Category Ask 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!

As we move into summer, there are several tree health issues that can present themselves. One of the common questions we get around this time is about bumps on pecan leaves. The bumps are the result of insect activity that may or may not affect the pecan fruits themselves. Unfortunately, once the bumps appear, there is no effective control for the pests. Still, knowing what is afflicting the tree means you can make preparations for treatment next year.

Pecan Phylloxera

The insect that causes the bumps to appear on pecan leaves is called pecan phylloxera (Phylloxera devastatrix). Pecan phylloxera is a small, aphid-like insect that feeds on the shoots, leaves, and buds of the pecan tree. There are two main types of pecan phylloxera: one that affects leaves only, and one that affects leaves and nuts. The leaf phylloxera can cause defoliation but generally do no greater harm to the tree. The other kind, however, can cause severe leaf drop and inedible fruits. As both kinds of phylloxera cause leaf bumps, called “galls,” it can be hard to tell which one is affecting your pecans. However, if you have a lot of leaves falling, there is a good chance that it is the more invasive phylloxera.

No matter what particular kind of pecan phylloxera is present, the insects follow a similar life cycle. In the summer, eggs are laid in the bark of the pecan tree. The eggs hatch in the spring and the young insects move to the shoots and buds, where they begin to feed, forming galls on the new leaves for protection. Once the phylloxera have matured, they emerge from the galls to mate and lay eggs for the next year.

Treatment for Pecan Phylloxera

Because of their life cycle, the only effective time to treat for pecan phylloxera is in the spring, just as the leaves are budding. Applying insecticide at bud break can prevent the phylloxera from becoming established in the new leaves. Once the galls have formed, the insects are protected from pesticides, and cannot be effectively treated.

Pecan phylloxera moves slowly and may not affect every tree in an area every year. Variations in weather and tree growth can greatly affect the ability of the insects to survive. Still, if you have bumps on your pecan leaves, it is best to plan for insecticidal treatment for pecan phylloxera the following spring.

At Texas Tree Surgeons, we love trees and we love our customers! We know it can be frustrating to find out about a problem too late to do anything about it. Hopefully, learning about pecan phylloxera now will help you be prepared for treatment in the spring. If you have questions about bumps on your pecan leaves, let us know, and a certified arborist can confirm what is affecting your tree and what you can do about it!

The recent storm activity has caused widespread damage in our community. When there is storm damage, we are often asked if insurance might cover damage caused by trees or the trees themselves. While we can’t predict what your particular insurer or policy covers, we reached out to Josh Jones with CoVerica to answer some common questions*. 

* – The information below is mainly from the Texas Office of Public Insurance Counsel, and may not be applicable in other states or to your situation. Contact your insurance agent or carrier for answers to your specific questions.

Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Tree Care?

Homeowners policies generally do NOT cover tree care. However, some carriers do offer coverage to replace or repair trees, shrubs, plants, and lawns after a covered loss.

My Tree Blew Over, Does Insurance Cover Removal?

Most carriers will only pay up $1,000 to remove a fallen tree, and only if the tree is blocking your driveway. If a tree damages a covered item, such as your house, the insurance company may pay to remove the tree. You can at least expect them to pay to get the tree off of the damaged item. Some high-value providers may cover as much as $1,500 for the removal of fallen trees, even if the fallen tree does not damage your property or block driveway.

A Neighbor’s Tree Fell on My House/Car; Who Is Responsible?

There are 2 possible scenarios that may apply:

• If a storm blows over your neighbor’s tree, they are not liable. This is considered an act of nature, and your homeowners policy will take care of it.
• If your neighbor neglected their tree, they are liable for damages and their homeowners insurance policy should pay for damages. An example of negligence could be if their tree needed treatment, pruning, or complete removal, prior to the incident.
  • If it causes damage, insurance will pay to move the tree off of the damaged area, but not to have the tree hauled away.
  • Payment is based on liability coverage, which means the tree’s owner will need to be considered negligent and liable for the damages.

I Know Trees Are Valuable to My Property; Is This Considered Part of My Homeowners Policy?

In general, NO. But there is coverage afforded on many high-value homeowners policies.
For example, one high-value provider covers 5% of the insured value of the home for landscaping (trees, shrubs, plants and lawn) or up to $5000 for any 1 plant.

What Are the Requirements for Insurance When I Have a Tree with Branches over My Roof?

Trees with branches that extend over the roofline may damage the roof if they break and fall on the home. Additionally, trees can cause wear on roof surfaces if they rub against the house. With new home insurance policies, an inspector will mandate overhanging branches be trimmed back. Existing home insurance policies may exclude coverage caused by the tree if damages occur as a result of negligent or improper pruning and maintenance.

When Is Tree/Debris Removal Covered by Insurance?

Typically, removal is only covered when the tree or debris damages something (home, detached structure, or vehicle). However, high value home policies may not make this exclusion. This is one fundamental difference between a “named peril” policy (covering listed events, such as storm damage) and an “open peril” policy (with broader coverage).

What Is the Maximum Replacement Value for Lost Landscape?

This is carrier-specific. Some carriers provide a specific coverage allowance for landscaping, while others include it with home contents or personal property. (Some providers cover up to 5% of the insured value of the home for landscaping.)

At Texas Tree Surgeons, we love trees and we love our customers, and we hope this information provides a basis for understanding how insurance may (or may not) cover your trees. As always, if you have any questions about your trees, or want an arborist to come out and take a look, let us know!

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!

Dear Texas Tree Surgeons,

A lot of my bushes, especially the red tip photinias, are starting to wilt and have reddish-brown spots on their leaves. What can I do about that?

Red Tip Photinias have long been a staple of North Texas flowerbeds and hedgerows. Hardy and fast-growing, the evergreen shrub can be trimmed to various heights and forms a good privacy barrier with its broad leaves. New growth has red leaves, giving the red tip photinia its name. Unfortunately, red tip photinias are particularly susceptible to leaf spot diseases.

This fungus Entomosporium mespili causes leaf spot on all members of the rose family, including red tip photinias. Starting as a red, brown, or black dot on leaves, the leaf spot expands outward as the fungus grows. Eventually, the red spots turn into a gray area rimmed by red. As the fungus spreads, it disrupts vascular function in the leaves, which eventually fall. The fallen leaves collect moisture at the base of the shrub, increasing fungal growth. As wet conditions continue, the fungus can spread its spores within water droplets, such as splashing from rain or irrigation. Left unaddressed, the fungus will spread throughout the photinias, causing wilting and dieback.

Environmental control

The first line of defense against fungal leaf spot, as with many fungal diseases, is to monitor watering and drainage. Fungi thrive in wet conditions of a moderate temperature, so the spring and fall are when we see the most activity. In periods of wet weather, the clay soil common to much of North Texas can hamper proper drainage, causing the area around the red tip photinias to become waterlogged. This moisture, mixed with the fallen and decaying organic material creates the ideal conditions for fungal growth. Even if the soil drainage cannot be improved, it is important to curtail watering so as not to make the situation worse.

In addition to moisture, the fallen photinia leaves contribute to the growth of the Entomosporium fungus. Keeping the area around the plants clear of debris can help slow fungal progression. In a similar way, dense foliar growth on the interior of the red tip photinias can collect moisture. Where possible, thin out dense areas to allow light and air to circulate. When trimming, make sure to remove any areas already showing leaf spot. Removed material, especially infected leaves, should be buried or disposed of in a plastic bag.

Chemical Control

Fungicides can be used to control Entomosporium leaf spot, but the process can be costly. Furthermore, treatment will be ultimately ineffective if the environmental factors are not eliminated. For valuable hedges, a continuous process of multiple-week treatments in the spring and fall may be recommended. In other situations, it can often be more cost-effective and better in the long-term to remove the affected plants and replace with a less-susceptible species. 

While there is no quick solution for red tip photinia leaf spot, we hope this information can help homeowners mitigate the damage to their shrubs, and decide if treatment or removal might be warranted. At Texas Tree Surgeons, we love trees (and shrubs! and hedges!) and we love our customers, and we always want to give our community the best, most accurate information regarding their plants. If you would like one of our arborists to come out and see how your photinias, or anything else, are doing, let us know!

When people talk about tree care, they can use different words to talk about the same thing. You may hear “trim,” “prune,” or “cut,” just as you may hear “limb” or “branch.” At Texas Tree Surgeons, we are often asked the difference between a branch and a limb, or between tree pruning and tree cutting. Unfortunately, there is no industry standard definition for many common terms, and that can cause confusion.

A NOTE

If you visit our Facebook page, you may notice that we are categorized as a “tree cutting” business. In other places, we may be listed as “landscaping services.” Unfortunately, because there is no universal standard term for what we do, we have to find the best fit under the circumstances. At Texas Tree Surgeons, we use the term “tree trimming” to refer to the work we do.

Proper Tree Trimming Is the Key to Healthy Trees

Trees are living organisms, and every cut that’s made on a tree has long-term effects. Additionally, every tree is unique and has different needs dictated by its environment and history. A heavy trim may have no adverse effects on a large, healthy tree, but a tree that is under pre-existing stress or has a potential for health issues might be irreparably damaged by removing too much canopy. Furthermore, safety and stability issues may restrict the amount and type of trimming that can be performed. It is important when trimming trees to take all of these factors into account, as well as to be mindful of the weather and seasons. Improperly trimming a tree at the wrong type of year can lead to severe decline and death. 

While there are no universal standards for tree trimming, there are two sets of guidelines for the tree service industry that we at Texas Tree Surgeons follow. The first is from the International Society of Arboriculture, or ISA. The ISA is the premier international credentialing and membership organization for the tree care industry. In addition to establishing the Certified Arborist and Board Certified Master Arborist credentials, the ISA provides a wealth of resources for tree owners. The ISA guide to tree trimming (they use the term “pruning”) covers the basics of how to properly maintain mature trees. In addition to the ISA, the Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA) oversees tree service providers in the United States. In collaboration with the American National Safety Institute (ANSI), the TCIA has developed comprehensive guidelines for tree care and management. These guidelines provide the basis for all of our work proposals and trimming. Adherence to these guidelines is the best way to care for trees of all kinds, and all our certified arborists are equipped to assess individual trees and determine the best — and healthiest — way to care for them. 

Trimming visible growth is only part of tree care. Without a proper understanding of what’s happening below the ground and underneath the bark, a beautiful trim is of little use. Certified Arborists are trained to spot the signs of environmental stressors, diseases, and insects. Poor drainage and soil condition, competition with turf grass, and proximity to structures can all affect a tree’s growth. Beyond just trimming a tree, certified arborists are able to evaluate the tree holistically in order to provide the best care possible. 

Whether It’s “Tree Trimming” or “Tree Cutting,” Cheaper Isn’t Always Better

Ultimately, what is important is the tree care itself, not what it is called. To give your trees the best chance to grow and thrive, look for tree trimming companies that employ certified arborists. If you have any doubts, ask for their certification number, or look for the arborist’s name on the ISA website. A properly-trained arborist should never recommend topping or lion-tailing, and should take proper precautions during oak wilt season (February-July). Never be afraid to get a second opinion. Give us a call anytime, and we are happy to have a certified arborist come out and discuss what work needs to be done and provide a free quote!

At Texas Tree Surgeons, we love trees and we love our customers, and we believe that educating our community lays the best foundation for caring for our urban forest. If you have any tree questions don’t hesitate to 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!

Dear Texas Tree Surgeons,

I’ve been hearing about the emerald ash borer, and it seems pretty serious; should I be worried?

-J.G.

You may have seen recent media coverage of the discovery of the emerald ash borer (“EAB”) in Texas. The emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis) is a small, green beetle that feeds on ash trees. Though native to Asia, EAB first appeared in North America in 2002. In 2016, EAB was found in northeast Texas. In July 2017, suspected EAB specimens were found in Tarrant County. In early December 2018, the Texas A&M Forest Service confirmed that several ash trees near Eagle Mountain Lake had been killed by EAB infestation. In May 2020, Texas A&M confirmed presence of EAB in the Denton area.

Should I be Concerned About Emerald Ash Borer?

The threat from EAB is a serious one, as ash trees make up between 5-13% of the DFW urban forest, and are important providers of shade and clean air. If you do have ash trees, however, EAB infestation can be prevented.

Emerald Ash Borer Prevention Tips

• If there are diseased or damaged ash trees, consider removal before they have a chance to be infested.
• If there is EAB activity within a few miles, consider preventative systemic insecticide treatment.
• Keep an eye out for signs of EAB activity:
  • Dead/dying branches in upper crown
  • Shoots/suckers along trunk
  • Splitting bark with insect trails underneath
  • Increased woodpecker activity
  • D-shaped exit holes

Can Emerald Ash Borer be Treated?

Unfortunately, once an ash tree has been infested by EAB, there is little that can be done. Insecticide treatments can help slow the decline of the tree, but once more than 50% of the canopy is gone, treatments are not effective. EAB generally kills infested trees in two to five years.

So, yes, the emerald ash borer is a serious threat to ash trees, but education and awareness now can help mitigate its effects. If you have ash trees, take note of their appearance, and contact your arborist if you see any signs of decline. If you don’t have any ash trees, you do not need to worry about EAB at all.

For more information on EAB, visit the Texas A&M Forest Service. For help identifying your trees, visit Trees of Texas.

At Texas Tree Surgeons, we love trees and we love our community! The spread of emerald ash borer, while a threat to a small percentage of North Texas trees, is a threat that we can all help to fight against. If you have ash trees or know someone who does, let us know, and one of our ISA Certified Arborists will be happy to evaluate the trees for EAB risk factors and provide options to keep them safe and healthy.

-K.N.

As we’ve mentioned before, all this rain has really been a mixed blessing. While we are happy to be safely out of drought conditions, many issues that we don’t see in drier weather have started presenting themselves. Fungi, which thrive in moist environments, have been growing rapidly, sometimes seeming to appear overnight. While a few toadstools in your yard may not indicate a serious problem, visible fungal growth on trees is something to be on the lookout for and may need to be addressed.

There are a wide variety of different fungal species that can live in the soil around trees. Some are beneficial, and are part of a healthy soil ecosystem. Others, however, can spread through a tree’s living tissue and cause health problems for the tree. We have seen problems with Chinese pistaches recently that are caused by a proliferation of fungi due to the wet weather. In the past few years, Italian cypresses have also been afflicted with health issues due to the spreading of a particular fungus. In both these cases, there were little or no warning signs or visible “mushroom” growth before the trees started browning and dying back. However, there are some fungal infections that exhibit visible growths and can be diagnosed before the tree is too far gone.

Ganoderma

Ganoderma is the name of a genus of fungi, and there are several different species that are present in the environment. While the different species vary in appearance, the ones commonly seen in North Texas generally mature into ear-shaped growths called “conks.” The conks may appear on a tree trunk, near the base, or even grow right out of the ground. The conks begin as white- or light-colored, but darken into dark orange or brown with a shiny appearance on top. Oaks and elms are particularly susceptible to Ganoderma, but other species can become infected, as well.

Ganoderma, like Kretzschmaria, is present in the soil, and infects a tree when its roots become damaged and lose their protective bark. While Ganoderma is similarly untreatable, it can be easier to detect in its early stages and may be able to be managed, avoiding immediate removal. Root zone excavation can also be helpful in determining the extent of damage.

ARE ALL MUSHROOMS BAD?

While Kretzschmaria and Ganoderma can cause serious tree stability and health problems, not all visible fungi are a hazard. Fungi in the genus Laetiporus (such as sulfur shelf or chicken of the woods mushrooms) can live on a tree trunk for years without harming the tree. Common white toadstools, such as those in the genus Lepiota, may appear in lawns as a result of beneficial fungal growth in the soil. In periods of heavy rain, species that are usually hidden underground may show visible growths. If you see mushrooms or other fungal growth in your yard or on your tree, send us a photo, and we are happy to let you know if it’s something to be worried about. We love trees and we love our customers, and we always want to help you understand the complex ecology of our urban forest.

Have a specific tree question? Let us know, and you may see it answered in a future Ask Texas Tree Surgeons installment!