Now that the Emerald Ash Borer has made its way to Omaha, homeowners with ash trees have an important decision to make: remove the tree, or preserve the tree. The solution isn't always simple, and we have conversations with each of our clients, taking into account each of their unique circumstances and needs. During these conversations, we find our clients' plans fall into one of these four categories:

1. Treat the tree indefinitely. 
   Is the tree in a good location? Is the tree in good health? Not too old, or too young (and easily replaceable?) Does the tree add significant value to your property or hold sentimental value? 
2. Treat the tree to delay its death, with plans to remove it later.
   Plant a new tree now so that by the time the ash tree needs to be removed, you have a well-established tree acting in its place. Or perhaps you have several ash trees and cannot afford to remove them all at once. 
3. Remove the tree now. 
   Take the tree down now if the tree isn't worth saving or you do not wish to invest in preserving your tree.
4. Wait until the tree dies, then remove it. 
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   HOLD UP!
   
   ​Waiting until your ash tree dies may seem like a reasonable solution. You invest no money in its preservation, and might get several more years out of it before you have to say your goodbyes. But please...
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Tree removal is a risky business. In 2016 alone, 92 fatalities were reported to the Tree Care Industry Association. This number has increased every year since 2013, and it is no coincidence that as EAB sweeps across the U.S., dead and dying ash trees are changing the scene and increasing risk for tree care companies and their workers.  

This risk is not limited to the tree care company - it could extend to the homeowner, as well. That's why it is ESSENTIAL that the tree care company you hire carries liability insurance AND worker's compensation insurance, so that if an injury or fatality were to occur, you are protected. Always ask to see current insurance certificates before hiring a tree care company, and understand that a company providing a low-ball bid may not be adequately covered by insurance. If you are collecting bids and one is significantly lower than the others, consider it a red flag and ask questions. ​
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Are you planting a new tree this fall? Good for you! Fall is a GREAT time to plant a tree. Get that little guy in the ground as it enters dormancy (and we mean little: plant small trees!) and watch it take off in the spring!

Last 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 in the landscape or does it have a job, like shading a driveway or home?

Thankfully, the Nebraska Forest Service publishes an awesome list of suggested trees each year. This year, it's 17 Trees for 2017. The trees from that list are shown below, along with their seeds/fruit, foliage and fall color. Click the tree name for more information!

New for 2017!
New to the list this year is the Turkish Filbert (aka Hazelnut) tree. You'll go "nuts" for its great yellow fall color! It's a medium/large deciduous tree with a unique pyramidal canopy shape that's more tall than wide, making it a great choice for a landscape that is short on space. And yes - you can eat the nuts!

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. If you need suggestions on where to find these trees, we've got suggestions for some great local nurseries that provide high quality stock at an affordable price. Please avoid big box stores, however tempting the price tag may be. Don't buy your tree where you buy your toilet!

Arbor Aesthetics uses a macro injection system to flush iron (and/or manganese, depending on the species) directly through your tree's vascular system via injection sites at the root flare. These treatments are performed in the fall and can provide up to three years of green, happy leaves for your tree! 
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We're revolutionizing the tree trimming industry! Introducing Arbor Anesthetics - the new technology that allows us to humanely trim your trees. Now you can rest assured - your tree will feel absolutely no pain during the limb removal process! Isn't it time we treated our trees with more respect and humanity? 

But all joking aside, there is a right and a wrong way to trim a tree. Trimming a tree correctly leverages a tree's own recovery system, which walls off decay and prevents the spread of disease.

​Don't fool around with your trees! Hire a professional, Certified arborist, like Arbor Aesthetics Tree Service!

​What trees are at risk?
Apple, Crab Apple, Pear, Hawthorn, Serviceberry and other fruit trees.

What should I look for?
Yellowish-orange colored lesions on the leaf, developing into darker spots in advanced stages. The infected leaves drop from the tree prematurely in the summer. Also look for lesions appearing on fruit later in the season. 

How does this harm my tree?
Because the infected leaves drop prematurely in the summer, the tree spends extra energy trying to replace the lost leaves. Repeated seasons of premature leaf-drop weaken the tree, making it susceptible to other diseases, and can eventually lead to its death.

Can I prevent it?
Yes! We offer preventative spray treatments that begin in early March. They must be applied before the buds open, so don't delay!

Where can I learn more?
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension has a detailed write-up here, including a list of disease resistant species.