Happy Fall Lovely People,
A1 Tree Pros passion for tree and shrub preservation is somewhat nerdy. And because of that we just love fielding calls from people who have interesting questions about their landscape or trees. Whether it involves tree trimming in Frederick, Md. or Plant Healthcare questions-we are here to help.
Lately we have been getting a dozens of calls from home owners concerned about the current health of their trees and shrubs.
The summer was very hard on the trees. Besides the smothering heat, the severe lack of rain really put trees in our area in a state of stress and potential long term decline.
1 Ailment turns into 2
Just like us, when a tree is lacking water or nutrients it weakens the immune. This inevitably makes the tree shrub more vulnerable to other issues. It only takes one ailment to weaken the immune system and make way for another separate issue such as a fungal infection or infestation….
So without further ado,
Here are 3 Things You Can DO RIGHT NOW to give your trees some TLC
I.) It may come as a surprise (wait for it)-your trees are THIRSTY! Most trees are famished. Dehydrated….Parched…How can you tell? If the leaves look droopy and dry that’s a sure telltale sign of thirst.
A Little Water goes a long way
Here is a hypothetical question; would you give starving person a huge platter of food and tell them to stuff their face?
Why Not? Because it could send their body into shock. Well, the same goes for trees. The key is to replenish them gradually.
How to Water
Small Ornamental Trees (anything from 10 to 25 feet tall such as Crabapple, SweetBay Magnolia, Eastern Redbud, -60 Seconds of water twice a week for 2 weeks
MidSize Hardwood or Native Ornamentals (anything from 25 to 50 feet tall such as Cherry Trees, Dogwoods, Redbud, Cedars, Hornbeams, Serviceberry, Magnolias)-2 minutes to 2.5 minutes of water twice a week for 2 weeks
Large Hardwoods (anything from 50 feet to 150 feet tall such as Oaks, Maples, Beech, White Pine, Tulip Poplar, Black Walnut, Gum)-3.5 minutes to 4 minutes of water twice a week for 2 weeks
II.) Check for any signs of infections or infestations. Check for open cavities-Anything with an open entry on a tree is a potential vulnerability. If you see any opening which looks soft, has conks (mushrooms) or has anything oozing, call an arborist and request an assessment.
The Year of the Spotted Lantern Fly
The award for infestation of the year in 2024 goes to the Spotted Lantern Fly….
Trees and shrubs in and around Frederick, Md. have become a breeding ground for the Spotted Lantern Fly. They’re wreaking havoc in terms of breeding and clustering. If you see them, you should take preventative action to help mitigate them from colonizing on your property.
How to combat them: In the fall, look for egg masses to scrape them off surfaces like trees or outdoor furniture. The egg masses have a gray or brown almost mud-like appearance. Use a scraper and a sealed plastic bag. Place them in a plastic bag and put rubbing alcohol in the bag.
A little consistency goes a long way. And while it may seem like shoveling sand against the tide; throwing the kitchen sink at removing spotted lantern fly’s takes a cumulative effort.
III. Schedule an annual walk through with A1 Tree Pros for preventative purposes
One of the numerous things trees are good at is giving advanced notice. They will display plenty of outward signs when in duress.
And the best way to stay ahead of any health issues is to an annual assessment.
We do annual checkups all the time for existing customers. They’re free of charge and a great way to stay ahead of any issues taking place.
To Sum It Up
Like many things in life the key to keeping your trees and shrubs healthy in Frederick, Md. is mostly common sense. Of course with all the things life throws at you, keeping a consistent eye on things is easier said than done. So let A1 Tree Pros help. We provide trimming services, plant healthcare, and overall tree checkups in Frederick, Md.
Keep us in mind and feel free to drop us a call anytime. Have a wonderful Fall