Archives 2022

Different species and types of trees responded differently to the low temperatures.
Visit our previous posts for specific info:

• Live oak
• Crape myrtle
• Ash
• Elm
• Palms

My Tree Leafed Out in Spring 2022 but is Now Turning Brown. Is That Freeze Damage?

Due to the unprecedented nature of the winter weather in 2021 and 2022, it has been difficult to predict exactly how trees will respond and the nature and timing of any freeze-related decline.

• Some species have seemed to bounce back from freeze damage only to show browning and die back after two or more growing seasons.

  • Red oaks and Japanese maples have been observed to leaf out in the spring as normal, only to start browning a few weeks later.

  • Unfortunately, once a tree’s canopy has completely browned or died, the tree may not be salvageable.

• If a tree has partial browning or only some dead canopy:

  • Prune out the dead or dying sections

  • Follow good watering practices

  • Use soil amendments focused on increasing available nutrients

    • High nitrogen fertilizer is NOT recommended, as this can stimulate the tree to use up energy reserves to push new growth rather than increase overall health

Should I Be Worried About Cracks in the Bark of My Trees?

Freeze-thaw cracks occur when rapid temperature swings cause the wood of a tree to swell and contract faster than normal. These cracks vary in size and severity. When the water inside a tree freezes, it can damage the tree’s vascular system, which moves nutrients throughout the entire tree. Widespread damage to the vascular system can lead to tree death.

Trees with freeze-thaw cracks need special care to encourage vascular system growth and nutrient availability.

• Proper watering is essential.

• Soil amendments and low nitrogen fertilizers can make additional nutrients readily accessible to the tree’s roots.

  • Fertilizing stressed and damaged trees must be done with care.

  • High nitrogen growth stimulators should be avoided.

• Preventive insect treatment is recommended.

  • Cracks or other wounds in the bark are entry points for borer beetles and other pests.

  • Over time, the tree will be able to seal off (“compartmentalize”) the damaged sections, but this can be a slow process.

Why Does My Tree Have Large Dead Branches?

In cases where only parts of a tree were subject to severe frost damage, the main trunk may be free of freeze-thaw cracks or other issues while some large or small sections of the tree show browning and dieback. With rapid temperature swings and violent winter weather, a tree’s specific location and surroundings (such as nearby structures or other trees) can have a great impact on how the tree is affected. Because of this, trees of the same species on the same block may have shown wildly different responses to freezing weather. No matter the extent, it is best to remove dead and dying sections of the canopy and bolster the tree’s health with water and nutrients to give it the best chance to compartmentalize the dead and decayed sections and return to health.

At Texas Tree Surgeons, we love trees and we love our community! Recent extreme weather events present new challenges to our urban forest and it will likely be a few years before we have seen the full effects. Trees, by their nature, respond slowly to environmental changes and, if not properly cared for, can slide into a cycle of decline following storm damage or other severe weather. As we move into the heat of the summer our current drought conditions can worsen and accelerate tree decline and dieback. Now is the time to have one of our arborists evaluate your trees for their current needs and prescribe a health care plan to increase soil nutrient levels and manage insect activity. Contact us today!

With over 90% of Texas in drought conditions, water conservation measures are in effect over much of the state. Caring for our urban forest during a drought requires special attention to our watering practices to ensure that trees get the water they need and none is wasted.

Do I Really Need To Water My Trees? I Have a Sprinkler System!

Yes! Even if you have a sprinkler system or regularly water your lawn, you need to water your trees as well.

• In-ground irrigation systems and hose-attached sprinklers are designed to provide water for turf grass and other ground cover.

  • Some sprinklers may be able to provide more water for small shrubs and bushes, but none of them are adequate to meet a mature tree’s water needs.

• If a tree is not properly mulched, it may be in competition for water resources with other plants.

  • If there is artificial grass present, water and nutrients in the soil may be scarce.

• Without adequate water, trees’ immune systems weaken, leading to increased susceptibility to disease and insects.

  • Repeated, long-term stress from lack of water can lead to a cycle of decline and tree death.

What is the Best Way to Water My Trees?

There are two main ways to get sufficient water to your trees: using a soaker hose or hand watering.

• Soaker Hose

  • Recommended for ease of use and coverage

  • Make sure the hose can cover the entire root zone

    • Depending on the type, hoses can be arranged in circles or a spiral around the tree or in radial lines leading out from the trunk

  • Run the soaker hose long enough to wet the ground in the root area to a depth of 10-12 inches

  • Check the soil to see how long it retains moisture and only water after the soil has dried

    • Too much water can be as bad as too little

    • Generally, watering should be every 7-10 days

• Hand Watering

  • Place a garden hose so that the outlet is 1-2 feet from the root flare of the tree

  • Turn on water enough to spread, but not so much that it puddles or streams away

  • Move hose around tree to ensure even watering of entire canopy area

  • As with soaker hoses, stop watering when soil is damp to a depth of 10-12 inches

  • Wait a few days and check soil moisture

    • Re-water when soil is dry to avoid excess dampness

• Special Considerations

  • Some trees may require watering more often

    • Stressed/sick trees (such as by freeze damage or pest activity)

    • Non-native species

    • Recently-planted trees

  • During periods of wet weather, do not water too often

    • Excess soil moisture can cause rapid growth of harmful microorganisms

How Can I Help My Trees Retain Moisture in a Drought?

After watering, mulching is the most effective way to regulate tree moisture. Proper mulching helps regulate soil temperature, slows evaporation, and contributes to soil nutrients as it breaks down.

Avoid high nitrogen fertilizers and growth stimulators, as these can cause a tree to use up energy stores and require more water to maintain. Organic soil amendments and compost can be added to soil and mulch if needed.

At Texas Tree Surgeons, we love trees and we love our community! While the summer months can be fun, the drought conditions they often bring can be stressful to people and plants. Proper watering of our urban forest leads to healthy trees that can help regulate heat, provide shade, and keep the air fresh. Have questions about how best to care for your trees during drought? Contact us today!

Since most of us don’t get tree work done more often than once or twice a year, it can be difficult to predict the cost. Even after getting an estimate from a tree service, understanding the costs that go into trimming or removing a tree can be challenging.

How is Tree Work Priced?

Tree trimming prices are usually based on man hours for the work requested and amount of debris to be hauled away. Factors such as location, timing, equipment needed, and safety requirements can also increase the price of tree work. If additional work is added the day of the job, this may not be included in the original estimate.

What to Look for in Tree Work Price Estimates

Whether it is called a bid, work proposal, or estimate, reputable tree trimming companies will always submit job pricing in writing for customer approval. In addition to pricing, this document should contain the basic information about the company, including the legal name, address, and contact information. There will also be certain legal language, terms and conditions, that both the tree company and customer agree to follow. Sometimes these terms are printed on the bid, and sometimes they are online and simply referenced. Always be sure to ask to see the terms and conditions before agreeing to an estimate.

The “Big 3” Considerations When Hiring a Tree Service

• Reviews/Reputation

  • What can you find out about a tree trimming company online?
    • Google, Yelp, Facebook, Nextdoor, and similar sites can not only provide a star rating or score, but feature reviews and feedback from actual customers.
  • Is it easy to find contact information for a tree service?
    • Are there multiple contact options? (Phone, email, text, live chat)
  • When reading reviews, pay attention to how the business responds to both good and bad feedback.
    • Do they try to resolve customer concerns or just ignore criticism?

• Insurance

  • Tree trimming and removal can be tricky; reputable tree services will always have insurance, usually several types, to cover any unforeseen occurrences.
    • Commercial General Liability
      • Provides basic coverage for when the company is at fault for damage or injury
    • Vehicle
      • Covers damages related to motor vehicles and their operation
    • Personnel
      • Covers the tree service’s workers
    • Umbrella Coverage
      • Overlaps with other types of insurance to provide greater protection
  • In many states, there are no requirements to carry specific insurance.
    • Ask a prospective tree service about insurance to make sure you are protected if something happens while they are on your property.

• Credentials

  • Reputable tree services will employ ISA Certified Arborists
    • The International Society of Arboriculture is the premier arborist training and certification organization in the world.
  • Most states do not offer a license in arboriculture.
    • With few exceptions, a “licensed arborist” is not a real credential
  • Contact your local ISA chapter or agricultural extension service to see if there are additional credentials specific to your area
    • In Texas, for example, ISA Certified Arborists can obtain the Texas Oak WIlt Qualification, reflecting additional training in management of the oak wilt disease
  • Experience and credentials go hand-in-hand
    • Be wary of professionals saying that they have experience and don’t need training
      

Additional Factors in Tree Service Pricing

• Haul Away/Clean Up

  • Does the work estimate include hauling away the debris?

  • What is expected in the clean-up process after work is completed?

• Seasonal Considerations

  • Are there additional expenses during a particular time of year?

    • For example, painting cuts on oak trees during oak wilt season

• Recent Events/Weather

  • Was there just a big storm? Access for private companies to municipal resources like a greenfill might be restricted or the fees increased.

  • Increase in pricing and availability of fuel or equipment may lead to increased costs or reduced availability.

Don’t always go with the lowest estimate! When our owner, Amy Langbein Heath, was starting out as an arborist, she gave a bid to a friend to remove a tree with a rotten trunk. The friend decided to go with a removal estimate that was about half the price of Texas Tree Surgeons. Amy reminded her friend to ask for the company’s insurance, especially because it was a potentially difficult and dangerous removal.

A few hours into the removal, the tree crew dropped part of the trunk onto the garage and power lines. Rather than take responsibility, and probably because they were not insured, the tree trimmers left, and Amy’s friend was unable to get in touch with them. Trying to save a little bit on the tree work led to damage to her home and power outages that cost well beyond what Amy’s friend would have paid to a reputable company.

Research into the best way to care for trees is constantly being conducted, and it is critical to keep up-to-date on the best practices. Traditionally, the general rule has been that fall and winter are the best times to trim trees, but new research has shown that this is not always the case. Trimming a tree during the peak growing season (generally spring or early summer) means that the tree has more energy to devote to healing cuts made while pruning. When cuts are made during dormant periods, trees are unable to heal as efficiently and completely, and there is a greater chance that decay, disease, and insects will be able to prey on the exposed wood before healing can begin in the next growing season. However, it may still be the best practice to trim certain trees during dormant periods if there are specific disease or insect considerations, or fruiting/flowering is desired.

What to Consider When Trimming a Tree

• Why is the tree being trimmed?

  • Is this just maintenance pruning, or is there a specific objective?

• Is the tree healthy?

  • Sick or stressed trees need extra care, and should not be trimmed as aggressively as healthy ones.

• What kind of tree is it?

  • Certain species of tree handle the stress of trimming better than others, and different kinds of trees sometimes have different yearly growth patterns.

• Are there active diseases/pests in the area?

  • Many tree diseases have cycles of infection risk throughout the year.

  • Insects have periods of higher activity and dormancy.

• Contact an ISA Certified Arborist to assess your trees before trimming.

  • Local arborists will be aware of area-specific concerns.

Recommended Timing for Tree Trimming

• Winter

  • Fruit trees for production

• Spring

  • Heavy pruning and large limb removal

  • Aesthetic trimming and shaping

  • Structural pruning of young trees

• Early Summer

  • To stimulate food storage

• Late Summer

  • Trees that flower on previous year’s growth

• Fall

  • Older trees that need to increase energy reserves

• Fall/Winter

  • Oak tree trimming in North Texas to avoid oak wilt season

• Special Considerations

  • If a tree has suffered root damage, avoid trimming for at least two years to reduce stress and encourage recovery.

  • Dead, broken, or hazardous limbs should be removed when possible to avoid risk to persons, animals, and structures.

  • Storm- or frost-damaged trees may need remedial pruning out of season.

At Texas Tree Surgeons, we love trees and we love our community! We are committed to staying up-to-date on emerging research in arboriculture, and doing our part to keep North Texans informed about how best to care for their trees. Through continuing education and internal training, our team of ISA Certified Arborists ensure that their advice and guidance is accurate and in keeping with the highest standards of practice. As always, if you wonder when is the best time to trim, or have any other questions about your trees, let us know!

There are many different names used to identify people who care for trees: tree trimmers, arborists, landscapers, etc. In Europe and other parts of the world, professionals who care for trees are often called “tree surgeons.” While that term is not in common use in North Texas, it does a great job of describing the level of care and attention that goes into properly trimming a tree.

What is the Difference between an Arborist and a Tree Surgeon?

Like “arborist,” the term “tree surgeon” could be applied, generally, to anyone who trims or otherwise cares for trees. In the US, there is no standard definition of “tree surgeon,” “arborist,” or any other general term. While some states have licensing for tree workers, there is no state arborist license in Texas. Luckily, the International Society of Arboriculture(ISA) has established a world-wide standard for tree worker education, training and certification. No matter what city, state, or country you are in, finding an ISA Certified Arborist(r) guarantees that the individual has experience and proven knowledge in the field of tree care. For more information about certified arborists, read our previous post.

How Can I Find a Reputable Tree Surgeon Near Me?

While anyone can call themselves a “tree surgeon” or “arborist,” there are a few important considerations to keep in mind when hiring a tree care service:

• Credentials

  • The most important credential a tree worker can have is ISA Certified Arborist

    • Find certified arborists in your area at https://treesaregood.com

    • This shows a proven understanding of tree health and biology, as well as industry-standard tree care practices

    • Additionally, there are specializations that an ISA Certified Arborist can attain

      • Tree Risk Assessment Qualification – for evaluating and remedying hazards related to a tree’s structure

      • Texas Oak Wilt Qualification – a local specialization for managing the oak wilt disease in Texas

      • Utility, municipal, etc. specializations – for arborists working in specific practice areas

  • If a company is applying pesticide or other regulated chemicals, they must employ someone with an applicator’s license

    • In Texas, these are administered by the Texas Department of Agriculture

  • Other certifications offered by organizations such as the Tree Care Industry Association or individual state licensing boards may indicate training or experience, but are not as comprehensive or universal as ISA certification.

• Insurance

  • Make sure that the company has coverage for damages or accidents that occur on your property

    • Ask to see a copy of their Certificate of Insurance, and don’t be afraid to call their insurers to verify coverage

• Reviews

  • Online reviews can give a good idea of past customers’ experiences with the company

    • Be wary of fake-sounding reviews

    • Keep in mind that some review platforms may allow companies to pay to remove bad reviews

  • Neighborhood-based social networks can be a good source for word-of-mouth referrals

• Customer Service

  • Any company you contact should have a easily-understandable procedure and good communication

  • Ask questions up front (such as about insurance, etc.) to avoid surprises later

  • Be wary of high-pressure sales tactics or too-good-to-be-true claims

    • Always feel free to get a second opinion

At Texas Tree Surgeons, we love trees and we love our community! We are proud to call ourselves “tree surgeons,” and are dedicated to providing the best in tree care and customer service. We have ISA Certified Arborists on staff, who are ready to answer any question you have about caring for your trees. In addition, we have several ISA Board Certified Master Arborists, and an ASCA Registered Consulting Arborist, each of whom have years of experience and have undergone extensive training and examination to attain those credentials. Just like medical practices, we are a team made up of individuals with different specialties and responsibilities, from the ISA Certified Arborists who evaluate your tree care needs, to the TDA Licensed Applicators who perform our Plant Health Care treatments, to our customer service professionals who ensure that communications among all parties happen seamlessly and efficiently. Want one of our professional tree surgeons out to take a look at your trees? Let us know!