Cultivating Good Mowing Habits

Cultivating Good Mowing Habits

Mowing is not a sport, a hobby, or an art, but we do spend a lot of time doing it.  Most Americans like to have a well-kept lawn.  Our lawns are a source of pride for many of us, and we work hard to make sure that the grass is always an acceptable height.  Since we spend so much time mowing, we should at least make sure we are doing it right.  By following these principles for good mowing habits, you can get the most out of your mowing investment.

Keep Equipment in Good Condition

Good mowing starts with having the right equipment.  Regular maintenance will keep your mower running and ready to go when you are.  At the end of each mowing season, any remaining gas should be drained from your mower before you put it away for the winter.  When you get your mower out at the beginning of the season, it is helpful to have it tuned up and looked over by a lawn-mower mechanic.  This will hopefully prevent you from running into problems and having to take your mower in for repair when you need it most.

In particular, it is important to make sure that the blades on your mower are sharp.  Dull blades can be damaging to your lawn.  A dull blade will essentially tear your grass rather than making a clean cut.  An uneven cut will cause grass to be more vulnerable to attacks from disease and pests.  Mower blades should be sharpened at least twice per mowing season, more if your mower gets heavy use.

Choose the Right Time to Mow

Some tasks on your to-do list can be done anytime, while others have less flexibility.  There are no hard and fast rules about when mowing should be done, but there are definitely some guidelines.  First of all, you need to know the ideal height for your grass, which varies depending on grass type.  This helpful article from DIY Network can help you figure out what’s best for your particular variety.  In general, you don’t want to cut more than 1/3 of the height of the grass at each mowing.  Following this recommendation will help the grass to thoroughly recover from the stress of mowing.

Additionally, you will want to make sure that the grass is dry when you mow.  Wet grass can clump and accumulate on your lawn.  As it decays there, these clumps can be a breeding ground for microscopic pests.  They can also prevent your lawn from receiving adequate sunlight in the affected areas.

Prepare Before You Mow

You might be ready to just jump in and start mowing right away, but some preparation is best.  Trimming and edging before you mow will give you the best results.  Doing this prep work will benefit your grass and your mower as well as trees, plants, and other landscape elements in your yard.  And best of all, it also makes actual mowing time quicker and more enjoyable for you.

Resist a Mowing Rut

Finally, mowing can be a repetitive task, and you may be tempted to do it the same each time.  Maybe you feel like you’ve found a pattern that works and you’re going to stick to it.  However, it is better for your lawn if you change things up from mowing to mowing.  Following the same pattern can contribute to the problems of turf wear and soil compaction.  To prevent this, change the direction in which you mow. Go one direction this week and the opposite direction the next.  You can even challenge yourself to mow diagonally across your yard from time to time.  It doesn’t really matter how you do it as long as you don’t always do it the same way.

We are in the middle of mowing season.  Right now, you’ve got plenty of opportunities to hone your mowing skills.  But if excelling at mowing is not your dream, maybe you’d like to delegate your mowing duties to the experts at Ping’s.  We’ve got an experienced crew that is ready and willing to take this never-ending task off your hands.  Visit our Landscape page to learn more or call us at 317-298-8482 to learn more.

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

Best Practices for Tree Care

Trees are so plentiful that sometimes we can take them for granted.  We should not forget the many ways that trees make our lives better.  First of all, they contribute to the complex environment that living organisms rely on by releasing the oxygen that is vital to our existence.   Aesthetically, trees make the world around us beautiful and interesting.  On the practical side, they increase property values and improve energy efficiency by shading and cooling buildings.  Needless to say, trees are valuable to us all and we should all do our part to preserve them.  Here are 6 tree care practices you can implement to help ensure your trees will endure for many years to come.

Inspecting Warns of Problems

One of the easiest things you can do to protect your trees is to simply keep your eyes open.  Look at your trees up close and with an eye that is looking for what might be wrong.  Some (though not all) problems will display visible signs.  Since some problems might escape your notice, it is also a good idea to have a professional inspection.  Ping’s has trained, certified arborists on staff, who are trained to find and address tree problems.

Mulching Regulates Moisture and Temperature

Because they are not mobile, trees are unable to protect themselves against some negative environmental elements.  They must endure high winds, lightning strikes, and extremes in temperature and moisture.  Winds and lightning are unavoidable, but mulching can help regular moisture and temperature for trees.  Mulch keeps the soil around a tree from becoming waterlogged or dry.  Its protective layer also mitigates the effects of extreme cold or extreme heat on the tree.   When mulching, it is important to use proper techniques; see our blog for more information.

Fertilizing Provides Nutrients

Because trees don’t always get adequate nutrients from the soil, fertilizing trees is a good practice.  This is particularly true in suburban neighborhoods whose soil has been stripped of its rich topsoil.  If you are unsure about how to apply fertilizer or if you’d just rather not mess with it, Ping’s can fertilize your trees for you.

Applying Insecticide Protects

Nothing can ruin the health of a tree like an invasion of pests.  They can literally eat the life out of a tree.  Applying insecticides can often solve a pest problem if it is found early enough.  Preventative insecticides are also an option when you suspect that your tree may be a target for certain pests.  A consultation from an arborist can help you determine the best course of action.

Pruning Promotes Growth

It may not seem to make sense, but sometimes to get more tree growth, you need to cut the tree back.  Pruning branches that are weak, unproductive, or just in the way can actually spur a tree to increased growth.  The tree is able to concentrate resources into the remaining branches, making them stronger and healthier.  The Ping’s team has many years of experience in pruning trees.  We can get your trees trimmed up and ready to grow.

Bracing Protects Weak Branches

Finally, in some cases, trees need an extra measure of protection against damage from weather or other assault.  While wind, snow, ice, or other extreme weather could inflict harm to a tree at any time, it becomes more likely when part of a tree is weak.  Weakness can be the result of structural deformity, previous damage, or disease.  When a branch is weak, it is often necessary to either remove it or brace it to keep it from falling and causing damage to life or property.  Ping’s has the expertise needed to provide safe bracing for damaged or weak branches.

Together these 6 activities represent good practices for maintaining healthy trees.  With years of experience, Ping’s knows the best ways to implement these practices.  We can help you keep your trees strong and vigorous for years to come.  Call us at 317-298-8482 to schedule any of these services or for a consultation from an arborist or schedule online at your convenience.

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

Avoiding Lawn Care Scams

Lawn care takes center stage during the warm months of summer in central Indiana.  Everyone is busy at work to keep the lawn looking healthy and green.  From mowing to edging, from fertilizer to pest control, significant effort goes into lawn maintenance.  Often homeowners and commercial property owners reach the conclusion that lawn care is too much for one person to handle.  There are many lawn care companies who are ready to provide lawn care services.  Yet not all of them deliver all that they promise.  These tips can help you avoid being ripped off by lawn care companies.

Ask Questions

As you start to consider hiring a lawn care company, you should be prepared to ask some questions.  You can learn a lot by simply talking with a representative about the company and their offerings.  Find out how long they have been doing lawn care work and how many employees they have.  Ask questions about their process such as how often they provide service.  Inquire whether the company is a member of any professional organizations.  If the representative seems unable to answer questions, you might be skeptical of their ability to deliver reliable service.

Check for License and Insurance

One specific question that you’ll want to ask is whether the company has the proper license and insurance.  Local regulations require lawn care companies to have a license to apply fertilizer and insecticides.  Furthermore, companies need to have insurance to protect you in the case that something goes wrong and your lawn is damaged.

Do Your Research

Beyond asking questions, you should also investigate the company from other sources.  If your neighbors have used the company, talk with them and find out whether they have been happy.  Social media networks give you an opportunity to find out what people beyond your circle of acquaintances think.  You can also check to see if the company is accredited by the Better Business Bureau.  The BBB will also have a list of complaints against companies that have been filed with them.

Get It In Writing

When you are serious about hiring a company to perform lawn care, make sure you have a contract.  The contract should spell out exactly what will be done and how much it will cost.  Additionally, you should not pay for the service until it is actually completed.

The bottom line when it comes to hiring a lawn care company is trust.  Your lawn is a reflection on you so you want to be sure that any company you hire will do a good job.  For years, you’ve been trusting your tree care needs to Ping’s Tree Service.  Now you can trust your lawn care needs to us too!  Ping’s is accredited with the Better Business Bureau.  In addition, we are also certified with the Office of Indiana State Chemist for proper management and application of treatments for tree, plant, and lawn services and currently employ 7 ISA-certified arborists. See our website for a full description of our 6-step lawn care program.  Call us at 317-298-8482 or schedule online today for a free estimate on our lawn care services.

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

The Advantages of an Arborist

It might be tempting to think that caring for trees is a simple task.  Trees grow in nature without human interference or assistance.  So you might assume that the trees growing in your yard don’t need much attention or care.  This assumption is wrong.  While in the wild trees die all the time without much notice, you probably don’t want to lose even a single tree in your yard.  To keep your trees looking healthy and beautiful, they do need care.  An arborist is often the best resource to care for your trees.  They can help in the following ways:

Arborists Recognize Tree Problems

Some problems that a tree may experience are easy to spot.  However, many are not. Because only a fraction of the tree is visible, you may not see that a tree is sick, weak, or even dying.  By the time you do see symptoms, sometimes irreparable damage has been done.  The trained eye of the arborist, on the other hand, can often spot trouble at an early stage.  Arborists must demonstrate a thorough knowledge of tree care in order to become certified.  Additionally, they are required to complete ongoing education to maintain certification so they know about the latest research and techniques.

Arborists Understand What Trees Need

In addition to recognizing sick trees, arborists also know how to attend to healthy trees.  They are knowledgeable about what trees need for proper growth and development.  Administering good care can often avoid common tree problems later.  Arborists can help with all of the following and more:

• Fertilizing
• Treating nutrient deficiencies
• Preventative sprays
• Treatment for diseases and insects
• Trimming and shaping trees
• Cabling and bracing of branches
• Removing trees
• Planting trees

Arborists Exercise Best Practices of Tree Care

Knowing what to do and being able to do it well are two different things.  Arborists don’t just have theoretical knowledge.  They also have an abundance of practical knowledge.  This wealth of wisdom comes from years of experience working with trees.  Certified arborists know the best way to do necessary tree care activities.  Tree care often requires the use of chemical or mechanical interventions, which can cause additional damage if done improperly.  Novices can sometimes do more harm than good. In contrast, most good arborists know what to avoid in order to preserve a tree’s health.

Ping’s Tree Service appreciates the value of highly trained and experienced arborists.  We have several ISA  certified arborists available to consult with you about your trees.  Call us today at 317-298-8482 to schedule a tree inspection or to get help from an arborist about a specific tree concern.

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

People have different tastes in clothes, houses, and cars, but when it comes to lawns, everyone wants the same thing.  They want a green, healthy lawn that looks beautiful and well-maintained.  Since a great-looking lawn does not happen by itself, you will find homeowners working hard in their yards throughout the year.  Unfortunately, there are enemies of a healthy lawn that seem to always be at work to destroy your lawn, including the following.

Worms and Insects

Some of the most devastating enemies of a healthy lawn are worms and insects.  While nature is full of these little critters and many are beneficial for grasses and other plants, some can be damaging and even lethal to grass.  One common pest that can do significant harm to your lawn is the white grub.  If you see birds or small animals feeding in your yard, you probably have a problem with grubs.  Luckily, grubs are fairly easy to treat.  Usually a chemical called Imidacloprid will get rid of grubs and allow your lawn to return to health.

Diseases

Another enemy of a respectable lawn is disease.  There are many fungi and bacteria that can find their way into your lawn and attack the grass growing there.  These disease-causing agents do not affect all grasses alike.  Each type of fungi and bacteria will attack certain types of grass.  They also only do damage under certain conditions.  This is why you may notice grass starting to die at the change of the season.   Changes in the moisture or the temperature of your lawn may cause these diseases to flare up.

Animals and Kids

More noticeable than small insects and microscopic pathogens, animals can also be enemies to your lawn.  Dogs in particular can tear up grass and make it hard for it to grow.  Once grass has been uprooted, it is difficult to promote its growth.  Overseeding may be necessary, but even this measure will be futile if the behavior continues.  Kids can also be hard on your grass, especially if they like to dig in a favorite spot, but they usually grow out of these damaging habits in a few years!

Lack of Sunlight

Plants need sunlight to grow so it is not surprising that grass will suffer when it doesn’t get adequate sunlight.  This often happens under large trees that block the necessary rays.  Grass that does not receive enough sunlight will become thin.  The lawn may even become completely bare under thick trees.  A good pruning of the trees above the bare spots will encourage grass proliferation.  It may also be helpful to apply more grass seed once the offending trees are cut back.

Compacted Soil

In addition to sunlight, plants also need nutrients from the soil.  Compacted soil is an enemy of a healthy lawn because it keeps grass from reaching vital nutrients.  Roots cannot develop normally in compacted soil.  Fortunately, aeration is an easy remedy for compacted soil.  In fact, aerating your lawn annually will help to keep your yard healthy and beautiful.

Misapplication of Fertilizer

Finally, did you know that you can be an enemy of your quest for a good-looking lawn?  Even while you are working diligently to promote healthy growth in your lawn, you might be doing more damage than good.  Fertilizer can be very beneficial to your lawn, but misapplication of fertilizer can be harmful.  Uneven application of fertilizer might leave your lawn looking striped instead of uniform. Overfertilizing will cause your grass to turn yellow or even die.

If you feel like you need a little help making your lawn live up to your dreams, Ping’s has the solution.  We have a lawn care program that will give your grass just what it needs when it needs it.  We can evaluate what enemies are attacking your lawn and how to tackle them.  Whether you need an ongoing lawn plan or a one-time targeted application or service, Ping’s has the expertise to get your lawn looking great.  Call us today at 317-298-8482 to get started!

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

Signs of an Unhealthy Tree

When a tree is dead, it is obvious.  At that point, there is little to do except to remove the tree to avoid damage to any nearby commercial or personal property.  It is much more beneficial to identify a tree that is struggling for one reason or another.  Unfortunately, it is not as easy to spot the signs of an unhealthy tree.  Since the inner workings of a tree are largely unseen, you need to be aware of some telltale signs that something is wrong with your tree.

Excessive Broken Branches

In the winter, and even in the early spring, trees are dormant.  It is difficult to evaluate the health of a tree during this time.  One sign that may be noticeable is an excessive amount of broken branches.  All trees will lose some branches in the winds and ice of winter.  However, trees that are unhealthy or weak for whatever reason will experience an increase in branch loss.

Leaning Trees

Another sign of trouble that is observable during any season is a tree that leans.  Healthy trees have strong trunks that support the weight of branches and foliage.  The dense wood can normally withstand the day-to-day assault of nature.  Trees that have been weakened by disease, pests, or structural abnormalities do not have this strength and may succumb to the constant pull of gravity.

Unusual Leaves

As leaves begin to appear in the spring, there are other signs to notice.  Unsurprisingly, trees that are not healthy may have leaves that do not look healthy.  You may observe leaves that are slow to develop in the spring.  Leaves may also be a smaller size or an unusual color.  In short, if a tree’s leaves look unusual, you may want to have the tree inspected to see if it is healthy.

Absent Leaves, Flowers, or Fruit

Beyond just being slow to appear or abnormal in form, sometimes leaves are completely absent in a portion of the tree.  This is an obvious warning sign, which probably means that part of the tree is dead or dying.  Similarly, a lack of flowers or fruit on a tree that normally bears them can indicate that the tree is not healthy.

Abnormal Fungi Growth

While absence of leaves, flowers, or fruit can indicate a problem, the presence of mushrooms or other fungi can also be a warning sign.  These organisms feed off dead tissue so if you see them on or around your tree, it probably has areas that are dead or dying.  This is a sure sign that you need to take action to save the tree.

Out-of-Place Shoots

A healthy tree looks like a normal tree.  From the roots to the trunk to the branches and leaves, everything is where it should be.  However, there are trees that seem to have branches growing out of the base of the tree.  While these are technically shoots and not branches, they are out of place and they indicate that the tree may have a problem.

Visible Insect Activity

Finally, one sign of an unhealthy tree that is easy to spot is the presence of pests.  Sometimes you might see the insect.  Other times you might just see evidence that they have been there.  Examples of evidence you might see include eggs, chewed up leaves, or sticky residue.  If you think a tree may be infested, it is always a good idea to get an expert opinion.  While some pests are harmless, many can do significant damage.

Paying attention to your trees can help you see the signs that a tree is unhealthy.  If you can catch a problem before it’s too late, it may be the difference between a dead tree and a tree that endures for many years.  If you suspect that you have a tree with a problem, it’s probably time to call our arborists out for a consultation.  We will conduct a thorough inspection and give you our recommendation for the best outcome.  Spring is a great time to have a tree inspection done.  Give us a call at 317-298-8482 or schedule online at your convenience.

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

Helpful Information About USDA Hardiness Zones

When adding plants or trees to your landscape or yard, it is important to evaluate whether a particular plant will do well in the spot you have picked out for it.  Plants are living things that are sensitive to the environment.  Not every plant or tree will thrive in every location.  One element of the environment that can have a significant impact on plants is temperature.  Knowing your hardiness zone can help you assess the compatibility of a tree or plant with your location.

What Are USDA Hardiness Zones?

The USDA has divided the country into 13 hardiness zones.  These zones have been developed to indicate the average lowest temperature for a specific location based on historic temperature data.  Each zone (Zones 1 through 13 from coldest to warmest) represents a 10-degree temperature range of the average minimum temperature.  The zones are further divided into A (colder) and B (warmer) subdivisions.

Indianapolis and the surrounding central Indiana area fall in Zones 5B and 6A. Zone 5B has an average minimum temperature between -15 and -10 degrees Fahrenheit.  Zone 6A has an average minimum temperature between -10 and -5 degrees Fahrenheit.  Visit the USDA website to view a detailed map and find the hardiness zone for your zip code.

Why Do Hardiness Zones Matter?

Is it important to know your hardiness zone?  If you plan to do any landscaping or planting on your property, it definitely is important.  The hardiness zone tells you how cold you can expect temperatures to get on the coldest days of winter.  Temperature is one component of the climate that can have a serious negative effect on plants.  All trees and plants have a range of temperatures which they can tolerate.  A tree or plant that experiences temperatures outside of that range may even die from the exposure.  You should only plant those trees and plants that can tolerate temperatures expected in your hardiness zone.

How Can Hardiness Zones Help You Plant Smarter?

The hardiness zone is very important for trees, shrubs, and perennial flowers.  However, for annual flowers, this doesn’t matter.  They cannot survive the colder temperatures of winter and are meant to bloom beautifully for the summer and then die.  However, if you are planting perennial flowers, shrubs, bushes, or trees, you will want them to live through many years.  This means that they must be able to withstand both the warm, sunny days of summer and the bitterly cold days of winter.

Temperature vary greatly from season to season (or even day to day here in central Indiana).  Planting vegetation in the sunny days of spring, it’s hard to remember that the icy days of winter will come eventually.  As you consider what to plant, make sure you investigate your hardiness zone and whether the tree or plant you are considering will thrive there.

Nature can be harsh without protection from the elements.  People live in houses and wear clothes to keep the wind, heat or cold, and precipitation from harming us.  Even animals can move to shelter from storms or extreme temperature.  In contrast, a tree, shrub, or plant must endure nature’s best and worst without the ability to move or cover itself.  Without the ability to protect themselves, plants are very vulnerable to extreme weather.   Fortunately, the USDA hardiness zones can help you determine whether a plant is suited for your location before you plant it.

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

Ping’s New Indianapolis Lawn Care Services

We understand the nearly universal desire to have a lush, green lawn.  A beautiful lawn gives you a place to enjoy time outdoors and also makes any property more attractive.  Yet often homeowners and commercial property owners find that the work required for that dream lawn can be a bit daunting.  This is where Ping’s can help.  We are now offering Indianapolis lawn care services, both with our pre-set 6-step program or with a customized program that meets your lawn’s individual needs.

Round 1: Stop Crabgrass Before It Even Gets Started

Ping’s starts the 6-step lawn program in the spring.  We apply pre-emergent crabgrass control early enough to block crabgrass growth before it even gets started.  Making a pre-emptive strike at the crabgrass gives us an advantage and a better chance to win the battle.  By minimizing crabgrass growth, the healthy desirable grass has an environment where it can thrive.

Rounds 2 to 5: Feed the Grass, Kill the Weeds

Once the growing season is in full swing, our lawn care strategy changes.  We will make 4 application, one during each the late spring, summer, late summer, and early fall.  These applications have a dual purpose.  With fertilization, we give lawns the nutrients they need to grow strong and healthy throughout the season.  At the same time, we apply broadleaf weed control to minimize the proliferation of weeds.  Together these two components produce a yard that is uniformly green and luxurious.

Round 6: Get Your Yard Ready for Winter

As the growing season winds down and the weather starts to get colder, we will make our final application of the year.  This late-fall application gets your lawn ready for winter.   While through the summer the object of the treatments has been to keep grass looking lovely, now the main purpose shifts to strengthening the roots.  Additionally, this application will get grass ready for the early spring growth that follows the winter dormancy.

What Your Lawn Needs, When It Needs It

Ping’s lawn care program is structured to provide your lawn with what it needs just when it needs it.  Our lawn care experts know the strength of the fertilizer that is best for each season as well as the best time and the best way to apply it.  We will schedule these treatments with you at the right time so you don’t have to worry about it.  In addition to these application, we also offer other lawn services, including:

• Fungicide Treatments
• Grassy Weed Control Treatments
• Grub Worm Treatments
• Insect Control Treatments
• Lawn Core Aeration
• Overseeding with Starter Fertilization
• Slit Seeding with Starter Fertilization

If you are thinking about starting Ping’s lawn care program, now is the time to sign up.  New customers who act now will receive Round 6 for FREE.  Call us at 317-298-8482 or schedule online for a free estimate.

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

Now that you have a beautiful newly planted tree it is time to master the steps of keeping it that way. The bad news is that for the first 2 years this will take some time and attention on your part, but the good news is that after those 2 years of work your tree should be happy and healthy and not require much more them some pruning and fertilization by your arborist every 3-5 years. Below is a description of each of the subjects regarding your new tree requiring your attention.

Water Management

Young trees need adequate water to become established. Although rainfall may be adequate in some areas and in some seasons, additional water may be needed, particularly after planting when root systems are limited. After the initial watering at planting, deciduous trees do not need additional water until the first leaves have reached full size, but then will need water 4-5 times per week and everyday during the plus 90 degree days of summer. We recommend using a water bag or ring (shown in the picture) during the dry seasons for the first 2 years. The water bag will only need to be filled semi weekly or 3 times a week during the hottest part of the summer eliminating the chore of daily watering. After 2 years, most trees can survive with only one or no irrigations, although they would probably do better with monthly applications during the dry season.

Soil Management

It is essential to maintain an area free of turf and weeds around tree trunks, because turf and weeds compete for water and nutrients, and some produce chemicals toxic to other plants. A small turf-free area around a tree also reduces the need for mowers to come close. This clear area must be at least one-foot in radius. Larger areas add little benefit. After four or five years, tree roots are extensive enough that other plants close to their trunks are not a problem, although mower operators should still exercise caution.

A three to four-inch-thick mulch, material placed on the soil surface, controls most weed seedlings. In addition, mulch protects the soil from compaction and erosion, conserves moisture, moderates soil temperatures, provides an all-weather surface for walking, and allows plants to root in the fertile and well-aerated surface soil. The mulch should not be added until 1 month after the tree has been planted so that it does not interfere with the root system obtaining oxygen. Keep mulches at least two inches away from the trunks of trees to minimize disease and rodent damage. A wide range of organic and inorganic materials can be used. If you purchased a watering bag from Urban Forest Pro mulch will be placed for you during the installation of the bag.

Pruning and Training

In years past, severe pruning after planting was thought to be necessary. However, newly planted trees grow quite well if they are pruned lightly or not at all. The key to pruning is to encourage the growth of several large permanent branches, called “scaffold branches,” that will ultimately form the basic structure of the mature tree. If your tree needed pruning directly from the nursery it has already been done by a certified arborist. The young tree will need an initial pruning at 3 years to encourage those structural branches. 2nd to watering your tree this initial pruning is the most important thing you can do for your young tree’s health. Urban Forest Pro provides these prunings at a reduced cost to our planting customers and we will contact you are year 3 to set this up. The pruning also includes a fertilization.

Pest Management

Most trees get off to a good start, but serious problems can be avoided or minimized if the trees are periodically inspected. Inspect trees for the beginnings of insect and disease damage. At the same time, take care of any staking problems, check on tree moisture status, and identify any other problems. The inspection should take only a few minutes per tree, but prompt action on any problems encountered will pay big dividends in healthier, stronger trees.

If your tree was planted by Urban Forest Pro and you think it may have an issue please email pictures to [email protected] or text them to 503-567-1733. We may need a call or an email to let us know you texted the photos as we don’t check that text message line daily.

Looking for large tree planting services near you? Contact our team of ISA-certified arborists who are here to assist you every step of the way.

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

Most of us understand how important it is to eat a healthy diet.  We carefully choose the foods we eat in order to consume a balance of the nutrients we need.  Making healthy food choices is important to us because we know that our bodies need a variety of nutrients to function correctly.  This truth is a reality for all living creatures, including plants.  Just like humans, trees have nutritional requirements which must be met for healthy growth.  Read on to learn more about the nutritional needs of trees.

What Nutrients Do Trees Need?

You are probably familiar with the dietary needs of people, but what do you know about the nutrients trees need?  There are three categories of nutrients used by trees: macro nutrients, secondary nutrients, and micro nutrients.  Macro nutrients are nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.  Trees need a substantial amount of these nutrients.  For this reason, these are the main nutrients contained in fertilizers.  Trees do not need as much of the secondary nutrients, such as calcium, magnesium, and sulfur.  Finally, trees need very little of the micro nutrients, including iron, zinc, copper, manganese, and boron.

How Do Trees Get These Nutrients?

Trees are generally very self-sufficient.  Many trees survive without any help from anyone.  The incredible design of trees allows them to get the nutrients they need from their environment.  They create food for themselves from sunlight through the amazing process of photosynthesis.  Using their expansive root system, trees are also able to draw nutrients out of the soil.  When left undisturbed, nature provides much of what trees need.  Sometimes, however, our human intervention can cause deficiencies for trees.  In suburban neighborhoods, common practices, such as stripping off top soil and removing leaves in the fall, can upset the delicate balance of nature.

What Happens When Trees Are Deficient of Nutrients?

A tree is dependent on the soil in which it is planted for much of its nutrition.  It is hard to know what nutrients are contained in the soil of a particular area.  Thus, it is also difficult to discern whether a tree is getting what it needs.  It is important to look for outward signs that might indicate a deficiency.  Some of these signs include slower growth than expected; wilting, yellow, or discolored leaves; and sparse foliage.  While these symptoms are noticeable, there are other problems that are not so visible.  Trees that do not get the right nutrients will gradually become weaker.  When weakness occurs in a tree, that tree will become more susceptible to disease, pests, and even damage from weather events.

You may be wondering what role the application of fertilizer plays in correcting nutrient deficiencies.  It is true that the appropriate application of fertilizer will replace the nutrients that are missing in the soil.  However, care should be taken to evaluate what trees are actually missing before applying fertilizer.  Trees can also be harmed by an excessive amount of some nutrients too.  If you suspect your trees may be nutrient deficient, it is always a good idea to get the opinion of an experienced arborist.  The arborists at Ping’s are always available to conduct a thorough inspection of your trees.  We can then make recommendations or apply the needed fertilizer.  As experts in the science of tree care, we have the know-how to take care of all your tree needs.  Call us today at 317-298-8482 to set up an appointment or schedule online.

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