Tag Archives: tree care in westchester

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?

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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?

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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.

Westchester Garden Guide

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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!

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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.

Tree Removal in Westchester County

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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.

Westchester Tree Life: Tree Care in Westchester County

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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!

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!

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:

John Jay Homestead, Bedford, New York
Chappaqua Town Park, Chappaqua, New York – Westchester Tree Life donated time to clean up the Chappaqua Town Park in honor of Earth Day.
Chappaqua Meeting House, Chappaqua, New York
Saw Mill River Audubon Society, New Castle, New York
New Castle Historical Society, Chappaqua. New York
St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, Armonk, New York – Westchester Tree Life dontated time to completely wrap St. Stephen’s Blue Spruce tree with new, multi-colored and energy-efficient LED Christmas Lights for Christmas 2014! Read more here.

Mature Tree Care

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Mature trees bring more than just beauty to your property. They provide shade that can reduce cooling costs and increase your overall property value. Mature trees are a sign of longevity and endurance. It takes decades for a tree to grow to its mature, stately height. Caring for mature trees takes knowledge and experience. Mature trees face problems we don’t typically see in smaller trees. With their lofty height, larger limbs, and often sprawling root systems, your most majestic trees are often most at risk.

The first step to ensuring the health of your mature trees is to have them inspected. At Westchester Tree Life, we take a proactive approach and complete a careful inspection of each tree from crown to root. We look for signs of pests, damage, and disease, as well as any indications of weakness or rot. The inspection will tell us the extent of any necessary pruning or if the tree is at risk of falling or dropping large limbs.

Mature trees can benefit from mulching. Mulching protects your trees roots from temperature and moisture extremes as well as damage from lawn mowers. Plant based mulch decomposes over time, providing nutrients to the tree. Before you pile on the mulch, it’s important to know what you’re doing. Mulch should cover as much of the root system as possible with a depth of 2 to 4 inches. You don’t want the mulch to pile up against the base of the tree where it can decay the bark. Instead, leave a mulch-free area a couple of inches wide around the trunk.

Other, more complex, issues are important to the health of your mature trees. Soil composition and density affect the nutrients your tree has access to and its stability. Drainage is another crucial element to consider. If you aren’t sure how to determine the pH of your soil or whether or not it is too loose to securely anchor your tree in place, Westchester Tree Life can assess the soil and advise you on any needed changes.

With their larger, higher branches, mature trees pose a challenge when they need to be pruned. Attempting to prune a large tree yourself can be dangerous for both you and any nearby structures. Pruning mature trees requires knowledge of how trees heal; branches and limbs should be removed only when necessary. Because of the danger involved, this type of pruning job requires special equipment and training. You should always leave the pruning of mature trees to an expert arborist.

Sometimes, the removal of a mature tree is necessary. Mature trees, in spite of their size, aren’t immune to disease, pests, rot, and other types of damage that can lead to falling. A downed tree can cause extensive damage and injury. Westchester Tree Life can not only safely remove mature trees, but can advise you on suitable replacements.

With proper care and maintenance, mature trees can add great value to your property. Trust experts like Westchester Tree Life to keep your trees in their best condition!

Summer Pruning

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Summer pruning is a great task to add to your to-do list! Pruning trees and shrubs is often necessary to keep these plants healthy and looking their best. There are a few times during the year when pruning is effective, but for now we will focus on summer pruning.

Summer pruning is the ideal way to slow and direct the growth of your trees and shrubs. During summer, these types of plants rely on leaves to absorb sunlight and make nutrients; pruning reduces the overal number of leaves and therefore causes an overall slow down in growth. This is a particularly effective way to keep decorative shrubs in good shape and looking their best. Shaggy, overgrown hedges and bushes that receive a summer pruning make all of your landscaping look tidy and well manicured.

There are also good reasons to prune trees in summer. The weight of the leaves helps identify weak branches. Branches with dead leaves stand out and are easy to identify for pruning. This is also a good time to look for defective branches to prune as well.

Keep in mind that pruning can be a dangerous task. Branches that are higher in the tree or too thick to easily cut should be left to the care of a professional.

Why Hire an Arborist?

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Why hire an arborist? Westchester County, New York’s tree care professionals at Westchester Tree Life are professionally trained to properly care for your trees. Our team of arborists are properly trained to safely remove trees, provide an excellent plant health care plan and more! Have a question about the safety and care about your trees in Westchester, New York? Call Westchester Tree Life today: (914) 238-0069.

Westchester tree photo submitted by Lauren Brois‎

Many people take the trees on their property for granted. You may not really think about your trees on a day to day basis, or really pay much attention to them from one season to the next. While you probably enjoy their shade in the summer or the privacy your evergreens provide, having your trees cared for or inspected by an arborist may not be at the top of your list of priorities.

Like most other aspects of home ownership, trees really benefit from a proactive approach. Caring for trees properly helps avoid catastrophe down the road. An arborist can advise you of trees that are in danger from rot, pests, or disease before these problems result in major damage. That beautiful tree next to the driveway will certainly get your attention if it falls on your car during a storm or drops a large limb across the power lines. An arborist will assess the health and stability of your trees and provide you with options for keeping your trees in good shape so they are less likely to succumb to violent weather or simply give way under their own weight and the effects of disease or invading insects.

Westchester tree photo submitted by Justin Cole Frawley‎

In addition to checking the health of your trees, an arborist can safely and expertly prune your trees. Pruning helps contain the growth of trees, keeping them looking their best while ridding the tree of weak or dead branches. Large trees can be risky to prune without the proper equipment or experience. Rather than put yourself and your property at risk by taking on this kind of task yourself, trust the job to a certified, reputable arborist.

An arborist can also be an invaluable asset in planning your landscaping. For the general homeowner, knowing which species of tree to plant and where to plan them can be a daunting task. If your goal is to cut your heating or cooling costs, to have flowering trees throughout the season, to maintain privacy, or to enjoy fall colors, an arborist will be able to look at your property and help you choose the best trees to suit your needs. In addition, an arborist will oversee the correct planting and placement of trees while also instructing you on their care and maintenance.

Westchester tree photo submitted by Alexander Fink

Sometimes, a tree on your property can interfere with structures or foundations. This is another reason why an arborist is a good resource for planning what and where to plant. If you find yourself with a tree whose roots are damaging your driveway or some other such issue, you may need to have the tree removed. An arborist is ideal to consult for this task! In addition to removing the tree, an arborist can assist you in choosing a more suitable replacement.

The trees on your property do much more than simply look pretty. They provide shade and privacy for you and shelter for local wildlife. Trees increase your property value and make your yard a more welcoming place to spend time. Protecting and caring for the trees in your yard prevents larger, more expensive problems down the road and helps to maintain the value of your property.

Submit your favorite Westchester tree photo to us here.

American Yellowwood Tree

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The American Yellowwood Tree (Cladrastis kentuckea) is a very pretty tree that’s rather uncommon in the Northeast. Although the Yellowwood is hardy to Zone 4, it is more likely found from the Southeast with a range that extends as far west as Oklahoma and south to Alabama.

American Yellowwood Tree

This uncommon tree get its name from the yellow color of its heartwood. The bark of the Yellowwood tree is an attractive, smooth light grey. Early in summer, the tree produces fragrant, white, pea-like flowers. This tree also produces fruit in the form of pods, each containing a few seeds. The foliage ranges from bright green in summer to a show mix of yellow, orange, and gold in the fall. The Yellowwood is a medium sized tree, growing to 33 to 49 feet tall.

Yellowwood Summer Foliage

Yellowwood Flowers

Yellowwood Tree Fall Foliage

When adding a Yellowwood tree to your yard, choose a spot in full sun with well drained soil. This tree needs to be pruned every summer, so keep that chore in mind when deciding if this species is good for your yard. You may need to protect the tree from sun scald and wind during the harsh winter months.

Another positive aspect of the Yellowwood tree is its health. This particular tree is free from major diseases and pests. If you are looking for a beautiful ornamental tree that will thrive in a suburban, or even urban, environment, the American Yellowwood Tree might be right for you!

Yellowwood Tree in Bloom

Reduce Cooling Costs with Trees

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There are a couple of good reasons to do what you can to reduce your cooling costs during the summer months. Reducing cooling costs with trees is a very possible reality! It’s not only good for your bank account — it’s good for the environment. The less time you spend running your air conditioning, the fewer fossil fuels are being burned, meaning you’re leaving a smaller carbon footprint. Planting trees near and around your home is a great way to help reduce cooling costs.

Trees provide shade, keeping the sun’s warming rays from shining through your windows. To make the most of shade from trees, plant on the south and west side of your home. Choose trees that will lose their leaves in the winter, giving you the added benefit of letting the sun help warm your home during the coldest months. The large, leafy crowns of trees which shade your roof provide a lot of relief from summer heat.

You can also help keep your home cool by planting trees and shrubs that will shade surfaces such as driveways, sidewalks, and patios. These surfaces absorb and radiate heat. Imagine your patio gradually becoming a heater during the day, radiating warm air right up to your windows. By shading these areas, you help reduce the heat your home is exposed to, letting you use less energy to regulate the temperature inside your home.

Take the guesswork out of planting trees to reduce cooling costs by consulting a professional. We will be happy to evaluate your home, property, and existing landscape to offer advice on placement and species of trees to best shade your home.

Horticultural Oils

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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.

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.

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:

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:

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.

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.

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!