Tag Archives: arborists in new york

Westchester Tree Life: Tree Care in Westchester County

Westchester Tree Life, Inc., has been providing quality affordable tree care in Westchester County since 1985 and boasts an extremely satisfied clientele. We feel that it is our knowledgeable, experienced staff that sets us above the competition. Licensed and certified arborists, as well as members of the Tree Care Industry of America, International Society of Arboriculture, and New York State Arborists, are what make our staff one in which you can place your utmost trust and confidence in.

Voted the Best Tree Care in Westcheter County, NY by Westchester Magazine!

Voted the Best Tree Care in Westcheter County, NY by Westchester Magazine!

We support our employees to continue to learn, grow and excel in their work through workshops and seminars which allows us to stay on the cutting edge of the tree care industry. It is because of our dedication to the tree care industry, hard work and natural love of trees that our business continues to flourish.

Westchester Tree Life are also proud members of the International Society of Arboriculture!

Westchester Tree Life are also proud members of the International Society of Arboriculture!

We are committed to…

  • Providing our customers with the highest quality tree care possible, using the most efficient environmentally friendly methods available, all the while adhering to strict safety standards.
  • Completing each job on time, for the quoted price, while exceeding our clients’ expectations.
  • Staying on the forefront of our industry, and always striving for excellence in Professional tree care.
  • Ensuring the safety of our staff with an ongoing comprehensive safety program.

Westchester Tree Life is proud to participate in assisting and volunteering in the community and charities. The following are Westchester Tree Life’s most recent volunteer projects:

 

Crown to Root Inspection

We often talk about the importance of having trees inspected by a qualified arborist in order to maintain their health and safety.  But what does this inspection involved, and what does the arborist look for?  A comprehensive tree inspection means carefully examining the state of the tree from the crown all the way down to the roots.  Today, we’ll discuss what an arborist looks for and evaluates during this crucial inspection.

Let’s start with the crown, or canopy, of the tree.  First, the arborist will assess the overall vigor of the tree.  Does the tree look like it is growing well, healthy, and free of stress factors?  Or, does the tree appear weak and seem to be growing more slowly than expected?  Additionally, the size and color of the foliage are indicators of the tree’s health.  Areas of the tree with dead or discolored foliage may be cause for concern.  The arborist will also assess the crown of the tree for pests, damage, and common problems associated with that particular species of tree.  A close assessment of the crown will also evaluate the health and condition of the branches, looking for dead, cracked, or broken limbs.

root crown tree inspection 1After a close inspection of the crown, the arborist will move on to an inspection of the trunk of the tree.  The trunk can tell us a lot about the overall health of the specimen.  The appearance of the bark will be examined for color and texture and any areas of dead or missing bark will be noted.  The arborist will also look for cracks, damage, decay, mushroom and other fungal growth, oozing sap, galls, and cavities.  Any lean to the the trunk is an important characteristic as it could indicate a risk of falling during extreme weather.

Finally, the arborist will inspect the root crown and roots of the tree.  This may require a small amount of digging or removal of  debris from around the base of the tree.  Again, signs of pests, fungal growth, and damage will be noted.  Additionally, the arborist will assess the condition of the soil around the roots to make sure it isn’t too weak to securely anchor the tree.  Any cracking or lifting of the soil, which indicate shifting of the tree in high wind, will also be taken into account.

root crown tree inspection 3Once the arborist has a complete picture of the overall health and status of the tree, he or she can give you an accurate idea of any risk factors associated with the tree.  How likely is it to fall or drop large limbs?  Is it at risk from disease or pests and does it need to be pruned or otherwise serviced?  Should it be removed?  A root to crown inspection will answer all of these questions and help guide you on the needs of your trees, including what you can expect down the road!

 

Horticultural Oils

Horticultural oils can help in the protection of your plants, shrubs and trees!  It’s that time of year again to begin mapping out your seasonal plant health care plan, and Westchester Tree Life is here to help!  Our certified arborists are here to assist you in maintaining the health and beauty of your plants, trees and shrubs!  Horticultural oil applications are a very necessary procedure that should be on your spring to-do list!

Prunicola Scale

This photo shows Prunicola Scale, a very hard to control scale insect that damages and can even kill cherry trees and other ornamental trees, and horticultural oils are very helpful in controlling this pest.

Prunicola-Scale-Westchester-Tree-Life

Early season oil sprays help maintain your tree’s health!

Note the white substance on the trunk of this tree is the scale; these are the males. The females are much harder to detect because they are dark in color and blend into the background color of the bark.  Early in spring, the males are hardly present,  so great care must be taken by the arborist to monitor and treat for this insect. Controlling this harmful insect and preventing damage is possible through horticultural oil application.

Spider Mites

Many different trees and shrubs can be attacked by mites.  Mites are very, very small; you need a powerful hand lens or small microscope to see them.

Mites-Westchester-Tree-Life

Close up of a mite through a microscope

The Spruce Spider Mite can attack Arborvitae, Norway spruce, Alberta Spruce and many other hosts.  There are also many different types of mites which occupy many other host plants.
The following is damage on Norway spruce from Spruce spider mite:

Spider-Mite-Norway-Spruce

Hemlock Adelgid

The Hemlock Woolly Adelgid Is another insect that can be controlled with horticultural oils.
The following are pictures of hemlock branches infested with Adelgid:

Hemlock-Wooly-Adelgid-Westc

Hemlock-Wolly-Adelgid-WTL

Scale Insects

Scale insects are another group of insects often targeted with horticultural sprays.  Holly trees are susceptible to the damage of scale insects.  The black residue shown is called sooty mold, and is caused by mold colonizing on the honey dew which is a byproduct from the scale.  The scale insect’s excrement is almost pure sugar, which is the ideal breeding ground for mold to colonize.

Scale-Insect-Mold

The following photo gives a closer look at scale insects (the white shapes are the scale).  These white insects are usually resting on the underside of the leaves.

Scale-Insects-White

Prepare your landscape for a healthy season, with a horticultural oil application!  To schedule an appointment with a professionally certified arborist, call Westchester Tree Life at (914) 238-0069!

March Contest

Have you entered Westchester Tree Life’s March Contest?  One lucky winner will receive our New York Nature Bundle!

Westchester Tree Life

The New York Nature Bundle includes:

  • Three bundles of split firewood

  • One pint of New York Maple Syrup

  • Local New York honey

 

To Enter:

Post your favorite tree in Westchester on our Facebook or Instagram page!

Westchester Tree Life

Contest ends Wednesday, April 1st, 2015!

Winter Tree Emergencies

It’s February in New York without at least one heavy snowfall, and with that comes the risk of property damage if your trees aren’t quite up to the challenge. The same branches that provided you lots of shade in the summer are now catching all the snow and being weighed down to the point where you might have a winter tree emergency. Luckily there are some steps you can take ahead of time to prevent these winter tree emergencies, rather than waiting until a big snowy branch crashes through your living room.

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Take some time before it snows to have an arborist prune back some of the branches on your trees, especially if they look dead or weak, and/or hang over your roof. Trees that are covered in vines or ivy are at higher risk as far getting weighed down with snow, so be sure to remove or have someone remove any invasive vines in your trees.

Risk Signs of Winter Tree Emergencies

  • Dead areas – Dead wood is more brittle and prone to snapping.
  • Decay – Hollow or decayed trees are not necessarily unsafe, but it is best to have a trained arborist evaluate any decay.
  • Cracks –  Cracks indicate that a tree is not structurally sound, and can be made worse by the weight of heavy snow.
  • Poor root stability – If a tree is not rooted properly into the ground it is more likely to blow over in heavy winds or snow
  • Leaning – A leaning tree is not necessarily unsafe, but again, a trained arborist can assess if it poses a risk to your property.

If you have a possible winter tree emergency that involves powerlines or other hazards, make sure you call in a professional. Falling branches might hit wires and knock out your power, but attempting to prune those branches yourself can be very dangerous.

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Westchester Tree Life can help you prepare for snow and prevent winter tree emergencies, just call our trained arborists at (914) 238-0069 or request a consultation here.

New York Tree Care

Source: Preparing Your Trees for Winter