The Arborist Journal

Caterpillars feed by chewing and ingesting foliage. One feeds voraciously on evergreens until the tree is dead, the other on the new tips of deciduous nut producing trees.
Bagworms; The female can lay up to a thousand eggs at a time which can lead to a huge population on a particular host. They emerge from mid to late May to early June. Cypress trees are the evergreens being the main course, Cedar and Juniper trees and shrubs being side dishes. We have also found them on Maples, Chinese Elms, Box elders, Willows and even Live and Burr Oaks. At infestation levels it warrants the application of pesticides to save the tree and or shrubs, otherwise picking them off, the organic approach is sufficient for control.

Fall Webworms; We have two species of webworms in this area the red headed and the black headed, each have 5 hatchings per growing season  and they overlap. The female lays up to 600 eggs that hatch into foliage consuming machines. They begin feeding early in the season around mid May and could be seen all the way up to November. Outbreaks generally coincide with heavy rain and warm sunny days. Webworms feed on the new growth inside the web as they grow larger and more numerous. Hornets and wasps prey on this pest and can be seen shaking the web to coax the worm within range. In most seasons these predators and weather can control populations but as we are seeing this year prey populations are on the down side and pests are taking advantage of this.

It is not recommended to prune out webs or burn webs while in the tree. Upgrade health and vigor of tree by treating with a slow release approved tree fertilizer and systemic medicaments. Proper irrigation is also highly recommended along with tree spraying/trunk inject (specimens) with approved EPA medicaments.

Use only Qualified Certified Arborists who are licensed to prescribe and apply medicaments.

The occurrence is up this year, possibly due to the weather events and results of some of those events. One would have to ask themselves, especially if one were to be a Arborist, “How is it possible that some Oaks fall ill while others remain unaffected”? Infected and dying Oaks could even surround a perfectly healthy Live Oak, asymptomatic, and survive. What we do know is that sap feeding insects such as the nitidulid beetles are a carrier of the disease and most likely some other sucking pests not yet identified. And then there is the human factor, there are high suspicions that landscapers, handymen, homeowners and unqualified tree people not Certified Arborist are part of the problem through movement of infected firewood and pruning equipment.  But what say about root grafting, how is it possible one Live Oak can survive surrounded by many that are infected? Healthy trees have always seem to have a resistance to this disease and insect attack that is why keeping them healthy is important especially when there is Oak Wilt present.

Tree removal, stump grinding and replacement with a resistant species is a choice. But not a very good one if the tree can be saved. Every case and every tree should be treated on a individual basis and diagnosed as such. Treatments and techniques should be determined for the individual needs of each tree, and not as a grouping, this is what Arboriculture is about. But not only should the disease be addressed but the vectors, the soil, the irrigation and the tree health.

A systematic approach to recover trees from this disease, and other disease complexes is crucial in understanding, which techniques, what chemistry (medicaments), and the proper cultural practices necessary for the successful recovery.  Removal is no longer the only choice.

A bastion of tree diversity; What a great place to live truly,especially if you  desire  Arboricultural diversity.In Fairview you can find almost every tree listed in “Ricks Tree List” and even a couple  more that some  folks believe can not possibly survive here. Traveling along a road such as Meandering Way one can’t count the species, but being a Arborist for 30 years I did just that. You’ve always wonder early in the spring what those small white and red flowering trees are out there in the country growing amongst larger trees or in small groves. Those trees are Mexican Plums and Red Buds  and are only the  first of many flowering trees.  To follow in the coming days/weeks you will be viewing our native flowering rough leaf dogwoods, Chittamwoods, Rusty blackhaw Viburnums, Mexican Buckeye and  finally Eves Necklace. But this is not the end, at least not in Fairview as summer grows closer, trees fill out, Soapberry and sumac trees begin their flowering which at times overlap but last several weeks. Small flowering trees are not all there is to offer starting from highway 5 one can enjoy trees, canoping over the ocassional spot along the route, large Pecans, Hackberry, Bois d’arc, Cedar Elm, Green Ash, Red, Bur, Chinquapin Oaks and scattered amongst them, Toothache, Honey Locust and native White Mulberry trees. Approaching Sloan Creek,  American Elm, Cottonwood and Sycamore become the more prevalant species soon to transition as the soil changes to caleche too Red and Bur Oak with one of the more rare species the Bigelow Oak. These trees grow in clusters and are found in very few parts of the metroplex.  Then Post Oak yes I said Post Oak, only a few remain but you can actually see them in River Oaks and Oakwood Estates. The color has not stopped as fall comes on the Persimmon turns yellow like no other yellows you’ve seen, Red oaks and Sumacs red, as the Buckthorns and Possum Haws set bright red fruit that last throughout the winter until the migrating Cedar Wax Wings feast on them.  This is yet typical of a street in Fairview, Texas.

The public is still challenged with the true meaning of tree care. Being that there is so many so called tree companies out there that make this claim. In the state of Texas anyone is considered a Arborist if they own a chain saw, drive a pickup and performed some tree work for one year. Is this not absurd? This truly muddy’s up the water when choosing an Arborist. But when you do your investigating, find someone who is qualified, what that means is a company with certifications and experience to back up their claims, you can actually get what you pay for. Remember, you get what you pay for, cheap is costly, good work is affordable.

I am asked frequently what grows here, what should be planted in this location and what is a good tree? Well I have come up with a list for this area that will best suit your landscape. It is a list of proven trees which I have either planted in my yard or have come across in my career and are proven.

Arborvitae (EG)** Dawn Redwood Pecan (Native)
Arizona Cypress (EG)** Deodar (EG) Persimmon
Ash (Green or Texas) Desert Willow Possum Haw (US)
Austrian Black Pines (EG)** Dogwood (US)* Roughleaf Red Bud (“Forest Panzy”)
Big Tooth Maple Elderica Pine (EG)** Red Cedar (EG)**
Bird of Paradise (Dry) Eve’s Necklace (US)* Red Maple
Buckthorn (US)* Fig Red Oak (Shumardii, Texana, Rubra)
Burr Oak Hackberry (FG) Smoke Tree
Button Bush Hollywood Juniper (EG)** Sumac (Dry)
Calorie Pear Japanese Black Pine (EG)** Texas Ash
CarolinaLaurelCherry(EG)** Japanese Maple (US) Texas Persimmon (Dry)
Cedar Elm
Cottonless Cottonwood Lacebark Elm (FG)***
Kidney Wood Toothache (US)*
Tree of Senna
Chinese Photenia Lacey Oak Vasey Oak
Chinese Pistachio Leland Cypress (EG)** Viburnum (US)
Chinquapin Oak Live Oak Vitex (Dry)
Chitamwood Magnolia (EG)** Western Soapberry
Chitalpa Willow Mesquite Winged Elm
Crabapple Mexican Buckeye (US) Yaupon Holly (US,FG)*
Crepe Myrtle Mexican Plum (US)
Mulberry fruitless
*(US) = Understory
**(EG) = Evergreen
***(FG) = Fast Growing

There are; shade trees, mid size ornamentals, small ornamentals, flowering ornamentals, evergreens, shade tolerant or understory, full sun, and dry site species all of whom have a purpose and reason for thier existance. Shade trees should be afforded enough area to fill into, for example, Live Oaks don’t grow very tall but they do grow very wide as opposed to say Red Oaks which grow tall but not wide. These species can coexist when planted near each other, a skilled Certified Arborist will be able to prune these trees in such away that they will maintain character and sustain a layering effect on your property. Shade trees should be planted before ornamentals to allow for growth prior to planting ornamentals. Generally shade trees grow slower,this takes about 8 t0 15 years to assume character unless of course they are professionally taken care of. I have most of these trees in my yard, but understand this as I have previously mentioned there are planting techniques to be aware of and you must abide by them to be successful. After planting the shade trees and getting the desired future affect you want, then start thinking about ornamentals. When choosing ornamentals always think about what you want to accomplish for example; do you want to compliment the house or the rest of the landscape, do you want it to grow large or remain small, do you want it to flower or turn color? The choises are numerous but a experienced Certified Arborist can save you time, money and anxiety in the long run.

Shrubs have character, same as trees and they all have functions and serve purpose. This is why in the hands of an Arborist you can get the best look out of your landscape. Some shrubs require shaping, pruning, trimming, others more attention like topiary, and some a controlled wild look. Whatever it is, its all dependent on what plant material you have in your yard, where it is located, and what species of plants you have in order to understand what they require and how they should look. Then there is the rejuvenation cut, for those of you who have let their trimming chores go beyond the scope. Be aware that you have to know what shrubs can tolerate this kind of aggressive cut and what is to be expected. This trimming usually removes most if not all foliage from the plant, this is so that when the shrub does start growing, the new lush foliage fills into an area that is more desirable. The bonus is you get new growth along with flowering in an area that is manageable. Trees on the other hand require pruning where selective limbs are removed for health and risk issues. Shrubs are trimmed, trees are pruned, this is the proper terminology.

It has been quite some time since we have seen weather conditions this cold, and below freezing this long. If you have palm trees, tropicals and even sub-tropicals here is something you can do that may help them survive. Cover them entirely with blankets and if possible electric blankets next lite oil pots around the plants to aid in temperature increase and of course irrigate prior to the event. Knowing palms like I do and experiencing the 1983 freeze, it doesn’t appear that we wold have any different outcome, but it sure would help doing the above in reducing the mortality then doing nothing at all.

There is a new tool in the technology box. But it’s not new in that sense it has been around for at least 20 years. What has changed is how it can be used, the savings behind it and In the hands of a Registered Consulting Arborist or a Board Certified Master Arborist, the most likely persons qualified to recommend and perform these treatments, the increase of success. Here are some of the cases where it can be used;
1) Ornamental/flowering trees; to maintain size and maximize flowering
2) understory trees; to maintain height and character
3) fast growing trees: to control growth
4) sick/diseased trees; with the added fungistatic properties of this chemistry a double benefit in fighting off disease and increasing vigor
5) old trees; for the maintenance of vitality
Now it is up to the Arborist how best to use this tool and when to use it. It is effective and research has proven it.

With Christmas right around the corner, now is the time to ensure your trees and shrubs are prepared for the added stress the holidays will bring to them. For example, if you plan on hanging lights on your trees, leaving them there is not a good idea. Remember to remove them because if you have a healthy tree that is growing it possibly can choke and kill it. Also, installation of these lights should be done by professionals, safety devices such as ropes and saddles should be used to protect the client from liability and injury to the tree.

Fertilization and systemics should be soil injected to prepare your trees for the coming growing season.

Pine, Spruce and fir are not the only trees you can use for Christmas decoration. Understanding these trees are not expected to thrive here and for many reasons. Here in north Texas our native cedar is a great candidate. If you were to pull it out of the ground, (root ball), yourself it would be the only evergreen tree that you can actually plant and expect to live for the distant future. These trees are excellent in a landscape as a screen.

Are your trees looking different? Leaves turning color, falling off, this may be a serious problem and a Arborist would be the person that can answer your questions. If  you are experiencing premature leaf drop it may be indications of other stresses.