Staking trees is occasionally needed, but newly planted trees will develop stronger trunks if staking is avoided. Think of staking a tree as similar to placing your leg in a cast. A cast is important when your leg needs to be immobilized during healing, but you wouldn’t want to wear a cast for no reason! […]
Why Mulching Correctly Is Important
Mulching correctly at the base of a mature tree is the single most important step that a home owner can take to improve a tree’s overall health. Good soil conditions for root growth are essential for a healthy tree. Mulching correctly is one step that can improve soil conditions. Incorrect mulching practices usually cause more […]
Proper Mulching Technique
Proper mulching technique will enhance the appearance of your property and significantly improve the health of your trees. Trees and turf compete for the same water and nutrients. By eliminating competition with turf grass and weeds, trees roots will have more access to water and essential elements. Additionally tree roots will be denser in the […]
Follow-up Care for Newly Planted Trees
Wanting their newly planted trees to thrive, smart gardeners will provide proper follow-up care. Cultural practices that mimic natural forest conditions will create ideal conditions for the tree to become established. As a general rule native trees will require much less attention than alien species once established. However, after installation all trees need a little help […]
Proper Planting Technique for Containerized Trees
The vast majority of trees I see planted in the medians of our roadways, in our shopping centers, and in our front yards are planted incorrectly. These trees will never reach their full potential and many will fail to survive. Shortcutting the planting process is unwise. Following proper planting technique will reward you with a […]
Attracting Beneficial Insects by Planting Native Trees
It’s easy to attract beneficial insects to your landscape, just select the right trees, flowers, and shrubs. If you’re like most home owners, you’ve never considered the importance of insect diversity in your back yard. Some people may even think they don’t want any insects in their landscape. Unfortunately, bugs and other insects have an […]
Buying High Quality Container Trees
Purchasing high quality trees is not as easy as going to a big box store and selecting the cheapest plants available. Doing so will ensure less than optimal results. I’ve examined thousands of trees and many tree ailments can be traced directly back to improper selection. Mistakes made during tree selection are not easily corrected. Searching […]
Taller and Wider – How Trees Grow
Initials carved into a tree five feet off the ground will remain five feet off the ground regardless of how tall the tree grows. Trees don’t grow from their base, they grow from their tips. We call this plant tissue an apical meristem. A typical oak tree in Hampton Roads has primary meristems, where the […]
Lightning Protection for Trees
Lightning is a tree killer. Typical strikes generate a current between 20,000 and 50,000 amps at 100,000 volts. Many times when lightning strikes a tree it will travel only partially down the trunk and then side-flash to an object that offers less electrical resistance. That object could be another tree, your home, or even you […]
Diagnosing Tree Problems
Arborists divide tree problems into two broad categories, biotic and abiotic. Biotic tree problems are caused by living organisms including, bacterial and viral pathogens, fungi and parasitic plants, insects and even birds and mammals. Abiotic injuries would include lightning strikes, hail damage, low temperatures, high winds, drought, and many other environmental factors. I diagnose all tree […]