April Showers? Make Sure They Only Bring May Flowers

April showers bring May flowers, right?

Well, sometimes. Sometimes they bring something else, such as the standing water and constant moisture that fungus just loooove to take root in. You already know there’s lots of rain coming our way this spring, so now’s the time to take protective steps. Here are five of the best.

  1. Beware of Rainy Dangers

First and foremost, you need to be ready for the rain, which means swales and runoff channels that divert water from the roots of trees. Protect trees close to houses by ensuring that drainpipes don’t empty onto their roots, which is a perfect condition for root rot, and clear out gutters so they don’t spill large amounts of water on the trees from above.

  1. Create a Safe Environment

You can also protect trees by maintaining a fungus-unfriendly yard. Don’t leave decaying leaf litter or branches lying around. Pick up and coil hoses on carts or hooks. Stack firewood neatly, somewhere away from trees. Prune trees carefully at their appointed pruning time (many can be pruned in early spring) to clear out branches and create circulation for light and air, both of which combat fungus.

  1. Spray Trees

Fungicide can be used, but be sure to use it properly. “Apply a protective fungicide spray to the newly emerging foliage,” horticulturist Jerry Goodspeed tells Utah State University. “Repeat the application every 10 to 14 days. When buying a spray, be certain the target tree is on the label.”

If you prefer a natural alternative, well… try good old-fashioned pee.

  1. Stay Alert

One of the best ways to fight fungus, though, is to use the simple “keep your eyes peeled” approach. If you see the stippling or spotting that fungus causes, it’s best to remove affected branches, leaves, or even full trees immediately. Also, watch out for yellowing or shriveling that seems at odds with the amount of rain; this often indicates root rot and means you need to remove a tree entirely.

  1. Get Help

Think you might have a fungus problem? NOT a problem. The guys at Premier Tree Solutions have your back. Our growing tree removal business in Atlanta specializes in a number of areas, including tree pruning and removal, storm cleanup and stump grinding, branch clearing and debris removal.

Whether you’ve got a small infection on your hands or a full outbreak, we know exactly how to help you get your yard back into shape, and fast. Just get in touch. Let us know how we can help today at 404-252-6448 or contact us here.

Happy Earth Day! 5 Ways to Celebrate with Trees

Earth Day, which falls on April 22nd every year, is the perfect time to take a step back and honor all that trees do for us. They purify the air, fix nitrogen in the soil (which other plants need to grow), exchange carbon dioxide for life-giving oxygen, and perform endless other good deeds in a weary world.

Earth Day is all about loving our Planet Earth, and there’s no better way to celebrate than by giving back to our forest friends. Here are five ways to do it in style.

  1. Plant at a School

Tree-planting parties make every kid smile, beautify school grounds, and give our air a purifying kick. Join an Earth Day planting party at your children’s or other local school. You do a good deed, they get a tree, a tree gets planted. Everybody wins.

  1. Make a Tree Pledge!

EarthDay.org suggests you register your trees. This small, fun accountability measure both celebrates people who take good care of their trees, and encourages future planting with their pledge. It doesn’t have to be Earth Day to plant more!

  1. Take Care of Your Arboreal Angels

Our planet also benefits greatly when you take care of the trees you already have. Make sure to protect them from pests and diseases by watering during hot times, pruning to increase penetration of light and air, diverting spring runoff away from sensitive roots, and calling in the experts for bigger jobs like limb or stump removal.

  1. Donate to the Canopy Project

Donating to the Canopy Project is one of the simplest ways to fight climate change, and at only a dollar per tree, is pretty darned affordable. You can head to this link to start sponsoring trees without ever getting your hands dirty.

  1. Buy Native Species

Native species are more likely to grow happily in our area than exotic plants, and when trees thrive, they produce more good effects for the environment as well. Happy trees = happy world, so do your part by honoring our native species, such as ash, beech, hickory, and more.

Want to protect trees or get more going in your own yard or at your business? No problem. Premier Tree Solutions loves helping people green up their properties and keep trees healthy over the long haul. Give us a call to find out more about how we can help you create a bounteous, tree-friendly yard today. Let us know how we can help at 404-252-6448 or contact us here.