Month: August 2016

The Backyard Bucket: The Right Tool for Backyard Tree Problems

This Backyard Bucket fits through a 45-inch opening.

Have you ever had a problem that seemed unsolvable?  Big or small, these kinds of problems take our attention and sometimes require a lot of extra work.  But having just the right tool can make all the difference in the world.  Opening a can without a can opener can be difficult and messy.  With one, it’s a cinch.

Since Ping’s specializes in taking care of trees, we have a few tree-related tools at our disposal.  These valuable tools often make things easier on us and you.  One tool that really allows us to minimize the efforts of homeowners to get ready for us is the backyard bucket.  This cleverly designed piece of equipment combines the capability of some of our larger trucks with the ability to access tight spaces.  We have two backyard buckets. One can fit through a 45-inch opening; the other through an opening just 36 inches!

Just imagine that you have a beautiful oak tree in your backyard.  It’s always been a part of your landscape since you bought the house; in fact, it’s probably been there for a hundred years or more.  Then one night a line of thunderstorms blows through your area (as they are prone to do in central Indiana).  Suddenly a bolt of lightning rips through the dark sky and strikes your stately oak.  In the morning, you sadly survey the results of the storm and see that the tree sustained a direct hit and is now split down its center.  You consult with an arborist and learn that your tree is beyond repair.  It will slowly die and as it dies it will become more vulnerable to further damage.  To avoid damage to your home and the homes of your neighbors, it is best to take it down.

Besides the fact that you hate to lose your tree, you now have another problem.  A section of that new wooden fence that you put in last year will have to come down so that the necessary equipment can be brought to the tree.  However, with the backyard bucket this becomes unnecessary.  Although it is a tight fit, the backyard bucket can squeeze through a space of a mere 36 inches.  Yet it still has the capacity to handle big jobs.  It is also a valuable tool to use in a crowded space where the room needed for traditional tree equipment is not available.

For hard-to-reach trees that need tree care or tree removal in Marion County or the surrounding counties, check with us.  We will take a look and give you a free estimate.  Chances are we will have just the right tools to minimize your inconvenience and solve your tree problem!

This post first appeared on https://pingstreeservice.com

Honeydew produced by soft scales. (Joe Boggs, The Ohio State University Extension)

During these summer months, there are lots of things in the yard that demand your attention.  In addition to regular mowing, you may be busy with trimming, weeding, planting, mulching, and other assorted tasks.  But even while you are keeping everything looking nice, there may be a problem that is forming on your trees and shrubs without you even noticing.  Scale insects are so small that you may not notice their presence on a tree until they begin doing some real damage.

What Are Scale Insects?

Scale insects are a class of insects named for the protective scales that cover their bodies.  They are typical very small (up to 1/8 of an inch) and without any legs, they move quite slowly if at all.  Scale insects usually survive by finding a good spot along the veins of a leaf and sucking the sap from the leaf.  As long as the leaf continues to provide an adequate supply of sap, they will happily set up camp and stay.

How Do Scale Insects Harm Trees?

While this sounds like a nice arrangement for the scale insect, it doesn’t really work out so well for the tree or shrub.  A healthy tree produces a lot of sap and one scale insect probably wouldn’t do much damage.  However, like many pests, these insects reproduce rapidly and each new generation will find a comfy spot, usually on the same tree, and start sucking away.  The euonymus variety of scale insects can produce up to 3 generations each year!  A constant drain of sap will eventually take its toll on the tree or shrub.

What Other Adverse Effects Do Scale Insects Have?

In addition to putting stress on your trees, scale insects also make a mess in and under your trees.  As they are gorging themselves on sap, these little creatures are also excreting a sticky substance all over the leaves on which they live.  This substance, romantically known as honeydew, covers tree leaves as well as dropping onto the ground or anything else parked under the tree.  (The picture at the top right shows a leaf with honeydew.)  If left undisturbed, honeydew will often lead to the formation of a black sooty mold.

How Can Scale Insects Be Eliminated?

I’m sure you can see why no homeowner with a sound mind would want scale insects.   So what can you do to eliminate these tiny pests?  Due to the protective scale which covers these insects, they are often resistant to normal sprayed insecticides. Full-strength oil sprays may be applied directly to the tree’s leaves during dormant periods in an effort suffocate over-wintering egg masses. However, the timing of application is crucial to safe and effective elimination.  Oil sprays are usually applied in late winter or early spring and should not be applied to trees or shrubs that are fully leafed out.   The most effective and reliable method for getting rid of these pests is the use of systemic insecticides.

If you find that you have scale insects invading a tree, Ping’s Tree Service has the experience and expertise to take care of your problem.  With the mild winter we had this year, we have been seeing more of these sneaky little critters than usual.  But they are no match for our certified arborists.  Scales are not easy to displace once they have taken up residence, but Ping’s will do what it takes to send them packing.  Give us a call to schedule an appointment for a free consultation (317-298-8482).

This post first appeared on https://pingstreeservice.com

There is nothing like a good thunderstorm to put nature’s awesome power on display.  Brilliant flashes of lightning, driving rains, high-speed winds, occasionally even the whirling vortex of a tornado.   With the intense energy that is packed in these storms, it is no wonder that they can do a lot of damage – to home, autos, and even trees.  While it is impossible to predict where or when a storm will strike, you can identify trees that may be more vulnerable to storm-related damage.  In general, any weakness in a tree can make it more susceptible to damage.  This weakness may be the result of previous damage, decay, structural abnormalities, or even environmental deficiencies.

Decay is a major cause of tree weakness.

When a tree experiences decay, some of its tissue is dying. Where once there had been strong, solid, living material, now there is soft, squishy, dead matter.  Obviously, this makes it less able to withstand any assault.  So what causes decay in the first place?  Decay can begin when there is a wound to the tree that allows the entrance of disease.  These wounds may result from improper bracing or pruning as well as damage done by a lawnmower or weed trimmer.  Improper mulching, overwatering, or inadequate soil drainage can also encourage decay.

Structural abnormalities can also make a tree vulnerable.

Trees with codominant stems, for example, can be more susceptible to storm damage.  This condition occurs when the tree has 2 or more stems that form the main trunk, each with approximately the same diameter.   While the tree may look strong to the casual observer, it is more likely to fail to withstand damage from a storm.  Another abnormality that can cause weakness is stem girdling roots. Roots at or just below the surface of the soil that partially or completely encircle the tree are known as stem girdling roots.  They take a toll on the overall health of a tree and often cause a weakness to form in the lower trunk.  High winds can cause the tree to then snap off at the weak point, bringing the tree down.

Many tree weaknesses can be addressed.

The good news is that many of these weaknesses can be avoided or treated.  First, evaluate the condition of your trees often.  Look for dead branches that need to be removed, places where damage has already occurred, and structural problems like codominant stems or stem girdling roots.  Second, leave major tree work to the professionals.  Rather than trying to prune your tree or attach needed cables or braces, it really is best to get someone who will do it right.  If you see a problem or just suspect that something is not right, call an arborist.  They are trained to know what to look for and what can be done to mitigate the problem.

The experienced staff of certified arborists at Ping’s Tree Service is happy to come out and take a look at your trees anytime.  Our experts know how to spot a potential problem and what to do to handle it.  We will give you a free assessment with any recommendations for treatment.  Call us at 317-298-8482 with your concerns or schedule your free assessment today.  We will help you protect your trees against the fury of the next Indiana thunderstorm.

This post first appeared on https://pingstreeservice.com