We understand the love Newark residents have for their trees and landscaping. Mulching is an important part of tree care, and proper practices should be employed for the absolute best results and healthiest trees. Here are some helpful tips for practicing proper mulching for tree care in Newark, DE.
Mother nature creates such beautiful flora and fauna, but also creates problems that can destroy them. If you are a homeowner in Pennsylvania, tree care can be a frustrating experience at times. You may run into one of the more common issues that can do damage to your beloved trees. Your biggest weapon to combat these issues is knowledge and preparedness.
Stein tree care specialists have the years of experience, knowledge, and training to help you deal with anything from common issues like minor tree disease to some of the rarer issues you might come across. You can trust us to get the job done, and we even offer free consultations.
Some common but worrisome Pennsylvania tree care problems to look out for include:
EAB is an issue that continues to spread and we are certified to treat for the pest. You may be dealing with EAB if:
The main indications are very noticeable and are a very common problem throughout the country, not just in Delaware and Pennsylvania tree care. If you notice any of these signs be sure to give us a call.
These colorful little insects can cause a lot of problems to certain types of trees. If you are concerned about spotted lanternfly you should look out for the following signs:
The spotted lanternfly likes trees such as willows, poplar, maple, as well as a variety of different fruit bearing trees. Because of the secretions that are left behind, depending on the stage of growth, a spotted lanternfly infestation can attract even more pests that can do damage to your trees. Our certified arborist can determine whether you have this issue, and we are certified to treat trees in all spotted lanternfly quarantine areas.
Shade trees are vulnerable to anthracnose, a disease caused by a fungus. The disease attacks frequently in the spring, after the fungus sits in the dead twigs during the winter. In spring when conditions are wet, spores spread and cause lesions on the leaves.
Ash leaf rust is an early spring fungus that has been rampant this year because of the cool wet spring. Affected white and green ash trees will develop yellow-orange spots on their leaves. Trees can lose their leaves prematurely and deformities can occur. This fungal infection can be treated using fungicidal sprays.
Whether you are in Delaware or Pennsylvania, tree and plant health care is an important part of your property maintenance. Whatever tree care issues you face, we are here to help. Our team of experts is looking forward to taking care of your tree care needs. Contact us today for a free consultation.
Trees are everywhere, lining streets, around parks and in our own yards. They provide many benefits, but sometimes, they pose a danger to the safety of structures or passersby. How can you tell if a tree is dangerous? Stein offers some tips on how tree inspection can determine if homeowners have any cause for concern.
Stein Tree Service’s team is passionate about trees and proper tree care, so naturally we encourage all residents to embrace Arbor Day. Arbor Day is the last Friday in April for both Delaware and Pennsylvania. In most states, this is the case, but some states choose to celebrate on a day more in keeping with the best time of year to plant trees in their areas. This year, Pennsylvania and Delaware will recognize the occasion on April 26. Local activities are also taking place on Saturday this year.
For example, on April 27, both the Montgomery Township and Springfield Township in Pennsylvania are holding celebrations and giving away free trees. At the Springfield Township event, leaders will hold a discussion about the spotted lanternfly after a tree planting ceremony.
ArborDay.org has a list of ideas for those who want to celebrate Arbor Day, including:
J. Sterling Morton, the founder of Arbor Day as a National Celebration, was quoted as saying, “Each generation takes the earth as trustees.” Certified arborists, tree aficionados, and other tree care specialists have the same view. Taking care of the trees is good for the earth, and is also good for our enjoyment and well-being. Below are some general tree care tips that will help the trees in your landscape thrive.
The team at Stein Tree Service is passionate about trees on Arbor Day, just as we are every other day of the year. We offer Pennsylvania and Delaware homeowners and businesses professional and reasonable tree care services. For a free consultation, contact us today.
Emergency Tree Removal in Wilmington, DE is often necessary after strong storms. Some trees are in greater danger than others for storm damage and residents can appreciate the importance of keeping them healthy and strong. When working with a certified arborist to improve the overall tree and plant health of your landscaping, you may hear discussions of cabling and bracing your trees.
Recently we discussed that Stein Tree Service is certified to perform tree care services in all areas that have spotted lanternfly quarantines in effect. Now, you may have seen in the news that Pennsylvania has strengthened its efforts to control and eventually eliminate the invasive pest.
We have talked previously about the dangers of non-native plants and trees, and how much planting native species benefits the local ecosystem. But how do you know what the native species are? Below we list some of the native tree and shrub species for Delaware and Pennsylvania, to enable our community to more easily plan for native planting, as well as avoid some native species that can cause their own problems for homeowners, such as those prone to disease or vulnerable to pests like the emerald ash borer.
As you drive down the streets of our communities in Delaware, you see a wide variety of trees and shrubs, including evergreens that lend year-round color, and other trees that are beautiful in spring and fall. A few trees that are native to Delaware and which are particularly showy are:
The Pin Oak (Quercis palustris) and the White Ash tree (Fraxinus Americana) are also beautiful showy trees, but the first is prone to the fatal bacterial leaf scorch, and the ash is vulnerable to the destructive emerald ash borer. The River Birch (Betula nigra), whose bark adds interest year-round, and grows up to 40-60’ tall, but the appealing bark itself attracts the bronze birch borer.
If you enjoy evergreen trees, you might want to consider the native Eastern Redcedar (Juniperus virginiana), with its blue/gray fall coloring, or the American Holly (Ilex opaca) with its deep green leaves and red berries in the winter).
Some beautiful native shrubs that will add interest to your landscape are the Red Bud (Cercis canadensis), Witchhazel (Hamamelis virginiana) and the Winterberry (Ilex verticillata). These examples are just a few of the choices you have when considering native trees and shrubs for your Delaware landscape.
Some of the same trees that are native to Delaware can also be found in Pennsylvania, as we are close neighbors.
Some particularly attractive varieties are the:
Some evergreen native varieties, are the Black Spruce (Picea mariana), Yellow Pine (Pinus echinata), and the tall Red Pine (Pinus Rinosa).
The Northern Red Oak (Quercus rubra), which can reach 70’ in height, is impressive, but is prone to the bacterial leaf scorch, like the pin oak. Black Cherry (Prunus serotina), with its weeping branches is showy and smells good, but is often afflicted with fall webworms or tent caterpillars. The Pennsylvania state tree the Eastern Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis), is native to the area, but unfortunately, wooly adelgid, a pest native to Asia targets the tree, and without treatment, can starve the tree in 3-10 years. In its native habitat, the insect is controlled by environmental factors.
Native Pennsylvania shrubs include the fragrant Carolina Allspice (Calycanthus floridus) and the Sweet Pepperbush (Clethra alnifolia). If you are looking for something to stabilize a bank, one good choice is the Red Chokeberry (Aronia arbutifolia), which has a brilliant color in the fall.
According to the Lancaster County Planning Commission, whose site has a more extensive list of native PA trees and shrubs, Pennsylvania has more than 2,100 native plant species, so if you are looking to plant native, you have lots of choices.
Stein Tree Service’s professionals are passionate about tree care and about preserving our native environment. Our certified arborists and other tree care specialists are trained and have a great deal of experience with determining if your trees and plants are healthy. We are certified to treat for emerald ash borer in Pennsylvania and Delaware, and we provide whatever tree care service is needed to preserve the vitality of your plants and trees, from inspection, to tree removal and stump grinding. Contact us for more information about native trees or to schedule a free tree care consultation.
Pennsylvania and Delaware are still in winter’s grip, but as we all know, spring could burst in and decide to stay at any time now. Some trees are budding, tricked once again into thinking the time is right for their colorful displays. With that thought in mind, Stein recommends some winter cleanup activities and some spring preparation as well that will aid your landscape’s overall tree and plant health care.
Tree care involves dangerous tasks, especially for those who are inexperienced. The Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA) claimed that 153 tree care-related occupational incidents occurred in 2016, and almost half, 93, proved fatal. These incidents occurred among trained professionals, so they could certainly happen when untrained people attempt hazardous tasks. Whenever you need to have tree care services performed in your landscape, play it safe and hire someone who cares for trees as a profession, like a certified arborist.
An arborist is someone who has studied and become knowledgeable about tree and plant health care. These professionals work to ensure that trees hare cared for in a manner that is environmentally sound. ISA, or the International Society of Arboriculture, provides certification after strict requirements have been met, including:
Once an arborist is certified, you can feel confident that he/she has the knowledge and experience needed to address tree care issues. Ongoing education is required to ensure that ISA certified arborists stay abreast of current best practices and safety concerns, and new issues, like the spreading emerald ash borer infestation. In addition, ISA Certified Arborists are held to a code of ethics. This code determines how an arborist will handle issues like chemical treatments, tree diseases and unhealthy tree practices such as tree topping.
We have discussed this issue before, but the subject bears repeating. Using an uninsured tree service professional, or any contractor, to perform work on your property is dangerous to you, and to the contractor. If a worker is injured, or if damage occurs during the course of the work, the homeowner would be responsible for the costs. Those costs could include repairs for damage to your property, your neighbor’s property, or medical treatment costs for injured parties, and they could add up to thousands of dollars.
Stein Tree has been in business for 35 years and we have seen homeowners fall victim to debts due to uninsured contractors. Our certified arborists, tree inspectors and all of our specialists are dedicated to ensuring our customers get exceptional tree care. We attend training seminars, follow safety protocols, and use the proper equipment for whatever task we are performing. For information or a free consultation about your tree care concerns, contact us today.
One of the benefits of hiring a professional tree care company to handle your tree care needs is that the company will have the tools necessary to complete the job, and the expertise to use them properly. In a blog last month, we discussed Stein Tree Service’s competitive advantage. We are the oldest independently owned tree care company in Delaware, but our equipment and knowledge are state of the art.