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spring tree in bloom - What does an arborist do - Stein Tree Service

What Does an Arborist Do?

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

As warm weather arrives and trees begin to blossom and bloom, homeowners often begin to think about hiring someone to inspect and care for them. Who should that someone be? Many landscape companies offer tree care services, however, an arborist is the right person for the job if you want someone with a lot of knowledge who is passionate about the tree’s overall health, rather than just focusing on aesthetics. Today Stein Tree answers the question: What does an arborist do?

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Tree Canopy - Learn about great tree care from Stein Tree Service

Celebrate Arbor Day by Planting a Tree That Grows Well in Delaware or Pennsylvania

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

Today is Arbor Day and festivities have been taking place all over the country to celebrate trees and all the benefits they offer us. In recognition of Arbor Day, Stein Tree Service offers some great choices for trees that grow well in Delaware and Pennsylvania as well as some information about good tree care.

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Adult Spotted Lanternfly | Invasive Species Awareness | Stein Tree Service

Tree Care in West Chester, PA: The Invasion of the Spotted Lanternfly

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

Photos courtesy of Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.

The first presence of the spotted lanternfly, an insect originating in China, India and Vietnam, in the US was noted in 2014 in Berks County, PA. In November 2017, Philadelphia County was added to the existing quarantine. The quarantine was put into effect because the insects endanger local agriculture, specifically grapes, apples, hops, stone fruits and hardwoods.

Spotted Lanternfly Phases

Spotted_Lantern_Fly life cycles - Stein Tree

The spotted lanternfly has several phases before maturity. These are four nymph, or instar, phases beginning when they start to hatch in mid-May. In the first instar, nymphs are black with white spots and no wings, gradually developing red patches as they mature.

Adults’ heads are black and they have gray wings with black spots on the front portion. The wing tips of the wings have black rectangular blocks with grey outlines. If the spotted lanternfly is seen flying, you will see hind wings that are red at the base and black at the tip with a white stripe dividing them. The red part of the wing has black spots and the abdomen is yellow with black stripes on the top and bottom.

The nymphs may commonly be seen in late April to mid-May. Adult insects, which prefer the Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus alitissima) as host, can be seen from July into the fall months. In the late fall months, they lay eggs, in masses of 30-50, on trees, vehicles or other outdoor surfaces.

What if You See a Spotted Lanternfly?

The spotted lanternfly is very destructive and spreads quickly. If you find any in an area in which they are already known to be present, you should kill them. If the area has not been identified as having lanternfly presence, you should report the presence, either taking a picture or sample to be confirmed with authorities. You can do so by contacting the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA), either via emailing badbug@pa.gov or calling the Invasive Species Hotline at 1-866-253-7189.

How to Avoid or Treat for an Infestation

Regular inspection and tree care is helpful in early identification of lanternfly presence. In addition, the quarantines in place regulate the movement of the following items, so being careful of what you may be transporting into or out of quarantine areas, either on your person or belongings, can be helpful.

  • Firewood, brush, debris, bark, or yard waste
  • Logs, stumps, or any other tree parts
  • Remodeling, landscaping, or construction waste
  • Grapevines
  • Nursery stock
  • Crated materials
  • Outdoor household articles including RVs, lawn equipment, grills and furniture cover or tarps, tile, stone, deck boards, mobile fire pits, or any associated equipment and vehicles that are stored outdoors.

If you have ailanthus or tree of heaven in your yard, you may wish to remove them. Contact and systemic Insecticides can be used to treat trees that you elect to keep on your property. Your certified arborist or other tree care professional can advise you on the best course of treatment as well as help you identify lanternfly or other pests

Call Stein Tree for Experienced Tree Care in West Chester, PA

Stein Tree Service services areas in Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Maryland. For a free consultation or more information about our services, contact us at 302-478-3511. You can also learn more about spotted lanternfly at agriculture.pa.gov/spottedlanternflyalert.

Call Stein Tree for emergency tree removal nor easter - Stein Tree Service

Stein Tree Urges Emergency Tree Removal Preparations Ahead of the Coming Nor’Easter

Written by Stein Tree on . Posted in News & Announcements, Stein Tree Service Blog, Storm Clean Up, Tree Removal.

March 2, 2018 – Wilmington, DE – Local tree care company Stein Tree Service urges Wilmington residents to prepare for the coming Nor’Easter by having a tree care company’s phone number handy for possible emergency tree removal. According to the Inquirer Daily News, thousands are already without power, and winds are continuing at 25-35 miles per hour, gusting even higher up to 60 miles per hour. Some residents have already experienced downed trees from this week’s weather, and the strongest of the storm is still ahead.

Prepare ahead of time and research now so that you know who you will call in case of storm damage, where a tree falls on power lines or even your home, and you need emergency tree removal for the safety and well-being of your family.

4 Top Reasons to Call Stein Tree for Your Emergency Tree Removal Needs

  1. Emergency service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
  2. Radio-dispatched trucks can reach most addresses within 2 hours to begin the clean up process and limit damage to other trees or property.
  3. Stein’s equipment is state of the art and our professionals are well-trained in the safe removal of trees.
  4. Stein Tree Service is fully insured in case of any incidents or injuries.

Stein Tree encourages Delaware and Pennsylvania residents to be prepared for this powerful storm and the potential effects.

  • Have emergency supplies ready in case of power loss.
  • Keep important numbers ready in case of injury or home damage from wind, branches or downed trees.
  • Prepare back-up generators if you have them.
  • Fill tubs with water for necessities like flushing if power goes out.
  • Check on elderly neighbors who might not be physically able to ask for help if power is lost.

About Stein Tree Service

Stein Tree Service is the oldest independently owned tree care service company in Delaware. The company performs inspections, all types of tree care and provides timely emergency tree removal for residents of Delaware, Pennsylvania and Maryland. The professional certified arborists and specialists at Stein are dedicated to exceptional and safe tree care. For more information call 302-478-3511 or visit the company website at: www.SteinTree.com.

Protecting Trees From Frost is Part of Good Winter Tree Care in Wilmington, DE

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

Did you know that frost damage is the single largest cause of weather-related economic loss to crops in the United States? Outside of the agriculture business, tree care in Wilmington, DE and plant replacement following frost can get expensive. In addition, losing plants to a sudden freeze is disheartening, especially when the dying plant happens to be your favorite tree.

Young, old, and newly planted trees are especially vulnerable to frost damage, which occurs when the water inside the cells of a plant freeze. Such cellular freezing then causes damage to cell walls which causes the entire tree’s health to deteriorate. A few signs of frost damage include withering or browning shoots and buds, cracking and splitting tree bark, and wilting young branches. Left unresolved in severe or long-term periods of frost conditions, vulnerable trees will die.

Thankfully, a few simple tips for tree care in Wilmington, DE may reduce the risk of frost damage. Consider the following protection methods:

5 Methods of Protecting Trees from Frost

  1. Blankets. This is the simplest and fastest form of protection, especially when residents are caught unaware by a sudden freeze forecast. Just throw blankets or old clothes around the base of the tree for insulation.
  2. Hay. Instead of blankets, Delaware residents can also pile hay around the base of a tree to offer insulation and keep the surrounding ground warm.
  3. Hot water bucket with blankets or plastic sheeting. For this method of frost prevention, fill a 5-gallon bucket with hot water and place underneath a tree. Use a heavy blanket or plastic sheeting to cover the bucket and wrap around the tree. Over the course of a few hours, the hot water will evaporate but the heat will be trapped by the blanket and keep the tree warm.
  4. Drip lines. As with the previous methods, this method utilizes the principle that water that is warmer than air will protect trees from frost. For best effects, use blankets or plastic to help trap the energy expended during the evaporation process.
  5. Christmas lights. This method has the added bonus of being festive! Use one or two sets of Christmas lights around each tree you want to protect and wrap the whole trunk to the soil line. You will need older, non-LED lights for this method to be effective, as newer lights give off negligible heat.

Stein Tree Service Offers Skilled Tree Care in Wilmington, DE and Surrounding Areas

Winter tree care is important during cold Delaware and Pennsylvania winters. We inspect trees for damage and perform preventive pruning. We also offer our TreeFall Program as insurance against winter storm damage. For more information about winter tree care in Wilmington, DE, contact us today.

Tree Care in West Chester: Four Common Evergreen Tree Issues

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

Evergreens are a popular staple in home landscaping and tree care in West Chester, PA. People love that evergreens come in so many shapes and sizes, offer an assortment of berries and flowers and provide visual interest in dreary winter months.

While evergreen varieties are exceptionally hardy, they require some tree care in West Chester as they are susceptible to certain diseases and pest issues. The following is a quick guide to several common evergreen tree problems to be aware of:

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tree care in Wilmington DE - storm damaged-tree-Stein Tree Service

Tree Care In Wilmington DE: What if Summer Storms Have Damaged your Tree?

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

Post-storm care is an essential aspect of prompt and proper tree care in Wilmington DE, and is particularly important during these late summer and early autumn months. Because while the Southeast’s hurricanes and tropical storms dominate the national news waves, in the north we have our own notorious nor’easters and other howling thunderstorms to worry about from September to April. The following is a quick look at what professional arborists inspect and recommend following a large storm:

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tree care in west chester -planting trees in fall -red-oak- Stein Tree

Tree Care in West Chester: Fall Is a Great Time to Plant Trees

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

Though the arrival of fall announces the end of the growing season, in West Chester, PA, homeowners know that fall is a great time to plant trees! The tree and plant health care professionals at Stein Tree Service care about your tree care in West Chester, PA. Though spring may be a favored time for planting trees, planting in the fall can help you have healthy, thriving trees in your landscape next summer.

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tree care in Wilmington, DE

Tree Care in Wilmington, DE: Tree Problem Indicators

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

Your trees can experience myriad issues that can affect their health, and Stein Tree is offers tips for proper tree care in Wilmington, DE and surrounding areas. Common problems may include things like water stress, wind drag, and even iron or nitrogen deficiencies that have fairly straightforward solutions. Other common problems can be more serious, like Emerald Ash Borer infestations, root problems, and fungi growth.

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