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

Spring is right around the corner!  Now is the time to consider what can be done throughout the year to keep your valuable trees and shrubs in the best possible health.  For those of our clients that have a Healthcare Plan in place, you will be receiving your renewal letter soon, along with the opportunity to save 5% if you choose to prepay for the year’s services!  If you do not have a Healthcare Plan in place yet, one of our Certified Arborists would love to meet with you to develop a plan to keep your green space healthy and looking its best throughout the year.  There are several local threats to consider when thinking about the health of your trees and shrubs.  The articles below explain the diseases and insects that should be taken seriously.  Feel free to call our office at any time to discuss these matters further.

Kansas City’s Most Common Insect and Disease Problems

Ash Trees – Ash Borers, Ash Anthracnose and Emerald Ash Borer (EAB)
Ash Tree health in jeopardy from borers and anthracnoseAsh 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:
  1. Adult EAB insects were found in a trap set by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) in Johnson County, Kans., in the area of I-435 and Holliday Drive, on July 5, 2013.
  2. Adult EAB insects have also been found in traps set by Kansas Department of Agriculture (KDA) in Wyandotte County, in the area of the first confirmed sighting in 2012.
  3. Johnson County is now under quarantine. Wyandotte County is also under quarantine.

K.C. Arborist treated hundreds of trees for the prevention of Emerald Ash Borer in 2013 and will continue to be treating ash trees throughout the city as long as EAB remains a threat.  Learn more about the Emerald Ash Borer and how it affects ash trees here.

 

Crabapples and Hawthorns – Rust and Scab Premature Defoliation Caused by Fungal Issues
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 and Needle Blight causing problem for pine trees
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 and Yellow Leaves sign of 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 urban forests damaged by 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 Bagworms
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.

Seasonal Conditions that Effect Trees

Sunscald Active cells killed results in 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.

Loss of moisture resulting in Winter Injury to trees and shrubsWinter Injury
 
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 Unpredictable Summer Temperatures Cause Drought Problems
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.

 

Why a Tree Healthcare Contract?
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.