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6 Horrible Mistakes You Are Making With Your Trees

Posted on June 7, 2016 - 12:00 pm by

Maier Tree and Lawn - 6 Mistakes You Are Making With Your Trees

Taking care of your trees might seem simple enough, but a few honest mistakes might be preventing your trees from thriving. Once you take the right steps to tree maintenance, the rest is easy. The folks at Maier Tree & Lawn are known around Minnesota, as some of the best tree care practitioners. Leave it to us to help you correct some common mis-steps.

Don’t plant your trees too deep.

Roots go in the ground and stems/trunks stay above ground. The first root should be right at the soil line.

Don’t mulch your trees too deep.

Mulch turns into soil, so see number 1. There should be 2-4” of mulch over a root system and at the trunk it should taper to zero.

Avoid planting trees so close to each other.

Evergreens should have 16’ spacing and deciduous trees twice as much. If you are planting species that don’t get very big, you can plant closer. Keep in mind spacing to your house as well. Trees look small when they are small, however try to see their potential when you plant them.

Don’t prune your trees randomly. 

Every pruning cut should have a purpose and be calculated. Without a plan before pruning, you run the risk of getting carried away and trimming away too much. It is best to have a professional prune your trees based on your desired objectives.

Avoid putting wrap on the trunk of your trees.

If you need to protect your trees against deer or rabbits, use a fence material placed away from the trunk supported by a stake. Wrap does not prevent sun scald. It is best to plant and prune properly to avoid it.

Stop adding fertilizer to your trees. 

Fertilizer purchased at garden centers or superstores contains a quick release Nitrogen that is most often harmful to your trees.  There are only a very few tree and shrub fertilizers that add benefit. Maier Tree & Lawn has one such fertilizer with Davey’s ArborGreen Pro. This is by far the best fertilizer on the market with a 12-month slow release fertilizer that mimics the carbon structure of natural forest soils.

Here is the great news, Maier Tree & Lawn can help you! We love knowing and doing the right things for your trees.

Living and Learning with Aging Trees, and Tree Care in Rochester, MN

Posted on February 20, 2016 - 12:11 pm by

Effective care for aging trees demands that professional arborists stay current on the latest research into the special needs of mature trees. Since “tree whisperers” don’t exist outside of cool sci-fi movies, new insight about the health of aging trees must be actively learned by tree care specialists, like those at Maier Tree & Lawn, through annual events such as the Rochester Arborist Workshop (or RAW). By investing in continuing education, professional arborists are able to share ideas and grow their skill in an interactive environment.

This year’s topic at RAW is the health and care of aging trees, something that southeast Minnesota has in great abundance. It may surprise you to know that aging trees really do require different care than their younger counterparts. With the knowledge gained at workshops like RAW, even elderly trees can receive the care they need.

Some of the topics being covered at the Rochester Arborist Workshop this year include tree health and nutrition, safety risks associated with working in aging trees, how to manage mature trees properly, and how to remove them safely. All of these topics are very important, but the safety factor of working with older trees is foremost.

Aging trees have the potential to be hollow, brittle, or particularly susceptible to strong weather, meaning that mature branches could break more easily than flexible saplings. This isn’t just dangerous for tree care workers, it’s a concern for the safety of anyone who spends time outdoors under a canopy of branches. Workshops like RAW provide an opportunity for arborists to learn from nationally recognized experts and to share experiences with their peers.

In the heavily wooded hills and valleys of southeast Minnesota, all ages of trees coexist. This creates a beautiful mosaic of tree life and history. Preserving that beauty and keeping it safe for all to enjoy is a difficult, but important goal. This is why conventions such as the Rochester Arborists Workshop are so vital. This is also why it’s great news that all of the arborists at Maier Tree & Lawn are committed to furthering their education at every opportunity.

Maier Tree & Lawn cares about your trees and shrubs, young and old, and is also striving to implement state-of-the-art scientific management for your lawn. If you’re interested in the topics being covered at the Rochester Arborist Workshop 2016, visit our website here. If you’re looking for help with your aging trees in Rochester, Winona or the surrounding area, contact Maier Tree & Lawn at 507.286.8733, or visit our website.

Tackling Tiny Mighty Spider Mites in Your Winona Spruce Trees

Posted on December 26, 2015 - 11:47 am by

It’s tough to imagine a positive scenario that includes the words spider mite. “Congratulations! You just won a year’s supply of spider mites!” wouldn’t inspire much enthusiasm in the average person. True to their name, spruce spider mites are deceptively destructive and troublesome for tree owners around Winona. They feed, creep and infest, and the tree care specialists at Maier Tree & Lawn will tell you that they’re simply a pain. Dealing with spruce spider mites means watching for infestations and practicing a little preventative tree care on your own.

Like many types of pests, spruce spider mites thrive on conifers that have been planted too closely together. This allows the mites to transfer between food sources easily and quickly. Spider mites feed by puncturing the surface of the foliage and sucking nutrients. This contributes to dehydration, which in turn can lead to tree stress.

Short of tearing up your landscape and starting over, you should consider other preventative options.  Make sure that you’re watering your trees adequately and with enough frequency, especially during dry periods. If you’re not sure about the proper amount to water your trees, it may be wise to consult a professional arborist. Organic mulch also helps by moderating soil temperatures, conserving water, and providing nutrients and organic matter to the soil. Proper watering and mulching will raise your tree’s defenses, which can make it less susceptible to mite infestations.  It’s a win-win!
Spruce spider mites are most active in the cooler months of spring and autumn, but they are dormant in the winter. If you’ve had mite problems before or have concern about the coming season, winter can be a great time to get prepared. Use their dormancy to brush up on your mite warning signs and make a game plan. Spider mite feeding causes small dots (called “stippling”) to appear all over the foliage, and mites make small webs in areas where they concentrate. As the weather warms in the spring you can detect an early infestation by tapping a branch over a sheet of white paper and looking for tiny mites. If you’re noticing any of these warning signs, it might be time to call in a professional.

Since spruce spider mites spread quickly, proper tree care means reacting quickly as well. Hiring the tree care specialist from Maier Tree & Lawn to treat your trees safely during active mite season can save your spruces – and other conifers — from some serious damage. The spruce spider mite prefers spruce trees, but it will infest other conifers as well including arborvitae and pine. In areas like Winona where conifers have been planted, these mites can become more than just a minor annoyance. Discuss your concerns with the knowledgeable professionals at Maier Tree & Lawn through their website or via phone at 507.454.7000 to keep your landscape spider mite free.

How to Spruce Up your Sick Spruces in Rochester, MN Maier Tree And Lawn Offers Information About Tree Disease

Posted on December 19, 2015 - 12:28 pm by

Tis’ the season for spruce in Rochester. The holidays are winding down and all around southeastern Minnesota people are admiring the evergreens in their landscape with a fresh coating of snow. Spruce, fir and pine get a lot of attention around the holiday season because of their pleasant scent, lush green appearance, and distinctive shape. Though their popularity peaks in the winter months, these trees are an attractive addition to Midwestern lawns all year round.

That is, of course, if they’re healthy! Maier Tree and Lawn has been educating clients regarding the fungal disease Rhizosphaera needle cast on Colorado blue spruce due to its destructive nature and prevalence in Minnesota. Another fungal disease, Lirula needle blight, is becoming more and more common on white spruce and the sub-species Black Hills spruce. If you’re a spruce owner in the Midwest, here is what you need to know to keep your spruces in tip top condition!

If you’re trying to spot Rhizosphaera needle cast in your Colorado blue spruce, you’ll first have to consider the time of year. The appearance of the disease changes depending upon what stage the disease itself is in as well as the season. In the summer, look for yellowing needles or odd, patchy areas that weren’t there before. If you’re taking a look now, during the winter months, keep your eyes peeled for purplish needles or brown areas.  Those of you with incredibly good eyes (or a magnifying glass) should also watch for black dots along needles that appear to be infected. This is a sign of fungus!

Lirula needle blight in white spruce and Black Hills spruce behaves similarly. Infected needles that are two or three years old will become discolored purplish-brown. With a magnifying glass you may see rows of black spots, particularly on the underside of the needles. Infected needles may persist on the tree for a year or two. For both needle diseases, fungal spores spread to new needles as they expand through rain splash in early summer. This is why evidence of the disease is most common in the lower portion of the tree.

Once you spot signs of Rhizosphaera needle cast or Lirula needle blight, take action! Leaving your tree alone with the fungus won’t just cause color changes among the needles. Long term consequences include losing all of the needles along the bottom of the tree, branch death, and potentially the death of the entire tree.

Unlike some tree diseases, Rhizosphaera and Lirula aren’t necessarily a death sentence.  Without treatment the tree may survive, but it will likely look several steps beyond scruffy. If you’re looking to prevent the fungus from forming in the first place it can be helpful to plant your trees apart from each other to give them breathing room. It also helps to avoid over-watering or any type of shearing. However, if it’s too late for this early tree care, chemical steps can be taken as well. Fungicide treatments can be very effective at controlling both diseases and helping your trees return to good health. The trees will need to be treated two or three times a year at the proper timing, and you should expect to repeat the treatment for at least 3 years running.

If you are interested in applying fungicides or any other type of chemical to your spruces to help their recovery, make sure you do so only after consulting tree care professionals.  Without the proper equipment and tools, spraying or treating your trees can do more harm than good. With proper treatment your spruce can recover and continue to brighten your lawn!

Residents of southeastern Minnesota can contact the tree care specialists at Maier Tree and Lawn with any questions about Rhizosphaera needle cast and Lirula needle blight or for more information regarding a spruce treatment plan and fungicide options.  Give us a call at 507.286.8733 or contact us through our website here!

Identifying and Coping With Oak Wilt in Rochester and Winona, MN

Posted on December 11, 2015 - 4:33 pm by

Once winter sets in Rochester and Winona, MN, you may think it’s time to take a break from yard work for a few months. Temperatures are dropping, morning dew is becoming morning frost, and a few hours outside with trimming shears suddenly sounds much less appealing. Unfortunately, the year-round workers at Maier Tree and Lawn can attest to the fact that some yard issues don’t take the season off. Winter is a good time to address some particular types of tree care that you may have set aside in the warmer months, such as addressing oak wilt.

Oak wilt is a tree fungus common to areas of Minnesota. As the name suggests, the fungus impacts only oak trees. Oak wilt can be spread from tree to tree and, infection through the roots or through insect activity can lead to the death of the tree. For owners and growers of many varieties of oak, this can be a devastating way to lose a long-standing tree.

Some signs of oak wilt that you may be able to spot on your oak include browning leaves and rapid loss of leaves. If you notice signs of your tree dying or dropping leaves before fall, it may be an indication that something is wrong. It is spread from tree to tree and oaks growing in groves are likely to become infected in groups. One tree will be symptomatic and within two weeks all of the neighboring trees are looking sick too.

When it comes to preventing a tree fungus, timing can be very important. If your oak has been infected and is beyond treatment, the winter months can be a great time to remove the tree. Pruning  a living oak in the winter, as opposed to summer, can prevent the tree from becoming infected. If you’re looking to save your tree from oak wilt instead of removing it, contact the professional arborists at Maier Tree and Lawn for a specialized consultation. Oak wilt is preventable, though it is very dangerous if left unchecked.

Winter is a good time for tree-owners to evaluate the health and status of their trees, and if something looks off, it’s also a good time to ask for help. Oak wilt may not be dangerous to humans, but in a densely wooded area it can become a big problem very quickly. If you have any questions about oak wilt or tree care, contact Maier Tree and Lawn at 507.286.8733 (Rochester) or 507.454.7000 (Winona), or visit our website!

A Beginner’s Guide to Protecting Your Young Trees in Winona and Rochester, MN

Posted on October 19, 2015 - 10:31 am by

Adding a young tree to your lawn can be a great way to break in your new property or enhance any long-held homestead. With the right attention and care, a tree can even become the highlight of your yard. If you’re a tree-growing novice, however, then experts like those at Maier Tree and Lawn will tell you that it can be difficult to know what steps you have to take to keep your tree alive, let alone healthy.

If you’re looking to keep your young tree healthy through its most vulnerable early years, it’s good to start with the basics: try focusing on stability, weather protection, and wildlife awareness!

The physical stability of your young tree is an important component of healthy development. Ideally, your tree should be able to stand up on its own and grow freely without intervention, but occasionally, it might need a little help. For instance, does your tree need to be staked to keep it upright? If so, staking the tree loosel will provide it with much needed support while still allowing movement.  Or does it need some branches trimmed to reduce leaning?  This is a place to be sparing in pruning. A professional will be able to make good decisions about whether to prune or not.  Ultimately what you wantto do is foster an environment where the tree can grow uninterrupted. For instance, mulching around the base of the tree is a good way to promote nutrient absorption and prevent weeds from getting in the way… but you’re doing all that without altering the natural growth pattern of the tree! Other than that, keep a watchful eye out for trouble and  provide gentle guidance if things get off track.

Weather protection may be the hardest thing to prepare for because it can be so unpredictable, but even so, a little planning can go a long way. If you’re worried about a young tree surviving some seasonal extremes, tree wraps can be an easy and inexpensive way to reduce the potential for sun-scald or other cold-related damage. And if you know that your lawn catches a lot of wind, then make sure you go back to step one and reconsider the general stability of your sapling. If it can’t survive some run-of-the-mill windy Winona weather, then how will it survive a storm?

The local wildlife can do a number on a tree-in-training and keeping them at bay has the potential to be a bit of a headache. Deer, squirrels, woodpeckers, rabbits, and all sorts of critters may see your sapling as a tool for their own animal aspirations. These include nesting in, feasting upon, and rubbing against your young tree until it’s a shadow of its former self… or just dead. Tree cages, repellants, and special tree wraps can all be a big help in these cases, but it’s a good idea to consult a specialist before making any potentially destructive decisions.

If you have any questions regarding young tree care or tree protection, call Maier Tree and Lawn at 507.286.8733 (Rochester) or 507.454.7000 (Winona). Bringing up a new tree can be a lot of fun, but a lot can go wrong in those first few years if you don’t watch carefully! Keep your eyes open for trouble and don’t be afraid to ask for help if things aren’t going quite right. For additional information, feel free to visit Maier Tree and Lawn at their website located here.

Finding Your Roots in Winona and Rochester, MN

Posted on October 1, 2015 - 11:02 am by

Natives of southeastern Minnesota who’ve had the chance to visit either the Winona State University or the Rochester Community and Technical College campus may have noticed the abundance of foliage at these locations. Both campuses maintain detailed directories of their tree types, and it’s good that they do!  Minnesota happens to be a state with greatly diverse native tree types, so if the colleges didn’t keep track then it would be awfully hard to keep up! This certainly contributes to beautiful college campuses, but at Maier Tree and Lawn we can tell you that the variety also makes it difficult to settle on the perfect tree for your property.

The question is, with so many types of trees that can be grown in Minnesota, how do you find the root that suits you? Minnesota native tree types can complement a wide variety of looks and lawns, but it can be difficult to maintain proper tree care if you choose something too large or something better suited for a different region.

Luckily for all of you aspiring tree-lovers, the web has plenty of tree resources available that explain what can thrive and survive in southeastern Minnesota. If you’re just starting your search, feel free to check out these spreadsheets on the best picks for the Rochester and Winona areas:

Once you have an idea of the size, coloring, and shape you’re looking for, it’s a good idea to consult with an arborist. If the tree type you chose has any quirks or characteristics that would made it incompatible with your property, then the experts at businesses such as Maier Tree and Lawn can give you the lowdown.

Whether you’re in Rochester, Winona, or somewhere in between, contact Maier Tree & Lawn for advice, assessments, and essential lawn assistance. Call us today or visit our website for tips and tricks on maintaining proper tree health for your brand new Minnesota roots.

How Does Iron Chlorosis Affect Tree Care in Rochester & Winona, Minnesota?

Posted on September 18, 2015 - 10:01 am by

Do any leaves on your deciduous trees appear yellow with green veins? If so, your tree could have iron chlorosis. If left untreated over a prolonged period of time, your tree could die. For proper tree care in Rochester and Winona, Minnesota, you’ll want to contact the arborists at Maier Tree & Lawn.

What is iron chlorosis?

Iron chlorosis refers to a lack of chlorophyll in a tree’s leaves caused by an iron deficiency. Leaves get their green color from chlorophyll, the key ingredient in photosynthesis or the sugar production in plants.

How does a tree become iron deficient?

This question has a more complex answer. Some of the many factors that can contribute to whether or not a tree acquires enough iron are listed below:

  • Iron chlorosis can often be found in trees rooted in soils with an alkaline or a pH higher than 7.0. High pH can make it difficult for tree roots to absorb necessary iron.
  • Any soil compaction leading to root loss could interfere with a tree’s ability to get the nutrients it needs.
  • Too much calcium in the soil could cause an iron deficiency.
  • Over-fertilization could cause high phosphorous levels in the soil, leading to an iron deficiency.

Where should you look for iron chlorosis?

The first signs of iron chlorosis usually appear at the branch tips on newer growth. These new leaves become smaller than normal. Over time, the affected leaves could curl, shrivel up, and fall. It is not uncommon to find iron chlorosis only on the leaves of one branch or on one side of a tree.

Which trees can be affected?

The species most affected in Rochester and Winona are maple, birch, red oak, pin oak, and white oak.

How do you prevent or treat iron chlorosis?

Prevention and treatment of iron chlorosis are objectives of good tree care in Rochester and Winona, Minnesota:

  • Ensure you plant your trees in the best soil for those particular trees
  • Improve the root system by relieving compact soil. This practice creates more air flow in the soil
  • Inject the trunk with nutrients to improve leaf color

If you spot what you think is iron chlorosis on your tree leaves, contact an arborist at Maier Tree & Lawn, the tree care professionals in Rochester and Winona, Minnesota.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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