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Best Trees for Fall Foliage

The best way to personalize your home in Westchester county is by planting a garden, trees and shrubs.  Add a splash of color to your landscape with trees that will produce vivid foliage during fall; here is the first part of our list of the best trees for fall foliage!  Stay tuned for our complete list next week.

The Japanese Maple

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The Japanese Maple is a beautiful tree come autumn, due to the vibrancy of its leaves!  This is a great ornamental tree to add to your pre-existing garden or walkway area.

The Sassafras Tree

sassafras-tree-leaves-westchester-tree-life

sassafras-tree-westchester-tree-life

The Sassafras tree is interesting, if only for its strange leaf shape, which is softly rounded.  A medium-to-fast growing tree, the sassafras can be trained to grow as a single-trunk tree or a dense and bushy thicket.

The Black Tupelo

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Scientifically known as the nyssa sylvatica, the black tupelo is a trademark autumn tree for its renowned fall color.  In addition to its beauty, the black tupelo is an important late-spring food source for bees!

Plant Watering 101

For many back yard gardeners, knowing when and how much to water their plants can be a bit of a guessing game.  Westchester Tree Life knows it can be hard to know tell when plants need water; if you wait until they look droopy, you risk stressing the plants.  If you water too much, you can cause just as much damage.  So how do you keep your plants happy and healthy?

Healthy Plant WestchesterTreeLife

Do you know how to properly water a plant?

A good rule of thumb is to simply keep an eye on the soil and maintain an even level of moistness to a depth of 6 to 12 inches (less for annuals and vegetables, more for trees, shrubs, and perennials).  If you have sandy, dry soil, this may mean watering more than if you have a heavy clay soil.  In general, vegetables need about an inch of water a week.  A simple rain gauge can help you keep track of rainfall so you only provide as much water as your garden needs.  Still have questions?  Our team of professionals are happy to assist you; call Westchester Tree Life today:  (914) 238-0069.

Rain Gauge WestchesterTreeLife

This rain gauge helps determine how much water your plants need!

When watering, you want to focus on delivering water to the roots of the plants.  Watering the entire plant is often a waste of water.  Wet leaves can even be more prone to disease, so if using a watering can or hose, direct the water toward the base of the plant.  You can also opt for installing a soaker hose.  The soaker wets the soil with less wasted water.  Simply set a timer to remind you to turn off the soaker hose after enough time has passed for your plants to have sufficient water.

A soaker hose helps prevent water waste.

A soaker hose helps prevent water waste.

Using a layer of mulch around your plants is the ideal way to conserve water.  Mulch helps the soil retain water, giving your plants a more consistent moisture level and conserving water at the same time.  In addition, mulch provides another source of organic matter to the soil.  A mulch depth of 2 to 4 inches can make a big difference in the amount of water you use over a growing season.  Mulch is also a great aesthetic addition to your Westchester county garden!

Watering Garden WestchesterTreeLife

Container gardening requires a somewhat different approach when it comes to watering.  Again, your best tool is simple observation.  When the soil in your containers is dry, water the plants with a focus on the root area.  Use pots with drainage holes in the bottom and add a layer of gravel before filling the pot with soil.  Drainage is important to prevent excess water from building up in the pot, while gravel prevents the water from draining too quickly.  If the soil in your container is very dry, you may need to slowly water over a period of time to allow the soil to absorb moisture.

Watering a container garden is easy with the right preparations.

Watering a container garden is easy with the right preparations.

The best time of day to water plants is in the early morning.  This allows them to soak up a good amount of water before the heat of the day.  Mornings tend to be less breezy, meaning less of your water will evaporate before it has a chance to soak well into the soil and be utilized by the roots.

When watering trees and shrubs, keep in mind that the roots which take in water are unlikely to be at the base of the plant.  Rather, these roots will be spread around a larger area away from the trunk so your watering efforts should be directed accordingly.

Keep a tree's root structure in mind when watering.

Keep a tree’s root structure in mind when watering.

If your lawn is in need of a drink, the old stand by of an oscillating lawn sprinkler is still your best bet.  Look for something that is easy to move around so your entire yard gets a good watering.  You’ll need enough hose length to cover your property.  Unlike other plants, grass will bounce back well after a dry period, so if you want to conserve water, the lawn is one place you can cut back without worrying about a die off.

A sprinkler is best for a healthy lawn!

A sprinkler is best for a healthy lawn!

With a little planning and consistency, all of the plants in your yard and garden will thrive!

 

Proper Tree Planting

Spring is one of the best times of the year to plant, but do you know the steps of proper tree planting?  This seemingly easy project is actually a quite complicated procedure!  The improper planting of a tree can lead to an unhealthy and high maintenance tree, which could become a costly venture.

Plant Health Care Westchester Tree Life

The Planting Site

Before you shop for your tree, select the planting site for your new tree.  It is vital to keep in mind that your tree will need space to grow.  Consider any power lines which may interfere with your growing tree’s branches; it is ideal to maintain at least a 15-foot distance from a utility line, after allowing for 20 years of growth.

  • Soil Check – Check the soil in the area of the planting site which you have selected.  Most trees thrive in a moderate to well-drained site.
  • Climate Conditions – Selecting a tree which can thrive in your climate conditions will set you up for success!

Selecting the Proper Tree

Once you have identified the planting site, spacial restrictions and soil and climate type of your area, you are ready to begin tree shopping.  We advise that you select a healthy tree from a reputable tree nursery.  The staff will be able to assist you in selecting exactly the type of tree for your area, while also explaining how to best care for your new tree!

Proper Tree Planting

More complicated that simply digging a hole and sticking a tree in it, proper tree planting has specific steps and guidelines which should be followed for success.  Before you begin, remove any dead or broken branches.

  1. Digging the Hole – The width of the hole should be at least twice the width of your tree’s root ball.  The hole should not be deeper than the root ball.  Avoid compacting the soil around your tree’s root ball.
  2. Backfill Soil – Mix one part peat moss or composted organic material with four parts soil for your backfill soil.
  3. Mulching is Key – Apply 3-4 inches of mulch over your tree’s root ball, while staying slightly away from the trunk.  This helps to keep soil moist while reducing weed growth.  Do not apply more than 4 inches of mulch, and keep away from the trunk of the tree.  Only brace your tree if it is absolutely necessary.
  4. Watering Procedure – Water your tree extensively after planting and at least once a week during dry periods.  Avoid wetting the leaves of the tree, when watering.

If you come across any issues while planting your tree, feel free to call a professional arborist at Westchester Tree Life; we are happy to assist and answer any questions you may have.

Maintaining your new tree’s health is just as important as proper tree planting procedure.  A competent and professional arborist (arborists are specifically trained in tree health and the care and maintenance of trees; this is not true of lawn care professionals) can offer diagnosis and preventative maintenance to keep your trees (new and old) in peak condition!

Call Westchester Tree Life today:  (914) 238-0069

(All information cited from the National Arborist Association, now known as the Tree Care Industry Association)

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.

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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.

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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

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.

Elm Tree Westchester Tree Life

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.

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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.

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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.

Dutch Elm Disease Cycle

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

St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church’s Christmas Tree 2014

Westchester Tree Life recently donated time to help decorate St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church’s Christmas tree for Christmas 2014 in Armonk, New York!

The following article was featured in St. Stephen’s Weekly Touchstone e-mail:

Our Newly Lit Christmas Tree

New York Tree Specialists NYWe have been getting compliments from parishioners and residents on our beautifully lit Christmas tree. We have Westchester Tree Life, LLC of Chappaqua to thank. In the spirit of holiday giving, they donated the men, bucket truck, and considerable time to completely wrap our Blue Spruce tree with new multi-colored, energy-efficient, LED Christmas lights.  Vestry members Laura Desmarais and Trina Fontaine had been exploring different ways to replace the old lights that had either burned-out or were deeply hidden inside the tree’s canopy by years of branch growth, but were finding costs prohibitive.

Armonk Tree ServiceWestchester Tree Life Armonk New York

Hearing about the church’s need, Remington Arnold, a co-owner of Westchester Tree Life, LLC, volunteered his company’s services as a way to give back to a community that has been so supportive of his business over the years. “Rem” (as everyone calls him), remarked at the completion of the job, “The tree now looks like what a Christmas tree is suppose to look like … something of beauty, something that glows brilliantly in the night, and something that hopefully makes people feel happy when they gaze upon it.”

Westchester Tree Life Armonk NY

 

We extend our sincere gratitude to Westchester Tree Life, LLC, “Rem”, and the two employees who worked tirelessly at dizzying heights, decorating our church’s iconic tree.  We are especially touched that a local business made time in their busy holiday tree work schedule to accommodate us on such short notice.  We invite one and all to come view our beautiful Christmas tree!

Arborists Armonk New York Westchester NY

Never Move Firewood

As winter approaches, so does the season for bonfires and warming up with indoor fireplaces.  This time of year, it is important for us to stress that you never move firewood.  What are the effects of moving firewood?  How can this be damaging to your surrounding trees and wildlife?  We will answer all of those questions and more in this concise mini-article.

EAB-with-D-Shaped-Holes

Image Courtesy of www.lenexa.com

The “Never Move Firewood” rule began as a result of the damaging effects brought on by the Emerald Ash Borer beetle, or the EAB.  The EAB is an invasive bug, small enough to fit on the head of a penny, and difficult to track and detect in nature.  When you move firewood, you are transporting the EAB beetle, therefore spreading it in new regions, ultimately endangering more trees.

Stop The Beetle Westchester Tree Life

The larvae of the EAB beetle tunnels under the bark of the tree, disrupting the tree’s system of transporting food and water; this starves and eventually kills the tree.  Tens of millions of trees have died due to the effects of the EAB beetle, which can now be found in various states, such as New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and many more.

Dont Move Firewood Westchester Tree Life Ny

To prevent the transfer of the EAB beetle and further damage to our trees, we ask that you burn local firewood, versus purchasing wood which has been transported from another area.  Another great way to prevent the transfer of this invasive insect, is to purchase kiln-dried firewood!

Stay tuned for more seasonal tips regarding the health of your trees!

Pruning Trees 101

Pruning Trees 101 is a condensed guide to help you understand the needs of your tree while pruning your tree properly.

Westchester Tree Life Pruning

Why Prune Your Tree

One of the most common procedures for caring your your tree, is pruning.  Pruning is the process by which superfluous branches and twigs are removed from the tree.  While pruning your tree, it is vital to keep in mind that each removal must have a cause; unnecessary or improper trimming can result in the growth change of your tree!

Pruning Westchester Tree Life

Common reasons for pruning are to improve the tree’s form, remove dead branches, and reduce risk.  When properly pruned, your tree may gain increased light and air penetration to the inside of the tree’s crown and the landscape below!

When to Prune Your Tree

Tree Pruning Before After

Photo Courtesy of www.citytrees.org

Routine pruning of your tree can take place during any season, with little to no effect on the tree.  Ideally, growth and wound closure are maximized if the pruning takes place before spring’s growth flush.

Avoid heavy pruning of the tree’s “live tissue” just after the spring growth period to avoid stress on the tree.  After spring growth the tree has just exhausted energy to produce new leaves and early shoot growth; the healing process after this period will be slower.

Pruning Young Trees Vs. Pruning Mature Trees

Pruning must be done with an understanding of tree biology.  Westchester Tree Life’s professional staff of arborists are trained in the proper procedure of tree pruning, and can ensure that your tree is being pruned in the best way possible.  Ensuring that your young tree is properly pruned is vital in setting it up for a long, healthy life; properly maintaining your mature tree is just as important.

Young Tree Mature Tree

By properly pruning your young tree from the beginning, you are setting it up to grow with a strong structure and desirable form.  Young trees which receive proper pruning will require less corrective pruning when they are older.  The goal in training your young tree is to establish a strong central trunk with sturdy branches which are well spaced.  Remember that poor pruning can cause lasting damage to a tree!

Making the Cut

When making the cut we cannot stress enough how important it is to have a reason for cutting.  Improper cutting can result in the tearing of bark.

Hand Pruners Westchester Tree Life

To prune your tree, you will need hand pruners, lopping shears, and a pruning saw; be sure to use tools which are sharp and clean.  Do not use hedge shears to prune your tree.  Once you have evaluated which branches need to be removed, be sure to make your pruning cuts just outside the branch collar.  The branch collar contains trunk tissue that should not be damaged or removed.

Pruning Tree Guide Westchest

If you are removing a large tree limb, reduce the weight first.  Before you begin cutting, mark an undercut about 12 to 18 inches from the limb’s point of attachment; make another mark to cut a few inches farther out atop the branch.  Afterward, remove the stub of the tree limb by cutting back to the branch collar.

Once again, we stress that the improper pruning of both young and mature trees can result in the stress and damage of your tree.  If you are unsure how to properly prune your tree, call Westchester Tree Life at (914) 238-0069.

How To Spot A Dangerous Tree

Knowing how to spot a dangerous tree may help prevent property damage or injury.  A healthy, mature tree can account for a minimum of 10% of your property value.  Westchester Tree Life is here to assist you in keeping your trees healthy and vibrant.  Call Westchester Tree Life as soon as you spot a dangerous tree.

Here is our guide to explain how to spot a dangerous tree:

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Spotting a dangerous tree can prevent injury and property damage.

1.  Crown Symptoms:  Dead Wood & Broken Branches

First, inspect your tree for dead wood.  Dead wood, or dead branches, tend to be barren; if there are leaves on the dead branches, the leaves will be brown.  If the branch has been dead for a long time, it will be stripped of it’s bark.  Checking the “V” where your tree’s branches connect to the trunk for signs of weakness is also important when searching for dead wood.

2.  Decay

Tree Decay Westchester Tree Life

Places on you tree’s trunk where there is no bark can indicate a dead section of the tree or a fungus attack.  Once you have noticed that your tree has been affected by decay, call Westchester Tree Life to assess your tree’s health.

Tree Stump Fungus Westchester Tree Life

Mushroom-like fungal growth sitting on or near your tree’s trunk is an indication of decay.  To determine if your tree is in danger of falling, or infected with decay, reach out to Westchester Tree Life’s Team of professional arborists!

3.  Cracks & Divisions

Broken Tree Branch Westchester Tree LifeSearching for cracks and divisions is a key when assessing your tree’s health.  The entire tree is susceptible to breaking if there is a damaging enough crack in the trunk.  A professional arborist is able to determine how extensive the damage is, and create a plan of action for your tree.

4.  Root Problems

Tree Roots Westchester Tree Life

Your tree’s health begins in the foundation of the tree’s roots.  A tree is held up and supported by anchoring roots, which are thick and large, while the smaller roots of the tree absorb water and nutrients from the soil.  Ensuring your tree has a healthy root system is key in maintaining a healthy tree.

5.  Leaning

Leaning Tree Westchester Tree Life

Photo Credit: xylemtree.com

If your tree is leaning to one side, it may be a result of a root problem.  If the anchoring roots are rotted, they may be lifting from the soil due to weakness.

Do you think you may have a dangerous tree around the vicinity of your home or business?  Westchester Tree Life, located in Chappaqua, New York is here to help!

Call us today:  (914) 238-0069