TREE & LAWN CARE BLOG
Why Is My Tree Cracking In Winter?
Dramatic temperature changes in winter can affect all types of trees and shrubs. The most common bark damages to occur during winter are sunscald and frost cracks. Both of these can affect the overall health of your trees if they aren’t mitigated early enough or properly. Read more below on how to care for winter damage on trees below.
What is sunscald?
While all trees are susceptible to sunscald, it is primarily found on young, thin-barked, ornamental and fruit trees. When temperatures change rapidly, it causes death in the cells of the bark. During winter, the frozen tissue of your trees is repeatedly frozen and thawed from sunrise to sunset. The trunk tissue death is not always seen immediately, though, so it is important to look for other signs such as:
cracking of the bark
discolored bark
“bleeding” in the spring from the affected area
How do I protect my trees from sunscald or winter damage?
The best practice for healthy trees is always having regular consultations with your local certified arborist or tree care expert. They will develop a tree health care plan to make sure your landscape is ready for the changing of seasons. Regular pruning, removing any dead or diseased limbs, watering in winter and wrapping the lower trunk of your trees in a light colored dressing for winter are all best practices to keeping your trees safe from winter damage.
If your trees are showing signs of winter damage from the recent temperature change, give us a call today to speak with one of our certified arborists on staff by clicking the link below!
CALL AN ARBORIST NOW
Can My Trees Recover From Hurricane Damage?
In light of recent events, some of you may be wondering what steps are taken to restore trees after a hurricane hits?
We start by removing any trees or tree debris that may be posing a hazard next to power lines, etc.
Then we will have a tree care expert assess the damage to the trees to determine which trees are able to be saved and how.
If we are able to mitigate the damage to the tree, we will start by removing the dead, cracked, or broken limbs that are still attached to the trees. We will use proper pruning techniques to ensure the tree will be able to heal properly and will not be exposed to further damage by disease or pests.
Then we will irrigate the roots to encourage healthy growth as we would any newly planted or struggling tree. Continuing to water the tree a few times a week for the first month or two after the damage occurred is a good starting point.
Covering the trees root system with a 2-3inch layer of mulch will help the tree to conserve moisture, regulate soil temperatures as well as preventing weeds and providing great organic matter into the soil.
The damaged tree should make a decent recovery within six months to a year. If you notice the tree has foliage or bark problems or just overall isn't looking healthy, it is best to have your trees reassessed by an ISA certified arborist to ensure there aren’t any other internal issues arising with the tree.
If you have questions about your trees after a hurricane hits, please feel free to click the link below to be connected with an arborist and learn more on how you can help your landscape!
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Why Is My Evergreen Turning Brown?
Evergreen trees have always been a popular species with their habit of maintaining their color in your yard throughout winter. When you see your evergreen turning brown, it can be a cause for worry.
There are a number of reasons why your evergreen might be browning including:
Summer drought - Temperature and environmental factors always play a big role in the health of your trees as well as how they survive less than ideal conditions. Drought is the number one cause for browning evergreens in Georgia.
Pests and diseases - Pests and disease bring about a bigger cause for concern, as these will involve getting help from a tree care expert. Bark beetles are the most common pests found munching away on your evergreens. Diseases such as cytospora canker disease have also been found in the area. It is important to consult with a local tree care professional if you think your tree is infected with pests or diseases.
Transplant shock - Transplant shock can affect all species of plants and trees and is usually caused by damaged roots. Most of the time, they will recover from transplant shock, but it is important to note that this can be a very long and slow process. We recommend fertilization to provide extra nutrients your tree might need to repair itself.
Can I save my browning evergreen tree?
Depending on the cause of the damage, there are a number of things you can do to save your browning evergreen tree before its too late. We always recommend having a tree care expert come out to your property to get a proper diagnosis and treatment plan. However, there are some things you can do in the meantime to encourage repair.
Going into dormant season (winter), is the best time of the year to get your trees on an annual pruning plan. Trimming your trees regularly provides a large number of benefits and is the standard practice in prevention.
Water
If the temperatures in your area have been on the high side with little to no rain, your trees could be browning from drought. Providing your evergreen with water regularly should keep it from browning.
We recommend fertilization during spring, so now is the perfect time to secure your spot on the list! Fertilization replenishes the soil for trees of all types and ages.
If you would like further information or to speak with a tree care expert regarding your trees click the link below to be connected now!
CALL AN ARBORIST.
Does My Tree Have Black Twig Borers?
Borer insects feed on the inner bark of your trees. They are about 1/16th inch long, round, and dark brown or black in appearance. They have been spotted most often in the southeastern states of Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina and Florida.
While the black twig borer is one of the very few ambrosia beetles that does not discriminate between healthy or unhealthy trees and plants, they do have a favored selection of target species including Flowering dogwood, Redbud, Red Maple, Magnolias, Willows, Live Oaks, Pecan, Grape, & Black Gum.
What are the symptoms of black twig borers?
Sawdust like material
Sap oozing from the holes
Swollen, callused bark
Foliage discoloration
Dying branches
How do I treat black twig borers?
Whenever a pest is suspected, we always recommend having a certified arborist come out to your property to asses the issue at hand. The best way to manage black twig borers otherwise, is to make sure you are taking care of your trees regularly. This includes fertilization, mulching, watering, pruning, etc. There are treatments used by certified arborist specifically for elimination of this pest if discarding infected areas does not suffice.
If you suspect pests are invading your trees, click the link below for more information on tree pest inspections with our certified arborists!
CALL AN ARBORIST
Crepe Myrtle Bark Scale
A new scale pest that lingers on crepe myrtle trees has been found in the southeastern US threatening their appearance and life span. This pest is spreading fast, leaving behind extensive honeydew deposits and black sooty mold.
Symptoms of crape myrtle bark scale:
Black sooty mold
Reduced foliage growth
Honeydew secretions
White/gray felt-like substances on trunk or branches
How do I get rid of crape myrtle bark scale?
Before treating your crape myrtle diseases, its important to have an examination by a certified arborist to confirm what exactly (if anything) is needed. Our technicians will apply a pesticide in the spring right as the new growth develops on the tree to attain the best results.
Can I prevent crape myrtle bark scale?
Unfortunately there is currently no preventative measure to avoid this particular scale. However, keeping your trees regularly maintained and in good health can naturally deter them. Pests and diseases are most likely to invade a sick/unhealthy tree.
Click the link below to be connected with an ISA certified arborist now!
CONNECT ME WITH AN ARBORIST
Does My Tree Have Brittle Cinder Fungus?
What is brittle cinder fungus?
Brittle cinder is a fungus found on trees that causes breakage on otherwise healthy trees. This fungus will appear on the base as a grey crust-like body. The fungus will turn black as it ages. It originally enters the tree through open wounds, degrading the structure of the tree, making it brittle and vulnerable for breakage. Without an arborist inspection, this fungus will go on undetected until damage occurs. When the fungus is found at the base, the tree may snap off completely.
Some tree species are more vulnerable than others, including:
Horse Chesnut
Beech
Maple
Oak
How do I treat brittle cinder fungus?
Unfortunately, there are no treatments or pesticides that are effective with brittle cinder. Once your tree is infected with brittle cinder, complete tree removal is recommended to prevent further damage or spread. Making sure your trees are healthy and well maintained is the key to prevention. Having regular arborist inspections will ensure fungus and other disease issues do not go unnoticed.
If you are interested in having a free estimate with one of our certified arborists, please click the link below to be connected!
I WANT AN ARBORIST EVALUATION!
3 Ways To Prep Your Trees For Hurricane Season
Hurricane season is here and now is the time to ensure your trees and home are protected from damage. The National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration is predicting 14-21 named storms to come our way this season. This number is far above average and we should expect winds of 111 MPH or higher. Hurricane season in Georgia starts June 1st and runs through November 30th.
How can I prep my trees for hurricane season?
Arborist inspections
The first step to protecting your trees from storm damage is to have a consultation by a certified arborist. They will be able to identify weaknesses in your trees and construct a unique plan to ensure your home and loved ones are safe from storm damage.
Proper pruning
Maintaining a regular pruning regimen on your trees is not just for aesthetics. This can help to balance out the weight by thinning the canopy, remove dead, weak or overhanging branches that could potentially cause a threat during a storm.
Cabling
When you have an ISA certified arborist come to your home to inspect your trees they will be looking for weak spots in the canopy that would be a good candidate for cabling or bracing. By strategically installing flexible steel strand cables and heavy brace rods, your tree becomes stronger. This makes them less susceptible to suddenly break during high winds.
If you think your home is in danger of storm damage from your trees, click the link below to be connected with one of our certified arborists now for a free evaluation!
CONTACT AN ARBORIST
Why Are My Trees Losing Leaves Already?
Fall is right around the corner and everyone is getting ready to watch the trees display their beautiful colors before going dormant for winter.
“But what if my trees are already losing their leaves before fall”?
Trees dropping leaves during summer can be caused by a variety of factors. It is always best to have your trees evaluated by an ISA certified arborist if your trees look unhealthy. However, we have listed a few factors that could play a part in premature leaf drop.
Drought stress
Georgia summers can be rough on your trees, especially newly planted trees or ones that are already suffering from another health issue. Making sure they are on a proper watering schedule (early morning) during those times of high temperatures and little rain can help them recover faster.
Pests/disease
Summertime creates the perfect breeding ground for pests and disease of all shapes and sizes to enter and take over. If you suspect your trees have fallen victim to pests and disease, it is important to call an arborist right away for a tree inspection to prevent further spread.
Crowded canopy
Regular maintenance tree pruning is imperative for your trees. It improves their overall aesthetics as well as clears out the canopy of dead limbs and overcrowded foliage. Sometimes trees can grow more leaves than they can support so leaf drop will occur in order to protect them from hot, dry weather.
If you still have questions about your trees health, click the link below to be connected with an ISA certified arborist today!