Here is a complete guide to winter tree pests and how they are harmful to your garden

Winters bring a cessation of activity for many organisms, be it the warm-blooded bears, bats, and chipmunks that hibernate during winters or insects and bugs that become inactive. Many people consider winter to be a safer season because pests are inactive and cannot attack plants. However, that’s not always the case.

During winters, pests take refuge and hide in the tiny cracks and crevasses of the plant. During this time, some pests lay eggs and form multiple colonies inside the tree’s trunks. While these pests remain inactive during the coldest temperatures, with the arrival of spring they become resume activities and multiply in numbers. Late winters and early spring presents a perfect opportunity for some pests to infest your plant.

Let us take a look at some common disease-causing pests that inhibit your trees during winters.

Scale Insects

• They are small, sap-sucking insects that have a shell-like covering and appearance. They are oval in shape and come in different sizes. Scale insects wrap themselves around the twigs, leaves, branches, and fruit of the tree. They suck sap and other fluids, resulting in a weakened tree. A particularly worrisome aspect of scale insects is that they hide well and cannot be detected easily. At the first glance, the onlooker may mistake them as tiny bumps that are a part of the tree.

Scale insects suck out the tree’s nourishment which causes the foliage to wilt and branches to die.

Hemlock Woolly Adelgid

• These are tiny sap-sucking insects that most commonly infest and feed on Hemlock trees. They cause widespread death and destruction of hemlock trees in the East part of the United States. Hemlock Woolly Adelgid produces cotton-like wax filaments which are their most distinguishing characteristic.

The damages caused by an infestation of the Hemlock Wooly Adelgid results in the premature dropping of needles, reduced growth, or untimely death of the tree.

Spider Mites

• These insects live on the underside of the leaves and spin silk webs. They feed on the foliage which causes punctures and holes in the leaves. Spider mites have a greenish/yellow appearance and have four pairs of legs. Hence, they get the name due to their resemblance with spiders. They are much smaller in size compared to spiders. The average spider mite is 1/64-inch long. Due to their minute sizes, spider mites are very hard to detect.

However, despite their sizes, they cause considerable damage to common household and indoor plants. The most commonly infest boxwoods, spruces, burning bushes, and junipers plants. Spider mites puncture the leaves with their piercing mouthparts. When feeding on leaves, they leave small discolored dots on the leaves.

Bagworms

• Bagworms are a type of moth. The adult bagworm may range from 1 to 15 cm in size. Their wings are pale yellow with black stripes. Their name is derived from the bag they build by combining silk and small pieces of the plant’s foliage. The bag allows them to camouflage and become a part of the tree. Female bagworms lay 1,000 eggs in each bag which leads to a rapid infestation of the plants.

The damage caused by bagworm infestation becomes apparent during late summers. By that time, the damage is usually beyond repair.

• To conclude, plants require protection from pests even during winters. For effective pest control and management, contact American Tree Experts, Inc. We offer pest management services in Mont Clair, New Jersey. Call us at 973-744-6091 to get a free estimate of our services.

Here we explain some interesting facts and myths about tree care

Trees are complex living organisms. For optimal growth, they require proper care and nourishment. Thanks to the advancements in modern technology, we now know more about tree care more than before. However,l multiple baseless fallacies still exist that give way to damaging practices when it comes to tree care.

In this article, we will debunk the most common and baseless fallacies about tree care. So read on.

Tree Plantation Does Not Require Advanced Skills

Tree plantation is not as simple as it seems. Before planting a tree multiple factors have to be considered such as:

• Choosing the right tree for the right spot
• Using proper plantation technique
• Caring for the tree afterward.

Before planting a tree, consult an arborist who will guide you about how to plant and care for your tree.

Don’t Prune Bleeding Trees

• Some trees such as maples, birches, and walnuts release a red-colored sap during spring if they are pruned. Many people assume that pruning certain species of trees should not be performed during spring to avoid the release of the sap. However, research claims that light pruning can be performed at any time throughout the year. If pruning is performed using the right technique, then no harm will occur.

Mulch – The More The Merrier

• Mulch is a layer of organic material that is applied to the soil. There are multiple purposes for applying mulch such as preventing the loss of moisture, improving fertility and health of the soil, and making the area more visually appealing. Applying 3-4 inches of mulch is good for the health of the tree and serves the above-mentioned purposes.

However, there is a common perception that the more the mulch, the better it is. Excessive mulch is harmful as it causes the growth of pathogens, and also serves as hiding spots for rodents.

Fertilizers Are Good For The Health of Roots

• 

  Some fertilizers such as nitrogen are good for the health of roots. They stimulate the growth of non-woody and short-woody roots. However, they don’t do much for long woody roots. The excessive user of fertilizers can be detrimental for long roots. Long roots act as anchors for the tree and fetch important minerals and water. Hence, abstain from going overboard with the use of fertilizers especially for mature trees.

Removing a Few Live Branches Before Planting is Fine

• Many people believe that the tree’s crown should be balanced with its root system. To create this balance they don’t hesitate to remove living branches before planting the tree. Live branches are the most important part of the tree as they gather food through photosynthesis and store it in their cells. Pruning live branches can disrupt the food cycle.

When planting a tree, only remove dead branches and don’t pay too much attention to balancing the tree’s root and shoot systems.

Dressing a Tree Wound Helps in Quick Healing

• When any part of the tree is wounded or injured, the common practice is to dress it using special chemicals, tars, paints, and sealants. It is believed that dressing the tree will help in quick recovery and prevent the infiltration of disease-causing microbes and insects. However, research proves that trees heal better when they are left open and allowed to recover at their own pace naturally.

Abstain from practicing these fallacies about tree care and health. To keep them in good shape, contact American Tree Experts, Inc. We offer multiple tree care services in Mont Clair, New Jersey. Call us at 973-744-6091.

Understand the challenges of pest management and learn their prevention methods

A pest is an insect or animal that feeds on plants and crops and causes considerable damage to them. Pest infestation has dire economic consequences. Pest-infested plants become weak, diseased and their ability to bear fruit is severely effective, resulting in a low and substandard crop yield. Effective and proactive pest management and control are needed to prevent your trees from infestation. Let us take a look at some important dos and don’ts of pest management and control.

1. Do Adopt A Proactive and Preventive Approach

The best way to protect your plants from pests is by taking proactive and preventive measures. The following precautionary measures should be adopted to prevent pests from invading your garden and trees:

• Insects hide in dark and damp places such as pipes, drainage systems, and crevices. They find plenty of food and shelter in these hidden areas. Most of the time, pest infestation starts in these areas. Inspect these sheltered areas during the start and end of all seasons and spay them with pesticides as a precautionary measure. Don’t let stagnant water accumulate in your backyard.
• Prevent the entry of insects by sealing up any holes or cracks in the walls of your fence.
• Clean your lawn regularly and don’t throw leftover food near your plants.
• Mow the grass regularly, especially during the summer season. Bugs hide and multiply in tall and bushy patches of grass.

2. Don’t Leave Dangerous Pesticides in The Open

• Unattended pesticides and traps are a health and safety risk to children and pets. Don’t leave them out in the open where unknowing children or pets can reach them. If you have recently sprayed your lawn or backyard with pesticides, then alert all members of the family so unnecessary exposure can be avoided.

3. Do Identify The Problem At Hand Before Taking Any Action

• There are hundreds of pests in nature, all of which vary in their mode of attack, the extent of damage they cause, and treatment for removing them. For effective pest management, it is important to first identify the problem at hand and then decide on the removal solution. The control and removal solution that works for earwigs will not work for fungus gnats. Using the wrong removal solution can do more harm than good.

4. Don’t Use Outdoor Pesticides inside Your Home

• A pest infestation can occur for indoor plants as well. Indoor pest infestation is an even bigger nuisance as the pests pose a threat to human health as well. For indoor pests, special pesticide solutions are formulated which are not as harsh and toxic as the more potent outdoor chemical solutions. Using outdoor removal treatments inside your home can pose a health emergency as they comprise dangerous and toxic chemicals that are harmful to human health.

5. Do Nip An Infestation in The Bud

• Pet infestation does not occur all of a sudden, rather it starts with a couple of bugs that grow and multiply in no time. If you find a few pests wandering over your trees, take immediate action and use the appropriate pet removal method. A smaller infestation is easier to control and remove. If you feel that you cannot handle the pest infestation on your own, then call in professional help and let them nip the infestation in the bud.

In most cases, pest infestation can be challenging to deal with on your own. Most homes are not equipped to tackle a serious pest infestation. Hence, for the protection of your plants and trees, contact American Tree Experts, Inc. We provide effective pest management solutions for all types of pests and bugs. Call us at 973-744-6091. We are located in Mont Clair, New Jersey.

Here are 5 tips to ensure the health of your trees for years to come

Trees are a crucial part of our ecosystem. They provide habitat and shelter for multiple organisms. Trees are the earth’s lungs as they absorb carbon dioxide and give us an unlimited supply of oxygen. They also add beauty and grace to a landscape and a house surrounded by well-groomed and healthy trees has a higher selling price. To keep your trees healthy and disease-free, follow these important tips.

Anchor An Immature Tree Using Two-Stake System

• Young trees usually lack the strength to stand on their own. They need extra support to grow in a straight and erect manner. Use a two-stake system for an immature tree and anchor the stakes to the ground using cables or flexible ties. This will give strength to the trunk and keep it erect.

Cables and braces can also be used for fastening loose branches that may sway during storms.

Protect Your Tree From Growing Grass

• Remove any strands of stray grass that grow up against your trees’ trunks. The reason being that this grass grows in the same place from where the tree derives its nutrients and water. The grass competes for air, water, and nutrients and causes a strain on the tree’s resources. Young trees, in particular, wilt away if long grass is allowed to grow against their trunks.

Don’t Construct in Nearby Areas

• Before you decide to construct a new driveway or a shed, take a look at the nearby trees. The roots of the trees usually cover quite a lot of area underground. Hence, there is a possibility that the heavy machinery used for compacting the soil can interfere and damage the roots of the tree. As a rule of thumb, remember that the roots usually expand twice or thrice more than the branches. Hence, for a mature tree, the roots may extend up to 60 feet from where the tree is planted.

If construction is inevitable, then carry out a reconnaissance of the area and mark a safe territory within which the heavy equipment should operate. Areas extending up to 10 feet from the dripline of the tree should be excluded from any type of machinery.

Regular Watering is a Must

• Trees derive water from underground but mostly it is not sufficient. Hence, they need to be watered from time to time. This is especially true for young trees whose roots don’t penetrate deeply into the soil. But even mature trees need to be watered when rainfall is low and groundwater levels have sunk as well. The root zone of mature plants should be watered deeply after every few days. The root zone is usually 2 – 3 feet below the surface and it should be watered to an extent that it becomes well-saturated with moisture.

Rewater when the soil becomes partially dry. For deep watering, use the drip irrigation method. Lawn sprinklers are not effective for deep saturation of the soil.

Prune Periodically

• Pruning is the process of cutting off branches, buds, and spent flowers selectively. It is done to improve the structure of the tree, adding strength to it and getting rid of diseased parts of the plants. The proper way to prune is to make thinning cuts and remove the branches right at their origin. Head cutting which involves cutting along the length of the branch can result in the formation of holes from where the pests can get in.

Pruning should be performed by a skilled arborist. Contact American Tree Experts to get your trees pruned properly. We are located in Mont Clair, New Jersey and we provide tree pruning, cabling, bracing, and pest management services. Call us at 973-744-6091 and get a free estimate of our services.

Here’s part 2 of our list of common plant diseases and their treatment by experts

Most plant diseases are caused due to the growth of parasitic organisms such as fungi, nematodes, and pests on the plants. In this article, we will explore three common plant diseases, their symptoms, and their treatment. 

3) Black Knot

• Black Knot is a fungal disease caused by Apiosporina morbosa, Dibotryon morbosum or Plowrightia morbsum. This disease is common in fruiting and ornamental trees of plum and cherry. The fungus sets in during the winter season. It can be identified easily as telltale signs include the growth of hard, uneven, black galls that wrap around twigs and branches. 

This disease develops slowly and usually takes one season before growing and manifesting itself. It spreads through the production of fungal spores. To nip this disease in the bud, it is important to identify and treat it before it grows rapidly. If the fungus is not kept in check, it attacks new growth by strangling the branches and sucking the life out of the tree. Plants infected with Balck Knot result in poor fruit production and low yield. 

How To Treat Black Knot?

• Carry out inspection during winter seasons to check for signs of the disease. Cracks, discoloration, and swelling are the first signs of infection.
• If galls caused by the disease are detected, remove them using a pruning knife. 

4) Downy Mildew

• Downy mildew is caused by Pseudoperonospora cubensis, which is is an oomycete or a type of algae. This disease infects cucurbits such as cucumber, melon, and pumpkin. Downy Mildew manifests as pale yellow patches on the upper side of older leaves. On the underside, patches of white to gray cotton-like fungi appear. This disease-causing algae thrives in wet weather and usually appears after rain or heavy dew. 

Downy mildew is caused during early spring or late fall when the temperature is in the range of 60 – 65 degrees Fahrenheit. It develops on plant debris and the spores are carried by insects, garden tools, wind, or rain. 

How to Treat Downy Mildew? 

• Regular pruning will result in improved air circulation. 
• Water plants in the morning so the plant will have ample time to dry during the day. 

6) Early Blight

• Early Blight is a common disease caused by the fungus Alternaria solani. This disease affects tomato and potato plants all across the USA. when the fungus attacks, the lower and older leaves are the first ones to manifest symptoms in the form of small brown spots that are decorated with concentric rings. The disease grows in an outward fashion and turns the leaves yellow. The infection spreads to the rest of the plant quite quickly and damages the crop. 

The ideal conditions for the spread of disease include:

• High temperatures of 80 -85 degrees Fahrenheit
• Rain and humidity
• Rain, irrigation, seeds, and garden tools spread the disease from one plant to another. 

Early blight does not necessarily occur during the early part of the growing season rather it can occur at any point during summers. 

How To Treat?

• For the successful treatment of early blight, adopt a proactive approach. Apply copper-based fungicides on the tomato and potato plants, two weeks before the start of summer. A rough estimation of the ideal time for the application of fungicides is before the start of a long period of wet weather. This will keep Early Blight at bay. 

If you fear that your trees and plants are suffering from plant diseases, then waste no time and contact American Tree Experts. We provide effective and proactive Disease Management for plants are trees. Call us at 973-744-6091 to get a free estimate of our services. We operate in Mont Clair, New Jersey, and nearby areas. 

Learn about the symptoms, causes, and treatments for some of the most common plant diseases.

Like all living beings, plants are susceptible to catching diseases. 85% of plant diseases are caused by fungal organisms. However, viruses and bacteria also attack plants and can compromise the health of the plant. A visible sign of a diseased plant is the presence of pathogens like fungus or nematodes on the plants.

The disease affects the health of the plant and results in low yield and eventual death of the plant. In this article, let us explore the common plant diseases and their treatment.

Apple Scab

Apple scab is a fungal disease that is common in apples and ornamental crabapples. Also known as Venturia inaequalis, this disease attacks the leaves and fruits. Common symptoms include:

• The development of pale yellow spots on the leaf’s upper side
• Development of dark velvety spots on the lower side of the leaf.
• Deformation and early dropping of infected leaves.
• Infected fruits develop scabby spots which are indented inside the fruit and may have velvety spores in the middle.
• Infected fruits become deformed and cracks appear in the fruits, which allows the entry of secondary organisms into the fruit.

The following conditions are most suitable for the development of Apple scab:

• Cool and wet weather of spring and early summer.
• The fungal spores are carried by wind or rain.
• The disease is most prevalent during temperatures of 55 – 75 degrees Fahrenheit.

Anthracnose

Anthracnose is another fungal disease that is caused by a fungus that belongs to the Colletotrichum genus. This disease is most prevalent in the eastern part of the United States. Anthracnose is a common plant disease that affects many species. The severity of the disease is so quick that it can turn a strong plant into organic waste within a few days. Symptoms of anthracnose disease include:

• Development of dark, water-soaked lesions on stem, fruit, or leaves.
• Presence of pink, gel-like spores in the center of the fruit.

This disease spreads during the winter season. Optimal conditions for its spread and development are:

• Cool wet weather. The fungus germinates in the presence of moisture.
• Spores grow at a temperature of 75-85 degrees Fahrenheit.

The spores are spread through wind, rain, insects, and garden tools.

Bacterial Canker

As the name indicates, it is a bacterial disease caused by the bacterium Pseudomonas syringae. This bacterium enters the tree through a compromised or injured bark. Injury may have occurred due to frost damage, or during the pruning process.  Bacterial canker commonly affects cherries and plums but can also cause disease in apricots, peaches, and other types of stone fruits. The common symptoms of the development of bacterial canker are:

• The appearance of the sunken, or gummy lesions on the trunk or twigs of the plant.
• Oozing of sour-smelling sap from the punctured areas of an infected tree during the spring season.
• The infected parts of the bark became darker with the appearance of a reddish-brown tinge. Those parts are moist when touched.

The bacterial canker infection is spread during the fall, winter, and spring seasons when the weather is cool and wet. Rain, water and pruning tools are the carriers of the bacterium.

If you fear that your trees and plants are suffering from plant diseases, then waste no time and contact American Tree Experts. We provide effective and proactive Disease Management for plants are trees. Call us at 973-744-6091 to get a free estimate of our services. We operate in Mont Clair, New Jersey, and nearby areas.

Here are 4 sure-shot signs your tree need cabling and bracing for support

Deeply rooted and mature trees are quite powerful and do not budge easily. However, some trees can become structurally weak due to disease or prolonged exposure to strong winds and other damaging environmental factors. Such trees need a little extra support to gain structural integrity and not be a risk to nearby properties and people.

Tree cabling and bracing is a proactive and preventive technique that involves the use of flexible steel strand cables to provide structural stability to the tree. As a result, the tree becomes less susceptible to damage from high winds, ice and snow. The tree remains upright and sturdy.

If you are wondering whether your tree needs cabling and bracing, look out for the following telltale signs. These signs are usually indicative that your tree is in need of extra support.

1. Storm Damage

• The force of the winds in a heavy storm can cause the branches or crotch of trees to split. A dangling branch is a safety hazard. It can be fixed with the help of brace rods and cables that can hold the damaged sections of the tree together. This extra support will enable the tree to heal and prevent trunk failure. Cabling a dangling branch will also restrict its movement during high winds. Hence, a tree that has suffered from considerable storm damage is an ideal candidate for getting cabling and bracing.

2. Presence of A V-Crotch Stem

• A v-crotch stem is a type of tree alignment in which two large stems come out of the same trunk, making a V-like shape. Due to the division of the trunk into two stems, there is little tissue to support either of the stems and both stems are structurally weak. Heavy winds can cause either or both stems to fall off.

To prevent the stems from falling off, cabling and bracing can be used to support the v-crotch stem. The tension from the cables provides additional support to the off-shoot stems and keeps them in their place when winds are blowing.

3. Severe Lean

• As trees mature, they may develop a natural lean towards the right or left side. Trees usually tilt on the side where they gain more exposure to sunlight. Trees with a severe lean present a safety hazard. Due to the shift in their center of gravity, they become less stable and a branch or stem may snap and fall on nearby property.

Soil erosion or storms weakens the trees anchorage into the soil. This can also cause trees to lean on one side. This is a particularly dangerous situation as trees can now fall on a nearby structure with a little push. Cabling and bracing the tree in the opposite direction can bring a balance to the three and make it more stable.

4. Overextended Limbs

• As trees mature, their vertical growth stops and they only expand horizontally. As a result, the limbs can sometimes outgrow the trunk and become too heavy to bear. Overextended limbs are wobbly and dangling and may snap during a windy season. Cabling and bracing can provide support to these overextended limbs and prevent them from breaking off.

If you spot these warning signs in your trees and plants, contact American Tree Experts for cabling and bracing services. Our experts will conduct a thorough survey of the trees and propose the right methodologies for bracing your plants. Call us at 973-744-6091 to get a free estimate of the services. We operate in Montclair, New Jersey, and nearby areas.