Wilmington, Delaware—Aug 3, 2019—Professional tree service company Stein Tree Service warns that the pathogen that causes the tree and plant disease known as sudden oak death has been found in rhododendron plants that were shipped to 28 states, including Pennsylvania. Residents should be wary, whether they have purchased these rhododendron plants or have plants and trees impacted by the spread.
The spotted lanternfly has become quite a large problem in Delaware and other states across the country. Late spring’s rising temperatures signal the time when nymphs hatch, so we want to make awareness a priority. These insects easily spread to new areas and leave a huge path of destruction in their wake. Beginning in March, the government of Delaware enacted an emergency spotted lanternfly quarantine to help control the damage caused by the insect spreading. If you see evidence of spotted lanternflies on or around your property, contact a professional right away.
Last summer Stein Tree Care professionals advised caution in outdoor activities because of ticks. The same advice holds this year, and the number of ticks in PA seems to be on the rise. WPXI notes that sources are debating whether PA will have a tough tick season, but the state health department has issued an alert about steady increases in tick bite-related visits to emergency departments. The biggest problem with ticks is the potential they have for carrying disease, and we want everyone to be extra cautious this time of year.
We understand the love Newark residents have for their trees and landscaping. Mulching is an important part of tree care, and proper practices should be employed for the absolute best results and healthiest trees. Here are some helpful tips for practicing proper mulching for tree care in Newark, DE.
Mother nature creates such beautiful flora and fauna, but also creates problems that can destroy them. If you are a homeowner in Pennsylvania, tree care can be a frustrating experience at times. You may run into one of the more common issues that can do damage to your beloved trees. Your biggest weapon to combat these issues is knowledge and preparedness.
Stein tree care specialists have the years of experience, knowledge, and training to help you deal with anything from common issues like minor tree disease to some of the rarer issues you might come across. You can trust us to get the job done, and we even offer free consultations.
Some common but worrisome Pennsylvania tree care problems to look out for include:
EAB is an issue that continues to spread and we are certified to treat for the pest. You may be dealing with EAB if:
The main indications are very noticeable and are a very common problem throughout the country, not just in Delaware and Pennsylvania tree care. If you notice any of these signs be sure to give us a call.
These colorful little insects can cause a lot of problems to certain types of trees. If you are concerned about spotted lanternfly you should look out for the following signs:
The spotted lanternfly likes trees such as willows, poplar, maple, as well as a variety of different fruit bearing trees. Because of the secretions that are left behind, depending on the stage of growth, a spotted lanternfly infestation can attract even more pests that can do damage to your trees. Our certified arborist can determine whether you have this issue, and we are certified to treat trees in all spotted lanternfly quarantine areas.
Shade trees are vulnerable to anthracnose, a disease caused by a fungus. The disease attacks frequently in the spring, after the fungus sits in the dead twigs during the winter. In spring when conditions are wet, spores spread and cause lesions on the leaves.
Ash leaf rust is an early spring fungus that has been rampant this year because of the cool wet spring. Affected white and green ash trees will develop yellow-orange spots on their leaves. Trees can lose their leaves prematurely and deformities can occur. This fungal infection can be treated using fungicidal sprays.
Whether you are in Delaware or Pennsylvania, tree and plant health care is an important part of your property maintenance. Whatever tree care issues you face, we are here to help. Our team of experts is looking forward to taking care of your tree care needs. Contact us today for a free consultation.
Trees are everywhere, lining streets, around parks and in our own yards. They provide many benefits, but sometimes, they pose a danger to the safety of structures or passersby. How can you tell if a tree is dangerous? Stein offers some tips on how tree inspection can determine if homeowners have any cause for concern.
As professional tree care specialists, we get this question often. Annual tree trimming and pruning does offer benefits to trees and shrubs. These benefits include the encouragement of new growth, shape retention, and safe removal of dead branches. Pennsylvania and Delaware residents often want to trim trees and shrubs early in the season so that their landscapes look their best for the season. For many trees and shrubs, early pruning, especially during dormant times, is the best practice. However, the timing to prune a flowering tree is different. Flowering trees really need to wait to be trimmed until after they complete the flowering process.
What can you do if your neighbor’s trees are encroaching on your property? We have seen cases where scenic views are blocked by neighbors’ trees, and also where large trees overhanging a homeowner’s property or fence can threaten damage to property or even to people. As tree care specialists, we have a little insight on situations like these.
In Delaware and some nearby states homeowners have the right to prune encroaching limbs and roots to the property line AS LONG AS THE TREE IS NOT HARMED in the process. Harm only means, in this case, the physical health of the tree rather than the aesthetics. If the situation ever came down to a court case the landowner would have to prove harm from the neighboring tree. Trees blocking a view is a totally different set of circumstances.
In a book called Arboriculture and the Law by Victor Merullo and Michael Valentine, cases are cited that back up this right by the courts. The tricky part in some cases where the tree owner refuses to allow pruning, is getting to the branches without climbing the tree. As a tree care service company, we like to have both parties on board if we can. Otherwise, we often have to use the bucket truck, which in some cases is tough due to the accessible area. However, we now have our spider lift which can give us access to the trees in tight areas.
As certified arborists, our job is to prune the tree in such a way that provides relief for our customer without harming the tree. Sometimes we need to compromise with the customer about how much we can take off without hurting the tree in the process.
Taking care of your trees helps with more than just aesthetics. The homeowners association in some communities will require that trees be trimmed back from the sidewalk, or that they be kept to a certain size. Even if no official rules exist, however, keeping your trees in shape is worth your effort. In the event of storms, if your tree has weak branches they may break and cause damage to your neighbor’s property, or even to a person.
No one wants any kind of harm to take place, but in some cases, you could even be held financially liable for damages. Stein urges regular trimming, pruning and inspection to ensure that problems with trees are caught and addressed before this kind of issue takes place. As an added benefit, in some cases, records of regular tree care have enabled a homeowner or institution to prove that due diligence had been observed, and allowed them to be absolved of fault.
Stein has been a trusted tree care service provider in Pennsylvania, Delaware and Maryland for over 30 years. Trees are our business and we are passionate about proper care. We perform tree removal, tree trimming and pruning, stump grinding, and insect treatment, such as for emerald ash borer. We are certified to perform tree care in all areas that are under spotted lanternfly quarantine as well. For information or to schedule a free consultation, contact us today.
Stein Tree Service’s team is passionate about trees and proper tree care, so naturally we encourage all residents to embrace Arbor Day. Arbor Day is the last Friday in April for both Delaware and Pennsylvania. In most states, this is the case, but some states choose to celebrate on a day more in keeping with the best time of year to plant trees in their areas. This year, Pennsylvania and Delaware will recognize the occasion on April 26. Local activities are also taking place on Saturday this year.
For example, on April 27, both the Montgomery Township and Springfield Township in Pennsylvania are holding celebrations and giving away free trees. At the Springfield Township event, leaders will hold a discussion about the spotted lanternfly after a tree planting ceremony.
ArborDay.org has a list of ideas for those who want to celebrate Arbor Day, including:
J. Sterling Morton, the founder of Arbor Day as a National Celebration, was quoted as saying, “Each generation takes the earth as trustees.” Certified arborists, tree aficionados, and other tree care specialists have the same view. Taking care of the trees is good for the earth, and is also good for our enjoyment and well-being. Below are some general tree care tips that will help the trees in your landscape thrive.
The team at Stein Tree Service is passionate about trees on Arbor Day, just as we are every other day of the year. We offer Pennsylvania and Delaware homeowners and businesses professional and reasonable tree care services. For a free consultation, contact us today.
Planning on construction or exterior home renovation this year? Spring and early summer are prime times that residents and businesses plan major construction projects. Whether large or small, these types of projects can cause trauma to the surrounding landscape. If your property has trees that you hope to save, consult with a certified arborist for guidance on avoiding construction damage. Stein offers some basic information below.
Trees adapt as they grow to the type of climate and atmosphere that surround them. When something dramatically different occurs, they are vulnerable to trauma, which can result in weakness or even tree death.
The most obvious cause of injury is what you can see: when equipment comes into contact with the tree. Cuts in the trunk, major broken branches, or even cutting of the roots can occur during construction. Wounds in the tree can lead to bacterial or fungal growth, insect infestation, or a failure in the tree’s system of distributing nutrients. An arborist will help you determine the best methods of protecting trees, and may advise that some trees will most likely be unable to be preserved. Marking the trees that are most valuable and enforcing a safe perimeter may be enough to prevent this type of damage.
Soil compaction is one type of trauma that many fail to consider, but that is often deadly. Trees need a certain level of porosity in the soil in order for roots to receive the proper water, air and nutrients for health. When the level is changed dramatically, such as when heavy equipment is used to clear land or carry building supplies, or even an inordinate amount of foot traffic, the tree can suffer. Another way that soil can be compacted is by adding too much soil on top of the existing soil. We normally plant trees with the proper amount of root buried, and if that level is changed too much, the tree roots can be starved of air or nutrients.
As we mentioned, trees become used to their surroundings, and dependent in some ways on them. For example, if you have a forested area, the included trees depend on each other for protection from the wind and other elements. Trees may grow tall and with a slimmer canopy because they have the support of other trees that are planted in close proximity. Without the protection of those trees, singular trees that have been chosen for preservation may be unable to survive later when storms come. Your certified arborist will be able to advise you of this possibility so that you can make the best plan for the success of your project and your landscape.
Once construction has been completed, home or business owners often assume the risk has passed if their trees still look healthy, but trauma received during construction can show up months or even a year later. Have your arborist inspect trees after construction to look for issues that can cause trouble later. According to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, a tree can survive if 20% or less of the roots have been damaged. If 40% has been lost, the tree will most likely fail to survive. In such a case, the tree should be removed to prevent the danger of falling later on the structure or passersby.
Your arborist can look for other issues as well, and some may be treatable. Broken branches can be carefully pruned to promote quicker healing. In addition, he/she can recommend the best practices for tree care, as optimal watering and fertilizing needs may differ after construction.
Whether you need construction site tree management to mitigate construction damage, or you need services such as tree trimming and pruning or tree removal, Stein has the experience and equipment to handle the job. We offer free consultations, so contact us today for more information.