Tag Archives: arborist new england

Ecological Benefits of Trees

The ecological benefits of trees are all around us . . .literally! They affect the air we breathe, the soil we stand on and grow our food in, the wood we build our homes with, the water we drink, the sun that shines on us, and even our minds on a psychological level.

Can you imagine living in a world without any trees? Well luckily you won’t have to, because without them we actually wouldn’t survive. Trees absorb the CO2 that we breathe out, and release the oxygen that we breathe in.

Trees also help the soil too. Trees use soil to grow their roots into, which in turn holds the soil in place. Without roots holding the soil, rain or hills would cause the soil to erode.

Ever sit under a tree for some shade on a hot summer day? Trees are great for providing shade, whether its for one person, or a whole house! Having tall, leafy trees around your house can block out a lot of the sun, and thus keeping your house cool without the use of an expensive air conditioner!

So many of the fruits we eat come from trees. Apples, pears, peaches, lemons, oranges, you name it! And it’s not just food that we humans eat, many animals and birds get their food from trees as well.

Sometimes trees just make us feel good. Whether we realize it or not, our brains just like to see trees. Studies show that trees can make us feel more calm and focused, as well as less violent.

We at Westchester Tree would love to help you take care of your trees so they can continue to provide you with these benefits, so give us a call at (914)238-0069 or visit our website to learn more.

Dutch Elm Disease

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Elm trees are a great, beautiful variety of tree, but they’re vulnerable to something called Dutch Elm Disease which can cause unsightly patches on the tree, or even tree death.

Dutch Elm Disease is due to a fungus spread by the elm bark beetle, and is not limited to just any one kind of elm tree. Once a tree catches Dutch Elm Disease, the tree tries to block the affected area from spreading the fungus, but this process also cuts off parts of the tree from receiving water and nutrients, which slowly kills the tree. The disease originated in Asia, but has since spread to North America, Europe, as well as New Zealand due to the spread of the beetles that carry it.

So what are some symptoms of Dutch Elm Disease, and how can you prevent your elms from the disease altogether? The first sign that a tree may have become affected might be a barren branch or a branch with yellowing leaves towards the top of the tree during the summer or other times when leaves would not normally be turning their fall colors. This will spread throughout the rest of the branches and eventually reach the roots, which kills the entire tree.

If you can get diseased branches pruned from the rest of the tree before the fungus spreads, you may be able to save the rest of the tree. Don’t forget to burn any affected branches after they are removed so they don’t accidentally infect anything else.

If you think you have an elm tree that is being affected by Dutch Elm Disease and would like help containing the damage or removing the tree if too much damage is already done, contact us at here on our website, or call us at (914)238-0069

Fall Tree Care

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The needs of your trees change with the seasons, and fall tree care is no exception. Altering your landscaping regiment to prepare for the upcoming winter weather not only helps to ensure the health of your tree, but the prevention of property damage and danger.

Tree Westchester Tree Life New York Tree Care

A healthy tree branch vs. a weak tree branch.

A certified arborist should assess your trees for weak branches which may break due to the pressure of snow and ice. Your certified arborist will then explain which branches need to be pruned for safety and overall tree-health.

Bark Inclusions Weak Branch WTL New York

Bark inclusions in the branch union indicates a weak point.
Image Courtesy of hort.ufl.edu

Fall Tree Care New York Westchester Tree Life

New England’s renowned autumn foliage is beautiful!

If needed, a certified arborist can lighten the weight of branches which are weak and too heavy, or pose a possible threat to your property. Reducing the length of a branch will reduce the weight, lessening the pressure, therefore securing your tree.

Planting a Tree

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There are a few things to consider before you begin the process of planting a tree. Trees are aesthetically-pleasing additions to the exterior of your home of business, and can give your property value a little boost. To properly plant a tree, we recommend you consider the following things:

1) What are your goals?

Maple Tree Goldfinch Westchester Tree Life

Photo credit: Sharon Sauriol
The maple tree is a favorite perch of the goldfinch.

Are you planting your new tree to gain privacy without blocking yourself off from neighbors with a fence? Are you introducing a new tree onto your property because you are interested in attracting certain birds or looking to create a sound barrier? Before you begin mapping out all of the fun details of planting a tree, we recommend you consider your goals. Acknowledging your goals will make choosing a location and a tree-type easier, and ultimately make your project more successful.

2) Location is key!

Though location seems like an obvious factor, we urge you to think deeper, more to the root of the problem, if you will. Tree roots need adequate amounts of space to grow and develop, so try to choose a location with ample room for your tree to flourish. Avoid planting a tree underneath or around powerlines and telephone lines; placing a tree too close to a building will also cause future issues for both the tree growth and possibly the building and its patrons.

NOTE: We advise contacting your utility company to mark the location of any underground lines which may come in contact with your newly planted tree. You may be held accountable for any damage done to such lines.

3) Follow proper planting procedure.

Image courtesy gardening.ktsa.com

We understand, planting a new tree is exciting! Though the idea of just digging a hole and setting your new tree up for success is enticing, following proper planting procedure for your tree is the best bet. Take weather conditions into consideration; trees are best planted during times of low wind, cloudy, and slightly cool but not humid. If you are unsure of the proper temperament by which your tree should be planted, ask an arborist at Westchester Tree Life to assist you! We would be happy to help you plant your new tree and set it up for success!