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Recycling Christmas Trees in Delaware

Written by Stein Tree on . Posted in Stein Tree Service Blog.

live decorated christmas tree outdoors - Stein Tree Service

Delaware’s Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control has encouraged all residents to recycle their Christmas trees rather than throwing them away. Yard waste (branches, trees (including Christmas trees), grass) was banned for disposal from all Delaware landfills as of 2007, in an attempt to get more residents to recycle their yard waste. Residents recycling Christmas trees is one of the results.

Why You Should Recycle Christmas Trees

One reason for recycling Christmas trees is due to the above-mentioned yard waste ban in landfills, but recycling your yard waste comes with other benefits, as well. Yard waste takes up valuable and limited space in landfills, which can cause these landfills to be overcrowded and stress their effectiveness. Also, yard waste in landfills produces methane gas during decomposition, contributing to air pollution. These issues can be avoided by recycling yard waste instead, and you can benefit from recycling your Christmas tree.

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The Benefits of Recycling Your Christmas Trees & Yard Waste

You and your landscape can continue to get the value of your old Christmas tree or yard waste after the holidays. For example, an old Christmas tree can be ground and used on your property to help the soil retain water. Another option is to compost your yard waste, turning the plant material into a non-chemical fertilizer to improve your tree and plants health. Recycling Christmas trees provides the benefit of preserving Delaware’s environment while also enhancing your own property’s health and value.

Other Uses for Recycled Yard Waste

In addition to improving your plant and tree health care, here are a few other uses for your recycled Christmas trees and yard waste.

  • Create firewood for your outdoor firepit or fireplace. Be sure not to transport your firewood to prevent the spread of emerald ash borer, spotted lanternfly, and other invasive species.
  • Use tree pieces in your landscape design, for example, as a plant bed border.
  • Removed trees can be shelters for birds and squirrels or fish feeders in your lake or pond.

How to Recycle Christmas Trees & Yard Waste

While recycling Christmas trees comes with many benefits and uses, some residents can find recycling big, heavy trees to be a hassle. If you are having trees removed, the professional tree care company can take away your yard waste after performing tree care services, or use the ground remains of your tree to re-fill the hole left by the tree. By hiring a tree care company to remove or grind your trees, you save time and hassle.

Contact Stein for Your Tree Care & Removal Services

We hope you find this information about recycling Christmas trees to be timely and helpful. If you need tree removal services or other tree care, contact Stein Tree Service. Stein’s team of certified arborists and tree care specialists are highly experienced and knowledgeable and can take care of your tree removal needs. We have been providing various plant and tree care services to Delaware homeowners and businesses for decades. Our equipment is state-of-the-art and ready for immediate response. For more information on our tree care and removal services, contact us today.

adult spotted lanternfly on a tree

Stein Discusses Treating for Spotted Lanternfly in Delaware and Pennsylvania

Written by Stein Tree on . Posted in Pests & Diseases, Stein Tree Service Blog, Tree Care.

Treating for spotted lanternfly has become a more significant concern among homeowners as the invasive pest continues to spread and be a nuisance in Delaware and Pennsylvania. Controlling the spotted lanternfly population can be done by knowing how to identify the pest and preventing further spread. Homeowners can take preventive measures, such as purchasing firewood locally and scraping off egg masses on their property, as well as ensuring that none of the insects are hitching a ride on their vehicles when they travel. Here are a few tips on how to identify and treat for spotted lanternfly on your property.

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Identifying Spotted Lanternfly

Spotted lanternfly with wings open | invasive species in Delaware | Stein Tree Service

Treating for spotted lanternfly requires identifying their presence. Regarding the insects themselves, spotted lanternfly are small planthoppers with black heads, gray-brown forewings, and black spots on their forewings. The adults also have red hindwings underneath their forewings. Spotted lanternfly can also be detected and identified in their other life stages:

  • Early nymphs are tiny (⅛ to ½ inch) and can be challenging to find due to their size. The nymphs are all black with white spots.
  • Late nymphs are around ½ inch long, and have red bodies with black stripes and white dots.

Adult spotted lanternfly is the easiest to identify, thanks to their bigger size and distinct body coloration.

Spotted lanternfly will typically lay eggs on trees in the fall, although any hard surface (decks, rocks, houses) can be a potential spot for laying eggs. Egg masses are usually around 1 to 1½ inches long and make items appear to be covered in mud. These egg masses can also typically be found in the late fall.

Treating for Spotted Lanternfly

If you see spotted lanternfly on or around your property or trees, the best solution is to contact a professional, certified arborist. An arborist can closely examine the situation and determine the best treatment options for your trees. Also, homeowners can do a couple of things to help keep their trees safe from the spotted lanternfly’s dangers.

Prevent Transporting Spotted Lanternfly

spotted lanternfly young on plant

One of the significant reasons spotted lanternfly has become such a big problem is how easily the pest can move from one region to another, often through human activity. If you plan on going camping soon or transporting firewood, keep your firewood at home and purchase firewood locally instead. Hopping on firewood and moving from county to county is one of the primary reasons spotted lanternfly has been able to spread so quickly. Be sure to check your wheel wells and under your car for any egg masses or insects, too. Parking away from infected trees, keeping items away from those trees, and rolling your windows up when you are parked are effective ways to prevent spreading the pest.

Scrape Egg asses from Trees

If you see any spotted lanternfly around your property, check your trees, deck, car, and any outdoor surface on your property for any of their egg masses. After finding one, scrape off the egg mass with plastic cards or a putty knife. Make sure to scrape the egg mass into a bag or container filled with rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer. Some eggs may be unreachable, resting at the tops of trees or well-hidden.

Tree Traps

Another effective means of treating for spotted lanternfly, particularly nymphs, is to use bands or tree traps to catch them. Sticky bands around trees where spotted lanternflies feed (such as the Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima)) can catch nymphs. To prevent other animals or insects from being caught on the traps, only apply the tape if you know you have an infestation, reduce the band’s surface area by cutting, and use a wire or mesh around the band.

Call a Professional, Certified Arborist

Some of the other tactics for controlling spotted lanternfly involve insecticide or pesticides. You should use these options with caution due to the effect chemical controls may have on the rest of your plants and local ecosystem. If you want the best results for getting rid of spotted lanternfly, contacting a certified arborist who will inspect your property and advise you on the solution is ideal.

Contact Stein Tree for Spotted Lanternfly Treatment & Tree Care

If you see this invasive species on your property and want to keep your trees safe, contact Stein Tree Service. Stein performs commercial and residential plant and tree care services, including plant health care (PHC), tree removal, trimming, and pruning. Our team of tree care specialists is certified to treat in areas of spotted lanternfly infestation in Delaware and Pennsylvania. Contact us for a free consultation.

Stein Tree Service Discusses Why Your Contractor Should be Insured

Written by Stein Tree on . Posted in Stein Tree Service Blog, Tree Service.

Tree Care Professional Should be Insured - SteinTree Service staff next to large oak tree with wedge cut

People often ask if we are insured. Why is it such a big deal whether your certified arborist or tree care professional should be insured? If someone is working at your house or on your property, you as the owner of the property are the one who is ultimately responsible for the safety of any “guests” who come onto your property, even if they are uninvited. If someone walks onto your yard and slips and falls, YOU are responsible for their injuries.

When we work for a commercial enterprise we are labeled as a subcontractor. The “contractor” or owner makes sure we are have liability and workers compensation because the business owner knows that they would be liable for bodily injury, injured employees, or property damage if something happened during routine tree work because of an accident caused by us. If we are insured, the burden is taken from the contractor. Our business insurance protects the commercial enterprise from injury or property damage liability.

Most homeowners are unaware that they are “contractors” as well. If they allow someone on their property then they are the ones responsible, so homeowners need proof of insurance (such as a certificate of insurance) from everyone who works for them, including painters, roofers, certified arborists/tree service professionals, electricians, and other general contractors.

Real Stories that Prove Your General Contractors or Tree Care Professional Should be Insured

Working for a tree care company is a dangerous job that must be respected by those practicing. Tree trimming, removing a tree, as well as other tree care industry tasks can result in tree falls or other injuries. When you hire a tree professional, you feel that he should be able to come in and do his job correctly and safely, but sometimes the situation ends badly.

Here are two real case scenarios that actually happened to people who tried to save a few bucks rather than hire an insured company professional:

  1. A homeowner hired a painting contractor to paint the inside of his home. A worker fell off a ladder and broke his back and was paralyzed. The worker sued his boss who had no insurance. When he was unable to collect damages from his boss he sued the homeowner. The homeowner was found to be negligent for hiring an uninsured contractor and therefore was liable for the worker’s injuries.
  2. A homeowner hired an uninsured fly-by-night tree service company with no general liability insurance to prune a tree in their back yard. The company dropped a large limb onto the high voltage wire, which caused a power surge that fried all the electrical appliances of their neighbors up the street. The neighbors sued the contractor, but all he had was a pickup and some hand tools. They then had no choice but to sue their neighbor for the damage to their appliances. This cost the homeowner tens of thousands of dollars to repair the damages.

So yes, Stein Tree Service’s Certified Arborists and plant health care professionals are fully insured–to both protect our business and employees and to protect your business or home! Be proactive and investigate: always keep in mind that any contractor, and certainly a tree care professional should be insured.

Call Stein Tree Service for Licensed and Insured Certified Arborists in Wilmington

We have over 35 years of experience serving residents and businesses in Wilmington, Newark and surrounding areas in Delaware, Pennsylvania, and Maryland. For skilled tree care services you can count on by licensed insured professionals, contact Stein Tree today at 610-723-8072.

Tree Care in Wilmington, DE: Protect Trees When Adding Holiday Lighting

Written by Stein Tree on . Posted in Stein Tree Service Blog, Tree Care.

Right after Thanksgiving is a common time in the holiday season for homeowners to begin holiday decorations, and many of them love to string lights around their trees. Did you know that holiday lighting displays can be used for more practical uses than simply festive outdoor lighting and decor? Properly wrapping certain types of outdoor lights around your tree trunks and large branches is one method of winter tree care in Wilmington, DE to keep vulnerable trees warm and protected from frost damage. The following is a quick guide to tree holiday lighting: what works best and how to protect your trees from damage while integrating those lights into your winter tree landscape.

How to Add Holiday Lighting to Trees

Tree Care in Wilmington, DE -tree decorated for the holidays

1.Get the right lights. The best type of holiday lighting to use around your trees if you are attempting to warm them is the kind with non-LED light bulbs, as LED light sets emit too little heat. Older lights are typically good for this task. Be sure to choose a plug-in option with a timer and ample extensions.

If you are only considering ease of use, the best type of holiday lights to use around your trees is rope lighting, consisting of LED mini lights that are ensnared in the plastic rope. This style of exterior lighting is easy to bend and wrap around your trees and the waterproofing provides durability and safety. Net lights are also great for shrubs and evergreen trees. LED lights present less of a fire hazard and can be found with more natural colors, like warm white, than were available a few years ago.

2.Begin high and wrap down. Start with one end of the strand of lights set high in a crook between the tree trunk and a large branch. Use a large zip tie to secure this end to the branch and then, once secured, begin wrapping the lights slowly down the tree to its base, securing periodic loops in place with zip lines on other large branches or similar spots. Take care to avoid wrapping wiring, zip ties, and lights too tightly around your live trees as this can damage the bark and sensitive tissue underneath.

Whether you are trying to protect your trees or just decorate for the holidays, you will want to be careful to protect your trees from damage. A few tree holiday lighting tips to keep in mind are:

  • Avoid compacting the soil around trees.
  • As already mentioned, avoid wrapping too tightly and constricting trunks or branches. If you damage the tree, especially in the winter, you will make it more susceptible to disease.
  • Use tree lights that are rated for outdoor use and in good, high-quality condition, especially the wiring.
  • Avoid using too many strands of lights together or using extension cords unrated for outside use.
  • Avoid stapling or putting holes in the tree. These can damage the trunk or limbs and open the tree up to infection. Instead use tree clips.

Contact Stein Tree Service for More Tips on Winter Tree Care in Wilmington, DE

Tree holiday lighting is a festive way to enjoy your trees in the winter. For more information on how to protect your trees and other plants when the cold and snow arrive this winter, contact us today. We are dedicated to excellent tree care in Wilmington, DE and surrounding areas and offer a variety of tree care services including trimming, pruning, removal, and emergency tree removal.

winter storm - Stein Tree Service

How does EAB Survive the Winter?

Written by Stein Tree on . Posted in Emerald Ash Borer (EAB), Stein Tree Service Blog.

The wintertime cold temperatures kill off many insects and pests. One pest, however, can survive the cold winter temperatures: emerald ash borer (EAB.) Emerald ash borer has been a destructive, invasive species in the United States for years, and while EAB is most active during spring and summer, these pests spend the winter preparing to feed on nearby ash trees. EAB survive the winter due to them living within trees and a natural “supercooling” ability.

How does EAB Survive the Winter? Trees

Emerald Ash Borer on a branch | Invasive Species Awareness | Stein Tree Service

One reason that EAB survive the winter is the protection that ash trees provide. When female emerald ash borer lay their eggs between June and August, the beetles lay eggs between layers of outer bark and cracks and crevices of the trunk and major branches. Once the eggs hatch, the larvae burrow deeper into the tree, feeding on the tree until becoming adults in early spring. The outer bark provides insulation to EAB from the cold weather, so the in-tree temperature is more relevant to EAB’s survival than the temperature outside the tree. Trees that receive much sunlight in the winter can also be warmer despite the cold weather. The other primary reason these beetles can survive cold weather is supercooling.

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Supercooling

Supercooling is a process of lowering the temperature of gasses or liquids below the freezing points without becoming solids. Many animals use supercooling by producing antifreeze proteins that bind to ice crystals, preventing water molecules from binding to the ice crystals and preventing the ice from spreading. Insects can also produce these proteins and other sugars or alcohols to prevent themselves from freezing. Supercooling is somewhat common among insects, and that process is the other major reason why EAB survive the winter.

People walking in park, with snow and trees

Emerald ash borer’s supercooling has a limit on how low the temperature can get to be useful. Most research has shown that a significant portion of larvae begins to die at around -10°F, and the number increases the lower the temperature goes. The extremely cold weather conditions needed to do so are much more common in northern, colder regions such as the Midwest or Canada. Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Maryland winters are unlikely to be cold enough or may only have short extreme cold snaps instead.

What You Can Do During Winter

If you want to keep your trees safe from the effects of EAB, here are a few things you can do during the winter, while EAB larvae are dormant and have yet to spread to other trees.

  • Look for signs of emerald ash borer on your property and among your trees.
  • Get your trees inspected by a professional, certified arborist.
  • Remove EAB-infested trees and care for surrounding trees to reduce the risk of future infestation.

Between October and May is when EAB activity is lowest, so getting your trees inspected (and removed if necessary) will significantly reduce the chance of nearby trees becoming infested.

Contact Stein Tree for Winter Tree Care Services

While the EAB survive the winter, you can contact Stein Tree Service to inspect your trees and manage destructive pests on your property. Stein’s team of ISA certified arborists has hundreds of years of combined experience and knowledge of pest control and EAB management techniques. Our team has provided residents in Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Maryland with tree care services for decades. We strive to maintain your trees’ health, beauty, and value. For more information on our other services, contact us today.

commercial-tree-service business landscape

What Is Commercial Tree Risk Assessment and What Are the Benefits?

Written by Stein Tree on . Posted in Commercial and Municipal, Stein Tree Service Blog, Tree Service.

If you own a business and have trees on your commercial property, a commercial tree risk assessment is a good way to protect your investment. Trees provide beauty and value to businesses, but poor maintenance and health can lead to hazards and risks for both the company and anyone nearby. By having a certified arborist provide a risk assessment to determine your trees’ condition, you can make your property safer and more appealing to you, employees, and potential customers.

What Is Commercial Tree Risk Assessment?

Commercial tree risk assessment is when an arborist evaluates the condition and health of the trees on commercial properties. The review process is thorough because of the many hazards trees can pose to nearby people and property. Assessing a tree can involve three main stages:

  1. The arborist will ask questions and interview the tree owner for pieces of vital information, such as when the owner planted the tree, how long has the tree resembled the current state, and if any construction has occurred near the tree.
  2. Next, the arborist will examine the current state of the tree, checking for any signs of disease, damage, or interference with nearby property (such as power lines).
  3. Finally, the arborist will compile all of the information into a report for the tree owner. The report will detail the findings, evaluations on the tree’s current state, and recommended solutions for any issues.

The Benefits of a Commercial Tree Risk Assessment

Infographic | Benefits of Commercial Tree Risk Assessment | Stein Tree Service

Business owners benefit greatly from tree risk assessments. Risk assessments and follow-up with any recommended services can reduce your chance of having any problems, and from being financially liable for potential costs from property and personal damage. You can also increase your business’s value and your customers’ perception through tree maintenance.

1. Reduced Liability for Personal Injury

You are responsible for maintaining your business’s property so that employees, customers, and passersby are safe. For example, suppose your trees are in poor condition, and the branches are at risk of falling. In that case, you have a greater chance of liability if those branches injure someone below (especially if your property gets a lot of foot traffic.) What is the best way of knowing if your tree branches are at risk of falling? By scheduling a commercial tree risk assessment. With a proper tree risk assessment, you can significantly reduce the potential risk of someone getting hurt and your chances of being financially liable in the unfortunate event that someone is injured.

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2. Prevent Property & Personal Damage

Emergency Tree Removal Service Wilmington DE- Storm Aid

The damage that hazardous trees can cause to the surrounding property and passerby is costly. Broken gutters, smashed roof or windows, wrecked cars, and snapped power lines are just a few of the many risks and damages that can cost you. Bodily injury is another unfortunate outcome that poorly maintained trees can cause. The most effective solution is to have regular tree risk assessments from certified arborists so that all of these potential damages and costs can be prevented.

3. Aesthetics, Value, & Appeal To Customers

Another outcome of tree risk assessments is that your trees can maintain their natural beauty and aesthetics. A thriving, healthy tree noticeably improves your property appeal, while unhealthy or damaged ones can decrease your property value. One of the most critical tasks when trying to attract new customers is making a great first impression, and a well-maintained landscape does just that. The first thing your customers may see is your landscape and entranceway, and people are more willing to spend their time and money on businesses with trees nearby.

Contact Stein Tree for Commercial Tree Risk Assessment

If you want to keep your commercial property safe and valuable, contact Stein Tree Service. Stein has provided residential and commercial tree care services to business owners in Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Maryland for decades. Our certified arborists have hundreds of years of combined experience and knowledge to care for commercial properties. We work to ensure your trees are healthy, safe, and beautiful. For more information on our services or to get a commercial tree risk assessment, contact us today.

tree branch with yellow leaf, fall and winter are the best times for tree trimming, stein tree service

Predicted Snowy Freezing Winter Means Tree Inspection Time

Written by Stein Tree on . Posted in News & Announcements, Tree Care.

October 15, 2020 – Wilmington, Delaware – Winter is just around the corner, which means that homeowners should get tree inspection services to ensure their trees are prepared. The Farmer’s Almanac released their forecast for the 2020-2021 winter season, saying that the U.S.’s eastern region will be cold and snowy. Because the estimates predict heavy snowfall and storms, trees are at risk of being damaged, which can lead to property being damaged.

The Farmer’s Almanac Forecast

House and yard covered in snow with trees and shrubs.

Compared to 2019’s relatively snow-free winter, this year’s winter is expected to be the opposite. The Farmer’s Almanac is forecasting a blizzard hitting the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast states around early February. The blizzard could bring roughly 1-2 feet of snow to the east coast, from Maryland up to Massachusetts. A storm in late March is expected to bring significant snowfall to the east coast, originating from the Midwest and sweeping to New England. Overall, states like Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Maryland are expected to be “Seasonably cold, wet, and white,” which could damage trees.

How Winter Can Damage Trees

While trees become dormant during the winter, cold temperatures and snowstorms can damage and stress trees, increasing safety risks. Heavy snowfall can weigh down branches (especially already weak or damaged ones), causing them to break and fall. Strong winds can also break off branches. Falling branches pose a serious risk to property, such as houses, cars, power lines, and anybody standing below or near them. The best solution to ensure the safety of everything and everyone around is to call for tree inspection before the weather becomes severe or dangerous.

Preparing Trees for Winter

winter tree care in West Chester PA - winter yard - Stein Tree Service

The first step to making sure trees are prepared to withstand the winter weather is to get them inspected by a certified arborist. A certified arborist has the training and experience to inspect trees for any signs that point to issues like vulnerability of branches or the possibility of the entire tree toppling over due to strong winds or heavy snowfall. Once trees have been inspected, a certified arborist will be able to develop the right plan to maintain the tree’s health and the safety of those nearby. Preparations for winter include trimming and pruning branches, wrapping a tree to prevent sunscald, and watering before the ground freezes.

About Stein Tree Service

Stein Tree Service is the oldest independently owned tree care company in Delaware and has provided plant and tree care and tree inspection services for residents in Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Maryland for over 35 years. The professional team of certified arborists has hundreds of years of combined experience to ensure that trees and plants are healthy, safe, and beautiful. For more information on Stein Tree or their services, contact the company at 302-478-3511 or visit https://www.SteinTree.com today.

galleries are one of the signs of emerald-ash-borer-infestation - stein tree service

Signs of Emerald Ash Borer

Written by Stein Tree on . Posted in Emerald Ash Borer (EAB), Stein Tree Service Blog, Tree Removal.

Fall has arrived, and we want to let homeowners know that fall and winter are great times to get trees inspected for pests or diseases. One major pest to look out for is the emerald ash borer (EAB): an invasive species that feeds on ash trees and has done immense damage to trees across the entire United States. Fall, winter, and early spring are the best times for detecting any signs of emerald ash borer, because fewer leaves are present to hide the pest. This season is also an ideal time for removing infected trees.

Signs of Emerald Ash Borer Infection

Emerald ash borer | invasive species in Delaware | Stein Tree Service

One of the main reasons that fall and winter are ideal for detecting the emerald ash borer’s presence is that trees lose their leaves. The emerald ash borers burrow into the bark and lay their larvae inside the tree, making them difficult to spot on trees with a lot of leaves. EAB is difficult to spot because the beetles have a metallic green colored body, an effective camouflage during the spring and summer when trees have a lot of green leaves on them. The leaves can also hide other signs of emerald ash borer presence.

Other Signs of Emerald Ash Borer Infestation:

  • Distinct D-shaped holes in the bark
  • Bark splitting
  • Canopy thinning

Increased or unusually high woodpecker activity can be another sign, as woodpeckers feed on emerald ash borer.

Learn more about the Dangers of EAB

Removing Infected Trees in Fall & Winter

Emerald ash borer s shaped galleries - Wilmington DE

Removing trees infested with EAB can be carefully done anytime, but the ideal times to remove trees is during the fall and winter. From October to May, EAB is mostly inactive, with the larvae burrowed under the bark of a tree. The dormancy is a result of the beetles protecting themselves from the cold weather. Because the pest is mostly dormant during the winter, the chances of them spreading is reduced. Therefore, the ideal time to remove infested trees is between October and May when the risk of other ash trees becoming infested is the lowest.

Contact Stein Tree for Emerald Ash Borer Removal Services

If you are concerned about your trees’ health and the risk of emerald ash borer infection, contact Stein Tree Service. Stein Tree is a professional licensed tree care business in Wilmington, Delaware. We provide pest removal and plant and tree care services for many communities around Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Maryland. Our certified arborists are experienced in the safest, most effective measures to prevent and remove pests from your landscape and maintain your trees’ health. For more information on signs of emerald ash borer and how to keep your trees safe, contact Stein today.

tree removal - homes on a public street with trees and sidewalk -- stein tree service

Stein Discusses 5 Tree Care Myths

Written by Stein Tree on . Posted in Stein Tree Service Blog, Tree Care.

Many homeowners or business owners have certain ideas about tree care that are tree care myths. Some myths relate to specific techniques and applications when planting new trees, such as staking or pruning. Others involve general tree care practices, such as tree topping or applying mulch around trees. And some are misguided ideas, like filling up a tree with concrete. Here are 5 tree care myths and the reality behind each one of them.

1. You Need to Stake a Newly Planted Tree

pruning-shears - Tree trimming and pruning in Wilmington DE - Stein Tree Service

One of the most common tree care myths is that you need to stake a newly planted tree. While some trees do benefit from staking, the practice is optional and may even have consequences. Trees need to develop strong root systems and good trunk tapers for long-term health, both of which can be hindered by staking. The qualities that indicate a tree needs staking are the following:

  • Abnormally small root systems
  • The stems bend excessively without support
  • A very windy planting site that can uproot trees

The tree needs to become accustomed to the environment in which it lives, and be able to withstand the conditions of that environment.

2. Prune a Tree Heavily When First Planted

Another one of the famous tree care myths regarding planting trees is that you need to prune the tree heavily when planting. Trees need a full crown to produce food and plant hormones, which promotes root growth and health. and a healthy crown helps. Some pruning helps promote good shape and growth when done properly, but large or improper cuts leave wounds that may be hard for the tree to heal while using its energy to recover and grow in its new space. For newly planted trees, pruning should be structural or to remove damaged branches, and the crown should remain full.

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3. If A Tree Is Too Large, Topping Is Required

Tree topping is one of the worst possible ways of pruning a tree, despite the fact that many people engage in this practice. Topping removes a large part of a tree’s canopy, which has numerous downsides such as:

  • Significantly reducing the ability of the tree to collect sunlight and create nutrients
  • Causing great stress
  • Creating many wounds that will be hard for the tree to heal

All of those downsides increase the chance of the branches becoming diseased and infected, or breaking and falling off. Tree topping is a poor practice often used when trees are growing out of their provided space, and should be replaced with careful pruning or assessment from a certified arborist.

4. Mulch Should Be Piled Up Against the Tree

One of the most common tree care myths for homeowners is that mulch has to be piled right up against the tree. Though mulching is good for trees, a typical mulching practice is to stack the mulch up against the tree trunk, which is also known as “volcano mulching.” Volcano mulching creates a pest-friendly environment and increases the chance of girdling roots. The mulch should be applied in the shape of a doughnut rather than a volcano. Avoiding volcano mulching can go a long way to improving a tree’s health and growth.

5. Tree Cavities Should be Filled with Concrete

Filling tree cavities with concrete was a common practice in the past, but we now know this to be a poor practice. The idea behind filling a cavity with concrete was that the concrete could strengthen a tree. Trees move with the wind and continue to grow, so the concrete ends up irritating the tree instead. Hurting the tree in this way can lead to further harm such as decay and disease. The real solution to tree cavities depends on the tree, and contacting a certified arborist is the best course of action.

Contact Stein for Tree Care Services

If you are looking for tree and plant care services for your landscape, contact Stein Tree Service. Stein’s ISA certified arborists and other tree care professionals are dedicated to providing exceptional plant and tree care services. We have been in business for over 35 years, serving many communities in Delaware and Philadelphia. Our equipment is state-of-the-art, and our staff is ready for emergency dispatch. For more information on tree care myths, or a free consultation, contact us today.

City street lined with yellow trees in Autumn - tree city - Stein Tree Service

Tree Care 101: Keeping Your Trees Healthy

Written by Stein Tree on . Posted in Plant Health Care (PHC), Stein Tree Service Blog, Tree Care.

Your trees are likely the most eye-catching, valuable part of your landscape. As such, trees need to receive the proper amount of care to keep them healthy. Tree care can involve many different tasks and goals. So to help your keep your trees healthy, Stein is offering a few tree care 101 tips for residents.

Mulching

tree care in Newark DE - Stein

Mulching is an integral part of tree care, and proper mulching goes a long way to keep your trees strong. Organic mulch is ideal because the added nutrients aid in tree health. Apply the mulch in the form of a doughnut around the tree, rather than a volcano covering the trunk. A good rule is the “3-3-3” rule: a 3-inch deep ring, in a 3-foot radius around the trunk, leaving a 3-inch space around the trunk.

Tree Trimming and Pruning

Regular trimming and pruning is important. Generally, the best time to trim and prune trees is during dormancy in the fall and winter to encourage the next flowering. However, some trees should be pruned right after their flowering period ends, such as flowering dogwood or eastern redbud. In addition, light trimming and pruning may be done safely during most seasons, and if a tree has dangerously hanging branches, pruning must be done when needed for safety. Tree trimming and pruning are vital if a tree is at risk of falling or has damaged, dead, or weak branches, so always keep a close eye on the tree condition. Being vigilant about your tree’s health will help prevent damage to both the tree and anything surrounding it.

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Watering

As with any other plant, watering is an essential part of tree care 101. If you are planting new trees, focus on watering the root ball area. You can water more of the tree once the roots spread out. If you have more mature trees in your yard, you may be able to water less often. But be proactive and water when your area has gotten less rainfall than usual, or the tree shows signs of distress. Water thoroughly once a week (or more in summer) instead of small amounts frequently, about 5 minutes of hose watering at medium water pressure. With proper watering, your trees can remain vigorous even during the hot summers.

Regular Inspections

One final piece of advice, and an often overlooked aspect of tree care 101 is routine inspections. Tree care is a long-term process, so regular inspections are an essential part. Hiring a professional, certified arborist to inspect your tree means that any issues such as new signs of disease or damage are spotted and resolved earlier.

Contact Stein for Professional Tree Care Services

Give your trees the care and nurturing they need to thrive with Stein Tree Service. Stein’s staff of certified arborists and tree care professionals have hundreds of years of combined experience. We have provided quality plant and tree care services to Delaware and Pennsylvania communities for over 35 years. Our equipment is state-of-the-art and can be radio dispatched for immediate response. For more information on our tree care 101 tips, or our services, contact us today.

Your trees are likely the most eye-catching, valuable part of your landscape. As such, trees need to receive the proper amount of care to keep them healthy. Tree care can involve many different tasks and goals. So to help your keep your trees healthy, Stein is offering a few tree care 101 tips for residents.