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When it comes to gorgeous, long-lasting summer blossoms, there isn’t much that can compare to the prolific and lovely crape myrtle. The Crape Myrtle, or Lagerstroemia Lythracae, is a lovely class of flowering trees and shrubs of around 50 different species. Also known as loosestrife, the crape (or crepe) myrtle is a highly diverse plant. For instance, did you know that some are deciduous, others are evergreen, and they can range in size from barely a foot to over 100 feet tall? It’s true! The dwarf myrtle averages at around 3 feet, while the Lord Crepe Myrtle (pretty accurate name, if we don’t say) towers at around 34 meters or 111 feet! 

No matter the species, the crepe myrtle all come together in their highly desirable landscaping features. Features such as their gorgeous delicate frilly and rippled blooms, the peeling bark with the distinct texture that comes with it, and a color palette ranging from deep purple and lavender to ivory, gleaming white, light pink, magenta, and a deep red ensure that the crepe myrtle is a standout in any environment. 

Their native range is vast, and local species can be found from India to Asia and Indonesia to Australia. From as far North as Central China to the bottom of the world, you can find them just about anywhere! Not only that, but they’ve taken hold in the United States in a major way and can be found growing wild all throughout the nation.  

Yes, the crepe myrtle is an incredible and varied plant, perfect for your home and garden no matter what the style. But what do we need to do to ensure that our crape myrtle thrives? Well, that’s just what this reading is all about! Keep going to learn all about caring for your crepe myrtle. 

Uses of Crepe Myrtle 

Cultivated from California to Japan and everywhere in between, particularly in tropical and subtropical climates where the warm weather really lets them thrive and bloom as long as possible, the crepe myrtle is popular as a colorful hedge or a fantastically decorative privacy screen. Additionally, larger trees can make a really stunning focal point, and attention-grabbing spectacle no matter the landscape. Due to their incredible size diversity, certain species can even be cultivated in containers. 

Crape myrtles are cultivated worldwide, most often in tropical and subtropical climates where the warm weather helps them to thrive and show off their outstanding beauty. These plants are often used as colorful hedges or privacy screens, while larger plants make amazing focal points and eye-catching specimens in any landscape. Smaller varieties may even be grown in containers.

How to care for your crepe myrtle

Provided you live in the right climate, meaning anywhere from tropical to at least somewhat temperate, your crape myrtle is a fairly low-maintenance option for the amount of flair it can bring to your landscape or garden. However, it DOES require a few specific care points to really ensure those blossoms dazzle. Check out the following list to keep your crape myrtle in stunning form: 

• Place in Full Sunlight

Your crape myrtle wants at least 6 hours of full sunlight to thrive. Any less and blossoms won’t be as numerous, and their colors may be less vibrant than you would like. 

• Use Healthy and Proper Soil

You’ll be happy to know that the crape myrtle isn’t particularly demanding when it comes to regulating the ph of the soil. However, you’ll find they do best in neutral to a slightly acidic substrate. One tip to remember is that a crape myrtle should be planted in a well-draining area, however, as the plant is prone to root rot if left in too much water. 

• Lightly Fertilize 
• A slow-release fertilizer high in nitrogen will optimize your crape myrtle’s flowers and growth. Just make sure not to overfertilize with a choice that promotes leaf growth, or the green may push your flowers out of the picture! 

• Get Ahold of Fungus Early 
• It’s important to watch out for powdery mildew, as well as other fungal infections such as sooty mold. Treatment with a general fungicide can work wonders to avoid an infected plant. 

• Prune Lightly in Winter or Early Spring
• The crape myrtle is a new wood-blooming plant, so it’s important to prune in late winter or early spring in order to stimulate the flowering process. Be sure and remove tangled branches, suckers, and irregular shapes in order to optimize the form of your plant. 

• Optimize your crepe’s features by exposing the trunk. 
• The crape myrtle is a beautiful plant with distinctive peeling bark. This is a truly stunning feature, especially on the larger varietals. By pruning away lower branches on roughly the bottom 4-5 feet (depending on the size, of course) of the trunk, you can really unlock the potential of this delicate plant. 

• Deadhead to stimulate flower growth 
• You can stimulate flower growth in early-blooming varieties of crape myrtle via judicious deadheading, but remember that this will lead to a decrease in the second bloom. 

Call Red’s Tree Service for all arboreal needs! 

Crape myrtles are a stunning addition to any type of landscape, no matter if you are looking for a colorful hedge, an eye-catching specimen or just a chromatic burst of floral wonder to add to your yard. If you know how to properly care for these plants, then you can ensure that you have an amazing show of blooms all summer long. 

Red’s Tree Service has the best arborists available in and around Memphis and the surrounding areas, and we know just how to make your landscape pop. Call today to see how good your lawn and garden can look! 

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

Planning and looking for the best features to enhance your Marietta, Ga landscape? Understanding which landscape features work well together will help you design a yard that can significantly increase your home’s curb appeal and value.

toddsmariettatreeservices.com gathered the following landscape design principles and features to help you create a stunning Marietta, Georgia, yard.

Landscape Design Principles

The following landscape design principles have been utilized by designers for centuries in all art forms, like painting, construction, landscape design, etc. Consider the following design principles when developing your Marietta, Georgia, front yard landscape concept:

Balance – Symmetrical balance is used in formal landscapes, in which each side mirrors the other. Asymmetrical balance, or informal balance, differs on either side and appears relaxing and free-flowing.

Focal Point – A landscape’s focal point is often a feature close to the front door to enhance the home’s entrance.

Proportion – Landscape design proportion considers building size, yard size, tree, shrub, plant size, and planted areas vs. open space.

Simplicity – Avoid a cluttered landscape by using too many (or clashing) colors, shapes, curves, and textures.

Rhythm – A rhythm is established when landscape features are repeated with standard intervals. Trees, plants, shrubs, stones, benches, or other elements can be repeated within the design to create rhythm.

The colors, shapes, sizes, textures, and other landscape features can easily create a beautifully unified front yard space.

Popular Landscape Features

Front yard landscaping design and its features define your home’s exterior. Your front yard is the most seen part of the property, greeting your guests and visitors before reaching the door and setting the tone for the rest of the house. Consider the following popular landscape features:

1. Front Yard Garden Space

Well-designed, multi-level garden areas showcase your gardening prowess with color, and variety, and when used as borders, can highlight other landscape features, like a pathway, driveway, specimen tree, pond, etc.

Tip: Reduce watering and care requirements by planting native plant species.

2. Landscape Lighting

Landscape lighting improves your home’s safety and security. Well-placed landscape lighting can enhance trees, gardens, and other features in your yard while illuminating a hard-to-see walkway, driveway, or raised steps.

Read more about landscape lighting and its ideal palcement at toddsmariettatreeservices.com/where-to-place-landscape-lighting

3. Front Yard Water Feature

Besides creating a focal point, a water feature provides individuality to your landscape. This occurs through the feature’s size, shape, color, design, and placement. Water features give movement to an otherwise still area with rushing water.

Note: Your fountain will attract birds, butterflies, and wildlife to your front yard.

4. Landscape Trees

Specimen trees are excellent front yard focal points while providing shade, offering leafy screens, or framing a picturesque view. A large specimen tree in a vast landscape can add structure and shape to the space.

Using trees for privacy screens helps seclude you from your neighbors’ wandering eyes while providing a lush, green landscape year-round (evergreen species), shielding your property from wind, and creating a beautifully shaded scenery.

Tip: Hire a professional tree service to provide seasonal pruning and care.

5. Front Yard Walkway

Installing a stone, brick, concrete, gravel, or paved walkway gives guests and visitors a sense of invitation. It simplifies getting to your front door (or other destination), which naturally increases your property’s curb appeal.

You can add visual value to your front yard walkway by bordering it with flowering plants, shrubs, and lighting.

Tip: When installing a walkway, consider applying a slip-resistant surface to avoid slips and injuries during watering cycles and wet weather.

Visualize Your Landscape Design

You can sketch your front yard landscape design by drawing the yard’s outline, penciling in any existing features, then adding any rocks, waterways, structures, slopes, etc. Consider the following app to help you formulate the perfect Marietta, Georgia, landscape design:

iScape – With iScape, you can create an accurate front yard digital model. The app will show you what featuring your favorite trees, shrubs, and plants looks like, so you can visualize the landscape design before beginning your project. The app is user-friendly and can insert objects, move them around, and more.

Landscape Features

In this article, you discovered essential information about landscape design principles, elements, and the value it adds to your home’s curb appeal and value.

Creating a stunning landscape design can add significant value to your home while adding to your neighborhood’s beauty and biodiversity.

Missing the simple but important landscaping features can result in reducing your home’s curb appeal and potential value.

Sources:
edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/MG086
extension.uga.edu/publications/detail.html?number=C1032-3&title=drawing-a-landscape-plan-the-base-map
aces.edu/blog/topics/lawn-garden/residential-landscape-design/
canr.msu.edu/news/principles_of_landscape_design
gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/design/modern-design.html

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

Need help choosing standalone fruit trees for your Alpharetta, Georgia landscape? Knowing which fruit tree species self-pollinate will help you choose individual fruit-bearing trees that provide your Alpharetta, Georgia landscape with shade, beauty, and delicious fruit.

72tree.com gathered species and growing information for several self-fruiting trees hardy to Alpharetta, Georgia, landscapes.

What is a Self-Pollinating Fruit Tree?

Most fruit trees are self-sterile for their own pollen (requiring a second compatible tree and a pollen vector). However, self-pollinating fruit trees only need their pollen to self-fertilize and bear fruit, and they can be planted as a standalone tree. As the name suggests, these trees do not require pollen vectors (bees, flies, wasps, etc.). Consider the following self-pollinating fruit trees for your Alpharetta, Georgia, landscape:

1. Pomegranate (Punica granatum)

Pomegranates can be grown as large shrubs or small trees with smooth, evergreen leaves, and showy orange to red flowers. It produces rounded and seeded fruit with a dry outer covering.

Mature Size – Pomegranates reach 10 to 20 feet in height and have a 10 to 20-foot spread.
Soil Needs – This species thrives in loam, sandy, and clay well-draining soil with a 5.5 to 7.2 pH.
Sun Requirement – Full sun (minimum 6 hours daily)
Water Needs – Irrigate every 7 to 10 days during dry conditions. Pomegranate trees require approximately 60 inches of water annually.
Fruiting – Pomegranate trees typically produce a harvest two to three years after planting. Most varieties flower from spring into fall and fruits (set in March or April) will be ready for harvest between August and October.
Hardiness Zone – 7 through 10

2. Peach (Prunus persica)

Peach trees typically grow a rounded crown with upward-reaching branches draped in three to six-inch-long, dark green, deciduous leaves.

Mature Size – Peach trees reach 25 feet in height and have a 25-foot spread (when left unpruned).
Soil Needs – This species thrives in lightweight loamy, well-drained soil with a 6.0 to 6.8 pH.
Sun Requirement – Full sun (minimum 6 hours daily)
Water Needs – Irrigate daily with 35 – 40 gallons during summer months. Peach trees require approximately 36 inches of water annually.
Fruiting – Peach trees typically bear fruit 2 to 4 years after planting. A peach tree may bear fruit from June through August, with some species bearing fruit through September.
Hardiness Zone – 4 through 9

3. Apricot (Prunus armeniaca)

Apricot trees have an upright growth pattern with a broad canopy. The leaves are ovate with a rounded base, pointed tip, and serrated margin. The tree produces white to pink flowers and fleshy yellow to orange fruit. Apricots are self-pollinating, but planting two different varieties (blooming simultaneously) can result in a significantly larger harvest.

Mature Size – Full-size apricot trees reach 25 feet in height and have a 25-foot spread.
Soil Needs – This species thrives in loamy, well-drained soil with a 6.5 to 8.0 pH.
Sun Requirement – Full sun (minimum 6 hours daily)
Water Needs – Provide your apricot tree with an inch of water every ten to 12 days.
Fruiting – Apricot trees typically bear fruit 3 to 4 years after planting. Blooming in early spring only on two-year or older wood. Fruits ripen and should be harvested from June through August.
Hardiness Zone – 4 through 9

4. Fig (Ficus carica)

The common fig tree is a deciduous, multi-trunk tree with smooth, gray bark and a wide but low, open canopy. This species has large multi-lobed, showy, dark green leaves and produces small, inconspicuous flowers.

Mature Size – Fig trees reach 10 to 30 feet in height with a 20-foot spread.
Soil Needs – Figs prefer moist, well-drained, organically rich soil with a 6.0 to 7.5 pH.
Sun Requirement – Full sun (minimum 6 hours daily)
Water Needs – Fig trees need 1 to 1-1/2 inches of irrigated water or rainfall per week (minimum).
Fruiting – Most fig trees take three to five years before ripening fruit. Figs typically form on new stem growth each year and ripen from May through November.
Hardiness Zone – 8 through 10 (6 and 7 if protected)

5. Persimmon (Diospyros virginiana)

The common persimmon is a deciduous tree grown for its beautiful foliage and delicious fruit. When the fruit ripens, they range in color from yellow to red-orange.

Mature Size – Persimmon trees reach 35 to 60 feet in height with a 20 to 30-foot spread.
Soil Needs – Persimmon trees grow best in loamy, well-drained soil with a 6.0 to 6.5 pH.
Sun Requirement – Full sun (minimum 8 hours daily)
Water Needs – Water a persimmon tree for 10 minutes once or twice weekly in the spring and summer. Persimmon trees can withstand short drought periods.
Fruiting – Persimmons are a fall crop typically ripening from early fall through early winter. There are two primary varieties of persimmons (The astringent fruit is consumed when it becomes soft, and the non-astringent fruit is eaten while firm.
Hardiness Zone – 4 through 9

Self-Pollinating Fruit Trees

In this article, you discovered species and planting information for several self-pollinating fruit trees ideal for landscapes in Alpharetta, Georgia.

Knowing which self-pollinating trees to plant in your Alpharetta, Georgia landscape will help you grow magnificent shade trees that provide an abundant annual fruit harvest.

Avoid planting trees that require attention, pollination, or not knowing which self-pollinating species are most suitable for your Alpharetta yard.

Sources:
extension.uga.edu/publications/detail.html?number=C997
sites.redlands.edu/trees/species-accounts/peach/
plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/prunus-armeniaca/
hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/fig/
missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=279917

This article was first published on: http://www.72tree.com/5-self-pollinating-fruit-trees-for-alpharetta-georgia-landscapes/

Here at Red’s Tree Service of Memphis, we’re proud to be your locally owned and operated one-stop shop for all your tree-related needs. This includes keeping you informed about critical safety concerns, such as the signs of a dying tree. 

You may not realize it, but dead and dying trees can pose a severe safety hazard! In fact, research performed by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) demonstrates that dead and dying trees pose a greater risk to human health and safety than sharks! It turns out that every year, falling trees kill more than 100 Americans. Sharks? Less than 5. 

So how do I know if I’m dealing with a dead or dying tree? Well, that’s just what the subject of today’s reading is all about. So read on to learn the signs of a dying tree, and ensure that your family and property stay safe! 

Signs of a Dying Tree 

When it comes to identifying sick or dying trees, there are plenty of tell-tale signs if you know what to look for. For example: 

Sticks all over the ground 

A healthy tree has flexible twigs and branches that are less likely to break. It isn’t normal for a healthy tree to shed sticks at such a rate that you notice them all over the place! If your tree doesn’t exhibit signs of green wood in its branches, you can be sure something is wrong and should take action immediately. 

Bark Peeling 

Although different species of trees will exhibit varying degrees of peeling in bark, one sign that something is wrong is the excessive shedding of the outer protective layer of the tree. If you notice lots of peeling bark, then the tree isn’t getting enough nutrients. Similar to human skin, problems in the bark can indicate much bigger problems. 

 The Presence of Rot and Fungus 

Nothing is more of a surefire sign of a dying tree than considerable rot and fungus. There are numerous types of rot, all of which require intervention to save the tree in many cases. Different tree rot types include Brown Rot, the most severe form of tree rot, and causes the tree to dry up and literally crumble away. White Rot, while also very serious, causes the tree to feel excessively moist and spongy instead. 

Regarding fungal infections, Rhytisma acerinum and R. punctatum are the most common in the United States. Both appear most often in late spring and early summer, and both are characterized by black tar-like raised structures on the upper surface of leaves appearing alongside yellow spots.

Leaning 

A leaning tree will often have some underlying structural issue that indicates poor health. Unless you know this tree grew at an angle, you should take action immediately to avoid catastrophic damage from an imminent fall. 

Open Wounds 

While trees respond well to careful cutting and trimming, a large open wound in a tree, like that caused by excessive storm damage or lightning, can weaken and eventually kill the tree. 

That’s not all – Give us a Call! 

Thanks for taking the time to learn more about tree health and safety. The signs of a dying tree are numerous and should never be ignored, so if you have any questions or concerns, please give us a call. We employ a trained and certified arborist who is an expert in tree health and can often save your tree with various interventions. If removal is required or desired, rest easy knowing that Red’s has operated in the Memphis area for over 40 years. We only employ the highest quality professionals to give our customers the best service.

We look forward to hearing from you! 

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

Prevent your trees from rapid decline and death when wood-boring insects attack. Knowing how to control wood-boring insects will help you keep your Marietta, Georgia, trees healthy and thriving.

toddsmariettatreeservices.com gathered wood-boring insect species, identification, and control information to help you keep your Marietta, Georgia, trees safe.

Wood-Boring Insects

Wood-boring insects include a range of arthropods that cause damage to trees and wooden structures. This group of insects features an array of insect species at different life cycle stages (from larvae to adults). Wood-boring insects are seen as pests due to the potentially severe damage they cause in urban and rural areas.

Wood-Boring Insect Control

Systemic insecticides applied via trunk injection, bark sprays, or as a soil drench are effective against flathead borers and may be the only practical method for treating tall trees. Popular systemic insecticides include:

• Bonide Systemic Granules
• Mighty Mint Insect and Pest Control
• Natria Neem Oil Spray

Tip: Apply a systemic insecticide for trees when it is in the growing season.

Contact pesticides control wood-boring insects when they come in direct contact with the pest. Systemic insecticides are absorbed by and transported through plant tissue. Such products can render some or all of a plant toxic to insects that feed on it. Some common contact insecticides are:

• Pyrethroids (bifenthrin and permethrin)
• Chlorantraniliprole
• Imidacloprid
• Dinotefuran
• Emamectin benzoate
• Azadirachtin

Note: Each state has its own standards regarding pesticide use. Make sure you can legally use a pesticide before applying it to your tree(s).

Tip: Hire a professional tree service to treat your trees and alert regional representatives of any potential widespread infestations.

Wood-Boring Insect Species

Wood or tree borers could be bark beetles, twig pruners, or flat-headed borers, among other species. All boring insects are a hazard to a tree’s health, surrounding structures, and people. Consider the following species information:

1. Bark Beetles (Scolytinae)

Bark beetles tunnel under tree bark, cutting off its supply of food and water needed to survive. Bark beetles can kill a mature tree in two to four weeks during warmer months.

Identification – Bark beetle adults are tiny, cylindrical, hard-bodied insects about the size of a rice grain.
Tree Damage – Some trees slowly fade in color from green to brown, while others may die within a few weeks of infestation (these trees may not show signs of chlorosis, fading, or decline for several months.
Control Method(s) – If trees are infested, prune and dispose of bark beetle-infested limbs. If the tree’s trunk is extensively infested, the entire tree should be removed.

Note: The only effective treatment for bark beetles is preventative.

Vulnerable Tree Species: Bark beetles are attracted to tree species that are stressed, diseased, or injured.

2. Twig and Branch Pruners (Elaphidionoides and Agrilus species)

This insect is considered a secondary invader of trees in decline. The twig pruner attacks healthy twigs and small branches (the female lays an egg in the bark, and when the eggs hatch, the legless grubs bore into the twig). Mature larvae chew concentric cuts outward in the white wood without chewing through the bark. The infested branch eventually drops to the ground with the larva inside.

Identification – The twig pruner is a slender grayish-yellow, long-horned beetle about ½ inch long.
Tree Damage – Twig and branch pruner larvae feed beneath the bark, girdling twigs and branches.
Control Method(s) – Pick up and destroy any detached twigs. The insect’s life cycle is completed inside these fallen twigs. Eliminating the litter interrupts the twig pruner’s life cycle, so they never have a chance to mature and reproduce.

Vulnerable Tree Species:

• Hickory (Carya)
• Maple (Acer)
• Oak (Quercus)
• Pecan (Carya illinoinensis)
• Redbud (Cercis canadensis)
• Elm (Ulmus)

3. Bronze Birch Borer (Agrilus anxius)

The bronze birch borer is found throughout birch ranges in the US and Canada. It attacks and breeds in birch trees but has been spotted in beech and aspen stands.

Identification – Bronze birch borers are ¼ to ½ inch long, slender, dark iridescent, and bronze colored.
Tree Damage – Signs of this insect include off-color and thinning foliage in a birch’s upper canopy, dead branches in the upper crown, and swollen ridges on the tree’s trunk and branches.
Control Method(s) – Between May and June, you can spray infested trees with horticultural oil, permethrin, or bendiocarb to kill hatching larvae and adults emerging from the bark and feeding on leaves.

Vulnerable Tree Species:

• Paper birch
• Yellow birch
• Gray birch
• Western birch
• Water birch
• Sweet birch

4. Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennis) (EAB)

The emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis or EAB) is an invasive wood-boring beetle. Despite their color and appearance, these beetles are difficult to spot in the wild!

Identification – Adult EABs are bright, metallic green, with red metallic abdominal segments beneath their wing covers. This beetle is about ½ inch long and 1/8 inch wide with a flattened back.
Tree Damage – Larvae feed on the inner bark of ash trees from early summer to mid-fall, causing hydraulic failure and death. Infested native ash trees are all susceptible to attack.
Control Method(s) – When caught in an infestation’s early stages, emerald ash borer can be controlled by using systemic insecticides that are taken into the tree and move to areas where they can kill adults (leaves) or the flathead borer larvae (cambium).

Vulnerable Tree Species: In North America, all ash tree species can be attacked by EAB.

5. Carpenter Ants (Camponotus)

Carpenter ants get their common name because they excavate decayed wood to build their nests. Their excavation results in smooth tunnels inside wood. Similar to termites, this excavation activity can severely compromise a tree’s structural soundness.

Identification – Carpenter ants are about a half-inch long and completely black with yellowish hairs on the abdomen.
Tree Damage – This species does not eat wood; they only tunnel and chew through it to create nests. Typically, these ants burrow into trees already compromised by disease, softening their hardwood and facilitating the insect infestation.
Control Method(s) – A soap and water mixture is toxic to carpenter ants. Mix one part dish soap with two parts water in a spray bottle. Spray this mixture on the ants and around their nesting site as needed to kill them and eliminate their pheromone trails. Continue treating problem areas until the ants no longer return.

Vulnerable Tree Species: Any tree species compromised by a fungal infection.

Tip: Some insects are affected and can be contained without toxic checmicals, so read the following to learn how to make homeade bug spray.

Wood-Boring Insects in Marietta, Georgia

In this article, you discovered essential species, identification, and control information on several wood-boring insects adversely affecting Marietta, Georgia’s tree population.

Knowing how to identify wood-boring insects and control them will help you preserve your trees while keeping these insects from spreading unhindered.

Ignoring the need to control wood-boring insects can lead to the rapid decline and death of trees, potentially causing catastrophic damage when they topple.

Sources:
entomology.ca.uky.edu/ent43
xerces.org/systemic-insecticides-reference-and-overview
extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/insects/insecticides-used-to-control-emerald-ash-borer-on-residential-shade-trees-5-626/
emeraldashborer.info/faq.php
content.ces.ncsu.edu/twig-pruner
readyforwildfire.org/forest-health/bark-beetle-information/about-bark-beetles/

For the original version of this article visit: http://www.toddsmariettatreeservices.com/how-to-control-wood-boring-insects-in-marietta-georgia-trees/

Keep treatable diseases from infecting and killing your pine trees. Recognizing the signs of disease and taking action to stop them will help you keep your pine trees robust and stable.

72tree.com gathered the following information and tips about pine tree disease signs, treatments, and prevention.

Pine Tree Disease

In years with heavy rainfall or severe drought, pine trees may brown in response. Browning is typically caused by the pine tree’s inability to uptake sufficient water to keep its needles fresh and alive. When moisture is overly abundant (and drainage is poor), root rot and other diseases are often the culprits. Consider the following pine tree diseases:

1. Annosus Root Disease (Heterobasidion annosum)

Heterobasidion annosum is a basidiomycete fungus in the Bondarzewiaceae family. It is considered one of the most economically damaging forest pathogens in the Northern Hemisphere. Heterobasidion annosum is widespread in US forests and is responsible for $1 billion in annual pine tree losses.

Appearance – In some cases, resin flow may appear near the root collar as the tree attempts to defend itself against attack. Diseased pines may show crown thinning and yellowing. In pine trees, the disease is most active in the sapwood, killing tissues and heartwood as it progresses.
Treatment – Carefully remove and destroy infected trees and stumps. Any stumps left in the ground should be treated with borax.
Prevention – This disease typically enters a pine tree stand when spores land on freshly cut limbs or stump surfaces. The fungus grows from the stump into nearby live trees via root grafts or contacts. For prevention, treat stumps with borax whenever thinning in a high-hazard area.

2. Diplodia Tip Blight (Sphaeropsis sapinea)

Diplodia blight, previously called Sphaeropsis tip blight, is a common fungal disease of stressed conifers, most typically pines with needles in bunches of 2’s and 3’s.

Appearance – Needles of new shoots will remain stunted, turn straw-colored, and will be glued in place from excess resin. Mature needles on branches end up killed by girdling cankers. Sticky, clear-to-white resin is found on dead twigs, the main stem, or branches with cankers.
Treatment – If you previously had problems with Diplodia, consider applying fungicides as the candles are expanding and then two more applications at 2-week intervals (bud break, half candle, and full candle). This typically prevents any spores from being disseminated from infecting the tree’s succulent new growth.
Prevention – Proper tree care, including increased irrigation during drought, pruning, and equipment sanitation are often effective methods for control of Diplodia tip blight and canker, especially when pines are newly infected.

3. Dothistroma Needle Blight (Dothistroma septosporum)

Pine trees of all ages can become infected. Symptoms are typically first seen at the base of the crown on older needles. Infected needles develop yellow and tan spots and bands, which soon turn red. As the disease progresses, the ends of the needles turn reddish-brown while the needle base oddly remains green.

Appearance – Reddish brown spots or bands appear on needles in the fall. Needle spots girdle the pine’s needles. The needle beyond the band dies and turns brown, leaving the bottom portion of the needle green. Tiny black fungal fruiting bodies will appear in the bands or the needle’s dead areas.
Treatment – A copper fungicide spray is an effective method to prevent needle cast. Other useful fungicides are chlorothalonil and mancozeb.
Prevention – If your trees have a history of Dothistroma needle blight, copper fungicides can protect new needles from infection. Fungicides need to be applied before buds open in the spring.

4. Fusiform Rust (Cronartium quercuum)

Fusiform rust is caused by a curious fungus that produces five spore stages and requires an oak and a pine tree to complete its life cycle.

Appearance – Fusiform rust is caused by Cronartium quorum f. sp. fusiforme. It produces bright orange spores on southern yellow pines, especially loblolly pine, in springtime.
Treatment – Avoid planting any rust susceptible pine tree species in locations where fusiform rust is or has been an issue. Pruning branch cankers and completely removing diseased branches can help lower potential trunk infection. However, once the trunk is infected, branch pruning is no longer recommended (careful tree removal and destruction is).
Prevention – Disease prevention is best accomplished by planting resistant pine species and treating all oak trees growing anywhere in the vicinity of your pine trees.

5. Needle Rust (Chrysomyxa ledicola Logerh)

Pine or spruce needle rust is easily identified by pale, white, or orange blisters appearing on infected needles (in summertime). White blisters will appear on the current year’s needle growth.

Appearance – Yellow-to-orange spots or bands appear on green needles in spring. In late spring to early summer, tiny, raised, white tubes form on needles breaking open to release powdery, orange spores. These infected needles can remain attached to the tree for several years.
Treatment – Needle rust is considered a minor stress on pine trees and typically requires no management efforts. However, when necessary, the most efficient rust disease control is to carefully prune and destroy affected areas and remove any visible galls (abnormal growths) in late winter or early spring before they can produce spores.
Prevention – Follow these best practices to help prevent spruce needle rust:

• Redirect lawn sprinklers away from pine branches and needles.
• Plant your spruce trees far enough apart to allow good air circulation between them.
• Prune out and destroy wilted or blighted stems and branches.

Note: In most cases, pine needle rust is a cosmetic issue, and no management is needed.

Pine Tree Disease Control

In this article, you discovered essential information and pro tips on identifying, treating, and preventing several pine tree diseases.

Knowing how to identify, control, and prevent deadly pine tree diseases will help you keep your pine trees thriving while stopping these diseases from spreading across your landscape.

Failing to recognize signs of diseased pine trees will lead to their death, potentially causing catastrophic damages and life-threatening injury when they fall.

Sources:
tfsweb.tamu.edu/uploadedFiles/TFSMain/Manage_Forest_and_Land/Forest_Health/Stewardship/Annosum_Root_Disease.pdf
fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5299327.pdf
extension.umn.edu/plant-diseases/diplodia-shoot-blight-and-canker
forestry.ces.ncsu.edu/2017/04/so-what-is-the-orange-stuff-on-my-pine-trees/
extension.psu.edu/spruce-needle-rust

Photo Credit: craven.ces.ncsu.edu

This article was first published on: http://www.72tree.com/5-pine-tree-diseases-and-treatments/

Removing a tree from your yard is one thing, but removing the stump is another altogether. Although some smaller trees can be removed root and stem, most tree roots are too large to pull out alongside the tree, making cutting at the stump the safest and most efficient option. 

But now that you’ve removed the tree in your yard, removing the stump is the next logical step, and we’re here to help. If you’re wondering why tree removal is necessary, keep reading to hear what our experts at Red’s Tree Service have to say about the topic!

Safety

One of the biggest reasons to remove a tree stump following a tree removal is to keep your family and yard safe. Depending on how high the tree stump is, it could prove to be a hazard for anyone walking around or playing in the yard. 

Imagine your child is “going long” for a touchdown pass in a family football game and tripping backwards over the stump. When weeds and grass begin to cover the stump, you could accidentally run over it while cutting the grass, which could damage or break your lawn mower. 

Aesthetics

Most people plant trees to increase their home’s curb appeal, but a tree stump can be a real eye sore. Not only do tree stumps take up space that could be used for other plant life, they could turn future buyers away from buying your home should you choose to sell, simply because of the aesthetics. 

Infection

Left following a tree removal, tree stumps can take nutrients from surrounding plants you actually do want to grow. What’s more is that decaying tree stumps breed fungus that infects nearby trees, which may then need to be chopped down too. Even worse, decaying stumps can house termites, ants, beetles, wood wasps, snakes and rodents, all of which can cause damage to your yard and your house. Ridding these tree pests of your property and repairing what they damaged can be costly and time consuming.

New Tree Growth

In the worst case scenario, leaving a tree stump behind could cause a new tree to grow back in the same place. A new tree can piggyback off of the nutrients supplied by the old roots, allowing it to produce a multi-trunked tree that will be an even bigger eyesore than the stump – and even more hazardous than the original tree. The new tree and the old stump also become harder to permanently kill and remove over time, so it’s easier to remove the stump initially, along with the original tree to make sure the change to your yard is permanent. 

How We Can Help

A professional tree service like Red’s will be able to diagnose and execute the best removal method for the type, size, age and health state of your stump. Our tree stump removal team has the heavy duty equipment necessary to perform stump grinding efficiently and the training to complete the task safely. 

We also have the knowledge and expertise to answer any questions you may have about surrounding pipes and wires, or what can grow in the remaining space. Additionally, a tree service like ours can recycle or dispose of the debris, so you don’t have to worry about taking it somewhere or arranging for the city to pick it up.

Call Red’s Tree Service

Removing tree stumps can often be much more difficult than removing a tree itself, and that’s because of the massive root system they hide underground. Instead of attempting a hazardous and lengthy DIY removal, it’s time to turn to your local tree experts at Red’s Tree Service. Call our team for your free estimate today!

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

It’s that time of the year again when we start to prepare for the winter weather approaching. Winter can be really tough on a person’s home and their yard. Winter storms, in particular, can be brutal, complete with ice, sleet, snow, rain, flooding, thunder, lightning, and whipping winds.

In New Jersey, you probably hear the local news stations issue “winter weather advisories.” This means you should watch out for freezing rain, sleet and snow. A “winter storm watch” warns people to expect heavy freezing rain or snow. Finally, a “winter storm warning” is issued when the storm is imminent. If the wind gusts are expected to be above 35 miles-per-hour for three hours or more, then it’s called a blizzard.

Damages to Your Property and Trees

Winter storms and blizzards can break the limbs off of trees. In some cases, trees may topple over due to high winds and freezing precipitation weighing them down.

Should you experience broken or downed trees in your yard this winter, Big Foot Tree Service handles emergency tree removals in New Jersey. Hanging limbs can be dangerous, and if a tree falls in the yard, especially close to a home or over a driveway, it needs to be taken care of promptly.

Professional Tree Removal Services in New Jersey

Big Foot Tree Service has the kind of workers who can handle tree removal even during the harsh winter weather conditions. With affordable prices, Big Foot Tree Service handles tree removals in several counties throughout Northern New Jersey. Call 973-885-8000 for emergency tree removal service.

The post Tree Services After a Severe Storm Causes Damage appeared first on Big Foot Tree Service.

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

Don’t choose the wrong species when you are looking for that captivating tree and want to stand out from your neighbors. Knowing which specimen tree to plant in your Marietta, Georgia, yard will help you stand out from your neighbors and give you an enduring conversation topic with your friends and loved ones.

toddsmariettatreeservices.com gathered the following species, planting, and growing information about 5 incredible specimen trees for your Marietta, Georgia, yard.

What is a Specimen Tree?

A specimen tree is an unusual or impressive plant grown as a point of interest in a garden, yard, or landscape. Specimen trees provide beauty with their fragrant flowers, fall color foliage, or impressive size. Consider the following specimen tree species for your Marietta, Georgia yard:

1. Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum)

This incredible maple displays bright green foliage in spring and summer, then turns a stunning golden yellow and red in the fall.

Size at Maturity – This species can reach 15 to 25 feet tall with a 15 to 20-foot spread.
Soil Requirements – Japanese maples thrive when planted in well-drained, acidic soil high in organic matter.
Sun Exposure – Dappled or Afternoon Shade
Water Needs – Water this species heavily twice weekly during typical weather and increase waterings to three or four times during droughts.
Hardiness Zone – 5 through 8

2. Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida)

The flowering dogwood is a small, showy, deciduous tree species. Young trees tend to be upright to rounded, and as they mature, they typically grow up to 50 percent wider than tall. The tree’s crown is typically round to flat-topped. Dogwoods are most recognized for their cross-shaped white or pink bracts.

Size at Maturity – This species can reach up to 25+ feet tall with a 25-foot spread.
Soil Requirements – Dogwoods thrive in fertile, somewhat moisture-retentive, loamy soil high in organic matter.
Sun Exposure – This species can be planted in full sun or partial shade (partial shade is best)
Water Needs – Dogwood trees require about an inch of water weekly from rain or irrigation. If rainfall is insufficient, water your tree enough to soak several inches into the soil once weekly. For newly planted dogwoods, two gallons per week are adequate except in drier, sandier soils where 6 to 8 gallons weekly may be necessary.
Hardiness Zone – 5 through 9

3. Southern Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora)

Southern magnolia is a large, broadleaf, evergreen tree noted for its attractive glossy dark green leaves and massive, extremely fragrant flowers. Magnolias are believed to be among the earliest known flowering plants, with fossils dating back over 100 million years.

Size at Maturity – This species can reach 60 to 80 feet tall with a 40-foot spread.
Soil Requirements – This species thrives in moist, well-drained, acidic soils. Unlike other tree species, it is tolerant of high moisture levels and can be planted in areas prone to wet/dry fluctuations in soil moisture.
Sun Exposure – This species can be planted in full sun or partial shade.
Water Needs – For every 1-inch of trunk diameter, water a 1-foot radius from the tree’s base.
Hardiness Zone – 6 through 10

4. Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia)

Crape myrtles are deciduous, small to medium-sized trees with a variable, moderately dense habit, often multi-stemmed form. The species’ foliage is typically dark green changing to yellows, oranges, and reds in autumn. This species is considered a specimen due to its stunning flower clusters with wrinkled petals like crepe paper.

Size at Maturity – This species can reach 15 to 25 feet tall with a 6 to 15-foot spread.
Soil Requirements – Crape Myrtles can be grown all over the USA in any soil type and will thrive in acidic to slightly acidic soil ranging from 5.0 to 6.5 pH.
Sun Exposure – Crape myrtles need full sun (6 or more hours per day) to thrive.
Water Needs – This species needs at least one inch of water per week.
Hardiness Zone – 7 through 10

5. Crabapple (Malus)

The crabapple is a beautiful, small, deciduous spring-flowering tree that is prized for its flowers, fruit, and variations in growth habit and size. Some crabapple varieties bloom heavily only every other year.

Size at Maturity – This species can reach 10 to 25 feet tall with a 10 to 25-foot spread.
Soil Requirements – Crabapples thrive in rich loam-type soil (a combination of clay, silt, and sand). Good drainage is a must for tree health, and the soil should be moist, slightly acidic, and with a 5.0 to 6.5 pH.
Sun Exposure – This species needs at least six hours of sun a day to guarantee ample blossoming and fruiting.
Water Needs – Once established, crabapples are drought tolerant and should not need supplemental watering unless the season is considerably dry.
Hardiness Zone – 3 through 8

Specimen Trees

In this article, you discovered essential species information for 5 stunning specimen trees that you can plant in your Marietta, Georgia, yard.

Planting a stunning specimen tree makes your front yard stand out from your neighbors, gives you decades of conversation, and offers a visual delight as the tree matures.

Not knowing the specimen species best for your Marietta, Georgia yard can have you being a copycat of your neighbor, or plant the wrong tree and risk it dying.

Sources:
edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/ST023
plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/cornus-florida/
extension.uga.edu/publications/detail.html?number=C974
landscapeplants.oregonstate.edu/plants/lagerstroemia-indica
hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/crabapple/

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

Avoid planting run-of-mill trees and having a basic landscape. Knowing the unique trees that can grow in your Alpharetta landscape will create a captivating aesthetic and curb appeal.

72tree.com gathered the following species and growing information about 7 of the most beautiful trees to plant in your Alpharetta, Georgia, landscape.

1. Southern Live Oak (Quercus virginiana)

Live oak grows to be a massive, picturesque, sprawling tree with magnificent horizontal and arching branches that form a broad, rounded, and majestic canopy. A squat, tapering trunk supports the massive, irregular limbs, often resting their “elbows” on the ground.

Size at Maturity – On average, this species reaches 50 feet in height with an 80+ foot spread.
Soil Requirements – The live oak thrives in acidic, alkaline, loamy, moist, sandy, well-drained, and clay soils.
Sun Exposure – Full sun to partial shade
Water Needs – While your oak tree establishes its root system and matures for the first 2 to 3 years, you should water it weekly. It will take about 10 gallons of water per inch of trunk diameter to keep this species thriving.
Hardiness Zone – 7 through 10

2. Rhododendron (Rhododendron)

Rhododendron, or “red tree,” refers to the red flowers and woody growth of some species, but rhododendrons can range in habit from evergreen to deciduous and from low-growing shrubs to tall, stunning trees.

Size at Maturity – This species can reach 5 to 20 feet tall with a 3 to 8-foot spread (depending on the variety).
Soil Requirements – Rhododendrons thrive in well-draining soil with abundant organic matter.
Sun Exposure – Full sun
Water Needs – Water rhododendrons twice weekly during the first growing season. Once established, only water them during dry periods.
Hardiness Zone – 4 through 8

3. Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum)

This incredible maple shows off bright green foliage in spring and summer, then turns golden yellow and red in the fall.

Size at Maturity – This species can reach from 15 to 25 feet tall with a 15 to 20-foot spread.
Soil Requirements – Japanese maples thrive when planted in well-drained, acidic soil high in organic matter.
Sun Exposure – Dappled or Afternoon Shade
Water Needs – Water this species heavily twice weekly during normal weather and increase waterings to three or four times during droughts.
Hardiness Zone – 5 through 8

4. Weeping Cherry (Prunus subhirtella)

This cherry tree variety generally features non-fragrant pale pink to white flowers in spring, pea-sized blackish (inedible) fruits in late summer, and ovate to lanceolate green leaves gently swaying on drooping branches and stems.

Size at Maturity – This species can reach from 20 to 25 feet tall with a 15 to 20-foot spread.
Soil Requirements – Weeping cherry trees are highly-adaptable to a range of soil types but flourish in loose, well-drained, loamy soil.
Sun Exposure – Full sun
Water Needs – A weeping cherry tree should be watered two to three times weekly during its first year. Afterward, it should only be watered when the top three inches of soil are dry.
Hardiness Zone – 4 through 9

5. Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis)

This tree species displays a variety of colors throughout the year. Leaves emerge reddish, turning vibrant green as they expand. The tree’s foliage is dark green in summer and yellowish in autumn. The tree’s showy flowers are pea-like and rosy pink with a purplish tinge.

Size at Maturity – This species can reach from 20 to 30 feet tall with a 25 to 35-foot spread.
Soil Requirements – Eastern redbud trees thrive in acidic, alkaline, loamy, moist, nutrient-rich, sandy, well-drained, and clay soil.
Sun Exposure – Full sun to partial shade
Water Needs – Water your eastern redbud two to three times weekly during its first year. Afterward, it should only be watered when the top three inches of soil are dry.
Hardiness Zone – 4 through 9

6. Rainbow Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus deglupta)

The rainbow eucalyptus is an evergreen tree with drooping spear-shaped, silvery-green leaves and curious clusters of tiny white flowers. The tree’s most stunning feature is the trunk, which grows rainbow bark in vibrant (nearly fluorescent) green, blue, orange, red, and purple shades. When planted in cooler areas, this tree species will require shelter from freezing wind and extremely low temperatures.

Size at Maturity – This species can reach 60 to 80 feet tall with a 20 to 30-foot spread.
Soil Requirements – This species thrives in sandy, loamy soils that are fertile, moist, and well-drained.
Sun Exposure – Full sun
Water Needs – Water your tree daily for best results, never flooding the tree with standing water.
Hardiness Zone – 9 through 11

7. Red Oak (Quercus rubra)

Most red oak leaves fade to brilliant red or orange-red shades in fall and will hold their color longer than other deciduous trees. Some red oak trees have yellow fall foliage instead of red.

Size at Maturity – This species can reach 60 to 75 feet tall with a 45-foot spread.
Soil Requirements – Like other oak species, red oak thrives in acidic, loamy, moist, sandy, well-drained, and clay soils.
Sun Exposure – Full sun to partial sun
Water Needs – While your oak tree establishes its root system and matures for the first 2 to 3 years, you should water it weekly. It will take about 10 gallons of water per inch of trunk diameter to keep this species thriving.
Hardiness Zone – 3 through 8

Beautiful Landscape Trees

In this article, you discovered essential species and growing tips for seven of the most attractive tree species for Alpharetta, Georgia, landscapes.

Knowing which tree species possess beautiful features will help you add intrigue and stunning visuals to your Alpharetta, Ga, landscape.

Not knowing the tree species capable of enhancing your Alpharetta, Georgia yard will leave your landscape dull and impressive.

Sources:
plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/quercus-virginiana/
hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/rhododendron-2/
edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/ST023
bellarmine.edu/faculty/drobinson/WeepingCherry.asp
extension.umass.edu/plant-identification/eastern-redbud
gms.ctahr.hawaii.edu/gs/handler/getmedia.ashx?moid=6149&dt=3&g=12
naturalresources.extension.iastate.edu/forestry/iowa_trees/trees/red_oak.html

This article was first published on: http://www.72tree.com/7-beautiful-trees-for-alpharetta-georgia-landscapes/