How Icy Weather Affects Trees and How to Stay Safe

The winter months can be stressful for trees, just as they can be for people. Snow, ice, and wind all takes a toll on trees, weakening their structural integrity and sometimes putting more of a load on them than they can bear.

The good news is there are steps you can take to increase the ability of trees to withstand temperature, and to ensure the safety of you and the people you care about during wintry times.

1. Check & Prune Limbs Beforehand

Pruning trees correctly is one of the best ways you can help them withstand winter weather. Correct pruning involves many factors, including timing, proper disinfection of tools, proper pruning style (which usually depends on the type and shape of tree), and more.

If you’re a novice to pruning, you can either learn more about pruning timing and disinfection techniques online, or you can hire experts to come do it for you.

2. Never Shake Limbs

If you do have a rough storm that leaves your trees covered with ice and snow, never shake them to try to dislodge it. This can bring weak branches, already suffering from weight overload, down on you. It is best to let ice and snow melt naturally.

3. Brace Trees

If some of your trees have weak limbs, and you don’t want to see them break during storms (or in general), you can brace them. Prop 2x4s or 4x4s under weak branches to hold them upright and provide support before storms hit.

4. Do Not Approach Unstable Trees

If you aren’t sure whether or not a tree is safe, definitely do not approach it. Storms can weaken limbs or even split trees, and any movement may bring them down. If you don’t have the proper expertise to deal with storm-damaged trees – including the proper safety equipment – call in the experts rather than risking your safety or the safety of people and property around you.

5. Get Expert Help

Premier Tree Solutions is a rapidly expanding tree removal business in Atlanta, Georgia. We specialize in tree removal, tree trimming, tree pruning, Bobcat work, storm damage and clean up, stump grinding, branch clearing, and debris removal. If you’re looking for expert help cleaning up after a storm, assessing your trees for damage or generally caring for your yard, you can learn more by heading to our website.

The Dangers of Mulch Volcanoes

If you have trees in your yard, you most likely want to take good care of them and make sure they live long, healthy lives, right? Accordingly, you’ll definitely want to avoid the dreaded “mulch volcano.”

What Is a Mulch Volcano?

Just what is a mulch volcano? Essentially, it’s a pile of mulch that has been pushed up around a tree to form a volcano-like effect. You’ve most likely seen this effect in private yards and even at city parks or universities.

Keep in mind that a thin layer of mulch applied around a tree that grows with naturally mounded or raised roots is not a mulch volcano.

Why Is It Bad?

If mulch is supposed to be so good for plants – providing temperature consistency, suppressing weeds, and offering moisture and protection against pathogens and harsh weather – then why exactly is a mulch volcano bad for them?

The answer, explains the Washington Post, is that mulch mounds cause tree roots to grow above the ground into the mulch, rather than down into the soil. Unfortunately, this leaves the roots exposed and unable to get enough nutrition. Mulch piled high enough to rest against a tree’s trunk also softens its bark, which weakens the tree against rot, invaders and parasites.

Plus, mulch volcanoes are kind of pointless. Mulch is supposed to protect the tree’s root zone, but the root zone isn’t clustered right around the base of the tree like a mulch volcano. It actually extends out about as far as the tree’s crown, so a small pile of mulch isn’t doing much.

What Should You Do Instead?

First of all, you should leave several inches between the base of the tree and the layer of mulch to prevent rotting, weakening and parasites. Then, add a layer of mulch no more than 4 inches thick, advises the North Carolina State University Cooperative Extension. You can go out as far as you like, and use a garden hose laid in a circle to help you get a feel for a natural look.

Premier Tree Solutions is a growing tree removal business based in Atlanta, Georgia. We specialize in a number of areas, including tree removal, tree trimming, tree pruning, Bobcat work, storm damage, storm cleanup, stump grinding, and branch clearing and debris removal. You can find out more or set up an appointment to get help maintaining your trees, shrubs and yard by visiting the website.

O Christmas Tree: Taking Care of Your Christmas Trees During the Holidays

While they bring light and joy to the season before December 25, Christmas trees tend to be little more than a needle-dropping nuisance after the special day has passed. Most people are pretty ready to see their trees gone by New Year’s Eve, and wonder how to dispose of them properly.

Beforehand, while you’re still basking in the tree’s twinkly glow, it’s good to know how to maintain your tree so it remains as pretty and hassle-free as possible. Below, we’ll talk Christmas tree care during the holiday season, and the best ways to recycle your tree afterward.

Maintaining Your Tree

First and foremost, you’ve got to water your tree. If it gets thirsty, your tree is likely to drop needles and make a mess in your home, so don’t let that happen. Instead, place your tree in a stand large enough to hold a quart of water per inch of stem diameter, and water frequently, making sure the bottom of the tree is never above the water line.

Of course, some needle drop is natural. You can keep the base of the tree clear by sweeping or vacuuming, You can also decrease the number of lost needles by keeping your tree away from heat sources, and keeping only water in the tree stand. Despite some advice that says to add aspirin, soft drinks, honey or “other concoctions,” all you need to keep your tree healthy is nice, fresh water, says Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences.

Recycling Your Tree

You can recycle or compost Christmas trees as well as natural wreaths or other swag, provided you remove all non-organic materials (lights, tinsel, etc.). You can either take them to a drop-off location, or have a tree service pick them up for you for a small fee.

Premier Tree Solutions is a growing tree removal business based in Atlanta, Georgia that offers tree recycling. We specialize in a variety of other tree-related services, including tree removal, trimming and pruning, Bobcat work, storm damage response and storm cleanup, stump grinding, branch clearing, debris removal and general tree and shrub cleanup.

If you would like to combine other services with our tree pickup service, all you have to do is let us know. We’ll be happy to help you get your yard ready for the coming gardening season. Call us at 404.252.6448 to set up an appointment or get a quote today.

Just Hanging Out: How to Safely Hang a Hammock

While hammocks are a wonderful way to relax and enjoy a day off or unwind after a long stint at work, they can also be dangerous.

Drill, don’t wrap

First, it’s crucial that you hang hammocks from sturdy structures. Porch posts work well, as do solid trees. However, if you’re hanging a hammock from a tree, don’t make the mistaking of wrapping the rope around the tree. This can girdle the tree, destroying bark and the tree’s flow of nutrients. Girdling usually results in the death of the tree above the girdled area.

Instead, use a drill to insert eye hooks in the tree, and then hang the hammock. It’s a much safer way for the tree, as well as stronger and more stable for the hammock.

Use trunks, not branches

Newbies are often tempted to hang hammocks from limbs and branches, but the safest way to hang a hammock is to attach it to the trunk. Trunks are less likely to be damaged by the weight of the hammock and more likely to show signs of problems before hazards arise. For instance, if you see a split along the trunk around the eyehook, it likely means the tree isn’t strong enough to bear the weight.

Test for strength

Before hanging a hammock from a tree, it’s important to check out the entire specimen. Even if the trunk is strong enough to hold the hammock, damage can still occur if a tree has unstable limbs up above and they fall on the user of the hammock. Look for dead branches (usually apparent from dead leaves on a single branch, when other branches have healthy foliage). Cracks and splits at the crotches of branches also indicate a problem.

If you notice an issue when you’re searching for just the right tree to hang your hammock, contact the experts at Premier Tree Solutions. We’ll scan and assess the rest of your yard for potential problems or hazards so we can stop them before they start.

When It Rains, It Firs, Part 2: The Trouble With Saturated Ground

Dealing with unpredictable weather is something that inevitably comes with living in Georgia. During certain seasons it’s not unusual for Georgians to experience everything from sun and hail to snow and rain within the span of 24 hours. Recently, this unpredictable weather has struck in the form of torrential downpours, causing flooding, roadway delays, and saturated ground, which can mean disaster for trees (and homeowners) everywhere.

You may be thinking to yourself, “I thought rain was good for trees!” Normally, you’d be right, but heavy rain causes soil to become saturated with water to the point where there’s no room for oxygen. When this happens, a tree’s roots can die, leaving the remaining living roots to grow close to the surface.

This process causes a lot of trees to become unstable, some more than others. Trees with wider, stronger, and deeper roots prove to be stronger against flooding and wind, while trees with narrow, weaker roots in shallow ground are prime candidates for toppling.

Trees in saturated ground are also more vulnerable to windthrow. During storms, wind pushes against trees’ trunks and canopies, which applies force to their roots and causes them to tip over. It’s worth noting that this force is amplified for taller trees since they often have larger trunks and canopies. As you can imagine, the damage from these green giants falling can be catastrophic.

Additionally, decaying trees in saturated ground can prove even more dangerous due to their already weakened root structures. Make sure to watch out for fungal growth near or on the trunk, raised roots, cracks, or dead branches.

The best way to prepare for a timbering tree and avoid damage to your house, vehicle, and most importantly, yourself, is to be proactive and schedule an appointment with the experts at Premier Tree Solutions. Click here to contact us today.

When It’s Time to Leaf: Knowing When and When Not to Transplant

Whether you’re an avid gardener or just a beginner, there will likely come a time when you want to transplant a tree or shrub in your yard. Doing so fills many people with doubt, however, especially since most of us have experienced the unsuccessful transplant: a withered tree or shrub that was formerly thriving.
If you don’t care to repeat this disappointing experience, stick to these rules.

Go By Climate

If you live in a warm area that doesn’t see prolonged freezes, you can move trees at any time of year. The University of Florida recommends making sure you live USDA plant hardiness zones 8 and above for best results.

For the Northern Georgia Region, where cold weather and ground freezes do set in during the winter, stick to moving trees when they’re dormant. The University of Iowa Extension points out that ideal times differ for hardwoods and conifers. While deciduous trees do best if moved in early spring before they leaf out, conifers benefit from a late summer or early fall move.

Remember the Root Ball

Many people are confused about whether or not trees need to be moved with their root balls intact. Root balls are the mass formed by the roots of a plant and the soil surrounding them. According to Lowe’s, the answer is that for trees smaller than an inch in diameter, you don’t need to keep a ball of soil around the roots. Instead they can be moved with roots bare. For trees over an inch in diameter, however, you need to keep soil in place.

If you’re transplanting shrubs as well, note that you can move shrubs up to three feet tall without a root ball. After they pass that height, keep a root ball in place to maximize transplant success.

Give Premier Tree Solutions a Call

Premier Tree Solutions offers help with tree removal, trimming and pruning, stump grinding, storm cleanup and debris removal, branch clearing and Bobcat work. We are located in Atlanta, Georgia, and proud to help customers all over the area with their tree and shrub needs.

Contact Premier Tree Solutions for answers to any of your arboreal problems by clicking here.

To rake or not to rake

Come autumn, leaves put on a fireworks display and swirl down into the yard below. An oft-asked query this time of year has surprisingly Shakespearean overtones. To rake or not to rake? That is the question.

Anyway, for all the beauty of the phrasing, the issue itself is an important one: Is it healthier for your yard to be clear of leaves through the winter, or to have that thick organic blanket until spring? Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of each tactic.

To Rake …

While it’s important to remove thick blankets of leaves in snowy areas in places that don’t get snow, it’s safer to leave them on the ground. However, if you live in an area with particularly thick leaf fall, you may want to rake up at least some of them. While they’re unlikely to suffocate lawns, as people once thought, they may still encourage mold growth if thick enough.

You may also choose to rake if you simply like the look of a nice clean yard. However, consider leaving the leaves in place come the end of fall, where they will degrade and contribute nutrients to the soil. If you really don’t want them on your lawn, rake them into beds and under shrubs, where they make nice mulch.

… Or Not to Rake

One of the best ways to mulch your yard is to use your mower to chop leaves up into little pieces and then leave them on the lawn. If you want to break down leaves in other parts of your yard, but don’t want to run the mower over some parts, consider pulling or raking leaves out of beds, going over them with the mower, and returning them when done.

If you have allergies to leaf mold, dust, grass or other outdoor matter, you should definitely wear a mask while shredding leaves. It will keep irritants out of your nose, mouth and lungs. You may want to consider eye goggles as well if you’re particularly sensitive.

Next time you’re wondering how to deal with nature’s bounty – unwelcome as it may feel – consider just taking a deep breath and leaving leaves in place. In the long run, they may give you a healthier, prettier yard.

If raking is the least of your lawn and tree issues, just know that you can always contact Premier Tree Solutions for answers to any of your arboreal problems by clicking here.

Prep Your Trees Before the Freeze

You care about your trees. They add value to your home and beautify your landscape year-round. But if you’re not careful, your favorite green giants could be in for a ton of trouble during the colder seasons.

Want the good news? It’s possible to avoid disaster by having Premier Tree Solutions check your trees now before the heavy cold really sets in. Fall is an excellent time to do this, when leaves are still on the trees. Later, after they drop, it will be harder to spot problems that could lead to property damage during rough winter weather.

Survey your trees

Give your trees a good once-over while they’re still in leaf. Do you see any with dead patches of leaves, even though other parts of the tree still have healthy leaves? This usually indicates that the limb has died. If all the leaves are dead, but others of the same species still have leaves, the whole tree might need to go. It’s important to do this soon, before potential disease spreads to other trees. Other dangers to watch for include cracks in bark or limbs, deep splits or distinct leans.

Water weekly           

Although winter often brings snow and rain, both sources of significant moisture, the cold months are also often sources of considerable dryness. Seedlings are especially vulnerable, when cold combined with a lack of water can be harmful or even deadly.

Avoid this by watering every week up until the first freeze. Water deeply and thoroughly, letting moisture soak down into the soil to the root zone. Here are a few rules for watering both younger and older trees.

Remove potential hazards

Don’t leave these dangers to chance, especially if you live in an area known for snowstorms or ice – which add weight to branches – or heavy rains. If your region is subject to thunderstorms, it’s also important to get dead limbs removed before they catch fire (a more common problem than you might think).

Call in the experts

If removing dangerous limbs or trees is beyond your knowledge or comfort level, call in the experts. Premier Tree Solutions has the tools and know-how to take care of even the most dangerous situations, so don’t hesitate to contact us by clicking here. Make this winter your safest and most peaceful yet by taking care of problems before they cause trouble.

Overwatering: When Your Tree’s Had One Too Many Drinks

Trees are adapted to a wide range of situations, but it can be easy to assume that what works for one species will work for another. This is especially true when it comes to watering trees and other plants that are placed very close to one another in your yard. If you’re worried that your trees are being overwatered, here’s what you need to know:

Why Overwatering Harms Plants

When you overwater a plant, you saturate its roots and crowd out the oxygen it needs to breathe. Of course, different plants have different watering needs, and while one plant may love wet soil, another may sicken in such conditions. Knowing what each species prefers is necessary.

Overwatering occurs for many reasons:

  • Poorly draining or compacted soils
  • Sloped sites that accumulate water at the bottom
  • Placement under eaves or gutters
  • Overenthusiastic gardeners

How to Determine If Your Tree Is Overwatered

If your tree is getting sick, wilting or mushrooms are growing around the base of your tree; this is generally a sign of overwatering. Other signs include leaves that are light green, yellow, or brittle.

Damage Control

The most important first step, as indicated above, is to take your cue from the tree itself. Having a set schedule for watering the trees in your yard is a bad idea, because you’ll likely be overwatering some or under-watering others. When you water trees, the soil around the tree should generally be moist rather than soggy. This is especially true of seedlings.

As a long-term solution, try to place trees with similar watering requirements in the same areas, or “hydrozones.” For instance, you might plant willows, river birch and other plants with a high tolerance in wet, streamside areas. Move trees that can’t handle moisture to dryer spots.

If you lose a tree or two on your way to landscape heaven, don’t sweat it. It’s hard to see to the needs of every species, especially when they’re different. If you’d like a second opinion or you need a dead tree removed, feel free to contact Premier Tree Solutions today through this form: https://chopmytree.com/contact-form/.

What’s Bugging My Tree? How to Tell If Your Tree Has a Disease

Your trees are the backbone of your yard: large, elegant, overarching, providing shade and lovely dappled light. When something begins to ail a tree, however, it can be troubling, especially when you don’t know what’s wrong. If you think your tree might be suffering from pesky pests or deleterious diseases, it’s important to seek treatment for the tree as soon as possible to avoid long-term damage.

Below you’ll get a crash course on the various types of pests and diseases, signs your tree might be infected, and what to do about it.

Types of Tree Pests and Diseases

There are too many types of pests to mention in one blog, but they fall into two main categories: microorganisms and insects. Insects (such as caterpillars, aphids, flies, and thrips) eat parts of trees. Diseases are pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, and fungi that invade your tree’s systems externally or internally and cause it to become sick.

Signs of Disease or Pest Predation

If you see any of the following diseases, you should seek the advice of a professional as soon as possible:

  • Limp or wilted leaves and shoots
  • Light green, yellow, or brown leaves
  • Leaves falling off the tree out of season
  • Patches of bark falling off
  • Scales, scores, or tunnels along the outside of the bark
  • Nests or webs on leaves and branches
  • Small bugs or insects crawling along the tree
  • Twisted, misshapen, closed, or dead blossoms

Save My Tree!

The good news is that just because you’ve identified a pest, that doesn’t mean you can’t save your tree. There are several steps you can take, including:

  • Treating the pest with soaps, sprays, oils, or other treatments
  • Pruning the tree to get rid of diseased leaves, branches, and limbs
  • Hand removal of pests
  • Use of predator insects to eat pest insects

And often, while one tree will need to be removed because it is too far-gone, you can still save other trees in the area by acting fast. If you don’t feel equipped to handle pruning or tree removal jobs on your own (especially large, established trees), don’t hesitate to contact Premier Tree Solutions through this form: https://chopmytree.com/contact-form/.