Bark Beetles are an important type of wood-boring insect that have been increasing the last few years. It is prudent to consider all the major types to see how they work, why they are a concern, and what can be done about them. All Bark Beetles are small as adults –...
You’ve built or bought a new home; the land has been developed, and you want your trees and shrubs to live long, healthy lives. Where should you begin? The easy answer: call Wachtel Tree Science! Of course we’d say that, but here’s why: Soil health is the key to plant...
Having a young tree in your yard can be very exciting. Whether it was planted by you, a contractor, or previous owner, watching a tree grow from a small sapling into a mature specimen is a fulfilling experience. With any young member of the family—pet, child, or your...
Root rots damage trees and shrubs by attacking and killing smaller roots and then progressing to larger and larger roots as favorable conditions persist. The alternating wet and drought periods experienced over the last few years were especially conducive to root rot...
Trees rarely make headline news. When they finally do, it can inspire action and lead to positive outcomes. In October 2025, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported Oak wilt had been confirmed in Whitnall Park. The story struck a nerve across Southeastern Wisconsin....
At Wachtel Tree Science, we believe one of the keys to thriving trees and shrubs is what is below ground. That’s why we offer Compost Tea, an organic soil treatment that improves soil health and supports stronger, more resilient plants. What Is Compost Tea? Compost...
That time after summer and before winter might just be my favorite season of the year. The cooler days and nights after the heat of summer, the memories of picking apples from an orchard with family, and the disappearance of mosquitos are especially welcome this time...
This spring, winter damage manifested in an abundance of ways: Western arborvitaes, ‘Green Giant’ hybrid arborvitaes, some juniper varieties, Scots pines, limber pines, Austrian pines, and other needle evergreens showed brown patches or dead branches. Broadleaf...
If you’ve hired Wachtel Tree Science to prune your tree(s) in the past, you’ve likely noticed how much more beautiful they look afterward. But is aesthetics the main reason we prune your trees? Not necessarily. The primary objective of most pruning or crown cleaning...
Did you know that mulching the root zone of your trees is one of the best ways to improve their health? Properly applied mulch offers numerous benefits, including weed suppression, moisture retention, temperature regulation, and nutrient addition. These benefits...
This is an adage I have heard many times growing up and it may help to frame the discussion I wish to present. I have documented the tree stresses that have resulted from the last several years in previous issues of this newsletter: record wet weather years...
Plants naturally resist infections through a process called Systemic Acquired Resistance (SAR). This is similar to our own immune system. The understanding of this phenomenon is quite complicated, involving numerous hormones, proteins and other compounds inside and...
As we navigate the shifting landscapes of our environment, it becomes increasingly vital to address the challenges our trees face. One more pressing concern is the impact of drought on our green companions. Drought, characterized by prolonged periods of insufficient...
The winter of 2023-2024 was Wisconsin’s warmest on record, worrying many whose properties had endured recent Spongy Moth outbreaks, as a warmer winter can improve pest survivability, leading to another year of heavy defoliation. However, the wet spring that followed...
