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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What Is Volcano Mulching & How Does It Harm My Trees?

Adding mulch around the base of your trees provides a large number of great benefits, not only to the tree, but also to the soil and the surrounding plants. However, there is a right and a wrong way to apply the mulch and doing so improperly can result in the total loss of your tree.

What is volcano mulching?

Volcano mulching is essentially, piling the mulch up around the base of your tree in the form of a volcano. Chances are, you have seen this technique used a time or two by not only homeowners but landscapers too!?

Why is volcano mulching bad for trees?

Volcano mulching is bad for a couple of reasons.

First,

Just like us, the roots of your tree need oxygen to breathe. By piling mulch up high against the trunk, you are creating a thick barrier between those roots and the surface of the soil where the roots collect the oxygen. This essentially clogs all the pores and causes the roots to suffocate, leading ultimately to the slow decline and death of the tree.

Second,

Mulching is used routinely for water retention. When applied properly, this can cut back on your trees watering needs by absorbing it from the mulch. But when the mulch is piled too high, this can result in too much water retention and cause the roots to drown in saturated soils that cannot air out.

How should mulch be applied properly?

We recommend mulching with a layer 2-3 inches thick and keeping it away from the base of the tree.

If you have further questions on how to properly mulch your trees or other tree health care questions, feel free to use the link below to be connected to a certified arborist near you for a free estimate on your property!

What Is Ganoderma Root Rot?

Fungus such as mushrooms, conks, and other fruiting bodies are never a good sight to see near one of your valued trees. The presence of these different fungi can indicate a larger problem on the inside of the tree such as root rot or generalized wood decay.

What is Ganoderma root rot & how can I identify it?

Ganoderma is a particular type of fungus that infects your trees through open wounds. Open wounds from spike holes, lightening, lawn maintenance equipment or nails in the tree could all make it susceptible to this specific fungi. Ganoderma can easily be spread by not properly sanitizing your landscape tools such as loppers or hand trimmers.

The symptoms of Ganoderma root rot are similar to any other issue occurring on the interior of the tree and include:

• Dead branches

• Yellow leaves

• Leaf drop

• Small leaves

• Presence of fungi around the base or the trunk

There could be a variety of other symptoms occurring that will indicate an issue with your trees. This is why it is important to have your trees regularly inspected by an ISA certified Arborist.

Will Ganoderma root rot kill my tree?

Once your tree has become infected with this specific type of fungi, unfortunately, there is no way to stop it. Preventative measures always work best when it comes to fungi. A couple steps to ensure your trees will be safe from root rot are:

*Make sure your trees are inspected regularly by an Arborist

*Be careful not to cause damage to the cambium (outer) layer of your trees when using lawn equipment

*Never drill into trees unless consulted with an Arborist first

*Call your local Arborist at the first sign of decay, open wounds or pest

If you are concerned about root rot in any of your trees on your property, click the link below to be connected to an ISA certified Arborist today!

Call An Arborist!

3 Most Dangerous Tree Pests

Some tree pests only do minor damage such as defoliation, while others can actually kill or cause irreversible damage to your trees in the matter of a couple of days. That’s why it is so important to have your trees inspected by an ISA Certified Arborist at the first sight of any kind of tree pest infestation and routinely as a preventative measure.

A couple of the most dangerous tree pests in Georgia are:

Ambrosia Beetle.

Ambrosia beetles produce ambrosia fungus that is deposited within your trees as they excavate tunnels throughout the sapwood that serve as food for other larvae and adult beetles. Once these beetles have infested your trees, it can be very problematic and hard to address. The pesticide used to control and treat these infestations must be timed exactly when they fly. Re application can sometimes be necessary as timing their flight intervals can be tricky. Severe infestations will require the tree to be removed to prevent the spread of the pest.

Southern Pine Beetle.

Named the most destructive insect of them all as this beetle must kill the host tree in order to reproduce. This 3 mm beetle causes rapid loss of habitats, forests and watersheds. They do not discriminate and will take down even the healthy, resistant trees. The most recent outbreak resulted in $1.5 billion dollars of economic damage. They live in the in the inner bark of the trees and can usually be identified by the pitch tubes on the outer bark. The SPB also carries blue-stain fungi, which blocks the water flow within the trees causing eventual decline.

Asian Ambrosia Beetle.

If you have cherry or Japanese Maple trees on your property, be sure to look out for the Asian ambrosia beetle. They were accidentally imported from overseas on some peach trees in 1974 and since then has costs millions of dollars worth of plant and tree loss. These little insects can take down large trees very quickly, causing nursery and homeowners to spend extra just to prevent the infestation from beginning. They emerge in spring and bores into limbs about 1-2 inches thick, leaving nothing but sawdust behind.

If you suspect your trees are in danger of any of these common tree pests in Georgia, please give us a call using the link below to be connected with an ISA Certified Arborist for a tree evaluation. Remember, the best treatment is prevention!

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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!

Call an arborist.

Does My Japanese Maple Have Leaf Scorch?

Japanese maples are one of the most commonly planted specimen for good reason! They are available in a range of different colors and sizes to cater to your yards specific needs. They are also considered a pretty low maintenance tree for those of us who weren’t blessed with a green thumb.

However they aren’t the cheapest type of variety to plant, and are relatively slow growers so when you notice something off about their leaves, you want to fix it immediately!

In Georgia, heat advisory’s are just par for the course and something that we (and our trees) eventually just get used to. But if you have noticed leaf drop or browning of the leaves of your Japanese Maple it is always important to dive deeper to ensure your tree is not battling a larger issue.

There are a few reasons why your beautiful leaves might be extra crispy this season including:

Underwatering.

Even the most mature of trees can still need extra watering at times so make sure your tree is on a healthy watering regimen that fits both of your needs.

Too much sun exposure.

Some varieties of Japanese Maple cannot tolerate full sun areas. Environmental leaf scorch can be the cause of your brown, crunchy leaves if they aren’t getting any time to cool off during the day.

Pest infestations.

Aphids and scales are the top predators of the Japanese Maple tree. Not sure what those are or how to find them? Give us a call to have your trees diagnosed by one of our ISA certified Arborists.

Still have questions about your Japanese Maple tree health?

Call an arborist now!

Can Root Rot Be Reversed?

Usually in tree health care, the presence of any type of fungus isn’t a great sign and usually means the tree is and has been well on its way to decline for some time now.

The main causes for root rot are poor drainage and overwatering. For homeowners that use sprinklers for their gardens, a lot of times the tree is heavily overwatered resulting in root rot at the base.

In suburban areas, soil compaction is very common from heavy traffic and poor planting.

When the soil is too compacted, it is not able to drain properly or pull oxygen for the roots, resulting in over saturation. This creates an environment where fungus thrive such as Rhizoctonia, Pythium, Phytophthora, and Armillaria.

So how do I know if my tree has root rot?

A few indicators your tree might have root rot are:

• Poor growth

• Wilted or yellow/brown leaves

• Fungus such as mushrooms at the base

• Open cavities on the trunk

• Decay on the branches or other parts of the tree

• Missing bark

How is root rot treated?

Once wood decay has begun, it is very hard, if not impossible to treat and there are only a couple of options.

• Have a certified arborist come up with a treatment plan of watering, pruning and fertilization in hopes that some TLC will help it regenerate itself

• If the tree isn't in a dangerous area, near a house or other belongings, just give it some time to see if it can heal itself without additional help

• Remove the tree if your arborist feels it is unsafe to keep in its current condition

If you are concerned about root rot on your trees, or have other tree health care related questions, please feel free to reach out to our office using the link provided below!

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Is It Okay To Prune My Trees In Summer?

Summer time is gardening time! Which is why most of us don’t notice the dead tree limbs hanging over the house until its warm enough for us to want to take a walk around the garden again. This might encourage you to grab the loppers and get busy reshaping your trees, however, this isn’t the best practice for their health. Pruning trees outside of their dormant season can bring about more trouble than it is worth more often than not.

What are the risks to pruning my trees in summer?

• Reduced growth for next season

• Some specimen are more likely to become infested with insects or diseases when pruned during this time

In the meantime, however, small maintenance pruning is strongly encouraged to promote healthy growth on your trees for the next season!

If you have noticed dead or dying limbs or branches that pose a risk to you, your family or your home, its best to contact a tree care professional to have a tree risk assessment performed on your property. If you have any questions about tree pruning or would like to be connected with a certified arborist, click the link below to be connected!

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