Timing is Everything: When To Plant a New Tree

If you’re hoping to add new trees to your property, there are many considerations to keep in mind. 

You’ve likely started thinking about what type of tree to select and where it should be planted on your property. But did you know you should also be thoughtful about WHEN you plant your new tree?

Our experts dive into this important topic below.

When Should I Plant a New Tree?

  • WHEN YOU’RE IN A DORMANT SEASON. The dormant season is the best time to plant a new tree. This means either during the spring before blossoms begin to bloom or the fall right after leaves have dropped.
  • WHEN THERE IS CLEAR WEATHER. Keep an eye on the weather in the days and weeks leading up to planting your new tree. Heavy rains on a freshly planted tree can make it harder for the roots to establish. Aim for a day and week where there is not much rain in the forecast.
  • WHEN THE WEATHER IS MILD. You should also keep temperature in mind! If it’s at or near freezing, it will not only be difficult to dig, but you also run the risk of the tree being damaged when exposed to the extreme cold. The same is true with blistering hot summer days in which the soil can dry out too quickly for the tree to take water. 

Have any questions about when to plant a new tree? Feel free to reach out to us by clicking here or by giving us a call at 404-252-6448.

The Delicate Balance of Tree Pruning: Common Pruning Mistakes To Avoid

Pruning is an important and necessary step in caring for your trees. When you prune correctly, you’ll keep the yard looking polished, protect your property from falling dead branches, and keep your tree healthy for years to come. 

That being said, pruning should be done carefully and thoughtfully! In many cases a professional touch is needed. Not many homeowners realize that it is possible to prune too much or incorrectly. 

Keep reading to learn more about common pruning mistakes you should be aware of and avoid.

Common Pruning Mistakes

  • Open wounds on trees are easy targets of disease and pests. Unprofessional, rushed, or uneven cuts on a tree can leave open marks that invite disease and pests in.
  • Similarly, if a limb is not removed properly it can cause damage to other limbs or even the trunk of the tree as it’s coming down. This increases the risk of tree or property damage, or even worse, personal injury. 
  • Poorly pruned trees are also more likely to get damaged from storms or winds. You want to be sure that your trees are made stronger by pruning, not weaker.
  • Cutting the wrong branches or limbs can actually shorten the lifetime of a tree. If too many healthy branches are removed, this can impact a tree’s access to sunlight and water, making it impossible for the tree to create energy or food. Additionally, over-pruning can trigger a tree’s stress response.
  • Injuring a tree’s bark in the process of pruning is also a common mistake we see. While this isn’t always a big issue, larger wounds to the tree’s bark can kill them.

Have any questions about what pruning your tree wrong can do to them? Feel free to reach out to us by clicking here or by giving us a call at 404-252-6448.

BE A GEORGIA TREE KNOW-IT-ALL: GREEN ASH

Get to know Georgia’s beautiful array of trees and how you can take care of your own! Each month, we feature some of the most popular trees in the state. This month, we are showcasing the Green Ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica). Learn all about the Green Ash below!

Green Ash Tree Infographic

Could Your Tree Benefit From Fertilizer?

If you’re a homeowner, you likely understand the importance of caring for the trees on your property. While many people are good about checking for pests and keeping their trees pruned, many others don’t know that using fertilizer can also be a great step in their tree-care routine.

First Things First, Do You Need Fertilizer?

Some trees may not have a need for fertilizer, because the soil around them is already packed with all the necessary nutrients. Consider these factors when deciding if you could boost your tree’s health with fertilizer.

 

  • Is your yard regularly fertilized? If so, there’s no need to add additional fertilizer around your trees. 
  • Do your trees show signs of poor health? If your trees exhibit any of these symptoms, it’s possible fertilizer could help.
  • Test your soil! You can order your own kit to do just that. This process allows you to see first-hand the elements in your soil and if your trees might need some extra nutrients.
  • Are your trees not fully grown yet? Using fertilizer is an amazing way to ensure they grow to be as full and large as they can possibly be. 

Pick the Right Kind

Since there are many different brands and types of fertilizers out there, it can be a pain to figure out what type is right for you. Luckily, we’ve put together this guide on the best and worst types of fertilizers for your trees. Check it out to get a head start on the sometimes-overwhelming processes of selecting the best option!

So, When Should I Apply Fertilizer? 

The best time to apply fertilizer for your trees is during the early spring, when they aren’t facing times of overwatering or drought. It’s also the time when their roots are growing the most and when your soil has the most nutrients available. 

Have questions or need to talk to our Plant Health Care specialist about fertilizing your trees or yard? Feel free to reach out to us by clicking here or by giving us a call at 404-252-6448.

Different Ways to Remove Trees

If there’s a tree on your property that needs to be removed, you might be wondering about the best way to get it down safely. Believe it or not, there are several different approaches!

That being said, remember to always consult with a professional before making a removal plan to ensure you and your property remain safe. We’re explaining the different ways to remove trees below! 

The Old-Fashioned Way

If you have a very small tree on your property that can be safely removed without professional help, then it could be as simple as cutting it down with an axe or chainsaw yourself. This approach should only be taken if you’re familiar with using these types of tools. Even then, we recommend checking with a professional before proceeding.

Professional Climbing, Rope System 

Most trees that need to be removed are close to or above homes or other property elements. This is where a professional touch is needed!

In these situations, tree removal specialists will often use a complex rope system in which an expert securely scales the tree and then proceeds to cut branches off section by section. Each removed piece of tree is then caught and lowered safely to the ground via the rope system. 

As you can imagine, this is not something you should ever try yourself. 

Our Favorite Approach? JAWS! 

In recent years, a new, cutting-edge tree removal approach has developed: a Palfinger PK40002 Knuckle Boom Crane with a Mecanil SG280 Grapple Saw we fondly call JAWS. We know, that sounds really complicated! 

Essentially, JAWS is an innovative crane system that enables tree removal professionals to cut down entire trees without having to climb them. Workers use remote control operations from the ground, which eliminates the dangerous possibility of falling from trees during the removal process. We were the first in Georgia to offer this new innovative, safe technology for tree removal!

Learn all about this service we’re proud to offer our customers in Atlanta! 

Pondering your tree removal needs and have further questions about the different ways to remove trees? Feel free to reach out to us by clicking here or by giving us a call at 404-252-6448.

BE A GEORGIA TREE KNOW-IT-ALL: SUGARBERRY TREE

Get to know Georgia’s beautiful array of trees and how you can take care of your own! Each month, we feature some of the most popular trees in the state. This month, we are showcasing the Sugarberry Tree (Celtis laevigata). Learn all about the Sugarberry Tree below!

Infographic for Sugarberry Tree.

What To Do if Your Tree is Dying

If you have trees in your yard, chances are you love them for their beauty, the shade they produce, and the value they add to your home. The last thing you want is to see one of them start to wilt and die! 

Our experts explain what to do if your tree is dying or if you sense your tree is unwell. 

First Things First: Identify if Your Tree Is Dying 

Spotting a dying tree can be trickier than you think! Here are some tell-tale signs that a tree is dying:

  • There’s a long crack on the trunk. 
  • The tree appears to be extremely dry and the branches crack easily under pressure. 
  • The tree isn’t standing upright. 
  • Little or no leaves grow on the branches. 
  • Fungi and mushrooms have made a home on the tree. 

Figure Out What’s Killing Your Tree

This step might require outside help, as it can often be difficult to determine for yourself what’s harming your tree. The potential culprits include pests, diseases, and weather damage. If you need assistance in monitoring the health of your trees, our experts would love to help! Reach out to us to schedule an appointment today with one of our Certified Arborists and ask about our Plant Health Care Program to learn more. 

Try Out Different Tree Saving Methods 

If you know your tree is dying and it’s not because of the major health issues mentioned above, try some of these tactics to bring life back into your tree. 

Water More or Less 

Issues with watering are hands-down one of the biggest reasons trees meet an untimely end. The key to doing it right is to find the middle ground between not watering too much or too little. You want to stick to somewhere between one minute to two minutes of watering per day and stop before water puddles on the ground. You also want to ensure you have proper drainage around your tree, so your soil doesn’t retain too much water. 

Boost with Fertilizers

Sometimes all your tree needs to bring it back to life is a boost with fertilizer. Grab a trusted brand and then use it on your tree following the instructions on the packaging. You might see a difference in just a few weeks! 

Mulch Can Help! 

Mulch is a fantastic tool for trees, as it can provide extra nutrients. Again, the trick is to use the perfect amount for your tree, not too much and not too little. You want to ensure that you dig close enough to your roots to allow the mulch to touch them, but you don’t want to bury the roots so much that they can’t breathe. Usually, somewhere around 1.5 inches of mulch works perfectly. 

Pruning Can Give Your Tree a Second Chance at Life

We talk about pruning in most of our tree-of-the-month infographics, and for a very important reason! Pruning a dying tree has the potential to bring it back to life. 

How does it work? If the trunk is still alive, you can cut off any dead branches or areas you notice have died. Doing so will prevent the dead cells from spreading anywhere else on the tree. 

Have any questions about tree care? Feel free to reach out to us by clicking here or by giving us a call at 404-252-6448.

The Science Behind Falling Leaves

Autumn is famous for the gorgeous colors it brings to our trees and foliage. But when the oranges, reds, and yellows fade, we’re left with dead leaves scattered across our yards. While it can be annoying to deal with leaf blowing and raking, we can take comfort in knowing this process is a vital part of a tree’s life cycle. 

Have you ever wondered why leaves fall from trees in the fall? We’re explaining the science behind falling leaves and this seasonal phenomenon below!

It’s All in The Leaf’s Design

Deciduous trees are the types of trees that exhibit brightly colored leaves that fall during the Autumn. Their leaves are usually very thin, which means if they stayed on during the winter they would rupture from freezing water in their veins. 

When the temperatures start to change with the new season, hormones within the tree are activated. The process called abscission begins. Chlorophyll, the part of the leaf that controls the pigment and also plays a major role in photosynthesis, stops being produced. That’s why green leaves fade into the gorgeous reds, yellows, and oranges we all know and love. 

Then, the vessels that provide the leaves with sugars and water close up. A layer of cells called the abscission layer develops. It grows between the leaf stalk and the branch holding it, cutting it off from the tree without creating a wound. Finally, the tree enters its dormancy stage, meaning it’s resting and saving energy until it’s time to grow new leaves in the spring. 

Overall, this is an important part of a tree’s life cycle. When leaves fall, it allows the tree to have a fresh start during the spring, giving them ample time to develop new food sources instead of holding onto ruptured leaves that can’t provide any nutrients. Having no leaves also protects the tree from damaging snow and winds during the winter. 

But Some Trees Don’t Lose Their Leaves?

That’s right! Those types of trees are called evergreens, which means that they have leaves with thick waxes and resins that protect them from the cold weather that comes. Some great examples are pine trees and magnolias.

Have any questions about caring for your evergreen or deciduous trees in your yard or the science behind falling leaves? Feel free to reach out to us by clicking here or by giving us a call at 404-252-6448.

BE A GEORGIA TREE KNOW-IT-ALL: DEVILWOOD TREE

Get to know Georgia’s beautiful array of trees and how you can take care of your own! Each month, we feature some of the most popular trees in the state. This month, we are showcasing the Devilwood Tree (Cartrema americana). Learn all about the Devilwood Tree below!

Devilwood Tree infographic

What Wood Is Best for Fires?

With colder temperatures in the air, there’s nothing better than warming yourself up and getting cozy next to a crackling fire. Whether you’re enjoying a backyard bonfire or cuddling up on the couch by your fireplace, the most important element of a good fire is the wood that is used to create it! Unfortunately, the wrong wood choice can lead to excess smoke or short burn time. 

Curious about what wood is best for fires? We’re answering that question below! 

Pick These Logs for Recreational Fires 

The options listed below are known to be the best types of wood for recreational fires. They produce nice heat, burn slowly, light up quickly, and won’t leave you coughing over excess smoke. 

  • Ash
  • Beech
  • Birch
  • Black Cherry
  • Cedar 
  • Dogwood 
  • Fir
  • Hickory 
  • Madrone
  • Maple
  • Oak
  • Pine

Want help supplying these types of trees for your yard? Feel free to reach out to us by clicking here or by giving us a call at 404-252-6448.