Tag: tree care

What Does an Arborist Do?

Written by Stein Tree on May 17, 2018. Posted in Stein Tree Service Blog, Tree Care, Tree Service.

As warm weather arrives and trees begin to blossom and bloom, homeowners often begin to think about hiring someone to inspect and care for them. Who should that someone be? Many landscape companies offer tree care services, however, an arborist is the right person for the job if you want someone with a lot of knowledge who is passionate about the tree’s overall health, rather than just focusing on aesthetics. Today Stein Tree answers the question: What does an arborist do?

Tree Canopy - Learn about great tree care from Stein Tree Service

Celebrate Arbor Day by Planting a Tree That Grows Well in Delaware or Pennsylvania

Written by Stein Tree on April 27, 2018. Posted in Stein Tree Service Blog, Tree Care.

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.

Adult Spotted Lanternfly | Invasive Species Awareness | Stein Tree Service

Tree Care in West Chester, PA: The Invasion of the Spotted Lanternfly

Written by Stein Tree on March 30, 2018. Posted in Pests & Diseases, Stein Tree Service Blog.

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.

Spotted Lanternfly Phases

Spotted_Lantern_Fly life cycles - Stein Tree

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.

What if You See a Spotted Lanternfly?

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.

How to Avoid or Treat for an Infestation

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.

Firewood, brush, debris, bark, or yard waste
Logs, stumps, or any other tree parts
Remodeling, landscaping, or construction waste
Grapevines
Nursery stock
Crated materials
Outdoor household articles including RVs, lawn equipment, grills and furniture cover or tarps, tile, stone, deck boards, mobile fire pits, or any associated equipment and vehicles that are stored outdoors.

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

Call Stein Tree for Experienced Tree Care in West Chester, PA

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.

Call Stein Tree for emergency tree removal nor easter - Stein Tree Service

Stein Tree Urges Emergency Tree Removal Preparations Ahead of the Coming Nor’Easter

Written by Stein Tree on March 2, 2018. Posted in News & Announcements, Stein Tree Service Blog, Storm Clean Up, Tree Removal.

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.

4 Top Reasons to Call Stein Tree for Your Emergency Tree Removal Needs

Emergency service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Radio-dispatched trucks can reach most addresses within 2 hours to begin the clean up process and limit damage to other trees or property.
Stein’s equipment is state of the art and our professionals are well-trained in the safe removal of trees.
Stein Tree Service is fully insured in case of any incidents or injuries.

Stein Tree encourages Delaware and Pennsylvania residents to be prepared for this powerful storm and the potential effects.

Have emergency supplies ready in case of power loss.
Keep important numbers ready in case of injury or home damage from wind, branches or downed trees.
Prepare back-up generators if you have them.
Fill tubs with water for necessities like flushing if power goes out.
Check on elderly neighbors who might not be physically able to ask for help if power is lost.

About Stein Tree Service

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.

Tree Care in West Chester: Four Common Evergreen Tree Issues

Written by Stein Tree on November 10, 2017. Posted in Stein Tree Service Blog, Tree Care.

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:

tree care in west chester -planting trees in fall -red-oak- Stein Tree

Tree Care in West Chester: Fall Is a Great Time to Plant Trees

Written by Stein Tree on September 22, 2017. Posted in Stein Tree Service Blog.

Though the arrival of fall announces the end of the growing season, in West Chester, PA, homeowners know that fall is a great time to plant trees! The tree and plant health care professionals at Stein Tree Service care about your tree care in West Chester, PA. Though spring may be a favored time for planting trees, planting in the fall can help you have healthy, thriving trees in your landscape next summer.

Tree Care in Newark, DE: What is Vertical Mulching?

Written by Stein Tree on September 8, 2017. Posted in Stein Tree Service Blog.

Vertical mulching is a technique that your certified arborist may use when providing tree care in Newark, DE. Vertical mulching is a method of reducing stress your tree may be experiencing due to soil compaction or nutrient deprivation in the surrounding soil.

Tree Care in Wilmington, DE: Tree Problem Indicators

Written by Stein Tree on August 4, 2017. Posted in Stein Tree Service Blog, Tree Care, Tree Care Video.

Your trees can experience myriad issues that can affect their health, and Stein Tree is offers tips for proper tree care and watching for tree problem indicators. Common tree problems can may include things like water stress, wind drag, and even iron or nitrogen deficiencies that have fairly straightforward solutions. Other common problems can be more serious, like Emerald Ash Borer infestations, root problems, and fungi growth.

Tree Care in West Chester, PA potted tree

Skilled Tree Care in West Chester, PA Can Save Root Bound Trees

Written by Stein Tree on July 28, 2017. Posted in Stein Tree Service Blog.

Good tree care in West Chester, PA begins with proper planting. Even the healthiest trees bought at the best nursery will wilt without good planning and planting techniques. For example, one of the most common problems we see with trees that are bought at a nursery, in a container pot, and then transplanted into the ground is root bound trees.

Five Reasons to Consider a Tree Stump Removal Service in Wilmington

Written by Stein Tree on October 30, 2016. Posted in Stump Removal and Grinding, Tree Care Video, Tree Service.

Tree stumps are an inevitable part of owning property with trees. After a tree is downed, homeowners often decide to leave the stumps in the ground, either to reduce tree removal costs, or to avoid clean-up efforts. However, doing so can actually end up costing you more in landscaping and home maintenance, so having a Wilmington tree stump removal service remove the problem is a smart move.

Five Potential Problems Tree Stumps can Cause

Safety Hazards

Making sure the home and surrounding areas are free from safety issues should be high on any property owner’s priority list. As innocent as low cut stumps may appear, stumps can actually create hazards for both adults and children because stumps are easily hidden behind shrubs and grass. This factor can lead to tripping or can create issues when mowing occurs.

Reduced Curb Appeal

Unless stumps are artfully crafted into yard art by a highly talented and experienced wood carver, leftover stumps can reduce a home’s curb appeal, which could potentially affect the sale price of the property. Using a tree stump removal service in Wilmington, however, can transform the unsightly stump into a blank landscaping canvas suitable for giving the property a makeover, and actually increase the curb appeal.

Insect Infestation

Tree stumps are ideal locations for many harmful pests. Termites, carpenter ants, and other wood-boring insects quickly move into the rotting stumps. Insects play a major role in decomposing and are vital to a healthy ecosystem; however, insects can spread into the surrounding trees and buildings, causing thousands of dollars’ worth of property damage. Removing the stump reduces these pests and the risk to the home.

Sapling Growth from the Stump

Particularly important when the tree was removed due to space or drainage issues, when left in the yard, stumps may grow new saplings. New growth, while slow and steady, will eventually lead to the same circumstances that led to the initial removal. Removing the stump minimizes the risks of a new tree causing the same problems.

Difficult Landscaping Upkeep

Stumps create unique maintenance and landscaping challenges. Mowing and weed control can become difficult, especially for large and oddly shaped stumps. Simple upkeep can also take a lot longer than if the stump was removed, potentially causing property owners to allow the landscape around the stump to become overgrown, and creating a safety hazard.

Stein Tree Service Can Help

An experienced tree stump removal service in Wilmington, such as Stein Tree Service, can reduce these risks and help you beautify your yard. For more information or to request a consultation, please contact the experts at Stein Tree Service today.