Posted by Sue Bennett on Tue, Jul 06, 2010 @ 10:01 AM
Because these obnoxious, metallic green and brown beetles feed on over 250 different species of plants (roses, lindens and maples are favored), high expectations are given to traps to help save the day. Japanese beetle traps are very effective in attracting and trapping adult Japanese beetles, but they are ineffective in protecting your susceptible trees and shrubs from Japanese beetle feeding damage.
This seemingly contradictory answer requires an explanation. Japanese beetle traps, sold at most garden center outlets, usually contain two separate, chemical lures. One lure is a feeding attractant that attracts both male and female beetles. The second lure is a pheromone that attracts male beetles. These lures work very well in attracting hundreds, even thousands of adult beetles toward the trap.
Therein lies the problem. Many adult beetles are attracted into the area around the trap, but they do not necessarily get caught inside the trap. Susceptible plant species located nearby can be more heavily damaged than if the traps were not used at all. This can be true even if the trap is full of captured adults.
If you would like to experiment with Japanese beetle traps, be sure to locate them as far away as possible from the plants you are trying to protect. Placing a trap in the middle of your rose garden, for example, is just asking for trouble.
For an appointment with a CERTIFIED arborist from The Care of Trees, click here to request a consultation.
Photo credits: Jerry A. Payne, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Bugwood.org (left and bottom right), Shimat Joseph, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org (top right)
Posted by Sue Bennett on Tue, Jun 22, 2010 @ 09:48 AM
Left: A twig with several lecanium scale adults. The eggs are hidden beneath the bodies of the scale. Right: The underside of a maple leaf showing the numerous soft scale crawlers feeding along the leaf veins. This is the life stage when they are most vulnerable to control.
Soft scale insects are very numerous this year on many different species of trees. Read below for information on this pesky insect and to determine if it is affecting your trees. Please consult your local arborist if you have any concerns that need to be addressed by one of our knowledgeable professionals.
Description of scale insects and how to look out for them
The term "soft scale" is a general term that refers to scale insect species that do not produce a waxy covering over their bodies as "armored scales" do. Several species of scale insects are categorized as soft scales including lecanium, Fletcher, calico, cottony maple, and kermes scale.
Soft scale insects do not really look like insects at all. They only have legs, eyes, and antennae just after they emerge from the egg. This juvenile stage is called the "crawler" stage, because they have the ability to crawl from one place to another. At this time of year, most soft scales are in the egg stage. The eggs are located under the now dead body of the female, or in a cottony white egg sac, depending on the scale species. Eggs are not very vulnerable to control measures because they are protected by either the body of the female or the egg sac.
The eggs typically begin hatching in mid to late June. The crawlers are able to leave the twigs where they hatched and will move to the underside of the leaves to feed on plant sap for the rest of the summer and into early fall. Before the leaves drop in the fall, the crawlers will move back to the twigs, insert their mouthparts, and prepare to overwinter. Once they insert their mouthparts in the fall, they will not move again.
The immature spend the winter on the twigs. If they survive, they begin to suck sap from the twigs as the weather warms in the spring. The scale insects begin to swell and begin to look like little bumps on the twigs. Much of the sap they pull from the twigs is passed through their body and drops to the foliage and ground below. This "honeydew" can make a sticky mess on sidewalks, patios, or anything else located beneath the tree. Often, a dark fungus grows on the sugary honeydew, tuning the foliage, bark, patio, or whatever, a charcoal grey color. This dark coloration is called "sooty mold" but seldom causes any real injury. The scale insects convert the energy obtained from the tree sap into eggs. They are quite good at this, because their can be over 1,000 eggs produced by each female scale insect when conditions are favorable.
This Image: Looking up at a young maple with a heavy infestation of cottony maple scale. The white "popcorn kernels" are the egg sacs.
Why are there so many this year, and can anything be done to manage them?
Insects often have good and bad years, just like we do. Apparently, conditions during the spring, summer and fall of 2009 and the winter of 2010 were very favorable to scale survival. The "Perfect Storm" of egg production, mating success, summer crawler survival, and overwintering survival resulted in abnormally large numbers of insects reaching maturity this spring. Does this mean that we will have even more next spring? Not necessarily. Inclement summer weather, predation, and weather conditions next winter could knock the population back to normal levels. Nature can make impact survival a bit unpredictable.
How can we manage scale insects?
The egg stage is pretty hard to control. After the crawlers move out to the leaves to feed, they become vulnerable to control measures. Sometimes, it is not necessary to treat at all. Depending on the species, some trees can tolerate quite heavy scale infestations with without harm. Some types of scale can be more serious, especially if the tree is already stressed.
Several management options are available if the health of the tree is threatened, or honeydew production is creating a nuisance. Often, the crawlers can be treated without having to spray the tree by using soil applied materials. If you have concerns about scale insects on your trees, call your Certified Arborist and he or she can explain the options available. To locate the number of your local office or to schedule an appointment using our website, click here.
Posted by Sue Bennett on Wed, Jun 09, 2010 @ 02:25 PM
It's easy to forget that trees need watering during dry spells, just like other plants. It is better to water deeply or soak the soil than to water more frequently with less water.
Watch the weather forecast. If rainfall is plentiful, extra water may not be needed. Use a rain gauge or simply place a cup or can in your garden to monitor rainfall and/or your sprinklers. Don't overwater. Too much water, especially in poorly drained areas, may do more harm than good. The best way to water is to place an oscillating sprinkler next to the trunk and water in an arc directed away from the trunk. Mulching and watering should be part of a comprehensive tree care program.
What can I do now to make sure my trees are healthy throughout the summer?
- Check your trees for damage that may have occurred due to recent storms.
- Check mulch rings to see if additional material needs to be added. If the mulch is less than 2 inches thick, grass growing through it may become troublesome. Enlarge mulch rings whenever possible.
- Monitor for insects and diseases. Check your trees and shrubs regularly for any sign of pest activity.
- Avoid using herbicides beneath trees that warn against such use on the label. The same herbicides that kill dandelions can hurt trees if they are not applied properly.
For more summer tips, please visit our Summer FAQ page.
Posted by Sue Bennett on Thu, Apr 22, 2010 @ 10:48 AM
As a celebration of Earth Day, we'd like to recognize the City of Chicago for their excellent work greening the city.
The Windy City, which has won several international awards for its environmental agenda, also boasts one of the world's only municipal buildings given a platinum rating for its green design and operations by Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED).
Chicago is home to 237 square miles of land
with 552 parks! That's a lot of trees.
Chicago is home to the largest sustainability event in the WORLD, the Green Festival, which takes place this year on May 22nd and 23rd.
Now home to the Aqua Building, Chicago's newest green building.
Some of its green features include:
-
Balconies of the building - not only do they provide impressive views for owners and renters in the building, but they also shade the floors from the sun, lowering cooling costs in the warm months.
-
Unique shape - with its organic shape and etched glass, migratory birds are less prone to injury as they can more easily avoid flying into the building's windows.
-
Forest friendly floors - bamboo is used throughout the condominium units and is recognized by LEED as a "green" method since it grows fast, regenerates without the need for replanting, and requires minimal pesticides to grow.
-
Water saving appliances - efficienct appliances help to conserve water usage for all of the building's residences.
-
Public car charging stations - located in the building's parking garage, Aqua offers its convenient location as a place to charge your car for residents and other electric car owners in the city.
More information on Aqua at:
http://www.newhomessection.com/blog/aqua-building/2010/03/05/
Congratulations to the City of Chicago. The Care of Trees proudly supports the greening effort of Chicago by working with the various environmental groups such as
Chicago Trees Initiative and
Chicago Wilderness.
Posted by Sue Bennett on Thu, Apr 08, 2010 @ 03:50 PM
As arborists, we are often asked, "What rights do landowners have when their neighbor's tree limbs hang over their property?" The answer is usually forthright and simple.
The landowner owns both the ground below and the air above his property.* When a neighbor's tree limb hangs over an adjoining property, the adjoining property owner has an absolute right to cut the tree limbs off to the property line, provided that the pruning is properly performed and does not cause unreasonable harm to the tree. The adjoining property owner is free from all civil and criminal damages when he does cut the limbs. This overhang, in fact, belongs to the adjoining owner. See the photo below.
When the trunk of a tree stands on two properties, different circumstances may apply when dealing with trees growing on boundary lines. First, we should identify what is meant by a "boundary tree." Several situations may occur:
-
The tree straddles the actual property line.
- The neighbors have previously agreed that a tree will identify the property boundary (I'll mow on this side, you mow on this side.)
- The neighbors have previously agreed to share the cost of maintaining the tree.
It is a well-established rule that a boundary line tree is common property of both landowners. Each owns one half of the whole.
In boundary line cases, courts have held that neither of the property owners is at liberty to remove a boundary tree without the consent of the other. In addition, neither property owner may cut away the part that extends onto his land if this action would injure the common property in the tree.
If each adjoining landowner had absolute ownership of that part of the tree standing on or over his land, it could lead to potential problems. It would give the right to one adjoining landowner to cut down his part of the tree to the boundary line, thereby potentially destroying the part of the tree belonging to the other property owner. Clearly, the results would not be harmonious.
Rulings have also dealt with actual or threatened property damage resulting from boundary trees. It is generally held that where actual damage has been sustained and is likely to continue, the injured owner may act to abate the threat of damage.
When defective trees fall from one property to an adjoining property, the legal scenario becomes complex. Courts tend to protect municipalities and landowners from the liability because trees are natural objects. If a land owner/tree owner had prior knowledge of a defective or hazard tree, he may be held liable. If it can be shown by the tree owner that some care had been afforded the tree to reduce the hazard potential, the courts often react favorably and suggest that the "reasonable man rule" apply.
All trees have a level of risk associated with them. A proper inspection by a certified arborist can help determine if a potential hazard exists. Taking corrective action where defects occur seems to be a sensible and reasonable approach. As professionals in tree care, we can help tree owners identify and deal with boundary line concerns or high-risk tree situations.
Click here to set up an appointment.
*As with any matters pertaining to the law, consult your local jurisdiction.
Posted by Sue Bennett on Thu, Mar 18, 2010 @ 06:00 AM
We are pleased to announce that for the sixth year in a row, The Care of Trees has been named to the Companies that Care Honor Roll.
What is a Company that Cares?
These are companies that are making a difference in the workplace. Companies That Care prize employees and are committed to community service. To sustain these values, Companies That Care consistently demonstrate the following 10 Characteristics in their work environment. These 10 Characteristics define the standard for all organizations desiring to be recognized as caring, responsible organizations.
- Sustain a work environment founded on dignity and respect for all employees
- Make employees feel their jobs are important
- Cultivate the full potential of all employees
- Encourage individual pursuit of work/life balance
- Enable the well-being of individuals and their families through compensation, benefits, policies and practices
- Develop great leaders, at all levels, who excel at managing people as well as results
- Appreciate and recognize the contributions of people who work there
- Establish and communicate standards for ethical behavior and integrity
- Get involved in community endeavors and/or public policy
- Consider the human toll when making business decisions
Why an honor roll?
The Companies That Care Honor Roll publicly recognizes and celebrates all organizations that prize employees and are committed to community service. There is no limit to the number of companies that can be on the Honor Roll; all organizations that meet the standards of a Company That Cares will be listed on the annual Honor Roll.
What makes The Care of Trees a Company that Cares?
With the word "care" right in our company name, The Care of Trees is committed not only to quality tree care but also to bolstering employees and the community at large.
We are a total safety culture, which means that employee safety is our top priority. Our extensive safety program, many employee-recognition programs, heavy investment in training, participatory management style, celebration of cultural diversity and dedication to creating a fun workplace are among the ways we show employees that The Care of Trees values them and is committed to their well-being.
We extend that commitment to the communities in which we work. Throughout metropolitan Chicago, Washington, DC, New York and Philadelphia, we donate our services to green-up neighborhoods, parks and historic sites, educate homeowners about tree care, and help kids learn to appreciate and care for trees.
Our civic contributions are not limited to benefiting solely people. We've donated services to help improve wildlife habitat, conducted adopt a tree programs at local nonprofits and supported many botanic gardens and arboretums.
How can a company that cares help YOUR community?
Posted by Sue Bennett on Thu, Feb 25, 2010 @ 08:16 AM
It's not a scene anyone wants to see outside their house.
Your beautiful tree, the one you love to watch bloom in the spring, become vibrant in the summer and radiant in the fall, is slumped over in your yard or laying on the ground. It's a sad scene, but not altogether unfixable, depending on the extent of the damage.
Snow is light and fluffy in the air, but can add significant amounts of stress to the structure of trees and shrubs when snow and ice accumulate. When a branch can no longer sustain the added pressure, it may crack or break in half. Hopefully, the tree's branches, or the tree itself avoids damaging your house or your car when it falls. If it does, call a tree care company (like The Care of Trees) that has a 24 hour tree care emergency line for tree care issues.
If it is not an emergency, but there is still significant damage, you need a certified arborist to come look at your trees. Arborists are trained to evaluate the extent of the damage and the possibility of saving the tree or not. Click here to Request a Consulation with a certified arborist.
You might be asking yourself, how can I avoid this in the future?
Here are a few tips to help you minimize storm damage to your trees:
- When planting trees, give them enough room to grow fully and balanced. Avoid planting near utility wires, too close to buildings or on steep banks. Make sure the tree has good structure (not lopsided or with weak multiple trunks) and is not planted too deeply. The ground line should be a little below where the trunk begins to flair above the roots. The nursery where you buy the tree can show you the proper depth.
- To encourage strong, healthy trees, be sure to mulch and fertilize. Spread a layer of mulch, available from garden stores, from the trunk out at least three feet but better yet as far as the branches reach. Don't make it any deeper than four inches, otherwise you may hinder root growth. Consult an arborist for fertilizing recommendations.
- When the ground is not frozen, trees need at least an inch of water a week. If Mother Nature doesn't supply it, provide supplemental water, especially for the first year or two following planting.
- Prune out dead limbs and ones that grow improperly, like crossing other branches. Dense trees can be pruned to reduce wind resistance and thus their likelihood to be blown over. Pruning, especially large trees, is dangerous and best left to experts with the proper equipment and know-how.
- Avoid damaging or cutting roots when digging around trees. Healthy roots ensure a stronger tree.
- Done by an arborist, cabling and bracing techniques can be effective ways to extend the life of a tree and can reduce the risk of it failing.
- Large trees near structures, where cars park or where people gather should have a risk assessment by an arborist. They may be of a type that has shallow roots and thus more likely to topple, or internal cavities undetectable without special equipment.
- Install lightning protection systems on high-value trees. These systems dissipate the electrical charge from the lightning into the ground, protecting the tree. If a tree is damaged by lightning, most insurers require homeowners to have the damaged tree appraised.
Posted by Sue Bennett on Mon, Feb 15, 2010 @ 01:23 PM
Tree ordinances are an excellent way to ensure that your town's efforts to preserve your trees are as thorough as yours. Let's begin by looking at what a tree ordinance is. There are three types of ordinances:
- Street tree ordinances primarily cover the planting and removal of trees within public rights-of-way. They often contain provisions governing maintenance or removal of private trees which pose a hazard to the traveling public. Also included in this category are ordinances with tree planting requirements, such as those requiring tree planting in parking lots.
- Tree protection ordinances are primarily directed at providing protection for native trees or trees with historical significance. They usually require that a permit be obtained before protected trees can be removed, encroached upon, or in some cases, pruned.
- View ordinances are designed to help resolve conflicts between property owners that result when trees block views or sunlight. (courtesy of the International Society of Arboriculture)
Why is a tree ordinance important? More and more communities are beginning to recognize the very tangible benefits that trees provide in the urban environment. Tree ordinances are among the tools used by communities striving to attain a healthy, vigorous and well managed community forest.
How are they enforced? Tree ordinances are enforced by both cities and counties. If you don't know whether or not your community has a tree ordinance, contact your local city hall or county if you live in an unincorporated area.
So, you called and found out that your town does not have tree ordinances, what can you do to improve the quality of care given to your community's trees? Contact www.isa-arbor.com for a variety of tools and resources for citizens and local governments interested in developing, revising or evaluating local tree ordinances.
Not only do communities and their citizens that benefit from these types of tree guidelines. Tree ordinances are important guidelines for developers and builders as well. We recently helped the Porter County planners of Porter County, Indiana to establish their guidebook of tree and landscaping ordinances. Click here for more information http://www.post-trib.com/news/2048002,pclandscape.article. For a draft of the tree ordinance and landscaping plan, click here.
Posted by Sue Bennett on Thu, Feb 04, 2010 @ 08:06 AM
Winter is an ideal time to prune them. With the leaves off of deciduous trees, your certified arborist can see their structure more clearly and check for problems. Crews can get to your trees and trim branches with no threat to your planting beds. And they can easily remove low-hanging and intrusive branches.
Most importantly, dormant pruning is preventive health care for your trees. It protects them and your property from storm damage and strengthens them against disease.
Your certified arborist is an expert in pruning for tree health and beauty. Call The Care of Trees today to schedule dormant pruning. Your trees and landscape are an investment. Dormant pruning in the winter helps protect the tree.