Tag Arborist

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

Level 1:
Limited Assessment

Identify obvious defects with photo documentation

Level 2:
Basic Assessment

Detailed visual inspection which may include tools like a mallet or probe.

Level 3:
Advanced Assessment

Specialized equipment, data collection and analysis which may include lab testing or root inspection.

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.

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

Live Oaks are native North Texas trees which makes them well adapted to the variety of soil types found here. Despite being acclimated to the soil systems here, live oaks can still be stressed by extreme weather. 

If it’s been more than 12-18 months since your last structural assessment by a certified arborist, now is the time to schedule. Preventative care is the best way to help protect your trees from limb failure from extreme weather.

Proper pruning minimizes the likelihood of limb breakage in moderate to heavy ice storms by improving the branching structure by properly distributing the added weight brought on by ice accumulating on the leaves and branches.

Live oaks are more prone to breakage during ice storms because they are evergreens which means they do not drop their leaves in the fall. Unlike other species, like pecan, they have more leaves on their branches and because of this the extra leaves provide more area coverage for water to collect and turn to ice (if cold enough) and create additional weight and stress, which can lead to limb breakage. 

In addition to proper pruning to prepare for ice storms we also recommend that prior to a huge drop in temperature to deeply water your tree if the soil does not have adequate soil moisture. If you are unsure if your soil has adequate moisture we have a video demonstrating how to check as well as proper watering techniques that can be found here.

Common signs of frost damage on a live oak are:

• Brown leaves
• Wilted leaves
• ‘Frost’ cracks on trunk and limbs

If your live oak is already stressed by drought, disease, or insect activity they may have a harder time recovering from freeze damage. Provide extra care to your tree in the years to come to help replenish stored energy that has been depleted due to stress. Mulch is a great way to help regulate temperature and add additional nutrients into the soil. Also, be patient, and closely monitor during the following spring and summer to assess next steps. 

At Texas Tree Surgeons, we love trees and we love our community! The best care for your tree is preventative care. If its been more than 12-18 months since a certified arborist has done a structural assessment please contact us today.

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!