Winter Tree Care: Setting the Stage for a Healthy Spring
Winter tree care is about observation, protection, and planning. While trees may appear dormant, what you do or don’t do during the winter months can significantly influence their health, safety, and performance in spring. The leafless season provides a valuable opportunity to evaluate trees more clearly and address potential concerns before the growing season begins. […]
Unraveling the Mystery: Girdling Roots and Tree Damage
Girdling roots, a serious problem for many trees in our urban forest, are roots that encircle the trunk and/or root flare of a tree. These roots stunt the growth of your tree and are detrimental to the long term health of your tree. As a result of girdling roots, a tree may display symptoms such […]
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 […]
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 […]
Tree Care is a Year Round Effort – Fall Tree Care
As we begin the school year and football season, it isn’t uncommon for our trees to take a back seat as the growing season tends to be the most active time of the year for tree care. Yet, the Fall and Winter months are just as important as the growing season to care for your […]
Watering Bags – Easy Way To Water Your Tree
With the drought conditions that we have been experiencing, this spring and now into summer, everybody is looking for some kind of relief for their lawns and gardens. Driving down the street you will see most yards have gone dormant without any rain. In this vast landscape of brown yards, you will see some yards […]
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 […]
Root Collar Excavation
Root Collar Excavation (RCE) is the process of excavating soil from around the trunk of a tree to inspect the root collar. This process is done to help expose the root flare, amend any compacted soil issues and inspect the root zone for overall root health and any potential girdling root concerns. Girdling roots are […]
Are Your Trees Prepared for the Winter?
As temperatures become steadily colder and the sun sets just a bit earlier than we would prefer, wrapping up outside yard work becomes a priority. Beyond the obvious chores of raking up fallen leaves, tidying the shed or garage of garden tools, a little attention and thought should also be given to the following; […]
Preparing Your Tree for Effective Systemic Plant Health Care Treatments
Systemic plant health care treatments are highly effective at protecting our trees from various insects or diseases. Systemic refers to a treatment that is taken up by a tree and translocated throughout its entire vascular system. The healthier the tree, the better the treatment will be distributed throughout the tree. In addition to the health […]