Trees have the ability to withstand natural elements, including extreme cold and heat. Even so, mother nature can induce some degree of injury. One common issue during winter is tree frost cracks. Learn the basics of frost-based cracks and whether it’s a cause for alarm if you have a tree on your property.

What Are Frost Cracks?

One may think frost cracks are caused by frost due to the name. However, the actual cause stems from sudden temperature changes. Winter frost can indeed be a factor, but it’s not the sole element. Frost cracks usually occur during chilly sunny days. The sun exposure causes the bark and wood to expand. Later in the evening when the temperature goes down, the bark shrinks back to its original size more quickly than the wood beneath. This leads to a vertical crack as the still-expanded wood exerts pressure on the bark as it shrinks.

Consequences

Frost cracks are not a major cause for concern. Even when a crack forms, the tree is able to heal by forming a scab over the opening, much the same way people heal from a cut. One potential issue, though, is that the cracks leave an opening long enough for fungus and boring pests to get inside. In rare instances, this may require intervention from an emergency tree service. Just to be on the safe side, it may be a good idea to bring in a tree care professional for a general checkup. Continue Reading →

The Christmas tree that we place indoors and decorate for the holidays is actually a fir tree, or a conifer as some people call it. Some people also have this tree type on their lawn. This provides a nice curb appeal that exudes a flattering alpine ambiance. Fir tree care is essential for long-term good health. Learn the best care practices.

When to Plant Fir Trees

Are you planting a bare-root fir tree? It’s best to plant in late fall or winter. Prior to planting, spend a few hours hydrating the tree by soaking the trunk’s base in a bucket of water.

On the other hand, if you’re planting a fir tree already partially grown and in a container, then you can plant year-round. We do advise, however, against planting during drought periods. Not surprisingly, we remove dead trees much more frequently during dry spells. Fir trees also benefit in areas with plenty of shade and out of direct sunlight. Continue Reading →

Does the tree on your property have a large and unsightly bulge? These protrusions are known as tree burls. Why do burls form and is it a cause for concern? More importantly, does this necessitate emergency tree service?

Tree Burls Near Bellingham Explained

A burl may be a sign of an infection. The tree produces the bulge, consisting of bark, to isolate the infection and keep it from spreading. The burls may also form in response to damage, such as physical trauma or frost exposure. It’s the same way people form calluses on their palms as a response to repeated physical stress.

The tree’s ability to create a burl is a positive sign that it has the immunity strength to safeguard against external threats.

Should You Be Worried About Burls?

Burls aren’t a major cause for concern. This isn’t to say, though, that burls are perfectly harmless. Some burls form at the trunk base and extend to the branches. The excess weight may stress the tree, causing the branch to snap and leave an open wound prone to infection. When we remove a tree, it’s not unusual to see burls engulfing parts of the branch.

Should You Remove a Burl?

It’s best to leave a burl alone, as any attempt to remove it may create an open wound. There is an exception, however, if the burl partially extends to a branch. In this instance, a tree care professional may determine whether it’s best to prune that part of the branch. The fact that a burl has formed in the first place also suggests an existing infection. An arborist can further assess for signs of disease.

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Summer is over, and a cold winter is ahead. Trees are perfectly able to care for themselves in preparation for seasonal changes. However, there are steps you can take on your end to make the transition easier on your tree, thereby minimizing stress. You can give the following fall tree care tips a try to keep stress to a minimum.

1. Don’t Skimp on the Mulch

Our tree care service includes mulching, though this is something that can also be done by the homeowner. Mulch aids in moisture retention and also shields the soil and roots from the impending cold. We recommend natural materials for mulch, such as wood chips, pine needles, bark, and corn stalks.

2. Wrap the Tree

For young saplings, wrap the trunk’s base with burlap or paper wrap. While autumn is known for mild temperatures, it can still get quite hot or cold on some days. Wrapping the tree shields it from sunscald or frost cracking. Keep the wrap on until the arrival of spring. Continue Reading →

Fall has arrived. Many native Pacific Northwestern deciduous trees shed their leaves during this season. Typically, homeowners want to rake up and bag the leaves. However, we recommend leaving leaves alone. This is a strategic method of tree care that requires zero maintenance.

Why Leaving Leaves Alone in Lake Stevens Makes Sense

Do leaves in a forest get raked? No, the leaves remain until the natural biodegradation process takes place. This is advantageous for plant life and the environment as a whole.

Leaves contain carbon. When the leaves linger on the soil and decompose, the soil takes in the carbon, which helps with the soil’s nitrogen balance. Leaves are also a rich source of humic acid, which keeps the soil moist, minimizing compaction.

Leaves also make a good form of mulch that insulates the soil. This is especially relevant now that summer is over and the temperature begins to dip.

Furthermore, removing leaves creates environmental waste. Disposing leaves require a lot of plastic trash bags and transportation. Continue Reading →

The tree on your property adds tremendous curb appeal. However, the roots underneath are capable of immense destruction. Is the sidewalk beyond your home splitting or bulging? Sidewalk tree damage can be a serious problem in the Marysville region.

The Ramifications of Sidewalk Tree Damage in Marysville

Tree roots can smash through pavement and concrete just like they can rupture plumbing pipes. This can be a serious issue if the damage happens just outside your home perimeter and on the public sidewalk. You may get a formal letter from the city mandating that you cover the fee for sidewalk repair.

If you just repair the sidewalk, the tree roots will continue to expand and cause the same damage again in a few years. For a long-term fix, you have to remove the tree. We know the tree is a wonderful cosmetic element. However, is the curb appeal worth the financial cost of sidewalk repair every several years?

Just cutting down the tree isn’t a sufficient solution. This won’t always stop the roots from growing. Our tree service includes uprooting the whole stump, roots included. Continue Reading →

The Pacific Northwest has quite a significant deer population. If you live closer to the rural regions, expect to spot a buck or doe every once in a while. Seeing one is a pleasant experience. Unfortunately, if they scamper into your residence, they can cause major damage to your trees. We’ll discuss how you can protect trees from deer.

Why Protect Trees from Deer in Everett?

Male deer rub their horns on the tree bark. They do this to get rid of the velvet on their antler surface. Bucks may also do this as a way of claiming their territory, especially when it’s mating season. This can seriously erode the bark and damage low-hanging branches. Trees with damaged bark are susceptible to illness and exposure from the weather and pests. When we remove dead trees, we typically find the surface stripped of much of its bark. Continue Reading →

Most residents treat the terms tree trimming and pruning as one and the same. Tree service workers, though, treat them as separate albeit similar terms. The difference lies in the reason for shortening and removing branches. 

What Is Tree Pruning?

Tree pruning entails removing dead, dying, or diseased branches. Arborists do this to promote healthy growth and to prevent dead branches from collapsing under their own weight and causing massive property damage or bodily injury.

This isn’t to be confused with tree removal,  which includes the organized removal of oversized branches. Professionals recommend pruning and removal of decayed branches as they’re at risk of a sudden collapse. Our emergency tree service often removes branches that broke off because they were not pruned when needed. Continue Reading →

Do you have an existing tree resting on a slope? Are you contemplating about adding a tree, but the property rests on a hill? Is it feasible to plant a tree on a slope? Learn of the complications and the viability of maintaining trees on a slope.

The Challenges

Slopes naturally pose some issues for trees. One problem is that a slope creates a microclimate where the root has difficulty absorbing water. Essentially, water trickles off the slope before the root and soil are able to absorb the moisture.

Furthermore, trees already taxed from being on a slope have a harder time competing for nutrients with other foliage nearby. This includes plants, shrubbery, and groundcovers, all of which have shallower roots and more quickly consume the nutrients than deeper-rooted trees. Continue Reading →

Thick bark is a sign of good tree health. Should you be concerned, though, when you see bark falling off of tree? Is the tree ill? Is it shedding its “skin” much like reptiles do? We’ll discuss the reasons behind trees shedding their bark.

Why Does a Tree Lose Its Bark?

Some tree species, such as pine, maple, ash, and oak, grow from the inside out. As new bark is produced, it pushes the old bark out.

As long as you see fresh bark in place of the fallen ones, then the tree is healthy. However, a tree may be in dire health if it’s accompanied by these symptoms:

Continue Reading →