Trust an Arborist to Protect Your Trees from Storms

With spring almost gone, arborists all over northern Utah are busy prepping homeowners’ trees for the summer storm season. If you invested in decorative, shade or fruit trees for your landscape, the last thing you want is to lose one in a windstorm — especially if they are mature trees. Using the services of an experienced arborist is the most effective way to protect your trees. Arborists Evaluate, Prune Trees An arborist can prepare your trees to better withstand extreme wind, rain or lighting strikes. This involves trimming away dead branches and potentially thinning the canopy (depending on the species) to reduce upper weight and wind resistance. They will also examine the tree for any weak unions of large branches, where they are most likely to crack and break off.

Utah Tree Disease & Pest Control Alert

Now that Spring has sprung, tree disease and pest season is about to get into full swing. In Utah, tree diseases and pests pose a concern from mid-March through the fall season. Although diseases and pests are most common with fruit trees, they can plague landscape and shade trees as well as ornamentals. Although you may not be able to prevent all these problems, staying alert to potential warning signs can help prevent serious damage or death to your trees. Three pest and disease problems may be of extra concern for particular trees this year. Leaf Scorch: A Physiological Tree Disease Leaf scorch occurs when tree roots are unable to obtain the water necessary to supply the entire plant. It’s most common during dry periods with excessive heat or high winds. This tree disease

5 Tree Removal & Pruning “Don’ts”

For tree removal and major pruning, you need knowledge, experience and the right tools for the job. No doubt you’ve seen news reports of even experienced tree service professionals being seriously injured or even killed while tackling a large job. If you elect to undertake a project of this nature, use common sense to avoid injury and property damage. No. 1: Don’t Use a Ladder for Tree Removal or Major Pruning Ladders are dangerous enough for simple household tasks like changing light bulbs and removing cobwebs. Trying to cut large limbs or saw sections of tree trunk while standing on a ladder is asking for trouble. Ladders move too easily, and the ground below is rarely level or stable enough to support your weight while moving around and using tools. Besides, most do-i

It’s Tree Trimming Season!

Tree trimming is one of the many tasks homeowners and arborists take on in April. However, not all trees benefit from pruning this time of year. Cherry trees love a good trimming now, while willows are prone to over-growing if pollarded too early in the year. Deciduous trees enjoy trimming in late winter/early spring, from February through early April in Utah. However, if you overlook pruning and it’s already late April, wait. Deciduous trees start to “leaf out” as the weather warms, so energy reserves are slight, and bark damage is slow to heal. (Heads up: You’ll also want to avoid pruning deciduous trees during leaf drop in the autumn). Maple trees tend to bleed excessively if pruned this time of year, but that bleeding isn’t harmful. The sap will slow down and sto

Tree Insect Control in Utah

As spring approaches, your tree insect control efforts amp up. According to Utah State University, the best approach is using numerous simultaneous techniques, including biological, chemical, cultural and mechanical options, for tree insect control. This method reduces negative environmental side effects and can be used as needed. First, your integrated pest management professional will diagnose any problems, then determine management needs and pinpoint the best time frame to tackle challenges. Every best practice is unique based on pest type, geographic region and severity of the problem. Diagnosis is key, because most tree problems aren’t caused by biotic issues like insects and diseases, but rather abiotic issues such as the environment, improper care and insufficient irriga