Archives 2020

Ask Texas Tree Surgeons: My Tree is Leaning; Should I Be Worried?

by Texas Tree Surgeons Ask Texas Tree Surgeons, Tree Health Care

Another installment in our series of posts where Texas Tree Surgeons answers your tree questions. Are you having problems with your trees and want to know what’s wrong? Let us know!

We have a tree in the back yard that is leaning. Is there anything we can do to fix it?

Whether you just moved into a new house and noticed one of the trees is leaning, or a tree has suddenly developed a lean, there is one important difference to be aware of: quickly-developed leans and over-time leans.

Leaning Trees: Fast vs. Slow

 The main factor that determines whether a tree that leans is a problem or not is how quickly the lean developed:

  • Trees that have developed a lean over time usually are not a high risk, and cannot be straightened or corrected.
    • Trees, like other plants, are naturally drawn to the sun and away from other trees and structures. (This phenomenon is called “phototropism.”)
    • If a tree faces competition for sunlight, it will begin to lean away from its competitors and towards a clear view of the sun.
      • As the tree leans, its roots grow out in the opposite direction from the lean to anchor the tree.
    • Once the tree has become established with its lean, it will continue to grow that way.
      • In some cases, a tree that was leaning can begin to send new growth vertically upward again, once the competition for sunlight is removed, but the leaning parts will remain.
  • Trees that develop a lean quickly can be an increased fall risk.
    • Whether the tree is large or small, developing a lean quickly usually means one thing: root system instability.
      • A tell-tale sign of a root issue causing a lean is raised ground around the tree or disturbance to nearby structures or fences.
    • High-limestone and shallow soils, like we have in much of North Texas, can be a contributing factor to shallow roots which can lead to instability.
      • Additionally, periods of drought and flooding cause shifts in the soil, further hampering proper root formation.
    • Root rot, often caused by fungus, can cause widespread root system death, leading to major structural instability.
    • If there has been construction around the tree and roots have been cut, or the tree suffered storm damage, a lean can be a sign of an imminent fall.

What Can I do About a Leaning Tree?

 If the tree has grown into a lean over time, there is little that can be done. Once the tree is established and stable in its leaning orientation, trying to straighten it can destabilize the structure and put the tree at risk of falling.

For a sudden lean, however, it is important to act quickly. Whatever the cause of the lean, it must be addressed before it becomes worse and the tree falls. In some small trees, a sudden lean can be corrected, allowing the tree to grow new stabilizing roots. In large trees however, complete removal is often the only safe way to deal with a sudden lean. If the tree is leaning from storm or other damage, especially when roots have been cut, rope off the area under the tree and contact a certified arborist immediately — the tree could fall at any time.

 At Texas Tree Surgeons, we love trees and we love our customers! If you notice that one of your trees in leaning, we are always happy to come out an see what may be causing the lean and whether it needs to be addressed. If you are aware of a tree that has developed a sudden lean, contact us today so that one of our ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualified arborists can properly evaluate the danger of the situation and provide a solution.

What’s Blooming in North Texas?

by Texas Tree Surgeons Events, Resources

As the weather warms up in the spring, we see trees begin to bud out in at different times. Most of our North Texas trees don’t have colorful blossoms in Spring, but there are a few notable exceptions.

Saucer/Tulip Magnolia

An impressive early spring bloomer is the saucer magnolia (Magnolia x soulangena) or closely-related tulip magnolia (Magnolia liliiflora).  Much smaller that the common southern magnolia, this tree grows to about four feet tall. While it shows green foliage through much of the year and may be overlooked, the highlights of the saucer or tulip magnolia are its namesake pink and purple blossoms that show in early spring before the new leaves open. These trees thrive in alkaline soils, like we have in much of the DFW area.

Purple Leaf Plum

The purple leaf plum is a non-fruiting tree with brilliant purple leaves that look beautiful summer long. In the spring, delicate pink flowers bloom on the branches, creating a dramatic scene before the new leaves begin pushing out. The purple leaf plum will have more flowers and darker purple leaves when planted in direct sunlight.

RedBud

Whether you have an Eastern redbud, Texas redbud, Mexican redbud, or another cultivar, you are likely seeing its pink or purple blossoms appearing. An early bloomer, the redbud’s blossoms are often the first herald of spring. Even after blossoming, however, the redbud’s heart-shaped leaves and attractive seed pods make it a stunner all year long.

Flowering Dogwood

Flowering dogwoods are understory trees that do best in the shade from larger species. Their white flowers in the spring and red berries in the fall are a common site in Southern gardens. Dogwoods can grow in the North Texas area but tend to do better in the sandier soils of East Texas. If you do have dogwoods, we recommend adding iron and other nutrients to the soil to help keep them healthy and blossoming.

Fruit Trees

There are few fruit trees that can thrive in North Texas due to the generally hot and dry climate and ill-suited soil conditions, but you will still see a few putting our blossoms in the spring. The more flowers a tree has, the more fruit it can produce, as the flowers are the starting point for fruit development. If you have a fruit tree, it may need special care, fertilization, and soil amendments.

At Texas Tree Surgeons, we love trees and we love our customers, and we are happy to see spring flowers starting to appear! If you are looking for recommendations of ornamental trees for color variety in the Spring or year-round, check out our previous posts for some suggestions! As always, if you have any questions about blossoming trees, ornamentals or anything else, let us know!

What is the Tree with White Blossoms in North Texas?

by Texas Tree Surgeons Ask Texas Tree Surgeons, Events

Wondering what those trees with flowers are in your area? Although they blend in to our urban forest the rest of the year, one variety of tree pops with white blossoms in the spring.

Ornamental Pear
(Bradford/Aristocrat pear)

  • Just like their vivid fall color, the ornamental pear’s white blossoms in the spring provide a beautiful contrast to the dull brown of other trees.
    • The most common ornamental pear in North Texas is the Bradford cultivar of the Callery pear (Pyrus calleryana), but other common varieties include the Aristocrat and Autumn Blaze.
    • The different cultivars exhibit different fall colors, but all have the same white blossoms in the spring.
  • However, while the Bradford pear and related varieties may bring some variety to your yard, they are not the best choice for ornamental color.
  • Not native to Texas, Bradford pears are not long-lived, and generally only last for about 20-25 years.
    • As they age, Bradford pears become prone to breaking, due to the natural instability of their branch joints.
    • It is not uncommon to see whole mature Bradford pears split.
  • Additionally, Bradford pears are susceptible to fireblight, a bacterial disease that can only be managed, not cured.
  • If you are looking to add some spring or fall color to your landscape, consider our recommendations.

At Texas Tree Surgeons, we love trees and we love our customers, are we are glad to see some spring blossoms in North Texas! If you have questions about how to care for your Bradford pears or any other trees, let us know!

“Arborist” vs. “Certified Arborist”

by Texas Tree Surgeons Resources

It seems at times like there are as many tree care companies as there are trees. Sifting through the flyers, business cards, yard signs, and truck logos we see around North Texas can be overwhelming. However, whether you have many trees or just a few, it is always best to hire a tree trimming company that has ISA Certified Arborists on staff. Using a tree service with certified arborists is the easiest way to ensure that your trees are properly taken care of.

WHAT IS A CERTIFIED ARBORIST?

  • ISA arborist certification indicates that an individual has demonstrated both experience in the field of tree care and knowledge of diseases, pests, environmental stressors, plant health care protocols, and other critical areas of arboriculture.
    • ISA arborist certification is the international standard for the professional practice of tree care.
    • To maintain ISA certification, arborists must participate in continuing education classes to ensure that they are using the latest in practices and procedures and must renew their credential every three years.
    • Each ISA Certified Arborist has a unique certification number, tied to the state in which they were initially certified.
      • Certification numbers and credentials can be verified online by visiting https://treesaregood.com.
      • If a person claims to be a “certified arborist,” make sure to ask for their ISA number to check.
    • In Texas, unlike some other states, there is no state licensing board for arborists, so beware of people claiming to be “Texas licensed arborists.”

WHAT IS AN ARBORIST?

  • The word “arborist” can be used to identify individuals who perform any aspect of tree care: tree trimming, tree removal, plant health care, etc.
    • In a broad sense, “arborist” can refer to anyone in the tree care field, like we might use “teacher” to refer generally to people who work in schools. However, just as not every school employee is trained to do the same things, not every tree service worker is equally qualified to perform every task.
  • In many cases, the arborist (or sales arborist) is the person who comes out to initially assess the trees’ needs and prepare a work proposal.
    • From that point, the arborist is the main point of contact for our customers, and coordinates with our operations manager to assign a crew, ensure the work is done properly, and answer any questions.
    • Arborists are the key personnel for tree assessment, diagnosis, and customer communication.

What is a Board Certified Master Arborist?

Certification as a master arborist by the ISA Credentialing Board is reaching the pinnacle of the field of arboriculture.

  • The ISA BCMA credential requires extensive experience in the tree service industry, as well as thorough knowledge of all aspects of tree care demonstrated through examination.
    • As of 2020, fewer than two percent of all ISA Certified Arborists are BCMAs.
    • To maintain this certification, BCMAs must complete continuing education courses and renew every three years.
    • Certification status can be verified through https://treesaregood.com.
  • The owner of Texas Tree Surgeons, Amy Langbein Heath, became an ISA Board Certified Master Arborist in 2018, and was the first woman to become a BCMA in Texas.

What is the ISA?

The International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) is dedicated to the promotion of the professional practice of arboriculture. The ISA is the premier education and certification authority for workers in the tree care field. In addition to serving tree care professionals, the ISA has extensive resources for tree owners. For more information about the ISA, visit their site at https://isa-arbor.com. If you are a tree owner, and want to find a certified arborist in your area or learn how you can better take care of your trees, visit https://treesaregood.com.

At Texas Tree Surgeons, we are happy to employ ISA Certified Arborists or, simply, “certified arborists.” All of our arborists are either certified by the ISA or are in training to become certified.

We currently have Eight ISA Certified Arborists on staff:

Additionally, we have three ISA Board Certified Master Arborists on staff:

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Best Way to Top a Crape Myrtle? Don’t.

by Texas Tree Surgeons Resources, Tree Trimming

The most common mistake made in caring for crape myrtles is the practice of “topping.” Topping involves removing branches and trunks from the top down, trimming all material above a certain height. Usually, all leaves, blooms, and other green material are removed, leaving only bare trunks. Because of their resilience, topped crape myrtles do not die, but begin new growth from the height to which they were trimmed. As the topping is repeated year-to-year, the lower trunks of the crape myrtle age, while the top can remain twiggy.

Don’t Top Your Crape Myrtles!

  • Topping a crape myrtle destroys the natural balance and beauty of the tree.
  • Improperly trimmed multi-trunk crape myrtles have weakend immune responses and cannot fight off disease and insects as well.
  • As the topping continues, the crape myrtles can respond by growing more trunks, worsening the problem.
    • Topped crape myrtles have weak branch connections and are prone to breaking.

Why Do People in Texas Top Crape Myrtles?

  • We don’t know! It looks terrible, is terrible for the health of the tree, and causes long-term problems.
    • Some companies even advertise crape myrtle topping as a service — just another reason to make sure you use a tree service that employs local certified arborists who know how best to care for trees.

Doesn’t Topping Crape Myrtles Help Them Bloom?

  • Not in the long run! While it is true that crape myrtles bloom on each year’s new growth, a healthy and properly-trimmed tree will have more and stronger new growth, leading to more blossoms.
    • If a particular size or shape is desired, or it is necessary to reduce the trees’ height (for example, under power lines or eaves), proper trimming with care and attention can yield the same results without topping.
  • With the variety of crape myrtles cultivars available, examples of different sizes and growth rates can be found that are suited for various applications in North Texas landscapes.

For more information on crape myrtles, read our recent post.

Crape myrtle that has been topped. New growth is twiggy and uneven.

Properly-trimmed crape myrtles exhibit even structure and look beautiful year-round.

At Texas Tree Surgeons, we love trees and we love our customers, and we hate to see a beautiful crape myrtle topped and turned into a twiggy mess. Even if a crape myrtle has been topped for many years, it can be restored through a simple care program. Proper trimming, combined with allowing new growth to mature, can go a long way toward repairing the damage caused by topping. Fertilization can also help with encouraging healthy growth. Ask a certified arborist to evaluate and make recommendations for your specific trees.

Why Is My Tree Losing Its Leaves in Spring? [UPDATED]

by Texas Tree Surgeons Ask Texas Tree Surgeons, Resources, Tree Health Care

UPDATE: Was your Live Oak damaged by frost and freezing temperatures? Read our post here!

Why is my live oak looking sick and dropping leaves?

Falling leaves, just like color changes, have become a hallmark of Autumn, but not all trees drop their leaves in the Fall. In North Texas, we have a lot of live oaks, which is one particular exception to the “trees just lose leaves in Fall” rule. Are your Texas live oaks looking brown or sick and dropping leaves? It’s probably just a seasonal leaf exchange.

Live Oaks Have a Leaf Exchange in Spring

  • For many trees, dropping leaves is a way of preparing to go dormant during the cold winter months.
    • Live oaks, however, can lose leaves throughout the year and generally stay green during the winter. The major live oak leaf drop takes place in the Spring.
  • When the weather warms up, and the trees move out of winter dormancy, live oaks begin to develop new leaf buds.
    • Before the new leaves can grow, however, live oaks have to drop the old leaves.
    • As the old leaves die, they turn brown and fall, preparing for the new leaves to bud out.
  • If, however, the fallen leaves have yellow spots or yellow veins, there may be something else causing the live oaks stress.

At Texas Tree Surgeons, we love trees and we love our customers! If you’re new to the area, or just haven’t noticed before, seeing otherwise healthy live oaks turn brown and drop their leaves in the Spring can be a cause for concern, but don’t worry! Live oak leaf exchange in the Spring is part of the healthy life cycle of the trees, and is a sign that your live oaks are ready for new growth as the weather warms up. As always, if you have any questions about live oaks or any other trees, let us know!