Author: Donna Hinds

The telltale signs of various tree diseases and insect infestations are often most evident in summer. Populations of many types of scales, mites, and aphids are particularly noticeable at this time. Some problems can be spotted and treated immediately. However, when certain insect pests are present and visible, it may already be too late to treat. Even in these cases, learning now that these insects are present is important. You can get a jumpstart on planning for treatments for next year and implement cultural practices, like proper mulching and irrigation, that will keep trees healthier and more resistant to infestation. By regularly looking at your trees you may notice some of the common signs associated with tree pests or disease.

Signs of a Tree Issue

Strange bumps, or galls, on leaves can indicate insect feeding and egg-laying activity.

Discoloration, spots, or bumps on leavesBranch dieback, wilting, or stunted foliageMushrooms or fungal growth near a tree’s trunkDark areas or oozing liquid on the trunk or rootsPresence of defoliating insects, nests or caterpillarsSmall exit holes in the trunk or branchesSap-sucking insects secreting honeydew that leads to sooty mold growthSawdust-like debris caused by wood-boring insectsPremature autumn color and leaf drop

Scale insects can be difficult for property owners to spot because of their unusual appearance.

Correct Diagnosis is Key

Some symptoms may indicate problems that cause negligible damage and require little to no intervention. Conversely, others may reveal that a serious problem exists or could develop if the symptoms are ignored. Therefore, correctly diagnosing the cause of symptoms is critically important in caring for trees and shrubs.

The post Monitor Trees for Signs of Insects & Disease first appeared on Tree Topics.

The polyphagous shot hole borer is a recently introduced, non-native beetle that is having a devastating impact on landscapes, forests and agriculture in southern California. This insect pest bores into trees, creating galleries where it feeds and lays eggs. Wood boring insects are known for being destructive to trees as their activity inside the tree disrupts the flow of water and nutrients. The polyphagous shot hole borer is especially damaging because it also introduces a pathogenic fungus that rapidly kills trees.

This pest has dozens of host plants so they are broken down into three categories:

Non-hosts: beetle attacks the plant and is repelled without fungal introductionFungal hosts: beetle introduces the lethal fungus, but does not reproduceTrue hosts: beetle introduces the lethal fungus and reproduces successfully

Small holes surrounded by wet bark indicate a shot hole borer infestation.

True hosts are plentiful and include many native California trees such as coast, valley, and Englemann oaks, sycamore, big-leaf maple, boxelder and blue palo verde. Non-native true hosts in the same region include several other oak and maple species, avocado, coral tree, camellia, acacia and many others.

Infested trees will have multiple small, round entry holes. These holes are often surrounded by white crust, wet bark, or both.

Since management options for this insect/pathogen combination are still being researched, regular monitoring to identify infestations is currently the best course of action. Trees that are severely infested should be removed.

The post Invasive Shot Hole Borer Affecting California’s Trees first appeared on Tree Topics.

Spring tree care is an investment that can provide significant returns and leads. Attractive and healthy trees go a long way in enhancing the appearance of your property and in adding value as well. As a certified tree service in Fort Worth, we can take care of your maintenance and spring tree care needs. Maintaining trees and shrubs requires a certain level of knowledge and expertise.

You could save a lot of time, money, and effort by hiring a certified tree care expert for your spring maintenance.

Highly Trained and Professional

We staff ISA certified arborists and tree care experts that are highly trained and specialized. Our crew is equipped with the proper training to analyze tree related issues and to correct them with proper tree care. Our arborists can do a lot from identifying potential hazards or harmful concerns to implementing the right services to help your trees.

Arborists have the experience to come up with a plan of action that will help your trees and ensure a healthy and happy yard. Not paying attention to sick or decaying trees can eventually cause your other plants to show signs of sickness. It doesn’t take much for pests and diseases to jump from one tree to the next. An arborist will make sure that all signs of damage, decay, and disease are caught early before they can wreak havoc in your yard.

Required Services Provided in a Timely Manner

Spring care is something that needs a lot of time and attention. It is not enough to give your yard a quick once-over. We have a keen eye and enough time and hands on deck to assess the health of your individual trees and take adequate measures to protect them.

As certified tree care experts, we know the kind of services that your trees require for staying healthy and the best way to provide these services. Not to mention, our arborists have experience offering a wide range of care options, such as tree pest control, tree disease control, planting, tree removal, stump removal, and tree trimming or pruning among others.

We are your one stop shop for everything that needs to be done as part of spring tree care. Call today for a free quote: 972-743-9959.

The post Why Hire a Certified Tree Care Expert For Spring Tree Care? appeared first on Chippers Tree Service.

Spring is right here and your trees have already started feeling it. This is the perfect time to be considering spring tree services. There are several tree service in Fort Worth, TX that offer everything you could require during a spring tree service. Let Chippers Tree Service prepare your tree for spring growth. We can inspect your properties trees and recommend ways of maximizing their beauty, health, and safety.

Spring is one of the most exciting times of the year for a tree lover. With over 30 years combined experience and cutting edge equipment we can handle all your tree car. Tasks such as tree cutting, pruning, stump grinding can be dangerous if you don’t have the experience or proper equipment to undertake.

Get Spring Ready

There are several things you can do to ensure that your trees remain vibrant, healthy and beautiful in the peak of the spring season. A few of these include:

Conducting an inspection

You should schedule an inspection of your yard and trees by an arborist. You don’t want pests to set up shop in your trees. Here you will be able to find any signs of pest damage, uncovered root systems, and weak spots in the tree. They will also look for other damages that may be hampering growth. This inspection will allow you to understand the things that need to be done for protecting your tree and ensuring a healthy growth system.

Removing dead and dying branches

There are lots of branches on most trees. However, these branches need to be routinely cut back or trimmed to prevent the tree from getting overwhelmed. This is especially true for dead and dying branches on healthy trees. Pruning will ensure the tree keeps growing as it should.

Fixing standing water issues

Standing water can be a problematic issue for any tree. This is especially true for their root system. Early spring is when water could be standing around the tree system. You should have a professional take a look at the tree root system to identify if there is any standing water issue. They will also recommend ways for fixing the problem by installing drainage and other methods.

Keep Your Trees Healthy

You can stay rest assured that your trees will grow the way they are supposed to, throughout the spring and year-round. Damaged and decaying trees can quickly turn into a liability instead of an asset. You can have several issues fixed during spring tree services. This includes keeping pests away, pruning problem branches and ensuring a healthy landscape. The time is now to seek professional services for keeping your trees in the peak of their health.

The post Is It Time to Call Spring Tree Services? appeared first on Chippers Tree Service.

Your trees can develop a lean for a wide variety of reasons. They may not be properly planted or maybe you have been overwatering them which has caused a shallow root system. In most cases, leaning trees right themselves up. However, in some cases you may need the help of a professional tree service in Fort Worth Texas to provide added support to the tree.

There are several steps you can take to prevent trees from leaning. Proper tree maintenance plays an important role in your tree’s health.

Annual Inspection

Texas is known for its storms and bad weather. Heavy rain, ice, high winds and tornadoes are quite common in this part of the country. You need to make sure that a certified arborist inspects and maintains your tree at least once a year. Improperly maintained trees are susceptible to damage from severe weather. Leaning is one of the most common concerns in trees after inclement weather.

A certified arborist would know how to detect structural issues. They would recommend fixes before the tree starts leaning. They can also identify other potentially concerning factors, such as cracked or broken limbs, fungus growth diseases, weather, improper pruning, insects, construction damage, and rot or planting mistakes.

Tree Trimming

Tree trimming is another way to prevent the top from getting too high. Many top-heavy trees develop a lean in high winds because their base is not structurally sound enough. Cutting away a few branches and limbs can cause the tree to become stronger. It will also help in taking away a lot of added weight. Most trees are burdened by dead or decaying branches. Your tree trimmer will remove these branches to allow new growth to burst forth.

Trees that are trimmed are also automatically healthier. They will have a strong and robust root system. This root system is imperative in protecting the tree and preventing it from leaning. Regular trimming makes sure the tree stays upright in safe conditions and gets enough sunshine.

Avoid Topping a Tree

While trimming and pruning are important, you should never top a tree. This is where the top of the canopy is lopped off. This causes the tree to attain an unsightly stump at the top. It creates an unnatural appearance which is susceptible to insects, decay, and diseases. This may also result in the root system becoming weak and the tree to start leaning.

Make Sure the Tree Planted Properly

Improperly planted trees may develop a lean. This makes it important to always plant your trees properly at the right depth. You can get help from a certified tree care expert to understand which tree is right for the existing soil conditions. A leaning tree can cause tremendous problems if not fixed quickly.

The post How to Prevent Leaning Trees? appeared first on Chippers Tree Service.

It is no easy task to keep up with the ever-demanding needs of a house. There are several DIY jobs you can do around the yard. However, tree services are something that is best left to the professionals. This is especially true for tree pruning service. You should not undertake tree removal or stump grinding on your own as well.

These are a few reasons why you should consider hiring tree care experts to take care of your yard.

Tree Work is Rife with Hazards

Tree work is among the most dangerous chores around the house. You can find it difficult to identify tree hazards especially when undertaking chopping tasks. Most trees don’t show outwardly signs of damage. However, they can still present a danger. An experienced arborist knows the kind of signs to watch out for.

They know which tree is diseased and with what. They know if a tree is decaying on the inside while still looking vibrant outside. You may not realize that the tree in your yard is almost rotted. But, a tree care expert would know that. Often, tree care requires working with overhead power lines or other similar hazards. You don’t want to undertake these jobs on your own.

Professionals Have Deep Tree Knowledge

Different tree species in DFW area have different needs. You don’t just need extensive knowledge of tree biology. But, you also need to have an in depth knowledge of the various techniques in tree care. You may end up damaging the tree if you don’t know what it needs. Sometimes, incorrect care can do more harm than good. Some things are best left to the professionals and tree care is one of them. This is particularly relevant where watering, mulching, planting, trimming, and removal is concerned.

Experience Matters with Trees

There are several tasks that require an experienced tree care expert. Tree removal or trimming is not as easy it looks. There is a lot to it than just sawing off branches. You shouldn’t let a tree branch fall just anywhere. It could cause property damage or personal injury. It takes a certified arborist to understand the nature of a tree and take adequate precautions while performing a task.

For instance, during tree removal the tree care expert would use a combination of ropes and tools. At the same time, while trimming, the professional would know which cuts to use and how much to trim. They will also identify potential signs of injury or damage to the tree. Professionals know how to keep an eye out for insects, pests, infections, and diseases. Improper pruning has been known to kill a tree. Professional tree services will make sure your trees remain healthy and vibrant.

The post Why Should You Consider Hiring Professional Tree Services? appeared first on Chippers Tree Service.

Nobody ever wants a leaning tree in their yard. They want their trees to grow tall and straight. This is where tree cabling and bracing comes in helpful because Mother Nature always has other ideas. Wind, snow, rain, and storms can cause the best and strongest of trees to develop a lean. Younger trees are particularly susceptible to tilting and growing in a leaning fashion.

Should You Cable and Brace?

To stake or not to stake is a major dilemma faced by most tree care experts. Arborists believe that trees grow best when they are not cabled or braced. However, there are several circumstances in which guying or staking is the only thing that would prevent the tree from leaning or getting uprooted. You should get a professional in to have a look at your trees to check whether cabling and bracing is required or not. Generally, this method is employed on thin stemmed trees that may bend because of the canopy weight or newly purchased trees that have small root balls.

Straightening a Tree

You would want to stake a tree if you want to support it temporarily. This is until the tree’s natural root system can take over. Never leave cabling and bracing equipment in place for more than one growing season. It’s paramount to bring in a professional for the job since they know exactly how much guy rope or stakes to be used per tree.

This is especially important if working on a young tree with a fragile bark. These barks can get sliced or chafed with the wrong type of rope or guy wire. You may end up damaging the tree beyond repair if you put it through too much distress.

Straightening a Tree by Uprooting It

Homeowners should never attempt to uproot a tree on their own, regardless of how young it is. You don’t want to upset the root system. You may just end up killing the tree in your effort of rectifying its lean. It is always recommended to work with a professional tree care expert in such situations. There are several rules that need to be followed while straightening a tree which has been uprooted.

For instance, you need to make sure that at least a third of the root system remains planted in the ground. Exposed roots of the leaning tree should not be overly damaged and must be left undisturbed. You should remove as much soil as possible from the exposed roots and straighten the tree gently. Replant the tree below grade level and pack the soil firmly. The situation is hopeless if the tree is lying on the ground with firmly planted roots.

The post How to Make Leaning Trees Straight? appeared first on Chippers Tree Service.