Tree Services to Prevent Freezing

You’re familiar with tree services like pruning and trimming, but did you know trees sometimes need help to survive the cold? Can trees really “freeze to death”? Yes, but it’s uncommon, mostly because trees grow and thrive only in regions where they’ve evolved and adapted to the weather. That’s why you don’t see palm trees in Alaska! Different species can handle various temperatures. Live oaks can survive in 20F. However, arborists and scientists don’t know all the specifics of how trees manage in extreme temperatures, because the cellular tolerance mechanics are highly complex. Variables like exact temperatures and the duration of freezing weather also play roles, as do the health and age of the tree. An Evolutionary Matter According to research in the Natur

Holiday Lighting Tips

When decking the halls takes you outdoors, you need holiday lighting tips from the professionals.   Not only is stringing your own lights and holiday decorations dangerous (and often a literal slippery slope), it can also be expensive. Quality outdoor lights are expensive, especially considering they stay in a box in your attic for most of the year. Why buy when you can borrow from local holiday lighting experts? Even better, let the professionals take care of the ladder-climbing and the frozen hands, while you sit back with a cup of hot chocolate and watch the holidays light up your yard. If you do decide to string some holiday lights yourself, you must follow some key safety tips. First, ensure the ladder you use is wooden or fiberglass to help avoid electric shock.

Do Yellow Leaves Signal Autumn or Insects?

Does your tree need some insect control? Is it turning yellow because it’s autumn, or because it’s infested? That’s the question researchers tackled in “Autumn tree colors as a handicap signal,” published in The Royal Society journal. Based at Oxford’s Department of Zoology, the scientists knew that sometimes leaves turn yellow as a defensive sign against infestations, as brighter colors dissuade insects from invading. In autumn, how can we tell the difference between a tree’s SOS and its normal transition to cool-weather colors? Previously, only two studies have remotely touched on this conundrum, and they were both fairly specific (one looked at only fruit trees). Just like you’d apply more tree insect control with a larger infestation, trees turn a brighter,

Autumn Tree Insect Control for Spring

What does autumn tree insect control have to do with next spring? A lot! Preventive care is key, both for your body and your trees. It’s a lot faster, easier and more affordable to tackle tree insect control early rather than let the pests take over and then start trying to get rid of them. Autumn is the time to take action, so start including some insect control strategies along with harvesting, pruning and prepping your trees for winter. Systemic insecticides give your trees the protection they need to ward off insects for up to one year. Talk to your tree services professional to get the best insecticide for your trees and plants, including organic options. Some of the most common pests — like caterpillars, borers, aphids and leaf miners — don’t stand a chance aga

Fruit Tree Care for Autumn

Fruit tree care is a must year-round, and autumn is a particularly fun time for this chore because of the harvest! Many fall fruit trees, such as apples and pears, are ripe for the picking, and their bounty is begging to be put into your famous pies, tarts and gift baskets. Now is the time to properly store excess fruit for use throughout the winter, and also check your fruit trees’ health before the first frost. Proper fruit tree care includes adequate watering through the end of October, so trees go into winter well-moisturized. Rake leaves regularly and pile them far away from trees to decrease the risk of leaf-borne diseases (or homes for pests). Trimming grass near trunks is also a good idea. In most cases, avoid applying fertilizer after July, and never fertilize immat