From the Ground Up: How to Take Care of Your Summer Soil

Keeping your trees looking great is hard work. It seems like pruning, fertilizing and taking care of all the details can be almost a full-time job. However, there is one other aspect of tree health you may not have considered — soil care. Discover three ways that you can take care of your soil in the summer months. This will help your trees look their best this summer and in the years to come!

  • Improve Soil Nutrients. Poor soil nutrition occurs when the soil is too acidic or too alkaline. This is something you will have to work with an expert to determine. You could have a professional tree care company test the soil, or you could prepare a soil sample yourself and send it to the local extension service to find out more about the soil’s current nutrition levels. Once you know more about the existing soil nutrition levels, you can determine the best products to purchase at your garden center to treat the soil and improve its overall health.
  • Repair Drainage Issues. If water cannot drain properly, your trees will suffer. Watch what happens when it rains or you water your trees. Does the water drain within 30 minutes? If not, you may have waterlogged roots. Check the soil condition after rain or watering. Does it retain moisture? If it does not, your trees may not get the amount of water they need. Adjusting the landscaping may be all it takes to improve drainage.
  • Add Organic Matter. Trees grow best when they have other organic matter in the soil. Leaves, small plants and grass can all improve the growth of your trees. Luckily, this is something you can do yourself. Consider adding other plants near your trees for a boost to their growth.

You do not have to take care of your trees alone — “leaf” it to us! Contact Premier Tree Solutions by clicking here for help with any of your tree-related questions, or call us out to take a look at your trees in person. We would love to help your trees look their best and live their healthiest lives.

Branching Out: How to Detect If a Branch Needs Cutting

A dropped branch can cause serious property damage, harm to a tree, or even loss of life. To the untrained eye, a tree might look totally sturdy which is why it’s important to spot branches in danger of falling. Learn to recognize the three warning signs below so that you can cut them before anything gets damaged … including your wallet.

If You See a Split or Break

If a tree limb or branch breaks in a storm, due to weight from ice and snow or just because, there’s a good chance the next strong wind will finish the job. Breaks, splits, or cracks along the length of the limb are dangerous, as are injuries at the crotch, where the branch attaches to the trunk. Sometimes these breaks are less obvious, so especially after a storm, inspect your trees carefully for signs.

If the Branch Is Diseased

If you catch disease or a pest infestation in the initial stages, you may be able to treat the branch and save it. However, homeowners often miss problems, putting the limb and eventually the entire tree at risk. Some diseases enter from small wounds or tears in the bark and eat away at the tree from the inside, which is especially dangerous; the outside may look normal, while the inside is rotten. Look for flaking bits or sawdust-like particles. Discoloration, swelling, bark peeling, dead or dropped leaves, insects, or eggs are also signs of disease or infestation.

If the Limb Is Dead

This one’s easy. If the rest of your tree is in leaf and a single branch is not, it’s dead and needs to come down. Dead branches are just waiting to drop, so don’t hesitate to remove them.

Of course, sometimes a branch looks like it might need to be cut down, but you can’t tell. It’s normal to be conservative, especially with a tree you love, which is why professional help can be a lifesaver. An arborist will not only help you determine whether to cut, they will get the job done quickly and safely while minimizing the risk of infection to the tree.

Think you might need help? Get in touch with Premier Tree Solutions online by clicking here. We’re happy to help you set up an appointment.

Why Stumps Grind Our Gears

Stumps can be a nuisance for a beautiful lawn. They’re unsightly and just downright in the way. Not convinced? Here are some of the downsides of having these tree leftovers on your property.

  1. Stumps Regrow!

Stumps aren’t “dead” just because you cut the top of the tree. Many tree stumps will send up sucker sprouts year after year at their base, some will re-sprout from the top of the stump, and some can even send underground runners to pop up other places in your yard.

  1. Stumps Can Be Dangerous

Stumps are hard and sometimes jagged, and a tumble on top of one can leave someone banged up or seriously injured. Especially when the stump wasn’t cut cleanly, you’ve got to get it out of there.

  1. Stumps Draw Pests

If you don’t want carpenter ants, wood-boring beetles, or termites in your home, don’t leave stumps in your yard. While originally they might only be drawn to a decaying stump, it’s only a short jaunt to your house.

  1. Stumps Are Kind of Ugly!

Okay, in certain circumstances, an old stump can serve as an awesome fort for kids, pedestal for a pretty planter, or a cool all-natural lawn chair. But most of the time, they’re not attractive, they’re misshapen, they prevent other flowers and plants from growing there, and they disrupt the natural flow of your yard’s design.

Lots of tree removal companies will chop down your tree and then just leave the stump there for you to deal with, but Premier Tree Solutions doesn’t. Learn more about our stump removal process here. If you’re interested in getting a stump removed from your property, fill out this form for a quote and a fast reply!

Summer Pruning 101

In our last blog we told you all about pruning and how it can affect the trees on your property.

This week, we discuss summer pruning; a process that can prevent slow growth, the spread of disease, and even boost flowering potential. Thinking that summer pruning could be beneficial to your trees? Learn more about the process below.

1. Remove Dead or Diseased Wood

The number one reason to prune in summer is to remove dead wood that might fall and diseased branches that might, if left unchecked, infect the entire tree. When pruning, branches with larger limbs are removed at the intersection or at the trunk of the tree to stop the infection in its tracks. When working with diseased wood, tools must also be disinfected after pruning, a step we’ll cover below.

2. Shape the Tree According to Its Natural Structure

Most trees look best when pruned to their innate structure. In order to achieve this natural look, pruners observe the tree’s natural formation and try to enhance it. During pruning, branches that cross over one another as well as branches that grow back toward the trunk are often removed.

3. Disinfect Your Tools

Trees are not immune to disease in summer, even if they may be slightly less prone than during the fall and spring (due to reduced moisture). This is why pruners always make sure to disinfect their tools before starting a project. Disinfecting tools helps to make sure that potential diseases do not spread from one part of a tree to another or from tree to tree. Many products, from household bleach to rubbing alcohol and pine oil cleaner, can be used as disinfectants, ensuring an easy and safe pruning process for both you and your trees.

Not sure you can handle the pruning job yourself? No problem. We here at Premier Tree Solutions are pros, so you’re guaranteed an excellent job. Get in touch with us here.

Don’t Sweat the Technique: Trimming vs. Pruning

It’s happened to most gardeners. You walk into the yard, and you mean business. It’s time to prune. Or maybe trim. Wait, which is it? You realize you don’t know, and suddenly the clippers and shears in your hands seem like a big joke.

But fortunately for you, that’s where the experts at Premier Tree Solutions come in! Even though many people can’t tell you what it is, the difference between trimming and pruning is really quite simple, so don’t sweat it! Instead, read on for a quick tutorial, and then breathe a sigh of relief.

What Is Trimming?

Trimming involves shaping a plant evenly to meet the requirements of a certain design. Topiary, or the art of clipping trees into ornamental designs, involves trimming, because you trim the plant according to the desired shape rather than according to the pre-existing plant structure. Examples of where you would use trimming include hedges, where you trim to form boxes or mounds, or the aforementioned topiary. Generally you shouldn’t trim trees, although utility companies sometimes do.

What Is Pruning?

Pruning is a much more selective process. When pruning a plant, you take its structure into account, pruning branches, twigs, buds and roots to enhance that shape further. Generally speaking, plants you prune have a much more open branch structure than plants you trim. You might also prune to remove diseased or dead branches from a plant or tree, to avoid spreading and to protect plants.

Which Is Better for the Plant?

In short, neither is “better” for the tree or shrub in question. Both trimming and pruning have their time and place, and the best approach to a healthy yard and garden is using each where it is called for. Trimming a tree with a beautiful, airy branch structure will result in an ugly specimen with cuts that heal slowly, because they weren’t made at the correct points. On the other hand, trying to prune super bushy plants bred for topiary or hedges is a waste of time and energy.

So do you know what to do now, or are you hesitant? It’s OK to get some help from the professionals, so if you’d like someone with pro know-how to get the trimming and the pruning done for you, contact Premier Tree Solutions here!

Going Green for Good

If you enjoy gardening, you probably already know that it is a valuable form of exercise and that it improves mood and bolsters emotional health. However, you may not know that it has several environmental and financial boons that make it an even better idea. Whether you’re a gardening pro or a newbie just digging your first patch, keep these benefits in mind.

Protect Your Assets

When you garden, you turn soil, reducing compaction and helping it absorb water and nutrients. This lessens the chances of water running across yard surfaces, which can pool and erode foundations, leak into basements and cause buckling or lifting of patios and other hardscaping features. Plus, improving soil health makes for healthier trees and other large landscape plants, which add to the value of your home.

Host Wildlife

You know who loves a good garden? Animals. Flowering plants attract bees, which are in desperate need of habitat, as well as butterflies, hummingbirds and larger bird types. If you’re into native fauna, plant native plants to have the best chance of attracting local salamander, frog, bird, bee and other insect species. You might even get some deer, although not everyone thinks that’s a bonus!

Save Money on Groceries

Yes, really. If you put in a summer garden, you can save significantly on fresh produce during the height of production. Whereas others might have to pay for tomatoes, eggplants, zucchini, potatoes, berries and herbs, which are somehow still pricey even in summer, you can head right out back and skip the lines — and the bill. If you maintain year-round gardens using cold frames or hothouses, you can add fall and spring vegetables to the list; think broccoli, spinach, cabbage, kale, beets, carrots and much more.

Help the Environment

The more green stuff growing in our world, the better protected it is against pollutants and greenhouse gases. Plants, which need carbon dioxide to breathe, filter it and other damaging chemicals out of the air, helping to combat global climate change. Plants also anchor soil, keeping it in place when wind and rain would otherwise cause erosion.

What’s not to like about a hobby that’s good for you, protects your home, pads out your bank account and throws Mother Earth a bone at the same time? Dare we say it might be the perfect hobby? So go on and get out there!

Stumped: Debunking Myths of Trees and Tree Care

You probably treasure the trees on your property and appreciate that they offer shade, beauty, and a natural element that cannot be matched by anything else. However, caring for those trees can feel like a daunting task. This is especially the case if you have misinformation regarding proper tree care. Before you stress about how to proceed or make a mistake you cannot repair, let us debunk a few common tree care myths.

  • Myth 1 – Staking newly planted trees helps them develop a better root system. – The practice of staking a young tree (attaching it to a stiff piece of wood or pole when planting it) may offer both benefits and drawbacks. Trees planted without staking will often develop a deeper and more widespread root system. However, the staking can help the tree grow straighter and keep it from washing away in a rainstorm.
  • Myth 2 – Tree wraps can prevent insect problems and prevent temperature fluctuations. Tree wraps are a type of artificial sleeve developed to protect a young or growing tree. However, in many cases, covering a tree trunk can make pest problems worse (certain insects will burrow underneath the wrap and become stuck) and the improvement in temperature control is minimal at best.
  • Myth 3 – When pruning, cut flush with the trunk to encourage healing. Pruning trees, or cutting them back regularly, is important to help them grow. However, it is important to note that trees do not heal. In reality, the spread of decay is more likely with flush cuts (cuts that are flat against the trunk) than in a non-flush cut.
  • Myth 4 – The root system is burrowed deep, deep into the ground. The truth is, while root systems vary, most of a tree’s roots will grow within the first few inches underground.
  • Myth 5 – It is easy to kill fungus or insect problems using a chemical product. While the sheer number of these products available at your nearby home improvement store may make it seem to be the case, it is not so. Many fungal and insect problems have no known chemical treatment. Working with an expert is often best.
  • Myth 6 – Regular and vigorous pruning is necessary for all trees and will make a tree grow larger and stronger. There are so many different types of trees that this statement is simply not true in all cases. Doing your research or talking to an arborist is important to find out what type of pruning is necessary.

Don’t go barking up the wrong tree! If you need more information on tree care or want to work with the best, contact us at Premier Tree Solutions today at 404-252-6448 or online at www.chopmytree.com/contact-form/.

Source

http://www.tiptoparborists.com/articles/20-tree-care-tree-service-myths/

http://theworldlink.com/news/local/don-t-fall-for-age-old-tree-care-myths/article_b7deaf89-c302-5600-b903-2aded0d6fcb7.html

When It Rains, It Firs: Storm Damage Prevention

Whether it’s hailstones flying from the heavens or winds blowing like nobody’s business, weather can wreak some serious havoc on trees. From fragile willow saplings to hardy oaks, if your trees are hit by a storm, you should always try your best to make sure you and your home are ready for the worst. Use the valuable information we’ve assembled below to learn how you can stay prepared for whatever woes the weather may bring.

Six Types of Tree Damage

Although storms can be unpredictable, knowing the types of storm damage beforehand can help you be better prepared for any incident.

According to the University of Georgia’s Warnell School of Forest Resources, there are six types of tree damage:

  • Lightning
  • Branch failure
  • Root failure
  • Blow-over
  • Crown twist
  • Stem failure

Out of the 6 listed above, lightning is the most dangerous type of tree damage. If a tree is struck by lightning, the resulting current travels through the entire tree system, ending at the roots and destroying the tree’s tissues with a mixture of electricity, steam and heat. Trees that have been damaged by lightning will often experience water loss, further escalating the downfall of the plant. Furthermore, pests are drawn to a lightning-damaged tree like sap collectors to seeping maples. Unfortunately, because most of this takes place internally, it’s often difficult to identify the extent of the damage by just looking externally. Sometimes trees can begin to die without significant damage having occurred aboveground.

Branch, root and stem failure resulting from storm damage can create irreversible devastation throughout the entire structure of a tree. Additionally, without sturdy roots, life-providing branches or a sturdy stem, a tree cannot thrive. As for blow-overs and crown twists, these types of damage often stem from failures in another part of the tree. For example, a tree with a weakened root system will be more apt to toppling during a blow-over.

Nipping Tree Damage in the Bud

Proper pruning, the careful and selective removal of certain parts of the tree, can help resolve tree damage problems. Knowing whether you have spruce, sycamore, pear or pines, is also an essential part of determining how to reverse tree damage and prevent it. You can install preventative measures, such as lightning protection systems, if you are particularly keen to keeping your trees upright and healthy. Finally, subscribing to a regular routine of watering, fertilizing and pest control can help keep your trees in tiptop condition by. If you would like professional assistance in maintaining the specific types of trees in your outdoor space, contact Premier Tree Solutions at 404-252-6448 or online.

What to Expect When You’re Expecting (A Tree to Fall)

Trees are a perfect addition to any space. They clean the air, provide us with extra oxygen, and even add value (and a little pizzazz) to our homes! Unfortunately, trees can also be a huge hassle when they’re about to fall – sometimes toppling unexpectedly, giving you no advance warning. Luckily, trees that are about to tip over do display a few signs that are easy to spot if you know how to look for them. Check out these common signs that your tree might be readying to go timber.

Keep an Eye on Certain Species

Some trees are much more susceptible to dropping limbs or snapping than others. These include willows, silver maple, box elders, oaks, and sycamores. While any tree can drop a limb, these species may be brittle or subject to summer limb drop, which is when hot temperatures cause them to cast off branches. Keep an extra close eye on these species.

Look for Leans

It is natural for a tree to lean, but when it goes too far, it is more likely to fall. This is especially true when severe weather hits, but a fall can happen any time the tree can no longer support its weight at the unstable angle.

Scan for Splits and Breaks

Split or cracked bark and partially broken limbs are sure signs that your tree is unstable. Particularly when the split or break occurs near the base of the tree, it is in danger of falling.

Check for Dead Areas

Trees with bare or dead-looking branches that don’t leaf out or branches that seem otherwise sickly may have internal damage that reduces their structural integrity. This may be due to disease, old age, or simply due to damage. If you see dead branches but the rest of the tree looks healthy, your tree may need deadwooding, the process of removing dead, diseased, or dying branches from the tree. If the whole tree appears to be dead or dying, contact Premier Tree Solutions for assistance in removal.

Beware Construction Damage

Construction can take a heavy toll on trees, especially if workers aren’t careful. Digging up the ground around roots can shock the tree, and while it may look normal for a while, it might become unstable. Disturbing soil beneath or around roots can also lessen the tree’s stability, leading to a fall later on.

Now that you know the signs, you can watch your trees to keep your home, family, and property safer. Think you’ve got one that’s ready to go any day? Get professional help by calling Premier Tree Solutions today at 404-252-6448 or get in touch online.

It’s Not Easy Being Green: The Lives of Trees

We’ve seen trees around us all our lives, so it’s often easy to take them for granted – but inside, the world’s favorite foliage is so much more complex than most people may imagine. Take a look at the facts below to learn a little bit more about the secret lives of trees.

From Seed to Sprout

Trees of all types take root as a single seed, which may come in the form of an acorn, pod, or papery cone. After establishing its roots, the tree often grows in the direction of the sun. For some trees, constantly blowing wind currents may influence the tree’s direction of growth as well. Growth starts within the trunk of the tree, which is made up of several distinct stratums, or layers. Each year that a tree lives, another layer is added to the trunk, creating growth rings, which spill the seeds about the age of any tree.

Tree Anatomy 101

Let’s start with the trunk, the main source of a tree’s growth. The trunk connects the roots and the top leafy portion of the tree, known as the crown. The outer layer of the trunk is the bark. This serves as the tree’s thick skin, protecting it from weather conditions, cold temperatures, excessive heat, and pests. Peel back the bark and you’ll discover the phloem, or the inner bark. The phloem constantly grows along with the tree, absorbing water and nutrients. Living for only a short while, the phloem regularly dies and becomes cork, i.e. the outer bark.

Barking up a Tree’s Trunk

Other layers in the trunk include the cambium cell layer. This layer works directly with the phloem by stimulating cell growth, which is used for shooting sprouts and leaf buds through the tips of branches. Like the phloem, the cambium cell layer regularly dies and turns to cork. Sapwood is the next layer inside a tree. This is where water is sucked up from the roots. Sapwood shoots water through to the tree’s tiniest twigs. Heartwood, the innermost part of a tree’s trunk, is the life source of any sapling, no matter how big or small. It is like a tree skeleton, neither alive nor rotting, but simply beneficial for holding the tree upright. Don’t doubt the heartwood’s strength, though, as this inner core can be as strong as steel pipe.

Branching Out

Out from the trunk, you’ll find the parts of a tree that you’re probably most familiar with. At the top of the tree trunk you’ll find branches, which are often covered in needles, leaves, or other seed-producing tree parts. This is where a tree absorbs the sunlight necessary for making chlorophyll, which is the vitamin-packed food for trees. The root system holds the tree into place, while simultaneously providing a connection to a water source.

The next time you’ve got a question about a tree that’s becoming a thorn in your side; contact Premier Tree Solutions at 404-252-6448.

Sources

http://www.arborday.org/trees/treeGuide/anatomy.cfm

http://www.gardenguides.com/107428-types-tree-seeds.html