Caring for Your Trees Over the Winter

When winter arrives, your trees still need care. Although trees are dormant this time of year, what you do can help to protect them from snow, ice, and cold temperatures. Here are some winter tree care tips to help you this season.

Water until the soil freezes

Just because the warmest days of the year are behind us doesn’t mean you should stop watering. Fall can, in fact, be a dry season. What’s more, trees’ roots continue to grow and require water and nutrients until the ground freezes. One winter tree care tip we have is to water your trees throughout the fall and early winter until the ground fully freezes. In our area, this can be as late as the end of December.

Newly planted or young trees that still have a small root mass especially need continued watering. And, when it comes to watering, go for low and slow so that you deliver the water directly down to the tree’s root zone. How often and how long you should water depends on tree species, soil type, and our weather conditions. You can check the soil and your tree’s foliage to determine if your tree is over- or under-watered, or you can consult one of our experts for guidance.

Add mulch for protection

Winter Tree Care — Before the intense winter weather gets here, it’s important to protect your trees so they thrive in the growing season.

Before the heavy snows and ice arrive, mulch around each tree with two to four inches of wood chips, bark, or other organic material. This mulch insulates against temperature extremes while also nourishing the soil and preserving moisture levels. Be sure to keep the mulch layer at least three inches away from the base of the tree trunk to allow the tree to properly breathe. Mulch also helps to hold in moisture, from watering, rains, or melting snows.

Prune in winter

Winter is an ideal time to prune because trees are dormant. Pruning can help the health and
shape of your trees, and it can also reduce the risk of damage to the tree from a winter
snowstorm or ice storm. Pruning cuts should be left uncovered, and proper pruning cuts should
be made just outside the branch collar. Advanced Tree Care’s arborist and professional staff can
help with proper pruning of your trees and shrubs, including identifying which types of trees
can only be pruned during dormancy.

Prune, cable, or brace branches

Winter snow and ice can weigh tree branches down, stressing weak branches. If tree branches are close to your house, driveway, or sidewalks, err on the side of protecting your property. Consult with Advanced Tree Care on pruning, cabling, or bracing these branches to prevent damage. In addition, avoid parking under or near branches that are heavily laden with snow or ice. Falling branches cause a lot of damage.

Don’t shake

Trees and branches can sag under the weight of winter’s snow and ice. While it’s tempting to shake off your trees or branches after a heavy snow, resist doing so. You can damage your trees, contributing to weak spots or breakage.

Hold the salt

Heavy winter road salting can take its tolls on trees, especially those on parkways or near driveways. This is where plowed snow accumulates, and as it melts, the salt seeps into the soil and the tree’s root system.

You can protect these trees by moving some of the salted snow and distributing it more fully around your yard. You can also help these trees once winter is over by watering them thoroughly. Watering them helps to reduce the salt accumulated in the soil and lessen any damage.

Protect from rodents and deer

Hungry animals might turn to tree bark and branches when foraging in the lean winter months gets tough. Discourage nibblers with rabbit or deer fencing if you notice signs of damage on bark. Sometimes, mice can also take up residence in deep mulch around the tree base, so be sure that mulch is at least three inches from the base.

Tips for newly planted trees

Stakes or ties can provide some stability for newly established trees, but these items should be removed in winter. Trees will establish more quickly and develop stronger trunk and root tissue without these aids. Many trees, though, especially those that lose their leaves and have thin bark (like Japanese maples) can benefit from tree wrapping. This thin plastic layer protects trees from cold temperatures and sunscald, which is when warm winter sun heats up bark for a short time before temps drop back down at night or in stormy weather. If you have evergreen or arborvitae trees, you should wrap these in burlap, especially if fully exposed to the wind or went through a drought in the warm season. Advanced Tree Care can help with winter tree care, including preparing your young trees for the season.

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!

Six Reasons to Hire an Arborist for Tree Care

Let’s get to the point right away: Why do you need to hire an arborist for tree care?

Arborists are professionals who specialize in the art and science of tree care. Put simply, an arborist knows what trees need and is trained and equipped to provide proper care for tree maintenance or emergency tree removal. Investing in proper, safe, knowledgeable tree care can extend the life of your trees. It can reduce the chance that you’ll lose a tree to damage or disease. And, when pruning or removal is necessary, an arborist ensures that the sometimes-dangerous work is done properly.

Here are six times you should only entrust your tree care to an arborist.

Emergency tree care

Nature packs power in all seasons. Winter and summer storms and high winds can cause sudden damage to trees. Our arborist can determine when a tree can be saved by trimming or when it presents a risk and must be removed.

Think of it this way: a lot can go wrong when a tree comes down, from live electric wires to potential damage to your home. Our arborist is an expert on tree care and can ensure that a damaged tree is safely removed.

Tree removal

Tree care is complex. Mistakes are costly. Our arborist has the skills and knowledge to recommend removal in cases such as when a tree is causing an obstruction, must be removed for new construction, or is crowding out (and causing harm to) other trees. An arborist can also help to diagnose tree health problems, including those that could affect the other trees on your property. Early action can help to head off bigger problems later on—and maybe even save the life of your tree.

Pruning

Pruning is done to improve the health, appearance, and safety of trees. An arborist might recommend pruning for dead, weak, infested, or decaying branches or to stimulate growth in a healthy tree. Or pruning might be wise when a tree has been damaged by a storm, overhangs streets or sidewalks, or interferes with utilities or structures. In addition, pruning is done to shape young trees or reduce the chance that a tree might be damaged by a storm or heavy snowfall. Our arborist is knowledgeable in pruning techniques, which can preserve or extend a tree’s life or help guide its growth into a beautiful, well-maintained shape. Our arborist also knows which species of tree should be pruned while dormant, and which trees can be pruned at any time all year.

Planting

The wrong tree in the wrong location will create problems in the future. Whether you are replacing a tree or undertaking a new planting, an arborist can recommend a species appropriate to your location. When consulting with you, our arborist factors in available growing space, neighboring trees and shrubs, and threats from insects, diseases, and weather in helping you make the right choice. This is especially important for new construction or property restorations.

Disease and infection

Trees get sick just like we do. Sometimes, the damage is minor, and the prognosis is good. Other times, the tree needs treatment. Our arborist can determine what is going on and recommend the appropriate treatment, including for fungus, insect and rodent infestation, leaf blight, and much more. Our arborist can also help to determine what time of year to treat any tree problems. For example, some treatments can only be applied in spring, before insect larvae emerge, so timing is important.

Care and maintenance

Invest in proper tree care and you’ll enjoy a beautiful yard for years to come. Well-maintained trees enhance your curb appeal and help keep your natural environment in balance. An arborist provides valuable guidance in caring for your trees, from proper soil aeration to feeding and protecting your tree from diseases and infestation.

One area many homeowners overlook is proper tree irrigation. Our arborist can help you understand the watering needs of your trees in each season and provide recommendations on how to easily meet them, from installing a smart sprinkler system to setting up soaker hoses.

ISA Certified Arborist

When evaluating arborists, look for a professional who has earned qualification as an International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Certified Arborist. Certification requires hands-on experience for three years in pruning, cabling and bracing, tree climbing, tree installation and establishment, disease identification, removal, and more. In addition, an ISA-certified arborist must pass an exam that covers a range of topics on tree maintenance, emergencies, and care with recertification every three years.

A certified arborist like our on-staff professional also has to stay current on the latest technology and equipment for excellent tree care, from climbing equipment to inspect the tree canopy, to chainsaws, loppers, and ladders for pruning and tree removal.

Professional tree service

Be sure that you’re choosing a tree service led by a certified arborist for your emergency and regular tree care. It’s important to entrust your tree care to an expert, especially when you’ve made an investment in your property.

The Fastest-Growing Trees for Privacy and Curb Appeal

Whether you’ve lost a tree, want to boost your curb appeal, or need a little more privacy from a nosy neighbor, sometimes you want a species that will grow fast. What are the best choices?

Northern Illinois is in the hardiness zone 5A, so you’ll want to look for trees that grow well in zones 4 and 5. In addition to making sure your tree can thrive in our climate, you’ll also want to consider factors such as size, shape, and space needs. Here are some top choices for fast-growing trees that will do well in zone 5A.

Boxelder

The boxelder or ash-leaf maple is a fast-growing, easy-care tree that grows in full sun and moist soil. It grows up to 50 feet tall and has compound leaves that are light yellow in early spring, green in summer, and yellow-brown in fall. Known as Acer negundo and belonging to the maple family, the boxelder can reach 15 feet tall in just four to five years.

Red Maple

The beautiful red maple—also known as swamp maple and botanically as Acer rubrum—is a fast-growing wetland tree that grows in full sun or partial shade in any soil. While it may reach up to 120 feet tall, it typically grows 40 to 50 feet tall. The red maple may grow up to 12 feet in its first five to seven years, making it an ideal choice for privacy and curb appeal.

Silver Maple

It’s hard to stroll down any suburban Chicagoland street without seeing a silver maple. Known by the botanical name of Acer saccharinum, these beautiful maples may reach 60 to 80 feet tall. The leaves are green on top and silver on the bottom, and they turn a deep red or yellow in fall. The silver maple grows in full sun or partial shade in moist, well-drained soil.

River Birch

Looking for something other than a maple? The river birch, or Betula nigra, is a fast-growing tree with red-brown bark. Its glossy leaves are about three inches long and turn bright yellow in the fall. River birches may reach 50 to 70 feet and may grow up to three feet per growing season. This hardy tree is also a popular choice for moist, acidic soil where sometimes no other tree will thrive. In addition, the river birch can tolerate full sun or partial shade.

Paper Birch

The paper birch or Betula papyrifera is another hardy, fast-growing member of the birch family. On average, paper birches grow 50 to 70 feet tall, with some reaching up to 100 feet in height. And they grow fast, up to two feet per growing season. The leaves are about three inches long, turning from light green to yellow or orange in the fall. You’ve likely seen many paper birches, identifiable by their chalky bark that can look like layers of paper. Paper birches thrive in full sun or partial shade and do need regular watering.

Fast-growing shrubs

When you want to block a clear view of your yard, a fast-growing easy-care hedge can be the perfect answer. It creates a wall of green that can be beautiful and easy to care for. Select hedge varieties that thrive in zones 4 and 5. Good choices include boxwood, mountain mahogany, holly hybrids, and plantings of arborvitae.

Commercial Tree Care Services

Commercial Tree Services

As tree care professionals, we serve both residential and commercial property owners with their tree care needs. Our commercial customers include:

Municipalities, park districts, and other government agencies
Private businesses, business parks, and corporate campuses
Facilities, including golf courses and cemeteries

Many of our commercial services overlap with our residential services, only greater in scale—since commercial properties tend to be much larger and be home to a great number and variety of trees. Services include:

Tree pruning

Regular tree pruning creates stronger and healthier trees with attractive, pleasing shapes. Pruning is conducted, though, for both health and safety. While pruning can take place at any time of the year for most species of trees, certain types of trees should only be pruned during dormancy in late fall or winter. A certified arborist directs all pruning, which entails three types:

Class 1, or fine pruning, is a detailed process in which the full tree is pruned, tip to stem. All dead limbs are removed, and branches are thinned, shaping the canopy over time. This type is the most common type of pruning for residential projects.
Class 2, or general pruning, is the most common type of pruning for commercial projects. Only dead limbs are removed, so general pruning is less extensive, though does need to be performed more frequently.
Class 3, also called safety pruning, concerns the removal of dangerous limbs that could pose a safety hazard in high winds, intense storms, or with the added weight of snow or ice.

Commercial tree removal

This service is offered for both planned and emergency removal of trees damaged through disease, decline, weather, or other reasons. Because tree removal can be complex and dangerous, it is best conducted by a professional tree service led by a certified arborist.

Commercial stump removal

Commercial stump grinding is conducted following the removal of a tree or trees. There are five different methods for stump grinding, and a certified arborist will help determine which is the most effective way for a particular project or situation.

Government, municipal, and park district services

Commercial Tree Care Services — Commercial properties tend to be larger, with more variety of trees than residential properties, so many of the services are the same.

Public and government agencies want to ensure that trees and landscapes are safe, healthy, and cared for properly for the enjoyment of residents and the betterment of the community. As the exclusive contracted tree service provider for ten cities, multiple park districts, and other government agencies, Advanced Tree Care currently manages over 60 square miles of urban landscape trees and shrubs in 13 counties in two states—Illinois and Wisconsin.

Golf course and cemetery services

To enhance the beauty and ensure the safety of golf courses and cemeteries’ trees, Advanced Tree Care provides regular maintenance and care for these facilities’ treescapes.

Land clearing and restoration

Some commercial sites require a fresh start. New construction or extensive renovation often require planting a landscape from scratch. An experienced staff can remove old, dead, diseased, or unsuitable trees and plants and design a new landscape for a site.

Maintenance programs

Our programs give trees proper service and periodic care so they look their best and thrive at their healthiest. Our two primary programs are Advanced Gold and Advanced Silver. We work with our clients to determine the right fit for the budget and need.

Tree identification and inventory

A full tree inventory creates a baseline for monitoring and caring for the health of a treescape—in the most efficient way possible. It catalogs the species and condition of a property’s trees and notes the presence of any invasive species or problematic pests. Like a plat of survey, the tree inventory notes the position of every tree on the property.

Advanced thermal tree imaging

Commercial projects often benefit from advanced thermal tree imaging, which uses FLIR (forward-looking resonance imaging) to analyze areas of stress not visible to the naked eye. This data allows a certified arborist to make informed decisions regarding preventive care, treatment, or removal.