Category Ask Texas Tree Surgeons

We know, people have told you it is fine.
We know, the marketing tells you it is fine.
We know, you have done it for years and your tree looks fine.

Weed & Feed is bad for trees. 

Weed and feed products are designed to be a simple single product that is home owner friendly, however weeding and feeding are two very different actions. 

One action is to kill plants (that are not sod) and the other action is to improve the health of soil (in theory).

The herbicide in most weed and feeds is a “woody stem killer” and trees are woody stemmed plants. 

There is no safe distance for application in an urban setting as the chemicals will leech/move through the soil in water. Even if your neighbor uses it, your tree will be affected. 

While the dose may be low enough not to immediately kill your tree, it will cause it stress and combined stress is what kills trees. 

The signs of stress caused by weed and feed appear months after application, often late summer:

At Texas Tree Surgeons we love trees and we want trees and lawns to live symbiotically together, not at odds of one another. If you notice any signs of stress on your tree, or would like help in managing a healthy balance of needs in your yard please schedule an assessment with one of our certified arborists.

The roots of trees serve many functions, there are specific ones used for stabilizing while others are used for absorbing water and nutrients. While we tend to pay attention to what is easily visible like the canopy of the tree, roots need to be cared for just as much, if not more.

The best way to care for roots is by leaving them undisturbed. In a perfect urban setting that would look like a tree’s entire drip line (canopy) covered with mulch with minimal foot traffic. While this is not possible for many homeowners, reducing root disturbance is the next best thing.

Common Root Disturbances in Urban Areas:

Chemical disturbance:

• Weed and feed
• Interior/ Exterior paint brushes and tools rinsed outdoors
• Pool water, both saltwater and chlorine
• Gas leaks

Mechanical disturbance:

• Compression
• Trenching – plumbing, irrigation, cement work
• Install of new sod or fake turf
• Grading or changing the soil
• Landscaping rocks

Often when we think of roots we imagine large support roots in the ground, when it is the fine absorbing roots in the top few inches of soil that keep the tree alive. When these roots are cut, or the soil around them is compressed the roots die.

A healthy tree can sustain some root damage, but a tree under stress, like one living in a city and not in forest, can not sustain this type of stress for long because this is most likely not the only stressor the tree is enduring. Often we see trees die years later from root disturbance after they have used up all of its stored nutrients.

Some species respond more drastically than others to root stress. Species that do very poorly are; post oaks, magnolias, red oaks, dogwoods, and sweet gums.

There are times that roots will be disturbed by an arborist or tree health care technician to improve tree health. 

• Air spading is done to decompact soil so the tree is able to better absorb air, water and nutrients
• Root pruning in a younger tree will be done to correct girdling roots

At Texas Tree Surgeons, we love trees and we love our community! If you are planning to remodel, do new landscape, or installation of sod we would love to help safeguard your trees. We are rooting for trees. Contact us today!

Mulch is an important part of tree care that is often overlooked. Many trees are surrounded by turf grass or other plants, which can stifle their growth. Proper mulching can be the key to trees that not just survive, but thrive.

Amy Heath, Owner of Texas Tree Surgeons and ISA Board Certified Master Arborist® provides step by step instructions on how to use mulch.

Need more info about mulch? https://devtts.wpengine.com/blog/2018/11/30/mulch-basics/

Amy Heath, Owner of Texas Tree Surgeons and ISA Board Certified Master Arborist® provides step by step instructions on how to plant a tree.

You can find more info on how to plant trees here.

True or false, sprinkler systems are enough to water your tree?

False, sprinklers are designed to water your sod not your tree.

Amy Heath, Owner of Texas Tree Surgeons and ISA Board Certified Master Arborist® provides tips on how to water your tree effectively.

You can find more info on how to water your trees here, and here.

As summer drags on and temperatures continue to rise, we start getting calls about limbs falling off of otherwise healthy trees. Unlike storm or ice damage, branches falling in the middle of summer can happen unpredictably and seemingly without cause. This phenomenon is well-documented but unfortunately not well understood.

Why Do Trees Drop Branches in the Summer?

The tendency of some trees to lose large limbs during periods of high temperatures, like our North Texas summers, is generally called “sudden branch drop,” although it is also referred to as “high temperature limb failure,” and similar terms. While it is a not-uncommon occurrence during the summer, the exact cause is not known.

Underlying Causes of Sudden Limb Loss

Even if there is no consensus on what causes the phenomenon of summer limb loss, there are several factors that likely contribute to branch instability:

• Heat-related and general stress are widespread among urban trees during the summer months
• Lack of water and other nutrients because of drought conditions can cause dieback and weakening
• Internal decay
• Systemic diseases/infections

Can You Prevent Sudden Limb Drop?

Since the exact cause of high temperature limb loss is unknown, there is no guaranteed way to prevent it. However, following best practices for tree care during the summer will give your tree the best chance to recover from losing a large limb.

• Proper watering, especially during hot and dry periods, is essential
• Use mulch to regulate soil temperature and reduce competition with turf grass or other plants
• Follow recommended trimming guidelines for your trees and your area
• DO NOT USE HIGH-NITROGEN FERTILIZER which causes an imbalance in a tree’s energy reserves
• DO NOT USE “WEED AND FEED” which is formulated specifically to target plants like trees
• Ask an ISA Certified Arborist® to inspect your trees for signs of stress, disease, pests, or structural problems

At Texas Tree Surgeons, we love trees and we love our community! Sudden limb drop may be unpreventable, but minimizing its effects and helping your trees thrive even during the hottest summers is easy! Our team of certified arborists and experienced tree workers can help keep your trees healthy and looking their best year-round. Contact us today to schedule an assessment!