Learning Never Stops: 50 Years of Innovation at KTS
We are celebrating 50 years of KTS caring for residential and commercial properties. We started the traditional way with a rope, chainsaw and truck. My brother and I were 3 and 4 years old when this journey began. We both decided to join KTS as full-time employees in the late 80’s. So here we go, […]
Cicada Emergence – It’s Actually Pretty Cool!
The great Cicada emergence is quickly approaching here in northern Illinois. This remarkable event occurs once every seventeen years (17 yrs.) 2007 was the last time Brood XIII (Brood 13), also known as the “Northern Illinois Brood” popped out of the ground in our area. The term “brood” refers to the geographical area where different […]
Benefits of Transplanting Large Trees
Planting trees has a huge impact on our communities. Most people are aware of the typical tree planting process. This usually includes a small diameter tree where the roots what is often referred to in the industry as balled and burlapped, where the tree is dug from the field and then the “root ball” wrapped […]
ANTI-TRANSPIRANT FOLIAR TREATMENTS
Evergreens are just that, green year-round. These include boxwoods, holly, arborvitae, pine, spruce, fir, etc.. This also means that they transpire all year, including during the winter. Basically, they take water in and sweat it out. No big deal unless the winter is severe enough so that the evergreens are unable to take in water […]
Our Urban Forest is More than Trees – Michigan Lilies
Michigan Lilies: A Hidden Gem in Illinois Exploring the beauty of nature is a past time for many. Extensive travel is not necessary to fall upon spectacular sights. So much of nature’s beauty can be found along the local recreational paths offered throughout our counties and forest preserves. There is nothing better than stumbling upon […]
How To Reduce The Risk of Storm Damage to Your Trees
Proactive Services to prepare your trees for Storms: Living in the Midwest, we are no strangers to strong storms throughout the year. These storms can seemingly pop up out of nowhere with torrential rains and damaging winds. It is quite common to have significant tree damage after these storms blow though an area. A single […]
Tree of the Week – Norway Spruce
Picea abies, common name, Norway Spruce, is a beautiful confier that is native to Europe. Norway Spruce is commonly found throughout the United States. This tree is an evergreen with a pyramidal shape that tolerates a variety of different soil types. It’s dark green needles and drooping branches make it a beautiful addition to your […]
Right Tree Right Place
Planting a tree is one of the best, low-cost investments property owners can do for themselves and for the community. Trees clean air, prevent erosion, manage stormwater, cool landscapes, provides beauty, and increases property values, to name a few. These benefits are only enjoyed when the right tree is planted in the right place. Proper […]
Competitive Tree Climbing
Competitive tree climbing has helped mold our industry over many years, actually decades. It all started in the late 70’s and was molded after what was called the Lineman Rodeo. That event was put on by utility companies and the competition was an aerial rescue on a utility pole. Line clearance tree trimers got wind […]
Leaves A Critical Component of Our Urban Forest
The natural process of seasonal leaf fall is a critical component to the ecological cycle in our urban forests. The trees go dormant in the colder season and conserve energy, resulting in this process called senescence. Leaves are a critical building block for many other areas of the ecosystem while providing essential benefits. Those benefits […]