Holly is commonly seen during the holiday season. Even carols tell us to ‘Deck the halls with boughs of holly.’ The plant’s green leaves and red berries (though some cultivars do have berries with other colors) are a festive pop of color in interior décor. In the outdoor landscape, they are a bright and welcome sight on cold and gray winter days.

There are around 400 species in the holly (Ilex) genus including trees, shrubs and climbers. American holly is the one we most often associate with the holidays. While holly are generally slow-growing, some species are capable of obtaining heights of 80 feet or more!

Holly Characteristics

All parts of the plant, including the berries, are toxic to humans if consumed. However, they are an important food source for birds. The dense foliage is also a great hiding place from predators! In native areas, birds help the plant survive by dispersing seeds. Unfortunately, this can be a problem in non-native geographies. For example, along the west coast of North America, from California to British Columbia, holly has been spreading rapidly and crowding out forest species.

Holly plants are separately male and female. Males produce flowers, but no fruit. The familiar red fruits are on female plants. For the female to bear fruit, a male must be planted nearby. The fruits ripen in winter. They provide a nice color contrast to the glossy evergreen leaves.

Holly often grows as a shrub or in hedges. In open conditions, it can also form a small tree after growing for many years.

Growing and Caring for Holly

These plants thrive in full sun or partial shade and well-drained soil.

Hollies are susceptible to various leaf spot diseases. Infection results in leaf discoloration and eventual defoliation. Management of these disease is achievable as long as they are identified and treated in a timely manner. Root rot is another disease issue that is common. The best course of action is to maintain healthy soil conditions so that roots can continue to grow and thrive.

Some insect pests attack holly. A Certified Arborist can identify and treat infestations of aphids, scale, mites or holly leaf miner.

Overall, this is a great plant in its native range that brings color and beauty to a winter landscape.

The post Holly Plant: A Holiday Favorite that Shines in Winter first appeared on Tree Topics.

Steven Kelley

www.cortlandaunz.com

Imagine staying outside all of the time, even during winter. Exposed to severe weather, you’d face many problems. Even though trees live and grow outside, that doesn’t mean that the challenges of winter aren’t stressful for them too! Low temperatures, heavy snow, ice storms and other extremes cause a variety of winter injuries on landscape plants. It’s important to know what type of problems to look for during winter.

Low Temperature Injuries

Root damage can happen during prolonged cold spells, especially on shallow-rooted plants, container plantings and non-native plants. When roots die during this weather, the symptoms won’t appear until late winter or spring. At that point, foliage turns brown, buds die and the entire crown may wilt and die suddenly.

Low temperatures can also kill above-ground portions of plants. Again, non-native plants are most susceptible.  

Winter Drying   

Winter drying generally affects evergreens, particularly mountain laurel, rhododendron, azalea and holly. Plants continue to transpire water during winter. When the soil is frozen, that water cannot be replaced and the foliage dries out. As with injury from low temperatures, in late winter or spring, foliage will turn brown and buds will die.

Stem Splitting or “Frost Cracks”

Frost cracks generally occur on young, thin-barked trees like maple, sycamore or linden. The sudden drop in temperature from sunny, daytime highs to the very lows of nighttime causes stem tissues to shrink and wood to crack.

In severe instances, cracks can extend well into the heartwood, but usually, it is restricted to the outer few inches of wood. Frost cracks can be an entry point for decay on certain species.

Breakage from Snow and Ice Accumulation

The added weight of ice and snow can break branches. Heavy or long limbs, branches showing signs of decay, or those with a weak branch attachment are more vulnerable. This can also be an issue for evergreens, which have a large surface area to “hold” snow.

Deicing Salt Injuries

The salt (sodium chloride) commonly used as a deicing agent can splash onto plants or seep into soil. Salt spray dries out foliage and buds. In the soil, high levels of salt dries out, and can kill, plant roots.

Damage from Animals

Some animal activity during winter is harmful to trees and shrubs. Deer are one example. As other food sources become unavailable, deer turn to twigs and buds for sustenance. Further, deer injure trees by scraping their antlers against the trunk. This is called “buck rub.”

Small rodents and rabbits can also be problematic. These animals eat bark tissue around the lower stem and root collar during winter. This can result in tree death when feeding leads to girdling, where the bark is completely stripped from the tree.

Deicing salts can kill plant roots and dry out foliage.

Small rodents and rabbits feed on bark when other food sources are sparse.

Low temperatures can damage roots or the above-ground portion of plants.

Browning foliage resulting from winter drying.

Breakage from winter weather is readily apparent once the leaves have returned.

The post Watch Out for Winter Tree & Shrub Problems first appeared on Tree Topics.

Steven Kelley

www.cortlandaunz.com

There are just so many trees out there to choose from, how on earth do you narrow down your choices? Tree selection has become more complicated these days as more and more kinds of trees are grown and sold at your local nursery.

You want to choose the right tree, and you know that it is important, but how do you go about it? Well, don’t worry, because we’ve got your back. Here at Darryl’s Tree Care we’ve seen many trees located in the wrong place for their welfare, and that of the structures around them.

In this article, we will cover 3 simple criteria that you can use to assess tree selection possibilities for your garden. We hope that they will guide you through the process of making a decision so that you can choose the right tree for your situation.

Size

The first thing that you really need to get right when you go to choose a tree for your backyard is size. You need to choose the right tree for the size of your yard. That is, don’t be tempted to squeeze a huge tree into a small space, as that will not end well.

Have you ever seen a home that is getting almost eaten alive by a nearby tree? It can really detract from the look of your house. Tree choice is something that requires a lot of thought, otherwise, you may regret your decisions years down the track when it’s too late to do anything except get your tree trimmed constantly.

Another warning when it comes to tree selection concerns power lines. You need to ensure there is plenty of space for your new tree to grow upwards, and that there are no buildings or other obstructions in the way, including existing trees.

The general rule is to allow for 1.5 times the expected width of the grown tree around the planting site. The information tag on your tree should tell you what the end width of the tree will be.

Function

In order to choose the right tree, you need to take function into the equation of tree selection. What do you want your tree to do?

To choose the right tree, you need to consider your situation. Do you want shade? Exactly how much? This will determine whether you should opt for a medium or large tree, as will your available room in the backyard.

Do you want to choose a tree that will give you more privacy? Then you may want to decide on an evergreen tree, as then your privacy shield won’t drop its leaves to become see-through every Autumn.

Maybe your tree selection is governed by the need for a tree that your future kids can climb? Or perhaps you just want some greenery to frame your outdoor entertaining area? Other uses for trees may involve harvesting fruit or nuts to offset the family grocery bills.

You may be guided to a certain tree selection based on a love of a particular tree for its flowers or leaf colour, or maybe you intend on picking something that brings local insects or birds to the garden.

There are endless potential purposes for trees, but the most important thing is that you consider what function your new tree will have in your backyard. That way you can ensure you choose the right tree for your desired effect.

Conditions

In order to choose the right tree for your backyard, you need to ensure that the conditions in your garden match the conditions that your potential tree thrives in.

Soils range from sandy to clay to everything in between. Some areas get more rain than others, and some plants are prone to being singed by the summer sun if they are put in the wrong spot.

Does your new sapling need full sun or partial shade? Does it need well-drained soil? It’s a good idea to check out what conditions your tree prefers before planting in the ground and hoping for the best.

There are things you can do to help beyond tree selection, such as using an irrigation system if your tree needs more frequent watering, or using fertiliser or mulch to aid the health of the soil.

But really, if you want to choose the right tree for your yard, you really should go to the effort of doing a bit of research to ensure your garden conditions are compatible with the climate preferences of your tree.

Need help with your trees?

Here at Darryl’s Tree Care, we’ve been helping people get control of their trees for years. If you need tree stump removal, tree trimming, tree selection help, or even possum control or a hazardous tree assessment, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.

The post How to choose the right tree for your backyard appeared first on Daryl’s Tree Care And Surgery.

Steven Kelley

www.cortlandaunz.com

The heat and humidity of a full-blown Texas summer may get too much for the younger trees in the front yard if not taken care of properly. Prolonged exposure to the scorching heat could lead to stunted growth and decay in newly planted trees. We at Chippers Tree Service believe our professional tree cutting services in Dallas, Fort Worth, and surrounding areas are first-rate, and suitable for everyone who needs summer tree cutting services to take good care of their trees this summer.

Trimming Trees in the Summer

Some people think summer is not the right time to trim trees. Yes, it is true that different types of trees have their different favorable times for when they should be trimmed but summer tree trimming, if done correctly, can be a good thing.

Summer Pruning Prevents Disease and Promotes Blossoms

Some trees like cherry and apricot need pruning in the summer to cut down the risk of fungus. The dry summer season is ideal because this fungus typically infects pruning wounds during rainfall, and may cause twigs to die suddenly. Fruit trees pruned in summer have more blossoms in the following spring. Similarly, oak should also be pruned in the dry season.

Keeping a Canopy for Shade

It is important to protect the trunk and scaffold branches from sun exposure. The excessive exposure might blanch the cambium layer beneath the bark, resulting in large wounds, making the tree vulnerable and weak.

Leaving sufficient canopy to shade the bark or a whitewash treatment for the bark, can take care of the issues arising out of exposure. As a professional tree pruning and tree service company in the Dallas Fort Worth Metro, we recommend early pruning, especially for tender plants, so that the new growth gets enough time to harden off before the advent of colder weather.

Mulching the Tree Properly

Ideally, a tree needs mulching once when it is planted and after that at the turn of each season. A thickness of an inch or two is sufficient for the mulch layer, with a substantial gap between the tree trunk and the mulch. The best way is to make the mulch layer in the shape of a donut around the base of the tree, leaving space for water to funnel down to the roots.

Our arborists do not recommend mounding mulch around the trunk of the tree, which might lead to decay and rot, and also create a space for harmful insects to hide. Mulch retains moisture and keeps the tree roots as well as the soil moist, making it useful in the summer.

The mulch bed also suppresses weeds that may eat into the resources and water meant for the tree. In addition, it acts as a barrier to prevent the lawnmower from getting too close and accidentally bringing harm to the tree bark. A layer of mulch not only protects the tree but also provides it nourishment.

Our professional summer tree cutting services are offered to the Dallas Fort Worth Metro area, for residential and commercial properties.

The post Summer Tree Cutting Services in Dallas Fort Worth Metro appeared first on Chippers Tree Service.

Steven Kelley

www.cortlandaunz.com

There are a number of reasons for tree pruning; some are safety related, some are to lessen interference with buildings, and some protect the health of the tree. The need for pruning will depend on your own landscape goals as well as the trees themselves and surrounding property. Autumn is one of the best times to identify problem areas in a tree that could benefit from pruning.

Stressed foliage often changes color earlier than foliage in the rest of a tree. Arborists can easily see the color change and help diagnose the cause. As the leaves fall, the structure of the tree will also become more visible. It becomes easier to see and identify structural defects that should be addressed. Any branches that are diseased or damaged may be good candidates for pruning.

Pruning Prepares Trees for Winter Weather

Winter storms, with or without snow and ice, all add stress to dead and broken branches in a tree. This can result in more of these branches falling during the winter. Dead and broken branch removal is one of the most common ways to prevent damage to houses or other objects beneath a tree.

Sometimes branches grow too close to roofs or siding, or they may grow too low over a sidewalk, driveway or lawn. As mentioned above, winter storms will certainly blow these branches around; no one wants a falling branch to injure someone or to damage a home or other building. Therefore, it is wise to have interfering branches removed, thinned, or reduced in length to lessen the problem.

Pruning at the Wrong Time can Attract Insects & Disease

Another factor to consider is that, in some areas, there are causal agents of disease spread by insects that are attracted to fresh pruning cuts. These insects are no longer flying in the late fall and winter, so this is the good time to prune susceptible species. If pruned now, trees including oak and elm will be less likely to contract diseases.

At Bartlett, we like to examine trees at this time of year and then apply our knowledge of tree structure, tree health, and pest problems to develop individual pruning plans to protect properties and improve the health and longevity of the trees.

The post Why Fall is a Smart Time to Prune Trees first appeared on Tree Topics.

Steven Kelley

www.cortlandaunz.com

The Board of Trustees of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society (MHS) presented the George Robert White Medal of Honor to Robert A. Bartlett Jr., Chairman and CEO of Bartlett Tree Experts, on November 4, 2021 during the Society’s 119th Honorary Medals Dinner. During the ceremony, medals were awarded to individuals and organizations for their contributions to excellence in horticulture for the public good.

The George Robert White Medal of Honor was established in 1909 and is among the most distinguished horticultural awards in the United States. The first honoree was Charles Sprague Sargent, Director of the Arnold Arboretum. Other recipients include Gertrude Jekyll, Jens Jensen, The Royal Horticultural Society, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Tasha Tudor. Joining these distinguished honorees, Bartlett represents the third generation of the F.A. Bartlett Tree Expert Company, the world’s leading scientific tree and shrub care company.

Robert Bartlett Jr., Chairman and CEO of Bartlett Tree Experts, accepts the George Robert White Medal of Honor and addresses the crowd at the Massachusetts Horticultural Society Honorary Medals Dinner.

The post Bartlett Chairman Honored by Massachusetts Horticultural Society first appeared on Tree Topics.

Steven Kelley

www.cortlandaunz.com

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.

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Steven Kelley

www.cortlandaunz.com

Phytophthora root rot is a disease of many trees and shrubs. The disease derives its name from the Greek language and literally means “plant destroyer.” As such, this is a fitting name for the pathogen, which can kill its host by growing through the roots upward. Phytophthora root rot thrives in wet and poorly drained soil conditions and attacks a wide range of species.

Evidence of phytophthora root rot on yews.

Most Susceptible Tree and Shrubs Species

azaleaboxwoodconifersdaphnedogwoodhollyjunipertaxusrhododendron

A soil-borne microorganism, Phytophthora species are more closely related to brown algae than to fungi. Phytophthora root rot grows and produces spores under wet soil conditions. The spores (known as zoospores) have flagella that allow them to easily move through water. First, the zoospores germinate and infect fine roots. When conditions favor development of the pathogen, it will progress into larger roots, the root flare and even into the stem. Consequently, a serious infection that has spread throughout the root system can cause the eventual death of the plant.

Plants with root disease appear as unhealthy; leaves will become yellow and stunted, and new growth slows. Further, the roots of affected plants will be black and shriveled. Symptoms will vary based on the type of tree or shrub impacted.

Preventing and Treating Phytophthora Root Rot

Phytophthora species can persist in the soil for many years, spreading to nearby plants when it rains or plants are watered. With this in mind, it is particularly important to pay attention to the soil conditions in which your trees and shrubs are growing. To further protect your plants, ensure trees and shrubs live in well-drained soils that are amended with organic matter. Additionally, you should carefully monitor irrigation to prevent saturated soil.

Plants exhibiting early stages of root disease may respond well to soil treatments with systemic fungicides and cultural practices. However, plants with later stages of disease are unlikely to recover. Therefore, preventive management is the best course of action. The most essential step to protecting plants from Phytophthora root rot is maintaining good soil drainage.

The post Phytophthora Root Rot Disease first appeared on Tree Topics.

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Steven Kelley

www.cortlandaunz.com

Mulching the ground beneath your trees and shrubs is one of the best practices for keeping trees healthy. However, you need to mulch properly for it to truly be beneficial. Never pile mulch against the tree or cover the tree’s root flare, where the trunk flares outward into the ground. Even though a mulch volcano, a large pile of mulch under a tree, is a commonly seen practice, it is not a good one. Mulch volcanoes harm trees!

Mulch should be spread in a thin layer beneath the entire canopy.

How to Add Mulch Correctly

INCORRECT MULCHING! A mulch volcano, where mulch is piled against the tree trunk, traps in moisture and damages the tree.

Whenever possible, you should apply mulch beneath the entire canopy. Mulch beds do not have to be round or symmetrical. The more area beds can cover under the canopy, the better! Mulch should not be deeper than four inches. Two inches will work for shallow rooted shrubs and perennials. As mulch decomposes, add more to maintain the appropriate depth.

One of the best materials to use as mulch is fresh wood chips. Wood chips contain bark, leaves and wood. This mixture is the most nutrient-rich option for the tree. It’s also okay to plant shrubs and perennials under the tree in the mulched area. When planting under trees, avoid solid masses of ground covers that hide buttress roots. Plant ground cover at least twelve inches away from tree trunks.

Mounded mulch and excessive ground cover can trap moisture against the tree’s bark. Stem tissues are not intended to remain moist. Excess moisture promotes the growth of fungal pathogens and disease. Too much mulch or ground cover can also conceal signs of an issue like the fruiting structures associated with root decay fungi.

How Mulch Helps

As you can see, proper mulching is relatively simple. It’s also effective in creating a healthy growing environment for trees. It eliminates competition between tree roots and turf as well as conserving soil moisture and moderating soil temperature. As mulch decomposes into the soil, it helps improve soil structure and reduce compaction.

Mulch beds mean there is less area of your lawn to mow. They also create a visible and physical barrier that can help prevent damage from mowers and trimmers to the tree trunk.

Even though the practice of piling mulch against the tree like a mountain or volcano has become so common that some professionals think it is acceptable or desirable, it is not. Just remember, mulch is one of the best things you can do for your trees, but only if you do it right!

The post Mulch Volcanoes Hurt Trees first appeared on Tree Topics.

Steven Kelley

www.cortlandaunz.com

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.

Steven Kelley

www.cortlandaunz.com