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Category: Tree Care

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Apple Tree Care

Tree Care Concord

An apple a day keeps the doctor away but how long does it take to grow an apple? Turns out, longer than you think.

In this article we will tell you how to take care of an apple tree, the additional apple tree care required for these plants, and provide you insight into apple tree maintenance for the life of the tree.

Keep reading to learn everything you want to know about apple tree care!

Apple Tree Care Requires Time and Diligence to Bear Fruit

Fruit tree care, especially apple tree care, is different from the care needed for other trees. It’s an investment in time and nurturing that not everyone is willing to make.

An apple tree, from seedling, will take between six and ten years to produce fruit. In addition to the long maturation time, these trees can grow to 40 feet tall with roots spreading outward about that high.

You’ll have to carefully consider placement to make sure the tree stays happy and healthy so you’ll eventually be able to pluck the fruits of your labor.

The best time to plant an apple tree is in the late fall or the early spring. Make sure to pick a spot protected from major wind gusts and where the tree will have plenty of room to stretch and grow. Windy spots tend to make the fruit fall before they’ve reached their maturity.

Protecting the Tree From Pests

Apple trees are particularly susceptible to insect and disease problems. This is common with any fruit-bearing tree as they are more attractive to a variety of different types of animals, or microscopic bacteria looking for food.

When it’s warm, in the early spring or summer, get on a good routine of antifungal treatments to keep the tree in good shape. The tree will benefit from regular pruning making sure you remove any dead leaves or branches and any signs of decay.

Common Apple Tree Ailments:

  • Diseases:
    • Apple scab
    • Leaf spot
    • Rust
    • Powdery mildew
    • Fire blight
  • Creepy Crawlers:
    • Scales
    • Mites
    • Aphids
    • Apple maggot

Some common symptoms to look out for that point to an infestation or disease are:

  • Spots and/or holes on leaves or fruit
  • Stunted growth
  • White coating on leaves
  • Branch dieback
  • Yellowing or browning of foliage

It’s best to act right away if you notice any of these signs and symptoms because they can quickly spread and lead to the death of the tree.

Too Much Effort? Let Us Take Care of Your Apple Tree Care For You!

The last thing you want to do in the midst of your already busy life is fret over the apple tree in your backyard. That’s why the professionals here at Sexytrees.com want to get you on a maintenance plan today.

Let us handle the pre-treatments and when they happen. Let us make sure your apple tree has everything it needs to give you bountiful crops every single year.

Contact us today to book an appointment!

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How to Handle Overhanging Branches

Berkeley Tree Care

A tree belongs to the individual who owns the land on which it grows. However, if you own a property on which the branches of trees overhang, you are usually permitted to chop back the branches to the borderline. You don’t need to get the owner’s permission before removing overhanging branches, but it’s a good idea to inform them before doing so – they are less likely to complain about it.

If you do plan to get rid of overhanging branches, there are certain matters you should bear in mind:

 

Dangerous Tree

If you think that a tree of your neighbors could be dangerous to your property and house – you should discuss it with your neighbor. If they are not willing to do anything about it or not allowing you to act, contact your local authorities.

 

Possibility of Damaging Property or Hurting Someone

If you damaged the property or injured someone while removing overhanging branches, the owner of property or the injured person may claim damage coverage from you. This is a good reason to employ a professional arborist to perform the job for you. You should also check that they are insured against property damages and injuries, before employing them.

 

Possibility of Damaging the Tree

If you damaged the tree while removing the overhanging branches, the tree’s owner could bring a claim against you for trespass or damages. If you aim to get rid of a substantial part of trees, hire a professional arborist.

 

Possibility of Trespassing

If you remove the trees branches beyond the boundary line without the permission of your neighbor, you will commit a trespass. Obtain legal advice if you are in doubt to figure out the boundary line.

 

Possibility that the Tree May be the Matter of Tree Preservation Order

If the tree in question is the subject of a tree preservation order, you may need to get permission from your local planning authority before doing any work on it.

 

Ownership of the Overhanging Branches After the Removal

The owner of the tree remains the owner of any branches, even after the branches have been removed. Therefore after removing the branches, you should return them, together with any fruit that is growing on them. If you fail to do, your act will amount to stealing.

Before removing the overhanging branches ask the owner what they would like to with the branches and any fruit growing on them, rather than throwing them back into their backyard. If you are unable to speak to the owner of the tree, write to them clearing up that you aim to dispose of the overhanging branches, for example, seven days of their removal.

 

If you’re seeking professional help or have questions, please feel free to contact us at Sexy Trees.

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Tips for Caring for Mature Trees

Danville Tree Care

Here’s a riddle for you: What do you have in common with that beautiful, old oak tree in your front yard?

The answer: More than you might think!

When you’re in your 20s, your body probably required different maintenance than it does in your 50s. And that oak tree is no different. How you care for mature trees makes a big difference in how long they live and how healthy they look.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at caring for mature trees. We’ll give you some tips to help keep your beautiful old trees alive and well for years to come.

Spread the Love By Spreading Mulch

One of the most effective things you can do to help your mature trees is to spread mulch around their base. Use mulch made from shredded or chipped wood. Spread it out an even layer about 3-4 inches thick all the way around the base of the tree.

The wider the mulch circle, the better. But we suggest spreading mulch at least three feet out in all directions. Mulch offers several key benefits and it looks really good.

Mulch keeps other plants from growing right next to the tree and competing with the tree for resources. As the mulch breaks down, it improves the quality of the soil directly around the tree. It also keeps people from traipsing all over the ground next to the tree which can compact the roots and cause damage.

Looking Dry? Water, Water, Water!

We don’t often think about watering older trees, but it’s incredibly important if you want to keep them alive and well. If you’ve gone a few weeks without rain, it’s time to get the hose out to the trees.

Don’t flood them with water. Put the hose on a slow trickle and allow it to thoroughly soak the area under the tree. Move the hose around to get all of the root area.

How often you water depends on the type of tree and the climate you’re living in. But it’s best to give a tree a good, thorough soaking at least every three to four weeks during dry spells.

Prune It or Lose It

Pruning has a variety of pluses to help mature trees thrive. Removing dead branches helps take weight off the limbs and keep diseased material away from healthy material on the tree.

You can try to prune trees yourself, but it’s better to have a professional do it for you. If you don’t know what you’re doing, you can do serious damage to the structure of the tree. You can also create openings in the bark that allow diseases to creep in.

Plus, pruning a larger tree can be dangerous for a novice. It requires special tools and taller ladders. Get a tree specialist to take on the task for you.

Keep Your Eyes Peeled

Just like you receive an annual wellness checkup for your body, your trees need the same care. Pay attention to changes in the tree. This can include changes in the color and texture of the bark, changes in the shape of the branches, and changes in the leaves.

If you see anything concerning, call your tree specialist to inspect the tree further. In some cases, disease or decay might mean the tree needs to come down. If that’s the case, it’s better to do it earlier rather than later to limit safety hazards around a dying tree.

Love Your Yard by Caring for Mature Trees

We often spend time caring for our lawn, flower beds, and newly-planted trees. But caring for mature trees is also super important for the health and beauty of your yard.

If you’re concerned about the health of the mature trees in your yard, contact Sexy Trees today. We have years of experience caring for trees!

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Tree Removal: What Happens to a Tree After You Remove It?

Lafayette Tree Pruning

Cutting down a loved tree is a hard decision, but sometimes an essential one. When a tree becomes a trouble or a safety hazard, whether due to its falling fruit, fragile wood, or disease, the best choice may be to cut it down. After a tree removal job, you may be speculating what happens to the tree’s roots after the tree is cut down. What about the stump?

Always consult a proficiently trained arborist to inspect your trees for damage and to help you decide the best solution for your landscape.

 

What happens to a tree’s roots after it’s cut down?

Once a tree is cut down, the trunk is broken off into mulch and hauled away or cut into smaller logs or blocks for extra purposes, but the roots stay in the ground. Without leaves, the cut tree cannot make food for the growth of its roots. However, the roots might have sufficient nutrients left to allow the development of sprouts from the roots or the leftover stump. If a sprout grows enough leaves, it can eventually grow back into a tree. If a tree doesn’t create root sprouts, then it’s doubtful it’ll re-grow. Instead, the roots will ultimately decompose.

Once your tree is cut down, you are left with the tree base. Now you have to make one more important decision—let it settle or get it removed.

 

Does a tree stump and its roots need to be removed?

It’s up to you whether to remove a tree stump from your yard or not. There are many reasons why it could benefit your landscape and property.  Here are three things to think about when you make this decision:

 

1. Tree stumps can be hazardous

Stumps sticking out of the ground can spree children running around in your backyard, causing injury. Furthermore, yard work becomes harder, as you have to maintain the area around the stump, and avoid tree stumps and root areas while mowing your grass. If you don’t, you run the danger of ruining your lawnmower by running them over.

 

2. Tree stumps can ruin your aesthetic

Tree stumps scattered around a well-manicured lawn stand out like sore thumbs, ruining the aesthetic of your scenery. The aesthetic of your land, in turn, has a result on its real-estate value. A large number of tree stumps could force your property value down. Besides that, tree stumps take up a lot of valuable space in your yard. This space could be re-purposed into an outdoor porch or a space to entertain guests and hold family picnics.

 

3. Tree stumps can give access to pests and insects

Tree stumps are breathing systems that can be host to several pests and insects. During the long decomposition procedure stumps go through, they encourage insects like ants, termites, and beetles. These pests can increase to other plants in your lawn, or even your house, if not restricted properly.

 

If you have questions about tree removal in your yard, contact Sexy Trees, certified arborist.

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Why Hire a Professional Tree Service?

Lafayette Tree Service

When is it time to hire a professional tree service? For most of us, trees are a necessary part of our landscapes, and it’s essential for your property that you take care of them and keep them well. Tree removal is a proactive way to protect your house when storms come through and keep the wreckage a little more controlled. And when you need storm clean up, you should call in the pros to ensure that the work is done with complete awareness to detail.

Full Tree Service

What precisely does a tree service company do? Beyond just trees, they offer stump removal or grinding, tree trimming, firewood services, limb trimming, pruning and maintenance of trees and bushes. They can also recommend you on how to keep pests and diseases away from valuable landscaping. Some companies will also offer fertilization, soil ventilation, tree planting, removal of dust, tree cabling and bracing, and evaluations.

Tree Trimming Adds Beauty and Value to Your Landscape

Tree care is a brilliant way to tighten and improve the look of your landscape. An arborist service adds pleasant aesthetics, as well as improves your curb appeal. If you’re trying to sell your house, you’ll discover that your property makes an impression within the first few seconds, and you want that to be a positive one. If you plan on living in your house somewhat permanently, then guests and neighbors will love the gorgeous look of your trees, and you’ll appreciate being in your outside space even more. The professionals will also offer roof cleaning services to improve the look so that you don’t have to worry about leaves and branches cluttering your space when the work is done.

Time Saving

When you hire experts to do the job, you are hiring people who know what they are doing. They make a complex task look easy and do the work within half the time of what you might perform. This will save you a lot of time, and money, as they may complete the whole project in one day. Tree services take time and effort, and unless you have the gear, time, and means to get it done professionally, it is not worth the effort to do it yourself. Leave this to the experts.

It’s More Affordable than You Realize

When you understand it’s time to trim a tree, many people end up spending a considerable amount of money getting new equipment. However, when you bring in the pros, you’ll discover that it’s more reasonable than you realize and the best companies will work within your budget. Further than trimming trees, you’ll have access to base grinding services. A full-service company will offer everything from stump elimination to cleaning your roof to planned trimming techniques. Once you hire a professional tree service, you’ll wonder why you didn’t begin sooner!

Sexy Trees offers a wide range of services, including tree trimming, pruning, stump grinding, tree removal, and much more. To learn more, please contact us at (925) 233-6877.

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Autumn Tree Care

Tree Service Concord

Autumn is not only a beautiful season but also a brilliant time to plant many trees, along with preparing your trees for the winter season. Extensive periods of intense heat can weaken trees, making them more vulnerable to infestations. Helping your trees start to recover from the hot circumstances as they head into winter is significant to care for their long-term health, which also makes them less at risk to storms. Autumn tree care is a must for your trees.

 

Here are special instructions for outside tree care as the season changes:

 

Watering

At the start of autumn, make sure your trees are getting enough water while the weather changes from hot to cold. Water your trees until the soil freezes. Avoid watering after this point so as not to over-water the ground.  This will assure your trees have enough water to live during the winter.

 

Fertilization

As the leaves begin to change color and fall, look for signs that might point out your trees have a nutrient problem and may require fertilization. Keep in mind, fertilization can encourage rapid new growth, which could be injured in the winter, therefore, fertilize in the spring instead if possible. To conclude if your trees need fertilization, some of the things you can look for:

  • Leaves varying colors and falling earlier than usual.
  • Reduced development in branches and leaves.

 

Pruning

Make certain to remove any dead, unhealthy or spoiled branches. They all serve as points where illness or pests could enter that can cause further damage. And also, removing the dead, diseased and spoiled branches will make your trees look better. You can also trim branches that aren’t growing the way you would like.

 

Planting

Numerous trees can be planted during the autumn. Check with your local nursery to see which ones are good for autumn planting. Trees have a better chance to get their roots established because of the cold temperatures. Another benefit to planting trees during the autumn season is that many nurseries discount their plant supply.

 

Prevent  injuries

Branch breakage can be caused by frost and snow gathering or chewing and rubbing by animals. You may stop problems with young trees by covering their base in a hard or plastic guard. Wrapping trees with burlap or plastic cloth also can avoid temperature harm. However, it is essential to remember to remove the wraps and guards in the spring to avoid damage when the tree begins to grow. Damage to branches and trunks from plow blades or a sharp shovel can be harmful to trees.

 

Care for Young Trees

Since the autumn season is a perfect time to plant new trees, it is essential to consider that young trees are typically not developed enough to survive the constant freezing and thawing that might occur and young trees are especially susceptible to extreme temperature changes that come with winter, especially in colder areas. One thing you can do as a preventive measure is to place a wide layer of mulch around the base of the tree.

If you have questions about managing autumn tree care, contact Sexy Trees today!

 

 

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Tree Planting Myths

Tree Care Blackhawk

Earlier this month, we discussed the benefits of adding new trees.  From improving breathability to increasing coolness and energy efficiency, trees have a big impact on your life.  However, how do you go about adding trees?  There are a lot of myths out there about planting trees.  Are they true?  We explore a few tree planting myths in this article.

Pruning in Advance

There is a belief that you should prune a tree before planting it, especially when an area appears dead.  The dilemma with this technique is that you maybe pruning too early.  Trees regain a dead areas nutrients.  Thus, it’s critical to allow the tree to go through its normal process before pruning.  If you do not, you maybe causing the tree to lose valuable nutrients.  Leave the tree alone and do not prune before you plant it.

Deep Planting

A common tree planting myth is that planting needs to be really deep to allow for the tree to take root but this is inaccurate.  In fact, if you plant a tree too deep then you run the risk of keeping nutrients and water away.  These vital vitamins tend to be nearer the surface so planting it deeply will restrict access to them.

Use Tight Bracing

Many individuals think that bracing new trees to make them sturdy is crucial.  This is partially true.  While bracing your new tree is important, you shouldn’t make it too tight.   The tree must be allowed to still sway. This movement allows trees to get much needed calcium so it can be healthy.

More Mulch

Mulch is good for keeping moisture and nutrients but there are limits.  More in not always better.  Keep the depth at no more than 3 inches of mulch to ensure that you aren’t suffocating the tree with mulch.

If you have questions or unsure of the tree planting myths or how to plant a tree, contact the certified arborist at Sexy Trees.

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Adding New Trees

Tree Care Pleasant Hill

Can you imagine a community without trees?  There is a reason why cities invest so much in parks.  The effect that trees have is unbelievable.  So what are the benefits of adding new trees even when your city has some?

Breathability

Trees provide the air we breath while filtering many of the toxins in the air.  A single tree can provide the air for at least a dozen individuals.  At the same time, the trees will get rid of carbon dioxide and pollution in the air.  This is all done through the tree’s process of photosynthesis.

Cool

In the heat of the day, don’t you always wish to be under the shade of a tree.  More trees mean greater shade and cool sections around town to thwart the summer heat.  Similarly, this helps keep your home cooler so you save on energy costs.  In addition, the shade also reduces the need for water in your yard.  As a result, you can save on the amount of water for your landscaping when you have more shaded areas.

Water Runoff

A great way to prevent flooding and erosion of your yard is to add trees to your landscaping.  They act as a barrier and canopy to rain water.  Thus, the water runoff is prevented and/or slowed down.  At the same time, the impact on the runoff also slows down the rate of pollution in our water supplies.

Tree Care and Maintenance

As you are growing them, it’s important to take proper care and maintenance of them.  You should understand the soil and water needs for each type of tree.  Also, identify the best location to plant them to maximize the impact they have around your home and neighborhood.  We strongly recommend that you contact the certified arborist at Sexy Trees if you have questions or need help with your tree planting needs.

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Identifying Tree Hazards

Tree Service Walnut Creek

Going to a park or a natural park brings serenity and peace.  The trees in these areas provide an area of comfort and relaxation.  However, these trees can also pose a danger.  A fallen branch or even an incubator for pests could pose problems for you or your surrounding area.  So how does one go about identifying tree hazards?  Here are some ways to recognize them:

Separation

When you are looking at trees, it’s important to identify points where there maybe cracks or splits.  If these cracks or splits go into the branch or seem to be covering the entire part of a limb, then this would be a method for identifying tree hazards.  Should the separation be going down the middle of a trunk, this is a critical scenario that needs your attention.  A certified arborist would be the right person to help you identifying the tree hazards.

Dying

Over time, parts of a tree may start dying.  To protect from hazards, knowing areas that maybe failing and removing them promptly will help protect you and your surroundings.  If you do not address them, then they could cause a limb to fall or break off.

Disease

Trees that get diseased can be a huge problem.  Some diseases cannot be cured but others are solvable.  A common sign of disease is the loss of bark without any bark growing in its place.  Another indication of disease is the existence of fungus.  If parts of a tree have a mushroom, this could be indications that the tree is sick.  Should you see these signals, contact a certified arborist.

Leaning

When a tree starts leaning in a dramatic fashion, this is another sign of problems.  It showcases that the tree maybe structurally failing  This is another situation where a certified arborist should be called in to evaluate the situation.

If you have questions or need to speak with a Certified arborist, contact Sexy Trees.

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Heat Impact on Trees

Tree Service Alamo

When we were younger, we learned about photosynthesis.  This is the mechanism by which trees “breath”.  It is the process to convert carbon dioxide to oxygen.  But, how does heat impact trees and this process.  It has a dramatic effect.

Heat Impact

During warmer weather, photosynthesis rates slow down and put more pressure on the trees.  In fact, the heat impact on trees is even more substantial as trees are losing water through their leaves while having lower photosynthesis rates thereby causing a dramatic impact on a trees ability to maintain itself.

Sun Rays

The heat impact from sun rays do result in some tree protections.  Trees as with humans have HSPs.  These are special proteins within them to help protect your body’s proteins from the higher temperatures.  They work to allow for continued cell functioning.  Beyond HSPs, there are other nutrients that help during the heat.  For instance, calcium can provide further stabilization assistance for the body.

Solutions

Beyond the natural protections, you can do a lot to protect your plants and trees.  Here is a short list of recommendations:

  • Modify watering to higher amounts to give your trees and plants more nutrients over the summer months.  Many times, this involves doubling or tripling the watering times during the warmer months.  We recommend spreading this out over the course of a 24 hours rather than merely extending the run time for each iteration.
  • Utilize mulch to keep moisture in and keep the trees cool.  A healthy layer of about 1-2 inches is recommended.
  • Use fertilizer and high quality soil to give your plants the right nutrients.  If you’re unsure, get your soil tested and then mix it with the right combination of nutrients.
  • Do not be afraid to use continued soil sampling to maintain the right balance.

If you have questions about how to maintain the right balance and protect your landscaping, contact Sexy Trees certified arborist.