Tag Archives: westchester county 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.

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.

Winter Storm Prep

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Are you prepared for winter to hit Westchester county? Stress less this winter with our winter storm prep tips. To prepare for winter weather before any storm hits, request a consultation from Westchester county arborists, Westchester Tree Life online here.

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Schedule Your Consultation

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

Prevent winter storm damage with an assessment from a professional arborist! Our team is ISA-certified and knows what to look for to ensure your trees are healthy and secure for the upcoming season. If you are unsure whether your trees can withstand this winter, call Westchester Tree Life today at (914) 238-0069.

Fallen Tree Branches

Storm damage via CBS Sacramento

Heavy snow can stress weak tree branches to the point of snapping and falling on powerlines, a car, house or garage. Damage from a fallen tree branch can be lethal; keep your Westchester residence safe and secure by checking before the winter weather hits. Make sure your weak tree branches are properly cared for with help from Westchester Tree Life!

Power Line Safety

Jay Ericson clears snow of branches weighing down on power lines at his home
via Daily Mail

Strong winds, heavy snow and other harsh winter storm conditions can leave your powerlines susceptible to tree damage. Removing leaning trees and brittle branches close to powerlines is a responsible way to make sure your Westchester home is safe for winter 2016.

Emergency Tree Care in Westchester County

High winds, heavy snow or ice, and lightning can cause serious damage to your property. When Mother Nature leaves her mark in the way of fallen branches, downed trees, or any hazardous limbs hanging precariously over walkways, cars or your home, call Westchester Tree Life for prompt service. We also have emergency 24 hour service available.

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.

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.

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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.

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.

Cicadas Arrive in Westchester County

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The sound of summer is coming back! Summer 2016 is going to be the first time in 17 years that cicadas arrive in Westchester County, New York and the rest of the Northeast. Though these creepy crawlers are alarming-looking up close, they pose no direct threat to humans. Here are some fun facts about cicadas.

via themarysue.com

Cicadas: FAQ

A cicada’s mating call can be alarming, especially when amplified from a large quantity. The cicadas which will emerge this summer are of the genus Magicicada; these bugs are limited to North America’s eastern region, and have many mysteries surrounding their life cycle.

Cicadas Summer 2016 Westchester Tree Life

via dailymail.co.uk

Due to their similar appearance and overwhelming quantities, cicadas are often mistaken for locusts, which they are not related to. You can differentiate between the two by taking a glance at the insect’s legs! This graphic from Buzzle shows that while cicadas have short legs and long wings, locusts have short wings but distinctly long legs, which are built for jumping!

via buzzle.com

Despite their alien-like appearance, cicadas are not harmful to humans, and do not bite or sting, and don’t carry diseases. Cicadas are herbivores whose main goal is to mate and lay eggs!

A female cicada lays eggs.

The only threat cicadas pose is to trees. After the mating ritual is complete, female cicadas excavate a series of Y-shaped “eggnests” in living twigs before laying up to twenty eggs in each nest. One female cicada can lay as many as 600 eggs!

Mating Rituals

Cicada Westchester Tree Life Tree Care New York

Taken in May of 2004, in Severn, Maryland

When deciphering a female cicada from a male cicada, be sure to look at the size. Male cicadas are larger, and if you were to view the underbelly of a male and female cicada side by side, you would see this:

Female Cicadas Male Cicadas Westchester Tree Life

Cicadas emerge from the ground during their final molt. During this time they amass in large groups to sing their mating song, which can be compared to a buzzing or whirring noise. These loud mating calls, or aggregations can reach up to 100 decibels.

Two cicadas mating after a mating call proves successful.

Interested in more about the Magicicada? Click here!

What to Do After Severe Storm Damage

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What to Do After Severe Storm Damage

Information cited from treesaregood.com; view the entire article here.

Our 24-Hour Emergency Tree Service is here for you this winter!

New York’s winter storms can be severe; prepare for winter storm damage in Westchester County with help from Westchester Tree Life!

Winter storm damage in Westchester County can leave a lasting impact on your home and property. From strong winds to heavy snow and ice, winter storm damage can uproot trees, split branches and more. What should you do once storm damage strikes? Follow these 4 easy-to-remember steps:

Visually Assess the Damage – Are the major limbs still remaining and the trunk unbroken? Are at least 50 percent of the tree’s branches intact? If you have answered yes to either of these, there is a good chance for recovery.
Take Safety Precautions – Realize the serious potential dangers of storm damage. For example, take the possibility of storm damaged trees touching live electrical wires, which can result in electrocution. Broken or dangling limbs may result in overhead death, trees and limbs under tension may react unexpectedly when cut. All of these scenarios and more are vital when reviewing storm damage.
Resist the Urge to Do It Yourself – Are large limbs broken or dangling? Immediately call Westchester Tree Life at (914) 238-0069! Our team is ISA Certified to deal with dangerous situations!
Hire an ISA Certified Arborist – Westchester Tree Life is just a phone call away at (914) 238-0069!

To request a consultation online, click here.

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.

All About Conifers

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Conifers are a common plant which can be found across the globe. Characterized by their unusual needle-like “leaves” and cones, conifers are easy to identify. If you were to take a quick glance into a wooded area, you would most likely see various conifers, which have also survived the Jurassic period.

Leaf Structure

Conifer Leaf Shapes Westchester Tree Life

via ext.colostate.edu

Conifers can be identified by one of their three different leaf structures. The Pinaceae family which includes pine, spruce and fir trees grow needle-like leaves, while conifers of the Cupressaceae family (such as junipers and arborvitaes) grow scale-like leaves. Lastly the Taxaceae family has a flat, feather-like leaf structure.

via slideshare.net

A Conifer’s Cones

via stillblog.net

The word “conifer” means cone bearing. Within a conifer’s cones lies the secret for conifer reproduction.

Conifer Life Cycle Westchester Tree Life

via boundless.com

While other plants produce flowers, conifers produce cones. A single conifer produces both the male and female cones necessary for reproduction. Male cones produce pollen while female cones contain seeds necessary for reproduction hidden between the female cone’s scales.

A row of young conifers stand in front of a more mature conifer forest; via edbookphoto.photoshelter.com

The 5 Layers of a Tree Trunk

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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!

Evergreen Tree Care

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Evergreen trees are not only a beautiful addition to your Westchester residence, they can provide year-round privacy if strategically planted as well! We’re going to review basic evergreen tree care as well as discuss the benefits of this beautiful conifer.

These beautiful evergreens have been around for a while!

Selecting the Perfect Evergreen Tree

Choosing the perfect evergreen tree for your home begins with a healthy root system. Because the root system is the tree’s main source for collecting and dispersing nutrients and water to the tree, it is vital to have a healthy root system.

Growth Rate

Evergreen Tree Growth Example Westchester Tree Life

An example of one evergreen’s growth rate

Once planted, a healthy evergreen tree can grow anywhere from 8-16 inches per year, though your evergreen tree may grow less the first year. During the first year, your evergreen is establishing it’s root system into the newly introduced ground. If you selected a healthy evergreen tree, your tree will have a healthy growth rate.

Protecting Your Evergreen

Westchester county’s tree care experts are here to keep your evergreens safe and healthy!

When food is scarce, deer, moles, and mice will eat any vegetation they can find, including your evergreen’s new growth. Moles and mice attack from underground, eating the root system of your tree. To protect your trees against deer, call Westchester Tree Life! We can assess your trees and landscape and provide solutions to keep your trees healthy.

Make sure your evergreen trees are ready to take on winter 2015 with the help of Westchester Tree Life! Call (914) 238-0069 to make an appointment with a tree care professional today.