The Arborist Journal

Live Oaks(Quercus virginiana) have a genetic characteristic of growing wide, not very tall.  The Texas Champion Live Oak has a spread of 150′ and a height of 44′ to give a general view of what a mature Live Oak looks like. Most Live Oaks, if not all, in the Dallas area are of this type.

Homeowners generally space them out to be one on each side of the front entry.  Most city codes require 2 trees at 4″ DBH (Diameter at Breast Height) in every lot.  If planted in the middle of the yard on each side of the entrance of a standard 100′ lot, the trees growing with just the irrigation and no other practices such as fertilization and pruning would grow into each other in less than 20 years.  If they were appropriately pruned in accordance with pruning/growth cycles and properly fertilized, it would happen much sooner.

Actual property example:  There are 19 live oaks in the front yard of this property spaced less than 40 feet apart, which means that in less than 15 years they are into each other.

When planted, most are installed in a landscape accompanied by grass, generally Bermuda grass. Bermuda grass is a creeper grass that requires sunlight all day long, irrigating and fertilizing with a high nitrogen fertilizer.  When it does not receive these requirements it stresses and thins, making it easily susceptible to secondary infections.   As the tree, the dominant organism in the landscape grows and responds to pruning, it dictates the environment underneath it, absorbing moisture/nutrients and sunlight.

Trees are pruned for health and structural benefits, thinning in addition to this to create an environment conducive for grass growth and or maintenance is counterproductive and harms tree health. Thinning the tree to provide enough sunlight for grass throughout the day is hopeful at best and harmful at least. As Arborists, we understand trees will respond in growth when pruned, it is our responsibility to train that growth in such a way that encourages it in a positive direction and compliments its genetics.

Trees live longer and they increase in size and value.  They work up a relationship for the present and next generation of homeowner.

Trees that have had bark damaged, ripped, torn or removed entirely due to vehicles, mowers or even weather events can now be helped.  The sooner we can address the damage, of course, the more successful we will be. This is what needs to be done:

CALL US IMMEDIATELY!

Advanced Tree & Shrub Care will bring the following:

• Cut Guard, biological plant wound dressing
• Lanolin/ roofing felt/ mallet / chisels/ wound scraper
• “TREESENTIALS” treatment via soil injection

We will remove bark tissue that is deemed irreparable and damaged sapwood that is splintered or beveled to provide a surface condition conducive with cambium regeneration.  Apply medicaments to the surface and reattach any damaged tissue and cover with the roofing felt.  We will then inject our TREESENTIALS treatment with the appropriate dosage based on size of organism and condition.  The felt should remain on tree for 1 year and we would check on the progress during that period.

Checkups are provided to monitor progress and watch for manifestations of secondary infections.  Our success rate has been very high, over 85% and the work itself is economical, with typically only a couple hours of work required depending on the amount of damage.

An added benefit would be to have an appraisal done on the tree for insurance purposes.  Insurance companies will only accept appraisals from a verifiable expert such as a Registered Consulting Arborist.

To a tree owner, they are not even noticeable.  But to an Arborist, they are a glaring presence!  The pressure put on a tree from the feeding and damage insects inflict is incredible.  In the spring time numerous insects emerge and begin feeding.  Some right on the bud and others on the roots and trunk.  As the tree forms leaves, another wave appears.  Some chewing, some sucking and as the twig expands again another wave of piercing, sucking and chewing insects attack.  While all along there are insects that have not stopped feeding on the tree and damaging it in other parts like the sap and heartwood.

Trees cannot just pull up and leave for a better life.  They have to deal with what is handed them and I can tell you it is quite challenging.  This is the norm.  Then you have weather events, another layer of stresses that predispose trees to additional insect attack and increased pressure on the health of the trees.  Ice, wind, lightning, hail and drought are just a few, but add insects into the equation and it takes a large toll. Some trees can fight off these stresses successfully if they are healthy enough.  Most are not and even in the healthiest of trees, it affects the level or degree of health.

When insects are controlled this pressure is reduced and trees respond incredibly.  “Trees just want to grow” and when they are pressured from the feeding of insects, they have to redirect their energy in fighting off and repairing damage instead of growing.

Not any Arborist can perform these functions, only an Arborist who specializes in Tree Health Care, a sort of veterinarian of trees, a Arborinarian.  An Arborinarian can diagnose, treat trees for disease and injuries as well as perform tree surgery (pruning / trimming).

We can treat trees for many disorders both short and long term depending on severity.  With the technology today we can supply trees with food and medicine, which are long lasting, safe and economical.  We will insure the trees good health, aesthetic value and ability to grow stronger.