Tag Archives: tree care in new york

Hardiness Zone FAQ

Easily determine what plants, shrubs and trees grow best in your area by knowing your hardiness zone! Hardiness zones are defined by conditions such as minimum temperatures, and determine which specific category of plant life is capable of growing and thriving there.

What are Hardiness Zones?

hardiness-zones

The United States and Canada are divided into 11 plant hardiness zones based on a 10 degree Fahrenheit difference in the average annual minimum temperature.

How Do I Determine My Hardiness Zone?

The United States Department of Agriculture has a map which can assist you in determining your hardiness zone. View the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map here.

What Does “Suitable Hardiness” Mean?

westchester-tree-life-westchester-tree-care

Suitable hardiness means a plant which can be expected to grow in the zone’s temperature extremes; this is determined by the lowest average annual temperature. (via arborday.org)

Are There Other Factors That Affect Plant Survival Aside From Hardiness Zone Limitations?

hardiness-zone-faq-westchester-tree-life

Yes! Soil moisture, humidity, the number of days of frost and risk evaluation such as the probability of a severe low temperature should all be taken into account.

For more information, read our blog, “Hardiness Zones” here. For assistance in determining the best plant health care for your garden or landscape, request a consultation from Westchester Tree Life here.

Girdled Roots

Leave a reply

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.

missouri-botanical-garden-girdling-roots

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

Leave a reply

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.

drought-tree-care-westchester-new-york

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.

tree-care-new-york-westchester

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.

Westchester Garden Guide

Leave a reply

Cultivating a beautiful garden is an art! Add property value with a well-manicured and lush, blooming yard this spring and summer. Westchester Tree Life’s professionals are here to assist you with a plant health care management program, tree and shrub maintenance and more! Our Westchester Garden Guide is a selection of our favorite perennials, shrubs and trees for your Westchester home!

Westchester Tree Life has provided quality, affordable care to Westchester County since 1985!

Trees & Shrubs

Before you begin shopping around for flowers, select your trees and shrubs! Selecting trees and shrubs give your garden or backyard structure. Consider how your trees and shrubs will develop through the seasons!

New York Tree Care Westchester Tree Life

A Dogwood produces pink, white and red flowers. via continentalchicago.wordpress.com

The Dogwood Tree – A Dogwood Tree will produce beautiful blooms during springtime, and have a great compact shape! The leaves turn an eye-catching reddish purple during fall time.

Shrub Care New York Westchester Tree Life

The Shadblow is a lovely garden addition year round. via plants.thegrowingspace.com

The Shadblow/Shad/Serviceberry Tree – Another beautiful flowering tree, the Shadblow tree is ideal for a partly-shady area of your yard. This tree yields apple-like early spring flowers, June fruit and a pinstripe bark.

Tree Shrub Care New York Westchester Tree Life

This Spicebush gives an excellent pop of color, especially during Autumn.
via Pinterest.com

The Spicebush – If you are looking to add a colorful understory shrub, consider adding a Spicebush (or two, or three . . .) to your Westchester garden!

Bright & Beautiful Perennials

Perennials return to your garden year after year, when cared for properly!

Delphinium Westchester Tree Life Landscaping New York

via delphinium.co.nz

Delphinium – Hummingbirds love these bright perennials, and so will you! Delphiniums require rich soil and cool summers.

via midwestliving.com

Little Bluestem – This native prairie grass has grey-green foliage which turns bold shades of purple, red and orange in fall. Plant this in full-sun, and it will reach heights of 2-3 feet tall, and a foot high.

Professional Tree Care in New York

Leave a reply

Looking for professional tree care in New York? Kick spring and summer off the right way with help from our team of professional arborists in Westchester County, Westchester Tree Life! There are so many great ways we can help you care for and cultivate beautiful plants, trees and shrubs; fill out our online consultation form here.

New York Tree Care Westchester Tree Life

Westchester Tree Life: The Professional Tree Company

We understand that searching for a professional tree company in New York can be difficult! Since 1985, Westchester Tree Life has built a business on client trust and outstanding results.

Have a tree care question?

Speak with a tree specialist today; call Westchester Tree Life at (914) 238-0069.

Westchester Tree Life Services

Plant Health Care Programs

Need a tree surgeon? Westchester County’s Westchester Tree Life includes a team of passionate arborists who are here to thoroughly evaluate your tree care needs and offer a Plant Health Care Management Program to keep you on the right track!

Tree Care in New York Westchester Tree Life

Maintaining Your Trees

From tree trimming to tree cabling, we can help maintain the beauty and health of your trees. Westchester Tree Life is professionally trained to safely remove dangerous tree limbs or trees, and offers stump grinding services as well. Let us help raise your property value in Westchester County! View our full service menu here.

Tree Removal in Westchester County

3 Replies

Look no further for proper tree removal in Westchester County than Westchester Tree Life! Our team of professionally-certified arborists can safely remove a dangerous damaged or dead tree from your property! To receive a free estimate for tree removal call Westchester Tree Life at (914) 238-0069 or fill out an online consultation form here.

Never attempt to remove a tree yourself.

Attempting to remove a tree by yourself can result in property damage or someone getting hurt; Westchester Tree Life’s team has attended safety training classes to safely and effectively remove your tree!

Before we remove your tree, our tree care professionals can provide you with other options (if there are any available).

What are some signs my tree needs to be removed?

If your tree is obviously damaged or leaning, it may need to be removed to prevent injury to your family and property. A leaning tree can fall over under the weight of a winter storm’s snow, ice and harsh winds; prevent a dangerous situation if you have a damaged or leaning tree and call Westchester Tree Life to come assess the damage today!

Has your tree contracted a tree disease? Your tree’s malady can be contagious and harmful to other trees and plants on your property. Removing a diseased tree is a necessary preventative measure in keeping the rest of your plants healthy. If you are unsure whether your tree has a tree disease, or have a question, reach out to Westchester Tree Life using our online form here.

What if my tree has broken branches?

Broken tree branches become lethal during destructive storms, especially during winter. If you have a broken tree branch, call Westchester Tree Life immediately.

Strong winds can push the branch, weakening it further before it falls onto your roof, car, blocks a road or harms a person.

The 5 Layers of a Tree Trunk

1 Reply

Understanding how to properly care for the trees on your property begins with knowing about the anatomy of a tree. We’re going to walk you through the 5 layers of a tree trunk!

The Outer Bark

The outermost later of a tree trunk is the outer bark. This insulating layer protects the tree’s innermost layers from cold while defending against insects. A tree’s bark also maintains the tree’s moisture balance; it does this by keeping out unneeded moisture during rainstorms while holding onto moisture during drier seasons.

Inner Bark (Phloem)

The second later after the outer bark is the inner bark also known as the Phloem. This layer serves as the pipeline through which food is passed. The tree’s Phloem lives for a short period of time before it dies and turns into cork, becoming another layer to protect the tree.

The Cambium Cell Layer

The green part of this tree’s branch is the Cambium layer.

The growing part of a tree trunk is the Cambium Cell Layer, which new bark and new wood annually in response to the tree’s hormones. These hormones, also known as Auxins” stimulate growth in the tree’s cells, and are produced by the leaf buds at the ends of the branches during the spring.

Sapwood

Sapwood acts as the tree’s pipeline for moving water up to the leaves. A tree’s sapwood is new wood; as new layers of sapwood are produced, the inner cells lose their vitality and become heartwood.

Heartwood

Heartwood lies at the center of the tree; it is the central pillar supporting the tree. Heartwood is a composite of hollow, needle-like fibers bound by the tree’s natural chemical glue, lignin. Although heartwood is as strong as steel, it is in fact dead.

Is your tree in need of professional inspection or care? Call Westchester, New York’s best tree care professionals, Westchester Tree Life at (914) 238-0069 or visit us online at westchestertreelife.com!

A Warm Winter’s Effects on Plants

Leave a reply

With December 2015’s warm weather keeping our area from freezing temperatures, some of us are wondering what a warm winter’s effects on plants will be come spring. How are plants, trees and shrubs reacting to the unusually warm temperature and is there anything we can do about it? Westchester Tree Life weighs in on a warm winter’s effects on plants.

Winter Outlook 2015 – 2016 via weather.com

Determining Your Plant’s Health

When attempting to determine whether your plants, trees and shrubs are reacting adversely to the unusually warm temperatures, take into consideration the type of plant, the plant’s needs and the location which they are rooted. How quickly cold temperatures come and go, how low the temperature drops and other environmental factors also come into play when determining how your plants are affected by a warm winter in.

A Sudden Drop in Temperature

Warm Winter Plants Dying Westchester Tree Life

via gardeningknowhow.com

One of the most important factors to consider when attempting to determine your plant’s health in regards to a warm winter, are sudden temperature drops. A sudden drop in temperature following warm weather can severely stress out plants. Once usual winter temperatures begin to stabilize, most plants should acclimate fairly well.

Plants Budding During Winter

Mild winter temperatures and exposure to sun for a longer period of time may result in some of your plants budding during winter. If this happens, it may yield deadly for your plant.

Have questions? Need professional plant health care?

Call Westchester Tree Life at (914) 238-0069 or contact us here.

Hardiness Zones

Leave a reply

At Westchester Tree Life, our goal is for your plants, trees and shrubs to maintain a constant peak of health! To give your plants, shrubs and trees a healthy start, it is vital to select an area they would best thrive. If you’ve ever browsed online for seeds or bulbs, you’ve probably seen a reference to hardiness zones. Knowing all about hardiness zones is a great way to maximize the success of your plantings and to know which plants may be vulnerable during the harsher times of year. If you have any questions or concerns about your plant’s health, ask a Westchester Tree Life professional! Call Westchester Tree Life here: (914) 238-0069

Westchester Tree Life Explains Hardiness Zones:

So what does hardiness zone refer to? To put it simply, the United States is divided into hardiness zones based on each region’s weather patterns. There are 13 hardiness zones in the US. The lower the number, the colder the winter. For example, Louisiana is in Zone 9 while North Dakota is mainly in Zone 3. If you’re considering planting a shrub best suited to hardiness zone 5-7, you want to make sure your location falls within that range. Otherwise, your plants may not survive until spring.

It’s also important to know that some plants actually need a certain level of cold in order to survive. A plant that is hardy enough to grow in northern Maine may not grow in Florida. The hardiness zones in one state can vary widely. Here in New York, you could be in zone 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7! Our own local Westchester County area, as well as New York City, northern New Jersey, Rockland county, southern Connecticut, and parts of Long Island are in hardiness zone 6.

While hardiness zones can be a useful guide in knowing which plants can thrive in your yard, there are other factors to take into consideration. Wind, rainfall, humidity, soil composition, and sunlight can all effect the health and growth of your plants. When considering adding a new tree, shrub, or perennial to your existing greenery, it’s always a good idea to seek the advice of an expert.

Winter Tree Preparation

Leave a reply

Are your trees ready for winter? Double-check with Westchester Tree Life’s Winter Tree Preparation guide! If you are unsure how to prepare your trees for winter, our tree care professionals will be happy to assist you!

Let Westchester Tree Life’s tree care professionals help!

Clean & Clear

Hazardous tree? Westchester Tree Life can remove it!

Clean and clear your property of any damaged trees which could become hazardous during a harsh winter storm. Westchester Tree Life is certified in the professional removal of any dead and dangerous trees. Clear your yard of any fallen leaves and debris, as well.

Prep Work

Prepare your trees for Westchester County’s cold New England winter by completing your annual fertilizing and mulching. Unsure how to do this? Let us help! Call (914) 238-0069.

Cabling Trees

Cabling trees ensures that weak limbs are braced for the weight of winter’s snow and harsh winds.

Water Your Evergreens

To prepare your beautiful Evergreen trees for Westchester County’s winter, take care to water them!

Inspect Your Trees

Lastly, inspect all of your trees for invasive insects or diseases. Our team of professional arborists can assist you in creating the ideal Plant Health Care Management plan for your trees, if they are infested or diseased. Call Westchester Tree Life here: (914) 238-0069