Tree Care Information from Experienced Certified Arborists
Wachtel’s newsletter, The Plant Doctor’s Seasonal Report, brings you the most important and up to date seasonal tree care information throughout the year. This is where our Certified Arborists share their experience and passion for all aspects of the tree care industry. From preventative plant health care topics like the Emerald Ash Borer epidemic to daily happenings at the Wachtel office, The Plant Doctor’s Seasonal Report keeps you informed.
Read below to see the most up to date tree care information from our Wachtel staff of Certified Arborists and tree care specialists. For even more information on important tree care, take a look at the various tree care resources available in our digital resource center.
Top 10 Ash Tree Replacements for your Property
Spring, Summer 2025
Explore the top 10 expert-recommended ash tree replacement alternatives to combat the emerald ash borer’s impact in Wisconsin. Learn more.
Read More
Woodchip Mulch: How it Nourishes and Protects Your Soil
Spring 2025
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 enhance the soil ecosystem, creating healthier conditions for tree roots to grow. Applying woodchip mulch to your yard can significantly improve soil quality and tree health over time.
Read More
Two Wrongs Don’t Make a Right
Spring 2025
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 alternating with years of drought. In 2024 both extremes happened in the same year.
Read More
On TRAQ: Detecting the Hidden Hazards in Trees
Spring 2025
To fully understand and appreciate trees, we as humans must slow down and attune to ‘tree time.’ It’s easy to forget the old majestic Oak once began as a small sapling, slowly adapting to environmental challenges throughout its life. High winds, drought, site changes, and pest issues all influence the way trees grow and thrive in their unique environment. However, when the stress on a tree overwhelms its natural ability to adapt, defects and weakness can form within the tree, often hidden under the bark or high in the crown. Unlike humans, trees do not heal their wounds; instead, they seal them off, preserving (and often hiding) evidence for the duration of its life. By uncovering the tree’s history, we can gather a clear snapshot of what the tree has gone through and forecast its future.
Read More
Induced Resistance – Enhancing a Trees Immune System
Spring 2025
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 outside of the plant...
Read More
Wachtel Tree Science is committed to innovation in keeping your tree(s) healthy and happy. This year we are celebrating 90 years of doing so! Employee education through industry-related conferences keeps us up to date with research and opinions on tree care that may be outside our normal professional circles. It was at just such a conference that I was introduced to the research of Professor Dirk Dujesiefken, and how we may assist a tree’s response to surface level wounding.
Read More
Understanding the Impact of Drought on Your Trees
Winter 2025
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.
Read More
Spongy Moth Update
Winter 2025
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...
Read More
Early and Often Wins the Race
Winter 2025
Homeowners often want to know, “What is a low maintenance, fast-growing shade tree for my yard?”. An honest arborist would respond with a few ideas, but there would be hesitation regarding the “low maintenance” part of the initial question...
Read More
90 Years and Counting
Winter 2025
In 2025, Wachtel Tree Science celebrates a significant milestone: our 90th anniversary! Since 1935, we have been dedicated to keeping trees healthy and beautiful, a mission inspired by our founder Larry Wachtel's passion for scientific tree care...
Read More
Diagnostic Forecast
Spring 2024
The big snowstorm in January and its after math certainly dominates the big picture and has laid down a few hair-pin turns as we navigate a new year’s tree and landscape season..
Read More
Preventive Vs. Reactive Tree Care
Spring 2024
It’s very common for a homeowner to wait for an issue to develop before taking action. Unfortunately, waiting until a problem becomes visible can wind up being very costly and destructive...
Read More