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Category Archives: Tree Care

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Helping Your Winona, MN Trees Recover from Drought Stress in the Summer Heat

Posted on August 10, 2018 - 9:00 am by

The time of year for record heat is upon us in Winona, MN, which means sweltering temperatures have arrived for people and plants alike. Local residents may be eager to spend time in the cool shade of their trees, but don’t forget that those trees are bearing the brunt of that heat all summer long. Even the sturdiest trees can suffer ill-effects from hot weather, and without proper attention, too much heat can become deadly. If your trees are suffering from drought stress, contact the tree care experts at Maier Tree and Lawn for assistance to ensure your trees survive and thrive.

 

Some symptoms your trees may exhibit when suffering from drought stress include wilting leaves, fading colors, extreme browning and dry spots, and foliage loss. Some, if not all of these symptoms can be mistaken for early signs of tree death, but that’s not always the case! If you notice any of these signs during your tree care routine, your trees may be suffering from drought stress and require immediate attention.

 

As you may have guessed, providing adequate water is a big part of fighting back against drought stress. A little bit of sprinkling here and there, however, might not be enough to reverse the damage. Start by making sure you’re watering at the most effective times. Watering your trees during the peak heat of the day may seem like the best time, but due to the high temperatures, much of that water will evaporate before it has a chance to help. Watering during cool times of the day such as early morning or late evening are best and making sure to water the area around the tree thoroughly can help tremendously to maintain adequate moisture retention.

 

You can also help your tree by ensuring it’s not overworking itself to get nutrients and water. If mulch surrounds the tree, saturate it so the water will be available to your tree throughout the day. If there are lots of other plants surrounding the drought stressed tree, consider moving them to prevent competition. If your attempts to aid the tree aren’t helping, reach out for professional tree care assistance. The best way to fight back when your tree is showing serious signs of drought stress is to contact tree care professionals quickly before the damage becomes worse.

 

If you notice your Winona, MN trees are exhibiting signs of drought stress or other worrying symptoms during your tree care process, call Maier Tree and Lawn today at (507) 454-7000 or visit our website here for more information.

Tree Damage and Care After a Storm in Winona, MN

Posted on June 13, 2018 - 11:44 am by

Winona, MN has had some unseasonably wild April weather already this year. Along with the heavy snow, there’s also been a fair share of high winds. Though most residents can avoid the worst of this by bunking down under the covers, trees don’t have such a luxury. After a storm hits your area, our tree care experts with Maier Tree & Lawn encourage all tree lovers to perform a welfare check after the storm clouds clear away to make sure your trees are in tip-top shape.

 

Storms can be bad news for tree care even if they aren’t especially strong. A single gust can take down unsteady limbs, which can lead to further damage down the tree. Because of this, you should never walk underneath your trees during a major storm. It may seem like a refuge from heavy snow or rain, but in the right circumstances, it could be extremely dangerous. Tree damage can be hard to identify in clear conditions, let alone rough weather. Instead of leaving it to chance, keep a wide berth and wait for the winds to settle.

 

After the storm passes and it’s no longer risky to go outside, perform a welfare check from a safe distance. A basic welfare check for tree damage should be purely visual. Take note of obvious damage and breaks and make a note of things you’d like to ask a tree care professional. Tree damage may not always be obvious to the naked eye, but often a visual check is enough to tell that something is seriously wrong.

 

If your tree has been broken or is leaning in a precarious manner after a storm, call for tree care assistance immediately. Unfortunately, tree removal may be your only option in some cases of major tree damage, but there may be more options if the tree is mostly intact. If the tree is still in a dangerous state, then keep your distance until further assistance can be contacted.

 

If a tree on your Winona, MN property has been impacted by significant or minor tree damage, contact the tree care professionals with Maier Tree & Lawn to discuss options for your tree. Call today at (507) 454-7000 or by visiting our website here for more information.

The Necessity of Early Spring Checkups for Tree Health in Rochester, MN

Posted on June 4, 2018 - 9:19 am by

Winter tree care in Rochester, MN can be a challenge because of how intense and long Minnesota winters can really be. There are many “tree hacks” that people employ to protect their trees through the icy months, but there’s no guarantee that even the best preparations can help once the deep freeze settles in. The question is, since maintaining overall tree health is so tough in the winter, how can you tell if your winter efforts actually paid off come spring? The tree care professionals with Maier Tree & Lawn advocate for an in-depth spring checkup for any trees that you have lingering concerns about; even after the temperature begins creeping above freezing.

 

Tree care as a process is generally pretty hands off because trees are fairly self-sufficient organisms that usually fare pretty well on their own. However, because people tend to plant trees with aesthetics in mind instead of core tree health, sometimes even the sturdiest trees can suffer from a life planted in an unfamiliar habitat. Spring checkups are a great way to involve yourself in the health of your trees without becoming a full-time arborist.

 

Some signs that your trees may need a checkup include discoloration, slow growth, and other physical signs of distress. For instance, trees have a natural rhythm to regaining their foliage, if one tree is far behind the others it may be a cause for concern. Dead branches and irregular growth can be cause for concern as well. You don’t have to be a tree health professional to sense that something looks a little wrong, so take your concerns seriously and direct them to the people who are trained in tree health.

 

Regardless of whether you’re new to tree care or a long-time hobbyist, being able to thoroughly evaluate the health of your trees is best left to tree health specialists. Despite the simplistic nature of trees, there are still many subtle and intricate signs that may indicate various health concerns. Take note of any issues that you see, but don’t feel like you have to solve the puzzle of what’s wrong on your own.

 

Rochester, MN residents who are concerned with post-winter damage to their trees can contact the tree care professionals here with Maier Tree & Lawn today. Call us at (507) 286-8733 or by visiting our website here for additional information on tree health and tree care.

 

Determining if Your Tree is a Hazard From the Tree Care Experts in Winona, MN

Posted on May 11, 2018 - 10:43 am by

Spring is a great time for tree care hobbyists in Winona, MN to evaluate the health of their trees. These tree care evaluations can include anything from eyeing them for a little trimming all the way to removing trees entirely. Though it can be a tough call to make, it’s possible that the rough Minnesota winter has rendered some trees hazardous and because of this, it would be safer to have them professionally evaluated and removed. If you’re starting the spring tree care season with some reservations about your hazard trees, the tree care experts with Maier Tree & Lawn have a few pointers of what to look for when deciding who should stay and who should go.

 

When you’re trying to identify hazard trees, start by looking for obvious structural damage. If you see branches hanging askew or entire sections looking lopsided, make a note and keep an eye on the spot. Depending upon the size of the tree it can be difficult to determine what makes a hazard tree and what is just a few damaged limbs but making notes of these things is useful for tree care professionals as well. Always be sure to play it safe though and avoid walking beneath the loose looking sections.

 

If there’s no obvious damage, the next step is to check for unusual leaning or swaying. Hazard trees are often identifiable by their lack of sturdiness in adverse weather. If you have a big old tree that seems to be shifting in the breeze, be sure to contact a tree care professional with your concerns ASAP. A wiggly tree is one thing; a downed tree on your car is another.

 

If you can’t quite pinpoint the issue and you’re concerned that the damage is more internal, you could also do a simple knock test to check for hollow or soft spots. This process can be difficult to do without experience and sometimes problem spots can be subtle. As soon as you feel like something is off during the tree care process, consider contacting a professional familiar with signs of hazard trees.

 

Hazard trees can be unpredictable, and with the windy spring weather coming into Winona, MN soon, be sure to deal with it sooner rather than later! If you’ve noticed an odd spot, hanging branches, or other signs that a tree on your property may be hazardous, contact Maier Tree & Lawn today at (507) 454-7000 or by visiting our website here for more information.

Tree Preservation in Winona, MN – How to Tell if Your Tree is Dormant or Dying

Posted on February 16, 2018 - 10:40 am by

Can you spot the difference between a dormant tree and a dying or dead one? It’s not always easy to tell.

Trees go through a dormant season when the weather gets colder. The dormant season can provide opportunities for tree care techniques like tree pruning and your trees have a chance to conserve their energy and prepare for the upcoming spring.

It’s possible, however, that your tree is exhibiting issues of decay and poor health. If spotted early enough, the situation can be remedied, but it must be spotted.

Here are a few tips to tell whether your tree is dormant or needs serious tree preservation help.

Check for Budding

A healthy tree will still have small leaf buds protruding from its branches. The buds are preparing themselves to bloom in spring. If you notice your tree doesn’t have any buds or the buds it does have look dry and weak, you could have dead branches on your tree, which can be an indicator of a dead or dying tree. 

Check the Trunk

 Healthy trees replace their bark in cycles. If your tree is healthy you should notice fresh and uncompromised bark. If, however, you notice cracks in your tree’s bark or it appears that it has shed its bark without replacing it with a fresh layer, it can also be a sign of a dead or dying tree. In fact, it’s one of the main signs arborists look for.

The Scratch Test

 The scratch test helps you check your tree’s health by peeking underneath the surface of its bark. Take a knife and scratch off a small area of tree bark. If you have a healthy tree, you should notice a moist bright green layer underneath it. If, however, you spot a dry and decayed looking brown layer, you could be looking at a dead or dying tree.

The Final Test

 The most important tree preservation step you can take is to contact Maier Tree and Lawn for an assessment done by an ISA Certified Arborist. This strategy will provide a definitive answer along with a plan to effectively handle the results of the assessment.

To learn more about tree preservation or to schedule an appointment at your Winona, MN home, please contact us at (507) 454-7000.

Learning to Read your Fruit Trees in Rochester, MN

Posted on July 21, 2017 - 11:03 am by

Understanding how to read your Rochester, MN fruit trees is not too different from evaluating the health of your non-fruiting trees, fundamentally speaking. This means that recognizing signs of poor health in any tree can be transferable to fruit trees as well. Leaves dying, odd discoloration, unusual bark patterns, and signs of insects are just as problematic in your apple trees as your elms. That’s why the tree care professionals with Maier Tree and Lawn recommend keeping an eye out for these other problem signs that may only manifest in trees that bear fruit.

For fruit tree owners who have been raising trees through several fruit-bearing cycles, a good indication of a possible problem is any notable changes. This may sound vague as far as tree care goes, but notable changes can include the color of the leaves, the cycle of fruiting and blooming, or just the size of the fruit being produced. Discrepancies are to be expected when you’re dealing with nature, but major, persisting changes should be investigated.

For fruit tree care newbies, look for obvious discoloration, bugs, or noticeable signs of rot. If your tree fails to bear fruit for what seems to be an unusual amount of time, don’t be afraid to consult a tree care expert just to make sure things are ship-shape in tree town. If your tree has produced fruit successfully, great, but be vigilant for excessive scabbing or any signs of fungus. You may not get a perfect harvest every time, but more than a little of the aforementioned symptoms could still be indicative of a deeper issue.

If your Rochester, MN area fruit trees are exhibiting worrying, visible signs of stress or disease, or perhaps are just acting a little out of the ordinary, contact Maier Tree and Lawn today by calling (507) 454-7000, or by visiting our website here for more information.

The Scientific Side of Tree Fertilization in Winona, MN

Posted on June 15, 2017 - 4:46 pm by

Any seasoned green thumb has probably encountered their share of fertilizers. Whether you take the organic route and make your own, or are a little more keen on professionally mixed power-fertilizers, the benefits of fertilizers for a majority of hobby plants is not contested.

That same passion, however, doesn’t seem to hold true for trees. Trees are generally looked upon as being totally self-sufficient. A little trim here and a little coaxing for the young ones is all it takes to get great results; no tree fertilization required! In reality, that way of thinking just isn’t accurate. For those of you living within the Winona, MN city limits, the tree care experts at Maier Tree and Lawn want you to know that tree fertilization will help your trees reach their full and healthiest potential.

Though it’s true trees are usually tougher than the average daisy, their robust appearance is heavily dependent on what you can’t see – their roots. A tree’s root system creates a naturally symbiotic relationship with the soil and the other trees around it. A tree promotes healthy soil, and healthy soil, in turn, nurtures the tree. In a forest, there are enough trees to provide nutrients and support for a large number of healthy trees. When it comes to residential trees, however, they’re often much more solitary. Even the most ambitious tree-lover likely can’t stuff more than a handful of trees into their yard. That lack of sufficient tree population means they’re not receiving their share of communal nutrients.

This is where tree fertilization differs from many other types of plant care supplements.  By using products like ArborGreen Pro, tree care specialists are able to treat the deep-set roots with a fertilizer than can compensate for the loss of proper nutrients. Tree fertilization can be especially effective in the fall because many households tend to remove the fallen leaves that, in nature, decompose and feed the soil organically. The concept behind tree fertilization is similar to other types of garden fertilizers, but the methods are more precise than your average spray-and-go options.

If you’re a Winona, MN, area resident who has concerns about the quality of your soil, contact the tree care specialists with Maier Tree and Lawn today by calling (507) 454-7000, or by visiting our website for more information. There’s no reason why your trees can’t be healthy in a suburban environment, and tree fertilization can give them that little boost that makes them feel right at home.

The Timing of Proper Tree Trimming in Rochester, MN

Posted on May 9, 2017 - 4:56 pm by

In states like Minnesota, the arrival of spring is a renewal like no other. Rochester, MN, residents suffer through long, cold winters and then slowly crawl their way into spring while being buffeted by bitter winds and frigid drizzle. The first week after the snow melts that stays sixty and sunny throughout feels like a new lease on life for you as well as your trees. Many residents take advantage of this shift and rush to Maier Tree and Lawn to procure early spring tree services, knowing that we won’t only fit our services into your rushed spring schedule, but will also make sure your trees are getting the care they need which, to the surprise of some, may not include tree trimming.

One of the common images that accompanies springtime is the gung-ho neighbor breaking out the saws and trimmers at the first sign of green. And more often than not, this image is pretty accurate. There’s a sort of thrill that goes along with the first bout of yard work, and tree trimming is no exception. Leaping into tree trimming, however, can be a rookie mistake if you aren’t accustomed to working with trees in the springtime. Depending upon the type of tree that graces your yard, trimming it as soon as spring rolls around may not be the best option.

There are many different species of trees, and just like any other living thing, a different species means different tree services may be required. Sure, it’s pretty universal that dead branches should be safely removed, but attempting more extensive forms of tree trimming can leave your trees stressed, damaged, or worse. Effective tree trimming depends not only upon the amount of trimming done, but also what time of the year it’s done. Depending upon the species of tree, it may be best to trim during its dormant period in the winter, or perhaps after some growth occurs in the summer.

The best option for your tree trimming needs is to rely upon the tree services experts at Maier Tree and Lawn. Rochester, MN, residents who need spring assistance with tree trimming or other tree services can contact Maier Tree and Lawn today by calling (507) 454-7000, or by visiting our website for more information.

Fostering Post-Winter Tree Care and Trunk Awareness in Rochester, MN

Posted on March 13, 2017 - 1:20 pm by

With March officially underway, Rochester, MN, tree care veterans are likely already in the early stages of planning what they’ll need to do to restore their winter-battered trees to their old happy and healthy selves. This winter had a nasty mix of icy rain, overwhelming snowfall, and occasional windstorms, and there’s a chance that some of your trees didn’t love the rough treatment. If you’re looking for tree care advice during the spring thaw, consult the tree care experts at Maier Tree & Lawn to make sure that your boughs return to the land of the living along with the rest of the spring flora.

Since spring hasn’t quite arrived yet, you likely won’t have full foliage on your tree for a while to come. Even so, you can still discern a lot of vital tree care information by examining the bits below the branches. Start from the lawn up and check out the base of your trees where the trunk and ground meet. If there are large swathes of trunk missing bark, make a note of where and how much is missing. This is great information to share with tree care experts who may be able to provide important tree care advice and insight in response.

Examine the rest of the trunk by moving upwards and watching for cracks, decay, missing bark, holes, or odd divots or discoloration. If you’ve noticed any of these issues consistently on any of your trees, then it may be time to bring in a tree care expert who can properly diagnose the problem. Some issues such as insects or tree disease can be treated if caught early enough.

Identifying simple post-winter warning signs can extend the life of your tree exponentially. If you need tree care advice or have a question about the status of one of your trees, contact the Rochester, MN, area tree care experts at Maier Tree & Lawn by calling (507) 286-8733 or by visiting their website today for more information.

The Fruits of Your Labor: Planting Fruit Trees in Winona, MN

Posted on March 1, 2017 - 11:25 am by

Residents of Winona, MN, may not necessarily be living in a tropical wonderland teeming with palms and coconuts, but that doesn’t mean that some fruiting boughs don’t thrive in the chilly Midwest. Fruit trees may seem like a fruitless venture in a city that deals with such long winters, but the tree care experts with Maier Tree and Lawn know that with a little research, even the more barren parts of Minnesota can still bear fruit. You may not be able to grow bananas, but that doesn’t mean all fruit trees are out of reach.

We may not have California oranges, but apples, pears, and plums are still viable options in Minnesota. In fact, many Minnesotans have likely participated in picking apples at a local orchard at least once or twice in their lives. Luckily, you don’t really need a whole orchard in order to have healthy, happy fruit trees of your own, but you do need to have a yard suited to ample pollination and sunlight. Do a little fruit tree research before you decide what to plant. Apples trees are a great way to start, and many varieties of apple trees don’t get too big to manage.

Once you’ve chosen your fruit tree, be sure to review the specific tree care for that species. It may seem as though all fruit trees are created equal, but in a state like Minnesota that has harsh weather for about half the year, choosing notoriously hardy species may be the best way to prevent long term disappointment. Fruit tree care is generally similar to other basic kinds of tree care in that water, sunlight, structure, and a little attentiveness should be all you really need to get started.

If you have any questions about the health of your fruit trees, or tree care in general, contact Maier Tree and Lawn at (507) 454-7000, or by visiting our website here for more information. Get growing today and prepare to share the bounty with your fruit-hungry Winona, MN, neighbors in the future!

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