Tree and Shrub Care Archives | Page 2 of 7

How Often Should Trees Be Pruned?

The phrase, ‘early and often’, is one that we have all heard and it can be applied to many things. It turns out that it can and should be applied to pruning your trees. As homeowners my wife and I knew when we purchased our home that regular maintenance would be necessary to help reduce the chance of larger issues developing over time. For example, we must periodically paint our wood trim to keep the wood from being exposed to moisture, thus reducing costly maintenance or replacement needs in the future.Continue Reading

Amy Vida 2024-04-22T17:09:01-05:00 October 4th, 2023|

Healthy Roots = Healthy Tree

There is a slightly new perspective floating around these days in the tree industry. One that may flip you upside down on your head, pun intended. It’s easy to admire the beauty of trees above ground as they display a range of attractive characteristics throughout the seasons; some genetic, some controlled. Since we are generally only privileged to see this above ground portion of the tree, we sometimes lose perspective and consider it the sole living portion of the tree. However, the half of the tree that is below ground (the roots), is the actual brain of the tree. It is a complex web of rooting networks that thrives underground.Continue Reading

Amy Vida 2024-04-22T17:21:27-05:00 September 25th, 2023|

Who Will Speak For Your Trees?

The thought of new construction or renovation can be an exciting time in life! It can also quickly become overwhelming as the reality of planning sets in. I know, I recently lived through my own home remodel in 2020. Your initial planning team is diverse including architects, engineers, and builders. Before you proceed, one critical team member needs to be included: your ISA Certified Arborist. We can speak for your trees!Continue Reading

Amy Vida 2024-04-22T17:22:56-05:00 September 25th, 2023|

Getting to the Root of Branch Dieback

I often have clients who contact me because branches on their trees are dying. Their assumption is that there is something going on directly in the branches that is causing the dieback. While that can be the case, there are also a myriad of other reasons why tree branches can die. Here is a laundry list of what I commonly see causing branch dieback in my clinic.Continue Reading

Amy Vida 2024-04-22T17:33:18-05:00 September 25th, 2023|

How to Revive A Tree With Yellow Leaves In Wisconsin’s Landscapes

A tree with yellow leaves in your landscape can be concerning. View our guide for causes of tree leaves turning yellow and how to revive your tree’s health. Continue Reading

admin 2023-10-02T15:10:57-05:00 September 25th, 2023|

Triple Threat

I am always paying attention to the tree stresses that come over the past few years to see how they play out, interact, and affect the tree populations, both in natural systems and in home landscapes. The last two+ years have combined for some significant hardships that have affected our trees.Continue Reading

Amy Vida 2024-04-23T11:18:55-05:00 September 25th, 2023|

Trees Don’t Heal?

While trees are living organisms, just like us, there are many differences between the ways we grow, deal with stress, and recover from damage. One of the biggest differences between trees and ourselves is trees never really heal.Continue Reading

Amy Vida 2024-04-23T11:23:00-05:00 September 25th, 2023|

How Green Is My Tree?

Most healthy trees should have leaves with an even green color. Leaves should also have a similar size, density, and an even distribution throughout the tree. If a tree exhibits a yellowing of leaves with a network of darker green veins (interveinal chlorosis), this likely indicates a serious nutrient problem. In severe cases the entire leaf turns yellow and leaf size is stunted. Leaves may scorch or wither and drop prematurely. Symptoms may be on a few leaves, an individual branch, and portions or all of a tree.Continue Reading

Amy Vida 2024-04-23T11:25:58-05:00 September 25th, 2023|

Bark Beetles– Tiny Adversaries that Cannot Be Ignored

Instead of concentrating only on the most important Ips bark beetle, I thought it might be useful to consider all the major types to see how they work, why they are a concern, and how we can deal with them.Continue Reading

Amy Vida 2024-04-23T12:21:18-05:00 September 22nd, 2023|

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

Amy Vida 2024-04-23T12:41:38-05:00 September 22nd, 2023|