Nutrient beds are a fairly novel concept that’s getting tons of traction in the landscaping community. They are an organic method for immensely improving tree health. We like to think of nutrient beds as mulching 2.0. You’ll know why after reading this post.

Nutrient Beds Explained

Nutrient beds are an organic form of tree maintenance. The beds are comprised of mulching that closely mimics the material found in a natural forest floor. This helps trees survive by holding onto vital nutrients and improving moisture retention.

Often, when we remove a tree, we find it to be in dying health. This is partly due to malnourishment from inadequate mulching. Continue Reading →

Some homeowners like the look of moss. They believe it adds a natural and “outdoorsy” appearance to the lawn. Moss also grows on trees. Is this harmless or a liability for the tree? We’ll give our professional opinion about tree moss dangers and outline whether moss growth is a cause for concern.

Moss Impacts Tree Growth

The Pacific Northwest is quite humid, providing the ideal environment for moss proliferation. Moss in itself is rather harmless. When it grows on a tree, though, it places undue stress on the branches. Moss also absorbs water like a sponge, adding excess weight.

With the added stress, branches are more prone to snapping during heavy storms or high winds. When our emergency tree service tends to broken branches, it’s not unusual for us to find moss covering the branch surface. Continue Reading →

Trees can become ill just like people and animals. Bleeding cankers is one common disease that inflicts Pacific Northwestern trees. Every now and then, our tree removal service spots bleeding cankers on a dead or decaying tree. We inform you about the disease and how to spot the symptoms.

What Are Bleeding Cankers?

Bleeding cankers are a type of tree disease that manifests as lesions that ooze fluid through the bark. The disease is caused by a number of factors, such as bacterial and fungal growth, or tree wounds from burrowing pests or improper pruning. Chestnut trees are especially prone to bleeding cankers, with the lesion usually appearing around the trunk’s base. Willow, beech, maple, and oak trees are also vulnerable to cankers. Continue Reading →

Have a fruit tree on your lawn? The summer is the season to give it extra care to keep disease, insects, and extreme heat at bay. Fruit tree care in the summer isn’t hard; It just requires some adjustments on the homeowner’s end. All too frequently, our tree removal service hauls away decayed fruit trees due to improper summer maintenance.

Water Your Tree

Water your fruit trees deeply and infrequently. This approach is more effective than watering frequently but shallowly. If the tree rests on sandy soil, then water once every one to two weeks. Give enough water for the H2O to sink at least two-feet into the soil. Water every two to three weeks if the tree is planted in clay-based soil. Continue Reading →

Trees can get sunburn much the same way people can. This is known as tree sunscald, and it can be quite harmful. Our tree service recommends protecting your tree from excessive heat rays now that summer is in full swing.

What Is Tree Sunscald?

Sunlight is crucial for tree growth. Too much sun, however, is counterproductive. Also, excessive heat can cause premature damage. Our tree removal service has actually removed dead and dying trees that decayed due to too much sunlight. Vegetable crops, such as tomato and pepper plants, are also prone to sunscald.

Why Sunscald Is Detrimental

Sunscald can damage the bark and cause aesthetic defects. Even worse, it can destroy the bark to the point where the tree’s outermost tissue is exposed. This outermost tissue is known as the cambium layer and is responsible for bark growth. The cambium layer will lose its ability to produce bark if it becomes damaged from exposure. Continue Reading →

Should you be concerned when mushrooms grow on the base of your tree? Well, it depends on the type. Most mushrooms are harmless and are not a cause for alarm. However, we wanted to discuss one species called the honey fungus mushroom. This type is bad news, and you must take remediate action if you spot them on your tree.

The Honey Fungus Mushroom

The honey fungus is known for targeting tree roots and eating away at the wood and bark. This gradually weakens the tree’s base, eventually causing it to give way and topple over. When our emergency tree service removes decaying trees, they often spot signs of honey mushroom growth.

The fungus often grows on oak and birch trees, both of which are typical here in the Lake Stevens region. They also grow around fruit trees and hedge plants. Continue Reading →

You may be tempted to trim the tree in your yard. This seems like a fairly straightforward DIY task. It doesn’t seem overly complex as long as you have a sturdy saw, sheers, and decent upper body strength. However, tree trimming isn’t as simple as you may think. If you trim your own tree, you may be making these three tree pruning mistakes without even realizing it.

1. Incorrect Timing

You shouldn’t prune most tree species in the fall since this is when fungi spread their spores. Improper pruning can leave “wounds” that create an opening for fungus to enter and cause decay and disease.

There are other factors that dictate the timing, such as tree species and reason for pruning. If you want the tree to grow new branches for spring, for instance, then it wouldn’t be advisable to prune in the summer or in the middle of spring. Continue Reading →

Homeowners often take great care of their garden beds and small plants. However, they neglect their trees for some reason. There seems to be this belief that because a tree is so large by comparison that it’s perfectly capable of sustaining itself. While there is a kernel of truth to this, a tree can be so much healthier when the homeowner takes a pro-active role. Tree mulching is a good place to start.

Why Mulch Your Tree?

Mulching is an integral part of tree maintenance. It greatly enhances tree vitality by:

• Preventing soil compaction
• Keeping out weeds, which in turn prevents root competition
• Keeping the root moist through water retention
• Insulating the soil to provide a buffer from extreme temperatures

Continue Reading →

Whole Tree Care in Lake Stevens

Have you ever wondered why trees have leaves at all? Are they just there to make the tree look pretty? Leaves actually have a life-sustaining purpose and are a tree’s very lifeblood; without it, trees would starve to death.

Why Trees Have Leaves: It Keeps Them Alive

The leaves serve a life-giving function. It all comes down to that one term you learned about in your 5th-grade science class: photosynthesis.

Photosynthesis is the process of leaves absorbing sunlight and using that energy to produce sugar and sap from which it feeds. Leaves contain tiny organelles in some of their cells called chloroplasts. These plastids handle the energy conversion process. Chloroplasts contain a pigment molecule that you have also likely heard of: Chlorophyll. This molecule is responsible for the leaves’ greenish to yellowish color.

Unbeknownst to the average person, trees also sweat much the same way people do. This process is called transpiration, and the leaves make this process possible. Water evaporates from the leaves, allowing the tree to cool down. Continue Reading →

Soil erosion is a serious problem for many homeowners, especially in regions with heavy rainfall. A tree, though, may be able to minimize this to a significant degree. Here’s why soil erosion prevention is so important and the role trees play in preserving the soil.

Soil Erosion Explained

Soil erosion occurs when the soil wears away due to the forces of rain and wind. This is bad for your home in multiple ways. Erosion creates gaps in the ground that allow water to pool. If this occurs next to your home, it can damage the concrete foundation. Excess water can also drown plants and create a breeding ground for mosquitoes.

How do Trees Prevent Soil Erosion?

Trees have extensive root systems that branch out into a network of smaller roots. These roots hold the soil in place and also improve the soil’s ability to drain.

Keep in mind, though, that not all trees have extensive root systems. Some have shallow roots that only grow a few feet. Also, a newly planted tree will need several years of growth before its roots are capable of holding the soil. We suggest a consultation with a tree service if you plan to plant a tree for this purpose.

Other Ways to Prevent Soil Erosion

Retaining walls are one effective means of preventing erosion. Mulch is yet another method; this provides a barrier that reduces the impact of pelting raindrops. Gravel has the same effect, as do fiber logs. Plus, these also add to the beauty of your landscape.

We Assess Residential Trees

Our service includes tree removal and emergency tree servicing after a storm. Call Pro-Cut Tree service for an assessment of your tree. A diseased tree lacks the root strength needed to prevent soil erosion.

Residential Tree Protection

Serving customers in Lake Stevens, Edmonds, Marysville, Mukilteo, Lynnwood, Everett, Snohomish and the surrounding area