Tag tree care

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:

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!

Oftentimes we think of trees as static things that just exist near us. It is a firm belief that trees have been here before us and will be here long after us. While this is true in native forest settings it is not true for the trees you see in your neighborhood. 

In urban places like North Texas trees are growing in stressful environments, which is very different from what you find in a forest. 

Trees aren’t static things, they are complex living organisms that science learns more about everyday.  Tree health care and science is often compared to human health care and medicine, because the complexities are similar.

There are basic tree care practices that homeowners can do that will greatly improve their trees overall health like watering regularly with a drip hose and applying mulch.

In addition to doing those things, having the same local certified arborist annually visit your tree is the best thing you can do. 

Why does having the same local arborist make a difference? 

A local certified arborist will understand the microenvironment, diseases that are prevalent for the region, soil type, and weather patterns that would have impacted the tree over the last decade. 

At Texas Tree Surgeons we keep our arborist’s, crew, and tree health care technicians on the same job so they can follow a tree’s progression year after year. This allows them to adjust care and notice differences you may not. In addition our team will document your tree’s health with photos and notes so they can review how your tree has changed over time. 

Our arborists are ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualified and every time they do an estimate they will automatically do a level 1 assessment.

TRAQ Assessment Levels

Subtle signs of stress can be easily missed by tree owners who are unaware of what they should be looking for. Trees show stress long after the stressor has happened, which to a homeowner makes it seem their tree is in sudden decline despite there being signs for years.

Taking into account the history of the location, and surrounding events that could influence the tree’s health helps an arborists come up with a health care plan before damage is irreversible.

Signs of stress and decline that tree owners often miss:

• Drought and freeze stress
• Documented insects in the neighborhood like EAB
• Documented diseases in the neighborhood like oak wilt
• Changes in leaf color and size
• Structural issues like lateral cracks in the bark
• Fungal growth

 Annual check ups mitigate risk and will save you money in the long run. 

At Texas Tree Surgeons we love trees and we believe the best care is preventative care. Schedule annual visits with a certified arborist to keep your tree healthy and thriving. Know that we treat tree photos like pet photos.

Things To Consider for a Healthy Tree Environment

When selecting a new tree for your home or property there are several things you should consider; location, growth speed, maximum size, critical root zone, soil, light and shade, water, surrounding plants, evergreen vs deciduous, flower/fruit/seed production, native vs nativized, and source stock. Below are some guides to help you determine the best tree for your property and your needs.

Location

The location a tree will be planted will determine how big it can get. Take into account potential obstacles for growth, such as:

• Overhead utility lines
• Structures
• Underground irrigation or utility placement
• Drainage
• Soil composition
• Light availability
• Sidewalks, driveways, or other surface features
• Pools, septic tanks, or other in-ground features
• Planned construction or renovation

Growth Speed

Different tree species grow at different rates and faster isn’t always better. Growth speed can be related to age at planting as well as environmental factors.

Maximum Size

While it may vary, certain species of trees usually have a maximum and minimum expected height, as well as expected canopy spread. It is important to consider nearby buildings, signage, overhead utilities, and aesthetics when selecting a specific species of trees. It can be difficult and dangerous for the tree and for people to try to reduce the size of an already-mature tree. We do not recommend topping trees as a way to manage size.

Critical Root Zone

Related to the canopy spread, the critical root zone is the area around the base of a tree where vital underground roots are present. Both large, stabilizing roots and smaller feeder roots must be considered. Restricted root space or regular ground disturbance can stress a tree and cause premature failure.

Soil

Soil acidity, moisture, and composition determine what species can grow and thrive in North Texas. Much of soil found here is dense, alkaline clay. Trees that are not suited to this type of soil will not be able to get the required nutrients it needs and will eventually show signs of stress.

Light and Shade

Some trees are well-suited to the understory (beneath the top canopy), while other need full, all-day sun. Keep in mind that sunlight intensity and direction changes through the seasons, and can be affected by the growth of nearby plants, as well.

Water

Newly-planted trees need careful watering, but even established trees have a preferred level of soil moisture. Excessive soil moisture can help some species thrive, but contribute to disease in others. Consider where water pools during heavy rains, and where runoff goes when deciding where to plant your tree.

Surrounding Plants

Turf grass, other ground cover, and other plants contribute to the competition for water and nutrients in the soil. As a tree grows, it may cast different shade or cause surface distortions that affect surrounding plants.

Evergreen vs Deciduous

Deciduous trees that drop leaves every fall can feature fall color, but often create more leaf litter. Evergreen trees, whether broad-leafed or needle bearing do not drop all their leaves at once, but are generally the same shade of green throughout the year.

Flower, Fruit, and Seed Production

Spring blooms and seasonal fruit can attract birds and pollinators, contributing to the landscape’s beauty. Some types of flowers and fruit can cause concrete staining or be hazardous to pets.

Native vs Nativized

Native species generally do better than imported species, but there is a limited selection. Imported species can be adapted to climate and soil, and give a variety of size and foliage options, but may become invasive.

Source/Stock

Nursery stock from a specific tree farm or source can be prone to particular structural issues and diseases. If not cared for properly at the nursery, trees may need a long period of rehabilitation after planting. Selecting a larger tree over a smaller one is not always better.

While it may seem logical to plant the largest available specimen of a desired tree species, research has shown that planting smaller trees leads to more growth in the first year, and likely to better early establishment. Planting younger trees gives the tree owner more chances to provide the best care.

Tree Recommendations

We have a blog dedicated to helping you choose the best trees for North Texas.

Additional Resources

The Texas A&M Forest Service has published an online tree selector. On their website you are able to select a county and tree size for quick recommendations. In addition the International Society of Arboriculture offers user-friendly guidelines for choosing the right tree for your yard.

At Texas Tree Surgeons, we love trees and we love our community! We hope this blog on tree selection will help you choose the right tree for your home. We have additional resources on our North Texas Tree Owner’s Guide. If you would like immediate assistance with your trees please contact us today.

• Tree Selection
• Tree Planting
• Tree Care
• Common Tree Issues
• Getting Help with Your Trees

Trees are living organisms and can get a weakened immune system similarly as an animal or plant would. Watering and mulching are easy first steps to ensuring your tree stays healthy. We have a few more tips to help your tree thrive

Watering

With our hot, dry summers, and tendency for drought conditions, proper watering is the best thing tree owners can do to help their trees.

Mulching

The importance of mulching is often overlooked, especially when trees are planted in an area covered with turf grass, but mulch is an easy way to manage soil moisture, temperature, and contribute nutrients to less-than-ideal soils.

Fertilization and Soil Amendments

Fertilization can be a touchy subject; most readily-available fertilizers are not designed to improve soil and feed trees in the long term. Some products, like “weed and feed” treatments, can actually harm trees. For sustainable, long-term improvement, a balanced mix of organic and inorganic fertilizers and soil additives yield the best results.

Trimming

• Timing
  • Depending on your goals for trimming, it may be better to trim during different times of the year.
•  Maintenance Trimming
  • Maintenance trimming is what most healthy trees need to maintain their health and balanced growth and is generally recommended every two years for mature trees.
• Specialized Trimming
  • Structural pruning is generally performed on young trees, structural pruning helps to establish balanced, healthy growth.
  • Restoration pruning is generally performed when a tree has been topped, or has sustained other physical damage, restoration pruning can be used to guide it back to a natural shape.
  • Retrenchment pruning is generally performed on older trees that have less vigor and ability to sustain new growth and can often benefit from directed trimming that reduces overall size and weight while maintaining health.

Tree Health Care

At all stages of life, trees can suffer from stress, damage, pests, and diseases. “Tree health care” refers to the use of organic and inorganic chemical application to address a health issue or bolster a tree’s ability to cope with a stressor. Plant health care needs are determined by a certified arborist and treatments are performed by specialized technicians.

Common types of plant health care include:

• Fertilization
• Soil Amendment
• Pesticide Application
• Disease Management
• Chemical Growth Regulation

Additional Resources

The International Society of Arboriculture has a guide on tree trimming and plant health care.

At Texas Tree Surgeons, we love trees and we love our community! We hope this blog on tree care will encourage you to annually schedule an arborist assessment to maintain tree health. We have additional resources on our North Texas Tree Owner’s Guide. If you would like immediate assistance with your trees please contact us today.

North Texas Tree Owner’s Guide

• Tree Selection
• Tree Planting
• Tree Care
• Common Tree Issues
• Getting Help with Your Trees

Tree owners in North Texas have a wealth of resources to help them give their trees the best care possible.

Arborists and Tree Care Companies

From routine trimming to diagnosis and plant health care, commercial tree companies provide the tree owner with both advice and convenience.

ISA Certified Arborists

• The International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) is the premier, international credentialing organization for tree care professionals. The ISA offers different levels and specializations of credential, but the most important to a tree owner are the Certified Arborist and Board Certified Master Arborist, which indicate that an individual has the training and experience to care for trees properly.
• ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification is an additional certification that  arborists can have that delineates they are qualified in evaluating risk in trees and preparing reports of potential hazards.
• Texas Oak Wilt Qualification is a credential in the prevention, diagnosis, and management of the oak wilt disease, a serious threat to Texas trees.

Consulting Arborists

• In addition to the ISA, there are other organizations that offer training and certification for different tree care specializations. The American Society of Consulting Arborists offers the Registered Consulting Arborist (RCA) credential.
• RCAs are experts in the field of arboriculture and are often called upon for tree valuations, complex care consultations, or to give legal testimony.

Organizations

• Municipal Arborists are city employees responsible for the urban forest, and coordinate with residents to care for publicly-owned trees (such those between the sidewalk and street).
• Texas A&M AgriLife Extension service helps Texas residents care for plants, trees, crops, and livestock. Each county has an Agrilife Extension office.
• Texas Plant Disease Diagnostic Lab is part of the ArgiLife Extension services, the TPDDL receives samples from tree owners and tree care professionals for pathogen analysis and identification
• International Society of Arboriculture maintains a website specifically for tree owners to give help and guidance for tree care as well assistance in locating ISA Certified Arborists.

At Texas Tree Surgeons, we love trees and we love our community! We hope this blog on common tree issues will help prevent tree failure. We have additional resources on our North Texas Tree Owner’s Guide. If you would like immediate assistance with your trees please contact us today.

North Texas Tree Owner’s Guide

• Tree Selection
• Tree Planting
• Tree Care
• Common Tree Issues
• Getting Help with Your Trees