PHC on the Lookout – Fall Leaves are Falling!
The beautiful reds, yellows and oranges that brightened our trees are now littering our lawns. Leaf clean-up is not a fun chore, but it’s important for many reasons. Not only is leaf clean-up the neighborly thing to do, it may keep your landscape healthy the following year. Tree leaves are carriers for fungi and diseases […]
Tip of the Week – Illinois Forest Facts… Did You Know?
Illinois may be known for vast prairies and plains, but the forests are also a wonderful part of our state. The very first forestry course ever taught in our nation was at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Illinois has a long and rich history with our forests. 97% of Illinois forest trees are classified […]
PHC on the Lookout – Protect Susceptible Evergreens during harsh Chicago Winters
The colder temperatures, blowing winds and snow are beginning. Chicagoans must once again brace themselves for a cold winter. Rumors are swirling that the “polar vortex” weather conditions will return this winter. While we can’t do much about Chicago winters, we can help protect your evergreen trees and shrubs through the winter months. Whereas deciduous […]
“Vintage” Halloween
Picture a Halloween without Power Rangers, Disney Princesses or Super Heroes. Halloween has a long history, starting as a Celtic festival many centuries ago before making its way to America. Traditionally, the holiday was focused on ghosts and the dead. It was believed the seasonal change into winter created a bridge to the world of […]
Read All About It! Todd Kramer’s article on Tree Removal using a Crane appears in the latest TCI Magazine
The October 2014 issue of the Tree Care Industry magazine features an article written by Todd Kramer, Production Operations Manager at Kramer Tree Specialists. This captivating article details the challenges of removing trees safely with the assistance of a large crane. A specific tree removal incident is explored in-depth and the issues that must be […]
Tip of the Week – Ladybugs, Ladybugs Everywhere!
Along with the beautiful fall tree colors comes the annual migration of Asian ladybeetles. Asian ladybeetles were introduced into the United States in the 1970’s to control the Pecan aphid in Georgia. Unfortunately, they have worked their way up and overtaken the native ladybug population in many parts of the country. While native ladybugs tend […]
Tip of the Week – Do you have the Largest Tree in Illinois?
Since 1962 the Illinois Department of Natural Resources has registered the largest native trees in the state. The Illinois Big Tree Register is a cooperative effort between the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to bring recognition and appreciation for the largest native tree species in our state. […]
PHC on the Lookout – Are Your Trees Struggling with Urban Stresses?
Poor soil, drought, confined growing conditions, exposure to higher heat temperatures in the summer and road salt in the winter are all stressful factors that trees in urban settings must contend with. In some cases our intervention becomes necessary for the health and life of the tree. There are solutions available to combat the stresses […]
Tip of the Week – Tree Pruning Reminder
The beautiful leaf color that is just beginning to show is a reminder of what is around the corner: winter. Bare, winter trees are ideal pruning candidates and for some tree varieties, this is the only recommended season for pruning. For example, Oak trees are best pruned during their dormant period to lessen the chances […]
Tip of the Week – Girdling Root Syndrome
Early fall color and leaf drop, yellowing leaves during the growing season, a thin or sparse tree canopy and a tree trunk that looks like a telephone pole at soil level are all signs of Girdling Root Syndrome (GRS). GRS is commonly found on Maple and Linden trees, but other trees and shrubs in the […]
