Tag Archives: ny tree care

Girdled Roots

Did you know just one girdling root can kill or stunt the growth of a tree? A girdling root grows around the tree’s trunk, strangling the tree. Girdling roots act as an ever-tightening tourniquet, restricting the tree’s flow of nutrients and water. The dangers of girdled roots can be prevented with routine tree check ups from a professional arborist. Once identified, girdled roots can be properly treated.

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Girdling root on a cherry (Prunus) caused by mulch being piled against the trunk.
via Missouri Botanical Garden

Preventing Girdled Roots

Inspection is a key step in preventing girdled roots. When you are planting a new tree, be sure to give the root ball a thorough review to check for any roots which are not radiating out from the tree.

The Dangers of Girdled Roots

When roots girdle a tree, pressure is placed on the water and nutrient pipeline located under the bark. This pressure increases as the tree grows and it’s diameter becomes larger, making it impossible for water and nutrients to move up toward the tree’s canopy. If a tree’s girdled roots are left untreated, the side of the tree with girdling roots will suffer and can result in death.

Removing Girdling Roots

Before the girdling root was removed by Westchester Tree Life

After the girdling root was removed by Westchester Tree Life

When removing girdled roots, consult a professional arborist! Request a consultation from Westchester Tree Life using our online form here.

Signs Your Tree is Suffering from Girdled Roots

If you’ve spotted a girdling root around your tree, check for some of these symptons that your tree is already feeling the ramifications of girdled roots:

Declining branches or uneven growth in the canopy of large trees
Branches with reduced growth on one side of the tree
Your tree’s trunk goes straight into the ground versus flaring outward at the base

Tree species that often have problems with girdling roots include pines, maples (excluding silver maple), lindens and magnolias. This is a tree care matter that should be handled by a professional arborist; schedule a consultation with an ISA-certified Westchester Tree Life arborist today.

Effects of Drought on Trees

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Westchester county has now had two dry summers in a row, resulting in a lot of stress in our urban forest. What are the effects of drought on trees? How can you help? Westchester county’s tree care experts, Westchester Tree Life are here to answer your questions!

tree care westchester

The Impact of Drought

Like most life forms, plants are reliant on water. Water instigates the chemical reactions inside a plant cell, urging growth and health. The impact of drought is the slowing of the metabolic processes which keep the plant healthy, including the vital process of photosynthesis.

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When there is a drought, water in the soil shrinks away. As the plant continues to lose water through the process of transpiration, the integrity of the plant’s cell membrane may be destroyed.

Symptoms of Drought

A California forest’s visible drought damage

The effects of drought on trees varies case to case. Factors including the zone the tree is rooted in, as well as other environmental issues play a major part in the resilience of the tree’s health. Immediate symptoms of drought include wilting, scorch, and defoliation due to a loss of turgor in plant cells as well as the irreversible shrinking of cell membranes.

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Long term symptoms of drought include a dieback of tree branches as well as death, as the plant’s capacity to absorb water is permanently damaged.

Westchester Tree Life

If you are unsure whether your plants, trees and shrubs are healthy, call Westchester Tree Life to assess your trees at (914) 238-0069 or e-mail us directly for a consultation here.

View all of our services here.

Best Trees for Fall Foliage

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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

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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!

The Best Trees for Fall Foliage: Part Two

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Introduce vivid, eye-catching color to your autumn landscape with trees! In our last blog, The Best Trees for Fall Foliage, we shared some of our favorite trees to brighten up your Westchester lawn and garden. Today we are continuing the list with part two; which of these trees do you plan on planting this upcoming year?

The Red Maple

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The Red Maple produces a leaf so red it’s almost surreal! There are many variations of the maple tree, all which are lovely in varying ways but the red maple will always be a standard New England fall classic.

The Sugar Maple

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Right behind the classic red maple is the ever-so-sweet sugar maple! Known for producing a deliciously sweet sap, this tree’s burst of bright color will have you smiling as you rake your leaves.

The Sweetgum Tree

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Star shaped leaves and unusual fruit and trees are the key identifiers of a sweetgum tree. During fall time, the glossy once-green leaves of the sweetgum turn magnificent shades of red, orange and yellow!

Seasonal Maintenance

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Seasonal maintenance is a great way to keep up with the health of your plants, trees and shrubs! Westchester Tree Life offers tree care in New York, and has a full service menu.

Tree Care

Westchester Tree Life has been offering quality, affordable tree care in New York since 1985! Keep your trees healthy with our tree care services, including pruning, cabling, plant health care management and more! View services here.

Stump Grinding

Tree Stump Grinding New York Westchester Tree Life

Remove that unsightly tree stump from your property properly, with professional assistance from Westchester Tree Life! We also offer wood chipping services, if need be.

Tree & Shrub Planting

Considering planting a tree or shrub, but need help? Let us help select the perfect area for your new tree or shrub, properly plant it, and explain the ideal plant health care management plan so your new plant can thrive!

Request a Consultation

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Select the most convenient date for your Westchester Tree Life consultation and our staff would be happy to get back to you! Our ISA-certified team of professional arborists are trained in safety and precautionary tree care.

Sudden Oak Death

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If you have beautiful oak trees on your property, maintaining their health also means checking for signs of Sudden Oak Death, also known as Phytophthora ramorum. Though this is not an endemic to the Northeast, trees can be made susceptible even if a single oak tree from a nursery is integrated into your landscape. Much of the tree loss attributed to Sudden Oak Death has effected California.

A hillside in Big Sur, California, devastated by sudden oak death
via wikipedia

What are the symptoms of Sudden Oak Death, and how can you check your oak tree properly? Symptoms of Sudden Oak Death include bleeding cankers on the tree’s trunk as well as a dieback of the tree’s foliage; this eventually results in the death of your tree.

Sudden Oak Death Westchester Tree Life

If you were to take a slice from the trunk of an infected oak tree, you would see the following:

via reddit

Sudden Oak Death Life Cycle Westchester Tree Life

If you suspect that your tree is suffering from Sudden Oak Death, contact our team of ISA-certified, professional arborists at Westchester Tree Life today: (914) 238-0069

John Jay Homestead in Katonah, NY

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Recently Westchester Tree Life volunteered at John Jay Homestead in Katonah, NY during the Independence Day event! Our team of certified arborists were happy to discuss trees with members of the community and share in a community experience.

About John Jay Homestead

via townvibe.com

Located in Katonah, NY, the John Jay Homestead is one of New York’s six historic state sites administered by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation-Taconic Region. The John Jay Homestead is also known as the Bedford House or the John Jay House. This historical New York landmark was the home of statesman John Jay, the first Chief Justice of the United States. The John Jay Homestead was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1981.

The John Jay Homestead Independence Day Celebration

John Jay Homestead July 4 2004 Fife and Drum

newyorkhistoryblog.org

The annual John Jay Homestead Independence Day celebration was held on July 4th, 2016, and sponsored by the Rotary Club of Bedford-Armonk and the Homestead. This community event begins with a period-piece portrayal and reading of the Declaration of Independence. Following the powerful speech there was live music, Colonial era games, pony rides, a hay ride, a petting zoo and a demonstrations of Colonial-era crafts and trades, including blacksmithing. Katonah NY Westchester Tree Life Westchester Tree Life’s team of arborists were also in attendance to partake and educate on the topics of arboriculture.

John Jay Homestead Westchester Tree Life

Franco Compagnone, 10 from South Salem, gets a little help cutting a log from Brent Cameron with the Westchester Tree Life Inc., during the Independence Day Fair at the John Jay Homestead in Katonah, July 4, 2016.
via lohud.com

Our team of arborists helped children cut their own slice of wood with a hand saw, and explained how to count a tree’s growth rings. This hands on experience allowed the community to ask questions about the growth of trees as well as the relative importance of trees!

View more photos from the John Jay Homestead Independence Day celebration here.

Organic Gardening

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Organic gardening is a great way to add to your healthy lifestyle. Growing your own organic fruits, vegetables and herbs is easy with help from Westchester Tree Life! We offer organic fertilization to keep your garden happy and healthy.

Organic Fertilizer Westchester Tree Life

About Organic Fertilization

Non-organic fertilizers contain chemicals such as ammonia or is extracted from minerals. Introducing manmade chemicals into your soil not only effects your plants, it effects your soil! Organic fertilizers contain only the most natural of ingredients so you can feel at ease about what you’re introducing to your garden. For organic fertilization in Bedford, White Plains or other areas in Westchester County, New York, call Westchester Tree Life at (914) 238-0069!

Organic Vegetable Gardening

Organic Fertilization Westchester Tree Life

We offer organic fertilization in Westchester County!

Starting your own vegetable garden is a great way to monitor what goes into the veggies you’re eating! Organic vegetable gardening takes patience, maintenance and care, but the end-result is very gratifying. Before you start your organic vegetable garden, it’s important that you understand what kind of soil you have and how much sun your garden can provide. Read Better Homes and Gardens’ Tips for Growing an Organic Vegetable Garden for more tips and tricks here.

Call Westchester Tree Life today for organic fertilization!

American Chestnut Trees

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American chestnut trees accounted for a large portion of forest specimens pre-1900’s. Once a pathogen was introduced to American chestnut trees due to the importing of Japanese chestnut trees, American chestnut trees began to disappear. Since the decline of these majestic beauties communities and scientists have teamed up to create organizations to preserve, protect and bring awareness to the amazing American chestnut trees!

(Credit Vicky Sawyer)

The Tallest American Chestnut Tree in North America

The tallest American chestnut tree in North America is rooted in Maine and is 115 feet tall. This amazing discovery prompted members of the American Chestnut Foundation to visit the tree and gather information. Forest scientist Brian Roth estimated the American chestnut tree to be around a century old after examining the specimen.

Tallest American Chestnut Tree Susan Sharon MPBN

via Susan Sharon MPBN

Scientists have sampled DNA from this tall American chestnut tree to preserve in a living gene bank; information gathered will assist in research to restore the chestnut to its historic range. Read more about the tallest American chestnut tree in North America via NPR here.

The American Chestnut Foundation

Committed to the conservation, protection and expansion of America’s forests since 1990, The American Chestnut Foundation has planted more than 45 million trees! The American Chestnut Foundation has also replanted forests destroyed by both human action and natural disasters.

Do You Have a Dangerous Tree?

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Identifying dangerous trees before winter snowstorms become the norm is a good idea if you want to maintain a safe yard and environment. To prevent a potentially dangerous situation, checking your trees for signs of weakness is a great way to prepare for the upcoming winter months. For a thorough tree assessment from a tree care professional, call Westchester Tree Life at (914) 238-0069!

Dangerous Tree Risks

Before review the signs of a dangerous tree, let’s review the risks. A falling tree can seriously injure one or multiple people, cause extensive property damage and in worst case scenarios, result in death. To completely safeguard against dangerous tree risks, we highly recommend reaching out to Westchester Tree Life for help from a professional arborist in Westchester County. Our certified professionals are properly trained in assessing tree health and potentially dangerous tree situations.

Ground Inspection

Begin your inspection at the base of your tree’s trunk. Pull aside any moss or foliage which may be covering the base of your tree, as you will want a clear view of the soil surrounding the tree. A tree’s soil features tell-tale signs of a tree’s health; for example, cracked or raised soil which is opposite to your tree’s lean may indicate root disturbances hinting that the tree is in the process of uprooting.

Branch Inspection

Weak branches tend to give when under the weight of heavy snow. To eliminate a disastrous situation, we encourage conducting a branch inspection. We encourage our customers to conduct tree care inspections with each changing season; this helps to maintain a well-pruned tree. If your tree is in need of dead or weak branch removal, let us take care of it! Fill out our online consultation form here.

Other Danger Signs to Look For

Keep an eye out for tree trunks with holes or cracks in them as well as missing bark. Tree which have tight branch growth also indicate that it may need a plant health care program.

For a thorough inspection of the trees on your property, we highly encourage you to have a professional arborist inspect the area. Our professionally trained tree care specialists are able to identify any dangerous trees and offer solutions! To receive a consultation, fill out our online form here.