Disease Management Through Proper Pruning
Pruning is a beneficial management tool and often overlooked when it comes to suppressing diseases. Learn more.Continue Reading
Arborist Sleuth: Paint Flecks or Damaging Insect?
Guess Which Insect? A sloppy painter might finish up the ceiling work and call it day. Cleaning off the brushes with some water and flinging the excess moisture and leftover paint onto the shrubbery. Once this dries you might find tiny white flecks on the needles of your Mugo Pine (or other evergreen host). Maybe it’s a stretch, but this does come around to a tree care topic. These white paint flecks mimic the look of a tiny insect that can damage your trees or shrubs if left alone.Continue Reading
Invasive Pests on the Horizon
We are all too familiar with the destruction that a single pest or pathogen can bring to our trees. Two of the most evident examples from the recent past would be Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) and Dutch Elm Disease. Thankfully, pests of this significant nature are not common. We can use lessons learned from them to help us manage future issues since we know the importance of proactive management. Now, we are monitoring two potentially threatening insects: a resurgence of Spongy Moth and a potential of a new insect called Spotted Lanternfly.Continue Reading
Carnac Predictions for 2023
Although I don’t claim to be a “seer,” like Johnny Carson’s Carnac (remember him from late night television years ago?), it is always fun to contemplate the dynamics of all the variables that affect the various insect, disease, and environmental responses that the plants in our landscapes will show throughout the 2023 growing season.Continue Reading
Seasonal Needle Drop of Evergreens
Knowing that seasonal needle drop is normal, is the first step to determining what may be happening. The Certified Arborists at Wachtel Tree Science are always available to help you make sure.Continue Reading
What Lurks Below… Strikes!
In fall, measures to help trees replace or build the number of feeder roots will compensate for stress and damage endured during the dry growing season. Growth can be made up when attention is paid to the good cultural care needed, coupled with precise, targeted treatments against known disease or insect stressors. Continue Reading
The Very Hungry Caterpillar
Eric Carle originally published his children’s book in 1969 about a caterpillar that eats everything in its path and eventually turns into a beautiful butterfly, enjoyed by all. There is another side to this story – this time instead of a beautiful butterfly the caterpillar turns into a regular colored moth.Continue Reading
Mycorrhizae, the Fantastic Fungus!
The various relationships between Mycorrhizae and a tree’s roots are referred to as “symbiotic” since they both benefit by promoting each other. Learn how we can promote a mycorrhizal network in our soils to benefit a tree’s overall health.Continue Reading
What’s Wrong with My Magnolia Tree?
Magnolia scale is one of many types of scale that affects trees and is a difficult pest to control. Learn how it impacts your trees and how to get scale under control. Continue Reading
What Lurks Below
There is a danger present that is now unseen – hidden in the weeds but ready to strike! This danger is very dry subsoil hiding under a camouflage of mud. Learn what can be done. Continue Reading