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Uncovering the Benefits of Tree Fertilization in Rochester, MN

Posted on February 14, 2017 - 1:53 pm by

Trees are mistakenly known for not needing an awful lot of help to grow properly. People assume they aren’t delicate like pansies, and they don’t have the complicated characteristics of something like a Venus Fly Trap. But for Rochester, MN tree care enthusiasts, leaving your trees to grow on their own might feel more like a cop-out than a relief. In fact tree need your help.  And if you’re interested in improving the growth and health of your trees, you should contact your local tree care experts at Maier Tree and Lawn, ask about pruning and fertilizer options, and maybe even see how you can get your hands dirty!

Minnesota tree lovers are lucky that a good portion of our Midwestern soil is rich in nutrients, but even the most nutrient rich soil can be a little lacking in an area or two. Some soil areas tend to be lacking in iron, and this can lead to yellowing leaves in affected trees. This is where tree fertilization comes in. In fact, adding a vitamin-rich boost can help with trees suffering from a variety of ailments, just as it does in humans.

If your tree is looking a little yellow or wilted, this could be a sign that it has some form of nutrient deficiency. Start by consulting a tree care expert to make sure there isn’t another underlying issue such as disease. Once the deficiency is determined, do a little research and determined which fertilizer is right for your tree.  You’ll find that only one fertilizer, Davey’s Arbor Green Pro, is suitable in all situations.

If you’re interested in tree fertilization and would like to know how to get started, contact the tree care experts at Maier Tree and Lawn by calling 507-286-8733, or by visiting our website here for more information. Spring is finally around the corner in Rochester, MN, so it’s time to start collecting all the tools you need to keep your trees happy and healthy in the coming year!

Tree Care and Seasonal Transitions in Winona, MN

Posted on January 31, 2017 - 10:58 am by

We may be in the process of slopping through the middle of winter in Winona, MN, but the oddly warm temperatures these last few weeks have planted images of a swiftly approaching spring in everyone’s mind. The slush has gotten slushier, the drifts have gotten dirtier, and for more than an hour a day, the sun has been fully visible. This is not only exciting for the population of Minnesotans who treat winter as forced hibernation time, but it’s also wonderful news for tree owners and the tree care experts at Maier Tree and Lawn. With spring finally on the horizon, do you have your seasonal tree care plan in place?

With more winter on the horizon, we aren’t out of the woods yet, but having a tree health plan in place early is a great way to ensure that your trees thrive for another full year. If you can, take advantage of the mid-January melt and check your trees for any obvious winter damage. Since winter tree care is often fairly hands off, other than pruning, it’s good to get back into the habit before the snow takes off for good. If you can see a problem or are concerned, don’t be afraid to contact a tree health professional for a consultation. Trees may be dormant in the winter, but that doesn’t mean nothing can be done for them.

Spring is a great time to consider planting more trees on your property as well, so take a little time during the latter part of winter to research and plan if you’d like to expand your tree family. You don’t necessarily need to write an essay on what you’d like in a new tree, but spending a day or two looking into different kinds of trees and tree care will only help you when the seasons do change.

If you have any questions about transitional tree care or tree health on your Winona, MN, property, contact Maier Tree and Lawn at (507) 454-7000 or by visiting their website here for more information.

When Emerald Ash Borer and Firewood Meet in Rochester, MN

Posted on January 16, 2017 - 2:48 pm by

We’re officially deep into fireplace season in Minnesota, which means it’s a great time to examine the laws involved with procuring firewood for your Rochester, MN, home. Not all homeowners know that there are significant restrictions on the movement of firewood in Minnesota and many parts of the United States due to the prevalence and dangers of pests and diseases. The tree care specialists at Maier Tree and Lawn implore you to check your trees for signs of infestation, especially for non-native pests such as emerald ash borer, before you chop any of your trees this chilly winter season.

Gathering firewood seems, on the surface, to be a very straightforward process. Choose tree, chop tree, take wood, done! However, taking that wood anymore than the few steps from your yard to your home could get you into legal trouble faster than you can strike a match. The danger of wood transport lies with the little bugs that could be tagging along for a ride. Even a single batch of contaminated wood can be a catalyst that kicks off a widespread infestation, so keeping any unhealthy areas quarantined is vital to the statewide recovery process.

During your regular tree care regimen, be sure to watch out for any signs of emerald ash borer, especially if you have neighbors or relatives that may have interest in firewood.  Unusual thinning, grooves, leaf death, or other visual irregularities should be checked by a tree care professional before the wood of said tree is transported away from your area, even if it’s just going a town over. Even if the culprit isn’t the emerald ash borer, you should still evaluate odd spots before sharing any of your personal stash.

If you’ve detected signs of emerald ash borer, or are concerned about the general condition of your Rochester, MN, trees, contact the tree care experts at Maier Tree and Lawn at (507) 454-7000, or by visiting our website here for more information. And remember, if you plan on visiting a cabin or relatives this year, be sure to purchase your firewood on location and through a DNR approved source!

Pining for Pines: Novice Tree Care in Winona, MN

Posted on January 5, 2017 - 3:51 pm by

Being a resident of Winona, MN, means being familiar with a whole lot of trees. Even if you aren’t an avid tree lover, you probably spend an awful lot of time looking at them, being under them, and for some, annually considering which one to drag home for a week of jolly celebration. If you’re just picking out a tree that can support shiny lights for a few days, there really isn’t too much to worry about in terms of tree health. If you’re hoping to raise some pines of your own, picking up a few tips from the tree care experts at Maier Tree and Lawn is a great starting point.

Evaluating the health of any sort of tree can be a difficult process if you don’t have professional experience. An unusual spot may be a sign of sickness, or nothing at all. Pine tree care is no different, and can be more difficult because it’s hard to closely investigate a trunk surrounded by prickly needles. For a tree care novice, the most obvious signs of illness include dark brown patches, dry needles, and voids in the needle coverage. Beyond that, the causes of an imperfect pine can be subtle, or even undetectable.

The tree health experts at Maier Tree and Lawn have the experience and background to evaluate pines of any age and stage of health. If you’re new to tree care and you’d like to make sure your trees live long beyond their first year, consulting a professional is a great way to improve the longevity of your saplings. It can even give you a bit of an edge when picking out the most robust Christmas tree next time the holidays come around.

If you’re in the Winona, MN, area and concerned about the health of your pines, or interested in additional tree health tips, contact the tree care experts at Maier Tree and Lawn. We can be reached at (507) 454-7000, or by visiting our website here for more information.

Practicing Winter Tree Care and Preventing Icy Damage in Rochester, MN.

Posted on December 28, 2016 - 10:32 am by

For most casual tree owners in Rochester, Minnesota, tree care becomes quite a challenge as soon as the real winter begins! Even for truly dedicated tree enthusiasts, winter tree care may still feel like a losing battle. Your landscape’s condition is probably iffy, and a long time spent in those low temps isn’t exactly a picnic. This isn’t to say that nothing can be done for your trees once the world goes white in December (or earlier), but climbing on a ladder when it’s 3 below zero to do some pruning probably wouldn’t be recommended for most. Because of this, winter tree care is best left to the expert tree services provided by Maier Tree and Lawn. But first, you have to know that you have a problem.

As with many forms of tree care, your eyes are some of your best tools for determining obvious health problems with your trees in the winter. Signs such as unexpectedly heavy browning around the crown or needles of your tree could be a symptom of salt damage, while discoloration on the trunk or branches after a temperature fluctuation could be a sign of sunscald. If any of these symptoms make themselves apparent, it’s most beneficial to act quickly and contact an expert for advice.

Even if you’re an independent tree lover who prefers to do all of your own trimming, planting, and pruning, it’s hard to deny that things get a little more complicated in the cold. Along with icy conditions and heavy snowfall, trees also have to deal with salt runoff and sun scalding. Since your trees don’t have their usual leafy barriers, all sorts of damage can be done to them, even when the weather is far from extreme. The winter tree services provided by Maier Tree and Lawn won’t only identify some of these winter problems, but they can help you prevent additional damage as well.

If your Rochester, MN, trees have experienced winter tree damage or need specialized winter tree care, the experts at Maier Tree and Lawn are prepared to offer our professional tree services to you. Please feel free to contact us at (507) 286-8733, or by visiting our website here for more information.

Root Pruning and How Not to Do It in Winona, MN

Posted on December 20, 2016 - 2:17 pm by

A popular misconception about tree care is that all effective changes take place in and above the trunk. Trimming, pruning, and learning how to identify healthy bark and leaves are all indeed very important skills in the life of an amateur-arborist, but there’s even more to be said about care that happens below ground. Effective, long term tree care means closely examining the benefits and detriments to a wide variety of care methods, and for some Winona, MN, tree owners, that means considering the use of root pruning.  The tree care experts at Maier Tree and Lawn have come up with some tips for when and when not to root prune:

 

Root pruning is not a method that should be used by novices in the tree care world. In several ways, root pruning is a double-edged sword. If done properly, it can foster a health and long-lived tree. However, if done improperly or haphazardly, root pruning can cause irreparable damage to the health of your tree.

 

Damaging the roots beyond repair is a sure way to kill your tree. There’s a fine line between strategically altering the structure of the roots below the surface, and butchering your tree’s primary method of nutrient absorption. For tree care enthusiasts new to the process, it’s best to step back and allow a professional team to show you the ropes, unless you’re not afraid of questionable results.

 

If you’re still invested in the idea of doing some root pruning on your tree, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Root pruning is a lesser known but still important aspect of tree care. If you’re a Winona, MN, resident interested in practicing safe root pruning or you have questions about the practice, contact the tree care experts at Maier Tree and Lawn. They can be reached by phone at (507) 454-7000 or by visiting their website here.

Weeds and Woes in Rochester, MN

Posted on December 19, 2016 - 2:48 pm by

Autumn in Rochester, MN, is a great time of year for outdoor entertaining. It’s cool enough to run around without overheating, the bugs are finally buzzing off, and the scenery is that perfect mix of autumn colors and early sunsets. You may prefer to spend your evenings outside around the fire pit with a beer and a blanket, or perhaps devote an afternoon to a game of flag football with the family. Regardless of your inclinations, the one thing that can always put a damper on a romp in the yard is overgrown, overwhelming weeds. Maier Tree and Lawn has the tools to assist you with your weed problems so you can get back to your regularly scheduled fall relaxation.

 

Weeds come in many shapes and sizes, but at their core they’re classified apart from other plants because of their detrimental characteristics. They may hurt the plants around them, be ugly to look at, or might just hurt you if you step on them. If you’re trying to foster a healthy, comfortable lawn that’s perfect for entertaining, it’s time to consider some serious weed removal.

 

It might feel wrong to worry about weed control when winter here, but planning now will help you prepare for spring. One of the great secrets of effective lawn care is that you should keep it in mind however you can, year-round, even if snow is on the ground.

 

Weed control can keep your lawn looking neat and tidy while simultaneously fostering stronger overall lawn health. If your lawn has trouble with weeds and it’s impacting your autumn plans, contact the weed control experts at Maier Tree and Lawn. We can be reached at (507) 286-7000, or by visiting our website here for more information. Don’t let a scruffy lawn prevent you from enjoying the beauty of autumn in Rochester, MN.

The Battle Against Buckthorn in Winona, MN

Posted on November 8, 2016 - 1:13 pm by

Minnesota has a long history of dealing with different types of invasive species. Thanks to its prolific growing abilities, common buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica) is no exception. In fact, buckthorn has been inhabiting Minnesota yards and lands since the 1800’s, and it hasn’t shown signs of stopping. Any Winona, MN, landowner familiar with the plant knows why it’s bad news, but for many new to yard care, it’s hard to get too excited about an overzealous weed. However, the experts at Maier Tree and Lawn know that buckthorn isn’t just highly invasive and inconvenient; it’s also detrimental to your yard and the ecosystem as a whole.

 

Though technically classified as a “weed” by the DNR, buckthorn has the appearance of a small tree or shrub. Usually, if dealt with efficiently, these plants can be removed from your property without too much trouble. Buckthorn removal becomes more difficult if the plant is fully grown and integrated into your yard. Buckthorn removal is also made more difficult because it produces berries that can be easily spread around, thanks to the help of birds. This means that removing buckthorn once won’t necessarily curb its growth. These factors make buckthorn a problem to the other plants around it.

 

Buckthorn is sturdy, grows quickly, and lacks natural predators. It essentially outgrows other plants around it and prevents them from getting the nutrients they need to survive. Buckthorn removal is important because it allows other native plants to thrive without restriction. Without intervention, buckthorn can cause irreparable damage to Minnesota landscapes and habitats.

 

Luckily, public education and awareness are helping to identify and reduce infestations of buckthorn all across the state. If you have any questions about buckthorn removal in your Winona, MN, yard, contact the experts at Maier Tree and Lawn. We can be reached by phone at (507) 454-7000, or by visiting our website here for more information.

The Subtler Signs of Storm Damage on your Rochester, MN, Trees.

Posted on October 31, 2016 - 3:14 pm by

Following a bad storm in Rochester, MN, it’s important to know some of the symptoms of storm damage to look for in order to keep your trees healthy. The tree care experts at Maier Tree and Lawn want you and your trees to stay safe in every season, and that means knowing how to decide when your trees need extra help after a storm has passed.

 

There are, of course, many obvious signs that a tree has been compromised by storm damage. For instance, if your tree isn’t where you left it the night before, then you probably have a problem. Beyond that, signs such as broken branches hanging at odd angles, or a trunk split completely down the middle, require immediate attention in order to be made safe. But these examples are certainly not something that you might miss with a stray glance.

 

Even if your tree appears unscathed after the winds have died down, there are still many storm damage warning signs that may be easier to miss than you realize. One of your trees may have only sustained enough storm damage to make it hazardous to stand under rather than enough to harm its health. An example of this is when branches have broken off but are still suspended by others. This sort of storm damage is especially prevalent in trees with heavy foliage. After the weather has cleared, one good gust could dislodge one of these branches and drop it onto a car, building, or person. From a safe distance, carefully examine the branches. If any look like they’re just hanging on, take immediate steps to have them safely removed.

 

A more problematic injury for the health of your tree could be deep running cracks along the trunk. They may not look particularly threatening, however, when it comes to tree care, any structural compromise can lead to much greater damage. If you hadn’t noticed the cracks before the storm, consult your local tree care experts for advice.

 

It’s a relief for most tree care enthusiasts to come out after a storm to see their leafy friends are still standing, but if they’re standing at a new angle, that could be a problem! A tree that has begun to lean could indicate it sustained damage at its base and may be at risk in several ways. If your tree has been pulled up near the roots, it’s overall health could be jeopardized, and it’s potentially at risk of unexpectedly falling over. Address this type of storm damage very quickly.

 

If your trees have suffered from storm damage, obvious or not so obvious, contact the tree care experts at Maier Tree and Lawn. Rochester, MN, residents can reach us by phone at (507) 286-8733, or by visiting our website here for more information.

Winter Tips for New Tree Owners in Winona, MN

Posted on October 6, 2016 - 11:36 am by

With fall rolling in over the last several weeks, winter is just around the corner in Winona, MN. Though the winter last year wasn’t as brutal as it could have been, that doesn’t mean the northern states aren’t in for a doozy this time around, and that includes their trees as well. Trees are able to withstand extreme weather (if not, the Winona bluffs would be looking a lot sparser these days), but for those new to tree care, watching your beloved little stems getting pummeled by sleet and snow isn’t exactly a fun way to spend a season. Here are a few Maier Tree and Lawn recommended methods for preparing your trees for the wintery madness.

Winter tree care isn’t terribly different from the rest of the year. Trees are perfectly prepared for extended periods of dormancy so all that leaf-loss isn’t at all a detriment to their systems. However, as their tree care advocates, there are still plenty of things you can do to aid them in the long run. For instance, many tree consulting services recommend performing winter maintenance on your trees such as pruning, examinations, and even fertilizing before ground freeze.

Because of the nature of trees, winter is probably the best time to really get a look at them. The lack of foliage allows you to get up close and personal to the branches and trunk in a way that you often can’t in other seasons. They might not be as pretty around this time, but they’re certainly showing weak branch unions their weaknesses (if there are any.) If there are any discolored patches, dead branches, buggy-nests, or other signs of damage, they’ll likely be much easier to spot. Relying on a tree consulting service in the winter is a great way to ensure your trees will be a little sturdier come spring.

Don’t be afraid to schedule some trimming (while the shape of the tree is especially obvious) and do an overall checkup as soon as those leaves are done falling. Tree care isn’t necessarily an everyday affair, but nipping problems in the bud is much easier if the tree is effectively sleeping. Winona, MN, residents interested in a tree consulting service can contact the tree care experts at Maier Tree and Lawn. They can be reached by phone at (507) 454-7000 or by visiting their website here for more information.

 

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