TREE & LAWN CARE BLOG
How to Tell If You Have Pine Beetles - & How to Eliminate Them.
It is important to recognize the effects a pine beetle has on a tree before the condition worsens. The worst part is that you might not always be able to tell if there is an infestation. If the infestation is not treated in a timely fashion, the tree will most certainly die. Sometimes the tree can hold its composure through an entire season of an attack with no signs of decline until the following season when it might be too late. There are a few symptoms that may or may not be on the tree including:
The easiest one, the beetles! Any sign of insect activity usually means decay is prominent in the tree trunk for them to feed on. If you notice insects of any kind in Watkinsville, Ga, give our Arborist’s a call for information on how to proceed.
Sawdust - If you notice a reddish sawdust at the base or in the bark of your trees this is most definitely an indicator of a problem! The pine beetles bore their way through the tree leaving behind small amounts of sawdust like material.
Tunneling - Another indicator of pine beetles are the tunnels they leave behind in the bark. Be careful not to remove too much of the bark while checking as this can expose the tree to even more disease and pests.
Woodpeckers: Believe it or not, if you have woodpeckers in your trees in Watkinsville, you most likely have pine beetles. Woodpeckers feed on the larvae of the beetles.
Pitch tubes: Last but certainly not least, pitch tubes are gooey popcorn-looking gunk that ooze out of the tree as a defense mechanism to protect the trees phloem layer.
There are many kinds of pine beetles, and all of them pose a danger to your trees in Watkinsville, Ga. You must act fast! The best way to get rid of pine beetles is with an insecticide our certified Arborists can provide to you. Next, you would want to make sure you set up a plan with your Arborist to proactively treat your trees to protect them from becoming the next victim. However, the treatment for pine beetles works best before the infestation. Call us today for a consultation on your trees from one of our certified Arborists!
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What's The Best Time of Year to Transplant Trees?
Sometimes we plant trees thinking they will be a good fit for a specific area but once the tree has matured a bit we find another location that it would look better in. This happens with clients all the time, usually from spacing issues or landscaper mistakes planting a very large tree too close to a house. Instead of removing the tree altogether, you can perform a transplant! Now transplanting isn’t the easiest of jobs and should definitely be performed by a professional. There are no guarantees that the tree will survive the move , either so it is something a homeowner should be 100% certain they want to do. The biggest part of transplanting is timing! If you try to transplant a tree during the wrong time of the season it can almost guarantee its death. We always recommend transplanting trees during their dormant season, which varies by species. Dormancy is when the trees are not actively growing and have no leaves or flowers, unless of course it is a conifer. Evergreens will not have any new bud growth which is an indicator that the tree is currently dormant. However, you also do not want to transplant the tree in the middle of winter, as you will be risking heavy root damage when there is frost in the soil. In winter, the ground is much harder as well, making it a tough process. Generally the best time to transplant a tree would be in spring, which provides the most ideal soil and weather conditions for the tree. Listed below are some things to keep in mind while doing the transplant:
Get the timing right.
Different species have different requirements for transplanting, for example, your conifer trees such as pine and spruce would prefer to be moved in fall versus spring. If you have questions about transplanting a tree in the Snellville or surrounding areas, be sure to give us a call for a free estimate!
Don’t skip the details.
Just as shrubs and plants, trees have different hardy zones and water, sun requirements that must be met to keep the tree alive! Make sure you do your research on what you are transplanting and what it needs exactly, as the soil and sun exposure might be different in different areas of your lawn. Still have questions? We have more than 3 certified Arborists on staff that can answer all of your tree care needs in Snellville, Ga.
There is no guarantee for survival.
Not all trees react to transplanting the same way and even though mature vs. young trees make no difference in the transplant, they can still be susceptible to death. Make sure to be certain when making a decision on whether or not to move it.
Our best advice is if it doesn’t have to be moved or isn’t causing problems, leave it be and plant another! More trees = more property value!
Call us today to schedule an estimate by one of our certified professionals for a transplant!
What Is Causing The Bumps On My Tree?
Have you been noticing abnormal growths on the trunk and branches of your trees? They could be galls, which are simply abnormal growths that occur on leaves, twigs, or branches. Identifying which type, however could pose a difficulty to someone who is not a certified Arborist as there are over 1500 different gall producers. Not all of these are cause by disease, however most of them are cause by insects and mites. The actual gall itself is produced by the tree in response to the egg-laying of mites and other insects on the tree. As the insects lay these eggs, they begin the process of plant growth hormones that produce abnormal cell growth, hence the galls.
Just as a fungus, galls come in all different shapes, sizes and colors. These large growths can be disturbing to look at, however usually do not pose a threat on the tree. However, there are a few different diseases that are very harmful and could potentially kill the tree, such as black knot galls and Fusiform rust galls.
Types of Unharmful Galls
Leaf Galls - You may have noticed irregular bumps on a leaf and thought they were carrying insect larvae, as it appears. In fact, by the time you have noticed these bumps these insects have moved on. They are just the result of the feeding of insects or mites, spiking this bumpy response from the leaf. As these protrusions aren’t pretty and might look harmful it is best to just let them be. If you notice them year after year this might signal a spraying is needed to keep the insects away.
Oak Galls - There are a number of different types of oak galls including:
Oak Apple Galls
Oak Bullet Galls
Wooly Oak Leaf Gall
Horned Oak Galls
Jumping Oak Galls
All of these are different sizes, shapes and colors and can be caused by different hosts. The good news is none of these will seriously infect your well established trees. If the trees are heavily infected by these galls, the most damage you might notice is some leaf drop or stem deformities.
Types of Harmful Galls
Black Knot Galls - primarily only infect plum and cherry trees but can also affect other fruit trees such as apricots and peaches. Black knot can be managed by a certified Arborist with some heavy pruning and disposal of the fungus it self but does not guarantee its survival.
Fusiform Rust - This specific disease is usually exclusive to Loblolly and slash pine trees but Oak trees are the alternate host. It has spindle shaped lumps and produces orange spores in the spring and is spread by the wind in March & April. Willow, laurel, and water oaks are especially at risk at this time because they are producing new leaves that the wind blown spores are drawn to. This fungus will not kill the tree immediately, in fact, the fungus can continue to grow for many many years beforehand.
Management
If you have noticed any of these symptoms on your trees in Watkinsville, it is best to contact a Certified Arborist for a free assessment and disease diagnostic. These are typically free and could potentially save your beloved tree. At North American Tree Service we typically recommend heavy pruning of the area, if possible followed by a spray regiment to keep the tree healthy. Call us today for a free estimate!
(770) 554-9406
How to Get Rid of Sweetgum Droppings For Good!
In fall, all we want to do is be barefoot in our yards, lay back and enjoy the sunshine and cool weather. However, if you have sweet gum trees in your yard, think again! These beautiful trees come with quite the drawback. Every fall they drop a heavy amount of spiky balls all over your lawn. But wait! That’s not all, they also continue dropping these pesky things over fall and winter up until early spring when the new leaf growth emerges. These spiky nuisances will tear up your lawn mower, resulting in having to pick them up by hand, ouch!
But we can help!
At North American Tree Service, we have certified Arborists and technicians that can bring certain types of growth regulating sprays, one of which is called Ethephon, to the Snellville and surrounding areas to take the burden off of your shoulders! Growth regulating sprays have a few extra benefits listed below:
Non-Damaging to Trees
Stress Protection
Drought Assistance
Disease & Insect Protection
Leaf Enhancement
Growth Reduction
The specific application that we use to apply to sweet gum trees must be applied in a very short window, otherwise will not work. These injections need to be made just before it flowers in spring. This gives our Arborist’s about a week time frame to get the application on to prevent the balls from dropping all year. When choosing a professional tree service, make sure they have ISA Certified Arborist’s on staff to assist you. Tree health care and pesticides must be monitored very closely and performed at the perfect time, as the wrong application or too much of the right one can be deadly to your American Sweet gum. The only downfall to these treatments is that they will need to be done yearly, to prevent the balls from returning. If you need assistance removing a sweet gum to replant something that fits your maintenance requirements a little better, we can help!
Give us a call today for a free estimate on growth regulators, removal, or replanting.
Why it's Important to Hire Licensed & Insured Tree Service
Liability
In the tree care industry it is easy to mistake a reputable company for one that has all of its certifications, and is also licensed and insured. It is important to carefully select the company that will be working on your property because if they are not insured, you could be liable for any damage or injuries that occur on your property. Some homeowners are just looking to save a couple bucks by paying the less reputable companies cash, however they quickly find out it ends up being much more expensive.
Unnecessary Removals
In addition to the risk of being liable for any injuries and damages, the lower scale tree companies will not have as much experience or the resources as the higher level companies. Having a certified Arborist on staff is also a very important thing that homeowners should consider while choosing the right company. If a company’s sales team has no background in tree service or tree care, how would they even be able to properly diagnose your beloved trees? Unfortunately, it there has been many instances that we have arrived to an estimate only to find hundreds of trees that are alive and well marked up with orange paint signaling the removal. Every day companies of all kinds go out to estimates and tell homeowners trees should be removed just to pocket the money. This is simply unjust. Saving the tree is always our priority. Removals only occur based on the homeowners preference or if the tree is completely dead and cannot be healed.
So how can you protect yourself and your home?
VERIFY INSURANCE COVERAGE
An insurance certificate dated for a full year of coverage can be easily obtained with one down payment. Don’t settle for a piece of paper. Call the insurance company directly to verify CURRENT coverage. Liability and especially worker’s compensation insurance in the tree care industry is very expensive. It is also required by law. This is the dividing line between a professional tree service company and a “fly-by-night” operator. An uninsured tree care company often provides the lowest estimate, but at what cost to you as the homeowner?
CALL REFERENCES
Ask for a list of references from local satisfied customers and BE SURE TO CALL.
ASK ABOUT THE COMPANY’S SAFETY POLICIES
Tree trimming and removal involves the use of chainsaws and chippers and is extremely dangerous. Ask about the use of safety equipment (hardhats, chaps, safety glasses, etc.). What are their policies about drugs in the workplace? Ask for and verify professional affiliations the company might have, such as membership in the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) (toll free 1-888-472-8733) or the Better Business Bureau.
LOOK FOR THE FOLLOWING WARNING SIGNS:
Disreputable companies tend to:
Solicit work door-to-door.
Sell jobs without producing a written estimate or work order.
Offer prices good only for immediate service.
Demand payment in advance.
There are many different credentials a company can carry to prove their dedication to providing safe and effective tree care, some of these are listed below:
TCIA Members - TCIA (Tree Care Industry Association) is a respectable accredidation program that requires companies and employees to carry a certain set of standards through tree care to become members. They are dedicated to educating homeowners of the proper care of trees and training employees to incorporate safe business practices. They have been striving to improve the tree care industry since 1983.
ISA Certified Arborist’s - To become an ISA Certified Aborist, you must be extremely knowledgeable in every area of arboriculture. You must also have a minimum of three years work experience in the industry, as well as a degree pertaining to any field of arboriculture. To be ISA Certified, you must take a very long extensive test that requires dedication and months of studying.
At North American Tree Service, we have been licensed and insured with workers compensation since we started back in the 90’s. We have a staff of certified Arborist’s who can properly diagnose and treat your trees the correct way. We have always put the homeowner and our employee’s safety first, as this is a very dangerous line of business. Our employees and customers feel safe knowing that if any injuries happen while on site, everything will be completely covered by us.
Call today for a free estimate!
The Dangers of Sick Trees
If you have trees on your property in Athens, Georgia, eventually they could be subjected To disease or decay for a number of reasons. While sick trees can be a pest, it is very important that you call North American tree service to assist you before the problem becomes bigger. The longer the decay continues, the more dangerous the tree becomes.
Pests
One of the main problems caused by dead and dying trees on your property, is the potential housing for a number of pests and creatures. Termites can actually invade a tree and eventually make its way to your home if it is close enough. This can cause some major damage and can easily be prevented by calling a tree care service in Athens, Georgia. We have a staff of certified Arborist that service Athens and surrounding areas Providing free estimates for you and your property.
Damage
One of the most unsettling issues with dead or dying trees is when they have an actual target underneath them. They target consist of cars, houses, Burns, shades, a dead or dying tree on your property will not show any mercy to any of your belongings underneath. Also, storm damage tree removal is much more costly and dangerous than removing the decayed tree in the first place . North American tree service also helps our customers in Athens Georgia by providing fertilization to the trees that are or could be diseased or damaged. This provides an opportunity for the tree to actually repair itself before completely removing the tree. Another problem is if the tree is leaning towards a neighbors house. Any tree on your property in Athens, Georgia is your responsibility to maintain. If your tree is leaning towards your neighbors house, and decides to fall and hit anything in their yard, you will be 100% liable for the damages caused by that dead or dying tree.
Soggy Soil
In Georgia or weather is very much unpredictable. This season we have gotten an absurd amount of rain that was very Unexpected. The problem with all this rain, other than septic tank issues, is when the rain overloads the soil and causes it to become extremely soggy. Dead and dying trees hate soggy soil because it prevents their root systems from being able to hold And distribute weight evenly. What this means is that One heavy rainfall could result in a tree uprooting and landing on your home, or any of your other valuables underneath. Unfortunately, it happens more often than not and is much more expensive than dealing with the problem when it first arises. If you have any dead or dying trees please give us a call today!
Spreading Disease
If you suspect that a tree on your property is disease it is very important that you take care of the problem immediately. There are some diseases that can actually in fact all of your other trees and leave you with a much larger problem. Disease, decade, or sick trees need Attention immediately. This is why you should contact a professional, reliable, tree service that services Athens Georgia and surrounding areas for a free estimate by one of our highly educated certified Arborist on staff. The estimate is 100% free, so there is no reason to wait until the problem is much more extensive. Call us today for a free estimate!
Benefits of Fertilizing your Trees.
Fertilization is something that is widely recommended and also largely over looked. A common misconception is that only sick or dying trees benefit from fertilization. This is not the case at all! Trees love fertilization just as much as any of your plants do. There are many benefits of fertilization listed below :
Stabilize the Soil
Unfortunately, soil is not a ”one size fits all” thing. It contains many different elements and minerals such as boron, chlorine, cobalt, copper, iron, manganese, magnesium, molybdenum, sulphur and zinc that are vital to the health and survival of your trees and shrubs. At North American Tree Service, we always have our certified technicians take a proper soil test to determine exactly what your soil is lacking and where it can improve. This way, we avoid adding too much of the wrong element to the soil, which could end up killing the tree! This is why it is so important to make sure you hire a certified arborist to asses your trees. We have four certified arborists on staff that are prepared to diagnose your tree and make a plan to keep it healthy!
Can Cure Dying Trees
While unfortunately this isn’t always the case, usually a deep root fertilization done by a certiifed technician on a tree that looks sick or unhealthy, can sometimes reverse the effects and bring it back to life! By providing the tree with a maximum amount of nutrients, it can help the tree to become strong enough to completely fight off some infections. Now while fertilizer is a great thing for a dead or dying tree, it can also maximize the problem and kill the tree if the wrong type of fertilizer is used. North American Tree Service has a staff full of tree care industry experts that are able to determine exactly what route to take when deciding what type of fertilizer is safe and should be applied to your tree.
Save Money Over Time
By making the initial decision to fertilize your trees, you were actually making a long-term decision to not have to remove them. This in turn will save you money as tree removal is much more costly and dangerous than tree fertilization. We recommend our customers get ahead of the problem before it starts by contacting one of our certified arborist today for a free estimate on any of your tree care needs.
Helps the Grass
Fertilization can help strengthen the roots of the grass in your yard, allowing them to absorb more water more quickly preventing large mud holes every time it rains. If you have an area in your yard where the water just seems to collect every time it rains, you might want to do a fertilization just to prevent any further soil damage or potential root root for the trees! Did you know heavy rain is the most dangerous element for a dead tree? Even a tree that looks completely healthy on the outside could be hollow all the way up. This means as soon as it rains, especially if you have water collecting at the base of the tree, it could cause it to uproot completely. Give us a call today if you have any questions about the trees in your yard and are located in any of our service areas listed below.
4 New Years Resolutions for your Landscape!
We hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and enjoyed all this time off with your loved ones as much as we did! With the new year right around the corner its time for some new year resolutions for your landscapes.
Landscaping is not an easy task by any means but it is so important to maintain the health of your trees and shrubs for so many reasons. Small additions to your lawn, or simply maintaining the plants and trees you already have can add so much to your property value. Also, did you know that anxiety and stress is drastically lowered when trees are visible in homeowners yards? Crazy, right? But true! Here are a few things you can do to your lawn to bring in the new year right.
Mulch, Mulch, Mulch!
Something so important is so easily forgotten or disregarded. Your trees love mulch just as much as your flower gardens do! All that sweet composted organic material helps to conserve water at the base of your tree, adds nutrients to the soil, prevents erosion and so much more! At North American Tree Service, we recycle ALL of our trees into mulching products available to the public at a wholesale price! We also carry red, black, and brown colored mulches that are 100% safe to use in any garden beds you would like. Give us a call today for quotes on delivery! Our mulch site is www.lifemulch.com.
Proper Pruning
Notice the emphasis on PROPER? Improper pruning can actually lead to the death of a tree. Leaving large gash wounds too far away from the branch collar can prevent a tree from being able to actually repair the wound and continue to grow properly. However, proper pruning promotes LOTS of healthy growth to your trees. Pruning is usually something we perform in the winter while the tree is dormant to ensure optimal growth and repair in the next growing season. Make sure to give us a call for any pruning needs. We have many pruning specialists on board with us that are well equipped to maintain your most beautiful trees!
Fertilization
Your trees need love too! A lot of people are under the misconception that all trees will be fine without fertilization. While this might be true for some disease resistant species, it doesn’t stand true for all. You will find if you ever decide to grow any type of fruit tree that within the first year it will be covered in disease and pests that will potentially kill the tree and all the juicy fruit that comes with it! At North American Tree Service, we perform routine fertilization for all your trees to ensure longevity and prevent any pests or diseases.
Tree Planting
There are hundreds of beautiful species to add to your landscape! A few of our favorites are maples, magnolias, river birch, and crepe myrtles. Every tree comes with certain maintenance issues, so it’s important to do your research and figure out which drawback would be a deal breaker, whether that’s large roots, pesky droppings or diseases. North American Tree Service always try’s to save the tree before removal and we love to give back to the environment by replanting what we take out! If you have any questions about certain species or tips on planting, please give us a call today!
At North American Tree Service, we specialize in tree and plant care and would love to assist you in your next project! For any questions or concerns please give us a call -