TREE & LAWN CARE BLOG
Why Are There Tree Shoots All Over My Lawn?
Have you noticed a large amount of tree shoots and sprouts all over your lawn? There are a number of reasons this could be happening. While some trees are notorious for this, others might be under stress and it is best to have an ISA certified arborist come out to take a look and identify the issue.
What types of trees cause shoots to show up in my lawn?
The most common types of trees known to generate sprouts are ash & honey locust trees. Ash trees will generate shoots in your lawn when infested with the emerald ash borer while the honey locust is notorious for growing suckers.
How can I prevent tree suckers and sprouts on my lawn?
Since this usually happens when the tree is under stress and essentially trying to re-generate itself, the best practice would be having an ISA certified arborist or tree care professional come out to assess the health of your trees first. Alternatively, though it can be time consuming, you can manually remove the sprouts by using hand pruners. There are also sucker stopper products at most home improvement stores, however these can be very dangerous if used improperly and risk damaging your trees.
Before planting trees its best to consult with an arborist to identify low maintenance trees so you don’t run into this issue when it comes to the specimen. Getting your trees on a proper pruning maintenance plan ensures their health for years to come and can eliminate the risk of shoots in your lawn. If you have questions about your trees health, or any other concerns about tree care, click the link below to be connected with one of our arborists now!
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Most Common Crepe Myrtle Problems
Crepe myrtles can be a perfect selection for smaller landscapes or suburban areas. They are available in all different sizes and colors that are some of the most vibrant blooms of all the trees. From June to August its hard to miss these bright, beautiful blooms. However, they are susceptible to a few different types of diseases and pests:
Powdery Mildew
Powdery Mildew is the most common problems that crepe myrtles carry. The fungus, Erysiphe lagerstroemiae leaves patches of grayish white powder on the leaves and flowers of the tree. If there is enough of the fungi present, the flowers may fail to bloom. This is most common if the tree is in a dark, shady and damp location.
Japanese Beetles
Japanese beetles are about an inch long and are metallic in color. The essentially feed on the foliage and can multiply enough to destroy the entire tree. Eggs are laid in the soil from June through August for them to emerge and start the cycle all over again the following year.
Aphids
Aphids feed on crepe myrtles by sucking the plant sap out of the leaves. They leave behind a liquid called honeydew. If the infestation is large enough, it will cause yellow spots to appear on the leaves and sooty mold fungi to take over.
Cercospora Leaf Spot
The fungus Cercospora usually occurs during warm, humid weather. This fungus appears in yellow spots on the top of the leaves and a greyish color of fungi on the underside of the leaves. This can result in a loss of all the foliation on the trees.
If you have a crepe myrtle in your yard that looks to have Japanese beetles or other threatening insect infestation, give us a call as soon as possible to have one of our ISA certified Arborists out to perform an evaluation on your crepe myrtle problems!
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Why Is My Grass Coming In So Patchy?
Grass can be a tricky thing, hence, why so many homeowners opt out of the DIY version and prefer to pay professionals to ensure their hard work isn’t without value.
There are a number of reasons to a patchy yard, the best way to identify what the problem is, is to go top to bottom and rule everything out before reaching out to a lawncare professional.
Soil quality - Not 100% necessary, but it is pretty important to know the quality of the nutrients in your specific soil type in order to fertilize and treat properly.
Water - Probably the absolute most important thing is that your lawn is getting enough water on a daily basis. This also means EVENLY. Inspect your sprinklers to be sure the patches aren’t solely in areas that your irrigation just doesn’t quite reach.
Diseases or insects - Trees aren’t the only thing affected by diseases. Lawn diseases & pests include powdery milder, Japanese beetles etc. can all make your grass very thin.
Sun - Grass needs about 5-6 hours of direct sunlight each day. So if you notice the thinning occurring in spots that get less than that amount, there is the answer. Try trimming some branches back or having your local tree service perform a canopy raise to promote the grass to thicken up.
If you have ruled all these issues out and are still having an issue with thin, patchy grass, feel free to use the link below to be connected with a plant health care technician!
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Why Are My Shrubs Dying?
Some of the most common types of shrubs to plant around suburban houses are azaleas, boxwoods and holly’s. But sometimes, due to a number of reasons, these shrubs don’t last long before turning brown and dying off little by little.
But what’s causing my shrubs to die?
Many factors come into play when determining cause for decline in shrubs.
Environmental factors. Georgia heat can be a lot to handle, especially for certain specimen who prefer partly shaded areas or thrive in cooler environments. Before planting your desired shrub, be sure to do some research on where and how you should plant it to ensure it isn’t getting too much or too little sun.
Pests/diseases. Small insects such as borers or different types of diseases can cause your shrubs to turn brown or die. Be sure to have your property inspected by a certified Arborist to be sure that those diseases or pests don’t spread to your other trees or plants.
Soil moisture. In summertime, your shrubs will need a little extra TLC. Especially when it comes to water. The most vital thing to your plants health is ensuring they are getting enough water in extreme heat temperatures. However, it is also possible to over water your shrubs and trees as well so it is important to establish a schedule that fits.
Fertilizer overload. This can be tricky because unless a soil test has been performed, the proper amount or type of fertilizer you may need can be a guessing game. By applying too much of the wrong type of fertilizer to your shrubs, you can actually burn your shrubs by increasing the salt levels in the soil.
How can I stop my shrubs from dying?
If your shrubs are suffering from something simple like leaf scorch or drought, getting them in a shaded area by replanting or putting another species nearby to provide them with more shade could do the trick. Establishing a proper watering schedule especially in extreme heat situations is important to keep them healthy and happy as well. But if you are concerned about diseases or pests that could have infected your shrubs, be sure to contact your local ISA certified Arborist to schedule a free consultation on your landscape!
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Top 5 Tree Pests During Summer In Georgia
Summer has arrived in Georgia and we are all enjoying the pollen lessening and the weather getting warmer. However, we aren’t the only ones who are enjoying the great outdoors. With summer, brings a whole new world of places for pests to thrive. We have gotten together a list of the top 5 most common tree pests in Watkinsville we see in Georgia in the summer.
Bagworms
Feed mostly on juniper, arborvitae, cedar, spruce, honeylocust, linden, willow, maple, oak, birch, elm and poplar
Consume tree leaves
Must be controlled at first sight of infestation to avoid tree decline
Tent Caterpillars
Most noticeable with large spider webs and leaf loss
Affects mostly black cherry, ash, birch, sweetgum, willow, maple and oak
Certified Arborist must apple a treatment to control the larvae in winter from reproducing
Aphids
Affects all specimens
Feeds on tree leaves and stems causing leaf drop.
Can usually be found on the trunk of the tree or the underside of the leaves
Call Certified Arborist for treatment plan at first notice of the infestation
Canker worms
Eats away at the leaves of your trees leaving behind ragged, choppy leaves
Mostly affected specimen are elm, oak, apple, maple, linden, beech, cherry, hickory and ash
Pesticide must be applied in spring by a certified Arborist to remove them
Japanese Beetle
Most commonly seen on crape myrtle, birch, littleleaf linden, crabapple, purple leaf plum, Japanese maple and Norway maple
Chew through the veins of the leaves on your trees leaving behind only a brown skeleton
Pesticide must be applied by a certified Arborist during peak growing season, mid June-August
If you have noticed leaf drop, yellowing of the leaves or other concerning issues with the health of your trees, our certified Arborists in Watkinsville can provide you with a free assesment! Click the link below to get in touch!
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How To Get Rid Of Spider Mites
Have you noticed small yellow or brown spots on the leaves of your trees or plants this year? Maybe even small spider webs on the leaves with little to no sign of actual pest presence?
Your landscape might have become victim to pesky spider mites.
What are spider mites?
Spider mites are a pesky pests that are rarely able to be seen with the naked eye and live on the underside of the leaves of your trees and plants spinning webs that can ultimately lead to the death of those specimen. They are only about one millimetre big and have different shades of red, yellow, black or brown.
What do they feed on?
Spider mites are not picky eaters. They will feed on just about any type of tree or plant you have in your garden without complaint. They ultimately feed on the bottom of your tree leaves, leaving the signs of damage on the top portions.
How can I get rid of them?
Depending on the severity of your infestation, it is always best to consult with a certified arborist in Athens before making any decisions that could ultimately affect the overall health of your trees. However, there are a couple quick fixes you can use to minimize the damage until an arborist can come to your property.
Spray the tree or plant with water to dislodge any webbing and release as many mites as possible making sure to get the underside of the leaves.
Many retail stores carry insecticidal soap that you can spray early in the morning or in the evening every 7-10 days to kill further eggs from hatching.
Neem oil is an organic remedy used by a large amount of gardeners as an all natural way to rid your trees and plants from a large number of pests.
If you have done all of these steps and are still having any issues with your trees dropping leaves, browning or yellowing, please give us a call using the link below to be connected with a certified Arborist in Athens to assist you with any tree pest issues you might be having.
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Is My Sprinkler System Damaging My Trees?
Irrigation systems are great for low maintenance landscaping. Essentially you just set it , forget it, and watch everything bloom. However, if these irrigation systems are not properly placed, they can cause a problem for your trees and plants.
In the strong Georgia heat, we rarely think of overwatering posing any threats to our gardens. In the heat of the summer especially, it is very important to provide a substantial amount of water to keep your trees, plants and grass thriving.
When you decide to have your sprinkler system installed its important to make sure the location is ideal. Too much water can do just as much harm as too little. Overwatering with trees can be a dangerous situation as excessive moisture provides a perfect breeding ground for pathogens and fungus to develop, essentially leading to the weakening of your trees. If you notice any fungus or mushrooms growing at the base or the trunks of your trees, call a certified Arborist as soon as possible to have your trees properly assessed for decline.
Some signs your plants/trees are getting too much water are:
root rot
bark falling off the trunk
trunk damage
saturated soils
fungus (mushrooms, etc.)
Some signs your plants/trees aren’t getting enough water are:
wilted or curling leaves
smaller leaves than normal
leaf drop
yellowing or burning of the leaves
After installation, walk around to different spots checking the soil after a run to ensure it is getting proper moisture. If the soil is heavily saturated you know your trees and plants are being overwatered and visa versa.
If you would like an ISA Certified Arborist to come assess the health of your trees, click the link below to be connected!
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Will My Grass Seed Wash Away With Too Much Rain?
One of the most common issues with you come across when planting your own grass seed is timing and weather. Some might think a heavy rain after planting seeds is great and just means less watering for them! This is partly true but too much rain can actually cause some issues.
Grass seed needs moisture
Before and after planting grass seed it is a good idea to make sure the soil contains a good bit of moisture in order for the seed to properly germinate. Watering your lawn in Monroe twice per day is recommended and sometimes even more often if you live in a warmer or dryer climate. There are a number of DIY irrigation systems you can set up and purchase from your local lawn and garden stores to make these hefty watering schedules just a tiny bit easier.
Check the weather
Before you make a plan to seed, make sure there aren’t any severe thunderstorms or chances of flooding in your area. Rainfall is the best for watering your newly planted grass seeds in Monroe but too much can be a bad thing. Grass seed, when first planted has no roots or any way to stay attached to the ground or area it has been planted. This means, with too much rain, all that precious grass seed can easily be washed away! Checking the weather ahead of time will ensure your seeds get a better chance of laying some roots before the rain washes them all away.
Clear the area
Preventing erosion and controlling washing of your newly planted grass seed can be moderated by simply making sure the area is properly prepared beforehand. All sticks, roots, and any other debris should be cleared away from your planting area and the soil should be tilled breaking up the larger chunks of dirt. Watering the area before several times before planting can help level and fill in any low spots you might have.
What do I do if my grass seed was washed away?
If you have an unfortunate bout of luck and water washes away some of your seed, you will need to re-seed the eroded areas. Going back in with a tiller or rake, level the areas out, making sure there is no debris or buildup of seeds in particular areas. Washouts can sometimes cause uneven germination in your lawn where some of the seed had gathered in one area.
Still have questions? Give us a call in our office for more information on grass seed or plant health care by using the link below!