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 Yellow Buckeye (Aesculus flava). Learn all about the Yellow Buckeye below!
There’s a lot going on in the world right now. Living through a pandemic, trying our best to stay afloat during turbulent times in the economy, and watching many political movements take place across the globe. However, one problem that’s long existed is environmental sustainability.
With that in mind, we’re sharing how planting trees impacts the environment.
Most people know and believe that a lot of our environmental issues started with the removal of entire forests and thousands upon thousands of trees. That’s because trees are vital to our ecosystem. They absorb greenhouse gases that cause global warming, and when trees are gone, they aren’t able to eat the carbon dioxide that is released into the atmosphere thanks to our habits.
Planting more trees helps to take a step back in those issues. More trees mean less global warming, which means less extreme weather and temperatures.
Recently, some studies have researched the true impact that millions of trees planted have on our planet. The results are less than promising. This isn’t to say that the effort shouldn’t be done. It just may not yield the results we’re hoping for as quickly as we would want.
For starters, simply planting young trees and walking away won’t cut it. Smaller trees don’t have the same benefits as older trees when it comes to processing carbon dioxide. As we all know, nurturing mature trees takes time. On top of this, saplings are at higher risk for succumbing to droughts, diseases, pests, and flooding. This unfortunately means that many of the young trees planted may not make it.
However, let’s say that all of the trees do make it. Unfortunately, that can lead to other issues too. If thousands of trees are all growing right next to each other, those trees will be stunted in their growth. Severe competition for the same dirt to grow their roots and the same sun to soak up can do that to trees. However, if some trees were removed, it would allow the others to flourish and have plenty of room to grow.
The other problem with that many trees in the same area is a lack of biodiversity. If we planted thousands of elms in one location, that means all it would take is a single group of pests or diseases to wipe them all out. That’s why planting multiple types of trees can improve the area, but that can be harder to do when it comes to resources and time.
There’s a lot we’re still learning and trying to accomplish when it comes to improving our environment and saving our home. As we are discovering, planting millions of trees isn’t the only action we need to do. Instead, we need to think about where we plant them, how many we plant, and also focus on improving biodiversity.
Have further questions about how planting trees impacts the environment? Our experts are here to help! If you’re interested in utilizing our expertise, feel free to reach out to us by clicking here or by giving us a call at 404-252-6448.
If you’re in the process of picking out a new tree or two for your yard, you might be worrying about how to protect your choices from harmful and undetectable pests. The last thing you want is for one of your beautiful trees to fall victim to hungry bugs and also put your other plants in danger.
Instead of wondering how to protect your trees, it might be better to pick options for your yard that are naturally pest-resistant. While this may sound too good to be true, there are species of trees that have the natural ability to ward off bugs.
To figure out which trees are more resistant to pets, keep reading below.
There are some natural Georgia trees that are pest-resistant, and we’re about to go into that list shortly. But if you are extremely worried about bugs harming your plants, it might be best to pick a tree that isn’t natural to our state. Doing so means that the pests that normally harm those trees aren’t in the area, meaning they’ll remain safe.
However, picking non-native trees can lead to other issues, such as introducing new bugs or diseases to our environment. When deciding, make sure to do plenty of research and also reach out to local tree experts, like our team, for advice.
But, without further ado, here are some trees you can find in Georgia that are bug resistant:
Have further questions about trees that are more resistant to pets? Our experts are here to help! If you’re interested in utilizing our expertise, feel free to reach out to us by clicking here or by giving us a call at 404-252-6448.
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 Willow Oak (Quercus phellos). Learn all about the Willow Oak below!
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 Loblolly Pine (Pinus taeda). Learn all about the Loblolly Pine below!
In Georgia, we’re used to seeing never-ending pine trees, gorgeous Cherry Blossoms, or the occasional exotic example of bamboo or Japanese Maple. But, when it comes to toxic and unusual trees, we don’t have too many that are natural to our soils to showcase.
But that doesn’t mean they aren’t out there! There are countless species of trees across the world, each as unique and special as the one before. From actual tree skeletons in the Deadvlei desert to trees that can only grow over another type of tree, you think it up and it probably exists.
To celebrate all that nature can create, we’re diving into our five favorite weirdest trees that actually exist.
One of the most unique looking trees out there, the Baobab Tree can reach up to 98 feet tall with trunks that grow up to 36 feet in width. Needless to say, this tree gets huge. What makes it look even more interesting is that no branches stay low to the ground. The only branches and leaves you’ll find are at the very top.
An interesting fact about this tree: some were hollowed out and used as holding prison cells in the past. Though this practice has since been abandoned, you will only find these trees in Madagascar, Africa, and Australia.
What makes this tree one of our favorite unusual species is that its fruit grows everywhere. Not just on its limbs or attached to leaves but also all over its bark. If you came across it in a forest, it would look like giant balls of black are attached to the trunk, almost like the tree itself is leaking grapes. We also think the white blossoms that come from the fruit are strange, since they are often described as hairy.
Luckily, this fruit is not poisonous. Many people use the fruit to eat whole or to produce wine and juice. It’s native to Brazil and will create these strange fruits and flowers multiple times a year, if the conditions are right.
When we mentioned in the title a tree so toxic you can’t stand under it, this is the tree we were referring to.
Native to Central America, parts of South America, and southern areas of North America, this tree’s name is translated in Spanish to “the tree of death”. What makes it so bad? Everything that the tree produces is poisonous and can be fatal when ingested or even just touched. From the thick, milky sap that oozes out of every inch of this tree to the small, round fruit they produce, we aren’t kidding when we say that every single part of this tree is toxic. Even standing under the tree when it rains and dilutes the sap will not be safe.
Yet, the tree is still vital to its environment, and many people use the bark for furniture, once it’s been cleaned and proven safe of course.
The prettiest out of the options we’ve chosen, the Rainbow Eucalyptus is a stunner of a tree. Why? It has rainbow bark! When the tree sheds its outer layer throughout the year, it reveals underneath bark that is red, blue, purple, and orange.
As the bark ages, it produces these colors at different stages. The youngest bark will be green while the oldest will be brown. Because the bark within the tree grows at irregular intervals, when it sheds what’s remaining often looks like a kaleidoscope or a rainbow.
This tree is native to the Philippines and is harvested in paper manufacturing.
Considered one of the most dangerous trees in the world, this species can make literal explosions happen. It produces seeds that look like small pumpkins. However, once they harden and mature, they explode and shoot out more seeds, all in an effort to make more trees like it grow and spread. However, this explosion can cause speeds up to 150 miles per hour at distances of 60 feet. Needless to say, you don’t want to get in the way of those seeds.
The tree’s appearance looks dangerous too. It’s up-to-130-feet-tall trunk is covered in cone-shaped spikes. On top of that, the sap the tree produces is also poisonous.
Luckily, you won’t find any of these trees out in the wilds of Georgia. Still, you might want to save this knowledge in case you ever encounter a tree trivia question. If you have any more questions about the above weird species or want Premier Tree to assist you with your Georgia trees, reach out to us by clicking here or by giving us a call at 404-252-6448.
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 Japanese Maple (Acer Palmatum). Learn all about the Japanese Maple below!
Fluctuating weather is a common occurrence in Georgia. One day it might feel like spring is right on the horizon, other days a chilly freeze comes back making you snuggle up on the couch. You might even notice how some trees start to blossom too early, say around February, when the warm weather comes out to tease them and their biological systems. But, when frost comes back to bite, what will happen to those gorgeous trees with flowers ready to bloom?
The experts at Premier Tree Solutions are taking a look at how changing weather can do to your trees.
Before we dive into the effects changing temperatures can have on our trees, let’s first take a look at when these weather patterns are most common. The answer to that is winter. So on top of having to worry about strong winds and bitter temperatures, you also have to worry about when spring comes in a bit too early, only to leave just as quickly as it comes.
In fact, most often than not, the biggest threat of danger to our trees is the fluctuating weather. When the temperature drops suddenly, trees and plants can really suffer since they won’t have the proper time to prepare for cold weather. The amount of stress this piles onto our trees causes some damage, which we’re about to discuss now.
If leaves have already begun to appear thanks to false warmer weather, they may end up being distorted by the time all of the cold temperatures finally leave. The frost causes the new leaves to burn, have holes, and look smaller or with less concrete shapes than they might usually have.
The good news is that most of the time trees will grow out of the distortion and normal looking leaves will appear again with time.
Most commonly found in the sides of trees that face the sun and therefore face the biggest jumps in temperature, these are long cracks in the trunks that appear thanks to changing temperatures. Why does this happen? When the weather suddenly drops, it causes the outer layer of the trunk to contract quicker than the layers deeper in the tree do. That’s why a crack may appear.
Similar to what was described above, sunscald is where bark is exposed to intense sun during changing temperatures reddens, toughens, and then eventually cracks. Most commonly this happens to trees that have little foliage to protect their trunk from strong sun, such as when trees blossom too early and then those flowers die due to a sudden drop in cold weather.
Most commonly seen on evergreens, winterburn looks like scorched and brown leaf tips. When these trees are exposed to warm sun and dropped temperatures in the night, their leaves dry out. This happens more frequently when the water in their roots aren’t able to reach the leaves, such as if they freeze over due to the fluctuating temperatures.
Have any more questions about how changing weather can affect your trees? Premier Tree Solutions has been providing quality, professional tree services to the metro Atlanta and surrounding areas for more than ten years. Click here to contact us or give us a call at 404-252-6448.
If you’ve lost a plant or a tree to pests, then you know just how frustrating microscopic bugs can be. They may be tiny, but they are mighty, especially when they eat through your beloved landscaping in no time at all. While trees are adapting and evolving to create new mechanisms to fight away the pests that bother them, often bugs change even faster, thwarting the tree’s attempts.
Luckily, there are many types of plants, shrubs, and trees that already have naturally built armor to fend off pests. On top of that, scientists and botanists are working to breed new types of trees with genes that fend off these fiends.
So, if you don’t want your heart broken by pesky bugs, keep reading below to learn your options for pest-resistant trees.
Known for being resistant to most tree problems, from pests to droughts, this tree has feather-like leaves that are green during the spring and summer but turn orange during the fall. They typically grow in southern swamps, though they do well in any environment, and can be more than 70 feet tall.
Hoping to find a smaller tree that is also pest resistant? Look no further! Not only does this tree grow extremely fast to its max at about 25 feet, but it also is gorgeous and has white flowers during the spring that smell amazing.
This tree is fantastic if you have an area with full sun. They are on the smaller side, but can still grow anywhere from 25 to 35 feet tall. If they are placed in the shade, the shape of the tree tends to get misshapen. The good news is that they are pest resistant and have gorgeous orange fall leaves.
An extremely popular tree often found from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico, this pine tree is known for its many practical uses, such as building fences, to its tall stature, sometimes growing over 60 feet tall. These beauties are usually free of any serious pest and disease problems, though they aren’t totally immune.
A tree with fossils that date all the way back to 270 million years ago, the Ginkgo is one of the most popular deciduous trees out there. Not only does this tree have interesting leaves shaped like a fan, but they turn a gorgeous yellow color in the fall. A single tree can live to be 3,000 years and it also happens to be very pest resistant!
Famous in the south, the magnolia is a deciduous tree with large, green leaves that blossoms gorgeous white or pink flowers in the spring. If you know you want this kind of pest-resistant tree for your yard, there are many different variants to pick from and even size differences to consider. It’s up to you!
No, this isn’t a tree made of rubber. However, inside the leaves is milky white latex, once used to make rubber. This makes the plant harder for pests to chew on. Also a popular house plant, these trees can start off as small plants that fit in the corner of your living room but grow to be about 50 feet tall. They also come in many gorgeous variants, such as the ruby with shades of dark red on the leaves.
These are just a small portion of the many available pest-resistant trees. Have any more questions about these kinds of trees and which would be best for your yard? Premier Tree Solutions has been providing quality, professional tree services to the metro Atlanta and surrounding areas for more than ten years. Click here to contact us or give us a call at 404-252-6448.
When thinking of Georgia’s Jekyll Island, you may picture the famous large pieces of driftwood that often wash up on those shores. These massive pieces of nature and art not only have a story, but they also have a purpose.
If you’ve ever been curious about what driftwood is, keep reading below.
As you might have been able to guess, driftwood is pieces of trees or even whole trees that end up in a body of water, such as a river or an ocean. But how could it possibly get there in the first place?
Think about all of the islands that are out in the ocean decorated with trees, or all of the rivers shaded by green canopies. All driftwood takes is one branch, or sometimes a whole tree, to collapse into the waiting water.
Just like there are many types of trees, there’s also different kinds of driftwood. Most commonly, you’ll only see small parts, like a branch or a part of a root. But, sometimes, a whole tree stays intact while it travels through the ocean, creating those famous pieces of driftwood that wash up on Jekyll Island’s shores.
If you travel slowly through a body of water, you might also look like a piece of driftwood. That’s because the current, water type, and other inhabitants create the gray and corroded famous appearance of driftwood. Fast-moving water can strip the tree of its bark, salt can wash away the color, and smaller animals or insects can drill small or gaping holes into the tree to make their home.
Each piece of driftwood tells a story about its journey, which you can often see hints of if you look close enough.
Pieces of driftwood can often be used for many different purposes. Whether it be for building boats, crafts, decorating houses, forming habitats for other animals, regulating water flow, or providing a home for plants to flourish, this seemingly insignificant piece of wood does so much for our environment.
So, next time you visit Jekyll island or come across a tree making its way down a river, take a closer look to see just how much it’s benefiting the area.
Premier Tree Solutions has been providing quality, professional tree services to the metro Atlanta and surrounding areas for more than ten years. If you need any help with any of your tree services needs, including questions about certain types of trees, click here to contact us or give us a call at 404-252-6448.
Direct: 404.252.6448 • Emergencies: 404.569.8897 • [email protected]
8525 Serenbe Rd, Chattahoochee Hills, GA 30268
