by Dave Daly

Oak Wilt Prevention

April 6, 2012 in Uncategorizedby Dave Daly

Oak wilt is a fungal disease that kills live oaks and other species by attacking their vascular system.  Once a tree is infected, the disease eventually chokes it to death.  Trees from the red oak family (Spanish, Shumard, Blackjack and Water oaks) are especially susceptible, dying within months of infection. Live oaks, while not in the red oak family, are still highly susceptible but experience a much slower death.

Advanced Tree care has the knowledge and prescriptions to help prevent Oak Wilt.

Call today to schedule an appointment with an Arborist.

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by Emmett

Root Flares

March 30, 2012 in Uncategorizedby Emmett

Root flares are the structures located at the base of the tree which transition stem tissues into root tissue. This tissue is aerial tissue and is not designed to be in contact with soils. It does not have the adaptability or defense capabilities to survive under these conditions. This represents a constant stress on the tree, reducing vigor, the capacity to grow and the ability for the tree to effectively deal with stress. Long term the stress is cumulative, predisposing the tree to secondary infection and pre-mature death. Advanced Tree Care uses the air spading method to expose tree root flares.

More often than not, when a root flare excavation is performed girdling roots are found.  Girdling roots are roots that have grown in a circular direction and begin to “choke” the trunk of the tree.  This inhibits the trees ability to feed and hydrate itself.  Girdling roots should be cut.

It is important to expose the root flares of all trees.  Young trees are no exception.  Cutting girdling roots when a tree is young prevents them from becoming a problem.

If your trees look like telephone pole in the ground, you need to expose those root flares. Call your certified arborist for a free estimate on exposing your root flares with an air spade.

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by Jim Maddox

What Is Chlorosis?

March 28, 2012 in Uncategorizedby Jim Maddox

Iron chlorosis is a yellowing of plant leaves caused by iron deficiency that affects many desirable landscape plants in Texas.  The primary symptom of iron deficiency is interveinal chlorosis, the development of a yellow leaf with a network of dark green veins.  In severe cases, the entire leaf turns yellow or white and the outer edges may scorch and turn brown as the plant cells die. It is common for an individual branch or one half of a tree to be chlorotic while the remainder of the tree appears normal.  In some areas vegetation from the entire landscape may be affected, while in others only the most susceptible plants show deficiency symptoms.

Call your ISA Certified Arborist to properly diagnose your tree problems.

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by Dave Daly

Borer Damage to Trees

March 27, 2012 in Uncategorizedby Dave Daly

Borers can be serious aesthetic, economic, and structural pests of trees. They can and will kill trees.

Borer larvae and adults make tunnels in the shoots, branches, trunks, or roots of trees of all ages and sizes.  Eggs of most borer species are laid on or in the bark and larvae chew into the plant tissue.  Most borers are larvae of beetles or moths, but some are wasps or flies.  Most insect borers are considered “secondary pests” because they attack only after a tree has been weakened or killed by another stress.  Some, however, are “primary pests” and are able to attack and develop in fairly healthy trees and shrubs. Knowing whether insects are primary or secondary pests is critical to assessing and treating plant problems.

The presence of borers is hard to detect until trees become damaged or die. Sawdust-like frass (excrement) may be around an exit hole or on the ground. Sap may ooze from the wounded site. There may be round, oval, or D-shaped holes randomly located on the trunk.

If you suspect something is wrong with your trees call Advanced Tree & Shrub Care for a diagnosis today!

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by Lee

Drought Habits to Keep

March 26, 2012 in Uncategorizedby Lee

The drought has caused us to change habits with regards to our landscapes. In particular, watering was restricted and we had to find new ways to get our trees the life giving water they needed. It also caused us to pay more attention to our trees and shrubs than we might have before. Well, I don’t want you to break those new habits! Using a soaker hose is much more beneficial than sprinklers and will aid in keeping your trees hydrated in times of decreased rainfall. Further, paying attention to your landscape plantings will help you notice changes that may be problems beginning to manifest themselves. Arborists have at their disposal many things to help a tree when it is sick, however what we don’t have is the luxury of time. In order to save a sick tree, we must act quickly. The faster you see a problem and alert your Arborist, the better the chances for survival.

Keep those new habits you learned from the drought. Water deeply and slowly, and keep an eye on things. Your trees are depending on you.

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by Jeff Brown

PLAN BEFORE YOU PLANT

March 23, 2012 in Uncategorizedby Jeff Brown

Before you plant a tree you should consider what that tree will look like when mature, and how long it will take to mature.  Trees come in every size from the giant sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum) down to the dwarf willow (Salix herbacea).    They also vary in crown diameters, growth rate, stem diameter, and many other characteristics.

When choosing a planting location, don’t think how this tree looks now.  Think about the mature size and spread of the tree and what it is going to look like years from now.  By considering the mature tree size you can prevent simple mistakes like; red oaks under power lines, large elms only a few feet from a structure, or a large spreading live oak blocking the view of the entire front of your home, all of which we see on a regular basis.

By doing just a little detective work you can have the right tree in the right place.

Things to consider:

Height

Diameter

Spread

Growth rate

Irrigation needs

Crown density

The future of the tree you will have can be a specimen that fits the space, to be maintained and enjoyed.

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by Jim Maddox

Drought 2011

March 22, 2012 in Uncategorizedby Jim Maddox

Due to the extreme drought in Texas, the state has had long periods this summer with little to no rainfall. Unfortunately, many trees and shrubs are dying due to the lack of rain, and leaving large-gaping holes in the landscape.

Early signs of drought damage are yellowing leaves and early leaf drop. Generally, as the damage progresses, leaves will die from the bottom of the tree upward and from the inside of the tree branch outward. Sometimes leaves simply wilt, or “burn” along their edges when they become drought stressed. Unfortunately, once trees reach this point, there is little that can be done to reverse the process.

To help reduce further tree loss if the drought continues, provide trees a deep thorough soaking once a week during the growing season. Usually, a watering schedule that is appropriate for a lawn will not keep a tree alive without additional soaking or rain.

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by Emmett

Whats wrong with my cedar tree?

March 21, 2012 in Uncategorizedby Emmett

There is no question that Eastern Red Cedars (Juniperus virginiana) in north Texas were hurt by last years drought.  I have noticed instances of completely dead trees, partially dead, or flagging of limbs.  Even though we have had adequate rainfall this winter and spring, cedars are still dying.  This leads me to believe there are more than drought issues at hand.

Upon further investigation I found Botryosphaeria canker is to blame. Bot canker is an opportunistic pathogen, meaning the host plant must be in some form of stress prior to infection, in our case drought.  Dead cedar trees need to be removed. Dead limbs need to be removed and infected trees should be treated by a tree health care professional.  Treatment should consist of disease suppression and promotion of plant vigor.

If you suspect this pathogen has made an appearance on your property please call your certified arborist today for a diagnosis.

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by Lee

Let’s Be Careful Out There

March 19, 2012 in Uncategorizedby Lee

Spring is here and that means wind, rain, thunderstorms, and even tornados. Trees are now leafing out and provide large “sails” for the wind to push on. This can lead to limb failures, trunk failures, and uprooting. We visit many properties this time of year to evaluate these storm damaged trees. Some can be saved, some cannot. If you have questions about your trees survivability, call your Certified Arborist who will come out and provide an expert opinion. If you do attempt clean-up by yourself, be very careful. Trees laying on the ground can contain large reserves of stored energy that can be released suddenly if you don’t know how to cut them properly. Live wires can be hidden beneath trees and cause electrocution. Trees can roll and crush you in an instant. If you have any doubt, don’t take a chance. Let us come out and take care of it for you. We’re just a phone call away.

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