How to Care for Your Trees During the Holiday Season

December 16, 2024 by Joseph Skibbie

It’s the holiday season, your home is decorated inside and out, you have plans with family and friends, and the winter weather makes that cup of hot chocolate feel extra special. As wonderful as this time of year is, it comes with stress. Guests, events, shopping, and even decorating can take its toll on you.

Do you know who else can be stressed during this season? Your trees. Yes, the holidays can put stress on your trees as well. From ice and snow to being weighed down with lights to road salt, your trees are feeling the stress of the holidays just like you are.

Here’s how to care for your trees so they can also be merry and bright.

#1: Christmas lights

One of the greatest joys this time of year is to drive down snow-lined streets looking at sparkling light displays in people’s front yards. When choosing lights for your outdoor trees, make sure you use outdoor-rated lights. These lights are created for outdoor weather conditions like snow, rain, and extreme cold.

LED lights are a good option for your trees as they stay cool to the touch and are significantly more energy efficient. They are less of a fire hazard and therefore safer for your trees. Inspect your lights before you put them on the tree, checking for frayed or damaged wires, broken bulbs, and faulty lights.

Use only outdoor extension cords rated for outdoor use, and make sure all your cord connections are tight.

Attach your lights firmly to the tree with hooks or clips instead of staples or nails that can be damaging to the lights and the tree.

#2: Protect your tree from road salt

Road salt is a necessity in winter, but it can also be harmful to your tree if it gets into the soil near the tree roots. Road salt can cause soil contamination, water stress, leaf and bud damage, and root damage.

The holidays bring increased traffic into neighborhoods and even your driveway, where your guests will park. You may have to shovel your driveway or sidewalks (often covered in road salt) and the salty snow can end up on your tree roots without you knowing.

To protect your trees, try shoveling your snow into piles that are further away from your trees. Also consider where your guests need to park and try to clear the snow away for them ahead of time, so your trees have as much distance as possible from salty snow spray.

You can also insulate your trees by mulching them, which provides a protective layer to keep the roots warm and moist and creates more of a barrier between the road salt and your tree roots.

#3: Extra traffic

The holidays come with a lot of traffic, extra vehicles parked in your driveway or on the street, carolers, guests, or kids playing in the snow, your trees will not be left to themselves.

Keep your trees safer by clearing and marking out pathways for your guests to walk on. Maintain sidewalks clear from snow and ice so your guests don’t go trampling through your yard. Give instructions to guests on where to park and help spot them if they need to park near your trees.

The most wonderful time of year should be enjoyed by everyone, including your trees. Take care of them during this holiday season, and they will return the gift by blooming healthy and strong in the spring.

From everyone at Advanced Tree Care: Happy holidays!

Need expert advice on protecting your trees during the holiday season? We can help. Advanced Tree Care combines top-notch equipment, cutting-edge technology, and well-trained staff to provide emergency tree removal and tree maintenance services. With a presence in nine counties and two states, we work daily to provide unparalleled customer service, safety, and efficiency—as well as the expertise to beautify your landscaping and community. Advanced Tree Care isn’t just our name—it’s also our purpose!

Fall Tree Care Tips

November 16, 2024 by Joseph Skibbie

The air is getting nippy, the leaves are changing, and your porch is the proud new home for a large display of pumpkins and mums: fall has arrived.

But with great sweater weather comes great responsibility, your trees also know its fall, and they are preparing for a long winter. You can help your trees thrive over the upcoming winter months by following these fall tree care tips.

Water

Many people mistakenly believe that their trees only need watering in the hot summer months, but the truth is that trees need watering all year round. During the fall, deciduous trees (trees that go dormant in the winter) are shedding their leaves to conserve water and energy through the frigid winter months.

Your tree can thrive during the long winter if you maintain a regular watering schedule to avoid dehydration. Research how much water your tree needs based on its type and your growing zone. Consult a certified arborist if you need expert advice.

Mulch

Mulch does more for your trees than you probably realize. Mulch helps your tree retain moisture in the soil, maintain warmer temperatures during the cold winter, and protect your trees’ precious roots.

Apply mulch in a circle three to five inches out from the base of your tree, leaving a little space around the trunk. This will protect your tree without causing damage from insects and rodents who like to burrow in the mulch.

Fertilize

Choosing the right fertilizer for your tree is like picking out a snack, just what does your tree want to munch on while its dormant over the cold winter? Carefully research what nutrients your tree needs based on its type, age, and growing zone.

Choosing a slow-release fertilizer will help your tree replenish the nutrients it lost over the growing season and stay healthy and hearty during winter.

Prune

Fall is the ideal time for pruning your trees, a vital part of maintaining tree health. Remove any branches that appear dead, diseased, or in danger of breaking.

For larger pruning jobs, call a professional tree service who will have the training, certification, and expertise required to prune your trees safely.

Managing leaves

Leaves fall in the fall, and the whole world appears to be one big, messy leaf pile. While jumping in leaf piles is a happy childhood memory for us, your trees do not want to be surrounded by the dead leaves they just shed. Leaving piles of wet leaves around the base of your tree creates a breeding ground for mold and fungal diseases.

Remove the leaves and spare your trees.

Pest and disease check

Look over your tree to check for any signs of infestation or disease. Peeling or discolored bark, bite marks, sawdust, and dead limbs are indicators that something is wrong.

If you spot signs of disease or infestation, address it immediately, you do not want your tree to worsen or weaken over the long winter. Consult a certified arborist on how to properly address the problem.

Fall is a happy and beautiful time of year, and you can make it even happier for your trees by following through on these fall tree care tips. Water, mulch, fertilize, prune, rake, and check on your trees. They’ve given you shade through the hot summer months and are now delighting you with a brilliant display of colors, caring for them is the least you can do.

Looking for expert advice on how to prep your trees for fall? We can help. Advanced Tree Care combines top-notch equipment, cutting-edge technology, and well-trained staff to provide emergency tree removal and tree maintenance services. With a presence in nine counties and two states, we work daily to provide unparalleled customer service, safety, and efficiency—as well as the expertise to beautify your landscaping and community. Advanced Tree Care isn’t just our name—it’s also our purpose!

Tree Removal Near Residential Areas: What You Need to Know

October 16, 2024 by Joseph Skibbie

“Timber!” could be a rather alarming call to hear in the middle of your neighborhood. Trees are beautiful but can also be dangerous if they are not removed when they have become diseased or damaged beyond repair. Property, people, and pets can all be at risk if a tree is not removed safely.

In this article, we will cover the reasons you might require tree removal, and what to look for when hiring a tree care company.

Reasons to remove your tree

Excellent tree care and maintenance will help your tree live a long and healthy life, but life is unpredictable, and your trees can still become damaged or diseased. At this point, your tree can become a danger to your home, family, and other trees, and you need to remove the tree as quickly as possible.

#1: A dead tree

Dead trees will stand out from the rest of your healthy trees. Lack of foliage, large portions of missing bark, big cracks or splits, evidence of fungal growth on the tree, and sudden leaning of your tree are all signs that your tree is dead and needs to be removed.

#2: Severe tree disease

Some trees can be saved from disease and infestation, while others are too far gone. Signs of trees that are too far gone include weakened branches and foliage, hollowed-out trunks, and lack of healthy new leaf growth.

#3: Damage

Strong winds, storms, or lightning strikes can damage otherwise healthy trees, turning them into a hazard that needs to be addressed. Large splits, peeling, broken branches, burnt bark, and evidence of the tree dying such as dead leaves and lack of new growth are all signs you need to pay attention to.

In addition to these reasons, you may need to remove a tree if it is growing too close to your home or driveway, the roots can cause damage to your foundation, driveway, sidewalks, or sewer and plumbing lines. Additionally, trees too close to power lines or other trees need to be removed to avoid future problems.

What to consider when hiring a tree removal company

Tree removal is not something to be taken lightly. The safety of your home, family, and neighbors depends on choosing the right company. Here is what you need to look for.

#1: Licensing and certification

Look for a tree removal company that is licensed and certified by organizations like the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) and the Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA). These organizations set standards and expectations for quality, professionalism, and safety that are vital to safe tree removal.

#2: Insurances

Sometimes things still go wrong (again, life is unpredictable). If something does go wrong, and property is damaged or even worse, someone is hurt, who is going to pay for it? You need to verify that the tree care company you hire has proper insurance in place, so you are protected from damage and injuries.

#3: Expertise

Many people will say they can remove a tree, but you don’t want just anyone heading into your yard right next to your home with a bunch of power tools. Look for a company that has proven its experience, and expertise, and has a track record of satisfied customers.

#4: Standards

Safety is the top priority for tree removal. A tree care company with professionalism and expertise will follow the industry safety standards and use the proper gear and equipment to protect its workers and you.

#5: Estimates

Look for a company that will give you a detailed estimate for the entire project. Make sure you understand the setup, removal, and cleanup process and what exactly you are paying for.

Tree removal is sometimes a necessity, especially in residential areas where homes and people are easily at risk from falling trees. Do your research and find an expert tree care company that is licensed, uses the proper equipment, is insured, and will list the exact scope of the project when removing your tree.

Looking for expert advice and help on when and how to remove your trees? We can help. Advanced Tree Care combines top-notch equipment, cutting-edge technology, and well-trained staff to provide emergency tree removal and tree maintenance services. With a presence in nine counties and two states, we work daily to provide unparalleled customer service, safety, and efficiency—as well as the expertise to beautify your landscaping and community. Advanced Tree Care isn’t just our name — it’s also our purpose!

Five Reasons September is the Ideal Month to Plant New Trees

September 22, 2024 by Joseph Skibbie

You’ve made it through the worst of summer’s heat. Kids are back in school, people start planning for the fall holidays, and the last few mornings were cool enough that you enjoyed the warmth of your coffee just a bit more.

It’s September, a time for changing seasons, putting up the fall decor, and planting trees! That’s right, September is an ideal month for planting new trees.

In this article, we will cover why September is a good month for planting trees and give you a few tips on how to get your trees started.

Five reasons to plant in September

1: Warm soil

Fall does not officially arrive until September 22, so there’s still quite a bit of summer warmth in the soil. Warmer soil promotes root growth, helping your new tree’s roots get firmly established before the cold of winter arrives.

2: Fall rain

Newly planted trees need extra water to help them get established. The frequent fall rains will help your tree stay hydrated and spread its root system quickly.

3: Cool air

During the spring and summer, your deciduous trees produce leaves to generate energy through photosynthesis (taking sunlight and converting it into energy). The leaves produce more energy than they use, but when the shorter days of fall arrive and less sunlight is available, the leaves become an energy drain on the tree, and the tree begins to drop them.

The cooler fall temps mean less stress on your tree, and fewer leaves, which will enable your newly planted tree to expend more energy on establishing its root system.

4: Less competition

Spring and summer are the intense growing seasons for many plants, including those pesky weeds and other competing plants that try to choke out your garden and landscaping. Many of those plants have already died or gone dormant by September, leaving the growing space and soil nutrients available for your tree.

5: Extra growing season

Trees planted in September get a few extra months of growing season to become established before they face the harsh elements of drought and heat in summer. The overall strength of your tree can be vastly different if it gets the advantage of this extra growing time.

Three ways to help your tree succeed

1. Dig a proper hole

Trees that are newly planted are usually begun at a nursery, and then pulled up and transplanted in your yard. During the digging-up process, a tree can lose the majority of its root system. You want to make sure the hole you dig for your tree is deep enough to support it, but also close enough to the surface that your tree can spread its new roots and easily access the water, nutrients, and heat that are closer to the surface of the soil.

2. Mulch

Newly planted trees are vulnerable to pests and disease, and their roots are still fragile. Placing mulch around the base of your tree is a great way to help the roots stay warm, maintain moisture in the soil, and keep pests from nibbling on your tree.

3. Water

All trees need water, but new trees often need extra water to help them quickly re-establish their root system and grow strong. Research how much water your tree will need based on its type, age, and your growing zone, and create a watering schedule. Consult a certified arborist if you want expert advice.

September brings the ideal conditions of “not too hot” and “not too cold” but just right. Good rain, less crowded growing spaces, and extra growing time make it the ideal month for planting new trees.

Looking for expert advice for planting your trees? We can help. Advanced Tree Care combines top-notch equipment, cutting-edge technology, and well-trained staff to provide emergency tree removal and tree maintenance services. With a presence in nine counties and two states, we work daily to provide unparalleled customer service, safety, and efficiency—as well as the expertise to beautify your landscaping and community. Advanced Tree Care isn’t just our name—it’s also our purpose!

Get to the Root: Tree Root Care 101

August 22, 2024 by Joseph Skibbie

“A tree’s beauty lies in its branches, but its strength lies in its roots.” — Matshona Dhliwayo

Every beautiful tree you see is only as strong and healthy as its root system. Root health determines lifespan and proper functioning of a tree—to care for your tree, you must take care of the roots.

In this article, we will get to the root of tree needs and walk you through tree root care.

Understanding the root system

All trees begin as tiny seeds; these seeds sprout a single root called a “radicle” or first root. This root drives down into the soil and creates an anchor for the seed. Root hairs grow along the surface of the root, expanding the root’s surface area and absorbing additional water and nutrients.

Roots serve many functions for trees beyond water absorption, roots are responsible for:

Water and nutrient uptake.
Tree anchorage.
Storing excess carbohydrates.
Transportation of nutrients, water, and hormones throughout the tree.
Producing compounds that regulate tree growth.
Producing chemicals that alter the surrounding soil.
Providing a home for fungi and other microorganisms.

It’s official, excellent root health equals excellent tree health.

How to care for your tree roots

Soil

Having compacted soil can harm your tree by limiting root growth, which hinders your tree’s ability to absorb nutrients and water. Air, water, and nutrients need to circulate in the soil.

Too much traffic around the base of a tree is a primary way that soil gets too compacted. To protect your tree’s roots, apply a thick layer of organic mulch around the tree (a few inches from the base).

Water

A lack of water or an excess of water will damage your tree roots and cause your tree to become weakened or diseased.

Lawn irrigation systems are not a proper solution for watering trees, as lawn irrigation only soaks into the first few inches of the soil. Focus your watering efforts on the tree roots and getting that water deeper into the soil. Research how to water your tree based on your tree’s age, type, and growing region. If you need further help, consult a certified arborist.

Nutrients

Trees need nutrients to grow healthy and strong. Nutrients help the tree to germinate, grow, fight disease and pests, and reproduce. The tree roots absorb nutrients from the soil and send them up the tree through the tree’s vascular system (the vascular system starts at the roots). Different combinations of nutrients are essential for functions in a tree, and this all depends on your tree’s type, age, and growing region. Research and consult a certified arborist for expert advice on giving your tree the nutrients it needs.

Planting techniques

Planting your tree correctly from the beginning can make a world of difference in how it develops its root system. Many trees are transplanted from a nursery, and around 50 percent or more do not survive past the first few years. This comes from transplant shock, where a tree loses most of its roots when dug up from the nursery and transplanted to another location. This makes the tree more vulnerable to disease, drought, and insects.

Reestablishing that root system and helping your tree regenerate roots is essential to survival. Digging a proper hole, consistent but not excessive watering, and protecting the vulnerable roots with mulch will help your tree reestablish a healthy root system.

Research carefully before you plant a tree so you can prepare the soil, water, and nourish your tree properly to establish a strong root system. Consult a certified arborist for expert advice.

Maintenance and prevention

You can prevent root decline and disaster for your tree by paying attention to the signs your tree shows. Your tree root health may be in trouble if you notice stunted growth, oozing liquid or soft spots on the trunk, poor growth of ground cover under the tree canopy, abnormal swelling on the tree base, or leaning of the tree.

When planting new trees, research and prepare your planting site accordingly.

Tree roots are the heart and soul of a tree, without healthy roots a tree will be unable to thrive and eventually die. Take the time to learn about tree health today and consult a certified arborist if you want additional information.

Looking for expert advice for your trees’ root health? We can help. Advanced Tree Care combines top-notch equipment, cutting-edge technology, and well-trained staff to provide emergency tree removal and tree maintenance services. With a presence in nine counties and two states, we work daily to provide unparalleled customer service, safety, and efficiency—as well as the expertise to beautify your landscaping and community. Advanced Tree Care isn’t just our name—it’s also our purpose!