TREE & LAWN CARE BLOG
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!
Is My Sprinkler System Damaging My Trees?
Irrigation systems are great for low maintenance landscaping. Essentially you just set it , forget it, and watch everything bloom. However, if these irrigation systems are not properly placed, they can cause a problem for your trees and plants.
In the strong Georgia heat, we rarely think of overwatering posing any threats to our gardens. In the heat of the summer especially, it is very important to provide a substantial amount of water to keep your trees, plants and grass thriving.
When you decide to have your sprinkler system installed its important to make sure the location is ideal. Too much water can do just as much harm as too little. Overwatering with trees can be a dangerous situation as excessive moisture provides a perfect breeding ground for pathogens and fungus to develop, essentially leading to the weakening of your trees. If you notice any fungus or mushrooms growing at the base or the trunks of your trees, call a certified Arborist as soon as possible to have your trees properly assessed for decline.
Some signs your plants/trees are getting too much water are:
root rot
bark falling off the trunk
trunk damage
saturated soils
fungus (mushrooms, etc.)
Some signs your plants/trees aren’t getting enough water are:
wilted or curling leaves
smaller leaves than normal
leaf drop
yellowing or burning of the leaves
After installation, walk around to different spots checking the soil after a run to ensure it is getting proper moisture. If the soil is heavily saturated you know your trees and plants are being overwatered and visa versa.
If you would like an ISA Certified Arborist to come assess the health of your trees, click the link below to be connected!
Call An ISA Certified Arborist Now!
Can Trees Recover From Transplant Shock?
When planting a new specimen in your lawn, there are a number of factors that can reduce the stress put on your trees. However, sometimes no matter how many precautions and extra steps we take, our trees still suffer from transplant shock.
What are the signs of tree transplant shock?
Yellowing of the leaves
Browning of the leaves
Wilting
Leaf rolling
Leaf curling
Loss of coloration on evergreens
Limb dieback
Can my newly planted trees recover from transplant shock?
The main factor in terms of recovery is addressing the problem early on. The earlier that transplant shock is identified and helped, the better the results will be. Most of the problem that occurs when transplanting a tree is root loss. Sometimes trees will lose up to 95 percent of their root system in the transplant process which can severely dry the tree out.
A few things you can do to help after transplant are:
*Ensuring your tree is on a rigorous watering schedule, especially for the first few weeks after being planted to replace the water that was lost in the roots. Afterwards, one inch of water per week will suffice depending on what region you live in.
*Mulching around the base of your trees with organic mulching material will help reduce the weeds(competition), as well as ensure optimal moisture retention after watering. Make sure when mulching you keep it away from the base of the tree and about 3 inches thick.
*Ensuring the tree was planted properly in line with the soil, and the hole was the right size before planting.
If you try these steps and your newly planted trees seem to still be struggling, give us a call for an ISA Certified Arborist consultation.
Call An Arborist!
Can I Plant A Tree In Summer in Georgia?
Happy #Arborday! What better way to celebrate than to remember the true meaning of this day. Bringing awareness to the positive and essential roles that trees play in our health, happiness and environment.
Some of the many benefits trees provide us and the environment are:
Trees clean the air
They provide us with oxygen
They can prevent soil erosion
Property values increase at a large rate with the planting of specific specimens
They can reduce your power bill by providing your home with shade
They provide shelter for many different types of wildlife
These are just a few reasons why trees are such an essential part of our environment. Now that we know the basics, and you are ready to plant, you might be wondering…
Can I plant a new tree in summer in Georgia?
Planting trees is best done in their dormant season which is throughout winter. That is not to say that you cannot plant them during the summer but additional care and maintenance might be required to ensure they reach their maximum potential. If you have your eyes on a specimen and are anxious to get it in the ground, there are some things to keep in mind:
Extra watering will be necessary in the warmer months
Potted specimen are a much better choice than bare root because they have a healthier root system
Mulching around your newly planted trees is very important and provides a large number of benefits to your trees and soil
Root stimulators might be a good option to help reduce the transplant shock and encourage more growth.
If you have any questions when it comes to planting trees or any tree health care related issues, please feel free to reach out to us using the link below! We are staffed with highly trained certified arborists ready to assist you with your next tree planting venture! Call now!
Call An Arborist.
Best Trees To Plant For Allergies
Spring time is arguably the nicest season of the year, if not for all of the thick layers of pollen coating our cars, our homes and taking over our sinuses! It would be so nice to be able to walk outside or roll your windows down and enjoy the weather without sneezing for the rest of the afternoon. Lets start with the basics.
What is pollen?
Pollen is a fine, powdery substance that contains microscopic grains from the male part of your trees, flowers or cones. This substance is meant to fertilize the female ovule. It is spread and transferred by the wind, insects and other animals.
Why is it necessary?
In order for trees and plants to continue their life cycle of growth and reproduction, pollen is necessary. Pollination is such a crucial component to the ecosystem because humans and animals are reliant on pollen for the reproduction of food. Without pollen, plants and trees will not bear fruit or seeds that we as a society rely on.
But maybe you are thinking of swapping out certain varieties to be able to enjoy your backyard without downing allergy medicine? We understand! Did you know there is such a thing as hypoallergenic tree species? What a life saver!
Here are a list of trees that are “dioecious” trees that will help to minimize your allergies next season:
Red Maple
Mulberry
Juniper
Boxelder
Cedar
Aspen
White Ash
If none of these varieties spark your interest here are a few lower pollinating species:
Tulip
Magnolia
Flowering Crapapple
Flowering plum
Crape Myrtle
Dogwood
If you are planning to plant a new specimen in your landscape and would like to gain some insight from a certified Arborist click the link below!
Call an Arborist
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!
Get a Free Inspection on My Trees!
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!
Call an Arborist Now!
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.