Arbor Aesthetics Tree Service - Quality Tree Trimming & Tree Removal - Omaha, NE
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BAGWORMS: Control the Destruction!

4/17/2020

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Bagworms. Everyone’s favorite little defoliator, right? These clever moths begin life as tiny caterpillars and use the foliage of trees and shrubs to protect themselves so they can mate and create even more bagworms. They can be extremely destructive, and their cone-shaped cases oftentimes go unnoticed as "pinecones" or some other doo-dads that almost pass for something that belongs on the tree!

The Bagworm Lifecycle

This moth begins life as a tiny caterpillar (“worm”) when it hatches from its egg late May to early June. This larva and 300-1000 of its brothers and sisters emerge from the case and are so small that they generally go unnoticed, then using a strand of silk, they can catch a free ride on the wind right onto your favorite tree. As they feed on needles or leaves they begin to weave together a case, or bag, of their own from the chewed plant material. This case can help protect them from predators and temperature extremes. As they feed, the worm and the case both grow - up to 2 inches long.

Late in August the mature larvae will secure the bag to a branch and close themselves up in the case, where they pupate. Bagworms are stuck in the olden days. While the male becomes a small furry moth and flies to the females to mate, the ladies…well, they never get to venture out and die after mating. Tough life.
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FREE ESTIMATE
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Can bagworms kill my trees and shrubs?

YES - Bagworms can disfigure or even kill evergreens in a hurry as they feed on needles. If you have a minor infestation of bagworms, pick off the cases and throw them away in a sealed grocery bag, place in a bucket of soapy water, or burn them if that gives you satisfaction. If your trees have more than a few however, give us a call so we can perform properly timed insecticide sprays. Remember, every case can have 300-1000 eggs, so you don’t want the population exploding from one year to the next!
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What species are most at risk?

We see bagworms most commonly feeding on spruce, arborvitae, and junipers. They can also feed on deciduous trees, however that damage is not usually concerning or long lasting.
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When is the best time to spray for bagworms?

Larvae are active June through August. Sprays are most effective when before the larvae are protected by their cases, so the earlier in the season, the better. 
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How does Arbor Aesthetics manage bagworm infestations?

Arbor Aesthetics offers a two-time foliar spray treatment of either Permethrin or Bifenthrin insecticide while the larvae are actively feeding on your trees and shrubs. We closely monitor bagworm larvae activity so the timing of the treatments is most effective. We recommend repeating this treatment annually for at least 2-3 years before re-evaluating for control.
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FREE ESTIMATE
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FREE WOOD CHIPS VIA CHIPDROP

4/15/2020

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FREE WOOD CHIPS! GET YER WOOD CHIPS!

We've joined ChipDrop - a FREE service for homeowners to get free mulch deliveries from local arborists. Learn more at http://chipdrop.com. If you are a community garden in need of chips, please reach out to us directly to arrange deliveries at info@arboraesthetics.com or 402-408-5600.

Learn about the benefits of mulch here.
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Gift of Beautiful Trees 2019 Complete!

3/11/2020

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Spring has arrived and it seems like ages ago that we were summoning nominations from the Omaha community for our 5th annual Gift of Beautiful Trees program. Each year we select at least one nominee to receive up to $2,500 in FREE tree trimming or removal services. Over the course of the last five years, we've donated more than $30,000 in tree work to families in need. We all know trees can add significant value to our lives and homes, but they can require costly maintenance and we understand that proper tree care is often not budgeted for and is a luxury for many families. During the holiday season, we can't help but think about the stress some families might be enduring - trying to make ends meet and providing a memorable holiday for their loved ones. That's where we come in. Sure - it's just tree trimming, but we like to think of it less as a gift of manual labor and more as a gift of peace of mind and the comfort that you are seen and cared for by your community in times of need.

As always, I'd like to start by saying nothing gives me more faith in the power of community than watching nomination after nomination roll into my inbox every holiday season. Jeff and I read through each nomination and consider the degree of urgency of the project (is the tree dangerous?), whether or not the work can be completed within one day, the difficulty of the project (do we have the right resources?), and how dire the situation is (what is the person or family going through?).

This year we selected two families to receive the Gift of Beautiful Trees. We always respect the privacy of our recipients, which means we aren't always able to share their personal stories or identities. This year we asked only to share before and after photos of the projects with the public. No matter - we were grateful to be able to share our gifts and resources with these families, lighten their burdens, and spark hope by removing some dangerous and troublesome trees from their properties.

We are already looking forward to 2020 and our six year of giving back to our community! Follow us on Facebook for updates on next year's projects!
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Jeff & Amy Grewe Featured in March 2020 TCIA MAgazine

3/4/2020

6 Comments

 
Hey, lookie there! March's Tree Care Industry Association magazine shines a light on the magic WOMEN are bringing to this male-dominated industry. It's not terribly uncommon to see husband-wife teams working together in the tree care world.

​Jeff and I have been running the business together for six years and while every marriage is a work in progress 'til death do they part, I've obtained some wisdom over the last several years about working with your spouse. I shared my thoughts below. Check it out! ~ Amy
READ ARTICLE
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Jeff & Amy Grewe featured in March 2020 Tree Care Industry Association Magazine.
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Angie's List Super Service Award WINNER 2019

2/27/2020

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Omaha, NE, 2020 - Arbor Aesthetics Tree Service is proud to announce that it has earned the home service industry’s coveted Angie’s List Super Service Award (SSA). This award honors service professionals who have maintained exceptional service ratings and reviews on Angie’s List in 2019.
 
“Service pros that receive our Angie’s List Super Service Award represent the best  in our network, who are consistently making great customer service their mission,” said Angie’s List Founder Angie Hicks. “These pros have provided exceptional service to our members and absolutely deserve recognition for the exemplary customer service they exhibited in the past year.”
 
Angie’s List Super Service Award 2019 winners have met strict eligibility requirements, which include maintaining an “A” rating in overall grade, recent grade and review period grade. The SSA winners must be in good standing with Angie’s List and undergo additional screening.
 
Arbor Aesthetics Tree Service has been listed on Angie’s List since 2007. This is the 10th year they have received this honor.
 
Service company ratings are updated continually on Angie’s List as new, verified consumer reviews are submitted. Companies are graded on an A through F scale in multiple fields ranging from price to professionalism to punctuality.
 
For over two decades Angie’s List has been a trusted name for connecting consumers to top-rated service professionals. Angie’s List provides unique tools and support designed to improve the local service experience for both consumers and service professionals.

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The Tree Service of your Dreams!

2/12/2020

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​What are you looking for in a tree service? At Arbor Aesthetics, we're punctual, smart, strong, smooth, we clean up well, and we'll never leave you hanging. At Arbor Aesthetics, we love trees, we love each other, and we love our customers. We're the tree service of your dreams!
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Ice Covered Branches - Do's and Don'ts

1/17/2020

15 Comments

 
PicturePhoto by George Bosela
With ice forecasted in the Omaha area, it's likely your main concern is how your commute  might be impacted. Trees generally aren't at the forefronts of our minds until something bad happens - a broken branch, a split trunk, or in extreme cases, a tree lying on a roof.

While you're out salting your sidewalk and notice your tree's branches are coated in ice, there are more "DO'S" than "DON'TS" involved in keeping your tree healthy. (Hint: Prevention is key!) Let's get the short list out of the way first:
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DON'T SHAKE ICY TREE BRANCHES!

Simple. Trees coated in ice can be brittle and you'll do more harm than good. You can even damage a tree's circulatory system. While you might think the ice is weighing the tree down and should be removed, the branches are flexible and bent slowly to accommodate the extra weight. They should sustain this pressure without issue. Younger generally trees fare better in ice storms than older trees.

Now let's talk about what you can DO to increase your tree's resilience in an ice storm. Prevention is everything!
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DO:

Split tree branchPhoto by Andreas Krappweis
  1. STRUCTURALLY PRUNE. Prune trees starting at a young age to prevent crossing branches and narrow branch angles. We tend to see a lot of damage in pear trees and the recently trendy autumn blaze maple because of their narrow branch angles. A trained, Certified Arborist can prune a tree at a young age (no younger than 5 years old) to encourage it to grow a strong "leader." Co-dominant branches and included bark are weak branch structures that can be prevented, but must be addressed at a young age.

  2. AVOID PLANTING TREES THAT ARE MORE SUSCEPTIBLE TO ICE DAMAGE.
    1. Trees with very upright branching structures like arborvitae
    2. Multi-stem or "clump" trees like river birch
    3. Faster growing species like maple, versus slow-growing oak
    4. Trees that naturally tend to grow with narrow branch angles like pear, autumn-blaze or silver maple

  3. PRUNE DAMAGED BRANCHES WITH CARE. If a branch fails in an ice storm, how you remove the damaged branch goes a long way toward how the tree recovers. If a branch rips, do not rip the branch further or cut into the trunk if it has ripped all the way back at the base. Trees have their own natural abilities to "seal" around damage to prevent the spread of decay, but improper pruning cuts can interfere with these mechanisms. 
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  4. CALL A CERTIFIED ARBORIST. (Preferably us!) A Certified Arborist is trained in the art and science of caring for trees. We KNOW things! If you don't have the proper tools or just don't know the best way to go about removing a damaged branch, call in a professional. Trees don't come with manuals, and that's why we're here to help.

  5. HAVE YOUR TREES INSPECTED REGULARLY BY A PROFESSIONAL. Having your trees inspected on a regular basis is important. Annually is best. An experienced Arborist has a keen eye that can spot structural issues, minor cracks and signs of weakness before the homeowner can.

  6. CALL THE UTILITY COMPANY IF NEEDED. Don't be shy. If a limb is close to a power line (within 10 feet) - it's better to be safe than sorry. Call your local utility company. Energized branches look no different than non-energized branches! 

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Best Tree Service In Omaha for 2020! We did it!

12/2/2019

4 Comments

 
Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU, Omaha for voting us Best of Omaha for 2020! We love making customers happy and their trees beautiful. In voting for us, you're helping your neighbors and fellow Omahans find quality and professional tree trimming and removal services. We are so proud to have earned this award and are humbled by the support of our loyal customers.
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4 Comments

Pine needle drop - Normal or not?

10/28/2019

9 Comments

 
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Yes, they might be called "evergreens," but not even conifers keep their needles forever. Why are they called evergreens? Because the tree holds onto its needles for longer than a year before letting them go. With new needles coming in, the tree appears to always be keeping its needles. It's not unlike your hair. Your hair is constantly falling out, but new hairs are also constantly growing in (thank goodness!) Needle drop sometimes happens without us even noticing, since it's the inner needles that fall. Needle drop in Eastern White Pines, like the one pictured above, tends to be more obvious than other species.

Here is a handy chart from the University of Nebraska's Backyard Farmer of how long common pine trees grown in Nebraska hold onto their needles:
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TWO YEARS

Eastern white pine
Jack pine (2-4 yrs.)
Scotch pine (2-4 yrs.)

THREE YEARS

Korean pine
Japanese Black pine
(3-5 yrs.)
Japanese Red pine
Japanese White pine
Lacebark pine
Macedonian pine
Ponderosa pine
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FOUR YEARS

Austrian pine
Red pine
Swiss Stone pine

FIVE YEARS

Bosnian pine
Mugo pine

When do I need to worry about needle drop?

If a tree is stressed from things like drought, root damage, insects or diseases, needle drop will be exacerbated and you'll want to work to reduce those stressors. That's what we're here for! A Certified Arborist can diagnose the issue or simply give you the reassurance you're looking for that your tree is healthy and happy just doin' it's thang. 

If your tree is starting to look like the photos below, you'll definitely need to investigate further. The trees below are suffering from Diplodia tip blight and Dothistroma needle blight - both of which can be remedied with a series of fungicide sprays in the spring. If you aren't sure, it never hurts to set up a free consultation to put your mind at ease when you're trying to protect your trees.
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NOT normal!

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Eastern White Pine suffering from Diplodia Tip Blight, exacerbated by drought. Photo by Ariana Brocious, NET News
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Austrian Pine suffering from Dothistroma Needle Blight. Photo: Jill O'Donnell, MSU Extension.
FREE ARBORIST CONSULTATION
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Best of Omaha 2020 Voting is LIVE!

7/18/2019

6 Comments

 
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Why your vote is important to us...

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No, it's not because our kids are cute(but they kind of are, aren't they?), or for bragging rights. It's more than being able to put the Best of Omaha logo on our trucks.

We're asking for your vote so that you can help fellow Omahans find quality tree services performed by Certified Arborists who stand behind their work. It's hard to find contractors who care. We're a small, family-owned, grassroots business. We take good care of our staff so they can support their families. We do things the right way, not the easy way. We give back to our community, and we're always looking for ways to leave Omaha's urban forest better than how we found it. You can support our growth and our mission to create connections through trees by casting your vote.

Voting is now faster than ever and only requires voting in 5 categories. Click below to automatically fill in the Tree Service category. Voting ends August 20th.
VOTE NOW

10 Reasons to vote us Omaha's Best TRee Service:

  1. We take our time with our clients. Our Certified Arborists take the time to meet with every customer to ensure their needs are met and their questions and concerns are addressed. No drive-by bidding here!
  2. Our employees work at the best tree service in Omaha, where core values such as "Ownership" and "Show up and serve" shape a culture of pride in our work and dedication to a high level of service. They also enjoy fantastic benefits like paid medical and dental insurance, paid vacation and holidays, free uniforms and a company-matching IRA.
  3. We offer a Complete Satisfaction Guarantee: If you aren't delighted with our service for whatever reason, we'll do whatever it takes to make it right. Seriously!
  4. We are dedicated to continuing education. We have five Certified Arborists on staff (and more to come!) and participate in local and national conferences and workshops to incorporate industry best practices into our work.
  5. We're among industry leaders. We are proud to be serving on the Board of Directors in the Nebraska Arborists Association, and are members of the Tree Care Industry Association and the International Society of Arboriculture. 
  6. You won't find a more professional, clean-cut, friendly tree crew out there. Our crews respect your property, your trees, and your time. Our crews are trained and educated to make proper cuts to ensure the lifelong health of your tree.
  7. We schedule your tree work in advance and communicate clearly and often so you know what to expect. No surprises!
  8. We love to educate our customers through consultations, social media and blog posts.
  9. We are a small, family-owned company with Omaha roots. When you invest in your trees, you invest in the security and well-being of local families just like yours. 
  10. We are environmentally conscious whenever possible. We take great care in the methods and timing of our chemical treatments to protect pollinating insects and will be offering organic treatment options in 2019. We also offer e-invoicing and our sales arborists drive hybrid vehicles. (Amy is also a little obsessed with recycling.) Did you know we were awarded the 2016 Green Industry Award by the Nebraska Forest Service?

    Okay, one more for good measure...

  11. Convenient online appointment setup and payment options, plus our new Customer Portal, make your experience quick and easy from start to finish.​

    Can't stop, won't stop...

  12. We give back to our community. Have you heard of our Gift of Beautiful Trees charity program? Once a year we ask our community for nominations for families in dire need of tree care who may not be able to afford it. In the last three years, we've provided over $10,000 of no-cost tree work to Omaha families. We're also involved in community events like the annual Earth Day Omaha Tree Climb.
VOTE NOW
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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
  • Services
  • Gift of Beautiful Trees
  • Contact - Free Quote
  • Emerald Ash Borer
  • Free Ash Tree Replacement
  • Happy Customers
  • FAQ
  • Our Crew
  • Blog
  • Careers
  • Customer Portal