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Arbor-Blog

Tree Maintenance

Tree Care Services in a drought

Plant Nutrient Management in Seattle

Improve Your Seattle Property’s Soil with Plant Nutrient Management

Your plants depend on the nutrients in the soil for long-term health just as you depend on the nutrients in the foods you eat. Macro and micronutrients fuel the growth and beauty of your landscaping. However, providing your plants with a balanced diet takes care. Just as with your own diet, there can be too little – or too much – of a good thing.

A Skilled Arborist is Like a Dietician for Your Trees

With proper plant nutrient management, you can protect your trees, meeting all their nutritional needs. Providing expert soil analysis and studying the condition of the trees on your Seattle commercial property, our skilled arborists can identify nutrient deficiencies in your soil that may threaten the health of your plants, putting them at increased risk of pest and fungal diseases. We can then administer the exact amount of missing nutrients, supporting the health of your trees while preventing unnecessary damage due to the application of excess fertilizers and soil amendments.

Feed Your Soil – And Your Trees

With the right soil amendments, you can safeguard the health of your landscaping, improving resistance to pests and disease and laying the foundation for a long, healthy, beautiful life. Our knowledgeable team can help you feed your soil, creating the ideal environment for your plants and trees by:

  • Adding composted material to existing landscaping annually.
  • Utilizing compost prior to new plantings.
  • Strategically mulching to reduce the need for watering, control weeds, and feed your soil.

Avoid the Dangers of Overfeeding

The ISA certified Arborwell staff understand the importance of balance, testing your soil before composting and fertilizing to avoid the application and cost of unnecessary amendments. We know the value of naturally obtained nutrients, choosing compost, mulch, and other superior organic supplements over chemical options. Our mindful practices safeguard not only your plants, but the planet, protecting nearby soil and area waterways from the overuse of damaging chemical fertilizers.

Promote the vibrant growth of your Seattle HOA, retail, apartment, office or estate property’s landscape with plant nutrient management. Contact Arborwell Professional Tree Management at and request an arborist consultation today.

plant nutrients, soil management, tree health

leaves browning due to vert wilt

Arbor-wellness: Verticillium Wilt

We are seeing more trees this summer that look green and healthy one week and within a few weeks entire branches turn brown and leaves dry up, the most common cause of this problem is verticillium wilt. Verticillium is a soil borne root disease that usually infects through the root as they contact verticillium spores in the soil.

Many trees are susceptible to verticillium including, arborvitae, birch, crabapple, ginkgo, maple, oak, pine, spruce and tulip trees. What makes this disease so difficult is that by the time we typically see damage, the disease has spread too far and tree removal is usually the only option. Once a soil is infected it is very difficult to kill the spores, so it usually remains in the soil indefinitely. However, there are some ways to protect your trees and reduce the chance of infection.

My tree was looked good last week and now this week it has several branches with dead leaves, what’s wrong?

This is most likely verticillium wilt, which is caused by a soil fungus that can lie dormant in the soil for many years. When the roots of susceptible plants grow close to the spores, the fungus germinates and infects the roots of the plants through wounds or natural openings. The fungus spreads into the branches through the plant’s vascular system and at the same time, causes the plant cells to “plug” themselves. Once this happens, water can no longer reach the leaves and they wilt and die, often all along one or branches at a time. It often happens quite suddenly, although in some plants the leaves turn yellow or brown first.

Why is this so prevalent now?

That is a hard question to answer but yes, we are seeing more of this disease this summer and fall. Essentially, our trees are still recovering from the drought of several years back. Their root systems were compromised. The moisture this spring really encouraged new rooting and also encouraged more root diseases overall.

How can I be sure my tree has this disease?

On certain trees – maples and tulip trees in particular, elongated dead areas of bark, called cankers, may appear on diseased branches or trunks. On most trees with the disease, the sapwood of smaller branches is streaked brown or black, occasionally in other colors too. However, since not every tree exhibits this discoloration, testing tissue in a lab may be recommended to confirm the diagnosis.  

Will my tree survive?

Unfortunately, usually not.  There seem to be two forms of the disease, one in which plants die slowly over several years and another where they die rapidly within a few weeks. Trees that show minor branch wilt one year may show more the next year or may not show symptoms again for several years.

Is there anything I can do for the other trees on my property? 

There are ways to help protect your trees, particularly if they don’t show signs of the disease. First make sure the tree is not stressed – proper water and proper feeding are important here. Secondly, there are some good guy fungal species that do battle against this root disease and several others, too. The good guys inoculate onto the roots of a tree and fight and kill these fungal pathogens. (I like to use the analogy of probiotics that help our digestive system stay healthy.) But this process should start before verticillium wilt becomes established in the tree.

Our arborists at Arborwell can recommend a protective program for the trees that are susceptible on your site. Fill out the form below to get in contact with an arborist today!

preventative tree care, Prevention, root disease, tree care, verticillium wilt

Closeup of Psyllids

Arbor-wellness: Psyllids

When large trees lose their leaves in mid-summer, we tend to panic, and often for good reason. We tend to think of water problems or diseases as the main cause, but sometimes it may be a small insect that is hard to spot. Psyllids are small insects that suck plant juices and excrete sticky honeydew on which blackish sooty mold grows. Some species secrete pale or white wax masses, pellets, strands, or coverings called lerps. They affect many species of trees in our region, but the most common are Eucalyptus, peppertree, citrus, acacia, laurel and tipu or rosewood.

My eucalyptus trees are losing lots of leaves, what could be wrong?

There are several reasons why eucalyptus leaves drop their leaves in large amounts. If you see small, whitish “caps” on the leaves, this is a type of “psyllid” called “redgum lerp psyllid”. This is one many psyllid types that are common in our region.

What other damage can psyllids cause?

High psyllid populations reduce plant growth and cause tip damage, discoloration or dieback. Certain species can cause premature leaf drop. Excessive honeydew creates a sticky mess on cars and surfaces below trees.

Do psyllids damage other trees in my landscape?

There are over 160 psyllid species that occurs on landscape plants in California. Each kind of psyllid feeds only on one plant species or one closely related group of plants. Most psyllids native to California are relatively uncommon and rarely become pests. But some can cause extensive damage. These are generally psyllids that have become pests on trees that are originally from other countries. The most important tree damaging psyllids occur on acacia, eucalyptus, olive, peppertree, laurel and citrus.

I’ve heard about citrus trees dying or being taken out, is this the problem with them?

Well, sort of. A relatively new psyllid pest (Asian citrus psyllid) has been introduced into parts of California. The insect itself doesn’t kill citrus trees, but it can introduce a disease called “Citrus Greening” that is essentially fatal to them. If allowed to become widespread, it is feared the California citrus industry will be wiped out. Currently, the agencies involved are heavily involved in scouting, insect control and plant removal efforts in regions that are most affected. Being vigilant about scouting and controlling this pest when found is very critical.

What can I do?

Your Arborwell arborist can identify locations where Asian citrus psyllid, Redgum lerp psyllid (or other types) are doing the most damage and recommend a treatment program to recover your trees and to keep them healthy. They can also recommend a proper plan for citrus trees on your property if you are close to an area affected by Asian citrus psyllid.

Fill out the form below to contact an Arborwell arborist and find out more about Psyllids and what we recommend for preventing damage and for helping trees recover if they have been attacked by high populations of Psyllids.

arborist, eucalyptus, insect, preventative tree care, psyllids, tree care

arborist

Commercial Tree Surveys

Do You Need A Commercial Tree Survey?

When you need your trees surveyed, Arborwell Professional Tree Management has the knowledge and experience to help you out! Its important that before you begin any work on your commercial landscape, you are aware of the health status of your trees. Whether you need tree health care plans, or you have trees that need removal and/or replacement, you can rely on our expertise.

Arborwell serves HOAs, estates, and commercial properties in San Francisco, San Diego, Seattle and Sacramento. Our ISA-certified arborists are committed to maintaining the health of the trees on your property, and a commercial tree survey is a great way to help us begin our care plans.

What does a tree survey provide?

Our trained arborists will provide you with a detailed account of the health and status of your trees. When we deliver your commercial tree survey, you can expect to see:

  • The height and width of your trees
  • The age of your trees
  • Your trees life expectancy
  • Identification of your tree’s species
  • An evaluation of the current health of your trees
  • A plan for future care of your trees

This is crucial information that we use to help you understand how to move forward with the trees on your commercial property. Our tree survey does more than just tell you what your trees need, local authorities often require a survey before any plans for change can be put into motion.

Tree removal laws can be strict, even when a tree is already dead or in a dangerous situation. You must have a tree survey before you can move forward with removal. Our experts will obtain the permits needed and ensure the safe removal of your tree.

Choose Arborwell for all your tree needs

Now that you know what a commercial tree survey is and how it can help you, its time to contact Arborwell Professional Tree Management. We will provide you with detailed information about the trees on your property and recommend how to move forward regarding the health of your trees. Click here to visit our website and request an estimate from one of our arborists or call us today at .

arborist, survey, tree health, tree management

Tree Care Experts

Commercial Tree Care Vs. Residential Tree Care

Your trees have the potential to be one of the most beautiful parts of your landscape, so its important that you take care of them. As a commercial tree care company, Arborwell Professional Tree Management has ISA-certified arborists that have the experience, knowledge and equipment to keep your trees healthy.

Often, those who have little knowledge of trees hire themselves out for residential tree care (handymen, guy with a pickup and a chainsaw etc.). It also may be tempting to take care of your trees yourself or with the help of an employee, but it can be a tricky and sometimes dangerous task. Arborwell serves HOAs, estates and commercial properties and can deal with all tree-related issues that arise, safely and efficiently!

We do it all when it comes to trees

Founded in 2001 in Castro Valley, Arborwell has grown exponentially over the past 2 decades thanks to our dedication to providing quality services. We now have over 200 employees and 60 vehicles, and offer tree care services all over California and in the Seattle area, including:

  • Arborist reports. Most city authorities require an arborist report before you can remove a dead or dangerous tree. Our experts can provide these reports, so you can move ahead with your landscaping plans.
  • Tree health care plans. We assess the trees on your property and devise short and long-term health plans so that they will continue to grow unhindered by disease and pests.
  • Tree replacement and removal. This can be a dangerous task and it’s one we have the proper equipment and experience for. Don’t put yourself or your employees in a dangerous situation – leave it to the experts!
  • Tree trimming. This requires more than just chopping branches off. A professional arborist knows how to trim a tree so that it looks good and promotes new growth.

Your commercial tree care experts

Arborwell Professional Tree Management is the commercial tree care company to turn to when you need help with the trees on your property. Tree care can be incredibly difficult and relying on residential care or you and your own employees can lead to disastrous and sometimes dangerous results.

We have a wide array of equipment that is appropriate working on large properties across California and in the Seattle area and we have the experts that know how to use it. If you are considering using a commercial tree care team and not relying on residential tree care, then Arborwell is the right choice! Click here to visit us online and request an estimate or call us today at .

arborist, tree care, trees

arborist

Have You Requested an Arborist Appraisal Recently?

Do You Need to Request an Arborist Appraisal?

Requesting an arborist appraisal is an essential step when developing land, assessing your property and managing your landscape. Arborwell Professional Tree Management arborists can evaluate your existing trees and provide detailed arborist reports to aid you in making decisions about your trees. When is the last time you requested an arborist appraisal for your commercial property?

Our ISA-certified arborists are tree experts and they have plenty of experience performing appraisals for all sorts of commercial properties. Among other cities, Arborwell offers expert appraisal services in Seattle, Sacramento and San Diego.

What does an appraisal tell you?

An arborist appraisal can help you understand the value your trees add to your property by assessing, recommending and clarifying your tree’s needs including:

  • Tree type and condition. This will help you to understand the value of your trees to your commercial property value by informing you of their life expectancy, structural integrity, and any disease or pest issues. We also detail how to enhance your tree health through long-term care to add more value to your property.
  • Recommend tree removals and relocations. Cities often require permits before you can remove trees, and an arborist appraisal can help you achieve that. Our experts identify the reasons for removal when trees are hazardous, or relocation plans during landscape or structural renovation. They also include details on how to protect trees during relocation, to ensure their survival.
  • Giving details of the necessary tree work. An appraisal is a professional report that will help you and the city understand what work your trees require. It will also describe how to do it in a way that preserves and protects your trees. Our appraisal will help you through all the steps of your property development or management.

Arborwell is the best choice for arborist appraisals

Let the ISA certified arborists at Arborwell Professional Tree Management help you to understand the value of the trees on your property. Have you benefited from an arborist appraisal recently? Don’t hesitate to call us at or click here to request an appraisal online today.

arborist appraisals, tree health, tree value

Tree and Brush Removal Laws Vary by State and City

The laws surrounding tree and brush removal can be complex and sometimes difficult to understand. Laws vary between states and even cities, largely because of the wide variety of climates that occur across America and because of the important role that trees and brush play in local ecosystems.

Arborwell Professional Tree Management provides arborist and tree maintenance services for commercial properties, estates, municipalities and HOA’s and we are well versed in local laws concerning the removal of trees and brush. We can help you to navigate these laws and get you the permits you need to continue developing your property.

Why are tree removal laws so different?

Tree and brush removal laws are varied based on location because of different environmental factors and needs. In California, there are strict laws regarding vegetation within 100 feet of structures. The law states:

  • The first thirty feet from a structure must be clear of all dead plant material.
  • Tree branches must be ten feet from chimneys and other trees.
  • The last seventy feet must focus on fuel reduction, meaning lawns should be mowed regularly and areas underneath trees should be clear.

These laws aim to improve wildfire safety by reducing the chance of buildings and structures burning down. In places like Seattle, trees and brush play an important role in the ecosystems so laws revolve around retaining vegetation:

  • There are limits to the number of trees you can cut down.
  • You need a permit to remove non-native or invasive vegetation and plant native species.
  • You need permits to remove trees and vegetation in landslide prone and steeply sloped areas.

These are just a taste of the differences in tree and brush removal laws in California and Seattle. Before you go ahead with your property development be sure you are aware of your local laws and the permits you need to obtain!

Ask Arborwell about your local laws

At Arborwell Professional Tree Management our arborists are knowledgeable of local laws regarding tree removals and can help you understand them. Regardless of past experiences with tree and brush removal, we recommend to always check with your local government before removal as they will have the latest information on potential law changes.

Save yourself the trouble of accidental illegal removals and call one of our ISA certified arborists at today or contact us online to learn more about the tree and brush removal laws in your state and city.

brush clearing, city requirements, fire safety

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