How To’s

  • Seeds For The Future – How To Plant An Acorn Why should we plant and care for trees?  Research shows that trees clean our air, our water, and our soil.  Trees make significant contributions to improve our health, sense of well being, quality of life, and our economic future.  According to USDA Forest Service research, the benefits provided by large mature trees are 70-times greater…
  • Oak Wilt Fact and Fears–Symptoms, Diagnosis, Management, Prevention, and Treatment Oak Wilt is a complex disease. Conflicting information in public venues adds to the current Oak Wilt confusion and creates anxiety over the potential loss of a favorite tree.  If Grandpa planted the tree, or it screens the neighbors view, or reduces your energy bill, the tree has special value.  It is no longer just…
  • Mistletoe…Parasite or Treasure? Mistletoe is the common name for a parasitic flowering plant that grows attached to, and within, the vascular system of a tree or shrub. There are many different species of mistletoe...
  • Pathologists Corner – Oak Wilt Oak wilt is caused by a fungus (Ceratocystis fagacearum) which colonizes the vascular system of the tree. Conduction of water is disrupted causing the leaves to wilt and ultimately for the tree to die.
  • Winter is Prime Time to Manage Mistletoe Mistletoe is often associated with peace or romance during the holiday season, when in fact, this holiday symbol is actually a harmful parasite of trees.
  • Look for Your Tree’s Root Flare The root flare is the portion to the tree where the trunk widens at the base as it transitions to the root system.  This flare occurs at the natural grade of the soil.  It is of critical importance that this level be maintained.  The addition of soil around the base of a tree is extremely…
  • Important Landscape Information and Strategies The most effective strategy to improve conditions for trees is to maintain large, mulched areas around them. Eliminate grass and use mulch.
  • Dormant Season Tree Care Although the deciduous trees have lost their leaves for the winter and we humans consider the trees to be dormant, physiologically the tree is very active.  New roots are being developed and the tree is preparing itself for the upcoming spring.  It is important to note that photosynthesis may have stopped when the leaves drop,…
  • Managing Woodpecker Damage Woodpecker damage? Learn how to identify and manage woodpecker damage.
  • Dormant Oil Application Dormant oil applications to trees and shrubs can be a quite effective tool when managing many of our insect and disease problems. The application is done once a year during the dormant season.
  • Controlling Cotton Root Rot by Walter J.Walla and Everett Janne Extension plant pathologist and Extension landscape horticulturist, The Texas A&M University System. Published originally as TAEX L- 056, November, 1982. Cotton root rot, caused by the fungus Phymatotrichumomnivorum, also is known by several other names such as Phymatotrichum root rot, Texas root rot and Ozonium root rot. It is one of the most destructive…
  • Air-Spade Investigation Base Investigation and Clearing Root Flares Using the Air-spade® The Air-Spade is a handheld soil excavation tool connected to a large air-compressor. The high pressure stream of air is funneled through a small nozzle breaking dense soils apart into small particles. By using air to excavate soil, delicate roots, underground pipes, and hard surfaces are not…
  • How To Hire An Arborist By  Steve Houser -Owner and President of Arborilogical Services There can be a great difference between Arborists as far as knowledge and experience.  Understanding the difference between a Consulting Arborist, a Certified Arborist, and a tree climbing Arborist is important in judging the particular person to use for a given task. Any person that is…
  • How To Prune A Crepe Myrtle A Crepe Myrtle is not quite like any other local plant in how it grows, and is therefore not like others when considering how they can be pruned.