Day: November 8, 2021

Choosing a Tree for Your Landscape

Steven Kelley Tree Services
Choosing a Tree for Your Landscape

Mistakes are easy to make when choosing a tree. Most of these are related to misinformation regarding a tree’s size when full grown. It’s also common to see mishaps like full-sun plants tucked into shady corners.

Planting a tree should be fun and exciting. Unfortunately, mistakes ultimately often lead to disappointment. Planning and careful consideration are not only necessary at the time of planting, but before as well. A successful tree planting starts with the right tree.


Advance planning, before you even visit the nursery, will help ensure you choose the right tree.

Planting Goal

With so many choices about species, size, cost and other factors, it’s easy to get bogged down before you even get to the most important question. Prior to making any decisions, the first thing to ask is, “what is my goal in planting a tree?” Some typical tree planting goals are improving privacy, beautifying the landscape (flowers, etc), increasing shade, or establishing a family heirloom. Establish a goal and you will have an easier time making a choice about the best tree.

Location, Location, Location

Similar to success in real estate, success with tree planting a tree is all about the right location. The tree needs to have enough physical room to develop. Additionally, the spot chosen should have the right amount of sunlight or shade as well as proper soil conditions. Understanding the size and requirements of the tree as well as the conditions it will grow in will further narrow your selection.

dditional Considerations

If you live in a rural area with a lot of deer, you’ll need to consider a tree that is resistant to deer browsing. Further, seasonality could be important to you. Maybe you’re looking for an evergreen so that you have year-round color or want a tree that has brilliant red leaves in autumn. Perhaps you’d like a tree that flowers during late summer, or one that provides food for birds, squirrels, pollinators and other wildlife. Accordingly, these secondary benefits can inform your choice of tree depending on your priorities.

fter Planting

When planting, remember that regular watering is vital for new trees. Removing wire baskets and any cording around the trunk (if balled and burlapped) will help deter long-term health issues related to poor root structure and girdling. Be sure to review our tree planting tips.

Lastly, the job of tree care doesn’t end with the planting. Many newly planted trees die within the first few years after planting. As such, caring for your young tree in those early years is critical to survival. Controlling pests and ensuring adequate soil nutrition are particularly important as your new tree attempts to become established.

The post Choosing a Tree for Your Landscape first appeared on Tree Topics.

Did you miss our previous article…
https://www.cortlandaunz.com/?p=223

Buttonbush: A Plant that Thrives in Wet Soils

Steven Kelley Tree Care
Buttonbush: A Plant that Thrives in Wet Soils

It’s tough to find garden plants that thrive in wet soils or areas where there is standing water. You want a plant that can live in less than hospitable conditions while also looking great. In these instances, buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis) may be your plant.


Buttonbush prefers wet conditions and can even grow in standing water.

Characteristics

Buttonbush is a small to medium sized shrub that can reach a height of 10 to 15 feet tall with a medium spread of 8 to 10 feet. It is sometimes called button willow, honey bells or honey balls. This multi-stemmed plant has leaves that come in pairs or in threes. The leaves are a glossy dark green with a narrow, oval shape. Further, they have smooth margins and a pointed tip that rounds to a tapered base.

When it is happy, buttonbush produces long-lasting white or pale pink flowers. The flowers are unique. They have a round shape and a pincushion-like appearance, like a spiky ball. As the flowers fade, they mature into reddish-brown fruits that persist into winter.

buttonbush flower
The unique buttonbush flower attracts many pollinators.

Buttonbush is a wildlife lover’s dream. The fragrant flowers attract hummingbirds and pollinators. Moths and butterflies frequent the plant for its sweet nectar. In addition, the fruit is a good food source for birds. Species including robins, towhees and kingbirds find the plants just as pleasing as the ducks and water birds that live in the wet areas where buttonbush often grows.

Growing Conditions

Buttonbush is native to much of the United States. As it prefers moist conditions, you may spot it growing on stream banks, shorelines and in swamps. In fact, it can tolerate growing in water up to depths of three feet. While it can grow in drier soil, buttonbush prefers soil with regular moisture to the aforementioned wet extremes. Some insect pests may cause minor damage, but drought conditions pose a greater threats to its growth and health.

With its unique attributes and adaptability, buttonbush is a worthy addition to diverse landscapes. It is a great option for wet areas of a property or even regular garden locations that get lots of moisture.

The post Buttonbush: A Plant that Thrives in Wet Soils first appeared on Tree Topics.

Did you miss our previous article…
https://www.cortlandaunz.com/?p=219

Installing Lightning Protection at Arlington National Cemetery

Steven Kelley Tree Blogs
Installing Lightning Protection at Arlington National Cemetery

Bartlett Tree Experts recently participated in the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) annual service event. As part of the event, Bartlett installed lightning protection in some of the historic oak trees at Arlington National Cemetery.


Arborist Climber Eli Swadener installed lightning protection on historic oak at Arlington National Cemetery.

Eli Swadener, an Arborist Climber from Manassas, Virginia, was quoted in an article, “Renewal and Rembrance Celebrates 25th Anniversary with Two Service Locations,” published by the NALP.

Swadener was one of 150 landscape industry professionals who volunteered their time and skills at Arlington National Cemetery on July 19 during NALP’s annual Renewal & Remembrance event. The event is held to honor the men and women buried there. Because his father and grandfather served in the military, Swadener said volunteering at Arlington meant a lot to him. “To be able to contribute and give back is so important and I’m so thankful for the opportunity,” he said.

Swadener installed lightning protection on some of the historic oak trees at Arlington National Cemetery during the event. “A lightning strike can be devastating to a tree in terms of opening up the inner tissue, the heartwood,” he said. “Sometimes it chars but that can result in rot and eventually that could result in structural damage that potentially could lead to it falling from some destructive force later on once it’s weakened. It’s very important for historic trees like this that take hundreds of years to grow.”

The post Installing Lightning Protection at Arlington National Cemetery first appeared on Tree Topics.

Did you miss our previous article…
https://www.cortlandaunz.com/?p=216

Healthy Trees from the Ground Up

Steven Kelley Tree Care
Healthy Trees from the Ground Up

Everyone looks up when observing trees. However, you’ll often find arborists looking down! That’s because when it comes to assessing tree health, one of the most critical factors is a healthy root system. Focusing solely on noticeable issues in the canopy, like yellowing leaves, may cause you to miss the culprit responsible for those issues, which is often found below ground.

Common Root and Soil Issues

There are many concerns for tree roots. Disease is often found in the root system. One widespread example is root rot. Trees with root rot may have stunted growth, discolored leaves or dieback, but the real problem lies underground. Another frequent source of injury to the roots is damage from lawnmowers or other yard equipment.  For example, driving over an exposed tree root can result in irreparable harm, making it difficult for the tree to transport water and nutrients from the root system.

Problems also occur when you plant trees too deep or pile too much mulch against the trunk. The root flare, where the roots flare out from the trunk, should be visible. Covering this part of the tree in soil or mulch retains moisture against the trunk, promoting development of disease and hiding conditions like girdling roots.

For trees growing in urban and suburban landscapes, poor growing conditions are commonplace and unlike the ideal conditions found in the forest. Soil often lacks nutrients that growing trees need. Other environmental circumstances, such as compaction, further hinder root and tree growth.

These hidden problems threaten the health of the entire tree and should be treated as soon as possible.

What to Look for

The first thing to look for is the root collar, the transition area between the trunk and roots. There should be a visible flare. A tree should not grow straight from the ground like a telephone pole. If there is no root flare, it’s best to contact a Certified Arborist to discuss next steps. You’ll want to remove excess soil or mulch without damaging roots.

Further, you should to consider the soil. Is it lacking nutrients? Is it compacted? Soil compaction occurs when soil particles are compressed. Causes might include foot traffic, heavy snow or vehicles. When the soil under a tree is compacted, porous spaces in the soil are reduced, making it difficult for roots to extend and absorb water and nutrients. Compacted soil should be tilled and amended with organic matter and nutrients. Address soil issues to improve growing conditions for roots.

n Ideal Solution

Root InvigorationTM is a program designed to repair damaged soils, creating a beneficial growing environment that will encourage root development. The process leverages a supersonic air tool to aerate the soil, without damaging delicate small roots. Next, soil amendments are added to address nutrient deficiencies and increase organic matter content. Addition of biochar can further enhance soil quality. Biochar sequesters carbon and adds vital pore space, improving the soil and increasing plant health.

As a result of Root Invigoration, you can expect renewed growth and health of trees. Treated trees will experience less dieback and have greater pest resistance, a denser canopy, and enhanced color.

The post Healthy Trees from the Ground Up first appeared on Tree Topics.