All posts by Texas Tree Surgeons

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!

I sometimes hear the term “tree doctor;” is that a real thing?

We are used to going to the doctor when we are sick. We go to the dentist for our teeth, and take our pets to the veterinarian, but what about our trees? Is there such a thing as a “tree doctor?” How can I find a “tree doctor” near me?

Luckily, there are “tree doctors,” and like human doctors, they have to undergo education, have experience, and can have certain specializations. Also like human doctors, “tree doctors,” called “certified arborists,” rely on many other professionals to provide the highest standard of care.

What is a Tree Doctor?

• In the tree care industry, “tree doctors” are called “certified arborists.”
  • When we use the term “certified arborist,” we mean a tree worker with a specific set of skills and training.
• The organization that sets the standards for arborist certification, like the licensing boards for physicians, is called the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA).
  • The ISA has chapters all over the world, and covers every state in the US.
• In order to be certified by the ISA, an arborist must demonstrate experience caring for trees, pass a written exam, and earn a certain amount of continuing education credits.
  • Certification must be renewed every three years.

If ISA Certified Arborists are tree doctors in general practice, then ISA Board Certified Master Arborists are like specialists.

• To become a master arborist, one must be a certified arborist for a certain number of years or have a degree in arboriculture, forestry, or a related field.
  • On top of that, one must have demonstrated experience as an arborist for a period of time, pass a difficult written exam, and be individually approved by the ISA Board of Examiners.
  • To maintain board certification, the master arborist has to complete extensive continuing education in different subject areas every three years.

What Does a Tree Doctor Do?

Certified arborists are trained in all aspects of tree care, including proper trimming, health assessments, pest and disease diagnosis, watering and fertilization, planting, and basic tree safety protocols.

• Depending on their particular job, an arborist may have more experience in one area than another, or may have additional skills, like tree climbing.
• In general, certified arborists should know how to trim a tree to keep it healthy; how to identify diseases, pests, or stressors that might be affecting the tree; and when to recommend removal for safety reasons.

In addition to the fundamentals of tree care, some certified arborists attain further credentials in a specific area.

• An often-studied subject is how to identify and manage safety risks related to tree breakage or failure.
  • The ISA has established the Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ) as a way for certified arborists to demonstrate their knowledge in this area.
• The Texas Chapter of the ISA has also created the Texas Oak Wilt Qualification (TOWQ) to recognize certified arborists who are trained in the identification and management of the virulent oak wilt disease.
• Additionally, there are qualifications available for specialized tree workers, for safety specialists, and for arborists who work around dangerous power lines or perform municipal work.

Will A Tree Doctor Trim My Trees?

While all ISA Certified Arborists should understand proper tree trimming for health and safety, that does not necessarily mean that it is the arborists themselves who do the actual trimming or other tree work.

• In the case of larger, more established tree care companies, certified arborists will establish protocols and methods for tree care.
  • Guidelines for tree care are published by the ISA, the Tree Care Industry Association, and other professional associations,
  • The instructions of certified arborists will be executed by trained tree workers, who may not hold arborist certifications themselves.
• Similarly, if trees need fertilization or pest control, the individuals who apply the products are usually experienced in the application process, not the diagnosis.

It may be helpful, again, to compare a “tree doctor” to a medical doctor. In most cases, especially in a larger clinic or hospital setting, the primary care doctor will diagnose an illness or condition and write orders for further testing, prescriptions for medications, or referrals to specialists.

• Certified arborists oversee the entire process of care for a particular tree, deciding on a course of action.
  • From there, the certified arborists assign certain tasks to certain other team members who are experienced and trained in that area.
• The tree climbers and other tree workers are like the physician’s assistants and medical technicians who perform the specific tasks of patient care.
• The plant health care technicians are like the pharmacists who distribute medication.
• Certified arborists even have access to a lab for performing tests on samples — in Texas, the experts at the Texas Plant Disease Diagnostic Laboratory provide lab services for arborists all over the state.

Nurses and patient care professionals are tasked with the day-to-day activities of treating disease, and the diverse members of a tree care team each have a particular set of skills that lead to trees receiving the highest level of care.

Do Tree Doctors Know Everything About Trees?

Additionally, just as medical doctors recommend second opinions or refer patients to specialists, effective certified arborists consult with others in their field to offer better tree care. As mentioned before, master arborists have a greater depth of knowledge and experience in many areas, and can provide support to other arborists as well as primary tree care themselves.

• Certified arborists with a credential in a specific disease or in tree risk assessment may be asked to consult on a particular project.
• In some instances, such as when a tree’s monetary value is in question, even master arborists may seek the services of an American Society of Consulting Arborists registered individual who has received training in the area of tree valuation.
• Ultimately, the best certified arborists in your area may not individually have detailed knowledge of every particular of tree care, but they should know how to find it.
• When you are considering hiring an arborist, be sure to ask about what resources (experts, labs, etc.) they use to diagnose and care for trees.

Like a trustworthy medical doctor, a reliable tree doctor knows when to ask for help, to make sure your trees are expertly cared for.

At Texas Tree Surgeons, we are proud to employ ISA Certified Arborists and Board Certified Master Arborists holding both Tree Risk Assessment and Texas Oak Wilt Qualifications. Our arborists are committed to continuing education and growing in the knowledge and practice of their profession. Our full-service tree care team includes experienced crews who train under an ISA Board Certified Master Arborist, Texas Department of Agriculture Licensed Applicators who apply our plant health care products, and a diverse support staff who handle all aspects of our locally-owned and family-run business. We are always happy to answer your questions about how we work and what we do. To learn more about our services, training, and experience, browse our website or get in touch!

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!

I have a sprinkler system in my yard. Do I need to do anything special for my trees?

We have discussed the watering needs of trees before, but proper watering is something that cannot be reinforced enough. Even when North Texas is not in a drought condition, the summers are long and hot and take their toll on every yard and green space.

While in-ground sprinkler systems can do a great job of providing water to turf grass and smaller landscape features, trees need particular care and attention when it comes to watering. Most sprinkler set-ups, unfortunately, do not provide enough water in the right areas to keep large trees hydrated. However, the simple addition of a garden or soaker hose to your watering routine can keep all your trees healthy during the hottest parts of the year. The best method of watering depends upon the age and size of the tree.

How Should I Water A New Tree?

Newly-planted trees are already in a vulnerable state, having been stressed from the transplantation process. Even when properly planted, a young tree can easily succumb to under- or over-watering.

• Young trees require watering more often than older, established trees.
  • It can take some time to properly determine the best watering schedule for your trees.
• To start, use a garden hose to water all around the root area of the tree.
  • If the tree has been well-mulched, you may have a small “basin” around the trunk.
  • Fill this area, let it soak in, and then fill it again.
• After this initial watering, check the root area soil every two to three days for moisture.
  • Don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty!
  • You need to feel how wet the soil is to a depth of 12 to 18 inches.
    • A screwdriver can be useful to test the firmness of the soil, but using your hands to feel for moisture is best.
  • If the soil is dry, water again.
  • If the soil is still wet, wait another day or two and check again.
• The exact watering schedule for your tree depends on
  • Composition of the soil
  • How well the soil drains
  • Other plants competing for the water
  • Weather
• Ideally, you want to keep the entire root zone moist, but not soggy, to a depth of 12 to 18 inches.
  • As the weather changes, be sure to adjust your watering routine accordingly.

How Do I Water a Mature Tree?

Watering a mature, established tree allows for a greater margin-of-error than tending to a newly-planted one. As trees grow, they develop the ability to store more water in their root systems so they can survive periods of drought.

• It is important to water the entire root zone, under and beyond the canopy dripline.
• Wet the soil to a depth of 12 to 18 inches.
  • Use of a screwdriver or other probe can be helpful in determining soil moisture below the surface.
• Once the root area is properly watered, it may not need to be watered again for one to two weeks or more, depending on the weather.
• Regular monitoring is key to maintaining the proper level of moisture.

Can I Water a Tree Too Much?

Trees, both young and old, are as stressed by too much water as they are by not enough. The signs of over-watering can often be mistaken for under-watering.

• Soggy soil is the first and biggest sign of over-watering.
  • If there is standing water, or the ground is squishy, the soil is waterlogged and needs time to dry out.
• Yellowing leaves can be a sign of both over-and under-watered trees
  • If the leaves are leathery, rather than dry, or hard to pull off the tree, it is likely that the tree has been watered too much.
• Visible fungus activity, such as mushrooms at the base or on the trunk of the tree, is a sure sign that there is too much water present.

At Texas Tree Surgeons, we love trees and we love our community! The wet spring we had in 2020 caused a lot of fungal issues with trees in North Texas. Over-watering during the summer can extend the duration of those issues, or cause them to get worse. Under-watering during the hottest parts of the year can lead to tree decline and death. Don’t rely on your sprinkler system to do all the work! Check your trees regularly for signs of over- or under-watering and make adjustments as necessary. If you have any questions about your watering schedule or your trees’ health, let us know! We are always happy to have one of our arborists out to evaluate your tree and provide recommendations for how best to care for them.

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!

My cedar tree has bagworms. Can you treat for that?

Bagworms are a common pest in North Texas, especially on cedars, junipers, cypresses, and other evergreens, although they can attack broad-leaf trees (like oaks, maples, and elms) as well. While they are common, they may not always be noticeable, especially on evergreens, as they use material from the trees they infest to camouflage their casings. Like other insects, bagworms have a year-long life cycle, and control measures depend on the growth stage of the pest.

What Are Bagworms?

• Bagworm is the common name for several different species of insect which are actually a type of moth (order Lepidoptera, family Psychidae).
• The bagworm caterpillars are very small (about 1/25 of an inch long), and spin silk thread which they use to attach themselves to plants and to weave into their bags.
  • Unlike a typical cocoon, the bagworm’s casing functions as a moveable shelter, with the caterpillars exiting to find food and climb up the plant.
• Once the caterpillar has matured, it undergoes a metamorphosis period before emerging as an adult.
  • Male bagworms resemble small moths while the females are flightless.
• Male bagworm moths seek out females during mating season, and the female uses her bag to lay eggs.
  • The exact times of caterpillar and adult emergence varies from species to species and is dependent upon the weather.

Can You Treat For Bagworms?

While bagworms are not prevalent every year, once they have infested a tree, they will continue to live there unless controlled.

• The simplest control method is to remove the bags.
  • They can be pulled off by hand or sprayed off with high-powered water.
  • It it important to dispose of the bags or destroy them, and not just leave them lying on the ground, as the eggs they contain can hatch and re-infest the tree.
• Insecticide sprays can be used to control bagworms, but are most effective when the caterpillars are small, and can be completely ineffective if the bagworms close their bags, as they do to molt or over the winter.
  • Systemic insecticides may be used in some cases as a preventative measure. Consult a certified arborist to see if this may be a good option for you.

At Texas Tree Surgeons, we love trees and we love our customers! Bagworms are a widespread nuisance and, while one or two may not harm a mature tree, can cause large-scale defoliation if left unchecked. It is a good idea to remove any bags that you see, whenever you see them. If you have bagworms, and want to see if there might be a chemical treatment option, contact us to set up a visit from a certified arborist. We offer full-service plant health care, including fertilization to help trees stressed by bagworms recover. We look forward to hearing from you!

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!

The leaves on our oak trees are looking diseased, with bumps all over them. Is this oak wilt?

Oaks are the most common trees in our North Texas urban forest, and they can suffer from many different health issues. If your oak is showing misshapen leaves with bright green bulges on them, it is most likely a fungal disease that may look bad, but is not usually harmful to the overall health of the tree.

Oak Leaf Blister 

• Oak leaf blister is caused by the fungus Taphrina caerulescens, which enters the new leaf buds during cool and moist spring weather.
• The fungus causes the young leaves to develop blister-like bumps on their surfaces, with coloration ranging from light green to brown.
  • In more severe cases, the leaves may fall off altogether.
  • The fungus does not affect mature leaves, only new growth.
• Like other fungal diseases, oak leaf blister is more prevalent during periods of cooler weather with increased rainfall in the spring, and cannot survive the summer heat.

Does Oak Leaf Blister Kill the Tree?

Oak leaf blister and the T. caerulescens fungus do not pose a serious risk to the health of affected trees.

Can Oak Leaf Blister Be Treated?

• The spores which carry the oak leaf blister fungus are present on the bud sites over the winter, and once the tree begins showing infected leaves, chemical treatment is not effective.
  • It is possible to apply a preventative fungicide, but this must be done before bud break and while the young leaves are maturing.
• If you have a tree with oak leaf blister, the best course of action is to clean up fallen infected leaves and dispose of them in plastic bags.
  • Do not place leaves in compost, as this may encourage further fungal growth.
• Keeping a tree healthy with proper mulching and fertilization, as well as maintaining soil drainage, will help it resist future health issues.

At Texas Tree Surgeons, we love trees and we love our customers! While oak leaf blister can be unsightly, it is mostly harmless and is not a serious concern to the health of the tree. Of course, there are many oak health issues that can cause long-term damage and tree death. Oak wilt is a major concern. Trimming oaks should be avoided between February and July if possible, and proper precautions taken if trimming cannot be postponed. Oak decline is also a problem, especially in areas where many of the trees were planted around the same time, and are reaching the end of their lifespan. If you have any questions about the health of your oaks, or any other tree care issues, let us know!

We had a bumper crop of acorns recently. While this is good for squirrels, it also presents a great opportunity for a fun project that can be educational and help our urban forest! Growing your own oak from an acorn and planting it where it is needed is a great, easy way to combat the severe tree loss and damage we had in 2019.

Step Two: Prepare Your Acorn for Planting

While you can plant the acorn right away, taking an extra step can lead to greater success down the road and is a more exciting way to see the early growth stages. 

• Take a viable acorn and carefully insert three toothpicks, equally-spaced around the circumference, about half way between the top and bottom of the acorn.
• Set the acorn on the top of a small cup, glass, or jar (clear is best!), balancing the toothpick on the rim.
• Fill the container with water, so that the bottom half of the acorn is submerged.
• Put the acorn and container in a warm, sunny spot (a windowsill works great).
• As the acorn germinates, it will begin sending a large taproot down into the container.
• If you have a clear jar or cup, you can see its progress.
• After the root has grown, the acorn will begin to send up a green shoot from the top.
• PRO TIP: Given enough time, the shoot will put out a few familiarly-shaped leaves!

Acorns can also be germinated in bulk in a bag filled with moist potting soil. Keeping the bag in the refrigerator can help prevent mold growth. Once they have put out roots, they are ready to plant.

Step Four: Plant Your Tree Outside!

Once the oak seedling has become established, you can plant it outside to give it room to grow! It is best to plant a new tree in the fall or winter.

• Find a spot where there will plenty of room for the tree to spread its roots and canopy.
• Dig a hole about the same size as the container the seedling was in.
  • Unlike planting a larger tree, there should be no root issues requiring a larger hole.
• Remove the entire contents of the container and place in the hole.
  • PRO TIP: If you let the soil dry out a little bit, it should pull back from the sides of the container and slide out easily.
  • Make sure that the top of the container soil is at ground level; don’t plant it too deep.
• With the leftover soil from digging the hole, you can make a small ring around the tree, about a foot away from the stem.
  • You can also put down a some mulch, but make sure not to put any too close to the seedling’s stem.
• Placing a flag nearby will help you remember where the seedling is and keep it from possibly getting mowed down.
• If you are worried about animal activity or other damage, you can use a tomato cage or similar fence to protect your seedling as it grows.
  • Once it has grown about 18 inches tall, you can remove the cage.
• Be sure to keep the growing young tree watered and monitor it for signs of insect activity.
  • If you have questions about fertilizer or other care, ask a certified arborist.

At Texas Tree Surgeons, we love trees and we love our customers! Growing your own seedling from an acorn is a fun way to learn about trees and is a great way to get free trees for your yard. With a little prep and a little patience, you can soon have your own forest! Also, you can use a similar process to grow other acorn- or nut-producing trees, although oaks (especially red oaks) are often the quickest and easiest to start with. As always, if you have any questions about how to care for your trees, young or old, let us know!