From early spring buds to crisp fall colors, trees tell the story of the seasons unfolding. Keeping those trees in tip-top shape is an important—albeit sometimes overlooked—homeowner task. Luckily, Lefke Tree Experts is here to take the guesswork out of how to care for our trees to ensure their beauty is maintained year after year.
In 2011, Nick Lefke started a lawn and landscaping business as a way to pay for his college education. It’s since grown into a full-scale tree service company employing 15–20 people each season—including a certified arborist, who specializes in tree care and cultivation.
“A certified arborist offers suggestions that may help improve the overall health of a tree,” Nick says. “They’re also able to identify when a tree is dead and needs to be removed for safety and liability reasons.”
Lefke Tree Experts provides year-round service for all tree needs, such as removal, pruning, trimming, stump grinding, clearing and more. In the last few years, Lefke has completed 1,000+ jobs in Loveland alone, including responding to emergency calls about trees damaged by storms.
“We’re always striving to help homeowners improve the look of their property through tree removal, maintenance, education and care,” Nick says. “Trees are an investment that can add a lot of value—as long as they’re well maintained.”
But Nick says the goal of his company is to educate clients so they aren’t wasting money on services they don’t need—investing in his community by paying forward the expertise he’s gained over the years, including a blog to help homeowners learn more and recognize when it’s time to call in a professional. According to Nick, common mistakes homeowners make include:
Topping: The drastic removal of main limbs can kill a tree or leave it severely damaged, destroying the tree’s natural form so it doesn’t have the strength to withstand the weight from new growth—which can also become a liability.
Pruning: Mature trees don’t need to be pruned as often as young trees. However, older trees with dead limbs may need to be cleaned up for safety purposes—but don’t waste money pruning trees that should be removed.
Planting: Planting a tree in the same location where one was recently removed can be a mistake. Know the soil condition before planting, and be aware of planting trees too close to other trees, structures and utilities.
Mulching: Mulch should protect a tree’s roots and trunk from heavy equipment like lawnmowers, but improper techniques such as volcano mulching—which stimulates new root growth—can hurt. This new growth is a secondary network that can kill the primary root and cause major damage.
So, when was the last time you really looked at your trees? With trees in bloom, Nick says now’s a great time to pay attention to potential hazards or signs of damage or disease.
Spring/Summer Maintenance Tips
1. Inspect your trees for winter damage due to wind, snow and ice.
2. Prune young trees in early spring to promote new, healthy growth.
3. As tree canopies begin to fill out, pay attention to areas that seem bare or different from last year—if you find broken limbs or other damage, reach out to the experts.
4. Take annual pics from the same spot to document year-over-year changes—this is especially useful if a storm impacts your property.
Be on the Lookout For
1. Oak Wilt—an aggressive disease caused by fungal pathogens spread by beetles attracted to fresh cuts or wounds in trees, it can spread from tree to tree via the roots. If you have oaks or chestnuts, avoid pruning between April and October.
2. Infestations—Spotted Lanternfly, Asian Longhorn Beetle, Box Tree Moth, and Emerald Ash Borer are all Ohio pests that can pose health threats to certain tree species. If you suspect a problem, let Lefke’s arborist take a look.
LefkeTree.com | 10900 Loveland Madeira Rd | 513.325.1783
The goal of his company is to educate clients ... paying forward the expertise he’s gained over the years.
