Early summer is a good time to add new foliage. Some homeowners may also remove a tree or shrub to make way for new vegetation. If you plan on adding new plant life, there are some trees not to plant. Here are the trees we recommend that homeowners refrain from adding to their lawn due to their high-maintenance and difficult upkeep. 

1. Black Walnut

Black Walnuts can be problematic. Their roots emit a chemical that negatively impacts the growth of surrounding foliage. In addition, the trees also produce rather large fruit shells. This can create a mess when dozens of these shells drop to the floor.

2. Bradford Pear

The Bradford Pear is a beloved tree due to the white flowers it produces. Unfortunately, the same flowers also emit a foul odor that some people describe as fish-like. The flowers bloom early and leave a mess on your lawn. The tree also tends to split at the trunk, creating an abnormal look. Continue Reading →

Some homeowners have noted holes in the tree on their Lynnwood property. What’s with these tree trunk holes, and is this a cause for alarm? Is this an issue that warrants the help of emergency tree service? The holes may stem from a number of factors. Here is a list of the causes that may attribute to holes in your tree.

Boring Insects

If the hole is quite small, about a quarter of an inch, then the issue is likely boring beetles. The Lynnwood region is home to various boring pests that bore a hole into trees and lay eggs. These insects target weakened trees that are easy to bore into. This is a sign that your tree may be suffering from disease or undergoing some form of stress. This definitely warrants tree care service.

Woodpeckers

If you see a cluster of small holes, then this is likely due to pecking from yellow-bellied woodpeckers. The bird pecks at trees to reach the sugary sap beneath the bark. You can minimize pecking by covering the trunk in burlap wrap. Continue Reading →

A pressure washer is a useful outdoor tool. The pressure it exerts is capable of removing even the toughest stains from walls and decks. Is it possible, though, to pressure wash a tree near your Lynnwood home?

Why You Shouldn’t Pressure Wash a Tree Near Lynnwood

We don’t suggest using a pressure washer to clean a tree. Some homeowners may be tempted to clean the moss or other debris off a dirty tree on their property. However, pressure washers are precisely what their name suggests. The pressure produced can be as high as 4,000 pounds per square inch (PSI). For comparison, the typical garden hose produces about 50 PSI.

How Pressure Washers Harm a Tree

Pressure washers are designed to strip away tough grime. It can just as easily strip away tree bark. Our tree removal crew often reports significant bark loss when removing dead trees. Trees that lack bark are susceptible to disease and boring insects. The power from a pressure washer can also rip leaves from their branch and even snap off thinner branches. Continue Reading →

Trees often shed their leaves during the peak of autumn in Lake Stevens. By spring, the trees are supposed to grow back vibrant green leaves. However, what if the tree is shedding some of its leaves instead? Learn about spring leaf shedding and whether this is common and warrants emergency tree service.

The Reason for Spring Leaf Shedding in Lake Stevens

Trees shedding in spring is actually normal behavior. Some species that shed during this season include:  

• Hickory
• Southern Magnolia
• Live Oak
• Hackberry

These trees shed in spring because they maintain some of their leaves during the prior winter. These leaves age and must eventually go. New lush and green leaves will soon take their place. Continue Reading →

Even if your tree appears to be in good shape, it may be experiencing ill health at the root level. This may stem from tree soil compaction and can have an adverse impact on the tree’s long-term health. What can you do to keep the soil from compacting?

What Causes Tree Soil Compaction Near Marysville?

Soil compaction is due to multiple causes, though the primary culprit is heavy foot traffic. If you typically have kids and pets scurrying around the yard and stepping all over and around the tree, this can crush the soil.

How Soil Compaction Affects Trees

When we remove a tree, we often notice the soil is abnormally compact. This alone doesn’t account for the tree’s ill health, though it does exacerbate the maladies in a diseased tree. This can weaken the tree, making it vulnerable to becoming completely uprooted during high winds. When our emergency tree service removes uprooted trees, they also report badly decayed roots.

Another issue is that water has a harder time penetrating compacted soil, leading to root dehydration. Trees that lack water are also prone to malnutrition. On top of that, the higher soil density creates pockets of heat that can be detrimental to the tree’s trunk. Continue Reading →

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.

Continue Reading →

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 →