TREE & LAWN CARE BLOG
Are Tree Watering Bags Necessary?
https://www.amazon.com/Treegator-Original-Release-Watering-Trees/dp/B0006GT6C6
So you planted some new trees in your yard and are figuring out the watering schedule. In the heat of Georgia the soils might need to be drenched every day for new specimen, where others not so much. Some of us weren’t blessed with a green thumb and high maintenance just isn’t our thing when it comes to plants or trees. If this sounds like you, tree watering bags might help!
But do tree watering bags work?
Are they necessary to install on new trees?
With anything there are pros and cons. Let’s start with what the watering bags actually are and what they do.
Watering bags are the pouches you see placed at the bottom of newly planted trees in a circle shape. They have tiny needle sized holes in the bottom of the bags that provides a slow drip irrigation system that you only have to refill every 5-7 days.
So lets start with the pros of tree watering bags:
Extremely easy to use
Less maintenance, only fill up once a week
Save water! Less water is wasted and all of it goes to the roots!
Helps prevent underwatering or over watering - both pose a real threat to newly planted trees!
They prevent drought from striking heat sensitive trees
Now for the cons:
Short term
Costly, if you need a bulk of them
Can cause girdling roots or root rot from too much water sitting on the surface for long periods of time
Sometimes the bags wont hold enough water in extreme heat locations
Tree watering bags can provide an easy way to maintain your newly planted trees but no good thing comes without a downfall as mentioned. It is your job to weigh the pros and the cons of the tree watering bags to decide if it is worth while.
North American Tree Service in Monroe advises for all trees planted in Georgia to be given a deep root watering once a day for a couple months while the tree is still maturing and especially through summer. It is important to keep the roots hydrated to ensure optimum new tree growth.
If you still have questions about how to care for your newly planted trees or if the tree watering bags are a good choice for you, feel free to reach out to us using the link below to speak with a certified Arborist in Monroe!
Call an Arborist now!
Why Are My Leaves Turning Black?
Georgia heat can be very extreme in mid summer leaving all of us including the leaves on our shrubs and bushes scorched, shriveled and burnt. But how do we know what the cause is and is it going to cause my tree’s health to decline?
There are three different types of leaf scorch:
Bacterial
Bacterial leaf scorch is caused by the bacterium Xylella fastidiosa that will invade the xylem of the tree and cause rapid decline. Unfortunately there is no cure for this disease currently and it can be transmitted very quickly through tree to tree, it is most commonly seen in Oak tree species. If your tree leaves are turning brown in Athens, its best to have them properly assessed by a certified Arbrorist in Athens.
Nutrient
Nutrient leaf scorch can be very similar in appearance to bacterial leaf scorch however is due to just that, the lack of proper nutrients, usually iron and manganese.
Environmental
Environmental leaf scorch is due to harsh weather conditions such as droughts and extreme heat temperatures.
How can you prevent your leaves from blackening?
Where bacterial leaf scorch cannot be cured, nutrient and environmental can be helped with a few simple steps.
Perform rigorous watering techniques daily in extreme heat temperatures.
Mulch around the base of your trees to ensure water retention and provide the soil with more nutrients.
Have a certified Arborist in Athens, Ga perform a deep root fertilization on your trees to stimulate the soil with proper nutrients and promote healthy growth.
Make sure your tree is in the right area for its requirements (full sun, part shade, etc.)
If you are still unsure about the health of your trees, give us a call at North American Tree Service for a free estimate by a Certified Arborist in Athens today!
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Why is My Tree Not Blooming?
Summer has arrived & all of our trees should be blooming now, but what if yours just isnt quite ready to blossom? There are a number of reasons that a tree could be prolonging bloom time but we have listed out the main ways that trees know it is their time to bloom.
Genetics.
Each tree and species is different and carries with it a different set of growth rates. Just because your oak is blooming and your maple isn’t could simply be a matter of genetics and their unique bloom time.
Growing degree days.
Depending on species, each tree has an individual base temperature, which is the minimum temperature that is required for it to bloom. This calculation can be made by taking the base temperature and considering the average temperature of the days in spring in your location and it will give you a pretty good idea of when your tree will bloom.
Sunlight, or lack thereof.
Trees can actually calculate when there is enough sunlight to being growing. After the nights turn shorter and the days get longer, a tree goes into bloom mode.
Is there anything I can do to promote my tree to grow faster?
North american tree service offers deep root fertilization for a very low cost that will catapult your tree into optimum growth in a timely manner.
Fertilizer that can be bought at retail stores has also proven effective however is more costly in the long run due to the amount you will have to purchase to be the equivalent to qualified fertilizer.
There are a few other things you can do to take care of your trees after they bloom including:
Properly pruning back all dead branches
Stay to a consistent & effective watering schedule
Mulch around the base of your trees
Deep root fertilization
If your tree still hasn’t bloomed and its past the recommended time for it to blossom, your tree could either have pests, diseases or could be dying from another cause
. Give us a call to have a certified Arborist come out for a free estimate on your dead or dying trees in Covington today!
Call a Certified Arborist
How To Properly Space Trees & Shrubs
Everyone is out and about planting trees, shrubbery & flowers to get their landscapes ready for summer appeal! If you are planning on planting some trees or shrubs, space is pertinent to supporting optimal growth and longevity.
Do’s of tree planting
-Do consider the height and spread of the tree to make sure the branches wont be hanging over your roof but will give proper shade.
-Do call GA811 before you dig to make sure you wont be hitting any utility lines underground.
-Do leave enough space between trees and other shrubbery to ensure they wont have to fight over nutrients in the soil.
-Do research the specific type of tree you are planting to see its mature height and spread to plant accordingly.
Dont’s of tree planting
-Don’t plant trees too close to your house or other structures that the roots might become and issue with. There is nothing worse than having to remove a beloved planted species because of improper planting technique!
-Don’t plant tree (especially water loving trees) next to a septic system or water lines as they can break the lines with their roots searching for water underground.
There isnt a standard number that will apply to every species when it comes to tree spacing because every species grows differently. Leyland cypress trees in Conyers are often used as privacy measures because of their dense nature. To ensure maximum privacy, these can be planted as few as 5 feet apart. Fruit trees can be planted as close as 18 inches apart to have more kinds of fruit ripening at different times. Larger species such as oak, poplar, maple, magnolia, etc. needs 50 feet of spacing.
If you are considering planting a tree in your yard and need some guidance, please feel free to call our office and speak to a certified Arborist in Conyers!
Call An Arborist Now!
When Should The Leaves On My Tree Come Back In Spring?
We can all agree that spring and fall bring the prettiest of colors especially in our landscapes! If you have an ornamental species in your yard, you might be wondering, “why hasn’t my tree leafed out yet”?
Though all species and varieties of trees are different and they all have different bloom times, there are a few tips and clues as to when your flowering trees in Decatur might be ready to bloom!
First scratch the surface of the tree to make sure there is still a green color on the inside indicating a healthy, living tree.
Next, follow the branches all the way down to the tips to identify any buds that haven’t blossomed yet. Even buds that are still shut are still a good sign the tree is healthy!
Most trees in the southeast bloom in mid-march to early April. However there are a few species that bloom first:
Birch
Willow
These species average in March-April:
Flowering Dogwood
Eastern Redbud
Cherry Blossom
American Holly
Finally our late bloomers:
Oaks
Elms
Oaks and elms hold out the longest to prevent any damage due to sudden drops in temperature that tend to happen in the spring.
If you have a tree on your property that hasn’t leafed out yet or looks bare, have an Arborist inspection done immediately to identify any types of tree disease, decay or fungus. Click the link below for tree care assistance by a certified Arborist in Decatur today!
Bare Spots? Call An Arborist!
Quarantine Yard Projects!
Stuck inside? We have the perfect remedy for keeping busy during quarantine! Here are a few spring tips to keep your landscape healthy and thriving over the next couple of months.
Inspect your trees
Spring is a great time to detect dead trees on your property that might need removal. Be sure to walk your property and inspect each tree, looking for signs of disease, pests, decay, or fungus. If you spot and dead branches, it’s important to properly prune them back to ensure optimum spring growth. Make sure to check the soil around the base of your trees for any signs of mushrooms, as this can be a good indicator of root rot, which would not be uncommon due to the high levels of rain we have had over the past couple of months.
Mulch
Did you know mulching your trees can help enrich the soil content? When mulching around the base of your trees it’s important to keep the mulch away from the base of the tree to prevent root rot, however mulching at least 3 inches to 6 inches deep well ensure moisture retention in the coming hot summer months. Mulching around your trees also eliminate weeds. Eliminating the weeds around the base of your trees is important because it prevents your trees from having to compete for nutrients. It is important to use organic mulching materials as opposed to rubber mulch to provide the soil with the nutrients that it needs.
Fertilize
From your garden to your trees, everything can use a good fertilization every so often. Did you know that we perform deep root fertilization’s on trees at a low cost? Give us a call today to have a certified arborist come and inspect your trees, and provide you with a detailed prevention fertilization schedule for free!
Our offices are still open for business including tree removal, and mulching services.
Give us a call today for information on mulch delivery to your home, or to have a certified arborist come out to your property for a free inspection of your trees!
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How To Properly Care For A Fruit Tree
One of the most popular favorites among gardeners is fruit trees. With the rising number of antibiotics and GMO being placed in our foods, everyone is going organic and wanting to grow their own sources of food to be safe. Fruit trees, however, are one species that require a particularly large amount of maintenance over other species. We have listed a few tips and tricks to get the most out of your fruit trees in Atlanta.
Watering
This goes for any young species of tree, it is very important to keep up a regular water schedule until the newly planted fruit tree is established. We reccomend applying enough to moisten the soil to about 3-4 feet of depth, which is the extent of most roots.
Fertlizer
A certified arborist can assess the tree and give a healthy recommendation for the amount of fertilizer should be injected into the soil as well as a tree fertilization schedule. However, if you decide to use retail store fertilizer it is important to get the right kind, which would be a 10-10-10 fertilizer. Spread the fertilizer in a round motion about two feet away from the trees trunk & water immediately to ensure the fertilizer is taken down into nutrients of the roots.
Pruning Your Fruit Tree
Proper pruning is a must and unless you have a decent amount of experience it is important to hire professional tree trimmers in Atlanta to complete this task for you, as it could be detrimental to the health of your tree. When pruning your tree with shears, make sure you use clean, sterilized shears EVERY time you prune. Making sure to rid the tree of any dead branches or sucker growth is essential for supporting optimal growth in the younger years of fruit tree establishment. The most important part of pruning is the time of year it is done. It is vital that the tree is only pruned back in DORMANT season and not at all during summer or spring months. If you have questions regarding pruning fruit trees in Atlanta, please consult a certified arborist who can assist you with your tree care needs.
Pests
Unfortunately, fruit trees are highly susceptible to contracting certain pests such as aphids, etc. This will need to be treated at the first sight of the infestation so that your harvest won’t be threatened. Insecticides can be applied to the tree, if the condition is bad enough, by a certified arborist. Insecticidal soap is available at most home stores and works well for these types of problems.
A few other tips for your fruit trees health include:
Planting fruit trees 10-15 feet away from each other to avoid overcrowding.
Planting 3 feet away from sidewalks or any other structure, as the roots will become invasive.
Plant your fruit trees in a well sunny area.
Inspect your fruit trees often to avoid pests or diseases from taking over the tree.
Mulch around the base of your fruit trees to reduce weeds, ensure optimal soil moisture and prevent erosion.
Thin out the fruit tree by removing excess fruit that may weigh down the branches and prevent the tree from breaking. Less is more.
If you have questions regarding your fruit trees health or care, please give North American Tree Service a call for a free estimate and consultation by a certified arborist today!
Call An Arborist
Signs Your Tree Is Under Stress
Most trees that have reached maturity will be fairly easy to care for an require minimum maintenance. However, other factors can also come into play. If you have noticed any of the following signs or symptoms of stress on your trees in Stone Mountain, Ga. be sure to call a Certified Arborist at North American Tree Service to schedule a free estimate for your trees before it is too late! Here are a few signs to look out for:
Dropping Limbs
Limb dropping is a very common thing that could be from either a poor pruning job that resulted in the limbs not healing properly to form strong bonds, internal tree problems such as bacterial wetwood or just part of that specific tree’s nature. River birch trees for example are known to drop large limbs and branches year round without any cause or explanation. However, more often than not, a tree that is dropping limbs in Stone Mountain, Ga. is a definite cause for worry and should be assessed by an Arborist at North American Tree Service as soon as possible.
Yellowing/Dropping Leaves
Overwatering or drought are the most common causes of the trees dropping leaves. This could also be a nutrient deficiency in the soil. When you call North American Tree Service, we can perform soil test in Stone Mountain, Ga. and determine if the soil is causing a problem for the tree and if any nutrients need to be added.
Slimy Discharge
Improper pruning cuts leave your trees exposed to all types of damage including pests and slime flux. This bacterial deisease causes sap to ooze from the wound. If this has already infected you trees, its best to call a Certified Arborist as soon as possible to assess the damage and give you a treatment plan.
Peeling Bark
Trees will naturally exfoliate themselves and rid the dead layers as it grows. However disease, insect and animal fungus are the most common reasons for peeling bark. These are usually the last stages of tree decline, meaning the tree most likely will not be able to be saved at this point. However, one of our certified Arborist’s will be able to determine how far along the decay has actually gone and if the tree can be saved or not.
Ants Around The Trunk
Carpenter ants only nest and feed on decayed wood, meaning there could be a much larger problem with the tree. The actual decay of the tree could be caused by a number of factors including drought, environmental stress, disease etc. This could be determined at the time of the estimate by one of our certified Arborists at North American Tree Service.
Mushrooms Near The Base
Honey fungus is a deadly fungi that attacks a trees root system and causes decline. Signs of honey fungi are flat top, yellow-brown mushrooms near the base of your trees. These are usually cause by overwatering since mushrooms and other fungi thrive in extremely wet conditions. Not performing proper prunes on your dead and diseased limbs can also cause the invasion of this fungi. If you notice this fungi growing on your property in Stone Mountain, Ga. be sure to call a Certified Aborist from North American Tree Service to assess the other trees and plants around it, as this disease is easily spread.