Month: February 2023

There’s something so beautiful about sitting under the shade of a huge tree in the summertime, isn’t there? Thanks to our forefathers in the Mid-South, there are plenty of old trees that have been planted and maintained around town, and plenty more people are planting new trees all the time. We know just how special trees are to making your yard feel like a beautiful and comfortable home.

If you are considering adding a new tree to your lawn, we are thrilled for you! But there are a few things you should consider to help maintain the safety of the tree and your home and property. At Red’s Tree Service, we’ve seen it all before, and we know what can happen when you plant too close to your home.

Let’s go through a few things to consider before planting that beautiful new tree:

Potential Damage

The first thing that many people think of when considering adding a tree near their house is potential fall damage. This is a real risk! For mature trees, large limbs can fall when disturbed during storms or wind, and if a tree comes down entirely on top of your home, it can be terrifying and deadly. Some trees attract insects or diseases that might weaken them, making them an even greater fall risk. 

These reasons alone make a great case for planting trees further away from the house and having them assessed often to make sure they are in good health.

Soil Moisture and Concrete

One of the surprising things to consider when thinking about trees on your property is soil moisture. Because the roots of trees soak up water, the soil surrounding it can contract and expand over time, putting pressure on the foundation and potentially causing cracks and other problems. 

This is also true for concrete like sidewalks or driveways near your house. It is common to see paved areas pushed up, cracked, and completely broken due to tree roots.

Research Your Roots

Speaking of roots, it’s worth doing a little research on the kind of root systems that your desired tree might have. Depending on the type of tree, some root systems grow to be one to three times the width of its canopy and in some cases, twice as wide as the tree is high! This means a massive root system that can take over the entire property if given a chance. 

There are also some tree types with more aggressive roots, like maples, willows, and elms, that should be planted far from foundations, utility lines, and septic tanks. This is why it is always important to research which kinds of trees you want to use. If you have a smaller property, it might be better to choose a different tree with less pernicious roots. Ultimately, you don’t want to risk the integrity of your home’s foundation and structure because of a tree you haphazardly planted years ago. 

If you already have a tree on your property that is located close to your home and you are worried about the roots, give Red’s Tree Service a call to give you a free quote before attempting to remove the tree yourself. There is no guarantee that every tree’s roots will cause problems, and it’s better to check things out and be safe than sorry.

Be Prepared to Clean Up Branches, Twigs, and Leaves

A smaller but still tedious task with tree care is to manage debris. After storms and wind, you can almost always expect to be picking up branches, twigs, and blown leaves and to be cleaning them out of gutters if they are over your house. This is a big responsibility because if these tasks are neglected, it can harm your house and make a mess of your yard. 

Keep all of these tips in mind when thinking about trees and their proximity to your house!

Take Care of Your Trees with Red’s Tree Service

The good news is that you won’t have to make these decisions alone! Whether you are considering trees to plant on your property or are thinking of buying a house with mature trees already planted, there is plenty to consider, and Red’s Tree Service is here to help.

Risk Assessment

Red’s Tree Service offers risk assessments for your trees, where we come out to your property and determine if a tree is causing a risk to your home or assets. We can advise possible solutions, such as trimming or removing the tree. We can also determine if a tree is healthy or sick and can follow up with annual visits to ensure that it remains safe for you and your family. 

Preventative Maintenance

Preventative maintenance means pruning, trimming, and fertilizing your trees and shrubs. We can remove deadwood that not only makes the tree look better but can help it to have a healthier, longer life, hopefully preventing falls or damage.

Tree Removal

When necessary, we provide tree removal services to clear up fallen trees and branches after a storm or from a dying tree. We can also remove and grind the stump, depending on your needs.

Deep Root Fertilization

Another way to encourage the long, healthy life of your trees is through our deep-root fertilization treatments. We add vital nutrients back into the soul that the tree needs to thrive and flourish. 

If you are in need of some tree expertise, don’t hesitate to call Red’s Tree Service! We have been caring for trees across the Mid-South for over 40 years and know that we have the right solution for whatever tree problem you have! 

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

Need help deciding which trees with twisted trunks and branches to use as a specimen on your landscape? Knowing which tree species grow in a twisted form will help you determine which one to plant as a centerpiece on your beautiful landscape.

toddsmariettatreeservices.com gathered the following species and growing information for naturally twisty trees to consider for your landscape’s specimen tree.

What Causes a Twisted Tree?

Spiral or twisted patterns are clever tree survival adaptations. Since the bark and wood of trees do not grow in unison, the spiral pattern beneath the bark may not be evident until the bark drops from the tree.

Tree wood cells that must support heavy loads of massive branches and a dense crown, growing in an excessively windy location, or grow on unusually uneven land, like shore pines that grow in windy and sandy areas, can grow in a twisted pattern to provide more strength to the tree and its branches.

Environmental factors like prevailing winds, compromised roots, and physical barriers can cause trees to twist and adapt. A spiral wood grain efficiently and evenly delivers water and nutrients throughout the tree when straight grain wouldn’t be sufficient. Other common theories include the following:

• Tree genetics
• Heliotropism (tracking the sun)
• The Coriolis Effect (causing the clockwise wind pattern and ocean current in the northern hemisphere)

Regardless of why they twist, they are a sight to behold as they mature. Consider the following twisty tree species for your landscape needs:

Jack Pine (Pinus banksiana)

Jack pine needles typically grow in bundles of two, the tree’s cones are tightly wrapped and slightly curved, while the tree’s bark is thin and flaky on younger trees, maturing into thicker plates as they age. This species has crooked branching and trunk development when grown in open landscapes (rather than forested or crowded situations), giving it an oversized bonsai appearance.

USDA Hardiness Zones – 2 through 6
Mature Size – This tree reaches 40 to 50 feet with a spread of 15 to 20 feet
Lifespan – 80 to 100+ years

Scotch Pine (Pinus sylvestris)

The Scotch pine is a fast-growing, medium-sized evergreen conifer that typically grows with a conical to columnar (often irregular and contorted) habit and then develops an open, rounded irregular, or gnarled crown as it ages. Cones are small and rounded, while needles typically grow in twisted bunches of two.

USDA Hardiness Zones – 3 through 7
Mature Size – This tree reaches 30 to 60 feet with a spread of 30 to 40 feet
Lifespan – 150 to 300 years

Japanese Black Pine (Pinus thunbergii)

The Japanese black pine is an attractive evergreen conifer tree with a typically flat-topped pyramidal form with no prominent central leader. As this species ages, it grows irregular and asymmetrical, with drooping branches. The tree is noted for its shrubby habit and curved trunk.

USDA Hardiness Zones – 5 through 9
Mature Size – This tree reaches 20 to 60 feet with a spread of 10 to 20 feet
Lifespan – 15 to 20 years

Cork Oak (Quercus suber)

Unlike other oak trees, cork oak is a vibrant evergreen. The thick, gnarled dark grey bark is the portion known as “cork.” This tree can form a twisted trunk with sprawling branches.

USDA Hardiness Zones – 7 through 9
Mature Size – This tree reaches 30 to 65 feet with an equally sized spread
Lifespan – Over 200 years

Overcup Oak (Quercus lyrata)

Overcup oak is a medium-sized tree with an irregular crown and twisted branches. Native to North American east coastal plains, this tree’s often twisted growth reduces its value as a timber tree.

USDA Hardiness Zones – 5 through 9
Mature Size – This tree reaches 45 to 70 feet with a spread of 35 to 50 feet
Lifespan – 80 to 100+ years

Willow (Peppermint) Myrtle (Agonis flexuosa)

This species resembles a weeping willow (Salix babylonica) tree from a distance due to its long, drooping leaves. It is distinctive because of its powerful peppermint fragrance. This tree produces clusters of small white flowers, and its weeping branches partially conceal its twisted trunk.

USDA Hardiness Zones – 8b through 11
Mature Size – This tree reaches 10 to 15 feet with a spread of 8 to 10 feet
Lifespan – 50 to 80 years

Twisted Acacia (Acacia schaffneri)

Twisted Acacia is a spiny, spreading, multi-stemmed large shrub or small tree. The stems have many paired, pin-like spines and are pale to blackish. When young, a twisted Acacia needs aggressive pruning to maximize its gnarled trunk and branch growth.

USDA Hardiness Zones – 9 through 11
Mature Size – This tree reaches 20 to 25 feet with a spread of 25 to 30 feet
Lifespan – 30 years

Trees With Twisted Trunks

Some trees have a tendency for a “pronounced” twisted appearance where the trunk deviates from the species’ typical straight growth. Planting a tree that exhibits twisted trunk or branch growth adds curiosity and interest to a landscape and serves as a focal point or specimen tree. When choosing a tree species, select one that has this tendency. It is not guaranteed that an individual young tree will develop pronounced twists, but the result is worth the gamble.

Twisty Trees

In this article, you discovered species and growing information about several trees that grow with twisted trunks, branches, or both.

Knowing which tree species have twisting growth patterns will help you decide which to use as your landscape’s specimen tree.

Lack of info about twisted tree species may cause you to plant the wrong tree.

Sources:
wta.org/news/signpost/why-do-trees-grow-in-spirals
savetheredwoods.org/blog/forest/why-so-some-trees-grow-in-spirals/
nfs.unl.edu/woody-plants/jack-pine
plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/pinus-sylvestris/
uaex.uada.edu/yard-garden/resource-library/plant-week/Pinus-thunbergii-Japanese-Black-Pine-12-21-2017.aspx
sites.redlands.edu/trees/species-accounts/cork-oak/
rangeplants.tamu.edu/plant/twisted-acacia-huisachillo/
selectree.calpoly.edu/tree-detail/agonis-flexuosa

For the original version of this article visit: http://www.toddsmariettatreeservices.com/5-specimen-trees-for-your-marietta-georgia-yard/

Tired of pooling water and dying plants, shrubs, and trees on your property? Understanding what well-drained soil is and the crucial role it plays in keeping your landscape alive will help you take action to correct poor soil drainage.

72tree.com gathered the following information about what well-drained soil is, why it is essential to plant life, and what you can do to improve your soil’s drainage.

Well-Drained Soil Defined

Well-drained soil allows water to move through it quickly and not pool. Standing water or saturated soil deprives roots of oxygen and can lead to root rot, disease, and decline (ironically) from hydraulic failure in the plant’s vascular system. Some plants, shrubs, and tree species are adapted to tolerate saturated conditions longer than others but will eventually suffer a similar fate.

Poor Soil Drainage Symptoms

Besides pooling water and soil erosion, plants growing in poorly-drained soil suffer from a lack of oxygen, resulting in root death and the plant’s rapid decline. Other indicators include:

• Stunted or slow growth with yellowing leaves
• Leaf scorch or leaf burn
• Edema (spots and blisters) may appear on stems and leaves
• The plant’s crown may quickly wither and rot

Note: Edema is a plant disorder caused by roots absorbing more water than the leaves can transpire (a common problem resulting from poor soil drainage). This excess water ruptures cells and appears as water-soaked patches turning corky and unsightly.

When soils are improperly managed, they can become compacted. This condition can occur during and after construction. Foot and vehicular traffic also compresses the soil pores and limits the oxygen and water that would otherwise move through the soil.

How Do I Know if My Soil is Well-Drained

Besides watching for pooling water and other symptoms, you can test and improve your soil by doing the following:

1 – Dig a hole about 12 inches wide and 12 inches deep
2 – Fill the hole with water
3 – After it completely drains, refill it with water and mark the time
4 – Note how long the water takes to drain

The water level in soil with excellent drainage should drop 1 to 2 inches per hour. Any longer, and you should take steps to improve the soil.

How to Improve Soil Drainage

Soil is composed of sand, silt, and clay particles varying in size. Sand has the largest particle size, and clay has the smallest. When soil contains large sand proportions, it has more pore space and is more sharply drained (similar to a sandy beach). Soil with high clay content has significantly less pore space. Reduced pore space slows water drainage and causes the soil to hold water for longer periods. Consider the following soil structure improvement methods:

Amend the Soil with Compost – Add organic matter to improve drainage in poorly drained soil. Organic matter, like compost, improves soil structure by increasing soil aggregation (soil aggregates are groups of soil particles). The space between these aggregates creates the space required for holding and exchanging air and water.

Spread compost 3 inches thick over the soil surface and work it into the top 10 inches of soil with a shovel, garden fork, or tillage.

Tip: Using a rototiller too frequently breaks down soil aggregates, defeating your soil improvement efforts.

Plant Cover Crops – Cover crops can help significantly improve soil drainage by increasing organic matter, and their roots help break apart or expand compacted soil. Some popular cover crop plant species include:

• Alfalfa (Medicago sativa)
• Buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum)
• Oat (Avena sativa)
• Winter Rye (Secale cereale)
• Crimson Clover (Trifolium incarnatum)
• Mustard (Brassica napus)

Cover crops are sometimes called “green manure” or “living mulch.” These species can add nitrogen to your soil, improve drainage, and boost fertility (without applying chemical fertilizers).

Aerate the Soil – Aerating can help relieve soil compaction. A core aerator removes soil plugs, leaving holes to loosen the soil, improving drainage, and getting air to roots.

Add Earthworms – Earthworms naturally and quickly improve soil pore size, water infiltration rate, water content, and water-holding capacity. Their burrowing tends to reach over 3 feet in depth, breaking up hardpans and promoting deep soil structure and aggregation.

Note: Soil with healthy earthworm populations drains up to 10 times faster than soil without them.

Well-Drained Soil

In this article, you discovered information defining well-drained soil, why it is essential to plant life, and how you can reverse poor soil drainage.

Recognizing when your soil is not draining properly will help you take prompt action to correct it and keep your plants, shrubs, and trees alive and thriving.

Your misunderstanding of soil drainage can lead to hydraulic failure in your landscape’s plant life, leaving you with diseased, declining, or dead plants, shrubs, and trees.

Sources:
agebb.missouri.edu/agforest/archives/v10n2/gh14.htm
missouribotanicalgarden.org/gardens-gardening/your-garden/help-for-the-home-gardener/advice-tips-resources/pests-and-problems/environmental/overwatering
hortnews.extension.iastate.edu/testing-and-improving-soil-drainage
dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/soils/guides/soil-biology/earthworms

This article was first published on: https://www.72tree.com/what-is-well-drained-soil/

What’s worse for trees and shrubs? Ice or snow? Think of it this way: snow can be gentle, while ice can be harsh. That about sums it up.

During the winter in New Jersey and elsewhere, conditions can range from temperate to downright freezing cold. When the thermometer reads below zero, you can bet your trees and shrubs are experiencing some shock and stress.

How Ice Storms Affect Trees and Shrubs

When ice storms come through town, what happens is this: a cold rain falls down on trees and shrubs. The temperature lowers. Then, that rain freezes as ice, sticking to the bark and branches. Ice is heavier than snow. Moreover, when ice is particularly heavy, guess what happens? Small branches break because they’re coated with heavy ice. All it takes is an ice coating of, say, a fraction of an inch, to do damage. Add to that a strong, mighty wind, and your trees and shrubs could end up losing a lot of branches and such.

For your knowledge, a branch is more likely to snap from ice if it’s already weak, isn’t growing upright, has a sharp angle, or if it has a layer of bark trapped in its joint. Furthermore, you can tell if you have a weak tree if it doesn’t have a single central stem (aka a “leader”) and/or its branching system is atypical.

To help protect your trees from ice damage, it’s best to prune them properly when they’re young, so they can grow up to be strong. For older trees that haven’t been attended to, a professional intervention might be needed to help correct imperfections. Someone who works with trees daily is likely to be able to tell you if a tree is diseased, weak, or stressed, and then offer some solutions to remedy problems.

Ice Damage on Shrubs

As for shrubs, ice can definitely weigh them down, more so than snow. It’s best to leave them alone, letting the ice melt as the temperature rises.

If you’re thinking of getting some new trees for your property in New Jersey, and you’d like some helpful advice on what to buy and what not to buy, call Big Foot Tree Service. Ask about the type of trees that are especially hardy and can withstand harsh New Jersey winters. Contact Big Foot Tree Service at 973-885-8000.

The post Is Ice Worse than Snow for Trees and Shrubs? appeared first on Big Foot Tree Service.

This post first appeared on https://www.bigfoottreeservice.com