape this year.
Make a plan
First things first, sit down and make a plan of what is in your landscape or garden that could need removal or evaluation. Make sure to contact a certified Arborist in Bethlehem to do a thorough walk through of your property, evaluating the health and performing a proper risk assessment on your trees.
Get on a fertilization schedule
Some of your older, more mature trees might not need or benefit from our routine fertilization’s but your newly planted ones will! Get those babies growing with deep root fertilization’s performed by our certified Arborists on site in Bethlehem.
Out with the pests
If you have any pest issues in your landscape, now is the time to address them before spring! Make sure to let your arborist know if you have seen any holes in the trunks of your trees or black soot on any of your trees in Bethlehem.
Enjoy your landscape
Last but not least, take care of your space by enjoying the beauty of all your hard work! Set up a hammock, a swing or a bench to take in all your garden has to offer!
If you are in need of a Arborist Consultation, please click the link below to be connected with an Arborist in Bethlehem today!