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Winter Tree Health In Rochester MN: Keeping Trees Healthy and Hazard Free

Posted on January 17, 2014 - 2:07 pm by

Rochester MN Tree Care by Maier Tree and Lawn

There’s no more denying it; winter is upon us in Rochester, MN. With snow covering the trees and ground and frigid temperature slicing through the air, most yard work has been put on hold until spring. Though trees are a sturdy organism that will hold up to the harsh weather of winter, it never hurts to help out the trees in your yard. While Maier Tree & Lawn can take care of your trees’ needs when the ground is thawed, there are also steps you can take during the winter months to keep your trees healthy and in-tact along the way. Make sure that during these cold months, winter tree health remains a top priority in your yard maintenance.

One of the most visible strains of winter on your trees is the heavy weight of snow and ice that bends and stresses the branches of trees. The simple act of knocking snow and ice off the lower branches will help preserve the visual beauty of the tree. It will also cause less of a mess in the spring months, with fewer twigs and branches for you to pick up. Preventative structural pruning is also a good thing to do in the winter to prevent snow and ice damage and keep your tree health in perfect condition.

While Rochester is somewhat urban, it is still home to deer, rabbits and voles. You’ll have to be on the lookout for these scavengers near your trees. Deer and rodents go after more than just fruit trees; the bark of any is a delicacy. The damage could be deadly. A sturdy fence can help ward off unwanted guests.

Winter is a prime time to prune the trees in your yard. With the expert advice of Maier Tree & Lawn, you can be sure that your trees grow to their full potential. Additionally, our team members take into account all surroundings while pruning trees, so you won’t have to worry about potential damage when we’re around.

It’s time to bunker down against the winter weather, both for the residents of Rochester and the trees. Maier Tree & Lawn offers services throughout the year for trees. Contact us today to learn more or set up an appointment.

What it Means to be an Accredited Tree Care Company

Posted on November 6, 2013 - 9:56 am by

Rochester Tree Service, Tree Trimming, Tree Removal

rochester tree service maier tree and lawn

Did you know that Maier Tree & Lawn is the ONLY accredited tree care company in Rochester, Minnesota? Sure it sounds good, what does it really mean for our customers? We think this is a pretty big deal! Even completing the actual accreditation process means we go the extra mile to ensure safety, quality, and the highest standards. This is how we approach every job we do too—we go the extra mile to ensure safety and quality work done to the highest standards.

When you decide to call professionals for your Rochester tree service, plant health care or lawn care needs, calling an accredited company (like us) will give you the peace of mind that the best practices and standards are being used. Here is what it means to be an accredited tree care company:

  • Company adheres to the Tree Care Industry (TCIA) Code of Ethics and best business practices
  • Employees are formally trained, skilled personnel
  • Industry standards are being met in regards to quality performance and safety
  • Company provides industry-standard written estimates
  • Employers document customer satisfaction, including following a dispute resolution process
  • Business carries sufficient insurance coverage
  • Certified arborists are employed

In order to be accredited, Maier Tree & Lawn went through a voluntary process in which a TCIA representative evaluated the overall manner for which we conduct our business. “We would not have “passed the test” had our procedures and standards not been met by every one of our employees,” said owner Jay Maier.

Here are just some of the areas that accreditation evaluation addresses:

  • Consumer Satisfaction
  • Business Ethics
  • Employee Training
  • Safety
  • Arborist Certification
  • Work Estimates and Specifications

At Maier Tree & Lawn, we believe that our customers should expect nothing less than the highest level of service with the skills and proficiency of accredited tree care professionals. If you are in need of tree services, plant health care, or lawn care services, please contact the experts of Maier Tree & Lawn today!

Last Chance to View Fall Colors in Rochester MN

Posted on November 5, 2013 - 5:14 pm by

At Maier Tree & Lawn we love trees! We love the environmental impact that trees have on the Earth’s atmosphere; we love the shade they produce on a hot summer day; we love the endless number of tree varieties; we love hearing the leaves rustle on a breezy day; we love trees!

But, one of the things we love most is seeing the beautiful colors that trees turn to signal the change in seasons from summer to fall to winter. While most of the state of Minnesota is already past the prime fall foliage viewing period, Southeastern Minnesota still has some opportunities to take in nature’s beauty. This weekend will likely be the last opportunity Minnesotans have to take in the changing fall leaves along the scenic hills and valleys of the Mississippi River Valley.

According to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Fall Colors Map, Southeastern Minnesota still has fall colors to be found. From Stewartville and Rochester over to the Mississippi river near Wabasha, Red Wing and Hastings, and up to Minneapolis, there are many ways and places to take in a final glimpse of fall’s splendor.

This weekend, consider taking a drive with the family to get away from the day to day bustle. According to the MN DNR, some of the prime viewing spots are:

  • Whitewater State Park
  • Rice Lake State Park
  • Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park
  • John A. Latsch State Park along Highway 61 near the Mississippi River
  • Fort Snelling State Park
  • Afton State Park

Check the Fall Colors Map for more options and information.

In Olmsted County, the Root River Park offers 90 acres of scenic views and hiking trails along its namesake, the Root River. Just a 10-15 minute drive from most places in Rochester, it’s the perfect spot for fall afternoon family picnic or just to go sit and relax.

Whatever you choose to do this weekend, be sure to take a moment to appreciate the beauty of the fall season: the crisp, cool air, the beautifully colored leaves, and the dazzling sunsets.

Maier Tree & Lawn is a professional Forestry and Arboriculture company that serves Rochester, MN and all of the surrounding communities. We are the only accredited tree care company in the Rochester area. All of our technicians are Certified Arborists and tree lovers. Maier Tree & Lawn offers tree pruning, plant health care, tree removal, stump removal, comprehensive lawn care services and consulting services for a variety of clients including… businesses, homeowners, municipalities, institutions, developers, and more. Call Maier Tree & Lawn today!

Our Employees Are Why We Are the Best

Posted on August 15, 2013 - 11:15 am by

We’re not sure which we love more–our customers or their trees. If you ask Jay Maier, founder of Maier Tree & Lawn, he’ll say, “It’s kind of like asking me to pick my favorite child. It’s better to just not ask.” We provide Rochester, MN and the surrounding areas with tree and shrub trimming, pruning, and removal as well as plant health care and lawn services, including:

  • Lawn fertilizing
  • Weed control
  • Pest control (grubs, moles, gophers, etc.)
  • Lawn seeding
  • Aeration

Maier Tree & Lawn has become Rochester’s trusted company for tree services and lawn services. What’s our secret? Our employees. To start with, every one of our tree and lawn technicians is passionate about taking care of the health, beauty, and longevity of all varieties of trees, shrubs, turf, etc. Almost all of our experienced tree and shrub specialists are ISA Certified Arborists, and many hold degrees in Forestry, Horticulture, or Grounds Maintenance. They understand the science—and the art—behind tree maintenance and removal. We like to think of them as “Tree Nerds” or “Tree Geeks”. They’ve been trained to handle even the trickiest tree dilemmas.

The other component of our extraordinary staff is their commitment to providing our customers with remarkable service that is hard to find in this day and age. A high priority on customer service is modeled by Jay Maier and passed down to all of the field staff and office staff. We know that without customers, we wouldn’t have a job to come to every day—especially one that we love. We also know that without incredible employees we couldn’t keep growing as a company.

This isn’t just our opinion. Here’s what our customers have to say:

“I have had past experience with other companies and it was not good. Every contact I had with Maier has been positive. Thank you.” —Susan

“Courteous, knowledgeable, understanding my attachment to my tree, offering sound advice. Thank you!” —Dawn

“The personnel is what ‘made it’ for me – it is so nice to deal with ‘decent’ people.” —Patricia

“We needed a couple of broken branches from trees from the last storm and you were able to fit us in a busy time in a couple of days. Wonderful crew – always very pleased with the service!” —Ann

“How can you improve perfection?!” —Carole

“Excellent service and knowledge of trees & shrubs. Always looks nice when done. I recommended you to my friend…” —Julie

Trees, shrubs, and lawns are our business; our employees and customers are our life line.

When you need tree service, tree removal, tree cutting or pruning by a certified arborist, call Maier Tree & Lawn. If you need lawn care and maintenance, fertilization, weed control, or aeration, call us. We serve Rochester and the surrounding communities, including:

  • Byron
  • Kasson
  • Mantorville
  • Stewartville
  • Pine Island
  • Oronoco
  • Winona
  • And more!

When You Mow, Where Do the Clippings Go?

Posted on July 23, 2013 - 10:15 am by

The question debated by many lawn owners annually is “What type of mower is best for my lawn; side discharge, mulching, or bagger?” Here are a few thoughts for you to consider when deciding what is best for your yard:

Generally a side discharge mower will be the least expensive. It simply cuts the lawn and blows the clipping back out onto the lawn. The grass to be cut should be dry, and the 1/3 max height cut rule is a must. Cutting tall or damp/wet grass will result in the mower spewing clumps or heaped rows of clippings. Excessive debris takes longer to decompose, is susceptible to mold and mildew, and robs the underlying plants of sunlight and needed airflow. But the organic material is still left on site to benefit the soil.

A mulching mower doesn’t discharge the grass but instead, by design of the deck and blade assemblies, causes recirculation of the clippings so they are chopped into very tiny pieces before falling back into the lawn. The moisture and nutrients from these tiny clippings are released back into the soil and plants for immediate use. Excessively tall or wet grass should be avoided as it will “clog” the mulching process and leave clumps of harmful clipping debris. And like the side discharge mower, this type allows the soil to benefit from the organic debris.

A bagging mower is also an option. It vacuums the clippings into a bag as you mow, leaving little if any clippings behind. The main downside is that all the naturally produced organic matter is removed from the site, and often with much additional labor in emptying the bag. The upside is that the grass clipping can be used as mulch in and around flower beds and rows of vegetables, or dumped in a compost pile and mixed with other organic yard waste to create a nutrient rich compost material.

To make matters easy, there are mowers designed to perform all three of these functions! Regardless of your choice, set the mower cut height for the optimal seasonal cutting height, and follow the 1/3 max cut rule to ensure you do not harm the grass plant. Sure, mowing can be a boring chore, but a beautiful, well manicured lawn is well worth the expense! For more information please visit us at Maier Tree & Lawn.

Is Your Mower Set to the Correct Cutting Height?

Posted on July 9, 2013 - 10:59 am by

Taller turf grass promotes deeper root growth which tends to allow for a healthier, more durable plant. A longer grass blade can store more moisture which helps the plant through periods of less rain or hotter temperatures. The benefits of keeping your grass taller include: watering and fertilizing less frequently, a greater absorption of nutrients by the plant, and an increase in photosynthesis due to larger blade surface area.  A thicker, longer turf makes it very tough for weed seeds to penetrate down to the soil and is better at reducing soil loss due to rain and/or wind erosion. Also, the turf is far more tolerant to traffic and wear-and-tear from pets and playing kids.

An appropriately set mower height reduces damage to grass plant crowns. This avoids damaging the grass which in turn prevents a thinning lawn. By using a ruler or tape measure you can check the height of your lawn after cutting to determine if your mower is set for the correct cutting height. The changing seasons also dictate correct mowing height. In the spring, set the mowing height at 2 to 2.5 inches, at 3 inches for summer, and back to 2.5 inches when fall arrives. Other considerations for summer mowing height include turf that grows quickly (set the mower height at 2 to 3 inches) and if you have shady or sandy soil (set the height at 3+ inches).

It is best to not cut more than 1/3 of the plant height when mowing. Cutting more than 1/3 of the grass plant forces it to expend its limited resources to quickly reestablish longer grass blades. This causes an imbalance in proper growth as the grass plant will sacrifice root growth to achieve needed blade growth. Carefully manage your mowing schedule to maintain a “mower-friendly” environment to protect and preserve your turf as best as possible. For more information please visit us at Maier Tree & Lawn.

Is Your Lawn Mower Blade Sharp or Dull?

Posted on June 24, 2013 - 4:27 pm by

Have you ever had your mower blade checked to ensure it is sharp enough to cut your grass correctly? Did you know that a dull mower blade can cause damage to grass which can lead to greater turf maintenance costs and requirements? Hopefully you’ve answered “Yes!” to the above questions, but if not (or even if you did…), please, read on!

Regardless of how sharp you keep your mower blade, every time you mow the turfgrass is put through a period of “shock” from the cutting. When a blade of grass is severed the remaining grass plant must go through a period of healing to seal the cut. A sharp blade cuts cleanly through the grass blade and leaves a nice, straight slice which minimizes the shock to the plant and the time required for healing. On the other hand, a dull blade will not cut so sharply. Even though the grass is “cut,” the blades are shredded, ripped, and torn which causes the grass plant to endure an extended period of healing and water loss. A grass plant that endures a nice, clean slice is far less likely to suffer prolonged damage or disease, while a blade that is badly torn can take days to recover, experience tremendous water loss, and may become infected or infested with microbes or unwanted insects.

If you’re handy with tools and know your way around a mower, sharpening your own blade isn’t that difficult. Many retail locations sell a blade sharpening grinding stone designed specifically for mower blades. You can also purchase a tool that will hold the blade in place when you are removing the bolt which secures the blade to the engine shaft.

Your owner’s manual should have instruction on proper maintenance, and even if you can’t find your manual, a quick check of the internet with make and model of your mower in hand will get you to a manufacturer’s website. If you don’t feel comfortable with sharpening your own blade that’s quite alright – the dealer where you purchased your mower may provide this type of service, and there are many professional companies in our area that will perform this work for you. Regardless of which works best for you, a sharp blade always works best for your lawn! By maintaining a sharp blade, your blades of grass will benefit tremendously!

How Well Did Your Trees Weather the Winter Storm?

Posted on June 10, 2013 - 5:02 pm by

May 2nd and 3rd of 2013 will probably exist forever in the weather records as the snowiest May “winter storm” to strike our area. Like an extreme application of shotcrete, the wet and heavy snow stuck to everything and only got heavier and wetter as the snow finally changed to rain. Power poles and lines, buildings, outdoor furniture; nothing was safe from the extreme weight of the driving snow. Thousands of trees in Rochester were damaged, and many types of plants, from decorative bushes and lilacs to mighty oaks and towering pines, felt the effect of this storm.

When there are broken or cracked limbs and branches, the damage needs to be removed to prevent additional injury to the tree or bush or potential damage to nearby structures or people. Some trees and plants were stressed, bent and twisted in ways you might think damaged them, but many species are quite hardy and will recover on their own. If you’re in doubt, let us check it out – our trained and certified arborists can assess your trees, shrubs and bushes and give you recommendations that best fit the needs of the plant.

The amounts of heavy, wet snow from this May’s storm are an unusual phenomenon, but the severe spring and summer storms yet to come with high winds, hail, and torrential downpours aren’t. As the season progresses, look for branches that are hanging or browning. That is a sure indication of a limb or branch that is damaged and no longer alive. This type of dead wood will eventually come down; how and when is uncertain. It is far safer for your tree, property and structures if the dead wood is professionally removed before a summer storm tears it from the tree and possibly causes additional damage. Our professional, experienced staff uses their expert skills and safe equipment to cut and remove damaged or dead limbs with minimal impact to the tree or the surrounding environment.

We Also Specialize In Lawn Care

We’re less than two weeks from the start of meteorological summer. If we’re lucky, there will be no more snow this season. But, you never know. After all, it is Minnesota. Our lawns could all use a little help this year! Check out our lawn care services and service packages to help make your lawn green and lush. Maier Tree and Lawn, The Green Care Company, will assist you with the trained and experienced professionals and superior products to make your yard the lush and thriving environment you desire!  Sign up online or give us a call and we’ll gladly help you decide which services or package will best suit your lawn’s needs and your budget.

Is Your Yard Ready for Spring?

Posted on April 12, 2013 - 5:08 pm by

It’s that time of year again – springtime is upon us, and in Rochester, MN, it’s almost a full month early! If you haven’t already done so, it’s time to pull the lawn mower out of the shed, unearth the gardening tools from the dark depths of the garage, and uncover the grill.

As you’re enjoying the warmth of the sun, the heady fragrance of blooms and the char-broiled scent of grilled food, take a look around you and take stock of your yard.  How did your trees and decorative bushes fare over the winter?  Do the bushes look a bit misshapen or on the verge of taking over more than their allotted space?  Do the trees hang low and have dangerous limbs?

While puttering in the yard can be a soothing and rewarding task, the big stuff can be time consuming, physically demanding, and sometime just plain dangerous for the untrained or unskilled homeowner.  And it should not be taken lightly!  There are precautions to take when firing up a chainsaw, or standing on a ladder (but never do both).

If the do-it-yourself stuff is getting out of hand, or diminishing the pleasure you get from gardening, give Maier Tree & Lawn a call!  We specialize in maintaining the overall health and beauty of your trees and lawn, and will gladly give you a free estimate on how to enhance your great outdoors!

Treat Trees Early to Defeat Bugs Later

Posted on March 20, 2013 - 5:36 pm by

Which of these statements is true: a) The best time to get a flu shot is after you’ve gotten the flu; b) The best time to get car insurance is after you crash your car; or c) The best time to treat your trees against an infestation is after you actually see bugs attacking them. Common sense should tell you none of these statements are true, but if you’re a bit hazy as to the best time to treat your trees, here’s a few tips regarding the when and why.

Like getting a flu shot before the flu season hits, the best time to protect your tree from an infestation or attack is before it occurs, and that time is early spring. Spring brings warmer weather which serves as an alarm clock to every creepy crawly bug out there. Mature bugs emerge and begin the cycle of life once again, and the top item on their preferred menu – your tree!

Treating your trees to maintain their health is a beneficial preventative measure. The Emerald Ash Borer is making news all across this part of the country, and it’s not a question of if it will get here anymore; it’s exactly when. It’s already killing thousands of trees across many states; including Minnesota (Winona and Twin Cities). Other pesky invasive insects also call our area home and put their preferred trees of choice in yearly jeopardy. A treatment plan for your trees can and will save you money down the road. You have car insurance because you know that replacing a totaled uninsured new car would be horrendously costly. Trying to save a tree injured by years of infestation can also be quite expensive, or worse. If left unattended, can result in the death of the tree and require removal.

But let’s focus on the positive – Maier Tree & Lawn has treatment programs available which will help keep your trees safe and strong. One of our preferred treatment products is Xytect™, which is a broad-spectrum systemic insecticide that is applied to the soil. Xytect™ targets the tissues within the tree where the insects feed. That’s why it’s imperative to initiate a treatment program in early spring to begin attaining a sufficient level of uptake into the tree tissues before the insects start actively feeding in late spring and summer. Xytect™ provides protection against Emerald Ash Borer, and is exceptionally effective against a broad range of other invasive insects as well.

Maier Tree & Lawn has the staff, knowledge and experience to help you with your tree treatment needs. Our ISA Certified Arborists will inspect your trees and provide you with the care and treatment options specific to their needs. So, as spring approaches, please give us a call and schedule a time for one of our consulting arborists to visit your home and discuss a program of care and preventative services for your trees. Treat you trees early to defeat bugs later – be proactive, and let us help keep your trees green, beautiful and safe for years to come!

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