Have you noticed something a little odd about how your Boxwood shrubs have been looking lately? They may be experiencing a condition that has become known as “Boxwood Blight.” This infection begins in mid to late summer with circular dark spots appearing on the newest growth. As the days go on, these spots will continue to grow and a form a ring-like pattern. It forms a lesion that eventually will engulf and kill the leaf causing it to drop to the ground. You may also see black streaks on the nearby twigs. You may also notice white fungal formations mainly under the leaves as well as on infected parts of the stems.

Unfortunately, when this popular landscape plant becomes infected with Boxwood Blight, the disease spreads rapidly to other Boxwoods and destroys them within a few weeks. The disease is so contagious it can even be spread by seemingly harmless activities such as gardening or your dog running through the bushes! The spores attach to clothes, shoes, tools, or an animal’s fur so it is best to reduce this type of contact. Another factor may be watering practices, such as sprinklers, because wet and humid conditions are also known to facilitate its spread as well.

So what can you do? There is currently no cure but there are several treatment options. Mulching, removing the infected plants, and some fungicides have shown varying levels of success in preventing the spread of the disease. However, the best thing to do is contact us at Westchester Tree Life, Inc. and we will have one of our certified arborists come and assess your current situation. Visit us at www.westchestertreelife.com or call at 914-238-0069!

Summer has finally arrived and it’s nice to step outside into our backyards and enjoy the fresh air. Our privacy is always an important topic so let’s look at some ways to gain the privacy you long for without installing unwanted fences. Besides, fencing can be too short to achieve the private feel and they can be quite expensive! Also, fences have an expensive up keep and usually run into situations where repairs are needed. Have you considered what a “natural border” can do for your property?

Planting trees as a privacy border has many benefits. It is also quite obvious that a fence doesn’t provide the same peaceful aesthetic as trees. Planting trees for privacy will help block noise, clean the air, and provide privacy for decades.  Also, watch your property value rise up as well!!  Once you’ve figured out the best layout for your privacy trees, it’s time to look at what trees will best suit your property. Certified tree experts recommend certain species of trees or shrubbery over others to create the perfect “privacy screen”. Let’s take a look at some of your options:

Emerald Green Arborvitae

Emerald Arborvitae is a brilliant choice due to its vibrant green foliage all year round. They are a selection of White Cedar and prosper in urban settings.  They even do well in clay soil and are very fast growing.

The Emerald Arborvitae makes the perfect natural border offering extensive privacy.  They are very space conscientious as well as they typically grow to 3-4’ wide which is great because they won’t take over your yard. Their coloring is unique compared to other Arborativae so this addition to your landscape design will be visually pleasing as well.  Tree experts have also noted that they typically retain their bold green color year round better than most trees of its kind. These gorgeous trees make a beautiful backdrop to a perennial garden while providing your family with the privacy that you are looking for. 

The Leyland Cypress

If you are looking for one of the fastest growing privacy trees then the Leyland Cypress is for you. It can grow 3-4ft per year and can surpass 50ft in 15 yrs. Its upright growth produces very soft foliage of mid hue greens. They can thrive in most soil conditions and even survive drought.  The Leyland Cypress remains attractive year round which is always a plus when picking out your trees.  Once planted, these trees will spring up into a beautiful solid privacy wall before you know it! 

The Spartan Juniper

If your are looking for more of a hardy evergreen then turn to the Spartan Juniper.  They will survive in most conditions and even thrive in times of drought. Even when left to grow naturally the Spartan Juniper grows into a visually pleasing shape. However you can easily clip them into hedges or trim them into columns. These trees can also thrive is decorative pots so they can accent your pool area or be used purely as decorative additions to your yard.  The Spartan Juniper is highly resistant to pests and common tree diseases which make them an extremely low-maintenance evergreen!

Be sure to contact Westchester Tree Life when making these decisions. A certified arborist is key to the success of your new landscape.  Take down the fences and plant some trees as they will quickly spring up into living walls. It’s time to get outside in the fresh summer air,and you deserve to enjoy it in privacy! Turn your yard into your own private sanctuary with a natural border and keep unwanted eyes out!

Trees are very beneficial to the environment in many ways, such as cleaning the air, adding beauty to our communities, providing shelter to wildlife and more.  However, sometimes it is necessary to remove a tree from your property for a variety of reasons. The most common need for tree removal is that the tree has died and has become a safety threat to its surroundings. Other reasons for tree removal include pest infestation or change in landscape design. Tree removal is a technical skill that needs to be carried out by a licensed arborist.

If you find yourself in this situation, you should schedule an appointment immediately before disaster strikes. After the initial inspection, a crew will remove larger sections of limbs first, cut the trunk of the tree into sections, and then haul them away. The tree’s stump is chopped as close to the ground as possible.  Arrangements can then be made to grind the stump away and complete the job. Most of the branches are put through a wood chipper to create mulch.

Tree removal is a very dangerous undertaking.  Trees that have been damaged by insects or disease, are close to power lines, or are more than 20 feet tall require special equipment, skill, and experience to remove.  You should always hire a professional, certified arborist to ensure the highest level of safety.

At Westchester Tree Life, we take great care to plan for the safety of property and the safety of our crew.  Our expert tree removal specialists carefully assess each situation in order to remove a tree with minimal impact on the surrounding vegetation and without risk to nearby structures and power lines. If you have a tree on your property that you suspect is in need of removal, give us a call TODAY at 914-238-0069!

After a long day, taking a walk may be the last thing on your mind, but maybe it should be the first.  Did you know you can ease stress with nature?  The benefits of surrounding yourself with trees and plants are endless.  Here are some ways to ease stress with nature.

Parks & Rec

If you are feeling overwhelmed, perhaps the answer lies in nature.  Take a walk in your local park, go for a hike on a favorite trail or plan an outing to a farm in Westchester county.  Exposing yourself to the serenity of nature is a great way to relax and reconnect with your inner peace.  A study by researchers at the University of Illinois found that “viewing tree canopy in communities can significantly aid stress recovery.”

Spending time in your local Westchester parks is also a wonderful way to familiarize yourself with your community.  The more you explore, the more you may become inspired to take action.  What are some ways you have found peace in a local Westchester park?

Plant an Indoor Garden

Give your home or office a touch of greenery with an indoor garden.  An indoor garden is a great way to incorporate a little bit of nature into your everyday life.  Maybe your indoor garden will help you explore the green thumb you never knew you had.

Read Green

Exercise your imagination with a great nature-themed book.  Simply imagining yourself in a natural environment is an awesome tool for relaxation, and reading makes this even easier!  American Forests shared this great list of nature-inspired books from Goodreads.

For more ways to ease stress with nature, check out this article from American Forests.

Every year as we trudge through tick season our guard is up and we are out to protect ourselves and our pets from these nasty little creatures.  In general, tick season usually runs from early spring, into the summer and winds down in the fall.  However, did you know that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has predicted that 2017 will be one of the worst years on record? This is especially important for dog owners because our pups are at risk for picking up ticks and the potential diseases these critters carry. Let’s take a look at some of the vital information that will get us all through this tick season safely!

There are several contributing factors as to why this season will be so bad. For starters, the northeastern United States had a fairly mild winter which means that more ticks will survived and reproduced.  Also, the animals that ticks rely on for food sources (like mice, deer, squirells etc.)  will be more available. These 2 factors alone are reason enough to see a huge increase in the tick population.

Another reason that gets somewhat overlooked is that there was a mice population surge in 2016.  Rick Ostfeld, an ecologist at the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, and Felicia Keesing, an ecologist at Bard College,  have discovered a unique way of predicting cases of Lyme disease in a given year by examining the growing mice population of the previous year. Simply put; the population of mice relates to the number of known Lyme cases because mice are carriers of the disease and ticks feed on the mice which causes a quick spread.

These nasty little predators rely on large forests to survive.  In this day and age more and more people are building their homes on wooded lots which means a lot of our larger wooded areas are seeing the trees disappear. This is a definite contributing factor to ticks discovering more and more mice to prey on.  As people build their homes next to these tick-infested forests, the chances for humans and their pets to get bitten greatly increases and in coming years the problem is only going to get worse.

So what can we do to protect ourselves from this growing epidemic? Those who live near wooded areas, like the northeast United States and Great Lakes areas, as well as ocean areas and other bodies of water should really be paying attention right now. Known cases of Lyme disease have gone up dramatically in the past bunch of years and this year will likely be the worst yet! One of the best ways to protect ourselves, believe it or not, is to open up our eyes! When your dog goes out in the yard or woods or if you go for a walk, be sure to thoroughly check yourself for ticks BEFORE coming back inside. It is so important to remove these vermin outside! let’s not invite them into our houses! Naturally, ask your veterinarian if a Lyme vaccination is right for your dog before administering any prevention products.

It is important to remember that ticks are not limited to “the woods”!  If you are outside then you are now exposed to the possibility of picking up a tick. From grassy areas to a single tree to a mouse running through your yard; ticks live outside, period.  They like to camp out on taller vegetation, grass and leave piles and wait for a passing animal to latch on to. You will need to do a full body inspection every day and pay special attention to the ears, face and inner thighs as these are common areas for ticks to lodge. 

Keeping your grass cut lows and keeping vegetation low will help reduce exposure because ticks like to climb high to improve their chances of attaching to an animal. It is very important to talk to a professional on pest control to see what options will best suit your family and yard if you are considering using a pesticide.  On top of applying a tick preventative to your yard you can also look into some topical tick medications that can be applied to the back of your pets’ necks. This may help in killing off ticks that bite your dog and they will fall off by themselves.  There can be potential side effects that you should be aware of so you should research the facts for yourself and talk to your vet about what options work for you and your pets.

So remember, the best action to take in keeping these little problems off of your loved ones is to conduct thorough body searches and carefully comb through the hair.  Doing a little research on what medications are best and safe for your pets can be vital in saving their lives. Be sure to hire LICENSED professionals if you are considering using a treatment on your lawn. This can be very effective if done properly or very harmful if misused. So please contact a professional and get your family protected today!

Now that summer has arrived we are all spending more time outside in our yards! As you walk around you may start to feel like it is time for some new growth on your property. Let’s take a look at planting new trees and how to NOT let the process overwhelm you! By following some simple guidelines you can have new trees growing in your yard! Location and proper care are vital to successful growing, let’s take a look!

So When is the Best Time to Plant?

When thinking about planting new trees there are several factors to keep in mind. To achieve a healthy grow cycle trees are ideally planted during the dormant season (fall and early spring before the buds start). This is important because it allows the new trees to establish strong roots in its new location before the spring rains and high heat of summer force a strong top growth. A sturdy house is built upon a sturdy foundation! You can plant in the warmer seasons if you are using “balled” or container trees but it is vital that these trees receive appropriate care in order for them to thrive. It is very important that they are properly watered if planted in warmer growing conditions. Just be careful with balled/container trees because they lose a large portion of their root system at the nursery which can result in “Transplant Shock”. Transplant shock slows the potential growth of the root system, especially when some of the roots have to be cut due to kinked or entwined roots. To avoid or lessen the transplant shock you should take steps to pick out a prime location and provide constant “follow-up” care to your new tree.]

Let’s take a look at some important factors to consider when planting your new trees. First, and foremost: Make sure to identify all underground wiring before you dig ANYWHERE in your yard!

When digging the hole for planting be sure to make it 2-3 times wider than your new tree’s root ball and make the hole is as deep as the actual root ball. It is key to dig a broad hole so the new roots have room to expand and the broken up soil allows for this to happen. Once your hole is ready you should remove the containers or cut away the wire root casing.  Closely inspect the root balls for circling roots and be sure to straighten, cut, or remove them. Expose the trunk flare, if need be.

Wait, “trunk flare”?  What’s this? Trunk flare is where the trunk expands, visibly,  at the base of the tree. This area should be partially visible after the tree has
been planted. Be sure to remove all the excess soil from the top of the root ball prior to planting if the trunk flare is not visible.  If the tree is planted too deep, new roots will have a tough time developing because of a lack of oxygen. Also, in poorly drained
or heavily clayed soils, trees should be planted with the base of the trunk flare 2 to 3 inches above grade. And always remember to lift the tree by the root ball…not the trunk!

Once your new tree is in the hole be sure to quickly straighten it up. It helps to have another set of eyes view this new tree from several different angles and distances to ensure the tree was planted straight. Once the tree is firmly planted it will be very difficult to reposition it. Once you are happy with your new tree’s position you can stake it if needed. Some simple follow-up care will help your tree grow strong and healthy. You should lay mulch around the new growth area because this will help retain the much needed moisture as the new roots begin their exploration. Keep the mulch away from the trunk of the tree to prevent rapid decaying and have your mulch layer be 2-4 inches deep. Keep the mulch 1-2 inches away from the trunk to prevent bark decay.

Keep the new soil moist but be sure not to over-water. In general it is good to water the new tree 1-2 times per week depending on the amount of rain you receive. A little extra water is a good idea if you are in a hot weather spell. Continue this watering schedule regularly until the fall and then start to taper off because lower temperatures require less frequent watering.  You can prune your new tree but do so sparingly. Remove any damage areas that occurred during planting. Delay necessary corrective pruning until a full season of growth in the new location has occurred. The last step is VERY IMPORTANT: Enjoy your new tree! Yes, that’s the last step! When you have questions regarding your tree, be sure to contact your local ISA Certified Arborist or a tree care or garden center professional for assistance!

Have you thought about starting a compost pile in your yard but felt a little intimidated by the process? Let’s take a look at how easy this can be and how you can quickly reap the rewards of fresh compost! In general, compost is the breaking down of organic matter into rich soil particles. This amazing process happens naturally on the forest floor but you can accelerate this magic in your garden by mixing specific ingredients in the right conditions.

The general idea is to mix four parts “green material” (including grass clippings and kitchen scraps) with one part “brown material” (dry leaves) in small layers. It is also pretty important to keep the compost pile moist but not saturated. The key to keeping the pile moist is having it covered either in a bin or enclosed box. It can easily take up to a couple of months before you start seeing the dark, nutrient enriched composted soil. However, your efforts will be well worth the wait!  The new compost will improve your garden soil providing perfect growing conditions.  If you live in an area with dry/sandy soil it is particularly important to add compost to all of your garden areas.

When thinking about the overall size of your compost pile be sure you are at least at a cubic yard. This will produce enough heat to destroy compiled weed seeds and add speed up the overall composting process. It is pretty important that you keep piles of weeds out of your pile if it is on the smaller size because the weeds may take over.
One of the key elements to a successful compost pile is Oxygen.  It is imperative that you “turn” your pile for this allows air to circulate and helps the overall decomposition process.  You may want to avoid adding large quantities of grass clippings because of the matting factor which may block out the flowing of air. The turning process can be done with a pitch fork and only takes a couple of seconds. 

Overall you need to remember that this is not an overwhelming process. Doing minimal work will certainly improve your garden and flower beds. Remember, oxygen is crucial in the decomposition process so you need to remember to turn your pile regularly. Give it a try and watch how your new nutrient enriched soil makes your gardens flourish!

With the much anticipated warm weather’s arrival we have been seeing the familiar blooms of Magnolia trees in and around Westchester County. Magnolias (Magnolia spp.) are a diverse group of flowering trees known for their robust and fragrant blossoms.  Although their are many species of Magnolias only a few are commonly used in landscape design. They are, however, among the most popular species for creating a focal point in a landscape.

Magnolia Trees

When it comes to landscape selection there are 3 main types of Magnolias. One species is a Native North American and the other two are Asian in origin. All of these species feature a dark green leaf that grow in excess 10″ in length. The trees have an overall tropical look to them which is part of the reason that they have grown to be so popular over time. Their cone-like seed structure is also a visually appealing feature of the Magnolia which ripens to a bright reddish color come fall.

North American Magnolias

 The Southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora) is definitely the most commonly planted of the three but there are several species of magnolia that are native to the eastern United States as well.  The Southern magnolia is a stately evergreen tree with large white blooms and they are surely equal in beauty to the Asian variety. However the flowers appear several months later than the Asian. One of the many reasons that you see these gorgeous trees everywhere is their unusual ability to grow in both sun and shade environments and are adapted to most soil types (with the exception of overly wet soil conditions).  It is certainly a great idea to enrich the soil with compost while transplanting these trees but they are extremely resilient and will grow just about anywhere! 

Asian Magnolias

This variety of Magnolia became very popular due to their smaller sizes and early spring blooms of gorgeous flowers. Some of the blossoms even appear before the beautiful leaves reach full potential! They quickly became known for their ornamental vale and they were the perfect “patio” tree that can even be grown in large decorative planters. A huge difference between the North American Magnolia and the Asian variety is the Asians need full sun and very rich soil to reach their peek bloom. A huge plus for the Asian variety is that they are practically immune to most pests and typical disease problems! However,  powdery mildew may occasionally infect these beauties. A great way to combat this is to rake the leaves each fall to help keep the disease stay under control.