We have seen an explosion of Aphids over the last two weeks. The sucking pests are found in Crape Myrtle, Live Oak, Cedar Elm, Pecan, Bur Oak, and several other trees and shrubs. The Aphid ingests plant juices, absorbs only limited quantities of elements within, and secretes honeydew. Honeydew is the sticky, sugary, shiny substance that gets…
I recently traveled to New Mexico where Pecans are farmed in abundance. It is a sight to see thousands of Pecan trees planted in what amounts to arid desert. It is Monsoon season there, which is actually a very similar weather pattern to our Spring storms. Clear and warm in the morning with large thunderstorms occurring in the…
Many people purchase a house with large, existing shade trees expecting them to live forever. Other prospective home owners purchase a wooded lot with plans to build a new home among the trees. During the home construction process, however, many trees are destroyed or injured. The damage that occurs during construction may not at first…
This is the time of year we begin to notice all types of tree feeding pests. Many of them are difficult to see if you don’t know what to look for. Aphids are small green to brown insects that usually live on the under sides of leaves. They feed on a wide array of plant…
We have noticed Oak tree leaves falling recently. Oak tree leaves dying and browning are common when they are planted in poor soil. As long as you supplement the soil with essential plant nutrients, the oak trees will grow well. However, if you fail to add adequate fertilizers, then you will notice development of diseases and symptoms like…
Some storms may not break the above ground portion of the tree but instead might tip the tree over by breaking some of the roots. Trees leaning from root breakage usually do not survive for long. If a tree tips in a storm, it often means the tree had damaged or poorly developed roots prior…
The most important time to prune a tree is when it is young. Most structural defects that occur in older trees can be prevented by pruning when the tree is young. This practice can avoid the need for more expensive tree care practices later in the life of the tree and can extend the lifespan of the tree by…
Mulch is a great tool when used in moderation. Do not stack the mulch high up on the tree trunk. Only 2-3 inches of mulch is necessary when mulching under trees. Benefits of mulch include: aesthetically pleasing, reduces weed trimmer damage, reduces evaporation, reduces inter-plant competition and helps maintain soil temperature. Mulch eventually breaks down…
The Emerald Ash Borer. Is it in Texas? If so, is this a problem? Here at Advanced Tree & Shrub Care, Inc. we keep our eyes and ears open for potential new pests that may have, or may be about to enter our area. By keeping up to date with the pests, diseases, and other…
It is important not to neglect your trees when watering your yard. Frequent drought conditions and the Texas heat can take a toll on any shrub or tree, but it can be especially damaging to newly planted trees. The most limiting factor for newly planted tree growth and survival is a lack of adequate water. Without enough…
