Protect Your Trees, Shrubs and Plants with a Healthcare Plan in 2014!

Ash Borers & Ash Anthracnose pose a serious threat to your tree’s health. We have proven environmentally friendly applications to mitigate these risks.Currently the entire Kansas City Metro Area is under quarantine regarding the Emerald Ash Borer. The entire state of Missouri is under quarantine, and according to the K-State Extension Office:

Crabapples and Hawthorns – Rust and Scab

Rust and Scab are serious fungal issues causing premature defoliation. We can keep your ornamental trees healthy and beautiful throughout the growing season.

Pines – Tip Blight & Needle Blight

Tip Blight & Needle Blight causing brown needles is a big problem for Kansas City’s pine trees. We can keep these problems under control and keep your pines healthy.

Oaks & Birch – Nutrient Deficiencies

Pale, yellow leaves and early leaf drop are the result of a nutrient deficiencies. We can get to the root of the problem and restore your tree’s health.

Spruce – Rhizosphaera Needle Cast and Spider Mites

Rhizosphaera needle cast and spruce spider mites are two serious offenders affecting our urban forests spruce trees. With proper timing and applications we can prevent these issues and often eliminate existing outbreaks.

Evergreens – Bag Worms

Bag worms are commonly found on spruce, junipers, cedar and Arborvitae trees.  They can also be found on several deciduous varieties.  If left untreated, bag worms will cause defoliation.  We can spray for bag worms, keeping your evergreens in optimal health.

Sunscald

Sunscald or southwest injury refers to damage incurred though the killing of active cells within the trunk and limbs of sensitive trees during winter months. Young trees with thin bark are most susceptible to sunscald injury. The injury occurs when exposed bark on the tree warms up on sunny days and previously dormant cells within the plant become active in response to the warmth. Research has shown that the south side of a tree can be as much as 77°F warmer on a cold winter day than the north side of the tree. The newly activated cells lose some of their cold-hardiness and are injured when temperatures drop below freezing during the nighttime hours. Resulting damage includes discoloration and cracking of the bark. The portions of trunks and branches facing south and southwest warm the most because they get the most direct sun and because they get sun later in the day when air temperatures are warmest. Our Arborists can meet with you to discuss ways to protect your trees from becoming victims of sunscald.

Winter injury is caused by desiccation, or loss of moisture and can lead to the progressive death of twigs and branches which generally starts at the tips.  Trees and shrubs affected by this may die within a year or two after symptoms first appear or some cases, recover and survive indefinitely.  K.C. Arborist utilizes an application of a plant protectant to seal the leaves of broadleaf evergreens and needles of conifers to help prevent the loss of moisture, greatly reducing the effects of winter injury.

Drought

With Kansas City’s fluctuating temperatures and unpredictable summers, we are always at risk of a drought season.  Trees affected by drought suffer decreased rates of diameter and height growth, poor resistance to other stresses, disruption of food production and distribution and are more prone to insect infestation and disease.  K.C. Arborist’s very own ArborBrew Compost Tea helps increase tolerance against drought.

A Tree Healthcare Contract is an affordable treatment program to protect your investment from insects, disease and other environmental hazards.  One of our Arborists will inspect your home’s valuable trees and shrubs and will customize an annual contract for your property.  Service includes evaluation and diagnosis, insect and disease management, K.C. Arborist’s very own ArborBrew Compost Tea and more.  To see a complete line of services offered in our Tree Healthcare Department, click here.