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.

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What Can I Do About Woodpecker Damage On My Trees?

We all love the spring time, being able to sit outside and enjoy the weather, and of course all the beautiful varieties of birds and their songs. Until you hear the repetitive an consistent drilling of a nearby woodpecker looking for food and leaving large open wounds in our trees as they leave. This damage can leave your trees open for insects, disease and affect the overall health of your trees.

What does woodpecker damage look like?

Luckily, it doesn’t take a certified Arborist in Bethlehem to identify the damage left behind from those pesky woodpeckers. Woodpeckers aren’t generally picky eaters but they do tend to stick to a select few species such as maple, pine, fruit trees, spruce and birch. They leave behind a very distinct trail of precise horizontal and vertical rows of holes at about 2-8” in diameter. Just big enough to suck some sap right out of your trees. If your tree doesn’t resemble the picture below, you might have a different intruder that can be identified by a certified Arborist.

How can I prevent any further damage?

It might be too late to mend up the damage that the sapsuckers have caused on your trees, however, you can try and prevent future attacks by using some of the following tips:

• Use a woodpecker feeder as a decoy

• Plant fruit bushes away from your house and trees for them to feed on

• Use burlap or bird netting over the affected trees

• Use a woodpecker sound deterrent

• Set up decoys as a scare tactic

• Call a tree care professional

IF YOU HAVE HOLES IN YOUR TREES THAT NEED ATTENTION, CALL A TREE CARE PROFESSIONAL TODAY!

What Is A Certified Arborist & Why Do I Need One?

If you are in the search for tree care professionals in Athens, you have probably heard the term “Arborist” pop up once or twice.

So what is a certified arborist?

Properly caring for your trees requires a professional that has knowledge and expertise in arboriculture. Arboriculture is essentially the cultivation, management, and study of trees and other woody plants.

Becoming a certified Arborist in Athens is done so through the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) and requires a number of years of experience as well as extensive testing. Most ISA Certified Arborists will attend a 2-4 year college in order to obtain the knowledge to pass the lengthy exams.

After the exams are over, ISA Certified Arborists are required to maintain their status and certification by taking classes, participating in labs, etc. As our environments evolve, so do the trees and the plants around us, which is why it is important that Davey Certified Arborists stay up to date on current diseases, pests and problems in order to properly assess your trees.

Hiring a certified Arborist from Davey will ensure your trees are getting the correct attention they need in order to survive and thrive in your specific environmental conditions.

Why do I need a Certified Arborist?

Some tree services do not have certified Arborists on staff with them which leaves you wondering why you really need one in the first place.

Taking proper care of your trees requires an extensive knowledge and background on tree care that only a certified Arborist will carry. By hiring a tree service that does not have proper knowledge or expertise in tree care, your trees could be in danger of improper pruning, unnecessary removals, and more!

An ISA Certified Arborist in Athens will always try to save your dead and dying trees before offering a simple removal. There are a number of treatments given to kill and prevent certain pests and diseases from taking over your trees before it is too late. Our certified Arborists will always recommend tree care over tree removals.

Last but not least, safety is the number one concern of an ISA Certified Arborist. When you hire an ISA Certified Arborist, you can rest assured you will not be putting your self or your trees in danger.

If you would like more information on how you can receive a free estimate from one of our certified Arborists, click the link below to be connected!

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Benefits of Deep Root Fertilization

Older, matured trees are often overlooked as “healthy” and not in need of any fertilization. Just because your trees are full grown doesn’t mean they wont benefit from a fertilization boost.

Why do my trees need fertilization?

Most trees that are planted in urban areas can be subject to a number of obstacles such as:

• soil compaction

• competing for nutrients

• air pollution

• poor soil quality

All of these factors can contribute to the overall decline of your trees over time. Deep root fertilization adds natural soil nutrients around the roots of your trees while providing a means for aeration of the soil at the same time. Performing a deep root fertilization on your trees will give your trees the extra push they need to overcome certain environmental setbacks where they might otherwise fall short.

What are the top benefits of deep root fertilization?

Fertilizing your trees provides a large number of benefits such as:

• prevents chlorosis (yellowing of leaves)

• provides substantial protection against pests and diseases

• naturally aerates the soil for optimal oxygen to your trees roots

• helps aid in the prevention of damage during winter such as frost

• stimulates fast growth of the canopy

• promotes the growth of healthier foliage

All of these benefits will help your tree thrive in some of the less favorable conditions of urban settings. However, it is important to have a certified arborist assess your trees to determine what mixture will work best for your goals. Unfortunately, there isn’t a “one size fits all” fertilizer that will provide ideal results and could potentially harm your trees if not performed properly.

If you would like more information on deep root fertilization of your trees, feel free to contact us using the link below!

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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!

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Is It Too Late To Prune My Trees In Georgia?

Tree pruning, among other tree maintenance techniques can determine the health, longevity and cosmetic look of your trees. Tree pruning, especially on larger specimen is best left to the professionals as improperly pruning your trees can do more damage than good.

Here are just a few key benefits tree pruning provides:

• Improves nutrient intake

• Adds value to your home

• Allows you to see and identify pests more easily

• Stimulates growth

• Prevents damage from branch droppings on your valuables

• Allows the tree to absorb more sunlight

• Saves money from costly dead tree removals down the road

Should I remove dead branches from my trees in summer?

Pruning heavily diseased or dead branches from your trees can be performed year round. Dead or dying wood on your trees can be an easy entryway into your tree for pests and diseases to enter and take over. If you are performing this at home, be sure to sanitize your shears or lopers after use to prevent the spread of any diseases from tree to tree on your property.

So when is the best time to trim my trees?

There are a lot of different factors that determine the best time of year for trimming your specimen. However, there are a few general rules to follow in regards to timing your tree trimming:

• Most trees in Georgia will benefit most from trimming in early December to late March.

• Young or newly planted trees should not be trimmed until they have completed a minimum of two growing seasons.

• Keep any dead or diseased branches removed throughout the year.

If you have trees on your property that could use a good trim, now is the time to reach out to one of our certified Arborist’s for a free estimate! Click the link below to be connected with a certified Arborist on our staff.

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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!

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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.

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