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.
Who Will Speak For Your Trees?
Summer 2023
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:Â your ISA Certified Arborist. We can speak for your trees!
Read MoreGetting to the Root of Branch Dieback
Summer 2023
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.
Read MoreHow to Revive A Tree With Yellow Leaves In Wisconsin’s Landscapes
Fall 2023
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.
Read MoreTriple Threat
Summer 2023
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.
Read MoreTrees Don’t Heal?
Spring 2023
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.
Read MoreHow Green Is My Tree?
Spring 2023
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.
Read MoreAsh Alternatives
Spring 2023
When a tree must be removed and the chips have settled, deciding what to replace it with often comes next. Emotions and practicality aside, there are several questions that can help make that decision. What is the primary objective of a new tree? What will best match the site and thrive? Do you want a shade tree to leave as a legacy? Do you want something novel that adds interest to your property?
Read MoreThe EAB Time Machine — Revisited
Spring 2023
Ten years ago, I wrote an article for this newsletter about the state of emerald ash borer (EAB) and what the future of ash trees looked like then. If you have kept past newsletters, you will find the full article in the winter 2013 issue. At that time, EAB was relatively new in our area and most ash were not yet affected by this destructive insect. Fast forward to today, we have progressed upward on the mortality curve. Thankfully, death does not overrun the current story for all ash trees.
Read MoreBark Beetles– Tiny Adversaries that Cannot Be Ignored
Spring 2023
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.
Read MoreDisease Management Through Proper Pruning
Winter 2023
Pruning is a beneficial management tool and often overlooked when it comes to suppressing diseases. Learn more.
Read MoreArborist Sleuth: Paint Flecks or Damaging Insect?
Winter 2023
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.
Read MoreInvasive Pests on the Horizon
Winter 2023
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.
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