Today is Arbor Day and festivities have been taking place all over the country to celebrate trees and all the benefits they offer us. In recognition of Arbor Day, Stein Tree Service offers some great choices for trees that grow well in Delaware and Pennsylvania as well as some information about good tree care.
Photos courtesy of Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.
The first presence of the spotted lanternfly, an insect originating in China, India and Vietnam, in the US was noted in 2014 in Berks County, PA. In November 2017, Philadelphia County was added to the existing quarantine. The quarantine was put into effect because the insects endanger local agriculture, specifically grapes, apples, hops, stone fruits and hardwoods.
The spotted lanternfly has several phases before maturity. These are four nymph, or instar, phases beginning when they start to hatch in mid-May. In the first instar, nymphs are black with white spots and no wings, gradually developing red patches as they mature.
Adults’ heads are black and they have gray wings with black spots on the front portion. The wing tips of the wings have black rectangular blocks with grey outlines. If the spotted lanternfly is seen flying, you will see hind wings that are red at the base and black at the tip with a white stripe dividing them. The red part of the wing has black spots and the abdomen is yellow with black stripes on the top and bottom.
The nymphs may commonly be seen in late April to mid-May. Adult insects, which prefer the Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus alitissima) as host, can be seen from July into the fall months. In the late fall months, they lay eggs, in masses of 30-50, on trees, vehicles or other outdoor surfaces.
The spotted lanternfly is very destructive and spreads quickly. If you find any in an area in which they are already known to be present, you should kill them. If the area has not been identified as having lanternfly presence, you should report the presence, either taking a picture or sample to be confirmed with authorities. You can do so by contacting the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA), either via emailing badbug@pa.gov or calling the Invasive Species Hotline at 1-866-253-7189.
Regular inspection and tree care is helpful in early identification of lanternfly presence. In addition, the quarantines in place regulate the movement of the following items, so being careful of what you may be transporting into or out of quarantine areas, either on your person or belongings, can be helpful.
If you have ailanthus or tree of heaven in your yard, you may wish to remove them. Contact and systemic Insecticides can be used to treat trees that you elect to keep on your property. Your certified arborist or other tree care professional can advise you on the best course of treatment as well as help you identify lanternfly or other pests
Stein Tree Service services areas in Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Maryland. For a free consultation or more information about our services, contact us at 302-478-3511. You can also learn more about spotted lanternfly at agriculture.pa.gov/spottedlanternflyalert.
March 9, 2018 – West Chester, PA – Winter Storm Quinn is still impacting the Pennsylvania area and forecasters are already looking ahead to more winter weather. Stein Tree Service, who has been steadily providing emergency tree removal since the Nor’easter hit last week, advises residents to inspect their trees, especially those that overhang power lines or structures.
According to Pennsylvania Real-Time News, Winter Storm Quinn was predicted to drop 3-6 inches of snow onto northwestern Pennsylvania, and a new storm could potentially gather intensity along the coast around March 11- March 12. Stein professionals have seen a great deal of damage to power lines and trees already. With the heavy snowfall adding more weight to already heavily laden tree branches, homeowners could see more trees fall, and those near homes pose the biggest threat.
Owner Jeff Stein commented, “The last thing homeowners want to see during a heavy snowfall is a tree come down on the roof. Then they are faced with finding other shelter for their families and pets, while worrying about damage to their homes’ interiors.” Stein advises residents to visually inspect any trees that are near structures and call a tree removal service company to check any that appear unwieldy.
Stein reminds residents that emergency tree removal is available from the company 24/7, but prevention is a valuable ally. The company’s specialists advise homeowners to take advantage of the brief respite before the next storm and ensure their families are safe from damage or injury due to falling trees or branches.
Stein Tree Service, the oldest independently owned tree care service company in Delaware, performs all types of tree care, including treatment for the destructive emerald ash borer, and provides timely emergency tree removal for residents of Pennsylvania, Delaware and Maryland. Free consultations are available and the professional certified arborists and specialists at Stein are dedicated to exceptional tree care and safe tree removal. For more information call 302-478-3511 or visit the company website at: www.SteinTree.com.
March 2, 2018 – Wilmington, DE – Local tree care company Stein Tree Service urges Wilmington residents to prepare for the coming Nor’Easter by having a tree care company’s phone number handy for possible emergency tree removal. According to the Inquirer Daily News, thousands are already without power, and winds are continuing at 25-35 miles per hour, gusting even higher up to 60 miles per hour. Some residents have already experienced downed trees from this week’s weather, and the strongest of the storm is still ahead.
Prepare ahead of time and research now so that you know who you will call in case of storm damage, where a tree falls on power lines or even your home, and you need emergency tree removal for the safety and well-being of your family.
Stein Tree encourages Delaware and Pennsylvania residents to be prepared for this powerful storm and the potential effects.
Stein Tree Service is the oldest independently owned tree care service company in Delaware. The company performs inspections, all types of tree care and provides timely emergency tree removal for residents of Delaware, Pennsylvania and Maryland. The professional certified arborists and specialists at Stein are dedicated to exceptional and safe tree care. For more information call 302-478-3511 or visit the company website at: www.SteinTree.com.
Newark, DE traces its American history back to the early 1700s and a team of hardy English, Scots-Irish, and Welsh settlers. Ours is a community that prides itself on self-reliance and independence. Yet, even the most ardent do-it-yourselfers should note that contacting professional tree care specialists in Newark, DE is the safest move when removing downed trees.
Tee care work, in general, is hazardous, but removing downed trees is one of the most dangerous jobs. To successfully fell a tree or remove a tree that has already fallen takes a knowledge and experience to ensure that all goes well even when the unexpected happens. A few of the most pressing hazards include:
Wilmington and its neighboring towns thrive in areas that were once part of large wooded tracts. Towering oaks, beautiful maples, and bright-leafed hickory trees all border the suburban outskirts and many homeowners continue to care for ancient specimens along with their new transplants. However, an 80-year old oak, while beautiful to behold on your property, can pose a serious risk to person and property.
Wilmington, DE – December 21, 2017 – Stein Tree Service has announced that now is the time to take advantage of their TreeFall Program, which can save homeowners both stress and money on emergency tree removal services in Wilmington, DE. Stein Tree Service’s TreeFall Programs could save homeowners thousands of dollars on emergency tree removal services this winter. With predictions of heavy snow and ice looming, homeowners are advised to be prepared.
Did you know that frost damage is the single largest cause of weather-related economic loss to crops in the United States? Outside of the agriculture business, tree care in Wilmington, DE and plant replacement following frost can get expensive. In addition, losing plants to a sudden freeze is disheartening, especially when the dying plant happens to be your favorite tree.
Young, old, and newly planted trees are especially vulnerable to frost damage, which occurs when the water inside the cells of a plant freeze. Such cellular freezing then causes damage to cell walls which causes the entire tree’s health to deteriorate. A few signs of frost damage include withering or browning shoots and buds, cracking and splitting tree bark, and wilting young branches. Left unresolved in severe or long-term periods of frost conditions, vulnerable trees will die.
Thankfully, a few simple tips for tree care in Wilmington, DE may reduce the risk of frost damage. Consider the following protection methods:
Winter tree care is important during cold Delaware and Pennsylvania winters. We inspect trees for damage and perform preventive pruning. We also offer our TreeFall Program as insurance against winter storm damage. For more information about winter tree care in Wilmington, DE, contact us today.
Evergreens are a popular staple in home landscaping and tree care in West Chester, PA. People love that evergreens come in so many shapes and sizes, offer an assortment of berries and flowers and provide visual interest in dreary winter months.
While evergreen varieties are exceptionally hardy, they require some tree care in West Chester as they are susceptible to certain diseases and pest issues. The following is a quick guide to several common evergreen tree problems to be aware of:
Timely, routine, and professional commercial tree service is imperative for two primary reasons: Aesthetics and Liability. The landscape in front and around your business door is the first thing many of your clients will notice when they step foot onto your property. Ensure those potential customers get a powerful first impression with manicured lawns and well-trimmed shrubs and trees. In addition, such well-trimmed and well-cared for beauty offers the second benefit of safety, as the removal of diseased, dead, or dying trees and branches eliminates the risk of branches or full trees falling down on pedestrians, vehicles, or even the building itself.