Sunday, September 14, 2008

Bark Beetle Damage? Tree Services Austin

Bark beetles are a destructive presence among Central Texas trees. There are quite a few different varieties of these pests that can attack many different types of trees. Bark beetles will usually seek out trees that are already sick or injured. They can cause a rapid decline of a tree’s health and even contribute to its death. The bark beetle rarely kills a healthy tree.
Most bark beetles bore into the bark of the tree and get underneath to the inner bark. They cause tree frass, a fine dusty material, to form on the tree. You can usually see it when bark falls off, but sometimes you will see it externally between bark pieces. Some species of bark beetles will make little tunnels of frass on the tree that will be pink, brown or white. Other species will bore holes in the tree and you may notice sap seeping from the holes. Some bark beetles go in through the tip ends of branches and you may notice dead leaves at the ends of the branches.
A lot of bark beetles will attack from the top of the tree. You may notice a tree not doing well up high in the canopy. Dead leaves and limbs will start to form. Bark beetle activity not only affects the tree’s health, but bark beetles can also carry fungus spores from one tree to another. Dutch Elm disease can be spread from tree to tree by bark beetles. This can be devastating for an area and is one good reason that bark beetle infestations should be immediately taken care of. You may see fungal growth near the bases of limbs, notice wilted leaves, or a green tree will turn yellow out of season.
You may need to consult an arborist for bark beetle control. Sometimes infected trees need to be totally removed. A good arborist will determine if the problem can be controlled by only removing infested limbs. Other trees in the area may need to be sprayed to prevent bark beetles from infesting them as well.
Austin has an abundance of different tree species that can be prone to bark beetle invasions, including the ever-abundant cedar. Recognizing the signs of bark beetles early can help save not only the affected tree, but other trees in your area. You will need to contact an arborist at tree services Austin to take care of the problem.

About the Author: Andrew Johnson is the owner of Central Texas Tree Care, a leading tree service provider in Central Texas (Travis County and surrounding areas) offering services such as pruning and removals, cabling and bracing as well as arborist reports, diagnostics, pest management, fertilization and Austin tree service trusts. For more information please visit http://www.centraltexastreecare.com.

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Friday, August 15, 2008

Should I Hire an Arborist: Austin Tree Service

Hiring an arborist is a very good idea if you want to try to save a tree. An arborist will have the knowledge to help save a tree or tell you honestly if it must be removed. A regular tree trimming service or tree removal company may only be interested in the fee that they will receive for removing the tree. In today’s day and age, it is more important than ever to try to save the trees that we have. Hiring an arborist is the best way to ensure that you have done everything possible to save a tree.
An arborist is sometimes called a tree doctor or tree surgeon. Arborists are extensively trained in tree diseases, growth problems, insect control, and tree fungi. Arborists are equipped to manage and advise in the most complicated tree situations. Arborists are scientists with specific expertise in tree management.
There are many tree trimming and tree removal companies out there that do not hire a certified arborist to consult in their business. Certified arborists have a certification accredited by the International Society of Arboriculture. These people are dedicated to saving trees and doing everything possible to ensure that trees are not removed unless they absolutely need to be.
An arborist is also trained in the maintenance and care of other woody plants that may be a part of your landscaping. An arborist will have the knowledge to work on large areas of trees and give advice regarding the entire ecosystem of trees and wooded plants in a specific area. They are also extensively trained in transplanting trees safely. They will assist in the proper location and technique for planting new trees on your property, as well as what types of trees will do best in your area.
Arborists know how to treat different kinds of diseases, pests and parasites. An arborist is the best person you can hire for tree trimming or removal as well. Trimming involves a lot more than just sawing off unwanted limbs. The exact location of the cut and knowing exactly what limbs to cut to ensure the tree grows in the shape and direction that you desire, is something that an arborist can offer. This knowledge is specifically valuable in Austin, Texas where mature trees can be scarce and every effort to maintain and save them must be made. If you are looking for an Austin tree service to maintain and save your trees, be sure that they employ a certified arborist to do the job.

About the Author: Andrew Johnson is the owner of Central Texas Tree Care, a leading tree service provider in Central Texas (Travis County and surrounding areas) offering services such as pruning and removals, cabling and bracing as well as arborist reports, diagnostics, pest management, fertilization and Austin tree service trusts. For more information please visit http://www.centraltexastreecare.com.

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