SPRING

Springtime…the trees are budding, blossoms appear. Why prune your trees now?

Spring is a good time to prune out any frost damage to your plants and trees which may have occurred from the harsh winter. In spring, you can prepare your yard for summer landscaping by thinning, removing deadwood, or removing the unwanted parts of your existing landscaping. This will help prevent damage to any new landscaping.

Should I worry about bugs and insects on my trees?

Many insects become active first thing in spring so now is a good time to have a certified arborist inspect your trees and shrubs for unusual pest activity.

What should I do to make sure my trees are healthy after a rough winter?

• Check your trees for damage that may have occurred over the winter.
• Check mulch rings to see if additional material needs to be added. If the mulch is less than 2 inches thick, grass growing through it may become troublesome. Enlarge mulch rings whenever possible.
• Many insects and diseases are active during the spring months. Check your trees and shrubs regularly for any sign of pest activity.
• If our spring weather is dry, be sure to deeply water your trees and shrubs when necessary. Water is critical during leaf and shoot development.
• Avoid using herbicides beneath trees that warn against such use on the label. The same herbicides that kill dandelions can hurt trees if they are not applied properly.

SUMMER

Why is soil care important?

Most tree problems begin with poor soils, whether from lack of nutrients or other necessary soil components, soil compaction, amount of acidity, or other factors. Improving your trees’ soils will help create conditions that are more like those of the forest floor, enabling tree roots to function at their best. When a landscape tree is growing in soil that is well-suited to its needs, it is fortified against pests, disease and environmental stresses.

Should I water my trees?

When in drought situations, the answer is yes. In our temperate zones, we need about 1 inch of water (or 625 gallons per 1,000 square feet) each week or two over our trees’ root system. It is better to water deeply or soak the soil than to water more frequently with less water. Watch the weather forecast. If rainfall is plentiful, extra water may not be needed. Use a rain gauge or simply place a cup or can in your garden to monitor rainfall and/or your sprinklers. Don’t overwater. Too much water, especially in poorly drained areas, may do more harm than good.

Should I worry about bugs and insects on my trees?

While most insects are more problematic in the spring, some insects like Japanese beetles and bagworm are more common in the summer. Now is a good time to have a certified arborist inspect your trees and shrubs for unusual pest activity.

Do you provide emergency service?

Yes, we have 24-hour emergency service and can respond to storm damage to your trees and property in a timely fashion.

What can I do now to make sure my trees are healthy throughout the summer?

• Check your trees for damage that may have occurred due to recent storms.
• Check mulch rings to see if additional material needs to be added. If the mulch is less than 2 inches thick, grass growing through it may become troublesome. Enlarge mulch rings whenever possible.
• Monitor for insects and diseases. Check your trees and shrubs regularly for any sign of pest activity.
• If our summer weather is dry, be sure to deeply water your trees and shrubs when necessary. Water is critical during leaf and shoot development.
• Avoid using herbicides beneath trees that warn against such use on the label. The same herbicides that kill dandelions can hurt trees if they are not applied properly.

Is The Care of Trees’ work guaranteed?

Yes, it is. We guarantee to deliver what we promise. If you are not satisfied, we will work with you until you are, or we will not charge you.

WINTER

Why is pruning important?

Long-term management of pruning can ensure your trees continue to provide the aesthetic value and function they were intended to. Proper, conscientious pruning can enhance the beauty and function of your trees, while reducing the potential for loss of limbs or other failures during winter storms.

Why prune in winter?

When the leaves have dropped in the fall, it is easier for your Arborist to see the structure and architecture of your trees. When summer annuals have been removed, there is less risk of disrupting your landscape when working on large trees. In regions where the soil freezes, equipment can often gain closer access, which can enhance our safety and reduce your costs. Winter pruning can also avoid enhancing some serious diseases that are active and spread easily during the growing seasons of spring and summer.

Can you mulch in winter?

Yes, you can. Mulching is an important enhancement for your trees. Mulch retains soil moisture, reduces summer soil temperatures, increases winter soil temperature moisture in winter and restores and improves soil nutrient levels and structure.

What other tree care activities are good to do in winter?

Winter is a good time to have your trees inspected by a certified arborist, as it is easier to spot some problems, like weak branch attachments or insect damage, not as visible through dense foliage. If your trees have cables and braces in them, the hardware should be inspected every few years to be sure it is intact, in serviceable condition and that the tree’s growth has not necessitated adjustment or replacement. Winter foliage loss enables a clear view and is a suitable time to do cable and bracing work if necessary.

Do you provide emergency service?

Yes, we have 24-hour emergency service and can respond to storm damage to your trees and property in a timely fashion.

Is The Care of Trees’ work guaranteed?

Yes, it is. We guarantee to deliver what we promise. If you are not satisfied, we will work with you until you are, or we will not charge you.

FALL

Why is fall tree care important?

Extended periods of extreme heat can weaken trees and make them more susceptible to infestations. Helping your trees begin to recover from the hot conditions as they head into winter is important to protecting their long-term health and helping them to be less susceptible to storms. Unless your trees received adequate water, they may be more susceptible to pests and disease and may be more vulnerable to the harsh winter conditions as a result of the summer weather.

How does pruning help the trees get ready for winter?

Although trees add greatly to your landscape, trees with problems can be a liability during storms or extreme weather. Winter is an excellent time to have The Care of Trees help you prepare your trees and shrubs for fall and winter. Pruning in fall can help protect trees from the harsh winter so they are as vibrant as possible come spring.

Why is soil care important?

Most tree problems begin with poor soils, whether from lack of nutrients or other necessary soil components, soil compaction, amount of acidity, or other factors. Improving your trees’ soils will help create conditions that are more like those of the forest floor, enabling tree roots to function at their best. When a landscape tree is growing in soil that is well-suited to its needs, it is fortified against pests, disease and environmental stresses.

What is the soil food web?

The soil food web is made up of the soil’s organic matter including bacteria, fungi, microscopic insects, mites, animals, and tiny worms. Research has found that trees prefer soils that are rich in fungi, as well as other components of the soil food web. But most landscape trees grow in soils that are high in bacteria. The Care of Trees can treat your trees’ soils to provide more fungi – and a more desirable growing environment.

Is The Care of Trees’ work guaranteed?

Yes, it is. We guarantee to deliver what we promise. If you are not satisfied, we will work with you until you are, or we will not charge you.

I watered my trees and shrubs during the summer, is there anything else that needs to be done now?

Even though you watered, your trees may still be lagging in moisture. If so, a watering program can help. Mulching, fertilizing and other soil care activities can help create the optimal growing condition for your trees. And pruning out any dead wood now can help prevent storm damage in winter.