Tag Archives: westchester tree life arborist

Ecological Benefits of Trees

The ecological benefits of trees are all around us . . .literally! They affect the air we breathe, the soil we stand on and grow our food in, the wood we build our homes with, the water we drink, the sun that shines on us, and even our minds on a psychological level.

Can you imagine living in a world without any trees? Well luckily you won’t have to, because without them we actually wouldn’t survive. Trees absorb the CO2 that we breathe out, and release the oxygen that we breathe in.

Trees also help the soil too. Trees use soil to grow their roots into, which in turn holds the soil in place. Without roots holding the soil, rain or hills would cause the soil to erode.

Ever sit under a tree for some shade on a hot summer day? Trees are great for providing shade, whether its for one person, or a whole house! Having tall, leafy trees around your house can block out a lot of the sun, and thus keeping your house cool without the use of an expensive air conditioner!

So many of the fruits we eat come from trees. Apples, pears, peaches, lemons, oranges, you name it! And it’s not just food that we humans eat, many animals and birds get their food from trees as well.

Sometimes trees just make us feel good. Whether we realize it or not, our brains just like to see trees. Studies show that trees can make us feel more calm and focused, as well as less violent.

We at Westchester Tree would love to help you take care of your trees so they can continue to provide you with these benefits, so give us a call at (914)238-0069 or visit our website to learn more.

Dutch Elm Disease

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Elm trees are a great, beautiful variety of tree, but they’re vulnerable to something called Dutch Elm Disease which can cause unsightly patches on the tree, or even tree death.

Dutch Elm Disease is due to a fungus spread by the elm bark beetle, and is not limited to just any one kind of elm tree. Once a tree catches Dutch Elm Disease, the tree tries to block the affected area from spreading the fungus, but this process also cuts off parts of the tree from receiving water and nutrients, which slowly kills the tree. The disease originated in Asia, but has since spread to North America, Europe, as well as New Zealand due to the spread of the beetles that carry it.

So what are some symptoms of Dutch Elm Disease, and how can you prevent your elms from the disease altogether? The first sign that a tree may have become affected might be a barren branch or a branch with yellowing leaves towards the top of the tree during the summer or other times when leaves would not normally be turning their fall colors. This will spread throughout the rest of the branches and eventually reach the roots, which kills the entire tree.

If you can get diseased branches pruned from the rest of the tree before the fungus spreads, you may be able to save the rest of the tree. Don’t forget to burn any affected branches after they are removed so they don’t accidentally infect anything else.

If you think you have an elm tree that is being affected by Dutch Elm Disease and would like help containing the damage or removing the tree if too much damage is already done, contact us at here on our website, or call us at (914)238-0069

The Sugar Maple

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The Sugar Maple, also known as Acer saccharum, is a beautiful addition to any yard! Sugar Maples are known for their bright, eye-catching foliage during Autumn, especially in New England, and are one of the largest trees in the hardwoods family!

Sugar Maple trees flourish in cool, moist climates, and are able to grow on sands, loamy sands, loams, and silt loams, but does best when planted on well-drained loams! A loam is defined as a fertile soil of clay and sand containing humus. Sugar Maple trees tend to do best when placed in an environment with abundant organic matter.

Sugar Maple Forest Westchester Tree Life

Image Courtesy of http://www.nhdfl.org

Why are Sugar Maple trees an ideal choice for your yard? The Sugar Maple is a tree that continues to grow up to 148 ft., and has wide, dense leaf coverage which offers a great amount of privacy. Consider planting a string of Sugar Maple trees instead of a fence, when considering privacy options for your residence or business. The large, looming Sugar Maple tree also offers cover from direct sunlight, and a windbreak, which are factors that play into the cost of your home or business’ heating and cooling bills.

Spring Grove Nursery Westchester Tree Life

Image Courtesy of springgrovenursery.com

The resilient Sugar Maple Tree is a fantastic option when considering what trees to plant on your business or home property!

Never Move Firewood

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As winter approaches, so does the season for bonfires and warming up with indoor fireplaces. This time of year, it is important for us to stress that you never move firewood. What are the effects of moving firewood? How can this be damaging to your surrounding trees and wildlife? We will answer all of those questions and more in this concise mini-article.

Image Courtesy of www.lenexa.com

The “Never Move Firewood” rule began as a result of the damaging effects brought on by the Emerald Ash Borer beetle, or the EAB. The EAB is an invasive bug, small enough to fit on the head of a penny, and difficult to track and detect in nature. When you move firewood, you are transporting the EAB beetle, therefore spreading it in new regions, ultimately endangering more trees.

The larvae of the EAB beetle tunnels under the bark of the tree, disrupting the tree’s system of transporting food and water; this starves and eventually kills the tree. Tens of millions of trees have died due to the effects of the EAB beetle, which can now be found in various states, such as New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and many more.

To prevent the transfer of the EAB beetle and further damage to our trees, we ask that you burn local firewood, versus purchasing wood which has been transported from another area. Another great way to prevent the transfer of this invasive insect, is to purchase kiln-dried firewood!

Stay tuned for more seasonal tips regarding the health of your trees!

Pruning Trees 101

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Pruning Trees 101 is a condensed guide to help you understand the needs of your tree while pruning your tree properly.

Why Prune Your Tree

One of the most common procedures for caring your your tree, is pruning. Pruning is the process by which superfluous branches and twigs are removed from the tree. While pruning your tree, it is vital to keep in mind that each removal must have a cause; unnecessary or improper trimming can result in the growth change of your tree!

Pruning Westchester Tree Life

Common reasons for pruning are to improve the tree’s form, remove dead branches, and reduce risk. When properly pruned, your tree may gain increased light and air penetration to the inside of the tree’s crown and the landscape below!

When to Prune Your Tree

Photo Courtesy of www.citytrees.org

Routine pruning of your tree can take place during any season, with little to no effect on the tree. Ideally, growth and wound closure are maximized if the pruning takes place before spring’s growth flush.

Avoid heavy pruning of the tree’s “live tissue” just after the spring growth period to avoid stress on the tree. After spring growth the tree has just exhausted energy to produce new leaves and early shoot growth; the healing process after this period will be slower.

Pruning Young Trees Vs. Pruning Mature Trees

Pruning must be done with an understanding of tree biology. Westchester Tree Life’s professional staff of arborists are trained in the proper procedure of tree pruning, and can ensure that your tree is being pruned in the best way possible. Ensuring that your young tree is properly pruned is vital in setting it up for a long, healthy life; properly maintaining your mature tree is just as important.

By properly pruning your young tree from the beginning, you are setting it up to grow with a strong structure and desirable form. Young trees which receive proper pruning will require less corrective pruning when they are older. The goal in training your young tree is to establish a strong central trunk with sturdy branches which are well spaced. Remember that poor pruning can cause lasting damage to a tree!

Making the Cut

When making the cut we cannot stress enough how important it is to have a reason for cutting. Improper cutting can result in the tearing of bark.

To prune your tree, you will need hand pruners, lopping shears, and a pruning saw; be sure to use tools which are sharp and clean. Do not use hedge shears to prune your tree. Once you have evaluated which branches need to be removed, be sure to make your pruning cuts just outside the branch collar. The branch collar contains trunk tissue that should not be damaged or removed.

If you are removing a large tree limb, reduce the weight first. Before you begin cutting, mark an undercut about 12 to 18 inches from the limb’s point of attachment; make another mark to cut a few inches farther out atop the branch. Afterward, remove the stub of the tree limb by cutting back to the branch collar.

Once again, we stress that the improper pruning of both young and mature trees can result in the stress and damage of your tree. If you are unsure how to properly prune your tree, call Westchester Tree Life at (914) 238-0069.