With Hurricane/Tropical Storm Arthur currently making his way up the Eastern coast and putting a damper on 4th of July plans, now is a good time to address proper hurricanetree care. Hurricane season typically lasts from June 1-November 30. The best way to prepare trees for hurricanes is from the very beginning before you start planting. While Massachusetts has been known to have a few significant hurricanes pass through, it is nothing compared to states like Florida and North Carolina. However, if tree damage is a concern of yours when a hurricane or tropical storm does makes its way through the state, here are a few hurricane tree care tips to keep in mind:
Work with a tree care professional or landscaper to carefully choose trees that are a good option for strong winds and heavy rains.
Choosing trees with strong root systems, trunks, and branches is the best option.
There are certain species of trees that are more wind-resistant than others.
Plant trees away from the house and power lines.
Once trees have established themselves, contact a professional tree company to properly prune your trees.
Proper pruning will encourage the development of a sturdy, well-spaced framework of healthy branches around a central leader. The canopy edge can be thinned, allowing air to pass through freely.
If you feel like there are trees on your property that should be removed because they are already dead, weak, or rotting and fear damage to your property, contact a tree care professional to come out and assess the situation.
Hopefully these hurricane tree care tips will provide some insight before the upcoming storm and the remainder of the 2014 hurricane season.
Here at Green Trees Arborcare, we understand how important trees are but also comprehend the potential dangers they pose to your property when in-climate weather hits. If you need to have any of the trees on your property assessed before taking further action or simply need well-established trees properly pruned, please don’t hesitate to contact us at: 508-384-2992 or click here to reach us on the web.
Tree pests are a constant-growing issue in the United States. Each year new and invasive species get introduced to different parts of the country and the results can be devastating. Massachusetts and other parts of the Eastern United States has quite a few pests that are common in the area. The Gypsy Moth is one of the most common pests to hardwood trees. Since 1980, the gypsy moth has defoliated close to a million or more forested acres each year. In 1981, a record 12.9 million acres were defoliated. This is an area larger than Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Connecticut combined (source: About.com-Forestry).
Other common tree pests in Massachusetts include:
Winter Moth. This moth is known to destroy oaks, maples, basswood, white elm, crab-apple, apple, blueberry, and cherry trees. Adult moths emerge in late November and can be active until January. After mating, the female moths lay egg clusters on tree branches and under bark. The larvae will appear in March and tunnel into buds and devour them and then move on to the next bud. The older larvae feed on foliage. In areas where winter moths are a large problem, they are known to completely defoliate the host plant.
Asian Long-horned Beetle. This beetle feeds on maple, horse chestnut, birch, poplar, willow, and elm trees. The female beetle will chew a dime-sized oval groove into the bark to deposit her eggs. The larvae damage the tree by eating the layer beneath the bark which creates hollow galleries in the wood. A key indicator of an issue with the tree and this beetle is if there is sawdust around the base on the ground or on the branches where the adults have exited from the tree.
Brown Marmorated Stink Bug. This insect was accidentally imported from Asia and has been creating problems ever since. The insect is a problem for many shade and fruit trees, vegetables, and legumes. Adults emerge in April and eggs are laid in clusters on the under-sides of leaves from June through August. Aside from being pests to trees and plants in the warmer months, this insect can become a huge nuisance to homes and buildings in the winter when they use them as overwintering sites.
There are certain precautions you can take to control tree pests. For questions please don’t hesitate to contact us at: 508-384-2992 or click here to reach us on the web.
Tree trimming serves several different purposes. It can be done on your own, but often hiring a professional will provide you with the greatest results. An experienced and knowledgeable team knows where and when to make the right cuts in order for your tree to reach it’s maximum health and beauty.
Tree trimming is typically done for three reasons:
Appearance. Trimming can maintain the appropriate shape of the tree. Just use caution and don’t over-trim which can cause severe damage.
Safety. Dead branches or whole trees become weak and can pose a serious threat to your home and property. Large trees can obstruct your vision while driving and limbs growing near utility lines can be extremely dangerous. Never handle limbs near utility lines on your own. Always contact a professional.
Health. Infected trees can be saved in some situations if trimmed properly. Thinning the crown of the tree can help to increase airflow.
It is best to trim a tree when it is dormant. Pine trees can be trimmed anytime of year, but it is still best to do so when dormant. If there is a hazardous situation with the tree, then trimming can be implemented at any time. Some tree trimming can be done on your own, however, the larger the tree, the greater a chance you will need to hire a professional. Heavy equipment and large trucks may be necessary to reach limbs that are up high. A certified arborist can implement the proper techniques for determining the angle and position of the correct cuts to a tree, reducing the risk of damaging the tree.
It is easy to over-trim a tree which can result in an unhealthy and vulnerable plant, which is a good reason to leave the trimming to a professional. Please feel free to contact Green Trees Arborcare for a quote or with any tree trimming questions at: 508-384-2992 or click here to reach us on the web.
Spring has officially sprung! It’s been colder than normal for this time of year but we can feel the warmer weather just around the corner. As the tulips, daffodils, and crocuses begin to sprout, it is a good time to start thinking about spring tree care. Trees for the most part are low-maintenance, but they do still require some TLC from time to time.
Here are some helpful spring tree care tips to keep in mind as the weather begins to warm up:
Remove any holiday decorations from the trees.
If any of your trees were winterized, remove the wraps.
To avoid any fungal diseases, clean out any debris from the base of the tree including: leaves, twigs, and fallen fruits.
Mulching around the base of the tree will help retain moisture as well as keep weeds at bay.
Wait to water trees until the ground has thawed. Watering while the ground is still frozen creates runoff.
It’s okay to water while it’s still cool outside. Keeping the soil moist is important, especially if your soil tends to be on the sandy side.
Avoid watering the foliage of trees to prevent fungal disease.
Ideally the best time to prune trees is in the winter while they are dormant. However it is okay to remove dead or broken branches in the spring. If you are uncertain if a branch is dead, wait until the leaves on the tree sprout and you will be able to spot the dead branch. If you are uncomfortable making that decision, contact a professional.
Check for damage or disease. If you don’t have experience treating diseased trees, contact a professional.
Same goes for pest control. If your tree appears to be suffering from pests, contact your local pest control company.
Here at Green Trees Arborcare, trees are our passion. We have an extensively trained, professional team that can cater to all of your spring tree care needs. Please do not hesitate to contact us with questions or for a quote anytime at: 508-384-2992 or click here to reach us on the web.
If you live on a property that is surrounded by trees that are located in hard-to-reach places, then hiring a professional and experienced crane and bucket truck service is the safest and easiest way to take care of any issues.
Over the years, trees may become weakened, diseased, or too large for the area they are in. This can pose a threat to your home, property, and the safety of your family. Here in Massachusetts, we are no stranger to extreme climate changes and weather. This past winter alone has been persistent in bringing snowfall after snowfall. Heavy, wet snow and ice can put a lot of strain on tree limbs. If these limbs are anywhere near your home, it is best to have them removed. If the whole tree is dying and poses a threat, the whole tree should be removed. This is when it is best to hire a professional crane and bucket truck service.
An experienced team of professionals can get the tree removal done swiftly and efficiently. With the use of a crane and bucket truck there is little to no damage done to lawns and flower beds due to no heavy trucks being used on the property. The crane will be used to reach trees that are located in inaccessible locations around your property, whether the tree be located between structures or near utility wires.
If you have large, diseased, or dead trees on your property; or branches looming over your house, we have the equipment to get every job done. Don’t risk tackling these projects yourself. Contact us for a professional crane and bucket truck service to ensure that your tree removal experience is safe, swift, efficient, and cost effective. Please feel free to contact Green Trees Arborcare at any time for questions or a quote at: 508-384-2992 or click here to reach us on the web.
