Winter burn to plants can occur in winter when water is lost from the needles to the air. On a nice summer day, this water loss is replaced from the soil, but in winter with frozen grounds, this isn’t possible. We see evergreens with needles turning brown on the margins, or in more serious cases entire needles dying. Because evergreens don’t just readily produce new needles quickly, this damage can disfigure, or even kill these plants. This can be more extreme for plants more exposed to winds, those near roads (as there is also water loss from road salt), as well as those close to the home (the house itself gives off heat, and on the sides of the plant closest to the  house, this winter burn effect is more extreme).

​Additionally, it is not always the extreme cold years that do this. The winter of 2021/2022 we saw a lot of ornamental trees and shrubs die from the abnormally warm temperatures and lack of soil moisture due to very little snow/rainfall.
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We are proud to add air spading and root excavation to our menu of tree services. Air spading involves using a compressed-air power tool to blow soil away from the root zone of a tree to evaluate and correct root issues and mitigate poor soil conditions. We can even excavate a root zone in preparation of construction projects so that roots can be worked around or protected from digging. 

Girdling Roots
You can see in the photos to the right that this Norway maple has severe girdling roots which are likely a result of poor planting techniques. Our arborists were able to sever the girdling roots which were causing die-back in the center of the tree's canopy. The soil was then replaced (now which much less compaction) and a fresh layer of mulch was applied, providing an oxygen-rich environment for the roots to thrive. 

Root Collar Excavation
​Sometimes a tree trunk may have been buried too deeply and the root collar is not exposed as it should be to prevent decay and girdling roots from forming. We can excavate the root collar so it is properly exposed.

Soil Replacement & Amendment
In some cases, compacted or poor-quality soil could be affecting the health of a tree in which case we can replace it with nutrient-rich soil amendments.

This is such a versatile tool. If you are puzzled as to why your tree's health is declining, an air spade service is a great diagnostic tool!

Today is Squirrel Appreciation Day! Squirrels are easy to love for their cunning personalities and cuteness, but they can just as easily become a nuisance when they turn to your trees for nutrition and habitat. Nevertheless, squirrels play an important role in our ecosystem and we can learn to coexist in harmony!
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The tender buds of a growing tree limb are a tasty treat for squirrels, but it can stunt the growth a tree and cause disfigurement. Generally speaking, this type of damage is only a nuisance and control is generally not needed.
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In the United States, it's best to trim your trees between November and January to avoid nesting seasons. Of course, if the tree trimming must take place during nesting, our arborists are careful not to disturb nests. Plenty of foliage should be left around the nests for their protection from predators and the elements.
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Are squirrels finding their way into your home? They can easily jump up to 10 feet from a tree onto your roof and find their way into attics, crawl spaces and chimneys to seek warmth and protection. Let your arborist know if your objective is to prevent this from happening and your tree can be trimmed to clear the house by more than 10 feet. Of course, our best advice is to find where the squirrels are entering and secure the openings.
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The beetles spend most of their lives as grubs in the soil. Adult beetles emerge in late June to early July, and begin feeding at the tops of trees. These early feeding beetles emit pheromones as they munch on the leaves, causing others to congregate. As they feed, they move down the tree, causing the leaves to be ‘skeletonized’, leaving just the veins behind. These lacy leaves then commonly drop from the tree, making it look like fall has arrived in the middle of summer.

Dead and dying ash trees quickly become brittle. Experts have found that ash trees, even in early states of decline, are a signifiant liability not only to the homeowner, but to the workers removing the tree.

​Trees that display a canopy loss of just 30% should not be climbed. What does this mean for homeowners?

One telltale sign of EAB infestation is canopy die-back. Research shows that any tree exhibiting 30% canopy loss or greater will not respond well to treatments, and should be promptly removed to mitigate risk. Here is a handy diagram displaying varying stages of canopy die-back from a Michigan State University study.

You can learn more about EAB and our treatment strategies here.

Remember: Removing your ash tree when it is healthy and not yet exhibiting canopy die-back is your best bet. Save money and save a tree care worker!

We're getting into late summer and iron chlorosis is rearing its ugly head for many trees in the Omaha area. This is a common disease in Eastern Nebraska that is easy to treat and cost effective if you plan on keeping your tree long term. Chlorosis is fatal if left untreated for multiple seasons. Don't delay addressing this issue! If you have a relatively young tree that is continually chlorotic, consider replacing it with a different species.
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In the early to mid-summer, you may notice your leaves turning an abnormal color like yellow or light green. This discoloration may occur on your whole tree, or just sections of the canopy. Look closely at the leaves and you'll spot green veins, like in this photo. In advanced stages of disease, leaves will begin to turn brown and fall off, and limbs will begin to die back. 
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Yes - iron deficiency kills trees. Trees need iron to manufacture chlorophyll. When a tree lacks chlorophyll, it can't produce adequate energy via photosynthesis and the tree will begin to decline. 

A tree in decline is also more susceptible to other diseases and insects. 

A teeny tiny little mite is responsible for those unsightly brown masses left behind over the winter on your ash tree!

​These are ash flower galls. The mites overwinter under the flower buds, then begin feeding in the spring. The feeding then stimulates plant growth under the flower, thereby creating a gall. The gall hardens and turns brown later in the season, then hangs on for the winter. 

Don't worry - the galls are purely an aesthetic issue and your tree won't be harmed. No need to control these mites!