Tree Care Information from Experienced Certified Arborists

Meet our Plant Health Care Assistant Manager, Rachel Nelson! Get to know Rachel's role at Wachtel Tree Science and why she loves working here.

This spring, winter damage manifested in an abundance of ways...

Congratulations, you’ve planted a beautiful new tree on your property! You might be thinking, “What steps can I take to make sure my new tree grows big and strong?” The most important thing you can do for your newly planted tree is watering weekly...

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...

Planting a new tree can be exciting, but there are a few critical things to consider to ensure success. Here are some key points...

A new pest has emerged in the Wisconsin landscape last summer. Elm Zigzag Sawfly was confirmed in several counties across the state, according to a UW Extension report...

Explore the top 10 expert-recommended ash tree replacement alternatives to combat the emerald ash borer’s impact in Wisconsin. Learn more.

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...

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.

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.

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...

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.