Education is Key for You and Me

We take our craft seriously. The ISA annual training conference is just one way we stay in the know.

No one can dispute the benefits of life long learning:

Some important concepts we deliver to our customers:

• Advanced tree care procedures based on the most current science. (this ain't old school tree cutting)
• Modern and standardized safety practices (there is a right and wrong way to do our work.)
• Efficient and productive equipment, saving time and money. (technology is good)

Doing our best to bring outstanding tree care service to you.

Here are highlights from last years conference in Portland.

Annual Training Conference

Urban Trees and Heat

This is a great day. 
84 degrees and I am BBQing in my back yard.
But, it is odd for it to be this warm this early in Stumptown. .

The warm weather and the high wind brought to mind trees and how they need our help in the heat.

(My prediction is that we are in for a dry dry year. But I am likely wrong and will save those predictions for the folks that get it wrong and get paid for it...  meteorologists.)


Here are some things to know about our urban trees and drought stress: 

(Thanks to the TCIA and Mr.B.M.G. Watson for the timely article.)

Trees, Heat and H2O


Any 1st grader will tell you that trees and plants need water. Trees are mostly water and CO2. That is how they move elements (tree food), photosynthesis and other operations.
Water also gives turgid pressure that keeps the leaf rigid and "cools" the tree.
If your leaf is wilted, chances are the water the tree needs is not available and the tree has been stressed for a while. Maybe too long.

What can you do to help the tree during the hot weather and not get to the wilting point? 

Water, water, water. Especially new trees and trees near pavement, structures and roadways. The heat from road and driveway surfaces is hard on a tree.

How much to water?

A general rule is to water 5 gallons per inch of diameter.
Or, if you don't have the time to calibrate that, try 5 minutes of sprinkler watering for every inch of tree diameter.
For example, you have a 15 inch diameter maple that will then need 75 minutes of watering.

Get rid of your grass. 

Green grass is nice for a picnic. But trees and grass don't get along. Your tree needs as much room around the trunk as you can live with. Then fill in this space with mulch.

Mulch mulch and mulch.

Mulch helps retain soil moisture, provide organic matter and help with soil conditioning. (I wrote about this recently.)

Soil and Your Trees Pt. 2- Three simple steps

Ok, not all of us sit around and concern ourselves with the whys of fertilization and the whats of soil microbes, and why soil health is very important to the health of our trees.
So, I thought a more concise and pragmatic view is necessary for tree owners. It is odd to consider ourselves tree owners, but that is what we are and they can use our assistance.

Here are three things that your trees can use that are easy and purposeful:

1. Mulch around your trees. Your trees don't live in a original forested setting. Urban soils are tough on trees. Adding mulch around the root area of the tree will help reduce water loss. It will add to the good biological activity of your soil and promote organic matter. All a win win for your soil and the tree. 
2. If you are willing to do it, remove some turf around your trees. Your grass and trees are not good companions. Grass competes with the tree root and makes it difficult to bring up water and essential elements. A walk in the woods will reveal little or no turf under trees. For more on this the ISA has a good bit to say.
3. Finally, if we want to get serious, and we should: test your soil pH. Some trees do better in alkaline soils and some do better in acid soils. There are different trees for different soils or visa-versa. A simple test can tell us what the pH is and what we may need to do to optimize your trees health.

Here is the gist:
Trees are only as good as their roots. And roots need healthy soils. Urban soils often need remediation and treatment. This can mean mulching, soil replacement, Rx fertilization and testing to begin with.

Next up. The importance of a Tree Pruning Program.

Soil and Your Trees Pt.1- Fertilizer

Fertilizers

The health of your trees are dependent on the health and condition of your soil.
In the urban environment much of the original soil, that had all the beneficial microbes and organic matter, has been removed or modified.

Fertilization can help replace some of the missing elements that healthy soils usually contain. But, it is really a cash cow for many tree services and is applied with little care to the overall affect it will have, or not have, on your trees. Fertilizer is often added with little to no consideration regarding any missing elements. It is pumped or spread in the root area at a general rate, unknown to you, but at just the right rate to justify the fee and make the tree a little greener. This is done 2-4x per year and you get a bill for...what?

Over fertilization can cause disease and insect problems. Shoot and leaf growth are accelerated. This creates supple and vulnerable leaves. It also masks what the actual health concerns of the tree may be. Green leaves don't always mean a healthy tree. Fertilization can act as "life support" for trees and we may miss other issues like lack of irrigation, compacted soils or root disease.

Where does all the fertilizer go? If the tree doesn't need it, it will be leached from the soil and may find its way to our rivers and tributaries. No need for that.

If elements like Nitrogen are missing, how do we know? A simple on site soil test could point us in the right direction. We then assess the level of essential elements and make an informed decision.
Fertilization should be based on a RX approach, much like getting antibiotics from your doctor.
Save your money and stop routine fertilization and test your soil first.

Have a favorite tree you want to preserve or care for. We can help and we start with the soil.

Now scheduling Spring tree and soil care.

More trees please.

Picking the right tree.
Planting season has been here for a couple months now. When selecting trees, try to keep diversification in mind. Planting trees that have few know disease and insect issues is important in keeping your landscape plants healthy.

Here are some of my favorite trees:

Goldenrain (not golden chain)

http://www.greatplantpicks.org/plantlists/view/882

Katsura
http://www.greatplantpicks.org/plantlists/view/331

Sourwood
http://www.greatplantpicks.org/plantlists/view/1072

Why Tree Care?

Tree care is an investment. 

It can benefit the health of your landscape, neighborhood and urban environment. 

It has a ripple effect in the ecosystem. Tree care is a positive action, it does not harm. 

Tree care is an improvement in tree development and the esthetics of your home. Which makes you feel good. 

Why tree care?

Because trees are necessary. 

Notes On The Christmas Season

Did you know that Christmas was once banned? What was once a public celebration was frowned upon by the Puritans. (Boo on that, bring the party back). 

More here...  from the History Channel. (Ignore the ads.)

The Christmas tree was adopted from the Pagan ritual of hanging evergreen boughs in the homes during the long dark days of winter. 

More here

I think it is safe to say that our modern Christmas has little to do with the ways of yesteryear. It is overly commercialized and based on consumption and monetary gain. 

Before you spend money on stuff, consider if it is really necessary. Instead spend time with your family, neighbors, or someone that needs somebody.

Keep it simple and keep it real. 

Happy Holidays

-Matt