Spruce Diseases in Illinois
What is going on with Spruce trees?? Colorado Spruce trees are not native to Illinois, and are really having a tough time lately with the changing environment we’ve had over the last decade! Other varieties of Spruce trees are having a hard time as well. We just received an update from the University of Illinois Extension service that there are several issues going on at this time with Spruce trees in the area. Below is a list of diseases that they are seeing at this time of year, and the accompanying symptoms that go along with them. Abiotic Damage Abiotic Damage is basically just environmental factors, such as too much […]
Two- Lined Chestnut Borer
As if Mid-westerners didn’t have enough pests to deal with, we are now experiencing Oak decline due to the lovely Two- Lined Chestnut Borer (Agrilus bilineatus). What is a Two-Lined Chestnut Borer? The Two-Lined Chestnut Borer is a flat head borer that affects Chestnut trees and Oak trees alike here in the Midwest. When not properly managed, these Borers can cause significant damage and even death in Oak and Chestnut trees. Life Cycle Adults appear in early June in the Midwest. The females will lay their eggs in clusters of 10 eggs starting late June thru early July. Once eggs hatch, the larvae will bore into the trunk of the […]
Why do I need Plant Health Care?
Why do I need Plant Health Care? Most homeowners don’t think about their trees until it’s too late. At this time, they call us out to give them an estimate on removing their tree. This could have been avoided if action was taken prior to the tree dying or becoming so hazardous that it needs to come down. A Plant Health Care program is for trees similar to a Health Care Program for people. It is a program that is set up between you and your Arborist to help keep your trees healthy or treating them for a particular problem. The goal is to enhance their functionality and beauty in […]
Tree Owner’s Manual
The United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, & Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry have put together a tree owner’s manual for homeowners. Originally published in 2008, it details how a tree functions, how to properly maintain your tree, as well as planting and pruning your tree(s). To download your manual, simply click the link below to open the pdf file. As always, if you have any questions or concerns, contact us. TREE OWNER’S MANUAL
Cytospora Canker on Spruce Trees
Picture courtesy of University of Illinois Extension. We very often get called to a customer’s house because their Spruce trees are dying from the bottom up, and even though they are pruning the dead limbs out, the trees continue to die! Most often, we find that the trees have Cytospora Canker (Sphaeropsi sapineas, or Siroccus conigenus) which is a disease that can kill the tree over a short period of time if not managed at all. The spec sheet on this disease can be found at the University of Illinois Extension. “The fungus attacks trees or parts of trees that are injured or in a weak or stressed condition. The fungus […]
Certified Arborists Code of Ethics! Courtesy of the ISA
If you’ve ever wondered why you would want to hire a Certified Arborist over any other tree company operating without one, read the following Code of Ethics that every Certified Arborist is required to sign before they can be recertified. Although not all companies operate according to these ethics- some companies will have employees become Certified Arborists to use the title only- once you interview a tree care company, and the Arborist(s) that work there, you will know if they operate by these Ethics. Here is a link to the article: http://www.isaarbor.com/certification/resources/cert_Ethics_CACodeofEthics.pdf We hope this helps you in making informed decisions about who will be caring for your trees and […]
