The bronze birch borer has been a problem for over 25 years in eastern Washington and parts of Oregon, especially among ornamental birch species. The borer is especially effective at causing birch mortality when precipitation has been low, so more infestations are likely to appear in the spring of 2013. Vulnerable Birch Species Imported varieties…
Nutrient beds are a cutting edge landscape management strategy, you probably haven’t heard of yet. Nutrient beds improve the health of your trees and shrubs organically. They are especially beneficial for supporting new landscape plantings and proper tree care. What is a nutrient bed? According to Cassian Humphreys, a nutrient bed is “a mulch layer…
For most people, a carpet of moss beneath the trees is a lovely sight. In a yard, it can add the feel of the forest to your landscape. When that moss is on the ground, it can be a great ground cover around the base of the trees. It holds several times its weight in…
Windsail reduction can be a controversial topic. While some dispute that windsail reduction has merit in conifers, studies have shown its benefit. Our neighbors to the north in British Columbia, Canada use windsail reduction as a common practice, to a great extent because of studies performed by Stephen Mitchell, associate professor at the Department of…
A dead tree is an obvious hazard, but what of other trees on your property? Do you know the other signs that your tree is a hazard and may need removal to keep you and your property safe? Could you have living hazard trees hiding in your back yard? We outline the signs of hazardous…
Dead wood is actually a natural process for many fast growing trees such as silver maples, locusts and birch. Small interior branches receive less sunlight and are also more prone to cold damage in the winter. The tree sends more sap to those branches which are supporting the tree. Eventually the sap supply to the…
An arborist, by definition, is a specialist in the cultivation and care of trees and shrubs, including tree surgery, the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of tree diseases, and the control of pests. Some definitions refer to Arborists as “tree surgeons,” and as a doctor is knowledgeable about the body, an arborist is knowledgeable about the…
Cottonwood and elm are both beautiful, fast-growing deciduous trees. The tall stately appearance of either tree can be an attractive complement to any landscape. Unfortunately, there are diseases and insects which plague these trees. Slime Flux This bacterial infection gets its name from the frothy slime that oozes out of the tree bark after infection.…
While insects are an important food supply for the local bird population, the birds never seem to eat enough of them. Insect pests are one of the most common issues that plague deciduous trees. Some insects are species specific, such as the sycamore lace bug. Others chew on anything from the stately elm lining the…
An arborist, by definition, is a specialist in the cultivation and care of trees and shrubs, including tree surgery, the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of tree diseases, and the control of pests. Some definitions refer to Arborists as “tree surgeons,” and as a doctor is knowledgeable about the body, an arborist is knowledgeable about the…