The Arborist Journal

The number one question I am hearing right now is, “Why are my trees breaking?”  In some cases it’s a large limb and other cases it’s the entire tree.  Clients are also asking if there are problems with their trees because they have heard “popping”.

Yes, there is a problem!  This year we are experiencing a phenomenon called “Barking” more than normal.  This is where trees are actually splitting and/or spitting out bark with a large noise.  All of this is related to the extreme weather conditions we incurred this summer with the heat, wind, sunlight and most of all the lack of moisture.  All trees responded differently, and many suffered.  If you have a species of tree that is not indigenous to this area, it probably suffered more than most.  Take the Maples for example; Sugar, Silver Leaf and Reds all suffered, but in different ways and that is because of their tolerances. Sugar and Silver Leaf trees which are not indigenous and grew in the north, suffered the most….  Even in the older established trees in parts of Plano, Lewisville, Carrollton, and Desoto areas.  These trees, if not watered appropriately at 10-15 gallons per diameter inch per watering, are suffering greatly.  Missing just one watering is enough to cause serious injury.  Dehydration in trees is a life altering event, and may require several growing seasons to recover.  The number of trees that have defoliated and/or died is staggering.  Clients who have been educated by Arborists specializing in tree health and care about the risks of improper watering were more successful in saving their trees.  Although some of the Maples did not completely defoliate, we are now facing breaking limbs and entire trees with the renewed rains.

As the trees are re-hydrating, and in some cases too quickly, the stress of the increased (water) weight and other factors such as tree vitality come into play.  Most of the breaking limbs and falling trees are the non-native species. These species almost all have secondary infections related to the failure such as rots, decays and insect infestations (borers).  I mention this because when dealing with these species that are out of their range, they are most likely dealing with a number of stress related issues. That is exactly why they don’t grow here.  Another example would be our native Red Maple, although it is native to Texas, our state is 800 miles across.  The Red Maple it is only native to East Texas where the soils are sandy, acidic and weather conditions are more favorable (moisture).

What do you have to do to save your trees?  Take the first step by contacting an ISA Certified Arborist, a Board Certified Master Arborist or Registered Consulting Arborist.  These are your experts in Tree Care who will be able to diagnose the situation and recommend the correct path to recovery.

What is happening to the cypress trees? They are browning up, flagging, and dying. Yes, the drought is part of the problem, but there is more to it than just drought. All if not most Leyland Cypress trees have bleeding canker and had bleeding canker prior to this weather event. The difference is that when a introduced species like this is planted out of its range the tolerances are challenged. I have not observed many Leyland trees without the sign of old or new bleeding scars, leading me to believe that this tree can tolerate this disease up to a point. Moisture is truly the key though in keeping this tree healthy, when the Cypress is less conducive or dehydrated it is more susceptible to this disease,  growing in the conducting tissue and blocking movement. Moisture management is key to success but in conjunction with tree nutrition(fertilization), a healthy strong tree will always tolerate more adverse conditions than a weak tree. Irrigate and monitor moisture, these trees require 10-15 gallons per diameter inch per watering, do not let it dry out. Know this, it may still not be enough, in extreme conditions as we have seen, drought, wind, sunlight and heat, these trees plain out can not tolerate theses issues, and if you miscalculate watering it would be enough to set in motion the bleeding canker. Call a  Board Certified Master Arborist with expertise in Tree Health Care.

Everyone knows that we are experiencing one of the hottest summers on record. Many of you are wondering what you should do to protect your trees during this drought. You have probably noticed that our soils tend to dry out quite rapidly, in some cases as quickly as 3 days. One thing I have learned in my career is that nothing works without water. I have also learned that new transplants are the biggest challenge and the most challenging times of all are prior to and during the hot, dry, windy and sunny days of a North Texas summer. There are many variables when speaking about proper tree care in these situations but there has to be a starting point, so let’s start with young transplants. It has taken me a long time to formulate a base line through time and experience but it is as easy as this: A tree requires 10-15 gallons per diameter inch (dbh) per watering. Now what does this mean? Well, it means we have a starting point. Now more questions can be answered as to how often and what technique can be used to be successful.

There are two species of webworms in our area: Red Headed and Black Headed. Each have Five hatchings per season and they ovelap. The female is a flying moth and she lays up to 300 eggs at a time. They begin feeding immediately after hatching and build a protective web at the tender tips of the branches. Feeding begins in late May and goes on until the first freeze. Predators like hornets and wasps feed on them and when populations arehigh can control them, otherwise spraying is required and other years where as many as 7 sprays are necessary, although rare. The best time to spray is when they are growing at infestation levels, hot, humid, sunny days are optmal for development,

The battle goes on. A “Free Estimate” is what it is and nothing more. It is a estimate of tree work and how much it will cost. Most if not all tree companies,  and I am not talking about so called tree guys, I am talking about Certified  Arborist give free estimates. So if you are a tree owner who knows he needs pruning this is what you should expect. If you were to expect anything more for example, health or condition of the tree then beware, most Certified Arborist are not qualified and not trained properly. Diagnosing which is a part of consulting, have fees attached to them too give you a objective, independent and ethical assessment of the tree issue. The most qualified individuals are those trained, educated and expert in the practice of  tree health care, like Registered Consulting Arborist(RCA) and/or Board Certified Master Arborist.

There is plethora of informaton out there on websites and at your fingertips, filter through marketing claims for the facts, a skill all consumers should sharpen and chose between the qualified previously mentioned.

With all of the buzz on the internet these days about social networks, it was just a matter of time before the Tree Care industry would get involved in this new way of networking.  Advanced Tree & Shrub Care, Inc. has launched a new social website aimed at getting local communities in North Texas actively involved in the care of their trees.  It is free to join and subscribers have access to certified Arborist who moderates various groups.  This is truly one to watch!

There are two types of tree owners; those who think trees are ornaments and those who think they are organisms. Most have no idea that a tree is ill and generally call for help when its to late for help. Tree owners, the ones that truly take an active role in taking care of their landscape have healthier and more aesthetic looking plants. This a fact, I cannot stress more that if you treat a tree as a organism that requires care(water,fertilizer,pruning) it will respond in kind.

One of the most important needs for a tree, especially the young ones is water. Nothing can survive without and if you were to miss just one watering that in itself can be a life altering event.

With all of the “buzz” about social websites, it was just a matter of time that a social website dedicated to the tree industry emerge.  ATC Social was born out of the need to provide a theater for ISA Certified Arborist and consumers to collaborate on tree related issues.  If you have not visited the site yet, please take a moment to visit and sign-up.  You will be glad you did!

Removal of small trees presents no special problems. Some homeowners choose to tackle this small job themselves. Some challenges  would be of course if you have to climb the tree.  Let me be clear, after commercial fishing and logging, homeowners performing tree work is the third most deadly activity. So before you jump into the tree, thinking you can save a buck, think again about your family. If your not killed you could be seriously injured, with along recovery.

Root Flare is that structure on the tree where root tissue transitions into stem tissue, where bark is being formed. Root flares are not rhizomonos(root tissue), and requires the atmosphere to be in contact so that it will function properly.When this tissue is covered with soils, fills or mulch it presents a situation where the tree is restricted from functioning properly. Debilating the health and predisposing the tree to secondary stresses such as disease and insect attack. This condition is constant  and cumulative with every case situation being different, species, health and site are amongst some of the  the variables taken into consideration to determine diagnosis and remidy, requiring at times additional treatments.

Extremely important is the soil, covering the root flares, if your tree looks  like a telephone pole going into the ground you are a candidate.  Again, some of the more immediate indications of this condition is bark suffocation(inhibited,discolored), dieback in the canopy, chronic insect attack and tree susceptabilty to weather events.  After examination of the root flares, the canopy and assesment of its condition,  a Certified Arborist can set a plan as follows.

Remove the soil as far out as is feasible (preferably to the original grade) the rule is 1:3, 1 foot down 3 feet out. Don’t  create a bowl affect as it will hold water against the trunk and repeat the same condition. Address drainage and accomodate flow so as to minimize water retention. There are times where just basic tools are needed to expose root flares such as a power blower and hand gardening tools. But using a professional tree service with Certified Arborist you can minimize the damage using the Air Spade to blow away the soil without harming the tree. In addition the Arborist will be able to address any current or manifesting issues as the process continues.

Often growers plant trees too deeply and bury the root flares. Nuseries add soil to pots as trees grow and are moved to larger containers.  Then the homeowner or landscape crew follows the information on the cultural tag and plants the new tree at the same level as it was planted in the container, and the root flare is permanently buried or until it is removed.

It is not recommended to use shovels or trowels for digging, this will damage and harm the tree. Use only qualified ISA Certified Arborist.