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Need help figuring out why your tree is leaning? Understanding why trees suddenly lean will help you prevent catastrophic damages and them falling on your property.

72tree.com gathered the following information to help you accurately identify why your tree is leaning and what you can do to protect your property, home, and well-being.

Why Do Trees Lean?

Some trees lean, and you may have wondered why this happens. Consider the following reasons trees lean, what it means for their health and safety, and what you should do about it.

There are multiple reasons why trees lean. The most common cause is strong prevailing winds or heavy snow and ice loads pushing the tree from its vertical axis. Trees naturally tend to grow straight up towards the sun, but environmental factors like wind and snow can cause them to tilt. Over time, this tilt can become more pronounced, resulting in a leaning tree.

Another reason for tree lean is the uneven weight distribution on the trunk. Trees with a heavy canopy (on one side) or those growing on a slope may develop a lean towards the lighter side to maintain balance. This is common in deciduous trees that have lost multiple or heavy branches on one side.

Tree lean can also be a sign of root rot or damage. A tree’s root system is fundamental for providing a tree’s stability and anchorage. A tree may lean when roots rot or are damaged due to soil erosion or compaction. This is common in areas with a high water table or soil prone to erosion.

Note: Some tree species are more prone to leaning than others. Conifer trees, like pines, are more likely to develop a lean due to their shallow root system. While trees like oaks have deep taproots that provide greater stability and reduce the risk of leaning.

While some tree lean is natural and harmless, excessive leaning can indicate a severe health issue. A leaning tree may indicate root rot, a fungal disease that can cause a tree’s root system to weaken and ultimately fail.

Tip: If you notice a tree leaning significantly, it’s crucial to have it inspected by a professional arborist quickly to determine the cause and assess the risk of the tree falling.

When to Worry about a Leaning Tree

For property owners, a leaning tree can be an alarming cause for concern. While some tree lean is natural and harmless, excessive leaning can indicate a health issue that must be quickly addressed. Here are some factors in determining whether a leaning tree is a cause for concern:

Degree of Lean – If your tree is leaning at an angle greater than 15 degrees, it may be a sign of a significant problem. Trees severely leaning can be dangerous and may need to be removed to ensure people’s and property’s safety.

Leaning Speed – If you notice the tree has started to lean suddenly or at a fast pace, it may indicate an advanced health issue. This could result from root damage or other underlying problems that must be addressed quickly.

Tree Condition – If your tree has dead or broken branches, signs of decay, or other visible damage, it may be more likely to lean. A weakened tree may not withstand strong winds or other environmental factors, leading to a more significant lean.

Location – If the leaning tree is growing near a building or other large structure, it could pose a significant risk. In such cases, it’s crucial to have the tree inspected by a professional arborist to assess the tree’s health and risk and determine the best course of action.

If you notice a leaning tree on your property, don’t delay in deciding when to remove it. Taking prompt action is crucial because waiting can significantly increase the risk of it falling and causing catastrophic or life-threatening injury.

Tip: An arborist can inspect the tree, determine the cause of the lean, and recommend the best course of action, whether pruning, cabling, or removal. Protecting your tree is paramount to ensuring your family and property’s safety.

What is Phototropism

Phototropism is a plant’s natural response to light. It’s a process in which a plant’s cells respond to the direction and intensity of light, causing the plant to grow, lean, or move toward the sun or light source.

Trees also utilize phototropism to grow toward the sun. When a tree’s leaves or branches are shaded by other trees or structures, the tree will instinctively grow towards the light source to ensure maximum exposure to sunlight. This allows the tree to produce maximum energy through photosynthesis.

The phototropic response in trees is controlled by hormones called auxins. Auxins are produced in the growing tips of the tree’s shoots and are transported down the stem, where they promote cell elongation (on the tree’s shaded side). This process causes the tree to bend towards the sun, resulting in positive phototropism.

Positive phototropism is crucial for a tree’s healthy growth. Without it, trees may be stunted or malformed from inadequate exposure to sunlight.

Note: Phototropism allows trees to adjust growth patterns in response to changing light conditions, like the sun’s shifting angle during different seasons.

Leaning Trees

In this article, you discovered several reasons that trees lean and what you can do to keep your property, home, and loved ones safe.

Knowing what causes trees to lean will help you take swift and appropriate action to save or remove your tree.

Failing to quickly identify and properly address the potential cause of your leaning tree may result in catastrophic damages to your property or injury to a person.

Sources:
extension.tennessee.edu/publications/Documents/sp573.pdf
extension.umd.edu/resource/how-do-you-decide-when-remove-tree
extension.psu.edu/what-to-do-about-leaning-trees
bio.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Introductory_and_General_Biology/General_Biology_1e_(OpenStax)/6%3A_Plant_Structure_and_Function/30%3A_Plant_Form_and_Physiology/30.6%3A_Plant_Sensory_Systems_and_Responses

This article was first published on: https://www.72tree.com/why-do-trees-suddenly-lean/

It’s that time of year, again… time to mulch around trees. Oftentimes, you see landscaping companies dumping foot-tall mounds of mulch around trees– well that’s not good, because it suffocates the tree(s). Ideally, a 2”-to-3” layer of mulch works best. It should extend far enough to reach out to a tree’s “drip line,” which is defined as the area where the outermost circumference of a tree canopy drips water from and onto the ground.

The Advantages of Mulching in the Spring

Why add mulch each Spring? Mulch not only gives your landscaping a more “finished” look, but it also helps prevent weeds at the base of the tree, while helping maintain consistent soil temperatures and retaining moisture there. Meanwhile, mulch also acts as a good buffer between the base of a tree and things like weed wackers and mowers.

If you have old mulch from last year or years prior, it tends to get matted, which can prevent air and water from getting to the tree’s root system as needed. Therefore, take a rake and break it up/spread it out.

Getting the Mulch

For those of you who want to buy “new” mulch this year, shredded bark or wood is the most common landscape mulch. While it’s cheap and easy to apply, it doesn’t add as many nutrients to the soil as other mulch materials do. Did you know it’s fine to include grass clippings in your mulch? Grass adds nutrients! Ideally, use sun-dried clippings as mulch, avoiding grass that has been treated with chemicals and/or pest controls. Besides grass clippings, other nutrient-rich, organic mulch options include leaves that have been aged at least nine months, as well as straw, compost, pine needles and even cardboard/newspapers. Should you want to go the inorganic mulch route, some of those materials include plastic, polyester garden fabrics, stone, and carpet remnants.

Finally, what are the best two times each year to mulch? First, you want to mulch in the spring after the ground has thawed. Then, later on during the year, apply another two inches of mulch in the fall, after the ground has frozen. Mulch helps insulate and protect trees (and plants) year-round.

If you need help with the trees on your property, contact Big Foot Tree Service today.

The post Keep These Things in Mind When Mulching Around Your Trees appeared first on Big Foot Tree Service.

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

Need help figuring out if your tree is dying and what to do about it? Recognizing the signs of a dying tree will help you get professional help to save or remove it before it falls, causing catastrophic damage or harm.

toddsmariettatreeservices.com gathered the following information and signs of a troubled or dying tree and what you can do to help or remove it.

What Causes a Tree to Die

While trees may appear impervious to severe weather and their surroundings, there are several factors that can cause a tree’s decline and death. These factors include death from the following:

• Its environment
• Drought
• Harmful insects and diseases
• A catastrophic event or impact
• A lightning strike
• Severe weather events (causing blowdown, windthrow, or windsnap)
• Age-related collapse (starvation)
• Timber harvesting

Note: Sudden tree death can occur from Armillaria root rot, fatal fungal diseases, or drought.

Signs of a Dying Tree

Property owners often see a concerning tree and wonder is my tree dying? Some fail to follow through when they disregard the warning signs. You can prevent catastrophic damages by learning the signs of a dying tree and how to respond to them. These are the most obvious warning signs that a tree is dying:

1. Leaning Tree – Leaning trees may signal damaged or dying roots, structural imbalance, or failure of soil structure. When a tree is leaning more than 15 degrees, this is typically a result of wind (storm) or root damage and is unlikely to recover.

Recommendation: Hire a professional tree service to evaluate the tree’s condition. Leaning trees can sometimes be preserved by cabling or bracing them. However, most leaning trees must be removed.

2. Root Damage – Construction, digging, trenching, and landscaping projects often disrupt or compact the soil around a tree, causing distress or root death. Severe damage can also occur from lawnmowers or weed eaters if you get too close to the trunk or roots.

Recommendation: Consider the following preventive measures:

• Protect the soil (and roots) within the tree’s drip line by applying a 2 to 3-inch layer of organic mulch.
• Prevent foot, vehicle, and equipment traffic beneath the tree.
• Keep digging and trenching activities from disturbing or severing roots.
• Never allow equipment or material storage under a tree.

Note: If roots have been damaged or severed, have the tree inspected to determine restorative measures or removal.

3. Bark is peeling or falling off – Diseases like hypoxylon canker and boring insects can cause sufficient damage in a tree’s cambium layer to cause its bark to fall off. These pests are opportunistic, typically attacking already distressed trees.

Recommendation: Have a professional tree service inspect the tree to determine what is happening to the tree, how to prevent nearby trees from being infected, and if the tree should be removed.

4. Mushrooms Growing on Trunk or Roots – When mushrooms grow from a tree trunk or roots there is typically extensive decay occurring in its heartwood. Mushrooms are the fruiting structure of most fungi and should be addressed soon as they are seen around a tree trunk or roots.

Recommendation: When caught early, you can save the tree by pruning infected limbs. You can also apply fungicides if the disease hasn’t spread. However, prevention is the best solution. Proper watering, sunlight, mulching, fertilizing, and fungicide applications can help prevent fungal infections.

Note: When mushrooms appear on a tree, it is often too late to save the tree. Seek immediate professional help.

5. Brittle and Fallen Branches – Frequently seeing sticks or twigs on the ground and brittle or weak tree branches may be a sign of diseased or dead branches, which could signal the majority of the tree is already dead. This symptom may be caused by drought stress, over-fertilization, pest infestations, or disease.

Recommendation: Have your tree evaluated ASAP. With professional help, you might save your tree.

6. Oddly-Shaped or Chlorotic Foliage – Oddly-shaped or discolored tree leaves typically represents a soil or root problem. It may signal severe root rot or be an insect infestation.

Recommendation: Ensure your soil isn’t mismatched with your tree (nutrients, pH, etc.) by testing the soil (contact an arborist or local university extension). If it’s not a soil issue, consult a tree professional for a proper evaluation and diagnosis.

Learning to Identify Dying Trees

In this article, you discovered how to recognize the signs of a dying tree, when to remove it, and what actions to take to save it or prevent further decline.

Knowing how to identify a dying tree will help you take prompt action to either save or remove it.

Failure to recognize when a tree is troubled or dying will leave your property and well-being at risk if the tree starts shedding limbs, collapses, or falls.

Sources:
extension.uga.edu/publications/detail.html?number=C1100
extension.tennessee.edu/publications/Documents/SP686.pdf
tfsweb.tamu.edu/EffectsOfDroughtOnTrees
extension.missouri.edu/publications/g5200

For the original version of this article visit: https://www.toddsmariettatreeservices.com/how-to-tell-if-a-tree-is-dying/

Need help identifying a potential tree disease? Recognizing when your tree is diseased will help you take prompt action to prune, treat, or call in an arborist or professional to halt the disease’s progression.

72tree.com gathered the following information to help you identify tree diseases and how to effectively treat your tree to prevent further decline or death.

What Does a Diseased Tree Look Like?

Diseased trees can physically manifest their ailments in multiple ways. Some common indicators of a diseased tree include:

• Low hanging dead or dying branches (lacking bark and have no leaves)
• Dropping dying or dead branches
• Weak, V-shaped branch unions, where two branches have grown together
• An excessively thick or dense canopy that could easily break
• Excessive wilting
• Leaf problems (spots, holes, odd colored, or deformed leaves)
• Fuzzy or moldy patches
• Water sprouts (water shoots) grow on the trunk or roots

Note: An alarming sign of advanced tree disease is when a tree starts to lean. This is an urgent problem requiring immediate professional attention.

Common Tree Diseases

The following tree diseases and their host species may require a professional assessment to determine an effective treatment plan. For an arborist in Alpharetta, we can help, or find a local arborist by visiting treesaregood.org/findanarborist. A third option is to collect samples of the tree and have them analyzed at your local university extension.

Consider the following 10 tree diseases:

1. Dutch Elm Disease (DED) (Ophiostoma ulmi) – A fungal disease that infects elm trees, causes rapid decline and death and is spread by bark beetles.

Treatment: When caught early, DED infections can be pruned out, and the tree can be protected by fungicides. Several DED-resistant elm varieties are available.

2. Oak Wilt (Ceratocystis fagacearum) – A fungal disease that affects oak trees and is spread through root grafts and sap-feeding, boring beetles.

Treatment: Trees infected with or have died from oak wilt should be completely removed, properly treated, and destroyed to prevent spore mat development. These treatments may include debarking, chipping or splitting, drying, and burning the wood.

3. Apple Scab (Venturia inaequalis) – A fungal disease that affects apple trees and causes leaf spotting and premature leaf drop.

Treatment: Scab control for edible apple and crabapple trees includes captan, lime-sulfur, and powdered or wettable sulfur applications.

4. Pine Wilt Disease (Bursaphelenchus xylophilus) – A bacterial disease that affects pine trees and is spread by pinewood nematodes and pine sawyer beetles.

Treatment: Once infected with pinewood nematodes, pesticides are no longer effective. Once a tree is infected, there is no cure for pine wilt, and dead trees left in the landscape become sources of nematodes and pine sawyer beetles. Diseased trees should be destroyed by burning, chipping, or burying.

5. Chestnut Blight (Cryphonectria parasitica) – A fungal disease affecting chestnut trees, causing cankers on the trunk and branches.

Treatment: Chestnut trees with blight cankers can be treated and often cured with mud packs applied to each canker.

6. Black Knot (Dibotryon morbosum) – A fungal disease that affects cherry and plum trees, causing black, warty growths on the branches.

Treatment: Black knot can be controlled by removing all knots and swellings by pruning 3 to 4 inches below the knot during the dormant season. Where infections occur on larger branches, excise infected tissue down to healthy wood.

7. Cedar Apple Rust (Gymnosporangium juniperi-virginianae) – A fungal disease affecting apple trees but is spread by cedar trees.

Treatment: Fungicides with Myclobutanil are most effective in preventing rust. Spray trees when buds first emerge until spring weather becomes consistently warm and dry.

Tip: Fungicides are only effective when applied before leaf spots or fruit infections appear.

8. Fire Blight (Erwinia amylovora) – A bacterial disease affecting apple and pear trees, causing wilting and blackening of the branches. There is no cure for fire blight, only control.

Treatment: Once an infected tree is removed, the fire blight bacteria are also removed. You can safely plant another apple or pear tree in its place (choose a fire blight-resistant variety).

9. Verticillium Wilt (Verticillium dahliae and Verticillium albo-atrum) – A fungal disease that affects a wide range of trees and causes foliage chlorosis and wilting. There is no effective treatment for verticillium wilt.

Treatment: Prune out affected branches and dispose of them immediately. Do not use infected wood for chips for landscape mulch.

Tip: Sanitize all pruning equipment before moving to another tree to prevent the spreading of the disease.

10. Sudden Oak Death (SOD) (Phytophthora ramorum) – A fungal disease affecting oak trees, causing leaf spots, cankers, and rapid death.

Treatment: Reliant Systemic Fungicide is a phosphonate compound injected into the tree or mixed with a surfactant and sprayed on the trunk for absorption through its bark.

Note: This treatment is not a cure but can help protect trees from infection and effectively suppress disease progression in early infection stages.

Tree Diseases

In this article, you discovered information to help you identify and treat several tree diseases before they cause your tree’s rapid decline or death.

Knowing how to identify when your tree is diseased will help you spring into action with effective treatments or get professional help.

Your inability to detect or identify when your tree is diseased can lead to rapid decline, death, and catastrophic personal or structural damage when it collapses or falls on your property.

Sources:
extension.umn.edu/plant-diseases/dutch-elm-disease
dec.ny.gov/docs/lands_forests_pdf/oakwiltusda.pdf
portal.ct.gov/CAES/Fact-Sheets/Plant-Pathology/Protecting-Chestnut-Trees-from-Blight
extension.umaine.edu/ipm/ipddl/publications/5091e/
fs.usda.gov/wildflowers/plant-of-the-week/gymnosporangium_juniperi-virginianae.shtml
ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7414.html
invasivespeciesinfo.gov/terrestrial/pathogens-and-diseases/sudden-oak-death

Image credit: mndaily.com
Image credit: web.extension.illinois.edu
Image credit: hortnews.extension.iastate.edu

This article was first published on: https://www.72tree.com/10-alpharetta-tree-diseases-identification-treatment/

If you live in the MidSouth, you’ve likely experienced some pretty extreme weather over the years. Though our area isn’t known for epic snowfall, over the last couple of years we have had some serious ice storms that may or may not have impacted the trees and environment on your property. Just because you don’t experience any damage during an ice storm doesn’t mean there aren’t longer-term impacts to look out for afterward!

At Red’s Tree Service, we can help you manage the health of your trees long-term, including after an ice storm. Here are a few of the impacts that heavy ice can have on your trees, and what you can do to help maintain them from further damage. 

Take Care of Damage After Storms

If you have trees that lost limbs during an ice storm, it will be important to have that damage evaluated and cared for afterward. It can be dangerous for a tree to lose significant limbs from high, low, or even the crown of the tree. Limb loss can sometimes result in dieback where parts of the tree may die and become more dangerous in future storms later on. 

Sometimes trees will begin growing and produce new limbs at the site where old ones fell. This can be dangerous during future storms as well as these new limbs might be weaker and unable to sustain heavy ice. If there are limbs that have cracked or partially fallen, all it may take is a large gust of wind to have them fall unexpectedly causing damage to whatever it falls on. It will be necessary for a professional to evaluate these impacts on your trees and ensure that they are safe going into another winter. 

Note that trees that have been properly pruned and maintained before the weather gets bad will have a better chance of weathering the storm safely. That’s why it’s important to get regular care and maintenance for your trees throughout the year. But regardless of how well it is cared for, some trees may just have a greater risk of storm damage, or there might just be a fluke!  You never know what will happen, so just be prepared to take great care of your trees in the aftermath. 

Questions From Homeowners

Here are a few of the top questions that we get from homeowners who are trying to take the best care of their trees and their homes and personal safety after experiencing severe ice in their area. 

Can The Tree Be Saved?

Whether or not your trees have sustained too much damage to be saved will often be a matter of evaluation by a professional. There will be many factors to consider, like the age, kind of damage, and placement of the tree, as well as what kind it is. You will need someone like the folks at Red’s Tree Service to take a look and help you decide the next steps. 

If we deem that some limbs or the whole tree will need to be removed for the safety of people and property, our team of experts can come and take care of that efficiently for you. If you have any questions or concerns about a tree’s safety, it really is better to deal with it now rather than wait for another ice storm next winter that could cause catastrophic damage. 

Can You Trim or Repair the Tree Yourself?

While it’s always up to you whether you want to manage the care of your property, we do have some recommended guidelines. Ultimately, if you cannot easily reach the branches with a well-sustained ladder, it’s probably best to leave it to a professional. We don’t want you to suffer any collateral damage from trying to climb up too high without the proper safety equipment or expertise, and your safety is not worth compromising.

Here are a few other factors that you should consider before taking on a tree repair job yourself:

-If a tree has high-hanging limbs that are damaged, don’t attempt to take care of those yourself. Not only will you have to climb higher than you are equipped to, but you also can’t guarantee that the limb won’t harm you or others once it does fall, or at the very least damage property. At Red’s, we have trained professionals and equipment who can make sure that those high branches are tended to safely. 

-Be sure to avoid working on trees or limbs that are near utility or electric lines. This poses a serious threat when not dealt with by professionals.

-When in doubt, err on the side of caution. Trees are huge, heavy, mighty forces that can be unpredictable and dangerous. Make the best decisions you can while knowing that your life is not worth the risk!

Call A Team You Can Trust

If you are needing to evaluate the health of your trees after the winter weather has passed, give Red’s Tree Service a call. We are ready to help our customers in the MidSouth understand what is going on with their trees, and safely care for them. Let us take the pressure off, knowing that your trees will be safer and healthier, and prepare you for more seasonal changes to come! Call us today to set up an evaluation or quote!

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

Jump to: 5 Tree Care Tips for Spring, Importance of Fertilizing Portland Trees in Spring, Contact Spring Tree Services

Spring has bounded into the Portland area! As blossoms emerge, it’s time for homeowners and businesses, to conduct the following basic spring tree care tasks for the long-term health of your trees. By tackling these five essential tree care tasks for spring in March and early April, you can ensure that your trees stay healthy and productive all year long.

5 Tree Care Tips for Spring

1. Clean Up Around the Base of the Tree

Spring cleaning begins at the base of the tree. Remove twigs, leaves, and other detritus that may have accumulated beneath and around trees. Warmer weather signals the time to remove any protective plastic or coverings you may have had in place during the cold winter months. It’s a good idea to rake up any debris that collected underneath or around the tree, like old leaves or fallen fruit because this helps to protect the tree from any diseases or fungi that might be lingering.

2. Inspect Trees for Damage & Disease

Look for obvious signs of tree disease, including broken branches, holes, molds, and fungi. Also, notice which branches do not put out blossoms or leaves—these are likely dead and ready to be pruned away, ideally by a professional Portland tree pruning service, such as the nearby Urban Forest Professionals. Winter desiccation, also known as “winter burn,” can occur when plants dry out in cold winter conditions. Winter sunscald is another challenge; it manifests as vertical cracks in tree bark. Discoloration is another clue that something may be amiss. For instance, some plants will yellow if they receive too much water.

If you have questions about damage or are in need of some Portland tree care advice, call an experienced arborist near you for sound information. Our Portland ISA-certified arborists can recommend when to remove branches, or when to add supportive cables, and if spring tree removal is best, rather than risk it crashing down in the next storm.

3. Plant New Trees

Trees bring dozens of benefits to your home or business! They reduce noise levels, stabilize soil, and give wildlife a place to perch. Trees also increase property values while decreasing energy costs. Spring is a good time to add trees to your property, as their roots will have enough time to dig in before scorching summer temperatures hit. Of course, every tree species has its own preferences, so feel free to contact us with questions about the best time to plant a new tree. If you’re interested in learning more about what trees to plant in Portland that attract bees, birds, and butterflies, read this article. 

4. Mulch and Water Trees

Next, apply some mulch. Mulching trees helps to suppress weeds and retain moisture. It’s most important when you’re dealing with young trees (less than 10 years old), but older trees can benefit as well. The layer of mulch should be two to three inches thick and a couple of feet wide. Don’t let it touch the trunk directly, though, because this gives diseases an easy point of access. Leave an inch or two clear.

Avoid watering the tree until the soil thaws, or else you’ll just create runoff. Avoid letting the tree dry out even when the weather is cool, though. You might have to water a few times a day. Deeply water any trees near areas where deicing materials were used. Watering it well helps to wash away the salt and minerals. Finally, adjust your sprinklers so they don’t create puddles or spray the leaves—wet foliage encourages disease.

5. Fertilize Trees

Fertilization can also be done in the spring months. Fertilizer is a good idea whenever soil lacks the macronutrients and micronutrients that trees need to thrive. To figure out if an established tree needs fertilization, observe its shoot growth, i.e., the growth that happens in a single year. In general, shoot growth of less than 2 inches indicates a fertilizer may be required. Of course, certified arborists take many other factors into account when prescribing the best fertilization approach.

Beyond soil testing, foliage color and the history of the yard should also be considered. As far as timing goes, it’s ideal to provide slow-release fertilizer prior to the tree’s springtime growth spurt. While fertilization timing varies by location, soil conditions, and by species, a good rule of thumb is to apply fertilizer as soon as the ground is workable in the spring.

Importance of Fertilizing Portland Trees in Spring

Spring tree fertilization is common as most trees have their greatest need for nutrients in the spring. In Portland, spring application usually happens in March or April as, rainy, cold weather wanes and sunny weather begins to show its face. Trees in the city need fertilization because many of the natural processes that take place to add nutrients to the soil are disrupted. Leaves and other debris are cleaned up before they can be re-incorporated into the soil. Soil is often compacted so many nutrients are washed away as urban runoff. Also, the presence of pollutants can strip nutrients from the soil or disrupt their absorption.

If your tree is having health issues, fertilization is likely an important part of getting that tree back into tip-top shape, but you need to be sure that the problem that caused the tree to be unhealthy has been resolved. A Certified Arborist can help you identify and diagnose health issues. Trees are similar to humans in that when we are sick good nutrition can go a long way to getting us back on our feet, but in some cases, additional medicine or other interventions are required to achieve and maintain our health.

We Use Two Basic Types of Fertilizers for Trees

1. Chemical: This is your basic man-made chemical fertilizer. There are several reputable brands that have developed formulations made specifically for either Deciduous or Evergreen trees, and for application in either the spring or the fall. Two of the most popular brands are Jobes and Phc for trees. Jobes is a good quality one that has an organic option and is available at most Home Depot stores. Phc is a little harder to find but has excellent proven results and is what many professional arborists use.
2. Natural Mix: For us, this is a compost tea mixed with Mycorrhizal Fungi. This fertilizer combination is a more organic option that mimics nature. The Mycorrhizal Fungi help with the absorption of nutrients and, we have seen great results with their use of urban trees. This application is somewhat custom and cannot be bought off of the shelf.

Fertilization options for trees also come in several application options. Fertilizer in most cases can’t be just spread on the ground surrounding the tree. It needs to be inserted under the soil 6”-12” down into the root zone of the tree. Those application options are:

1. 1. Tree Spikes: These are the most common option for a DIY fertilizer application. Tree spikes are soil-form fertilizers that are formed in a spike shape that can be driven into the ground by hand (or at least in theory they can).
   2. Deep Root Fertilization: This is a liquid fertilizer pumped into the soil using a long wand attached to a commercial pump. This method is favored by professional arborists.
   3. Injections: Fertilizer applications can be injected directly into the tree, but this is usually only done in extreme cases or when the tree is also receiving another type of injection.

Spring Tree Services in Portland, Oregon

Ready to give your trees the best possible care this spring? Contact us today to schedule a tree care appointment and take advantage of our expert services. With our help, you can ensure that your trees stay healthy and beautiful all season long. Don’t wait – give your trees the care they deserve today! From spring tree removal to pruning to fertilization, you can count on Urban Forest Pro for their spring tree services in Portland. Our customers love how we go the extra mile when providing tree service. Portlanders are so pleased with our work that they’ve given us four back-to-back Angie’s List Super Service Awards, putting us in the top 5% of our field. Call us today to arrange a springtime tree assessment for your home.

See What Our Clients Say

“Urban Forest Pro is my number one choice for tree services in Portland! I just had them complete their 2nd job on my property, and I must say I am absolutely blown away with the quality of work and the professionalism of the team. Everyone was communicative and knew exactly what I was looking to have done with my Maple tree in my backyard. They quoted me a great price and completed their work in a timely manner. If I ever need additional tree work at my house, I will come here again. 10/10 would recommend the team to anyone needing work done by certified arborists. Thank you again for everything!”

Kollin W.
Rating 5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
See our 4.8 rating and read more of our 197 reviews on Google!

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

Not everyone enjoys doing yard work, but after a long winter, it is nice to walk around the yard and see how things are doing– taking a detailed look at things you haven’t looked at in months.

When it comes to your trees on your property, it’s important to maintain the health and the look of them throughout the warmer months. Getting a head of the game in the spring is crucial.

The Benefits of Having Your Trees Professionally Trimmed

Take, for example, the trees in your yard. When’s the last time you had any of them professionally trimmed? All too often, people wait ‘til “the last minute” to call in a professional trimming company like Big Foot Tree Service. You know how it goes: a tree looks like it’s dangerously going to fall on a house, vehicle or person in the yard, so it must be trimmed immediately, right?

That said, springtime is an ideal time to get trees trimmed whether they’re “on the brink of falling over” or “just a little overgrown by now.”

Trees go dormant in the winter. They basically take a rest– much like most people! Spring, though, is the time to grow again, so it’s like Mother Nature turns them back on, and suddenly they’re sprouting leaves and looking alive again. Right before all this takes place, it’s a good idea to have a trimmer come and “prune” away the dead branches, as well as get rid of diseased or pest-ridden parts of the tree(s).

Safe Trees on Your Property

For most, it’s a safety issue. A good trimming will help clear paths so people aren’t hitting their heads (or eyes). Trimmed up trees make it easier to get in and out of driveways. Plus, before more storms hit New Jersey, a good trimming can help prevent “the big one” from falling down at the time you least want it to– mid-storm!

Have Big Foot Tree Service trim your yard trees this spring. This will help support new growth and make your tree or trees look better for all to see and enjoy. Trimming also helps shape the growth of the tree so that it looks pleasing to the eye. Canopies can also be thinned out, as needed.

Need some trees trimmed? Call 973-885-8000 today or visit us online for more information!

The post Have Your Trees Professionally Trimmed This Spring appeared first on Big Foot Tree Service.

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

Need help selecting the best tree for your Hardiness zone 7b yard? Understanding different tree species’ characteristics and growing habits will help you plant a tree that fits perfectly in your yard.

toddsmariettatreeservices.com gathered the following tree species and growing information for zone 7b landscape trees.

What is a Landscaping Tree?

Landscaping trees are planted to create diversity and serve one of many purposes on your property. These trees come in all shapes and sizes and can be among the most significant assets to your yard by providing shade, privacy screens, wind protection, wildlife refuge, visual interest (curb appeal), and other uses.

What are the Benefits of Landscape Trees?

Landscape trees reduce air pollution and noise pollution. They also filter water and absorb rainfall, lessening the impact of flood and stormwater and preventing soil erosion. Trees also attract a variety of birds and natural wildlife, providing food and shelter.

Note: A large, healthy tree can absorb approximately 40,000 gallons of groundwater annually, returning it to the atmosphere through evapotranspiration.

What are the Best Trees for Your Front Yard?

Flowers add pops of color, and mulch creates a clean, well-manicured look. With trees, you can balance height and width in your landscape. Trees are among the best ways to draw the eye, add height, and create a relaxing balance. Curb appeal helps sell a home (trees significantly contribute to curb appeal), and here are a few of the best front yard trees:

• Crepe Myrtle (Lagerstroemia) reaches 15 feet
• Blue Spruce (Picea pungens) reaches 75 feet
• Cherry (Prunus avium) reaches 25 to 30 feet
• River Birch (Betula nigra) reaches 60 to 70 feet
• Magnolia (Magnolia) reaches 70 to 80 feet

Tip: Avoid catastrophic structural damages by planting your trees at a safe distance from structures on your landscape.

What are the Most Low-Maintenance Landscape Trees?

Once you have determined your tree’s purpose in your landscape (flowers, evergreen shade, privacy, etc.), you should consider the tree’s maintenance. Some landscape plants drop fruit and nuts, while others grow with invasive or surface roots, disturbing your yard, driveway, and foundation. Consider the following low-maintenance landscape trees:

• Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum) reaches 25 to 35 feet with delicate branches and vibrant foliage
• Jacaranda (Jacaranda) reaches 25 to 40 feet with striking blue and lavender flowers
• Redbud (Cercis) reaches 10 to 20 feet with deep red, bright yellow, or two-colored foliage
• Frangipani (Plumeria) reaches 20 to 25 feet with non-invasive roots and an abundance of beautiful flowers
• Cherry Plum (Prunus cerasifera) reaches 25 feet with deep purple foliage and pink/white flowers

Tip: All tree species require seasonal pruning and thorough inspection after severe weather.

What are the Best Trees to Plant Near a House?

Smaller trees with shallow or non-invasive roots pose little or no risk to your home. Consider the following low-risk tree species:

• Weeping Willow (Salix babylonica) reaches 30 to 40 feet
• Paper Birch (Betula papyrifera) reaches 50 to 70 feet
• Silver Maple (Acer saccharinum) reaches 50 to 80 feet
• Sweetgum (Liquidambar) reaches 60 to 75 feet
• Crabapple (Malus) reaches 15 to 20 feet

Tip: Towering tree species like southern pines and eucalyptus should be given extra space and not planted within 40 to 50 feet of landscape structures.

Why do Landscape Designers Prefer Male Trees?

Trees with male reproductive organs are preferred in landscapes because they don’t drop messy seed pods or fruit. However, they do produce and release pollen.

Note: When female trees, which capture pollen, are absent from significant landscape areas, the entire area can be blanketed by mass amounts of pollen.

What is the Best Pine Tree to Plant in Zone 7b?


Pine trees are often used in landscapes as privacy screens and specimen trees because they are fast-growing, shapely, and evergreen. Consider the following pine tree species for your landscape needs:

• Loblolly Pine (Pinus taeda) reaches 60 to 90 feet
• Austrian or Black Pine (Pinus nigra) reaches 50 to 60 feet and requires ample space to flourish
• Lodgepole Pine (Pinus contorta) reaches 70 to 80 feet
• Red Pine (Pinus resinosa) reaches 50 to 80 feet
• Eastern White Pine (Pinus strobus) reaches 50 to 80 feet

Tip: Avoid planting pines near driveways and carports (overhanging branches can leave your vehicle or structure riddled with sap droppings). Pine trees produce and drip sap. The sap flow is heaviest in spring and early summer. During winter, sap slows down and picks up again as spring approaches.


Marietta Georgia Zone 7b Landscape Trees

In this article, you discovered species information and growing characteristics for several popular zone 7b landscape trees.

Knowing which trees to plant around your home and landscape will help you create a beautiful yard with purpose and elevated curb appeal.

Planting the wrong tree species in the wrong location can result in catastrophic root damage to your landscape, driveway, pathway, foundation, and home if it falls on your roof.

Sources:
usgs.gov/special-topics/water-science-school/science/evapotranspiration-and-water-cycle#overview
extension.tennessee.edu/publications/Documents/SP517.pdf
extension.uga.edu/publications/detail.html?number=b625#title11
uaex.uada.edu/publications/pdf/FSA-6126.pdf

For the original version of this article visit: https://www.toddsmariettatreeservices.com/choosing-a-7b-landscape-tree-for-your-marietta-yard/

Need help figuring out how to identify and stop root rot from killing your trees, shrubs, or plants? Your ability to quickly identify Armillaria root rot will help you take swift action to eradicate it from your landscape.

72tree.com gathered the following information about the causes, identification, treatment, and prevention of Armillaria root rot.

What is Armillaria Root Rot

Armillaria root rot is a severe tree and woody plant disease. Armillaria can also affect palms, succulents, ferns, and other herbaceous plants. This disease is caused by multiple fungi in the genus Armillaria, also known as shoestring root rot, oak root fungus, honey agaric, or honey fungus.

Note: Armillaria mycelia may live hundreds of years or die within months. Armillaria’s lifespan depends on an available food supply. As long as nourishment is accessible and temperature and moisture are suitable, an Armillaria mycelium network will produce new sporophores (mushrooms) each fruiting season (late summer and fall).

What Causes Armillaria Root Rot?

Armillaria root rot is caused by several species of Armillaria fungus. The disease can occur in many different evergreen and deciduous tree, shrub, and plant species. Armillaria can survive many years in wood debris like old stumps or root systems. New infections typically occur when healthy roots grow close to or graft (inosculate) with diseased roots.

Armillaria Infection Identification

Many known species of Armillaria exist in North America and are not easily distinguishable from one another. The most common and pathogenic species to trees (specifically conifers) are Armillaria mellea and Armillaria ostoyae.


Trees show symptoms and signs of Armillaria infection at different rates. Trees under stress, like during the summer heat or drought, are more likely to become infected and show rapid decline symptoms. Young trees may show symptoms and die within months or days compared to older trees, which may show symptoms for years before dying. Symptoms typically appear as the following:

• Dramatically reduced terminal growth
• Yellowing and browning of foliage
• Whitish resin around a tree’s base
• Creamy-white fans of fungus between bark and wood at the root flare
• Brown or black fungal rhizomes (resembling shoestrings) beneath the bark, on the roots, and in the soil
• Large groups of tan-colored mushrooms (honey mushrooms) near decaying wood in late summer and fall
• Sudden death of young trees (often in groups)

Note: An Armillaria-infected tree’s foliage typically wilts, turns yellow, and browns without falling from the tree.

How Does Armillaria Root Rot Spread?

Some species of Armillaria will produce mushrooms near (or on) infected tree roots or trunks. While new infections can result from airborne spores released by Armillaria mushrooms, the most common way this disease spreads is by underground rhizomorph growth originating from an infected tree, shrub, or plant.

Tip: Infected plants can spread this disease to shrubs and trees with roots in their vicinity (and vice-versa).

Can Armillaria be Treated?

No. Once a host is infected, there is no effective treatment (cure) for Armillaria root rot. The disease can be managed (somewhat) by consistently removing dead trees, shrubs, plants, infected stumps, and entire root systems. Armillaria requires consistent moisture to survive. In large stands or groves, excavation around the root crown can be an effective deterrent but not a cure.

Can a Tree Recover from Root Rot?

Slowing Armillaria root rot in plants, shrubs, and trees is possible by removing affected roots and dead wood if the foliage is in the early stages of root rot or if the decay isn’t widespread. Unfortunately, because digging up larger trees to access decayed or dead roots is virtually impossible, slowing root rot in established trees is very difficult.

There are no chemical controls for honey fungus at present. The only viable option is to dig out the affected plant, shrub, or tree complete with all its roots and burn it.

Which Fungicide is Best for Root Rot Prevention?

Apply any of the most effective fungicides (those with thiophanate-methyl, polyoxin-D, triflumizole, or fludioxonil) preventively to uninfected soil. Once a plant, shrub, or tree is infected with Armillaria root rot, the fungi’s mycelia also contaminate the surrounding soil and are highly resistant to fungicides and other chemical treatments.

Armillaria Root Rot Elimination

The only absolute method to eliminate Armillaria root rot is the complete removal and incineration of infected plants, shrubs, and trees, including their foliage, trunks, stems, and roots.

Eliminating this fungus in contaminated soil requires extended desiccation and exposure to sunlight.

Note: If planting in previously exposed soil, select Armillaria-resistant species. Armillaria-resistant tree species include the following:

• Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba)
• Tulip tree (Liriodendron tulipifera)
• Ash (Fraxinus)
• Cypress (Cupressus)
• Cherry (Prunus avium)
• Crabapple (Malus)
• Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus)
• Holly (Ilex)
• Leyland cypress (Cuprocyparis leylandii)
• Maple (Acer)
• Sweetgum (Liquidambar)

Tip: Hire a certified arborist to help you completely remove infected plants, shrubs, and trees, sterilize contaminated soil, and plant new, resistant species in their place. Find an ISA-certified arborist (or verify one’s credentials) by visiting treesaregood.org/findanarborist.

Armillaria Root Rot

In this article, you discovered crucial information about Armillaria root rot and how to eliminate it from your property.

Knowing how to identify and deal with Armillaria root rot will help you remove and destroy infected specimens and preserve unaffected trees, shrubs, and plants.

Failure to quickly identify and prevent Armillaria root rot from spreading across your property will result in tree, shrub, and plant death, leaving your soil virtually useless.

Sources:
fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5187208.pdf
ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn74171.html
extension.umn.edu/plant-diseases/armillaria-root-rot
extension.psu.edu/armillaria-root-rot
extension.unh.edu/blog/2022/02/inosculation-making-connections-woods

This article was first published on: https://www.72tree.com/armillaria-root-rot-identification-treatment-and-prevention/

If you are a homeowner or property owner, the chances are good that you’ve tried out a few DIY or ‘do it yourself’ projects over the years. It can be fun to try your hand at remodeling, painting, and even landscaping around your home and yard. For the most part, we are thrilled that you are enjoying sprucing up your space! But if you are considering removing large overhanging branches on your own, we advise against it. When it comes to trees and landscaping, DIY is not a good idea. 

At Red’s Tree Service, we recommend that our customers don’t ever attempt landscaping their trees by themselves, which includes things like major branch trims or felling a tree There are a few reasons why we think it’s best to hire a professional crew like ours to handle your landscaping, so continue reading to find out what not to do, and what we recommend instead.

Don’t Mess With Ladders and Heights

One of the skills that professional tree services can offer is equipment to handle heights. Something like a ladder would never be secure enough for you to climb up into a tree and stable enough to let you trim it. No matter how certain you might be that a ladder or other device can hold you up while you trim, we promise, it’s just not worth the risk.

Instead, call a professional tree service like Red’s where our crew will come with trucks and professional equipment that will allow us to reach the tops of trees with no risk to us or yourself. We would rather keep things safe than sorry, no matter what your good intentions might be. 

Don’t Use a Chainsaw

If you’ve ever handled a chainsaw, you know that it takes a bit of practice and skill to be able to use it safely. Many people don’t realize this, thinking they can just purchase a chainsaw and start managing the pruning and landscaping of their tall trees all on their own. 

We can’t emphasize enough how important it is to not attempt to use a chainsaw while on a ladder or while pruning trees. There are so many reasons for this, but if the chainsaw were to malfunction, if a branch were to get caught in the chainsaw, or if a limb were to fall unexpectedly, knocking you down with it, would lead to disaster or major injury. 

Chainsaws are really dangerous pieces of machinery that should only be used by those that can handle them safely and confidently. If you do own a chainsaw, know that it is still a risky piece of machinery, and should only ever be used when standing on firm ground, not with branches or limbs overhead. For the rest of your yard pruning, you should leave it to the experts.

Don’t Take Electrical Risks

One factor that you may not have considered when thinking about pruning your own tree limbs is the risk of electrical accidents. If a large limb accidentally falls onto an electric pole, it can send dangerous currents of electricity back up the limbs and to the person trimming the tree, causing major injuries or death. 

Another thing to consider is if a live electric wire falls to the ground, now making the entire area unsafe for anyone who might encounter it on accident or on purpose. We know this sounds scary, but that’s why we take this safety advice so seriously. Large tree limbs cause accidents like this all the time, and we don’t want anything like that to happen to you or your family. 

Don’t Underestimate Gravitational Pull

Most of us learned about gravity in elementary school, but there’s a big difference between knowing the theory of gravitational pull, and understanding how trees and limbs might fall. Professionals who cut down trees every day are experts at using the proper tools and techniques to ensure that a tree falls or lands in a way that is safe for the surrounding area. That way there is no risk to people, property, or electrical wires as we discussed. 

People who are not experts at managing the gravitational force of heavy limbs and trees often accidentally send trees falling in the wrong places, causing severe accidents or destruction of property. Long story short, it simply isn’t safe for most people to attempt to bring down a tree. 

How To Solve Your Landscaping Problems

After reading all of these negative scenarios, you may be wondering: how can I deal with a tree or branches that are dangerous and threatening my home and well-being? The answer is with Red’s Tree Service!

Our team of skilled professionals has all the tools and training they need to keep you and your home safe while removing potentially dangerous foliage. Even if you aren’t quite sure if a branch or tree needs to be removed, you can request an assessment of your yard so we can determine if your tree is posing a threat, if it needs a trim, or if it needs to be removed. 

Get the Landscaping Service You Need!

No matter what the challenge might be, Red’s Tree Service is here to help you with your trees. Give us a call to assess your property, trim, remove trees, remove stumps, or help nourish your trees with deep root fertilization. We are available to customers across the MidSouth, so give us a call today!

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