Category Archives: News

Lawn fungus is a common problem in the Midwest thanks to a variety of factors including fluctuating weather conditions and lawn care techniques. It may manifest as an occasional seasonal frustration, or it could be a chronic and deadly struggle for your lawn. At Maier Tree and Lawn, we provide anti-fungal treatments and lawn care methods that support every aspect of your Rochester, MN lawn year-round.

Mold and spores exist all over in nature. Occasional mushroom growth and small patches of fungus are normal, but it’s possible for lawn fungus to become severe enough to kill large patches of turf. It’s important during your lawn care routine to look for changes in growth or color, especially following long periods of rain or drought.

Fungus can manifest as rings of spores, grass discoloration, slimy textures, or even powdery and fuzzy growths. Different textures and appearances indicate different types of diseases or fungi, but every type of lawn fungus is potentially damaging if left untreated. Early detection and treatment are key in preventing spread and limiting the damage to your lawn.

The conditions that facilitate fungal growth are wide ranging. Too little or too much water can both contribute to lawn fungus. Improper lawn care, such as over-mowing and compacted soil, can make an impact as well. It’s also possible for fungus to grow even if you’re doing everything right. What’s most important is watching for these signs and investing in proper treatments before a small problem becomes a danger.

Our lawn care professionals at Maier Tree and Lawn provide anti-fungal treatments as well as spot treatments and lawn care consultations. Our lawn care experts are trained to recognize a wide range of lawn diseases and treat them effectively and quickly.

If your lawn has been impacted by lawn fungus or you suspect the health of your lawn is suffering, Maier Tree and Lawn is prepared to help. Rochester, MN residents can contact us today at (507) 286–8733 or by visiting our website here for additional information.

Soil has a reputation for being a fairly self-sufficient aspect of your lawn. Unless you’re an avid gardener, there’s a chance you’ve never really thought about the soil at all during your regular lawn care routine. Like every aspect of lawn care, however, there’s more than meets the eye when it comes to soil. Treating your soil well and ensuring it receives all the nutrients it needs can help everything on your property thrive, from flowers and trees to sod. At Maier Tree and Lawn, we help address every level of lawn care from bottom to top so your Winona, MN lawn looks its best and stays healthy.

When it comes to soil, there are some basic lawn care aspects that most homeowners are familiar with; fertilization, watering, and sunlight being chief among them. Before water and fertilizer come into the mix, your soil has to be primed to absorb everything they have to offer. This absorption can be encouraged by the incorporation of pro-soil habits into your lawn care such as taking active steps to reduce soil compaction.

Soil compaction occurs when soil is compressed so tightly that it can no longer properly absorb air, water, or nutrients. This is especially common for lawns that experience a lot of foot traffic, but soil compaction is possible even when there are no extreme stressors present. Any amount of pressure applied to your lawn over time can gradually compress the soil until it’s too dense to penetrate. In severe cases, compaction can even lead to plant and grass death. The good news is that this condition can be alleviated with proper aeration. Aeration decreases compaction, helps reduce lawn thatch, preps a lawn for additional care, and allows valuable nutrients to seep deeper into the root system.

Though there are a variety of forms of aeration that you may encounter, core aeration is the most common. This process systematically removes small plugs of soil from your lawn in a gentle and non-damaging way and allows all of those good nutrients to work their way deeper into your lawn. Plus, it’s a great way to prep for the rainy season or for fertilizer application if you’re looking to get the most bang for your buck.

If your lawn doesn’t seem to be supporting growth effectively, Maier Tree and Lawn’s lawn care experts are here to help. Our aeration services can help reduce soil compaction, encourage new and sustained growth, and help you create a lawn care routine that will support a great looking lawn year-round. Winona, MN residents can call us today at (507) 454-7000 or visit our website here for additional information.

As members of the Rochester, MN, community, it’s part of our responsibility at Maier Tree and Lawn to protect the trees that surround our city. Sometimes this means providing basic care or implementing damage mitigation after storms. However, other times, it means collaborating to ensure that dangerous tree diseases like oak wilt don’t spread in our area. Maier Tree and Lawn is committed to providing tree disease consultations and disseminating information to ensure that all of our local trees live long and healthy lives.

What does oak wilt do to trees?

True to its name, oak wilt prompts extreme and rapid wilting of leaves among oak trees. Signs of the disease include everything from wet-looking, wilted leaves to necrosis (death) of the leaf tips, especially throughout the tree crown. With enough leaf damage and leaf loss, the trees may lose their ability to adequately gather and process essential nutrients. This disruption can quickly lead to tree death.

Which trees are impacted?

Oak trees are, appropriately, the most vulnerable tree category when it comes to oak wilt, with red oaks being the most visibly and dramatically impacted by the tree disease. In fact, a red oak that has been infected can wilt completely in as little as six weeks! Though any oak species is susceptible, the signs and symptoms may vary slightly based on the specific tree type in question. When in doubt, don’t hesitate to consult a tree disease professional like Maier Tree and Lawn when tree health begins to wane.

Once a tree contracts oak wilt, it can quickly spread the disease to surrounding oak trees. This is especially true in heavily forested areas that have a high density of oak trees and intricate, interconnected root systems.

How can I do my part?

It’s important to remember that oak wilt is highly contagious. It can be spread by insects, by root grafting, or via exposure to diseased wood. Part of keeping your trees and Minnesota forests safe means staying educated and aware of the progression of this tree disease as well as other risk factors that surround it. Some simple steps you can take include limiting firewood transport and learning to recognize common signs and symptoms of oak wilt before trimming or disposing of branches.

Rochester, MN, area residents can take steps today to ensure that local forests and trees survive tomorrow. When it comes to tree diseases, it’s difficult to underestimate the power of education. If you suspect that oak wilt or another tree disease is impacting your local trees, call Maier Tree and Lawn now at (507) 286–8733 or visit our website here for additional details.

The idea of comprehensive tree care tends to mean different things to different people. Some Winona, MN, residents may consider fertilizing, pruning, and watering to be the absolute pinnacle of tree care. But truly comprehensive tree care doesn’t end with these actions. Maier Tree and Lawn understands that proper tree care has to be done both above and below the surface. This means that while aesthetics and general health is certainly considered, our tree professionals also consider unseen factors such as soil quality and root care.

The roots are, in many ways, the heart of a healthy tree. If they’re compromised, it’s possible that the health of your trees will be compromised in turn. Well-rounded tree care plans involve prioritizing root health when necessary. This may include treating soil compaction, actively mitigating water stress, or managing other factors that may inhibit essential nutrients from proper uptake from the root system. 

Soil compaction is a common impediment of urban tree care. Compacted soil is essentially what it sounds like; it occurs when soil is pressed too tightly together. This can be caused by excessive foot traffic, construction and machinery, and just about any other force-exerting factors over time. As soil is pressed more tightly, it makes it difficult for water to soak into it. This, in turn, prevents tree roots from getting the best access to food and water. Even in less-traveled areas, it’s still possible for your trees to be impacted by poor soil quality or other root care complications such as water stress.

Water stress occurs when a plant or tree is not getting access to enough water. This may be due to the aforementioned soil compaction, but it could also simply be due to a drought or underwatering. Regardless of the cause, water stress can have a serious impact on the growth and longevity of just about every species of tree. Roots that aren’t absorbing adequate water may lead to trees that suffer from leaf loss, wilting, stunted growth, and more. If your tree is growing in an area with tight soil and dry conditions, the detrimental impact can be even more enhanced.

If you suspect that your tree has been impacted by environmental damage to the roots or is not receiving adequate nutrients, our tree care professionals can help. Maier Tree and Lawn offers root care treatment to mitigate tree health concerns from damaging environmental conditions. Winona, MN, residents can call us today at (507) 454-7000 or visit our website here for more information.

Getting the best care for your Rochester, MN trees sometimes means relying upon expert services in order to serve your property’s needs. In some cases, this may mean consulting a certified arborist to get the inside scoop on how to properly treat certain tree conditions, address injuries, and manage problem trees on your land. Maier Tree and Lawn serves our surrounding areas by employing highly trained certified arborists to help your trees thrive. 

In order to become a certified arborist, arborists must train and be approved by the International Society of Arboriculture. To accomplish this goal, tree care specialists must first effectively prove they are knowledgeable in all of the key aspects of arboriculture. This requirement is generally met with a combination of university studies and practical experience. Once those standards are fulfilled, arborists are then tested and asked to agree to a code of ethics prior to becoming certified.

The ISA certification process allows tree care professionals to prove their abilities and become familiar with necessary industry standards that enhance their level of care. Ultimately this gives them the knowledge and tools required to effectively assess and treat any type of tree suffering from health issues or injuries.

The ISA certification process even includes specialized areas such as municipal specialties, utility experts, and more, giving you access to experts with the proper knowledge whenever your trees need assistance. Certified arborists are an essential resource when it comes to proper, carefully catered tree care. When you enlist the help of an ISA certified arborist, you can trust that your trees are in good hands.

At Maier Tree and Lawn, our certified arborists are ISA certified and familiar with all the tree varieties local to Rochester, MN, and the surrounding areas. This ensures specialized care that is perfectly catered to your trees and their needs. If you have a tree in need of assistance, contact us today at (507) 286–8733 or online for additional information.

Understanding how an ecosystem functions is an essential first step in the world of forestry services. A single tree can compromise the health and integrity of the entire system, and without careful attention, even a flourishing ecosystem can suffer from improper forestry management.

Forestry services can be applied to a wide variety of locations and needs including large-scale forests and small-scale urban projects. For Winona, MN residents, business owners, and city planners, Maier Tree and Lawn is proud to offer forestry services that are suitable for every occasion and location. 

Large Ecosystem Tree Care

Managing the many moving “parts” that make up a large forest ecosystem can be a challenge. This is especially true for cities and property managers who don’t have the budget or resources to support a large forestry services department. It’s important to remember that even if large ecosystems appear to be doing fine without intervention, there are some steps that should be taken to ensure longevity and safe growth. Our forestry services for large ecosystems include disease and inventory management, risk assessments, and on-site tree care such as pruning or planting.

Small Ecosystem Tree Care

Small forests and tree-heavy ecosystems often need just as much specialized tree care as larger environments. In fact, native areas such as wetlands and prairies generally need a special touch in order to preserve the health of local trees as well as other flora and fauna. Restoring and maintaining small native landscapes can be expensive or delicate. Leaving these areas in the hands of certified arborists and tree care professionals can help preserve the land and allow it to flourish unimpeded.

Specialty Urban Tree Care

Tree preservation for construction sites, city trees, and trees on public property such as parks and city buildings all need a certain kind of care. Unlike forests or native lands, urban trees have to be cared for in a manner that makes their presence unobtrusive and safe. This means strict disease control, environment-aware pruning, aesthetic sculpting, and beyond. If you’re looking to keep trees and residents safe within city limits, Maier Tree and Lawn has the urban forestry services and resources you need.

If you’re looking for tree care support for public property near Winona, MN or are in need of specialized or large-scale tree care, Maier Tree and Lawn has the tools and knowledge required to lend their support. For more information on our forestry services, call us today at (507) 454-7000, or contact us online for additional details.

Summer storms are picking up across Rochester, MN, and with them comes heavy rain, strong winds, and sometimes, tree damage. Following such storms, it’s hard to resist the urge to try and restore your trees to their previous state by tidying up loose branches, cutting off broken limbs, and sawing away at torn bark. It’s important to remember, however, that the full extent of the damage may not be obvious to the untrained eye. The expert arborists with Maier Tree and Lawn recommend requesting a comprehensive tree evaluation on the potential hazards of storm damaged trees.

Storms aren’t always strong enough to pull trees out by the roots, but that doesn’t mean they haven’t damaged your trees. When it comes to trees, serious damage isn’t always visible to the naked eye. Cracks, splitting, and even partial uprooting might not be immediately obvious, and any of this damage can be worse than you realize for both your safety as well as the health of the tree. Because of the subtle nature of some forms of damage, having a proper tree evaluation after storm damage occurs is an important step in preserving your trees.

Even if you can see damage such as branches that have been cracked or partially broken, that doesn’t necessarily mean you should try to manage storm damage on your own. Storm damaged branches are a potential hazard in more than one way. A lot of damaged branches can put undue stress on the tree, lead to other forms of worsening damage, and pose a hazard to people who walk beneath the tree. The real dangers of storm damage to your trees lie in that sheer unpredictability.

Consulting with a professional arborist can help diagnose potentially deadly forms of storm damage before they kill your tree or hurt a person. Requesting a tree evaluation may help you make a first aid plan for your tree, plan for a tree removal, or simply restore peace of mind.

If your Rochester, MN, trees suffer storm damage, don’t leave the health of your trees to chance. Contact the professional arborists at Maier Tree and Lawn immediately at (507) 286–8733 to request a tree evaluation or visit our website for more information.

Along with the changing of seasons comes some seasonal shifts in the tree care process in Rochester, MN. Regardless of the temperature outside or the green leaves sprouting in your neighborhood, keeping your trees safe from storm damage is just as important in the spring as it is in the winter.

Tumultuous spring weather and winds can lead to storm damaged trees. Knowing what to do and calling Maier Tree and Lawn’s tree care professionals in the aftermath may be the difference between trees that thrive and those that don’t survive.

Storm damage to trees comes in many forms. Some types of damage can be obvious, like uncharacteristic leaning or large, broken branches, while more subtle storm damage can be harder to spot with the naked eye. For instance, damage or wounds to the trunk may not seem especially dangerous, but if left unattended, may become entry points for pests, insects, or simply an avenue for further damage to occur.

Even if you can see the storm damage in question, that doesn’t necessarily mean it’ll be a quick and easy fix. Tree care requires a careful touch and a thoughtful eye. Without proper care even minor looking damage can be exacerbated. Storm damage may require a wide variety of treatments such as cabling, pruning, staking, wound repair, and more. Even if the damage seems unimpressive or easily fixable, that doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s safe to tackle on your own.

When it comes to storm damage, significant or otherwise, consulting a tree care professional can protect your trees from further harm. In fact, post-storm tree care can save your trees from damage and keep you out of harm’s way as well. Storm damaged trees can be unpredictable, and trying to tackle the damage on your own can be hazardous in ways you may not expect. Tree care experts can provide the support, safety, and skills you need in order to guide your trees to a full recovery.

If your Rochester, MN, area trees have been impacted by storm damage, the tree care professionals at Maier Tree and Lawn can help. Call us today at (507) 286–8733 or visit our website for more information on our storm damage recovery services.