Arbor Aesthetics Tree Service - Professional Tree Trimming & Tree Removal - Omaha, NE
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Air Spade - Diagnose and mitigate Root Issues

8/17/2022

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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!
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Ash Tree Removal with Free Replacement!

8/17/2020

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Is it time to say goodbye to your ash tree? We are THRILLED to announce our new FREE ash tree replacement program! As the Emerald Ash Borer population ramps up over the coming years, many homeowners will choose not to treat their ash tree, and that's okay. Not every ash tree SHOULD be treated. Regardless, losing a tree is sad, and we're seizing this opportunity to increase the diversity of Omaha's community forest to enhance its ecological value and safeguard against future invasive insects and diseases.

If you plan to remove your ash tree, do it soon. Don't wait until it's dead or starts to decline. If we remove it for you, we'll replace it for FREE with your choice of eight native, locally grown species from our friends at Great Plains Nursery.
LEARN MORE
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A new tree for the Archer family

5/14/2018

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Remember the Archer family? They were one our three 2017 Gift of Beautiful Trees recipients, and we recently cut their split maple tree down that was heavily damaged in last June's tornadoes. (You can read more about their story here). Not long after we removed that tree, Cub Scout Troop 1885 was looking for an opportunity to plant a tree for a service project and they heard about the Archers through our Gift of Beautiful Trees charity program. The perfect match!
What to plant?
When clients and friends ask us, "What should I plant?" we always refer them to the ReTree Nebraska's list of 17 Trees for 2017. This is a great list of native or regionally adapted trees that do well in the Great Plains. And, when we can, we send our clients over to our good friends at Great Plains Nursery in Weston, NE where they have an amazing selection of high quality trees, most of which are grown from local seed sources. They take incredible care in ensuring their trees grow fibrous root systems, which lead to the best planting outcomes. Great Plains Nursery was so generous to offer to donate a tree to the Archer family. They chose a Northern Catalpa (my personal favorite!) which will be provide good shade over their house and their lovely June flowers will not only beautify their neighborhood, but also attract pollinators. What's not to love about a Catalpa? (Can you tell it's my favorite?)

Call in the troops!
With summer fast approaching, we needed to beat the heat and get the tree in ground soon. On May 8th, Troop 1885 met at the Archer's house, ready to dig! Okay, maybe Jeff did most of the digging. But we had plenty of helpers to move soil back into the hole and to water it in!

The scouts learned many tree planting tips and techniques. They got to see and feel the difference between fibrous roots (which take up water and nutrients), and structural roots (which give the tree stability). They got to see what a high quality tree looks like from a nursery that uses RootMaker bags, which prevent circling roots and encourage fibrous root systems. They learned how to plant a tree at the proper depth so as not to bury the root flare. They even learned how to properly mulch around the tree, and why mulching is important for protecting the trunk from weed trimmers and mowers, and regulating soil temperature and moisture. (Remember, Troop 1885: No mulch volcanos!)

There's no better way to teach the next generation of tree huggers than to give them hands on experience. We're honored that our community has continued to bless the Archer family with their generosity and kindness, and this new tree will continue to give back for decades to come. ​
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Best Trees to Plant this Fall

9/1/2016

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Welcome, September! The dog days of summer are coming to an end, and cooler temperatures means it's a great time to plant a tree! Earlier this year, we published a 3-part blog series about the ins-and-outs of tree planting: 1) Where and what to plant; 2) Finding quality nursery stock; and 3) How to plant it right! Still, we are asked frequently...

"What should I plant?" It's a complicated question, as every landscape is unique, and every homeowner has different expectations for what their ideal tree would offer. Should it be tall or wide? "Tidy" and easy to maintain? Flowering or fruiting? Should it offer sparse or dense shade? Is it purely for beauty as a landscape accent or does it have a job, like shading a driveway or home?

Thankfully, the Nebraska Forest Service has published an awesome list of suggested trees for 2016. The trees from that list are shown below, along with their seeds/fruit, foliage and fall color. Click the tree name for more information!

This list is not all-inclusive, of course, but it does provide great trees that are proven to thrive in our region and that are readily available. We work with select local nurseries that provide quality stock. Call us if you're interested in planting any of these species!

16 Trees for 2016

Large Deciduous Trees (40'+ at maturity)
​
Baldcypress (Taxodium distichum)
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​Catalpa, Eastern (Catalpa speciosa)
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Coffeetree, Kentucky (Gymnocladus dioicus)
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​Elm (hybrids & cultivars; Valley Forge & New Harmony pictured below)
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​Hackberry, Eastern - (Celtis occidentalis)
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​Maple, Sugar (Acer saccharum)
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​Oak, Chinquapin (Quercus muehlenbergii)
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Oak, Bur (Quercus macrocarpa)
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 Oak, English (Quercus robur)
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Sycamore, American (Platanus occidentalis)
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Small to Medium Deciduous Trees

Maple, Shantung (Acur truncatum)
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​Maple, Miyabe (Acer miyabei)
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Oak, Gambel (Quercus gambelii)
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​Lilac, Japanese Tree (Syringa reticulata)
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Evergreen Trees

Fir, Concolor (Abies concolor)
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​Black Hills Spruce
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Pine, Ponderosa (Pinus ponderosa) *
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Mulch - but not too much!

6/25/2016

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Mulch is a useful tool that benefits and beautifies your landscape in many ways, but you need to make sure you're installing it correctly in order for plants to reap those benefits instead of suffer. Unfortunately, many landscaping companies install "mulch volcanos," and we see so many instances of these around town that it's practically burned into our minds as the correct way to do it! WRONG! Some might find these volcanos to be visually appealing, but boy do they make us arborists cringe! 

The benefits of mulching:

  • Soil moisture retention.
  • Soil temperature control.
  • Reduces root competition between trees, weeds and grass.
  • Improves soil fertility over time (kind of like the forest floor!)
  • Reduces soil compaction from foot traffic.
  • Keeps weed whackers and lawn mowers away from the trunk and surface roots.
  • It looks nice. Unless you do it wrong. Mulch volcanos: Ugly. Mulch volcanos: BAD!

How to correctly install mulch:

  • Keep mulch away from the trunk. Bark that is constantly damp is an invitation for disease, fungus and insects.
  • Keep it shallow. No more than 2-3", please! 
  • Expose the root collar. Make sure the flare is visible at the bottom of the tree. Surface roots can actually grow upward, girdling the trunk and strangling the tree. Yes! STRANGLING! 
  • Take it out the drip line (if you can). While this may not be feasible for all landscapes, it's most beneficial for the tree. As a bonus, you don't have to mow under the tree, exposing surface roots to lawn mower damage. It can be a real struggle to grow grass under a tree, anyway! Give up and install mulch!
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Time to Plant: Part 2 - Purchasing Quality Nursery Stock

3/28/2016

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In the second part of our tree planting blog series, we're tapping into the knowledge and wisdom of horticulturist and owner of Great Plains Nursery, Heather Byers. Great Plains Nursery, located in Weston, NE, focuses on growing high quality plants that are native or especially suited to our climate. They start their trees from locally-collected seeds and grow them with love!  Here are three things Heather advises you to look for when shopping for a tree.
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When choosing a new tree to add to your landscape there are lots of things to look for. Here are a few tips when purchasing a quality tree.

1.  First of all… start at a LOCAL nursery or garden center.

  • If you can buy toilet paper and screws there, it’s not the best place to find quality trees.
  • Check the tag or ask where the tree was grown. Locally grown trees are best adapted to our erratic Nebraska weather. Go even one step further and ask the seed source – again local is always best.​

2.  A tree is only as good as its root system so that’s where we’ll start:

  • The root ball should be free of circling roots and contain lots of small, fibrous roots – a tree grown in the Rootmaker® containers and RootTrapper® bags are our highly preferred choice.
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  • Check for stem girdling roots around the trunk – these are bad.
  • The root collar or flare should be right at the soil level. If it looks like a telephone pole then it’s planted too deep and this can cause problems down the road.
  • Don’t hesitate to dig around in the tree a bit before buying it – this is going to be your tree, so get to know it before you make the purchase.

3.  Evaluate the Crown

  • Shade trees should have one relatively straight central leader. 
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  • Main branches should be well distributed along the central leader, not clustered together.
  • Temporary branches particularly on trees 1 inch caliper or less should be present along the lower trunk below the lowest main branch – in other words, it shouldn’t be “limbed up” just yet.
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  • The trunk should be free of wounds, sunburned areas, cracks, signs of boring insects, cankers or lesions. Properly made pruning cuts are acceptable.
  • The trunk caliper (thickness) and taper should be sufficient so that the tree remains vertical without a stake. 
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By following these basic guidelines you’ll be enjoying your new trees for years to come.

Diagrams courtesy of Dr. Edward Gilman
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Time to Plant: Part 1 - Pick the "Right Tree for the Right Place!"

3/2/2016

24 Comments

 
Welcome, March! Spring is finally near, which means it's a good time to think about tree planting. This blog post is Part 1 of a series of 3 posts that will help guide you in planting a new tree this year! NOW is the time to start researching!

We recently had the pleasure of assisting a customer select a replacement tree after we removed one from their front yard. There were many factors we and the customer had to take consider before ultimately selecting a Ginkgo Biloba tree. 
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How did we decide on this tree? They were looking for a tree to plant near their driveway for shade, and a tree that would offer privacy for the house. The tree would have a somewhat limited canopy space later in its life because of other nearby mature trees and a power line. Ginkgos are heat tolerant, work well as street trees and are good for somewhat confined spaces. Lastly, the customer also loved the aesthetics of this tree and its gorgeous yellow fall color. Ginkgos are a great choice for southeastern Nebraska!

Eeny Meeny Miny Mo

Many times, deciding on which tree to plant is more complicated than, "Hey - that one's pretty!" There are a number of factors that should be considered to responsibly select the "right tree for the right place."

What is its purpose?

  • Shade & Cooling - One of the best and most obvious uses of a tree! Trees not only cool by providing shade, but add moisture to the air through transpiration. Remember the sun's rays will be different from spring to summer to fall. Plant for where you want the shadow during the hottest time of the year - and the time of day you desire the shade. (See illustration)
  • Aesthetics - Use trees to create depth and visual appeal. Are you looking to add color? Height? Texture? Trees can really help frame a space and add a background to an empty lot. The US Forest Service suggests not placing a tree where it will split your lot or view into two equal halves.
Shade Diagram
Sun ray angles change throughout the seasons.
  • Privacy & Wind-breaking - Consider a low-branching conifer for hiding unsightly areas. Using a combination of densely planted conifer and deciduous trees provides the best protection from wind, dust, noise, light or nosy neighbors.
  • Creating Boundaries - If you simply need to define the boundaries of your property, a small narrow-crowned tree will do the trick.

Size & Location

This is often the most overlooked factor when selecting a new tree. You'll need to envision the planting site in 5, 10 or 20 years to consider the tree's mature height, canopy spread and root space. Sure, you can prune the tree as it grows to keep it properly elevated over sidewalks, driveways or your home, but it's best to select the right tree from the get-go so you won't need to rely on pruning in the future. But hey - when you need that pruning, give us a call, won't you?

Location considerations:
  • Power lines
  • Existing trees
  • Buildings, decks & gazebos
  • Driveways, streets & sidewalks
  • Space available for root spread (consider container/planter size or easement size between street and sidewalk)

Crown Shape

At the nursery, those young canopies all look the same! Ask for assistance or do your research so you know what canopy shape you'll be dealing with when the tree matures. To the right, the US Forest Service illustrates common canopy shapes.
Canopy Shapes
Trees mature into a variety of canopy shapes.
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Typical root spread of a mature tree.

Environmental Factors

We cannot stress enough the importance of selecting a tree that is genetically inclined to thrive in our climate!
  • Soil & Drainage - Is your soil sandy, clay-y (is that a word? I'm using it...) or a combination of both? Sandy soils will require more water, and clay-y soils will require less water (no more often than every 7 days in the summer). An easy method to determine the drainage of a site is to dig a 12x12x12 hole in the planting site. Fill the hole with water. If the water drains in fewer than three hours, the drainage is excellent, and plants suited for dry locations will perform well. However, this method should be done only when the soil is already moist or the test will yield false results.

    Also consider that high traffic areas generally yield compacted soil, which means poorer drainage. 

    Lastly, each tree species has a tolerance range related to acidity and alkalinity. If you're unsure of your soil pH, you can have a simple and affordable soil test performed by Midwest Laboratories here in Omaha.

  • Pests & Diseases - Research common pests and diseases for the trees you've got your eye on, and consider their long term care requirements and the costs and effects of repeated pest or disease treatments. You might consider a disease-resistant variety, like the Valley Forge Elm which is resistant to Dutch Elm Disease (vs. American Elm). Some trees are naturally resistant to most pests, like Ginkgo, Bur Oak and Goldenrain Tree. 
    ​
  • Climate & Hardiness Zones - Omaha, Nebraska is in Hardiness Zones 5-6. Click the button for a comprehensive list of trees suggested for our hardiness zones from Arbor Day:
Suggested Trees for Zones 5-6
  • Light - "Shade tolerance is the term foresters use to rate the light requirements of each species. Some species, like white birch or most pines, require full sunlight. They are shade intolerant. Tolerant species, like most maples, hemlocks, and lindens can do well in shade. Others, like white oak, are somewhere in between and are referred to as having intermediate tolerance. Don't make the mistake of planting your tree where it is mismatched with its need for light."  - US Forest Service
Good Trees for POOR Drainage:
  • Bur Oak
  • River Birch
  • Red Maple
  • Sweetgum
  • PawPaw
  • Hornbeam / Ironwood
  • Sycamore
  • Bald-cypress
    ​
Good Trees for GOOD Drainage:
  • Red Oak
  • Ginkgo
  • Bur Oak
  • Japanese Tree Lilac
  • Sassafras
  • American Yellowwood
  • London Plane Tree
  • Ohio Buckeye
  • Amur Maple
  • PawPaw
  • Hackberry

    ​
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Nope.

Fruit, Flowers & Foliage

The truth is, every tree flowers and fruits to some degree. The planting site of your tree and your own personal tolerance for "tree litter" will help you determine what kinds of trees to avoid. Some people have a lower tolerance for "messy trees," and some of the following examples may not bother you at all! At any rate, here are a few examples:
  • A Bur Oak will drop large acorns, so you may not want to plant over your driveway or street.
  • Crabapples, female Ginkgos and Walnuts produce messy fruit that you may not want to scrape off your sidewalk or driveway (or the bottoms of your shoes!) These trees may be better to plant over a grassy or mulched area.
  • Lindens, tulip trees and maples produce samaras (Helicopters? Whirly-gigs?) that may clog gutters. 
  • Kentucky Coffee Trees and Catalpas produce large seed pods that you may need to rake up periodically if you prefer a clean and tidy lawn.

Whew! That's a lot to consider!

So it's time to do some research. Please feel free to reach out to us if you need some suggestions or insight from a Certified Arborist!

Additional resources that may help you in your decision process:

  • Nebraska Statewide Arboretum's Tree of the Year
  • Nebraska Statewide Arboretum's Conifer of the Year
  • Native Trees & Shrubs for Nebraska
  • Trees for Eastern Nebraska
  • ReTree's Top 15 Trees for 2015 (with pictures!)

Stay tuned for Part 2: Purchasing your New Tree


Sources:
US Forest Service: The Right Tree for the Right Place
Arbor Day: Right Tree in the Right Place

Trees for Poorly Drained Soils
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The Best Trees to Plant in Nebraska

4/23/2015

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Our friends at the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum composed a nice list of the best (and worst) trees to plant in Nebraska and we thought we'd make a nice visual to go along with it!

Click here to read more about why or why not to plant these trees!

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    Amy Grewe, Certified Arborist & Co-Owner 

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Arbor Aesthetics Tree Service

Arbor Aesthetics Tree Service
6724 Irvington Rd, Omaha, NE 68122
402-408-5600
info@arboraesthetics.com
  • Residential Services
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