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Tag: alamo tree removal

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How do I know when a tree is sick?

alamo tree service

Trees are just like us. They need nutrients, water and sun to grow strong and robust, and if they don’t get the proper care or get infected by pathogens, they will get sick. Unfortunately, if your tree gets too sick, you might have to opt for tree removal services instead. Our Alamo tree service is here to help you figure out if your tree is sick and exactly what you can do about it.

How Do Trees Get Sick?

Trees are alive, and like any living creature, they are susceptible to injuries and illnesses. Usually, these factors are the culprits making your tree sick:

  • Insects and pests
  • Bacteria
  • Fungi
  • Environmental stress
  • Viruses
  • Human activity

Look Out For These Symptoms 

A sick tree can be nursed back to health, but a dead tree is at risk of falling. As soon as you notice unusual symptoms in a tree, it’s time to take action. A few telltale signs of injury or infection in a tree are:

Wilting Leaves 

A tree’s leaves are it’s way of collecting critical sunlight, so when they wilt, your tree isn’t getting as much nutrition as it should. There are many reasons why a tree’s leaves might wilt, so if you’re not sure, it’s best to consult an arborist. 

Cankers 

Cankers are spots of dead bark on your tree. Similar to a human canker sore, a canker occurs when bacteria and fungi infect an open wound in a tree. These aggressive plant pathogens quickly colonize the wounded tissue. Remove cankers by pruning the infected area off of the tree. 

Powdery Substance On Leaves

Unfortunately that white stuff on your tree’s leaves isn’t powdered sugar: it’s powdery mildew, a common airborne fungus that attacks all sorts of landscape plants. The dusty-looking spores will eventually cause the tree’s leaves to turn yellow and drop early. On the leaves that survive, tiny round orangey-black balls will form within white fungal mats. 

Poor Structure

Trees are healthiest when they grow straight up. Severe storms, high winds, or just uneven pruning are usually the cause of a leaning tree. To prevent the tree from falling, correct the lean by attaching the tree to upright stakes and give it a good symmetrical pruning.

Spotty, Brown Leaves

Leaf spot diseases weaken trees by interrupting photosynthesis – this puts undue stress on the tree and makes it susceptible to other pests and illnesses. These brown or black blotchy spots are usually due to fungi or bacteria, and the best way to prevent them is to prevent overwatering and excessive moisture. 

Decay

Sometimes when a tree wound gets infected, it becomes so overcome by pathogens that it cannot close the wound. In cases like these, the disease can begin to eat away at the tree and compromise its internal structure, putting at risk of falling or dropping branches. 

Prevent Tree Illness: Hire an Experienced Arborist! 

If you are looking for the top Alamo tree service, look no further. At Sexy Trees, our wide range of services and care will keep your trees healthy and beautiful for decades to come. We believe in supporting our communities of trees through evidence-based techniques that you can depend on. Give us a call at 925-233-6877 for an estimate, or email us at [email protected] anytime with questions! 

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Easy Guide to Killing Your Trees Year-Round

berkeley tree service

If you look out your window and feel rage at the lush, green foliage staring back at you, this article is for you. 

Are you tired of the mature, healthy trees taking up precious space in your yard? Do you despise the shade that your trees’ canopies provide? Or do you, for one reason or another, have a personal grudge against trees? Well, there are a number of things you can do as a tree owner to encourage the death of your trees. Read on for the following most pleasant ways to indirectly or directly commit arboricide. 

How to Kill A Tree in Every Season

[Disclaimer: The following tips are not recommended by Sexy Trees Berkeley Tree Services unless you want to kill your trees.]

HOW TO KILL A TREE IN FALL

  • Don’t rake – leave the leaves to rot. By allowing fallen leaves to sit and accumulate moisture, you will encourage your tree to contract disease-causing fungi. 
  • Don’t fertilize – Fertilizing the soil will only bolster your tree’s strength for winter. Keep your tree stressed and nutrient-deprived to kill it faster. 

HOW TO KILL A TREE IN WINTER

  • Don’t prune – Of course, to keep a healthy tree, you’d prune the dying or diseased branches in preparation for winter dormancy. But since you want your trees dead, leave those old branches! They contribute to limb failure and poor structure in young trees. 
  • Don’t mulch (or pile it on) – Without mulch, the tree won’t retain soil moisture and organic matter. Plus, the tree won’t have insulation to protect it from the winter cold. Alternatively, you can pile the mulch directly on top of the tree’s root flare to slowly suffocate it and make it susceptible to root rot. 

HOW TO KILL A TREE IN SPRING

  • Don’t pull weeds – Weeds steal water and nutrients from your tree, so let them take over! The moist soil has the perfect conditions for weeds to thrive and grow deep, impossible-to-remove roots. 

HOW TO KILL A TREE IN SUMMER

  • Ignore deep watering advice – Arborists suggest deep watering trees for good health, disease prevention, and strong root formation. By ignoring this advice, you will encourage your trees to develop weak shallow roots and die faster. 
  • Don’t hire Berkeley Tree Services – These expert arborists will make your trees radiate with inner health. Their comprehensive Berkeley tree services keep the city’s trees robust and wide-canopied. Obviously you want your trees atrophied and sickly, so avoid arborists at all costs. 

Of course, you can kill trees in any season by planting them too close together, wounding them with mowers, leaving insect and disease problems untreated, planting it in terrible soil or bad terrain, and incorrect pruning known as “topping” a tree. 

Talk to Us 

Skip the murder plotting and opt for Berkeley Tree Removal. At Sexy Trees, our tree removal services can rid you of the vegetation you so despise. We can even grind the stump and erase any trace that the tree was ever there. Give us a call at 925-233-6877 for an estimate, or email us at [email protected] anytime with questions! 

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Alamo Tree Removal: When is Tree Removal Necessary?

alamo tree service

Tips From an Alamo Tree Service Professional

Making the decision to remove a tree from your property can be a long and winding road. Tree removal is expensive, difficult, and often quite dangerous. It’s easier to get comfortable with a potentially hazardous tree – one that has been a polite, quiet, and stalwart companion for decades – than to even imagine the labor-intensive process of getting it removed.

Though tree removal is a last resort for sick or dying trees that can’t otherwise be healed, it’s a last resort that cannot be missed. Eventually, a compromised or dead tree will fall. Choosing an Alamo tree service to help will ensure that the tree can be safely cut down and the stump ground – a much happier alternative to turning a blind eye and one day waking up to a tree crashing through the living room.

If you own property with trees, you are ultimately responsible for the damage or injury inflicted by fallen trees that should have been removed. Luckily, a tree has ways of communicating insufficiency and illness. Here are some red flag indicators that your tree needs an intervention in the way of care or removal.

It’s time to get a professional Alamo tree service if…

There are signs of disease or distress.

If the tree displays vertical cracks, dead branches, soft crumbly wood, crown dieback, misshapen or discolored leaves, or an excess of fungi, it may be infected. An arborist will be able to recommend treatment for the tree – not all infections warrant removal.

The tree is hollow.

A tree can stand for many years with a hollow trunk, but certain conditions can make hollow trees unsafe. Most professionals advise that if one-third of the inside of the tree is hollowed out or rotten, the tree is dangerous and should be removed.

There are large dead branches (or a significant quantity of dead branches).

Dead branches are likely to fall and cause injury to anything below. If the dead branches are clustered to one side of the tree, it could be indicative of a root or trunk infection.

The tree is leaning.

Trees that suddenly lean to one side may be experiencing weak roots. If the tree leans more than fifteen degrees away from its original upright position, it should be removed as soon as possible.

Sprouts or shoots are growing from the base of the tree.

Epicormic shoots, also known as suckers, are an indicator of stress on the tree and may be a sign that the tree has been overpruned.

The tree is growing into power lines.

A tree that is growing into power lines will need to be thinned out or removed. Pruning and removal around power lines must always be done through a professional!

Alamo Tree Removal Service

If you are looking for the best Alamo tree service, look no further. At Sexy Trees, our wide range of services and care will keep your trees healthy and beautiful for decades to come. We believe in supporting our communities of trees through evidence-based techniques that you can depend on.

Give us a call at 925-233-6877 for an estimate, or email us at [email protected] anytime with questions!

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How to Tell When You Need Tree Removal Services

Alamo tree removal

At Sexy Trees, we offer Alamo tree removal services and one of the questions we’re often asked is: How can I be sure if my tree needs to be removed? We know that tree removal is usually a last resort for homeowners, so the following are some common signs that you need to call a certified arborist.

A Hollow Trunk

A hollow trunk can be an indication that your tree is unwell or has suffered some stressor that exposed its heartwood, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s dead. In some cases, it can be a clear sign that the trunk is breaking down on the inside, though.

This hollowing out is referred to as “piping,” and it can result from things like microbes, insects, or animals consuming the interior wood. If your tree is damaged in this way, it’s very likely that you’ll need Alamo tree removal services. The problem is that piping can cause a tree to become an unstable hazard on your property. And, of course, it may only get worse over time as the tree becomes weaker. Schedule an appointment with a certified arborist who can tell if your tree is structurally sound.

Where are the Leaves?

It takes some trees longer than others for their leaves to grow back after the winter. However, if it’s already mid-summer and your tree is still leafless, you have a problem with your hands. Trees need leaves to take in sunlight for photosynthesis. So if your tree is bare, this is a clue that it’s dead or dying and it might be too late for tree care.

Evergreens are a little different, of course, and you can expect them to have foliage all year long. They do go through cycles of their own, but leaves or needles that are brown in the summer can signal that the tree is unwell.

Brittle Branches

It’s common for large trees to have a dead branch or two, but if this die-off covers part of the canopy, your tree is under stress. It may be possible to save it with proper tree pruning and some extra TLC, but take note of brittle branches before it’s too late. If you decide that you do need Alamo tree removal services, don’t put it off. An ailing tree can drop its branches at any time, resulting in injury or property damage.

Tell-Tale Roots

Excessive mushroom growth at the base of the tree can be a big clue that the roots are in a sorry state of rot. Another thing to watch out for is if you notice the roots are rising above the ground. This isn’t the same thing as shallow roots that grow along the surface, though. Check for tree roots that have actually become separated from the soil altogether. Since roots function as a tree’s anchor, this is definitely cause for concern.

Alamo Tree Removal

If you need Alamo tree removal services, contact us today by calling 925-233-6877. As professional arborists, we recommend regular tree care to make sure your trees stay healthy and don’t pose a risk. Our friendly team at Sexy Trees is here to answer your questions, so let’s talk!

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How to Prevent a Tree From Falling

Lafayette Tree Pruning

Trees fall for several reasons, including root rot, extreme weather temperatures, and incorrect pruning. But, no matter what the cause is for your tree falling, it poses a danger to you and your loved ones, not to mention the potential for expensive property damage.

A falling tree can land on a house, or block the road, affecting transportation. Sometimes trees even fall on cars! Of course, prevention is best, so here are some ways you can prevent your trees from falling.

Remove Trees in Unsuitable Locations

All trees need the right environment to thrive, and this includes enough space. For example, if your tree doesn’t have enough room for its roots to develop, its chances of toppling over are higher because it has a weak root system. Trees with shallow roots can raise and crack sidewalks, or interfere with your home’s plumbing. If this is the case, you may want to call in a tree removal service.

Care For Your Trees

Proper pruning ensures that trees remain healthy and grow stronger over time. Remember, even broken branches can cause significant harm. They’re heavier than they look! Here are some of the easiest ways to prevent your trees from falling:

• Prune correctly to maintain their strength and structural integrity
• Water and fertilize properly
• Avoid using heavy equipment that damages your tree roots
• Trim trees to remove dead branches

Tree Falling? Stake It

For young trees, staking them to the ground is the best way to prevent them from toppling over. This can be an important step when new trees are just getting established.

Professional Tree Maintenance Services

While you can’t prevent things like storms from contributing to your tree falling, some issues like rot, disease, and pest infestations can be controlled. A specialist will determine if any of your trees are a hazard. So, planning for regular maintenance and inspection with an arborist can identify any problems before they get out of hand.

Tree Falling and Removal Services

Regular maintenance minimizes the risk of a tree falling, maintains its health, and protects your home. Do you have a fallen tree, or are you worried about a tree on your property? Tree removal is an involved and delicate process. At Sexy Trees, we can conduct the appropriate risk assessments, and give you an estimate. Contact us at (925) 233-6877.

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Is It Time To Get That Stump Removed?

Alamo Tree Removal

Tree stumps bring with them no benefits and plenty of risks. For many reasons, you should consider getting the tree stump removed from your yard.

When To Remove A Stump

Tree stumps can be physically removed at any time. Having an arborist remove the stump when felling the tree is the most convenient way to remove a stump. But they can still be removed at any time, if you’ve missed that opportunity. So why do it now?

5 Reasons Getting Your Tree Stump Removed is Important

Tree Stumps Are Hazardous

Stumps left on your property are far below eye level, and often blend into the landscape quite well. They can be a danger to children, neighbors, or visitors as a tripping hazard. They’ll also cost you money if you or your mowing service accidentally hits the stump when mowing your lawn, requiring a trip to the repair shop. Tree stumps create a liability on your property.

Curb Appeal

Whatever else tree stumps are, they’re certainly not pretty. They look the opposite of alive and healthy, which is how you want your landscape to look. Removing your stump means getting rid of an eyesore- your property will look better, and your neighbors will thank you.

Fresh Tree Stumps Cause Unsightly Re-Growth

When some species of trees are cut down close to or just above grade, they continue to generate sucker growth from the stump. If this happens you could spend time and money cutting down the suckers or spraying them with herbicides.

These suckers also take precious nutrients from the soil, and other parts of your landscape may suffer. If left to grow, these re-growing trees turn into ugly bushes. They won’t look like their former, proper form. These suckers are also poorly connected to their rotating trunk and can even become a safety hazard later if left be.

Stumps Attract Bugs

An old stump sitting in your backyard is like a readymade home for all sorts of insects. And they often attract white ants or termites, which could mean risking the safety of your home. The most worrying of these is probably termites. They’re drawn to exposed wood and will set up a colony in your stump. From there, it’s an easy trip to your house, and you do not want that. Even if your old stump doesn’t attract termites, it could attract other lawn pests, so you’re better off bidding it goodbye.

Space

In a garden bed, a tree stump takes up valuable planting space. The stump can take up space preventing you from planting new trees, enlarging your vegetable or flower garden, building a play area for your kids, setting up a picnic table, or adding a pool. If you have a project planned, the stump may obstruct driveways you need access to or slow construction. Tree stump removal will allow you to make the best use of your space.

Certainly, if you need stump removal, contact Sexy Trees today. Hiring a professional is more affordable than you may realize and will be money well spent.

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How to Identify a Dying Tree

Concord Tree Removal

 

Sexy Trees always wants to preserve and beautify the world with healthy trees. However, tree care sometimes means tree removal.  A dying tree, depending on the reason, can become a cancer to surrounding areas along with being a big eye sore.  Most of us are unable to know how to identify a dying tree, especially during the winter.

Signs of a Dying Tree

Since deciduous trees lose their leaves in the winter, it is hard to be sure whether the tree is dying or just going through its healthy annual cycle.  It’s important to know whether the leaf loss has been on-going or started in the fall. Pay attention to the tree’s behavior over a period of time to be certain of the full scope of the problem.  You’ll need to take this into consideration with other possible signs of a deteriorating tree.

 

Other hallmarks of a dying tree are discoloration, bark becoming brittle, and/or limbs falling off.  Most of us walk by our trees regularly but may not notice changes right away. Sometimes people see that a tree just doesn’t look right, but can’t pinpoint why.  It can be similar to approaching a person who has a cold.  You’ll notice that their color is off, they maybe clammy, and are just sluggish.  A dying tree will have subtle signs of distress showing that something is just not right.

 

Once you have a concern about a tree being in trouble, what should you do?  Just like you call a doctor to check on a sick person, you should contact a local certified arborist or a specialist in tree care to properly evaluate the tree.  Sometimes a dying tree can be saved by changing a few small things.  Other times, nothing can be done and it’s best to remove the tree.

 

We’ve seen many trees die over the past year as a direct result of the drought conditions.  In fact, local city councils like in Danville, San Ramon, Lafayette, and Walnut Creek have had to spend monies to either repair or replace numerous trees.

 

Sexy Trees has a certified arborist with years of experience.  If you are concerned about a particular tree or have questions, feel free to contact us at Sexytrees.com.

 

 

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Alamo Tree Pruning

Berkeley Tree Service