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!

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How & When To Start Apple Trees

Apple trees can be easy to care for once you are on a routine maintenance plan and learn to understand your tree and what works best for its specific characteristics. Apple trees hardiness zone is 7a-8b, if you are trying to grow your apple trees outside of this zone, it will be much more difficult and might require a temperature controlled building.

Size & habit

Apple trees can reach up to 35 feet height & width. There are semi dwarf varieties available that are smaller, 15-20 feet. They prefer full sun with well drained soil and will not survive wet feet or overwatering.

When should I plant apple trees?

Apple trees should be planted in fall after the first frost or early spring.

What kind of maintenance is necessary for an apple tree?

Routine proper pruning is necessary to train your apple trees. Along with other trees, apple trees need to be pruned in dormant season, fall/winter. This pruning will include dead branches, thinning the fruit to produce better quality apples, weak & nonproductive branches, vertical suckers, damaged branches and water sprouts. It is also important to keep the weeds out from the bottom of the tree by applying a thin layer of mulch, keeping it away from the trunk of the tree. Animals and wildlife are drawn to apple trees so it might be necessary to install a fence around them to keep them out.

How do I keep the pests away from my apple tree?

When it comes to fruit trees, pests will be a difficult thing to keep away without insecticide sprays. Routine fertilizations and insecticides are offered at North American Tree Service in Snellville and can help to ensure the growth and health of your apple trees in Snellville.

Still have questions? We are staffed with certified Arborists in Snellville ready to assist you with your next tree planting project! Use the link to call us below for your free esimate!

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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!

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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!

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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!

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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!

What Tree Bloom First In Georgia's Spring?

Pollen is out and about, a sure sign of spring in Georgia. You might be wondering what trees you’re seeing blooming in the area. We have put together a list of the top first trees to bloom in Georgia, also some that would make a beautiful addition to your landscape!

Flowering Dogwood

A North American native, this common tree can be found as ornamental specimens all around the area and is easily identified by its showy white or pink flowers! This tree maxes out between 20-40 feet tall but can still provide a bit of shade and color to your landscape!

Eastern Redbud

You cant miss a redbud by its bright purple-pink blossoms and its thin papery leaves. These are very commonly planted as ornamental species but are native to the area so will also be found throughout wooded areas in Georgia.

Flowering Cherry Blossom

Cherry trees have an unforgettable curvy, bonsai nature to their trunks and branches that makes them stand out from the rest. Their leaves will either be light pink (Kwanzan Cherry) or white(Yoshino Cherry). March and April are the months of blossom for all species of cherry trees.

Crabapple Trees

Another pink and white showy flower combination! The crab apple makes a beautiful, fragrant show in early spring. Its leaves are red when they come out in spring and stand out against the scaly bark.

If you are planning on planting an ornamental tree in your yard for spring give us a call for recommendations! We are staffed with certified Arborists in Decatur ready to assist you in your next tree care, tree removal, or tree planting project!

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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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