TREE & LAWN CARE BLOG
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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How Much Does It Cost To Remove a Tree?
The first step to a tree removal is an ISA Certified Arborist consultation at your home. At North American Tree Service, our first priority is determining if the tree can be saved or brought back to health if it was in decline from pests, decay or damage. However, if the tree cannot be saved, or is in too risky of an area to try, you may decide tree removal is your best option.
But how much does tree removal cost?
You might think there is a standard set of pricing for tree removal, or we have a standard per tree price. But, every tree is very different and there are a lot of factors that go into pricing out a tree removal.
Size. The actual size of the tree you are removing will determine how long our crews will be on your property and will need to be measured by our Arborists while on site.
Equipment. Usually, most trees can be removed with standard equipment such as our Omme tracked lift or bucket trucks. But if neither of these pieces of equipment can reach your tree, we may have to bring larger equipment such as a crane out to the job site, which could incur a higher rate.
Location. A large determining factor of cost is the actual location of the tree. This also plays into what type of equipment we may need to bring to the job site. Tree removal is much more risky and dangerous when powerlines are involved, the tree is completely dead, or is hanging over your home or other structures. This is why it is important to have your trees regularly assessed by a certified arborist. Doing this is a preventative measure that might save you on a tree removal later on.
Ultimately, our technicians need to come out to your home and take an in person look at the trees you are concerned about in order to give a proper estimate.
If you are concerned with dead trees you may have on your property, click the link below to be connected with one of our certified arborists today!
Call An Arborist Now!
Most Common Winter Tree Problems
Georgias weather has taken quite a few unexpected turns lately but we have finally reached the winter weather of the south. These hot days and freezing nights can take a serious toll on your trees, especially if they are not native to the area or are still young, newly planted trees.
We have listed a few of the most common issues you might come across with your trees in the winter.
Drought
As the ground hardens and freezes over, it makes it impossible for your trees to receive the water they need throughout the dormant season. Be sure to check out our other blogs for more information on watering your trees in the winter time and have a certified Arborist assess the health of your trees in Monroe on a regular basis to prevent irreversible drought damage.
Dead Branches
As the ice takes over the branches of your trees, it can be hard for them to support the extra weight, resulting in breakage throughout. Routine winter pruning by a certified Aborist in Monroe can help prevent your tree from damage or opening it up to winter pests.
Rodent Damage
Have you noticed bark being removed from your trees at a faster rate than your normal shedding? Rodents and other small critters feed on the bark of your trees to survive the harsh winters. Try keeping them out with any type of fencing material or call a certified Arborist in Monroe to apply a common repellent to keep them from damaging your trees.
If you are concerned about the health of your trees, it is always best to contact a certified Arborist to have a free tree risk assessment performed on your trees. This is especially important in the winter time and if the trees are close to your home or other valuables. Give us a call by using the link below to contact a certified Arborist for more information!
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What Types Of Trees Are Best For Firewood?
Nothing beats curling up next to a cozy fireplace in the winter but the ambiance isn’t free. Looking to chop your own firewood this year? We have a couple tips to get you started on free firewood.
Maybe you have downed trees in some nearby woods and are wondering if they would be a good fit to throw in the fireplace this evening. Choosing the right kind of firewood is important to achieve the perfect fire.
Let’s start with the best types of firewood.
If you are relying on firewood as the primary heat source for your house, it’s important to choose one of these top three to ensure optimal wood burning consistency. Hardwoods are the best type for this.
Oak
The easiest to find of these three would be oaks. Oaks can be found just about anywhere in Georgia and are known for their dense nature - producing the best heat possible.
Hickory
Hickory and pecan trees are similar to oak in the dense nature but can be harder to chop if you are doing it manually.
Maple
Maple trees in Bishop have a reputation of burning with less smoke and sparks than other types of wood.
These are just a few of our favorites, however if you choose any type of hardwood tree in Bishop, typically the result will be ideal.
If you have questions about tree identification in Bishop, please feel free to give us a call at North American Tree Service. We are staffed with certified Arborist’s that can help you with your toughest tree care problems in Bishop today.
Call a Certified Arborist in Bishop
How To Tell If Your Tree Is Dead Or Dormant In Winter
All trees go into a dormant stage in the winter months to rest and prepare for the spring and summer months.
Deciduous trees can be hard to determine the health condition during the winter months when there are no leaves to any homeowner.
While it is best to have a certified Arborist in Athens determine the health of your trees, we have a few easy steps to follow to determine if your tree is in fact dead or if it is simply in dormancy for winter.
Check for buds
Inspection of the trunk and branches is first and foremost. Even in dormant season, your trees should still have buds throughout.
If the branch you are looking at doesn’t show any signs of buds or they are shriveled and dead, check another, as this might just be a dead branch.
If you see multiple branches with dead or nonexistent buds, it is important to contact a certified Arborist in Athens to come out and assess the health of your trees and form a tree health care plan.
Check for missing bark
The bark of your trees naturally sheds and replaces itself regularly.
However if you notice bark on the trunks of your trees that has shed and hasn’t grown back, this could be an indicatior that your trees need a health assessment by a certified arborist in Athens.
Scratch the trunk
Last but not least, the oldest and most accurate way to tell the health of your trees is to take a knife or your nail and scratch the surface of the trunk of your tree or a twig.
Being careful not to damage the cambium layer of the tree, you will be looking for a moist, green color.
If under the first layer is brown and brittle, you might need a certified Abrorist in Athens to come evaluate your trees fully.
If you still have questions about your trees in Athens, or need further assistance to determine the risk of your dead or dying trees, please contact North American Tree Service to have a free estimate on your trees today!
Call An Arborist Now
Most Common Winter Tree Pests
Most common tree insects and pests hibernate for the winter not to emerge again until the next spring. However, some pests favorite hibernating spot is inside of your trees. If they are left untreated, they can cause serious damage to your trees.
What are the most common pests my trees might see in winter?
There are a couple of different types of pests we most commonly see on trees in Georgia in the winter including:
Aphids
The least alarming type of pest, however does multiply very quickly and and quickly overwhelm your trees and plants especially if your trees are already declining or in bad health. Aphids lay their eggs inside your trees to emerge when the next spring comes. They are relatively easy to treat as long as they are identified quickly. Have a certified Arborist in Snellville assess your trees in winter for health issues and pest problems!
Moth Grubs
Fruit bearing trees are a favorite for this worm like grub. They hide in the crevices of your trees during the winter months and pop out around the time your tree starts to bear fruit! These need to be nipped in the bud before they do serious damage to your new growth in the spring. A certified Arborist in Snellville can identify and treat moth grubs and other winter tree pests easily!
Red Spider Mites
Last but certainly not least the infamous red spider mite. They will go after a variety of species but prefer apple trees as a personal favorite. They remain active through spring summer and fall and hide out in the crevices of your trees during winter until it is warm enough for them to emerge again. What is especially hard about identifying these guys is their size. They are extremely small and you likely will not even be aware you have an infestation until it is far too late. They can be a harder pest to get rid of so its important to contact a certified arborist in Snellville if you notice any health issues with your trees.
Still have questions or concerns about your trees health? Give us a call at North American Tree Service, we are staffed with highly trained certified Abrorist’s ready to assist you with your next tree care problem! Click the link below to get started on your free estimate with a certified Arborist!
Call an Arborist!
Will My Trees Survive A Fungal Infection?
There are thousands of different types of fungi that can affect your trees ranging from deadly to not harmful at all so the first step is to identify what type of fungus your tree has. An important thing to remember is that tree fungi cannot be cured permanently after they develop we can make them go into remission but will need routine tree health care after wards to ensure the fungi doesn’t return stronger. In some cases with certain fungal infections of your trees, the best option might be to remove and replace the tree before the infection spreads to other nearby trees. However, the very first step in assessing the issue is to identify it by having a certified Arborist in Snellville come out and take a look at your trees. The certified Arborist in Snellville will then develop a plan or procedure to follow to make sure your tree gets back to health.
How did my tree get a fungal infection?
Trees can develop fungus for a number of reasons that are usually gone without notice and unmanageable until they appear. A few different reasons are:
excessive watering
improperly placed irrigation systems
bad environmental conditions
wood decay
lopers or other gardening tools carrying infected spores from other areas of your yard
spores being transported to your trees by the wind
How can I prevent my tree from developing a fungus?
Trees are naturally immune to most fungus infections just as humans use their immune systems to fight off viruses, trees do the same. The strength of the immune system of a tree depends on its growing conditions, how well it is maintained, etc. A few key things to remember in keeping fungus away from your trees are:
Perform proper pruning routinely in dormant season only by a certified Arborist in Snellville.
Remove dead or dying branches from the tree as they arise.
Do not over water the tree.
Make sure the soil is well draining, or visa versa dependent on the species.
Have a certified Arborist in Snellville inspect your trees on a regular basis to check for infections, decay, or declining health.
Tree fungal infections in Snellville are very common and can survive given the proper fungicide treatments by a Certified Arborist. However, the survival rate depends on the current health of the tree, the type of fungus and other environmental factors. If you think your trees are infected by a type of fungus give us a call to have a certified Arborist in Snellville come out and evaluate the health of your trees.