Staying Cool!

Hot weather is here and you need to take precautions to stay cool.
1. Work during the cooler parts of the day.
2. Wear light colored clothing
3. Sunscreen and a wide brim hat.
4. Drink plenty of water and don't over exert yourself.
Be sure to have your vehicle serviced, proper antifreeze to prevent overheated engines, have belts and hose checked and changed. Choose a route that will avoid sitting in traffic, plan your day to avoid the heat of the day.

And don't forget to give your trees a drink of water too!

Degradation of Quality

The economy has spawned new breed of tree cutter,(not arborist)performing low quality work at prices that are unmaintainable. Good for the consumer, not really! Poorly preformed work actually cost in the end. Trusting your trees to poorly educated and untrained tree cutters will lead to premature tree failures, ruined specimen trees and a general distrust of all tree companies. Is saving a few bucks that important?

Let's look at the risk of hiring an unlicensed, untrained tree cutter:
1. Little or no insurance
2. No work mans comp.
3. Pays no taxes (so you have to pay more)
4. Poor quality work, it's your trees!
5. Accidents due to working without any safety guidelines or training
6. Property damage some of which you may shrug off as expected
7. Lack of expertise, not an arborist, not qualified to diagnosis, treat, advise on any tree issue, not qualified to due a proper tree risk assessment.

So you have a 40" DBH Oak in your yard and the tree cutter comes and hacks off 1/2 the
branches to get some light into the lawn. Should have just cut the tree down, over the next
few years this tree will try to regrow the leaves it needs to survive. The sun will scald (like a bad sunburn) the trunk and the tree will go into a slow downward spiral of decline and death. Your prized tree. Or, there is a bleeding canker on the stem, a small crack in a crotch, a few innocuous mushrooms in the lawn and the tree cutter tells you" ah it's good tree, safe" next winter it goes through your garage crushing your new car. Try finding the tree cutter then when you want to sue. Remember you paid cash, no invoice, written estimate, no name on the truck. Better yet, a passerby is struck by a limb the tree cutter missed and your sued for their sloppy work.saved a few bucks or did you?

Rainy Spring

This spring was a little wet, fungal problems showed up early. Powdery mildew, leaf spots and anthracnose are the big 3. For the first time I can recall even American Beech has anthracnose. Once the leaves are infected not much can be done, protection for next year and keeping the tree well watered when dry and some bio stimulate may help.

How to Get a Proper and Correct Diagnosis

Wow! You mean not guess and make a snap off the cuff so the client gets an answer in five minutes or less? Yes, most times it takes a little thought and research to formulate a hypothesis, which can then be developed into a sound theory and then a correct diagnosis.
To start look at the problem tree and examine it beyond symptoms that were presented. Take a sample for later examination. Look at similar trees on the site or neighboring sites. See similar symptoms? Is it appropriate to take a soil sample for a soil test, or just see what the structure is or pH? Then ask question, then ask a few more, get as much information as to the what, why, or when's!
Now the real work begins, hopefully you got the correct assignment and the client has paid for the necessary lab work. But its time to get that sample to the experts for a lab analysis. Most labs have a procedure for handling samples so be sure to check before you send them. While your waiting do your homework, your vast library of tree books may hold the answer or a colleague with more experience may have seen the problem before, so ask. Never stop probing the answer is not just lying around, but sometimes the answer is readily available if you know where to look!

Updated To Do List

Warmer days have arrived so get busy:
Plant those summer annuals next week
Take those tomato seedling outside to acclimate, put them inside at night
If the broadleaf weeds in the lawn bother you and then apply a fertilizer with broadleaf weed control.
Do not cut the lawn too short or else weeds will have a chance to grow and watering issues will arise later on.
Turn on irrigation and check head for coverage, but no need to start watering yet. As long as you get an inch or more by natural means, sprinklers can stay off.
Check for insect activity, as days warm problem can be easily seen.
Enjoy the spring weather!

Sustainability

To continue at a certain level, bearable! All you read today is about sustainability like it's a magic pill that will fix all things. Certainly it sounds impressive, but what does it really mean and is it something we need or want?

Status quo would be a better definition, keeping things as they are just self perpetuating. Now it sounds ominous and not necessarily a good thing. Unfortunately it's the new green word of the day. Maybe some modifications need to be made? Using a catch all phrase to describe a complex concept is typically American.

We can agree on a few things; the status quo needs to change, energy usage needs to be modified, dependance on fossil fuels needs to change as well as land usage policies. Start at home, plant stuff that has multiple uses and a life expectancy of more than a season or two, design for growth. Plants can enhance the energy savings around your home such as putting a shade tree for afternoon sun protection or an evergreen screen to block winds and traffic noise. Use recycled materials as hardscape features. Plant less lawn, saves on water, energy spent maintaining it. Use plants inside for many reasons one important one would be for ones self. The quiet beauty plants bring, brightens up gloomy spaces and improves your mood. Now does sustainability make sense!

Greening Up

Being environmentally responsible has taken on new meaning, with gas prices raging out of control, food cost through the roof and gold at all time highs life is getting tougher for the average family to enjoy life. As we all seem to head back to subsistent living or try to keep our lifestyles and draining our bank accounts there has to be a better way?

Simplify seems to be an obvious solution, save gas by not doing extra unnecessary driving, keep the old car in tip top shape, in tune, tires properly inflated. Condense outing and try walking for a change. I live within a mile of a grocery, so done a small backpack to get that loaf of bread or quart of milk not a problem. When they say most of use suffer from high cholesterol 20-30 minutes of walking every day can reduce that.

Try planting a garden, basic veggies we use everyday, time outside, some exercise and while you may not save a lot of money some satisfaction. Turning the temperature down on the hot water heater and furnace saves oil, gas and money. Besides does the water have to be scalding hot. Get ceiling fan, even with AC, helps move the air and reduces running time. Run the dishwasher full, newer models use very little water and electricity. Same for the clothes washer, newer models save both water and energy.

At the grocery store shop the outer edges not the end caps. Fresh produce, stay away from processed foods. Healthier eating and less money in the long run. Important to look for locally grown produce, support our local farmers. Why pay for the food to be shipped from across the country.

What's the Assignment

I am given all sorts of request in my capacity as a consulting arborist. The key is defining the assignment. Why you ask? Because if you stray you'll get in trouble later on, at a deposition, or from the witness stand. Sounds like wearing blinders, but lawyers are tricky, cunning people who make a living dissecting words. They thrive on confusing and twisting words. Now people, ordinary people usually see through this when they are forced to sit on juries. They look at these tactics as trickery not evidence.

An arborist report is an independent report freely found and based on facts, physical features that are visible or can be safely assumed based on experience. It may not be a perfect document due to it's nature of being an opinion. Try getting two arborist to agree on anything is difficult. Appraisals will vary, diagnosis may not be clear and cause and results will always have variables. But one thing you can count on is that it's is a freely arrived opinion based on what evidence may have been present and hopefully answers the assignment.

So when you need a consulting arborist, before you call around ask you self the following: what is the question I need answers to, what are my goals and expectations. Then collect what you know to present as background be careful to take the emotional aspect of the problem out of the equation and relate only the facts. Then the arborist will tell you what he or she thinks the assignment is and more importantly that they are either taking on the assignment or not. A fee should be quoted, a request for a retainer and finally that the results may or may not help your cause. After you receive the report and review with the arborist, then you can decide what the next step is. Lawsuits move through the courts at a snails pace, and as the years grind on litigants become more and more hostile as legal fees rise. I am a big supporter of mediation. The art of a good comprise is an American tradition, try it.

Check Your Diagnosis

Recent advice from another expert, back with facts all diagnosis. Just because you know, how do you know? Looking at something in the field is the starting process, not the end of the investigation. Even simple stuff could have an alternate answer, don't let your scientific curiosity down and quit before the job is done. When in doubt send it to a lab for testing.

Most times we are asked for snap judgements on the spot. Client pressure, collegues standing by ready to judge and argue our finding race in our heads as we struggle for an answer. That the perfect time to call a time out and take a sample and do some research. Before we put it to paper get the facts straight and back them up with good citations to back them up. Once in a report or at a deposition or from the witness box it's hard to take back and change your mind.

The delay in response only enhances your image as an expert, after all it's shows that you have taken the time to prepare and research the problem. That you are confident in your answer and solution and that the science bears out your conclusion. This will only enhance your reputation as a true professional arborist.

Tree Wounding and Compartmentalization

Response of trees to dramatic events has been long studied. Pruning trees is wounding and a traumatic event, the resulting pruning wounds cause a response in tree as it tries to close off the injury. Studies have concluded that pruning of live limbs is best done during the growing season. At this period the wounds tend to have less necrosis than in the off season. For this reason winter pruning is usually recommended for only deadwood removal or waterspouts. The work has little or no resulting necrosis. Thinning, crown lifting and limb removal is best done at other times.

Another response in trees is the act of Compartmentalization of decay. CODIT is the accepted acronym in a theory developed by Dr. Alex Shigo, Dr. Shigo, spent years dissecting trees to study wounding and decay. The resulting research modern Arboricultural techniques were developed. Gone was tree paint and flush cuts, in are target pruning, A300, and tree risk assessment. Trees grow and in the growth they work hard to cover wounds, add wood to strength areas of decay with new wood.

Not all are aboard. We have a new generation who have slipped into our industry. Their work is poor, they are ignorant of Arboriculture a nd believe knowledge comes from the ability to run a chain saw and climb a tree. They use spikes from climbing live trees and could careless about it. Calling them arborist is misleading. Cheap prices and forever destroying once beautiful shade trees. Tree cutters better yet buzzards a better name. Buyer beware! You get what you pay for, low baller pricing equals low quality work.

Lawn Chemicals

Every one was out over the weekend buying their stuff to putdown on the grass. Yes, best time to control crabgrass is now, before you apply lawn chemicals remember they are pesticides and being such precautions need to be taken.
1. Read the label before applying
2. Apply only the correct amount
3. Wear the proper protective gear for the job
4. Consider that the material may runoff and get into a water source
5. Be considerate of your neighbors, and use caution if children and pets can come in contact
A green lawn is nice, but consider alternatives and remember to always read the label.

Trees and Your Neighbors

No issue stirs passion like a dispute over trees between two neighbors. Ignorant of the law, the rights and responsibilities of tree ownership. People tend to do the strangest things, this lack of judgement and rashness always comeback in the form of a lawsuit. So before you take matters into your own hands consider these few point:

1. Who really owns a tree or is ownership in common. You can't split a tree by anything but equally if it's a shared tree. You and your neighbor have equal rights and responsibilities. The care of the trees has to be shared and the decision to cut that tree has to be a mutually arrived one.

2. The right of self remedy as stated in the Massachusetts rule is that you can cut branches that are a hazard to your property but not kill or cause irrepairable harm.

3. Trees that may impact your neighbor need to be assessed for hazards, true if something falls it's an act of god, but the law of common sense and reasonableness comes into play. Knowing that a large dead limb is hanging over a play set in the next yard could be consider negligence and willfull negligence in the hands of a clever attorney.

So when these issues come up try the following, speak with your neighbor in a calm voice and express your concerns. Hire an arborist to assess the trees and file a written report. Remember that this report will carry more weight if it's unbiased. If all else fails seek arbitration and see if the issue can be settled without law suits. On your trees practice due diligence and have safety inspects periodically. Owning trees is a joy and has responsibilities be aware of these and of the impact your trees have on your neighbors.

Native Trees and Shrubs

Native plants hold a special place in my heart. They seemed to grown out of favor for exciting new exotic plants and next to them they look like poor cousins. The importance of natives only now is being appreciated and understood as valuable parts of a diverse ecosystem.

Diversity is the key to a healthy ecology and protecting natural habitats encourages wildlife, improves water quality and the quality of our lives. A simple act of choosing the correct plants has wilder implications in our place in the natural world. As they say "choose wisely" is the watch word in a lot of our day to day decisions, so why not make the right choices in plant selection. Make natives a key part of your garden.

So what's the next step? Check with the local cooperative extension agent for a list of suitable native plants for your region, climate and site conditions. Then go to a nursery and check them out. You'll be surprised by the selection and variety.

Invasives, Plants and Bugs

Emerald Ash Borer

ALB, EAB, maybe your familiar with those letters and what they mean. The invasive insects that have changed the face of the urban forest that covers most of the northeast USA and the eastern province of Canada.

EAB, Emerald Ash Borer is the latest insect to devastate the native forest of the northeast. attacking Ash trees  quickly girdling the trunk through the feeding activity of the larvae. All size trees have been affected and this infestation has the same repercussions that the Chestnut blight and Dutch elm disease had in forever changing the face of our native forest. An extensive effort is now underway to confine this pest and eliminate host trees, unfortunately the adults do fly and the spread is inevitable.

ALB, Asian longhorn beetle arrived under the cover of shipping pallets and crates from China. A byproduct of the opening of imports from the east, the larvae chew their way out of the wood and fly over to the nearest tree to lay eggs. The signs of an infested tree are the dime size exit holes and the very distinctive egg sites. Piles of sawdust give them away. Once an infected tree is spotted, the area is then surveyed to see if more trees are infected and trees deemed to be host trees are then removed as well as the infected tree. Wood and byproducts of the removals are then taken to a special disposal site for incineration. Check out this site for more information.

Just when all sound bad, it gets worse, lurking in our gardens are trees, shrubs and other plants that have snuck in under the cover of something new to plant. So what's the harm? These plants hurt the diversity of our environment, they provide no useful purpose; no fruit for the birds, no insects to feed on the leaves. So that's sounds great no bugs, bugs are bad? Yes and no, harmful insects and beneficial insects abound, we need beneficial insects to keep the checks and balances in the environment. Losing the native plants to non-native invasive create a bland environment and losing native bird species is tragic. So the take home message is to plant natives whenever possible. Create a multi-layered garden, not just in plant types, species and heights. By creating this we help with the environment and create a natural one were the balance is restored, harmful insects are kept in check. Thus we can reduce the use of pesticides which for all is a very good thing!

Warmer Days and Spring Equinox

Tomorrow starts Daylights Savings Time and early next week Spring will sprung upon us. Not a minute too soon after a every snowy and long winter. Lots to do outside, branches down from the snow and wind have finally been freed from their frozen prison of ice, lawns with patches of snow mold and yet a glimmer of life, crocuses, tulips and daffodils poking thru the ground with a promise of color to come.
If you overused deicing salts the damage to the landscape will show up soon, so look around and gets some gypsum to put down in those areas to lessen the effects. Prune the damaged branches from the trees and shrubs now before everything starts to grow and get the debris that's accumulated from the winter cleaned up. If you have had problem weeds that have been tough to control a pre-emergent is the best course of action. Identify the weed, do the research, read the label and apply according to the directions. Call your arborist!

Spring Ahead

The last few weeks of winter are giving a tease of spring. The days are getting longer each day till the equinox on the 20th. Extra daylight to spend some time doing some early gardening chores like getting those Christmas lights that were frozen in place, pruning those broken limbs on the shrubs (snow damaged no doubt) and just look at that lawn, ugh!

So grab a leaf rake and lightly rake those snow mold spots careful not to damage the lawn. Restrain yourself the green will come as the grass starts to grow, so no need to fertilize now! Look at the shrubs, sometimes those spread branches can be tied up use heavy sisal twine and go easy.

Some chores need to wait: soil test after the soil has warmed up, crabgrass pre-emergent later in the month and fertilizer after April 1st, it's the law. However in preparation you can measure your lawn so that you buy and apply the correct amount of weed control and fertilizer.
The next decision is to seed or not to seed? If you had bad crabgrass, best to seed later at the end of summer, grass seed and crabgrass germinate around the same time when the soil reaches 55 degrees. So chose wisely or you'll have another summer of crabgrass.

Try the organic approach, corn glutton has some effect on crabgrass and also adds nitrogen to the soil. You need to take a few additional steps for a nice organic lawn. First you need a dense stand of grass, over seed, over seed, over seed! Keep the pH balanced and test soil for proper nutrient levels. Next the grass needs to be high 3" so the weeds are in the shade, next you need to adjust the watering. Most lawns are overwatered at the wrong time and under watered when the need is greatest. One inch either from the sky or the sprinkler. This may mean some work.

It all depends on your expectations. When I was in Ireland I looked at the lawns, every where 40 shades of green. Close up I noted the Irish are a tolerant lot, they overlook weeds and less than perfect lawns. So we may need to be focused less on perfection and more on the green.

The Beauty of Trees

As  Joyce Kilmer wrote " I think I will never see a poem as lovely as a tree", expresses the kind of emotion trees have represented. Over centuries from Druids seeing deities in trees to our modern obsession with urban trees both good and bad. We all love our trees!

Proper care and concern for their health and safety is important to owing a tree. No tree then plant one, they come in all sizes shapes and species to suit anyone's taste and sense of design. Plant a tree today!

Gardening Checklist

Ok, spring is a few weeks away and it's time to get ready. Seed catalogues have been piling up and those tools have a nice layer of rust. Looking outside most of the snow is gone and is that Daffodils poking out of the ground?
Checklist:
1. Order seeds for vegetable garden
2. Clean tools, sharpen edges of cutting tools, spades and trimmer
3. Tuneup mower, string trimmer and any other gas engine machine.
4. Prune out broken limbs on shrubs
5. Rake up debris left in beds
6. When possible lightly rake lawn, don't worry about dead grass leaflets, once the grass states to grow they will disappear.
7. Consider organic approach to lawn care, if not measure your lawn so you do not over apply fertilizers or other lawn chemicals.
8. Prune those fruit trees now
More importantly don't try to rush the season, most plants can't be planted till the after the last frost. If you are unsure of what to do check with your local Coopertive Extension Agent for free advice. There are numerous online sources and of course you can Google just about anything. Just use the references that are based on University, Cooperative Extension or other science based sites. Happy gardening!

Trees are Waiting for Spring

The growing season is a few weeks off, normally everything is done by growing degree days. This is a calculation of everyday the low is above 50 degrees minus the high temperature the resulting product is expressed as a growing degree day. For example high of 65 and a low of 51 would be 14 growing degree days. Every day that passes is added for a cumulative GDD (growing degree day).

So why is this so important? It's a more reliable indicator of when flowers should be planted, insects are present on plants or best time to apply a control for a pest. Another method is to use indicator plants to approximate when something can be done. This is based on phenology, and these plants tend to flower at the same time and weather conditions. So if you need to put down a pre-emergent crabgrass control and someone says late March or early April, the phenological calendar would tell you when the Forsythia blooms. So look for the yellow flowers and you know you' ll get it right.

So learning to work with nature can be a good thing. Today the buzzword is organic. Kind of overused. All organic means is that it is linked to carbon (the scientific definition). Still biological, botanical, or natural can be deceiving. Some of the most deadly compounds on the planet are natural, organic or botanic. So when choosing products the label needs to be carefully read, unknown ingredient should be researched before you use them. All products should be carefully applied using the directions on the label. Following the directions is paramount, if it calls for a small amount to mix, do not add more. It will not make it work better only more hazardous. Measure the area you want to treat or fertilize and apply only the correct amount.