Buying a New House? Get the Trees Inspected First!

What are you looking for in your next house? Updated flooring, spacious closets, good gutters, a reliable roof, and attractive, mature trees are common features you may be looking for.

But about those trees--have you thought about getting them inspected before signing on the dotted line? Home inspections are standard fare these days, but what about tree inspections?

Sick trees--a disaster waiting to happen!

That big, beautiful tree in the yard of your dream home might be hiding some big problems that could end up costing you thousands of dollars and a lot of pain later. A tree professional can evaluate the shrubs and trees on a property to evaluate…

• Structural integrity
• Dead or dying limbs
• Diseases, infestations, fungi, rot
• Root health

But wait, there’s more…

Even if the trees on a property are healthy now, they could still prove problematic later. Some additional questions a tree professional can answer include:

“Is this tree or shrub species native to this region?” 

If not, the plant could compete with your other landscape for nutrition and light.

“Will this shrub or tree become too big for this space?” 

As a tree or shrub matures, it could cause problems for your house, sidewalk, driveway, or other parts of your landscaping.

“Is this shrub or tree too close to the house?” 

If planted too close to the house, certain trees and shrubs can create too much shade, damage the house’s foundation, or drop large branches directly on the house.

Here’s what you can do

As you search for your next home, take some time to look at the shrubs and trees on the property. Think you’ve found your dream house? Schedule a regular home inspection. Then call Schneider Shrub & Tree Care to schedule an evaluation of the shrubs and trees on the property so that you don’t have surprises later!

How (And Why) to Mulch Around Your Shrubs and Trees

Did you know that something as simple as mulching your shrubs and trees can promote plant health, help ward off diseases and pests, and minimize stress?

Why you should mulch

Mulch isn’t just for making your landscaping look nice. (Though it does that, too!)
Trees growing in an urban (or even suburban) environment have a much shorter life expectancy than trees growing in a natural environment. Various stress factors make urban trees more vulnerable to pests, diseases, and root damage.

Used alongside other plant health strategies, mulching around your shrubs and your trees brings these benefits:

• Enhances root growth
• Regulates soil temperature during hot and cold months
• Retains moisture
• Provides a buffer space to prevent damage from lawnmowers
• Reduces the risk of soil compaction

How to mulch around your shrubs and trees

With all those benefits in mind, you’re probably feeling ready to go lay some mulch! But before you go overboard, here’s how to do it right:

1. Type of mulchUse natural mulch, such as wood or bark chips. Organic matter helps condition your soil by adding nutrients and reducing soil compaction. Add some compost to the mix and your plants will be well fed!
   
2. Distance from your tree“Volcano mulching,” or piling the mulch too high and too close to your tree’s trunk, can actually harm your tree instead of help it. Tree bark decay, burrowing pests, fungi, and circling roots all result from improper mulching. Keep the mulch about 4-6 inches away from the trunk of your tree or shrub.
   
3. Layer it 2-4 inchesJust as mulching too close to your tree can cause harm, mulching too thinly or too thickly can cause problems, too. Keep your layer of mulch between 2-4 inches thick. This will allow your tree to absorb enough moisture but also have enough oxygen to keep the roots happy.

Care for your shrubs and trees by mulching properly. You’ll receive happy, healthy plants as a result. If you’d like to know more about mulching around your trees and shrubs or about other ways you can promote healthy plants on your property, call your local Schneider Shrub & Tree Care and we’d be happy to help you learn how to care for your plants.

Combatting Fall Cankerworms

Though trees seem solid and resilient, trees can succumb to a number of pests. From aphids to southern pine beetles, pests can weaken trees and destroy entire gardens. Shrubs and trees in an urban environment are particularly vulnerable to pests and diseases. Perhaps one of the most underrated, yet most destructive, pests is the fall cankerworm.

What are cankerworms?

Fall cankerworms (also known as looper worms) get their name from their life cycle. Having been laid in the fall, their eggs hatch in late spring. This pest immediately starts devouring buds and young leaves, transforming trees into wooden skeletons.

Warning signs of fall cankerworms

Fall cankerworms will first start dropping onto your car, patio table, or sidewalk. If you spot green-brownish worms with stripes on their backs, watch out. These worms eat the foliage of maple, hickory, and other hardwood trees. If you notice leaves getting holes and ragged edges, then it’s possible the fall cankerworm pest has hit your trees.

How fall cankerworms can harm trees

Fall cankerworms don’t just make your trees look ugly by devouring their leaves and buds. These worms rob trees of their energy sources and vitality. Without leaves—where photosynthesis happens—trees will starve. As a result, your trees will become weak and vulnerable to disease.

How to get rid of fall cankerworms

Call the professionals if fall cankerworms have infested your trees and shrubs. Our most effective method to prevent fall cankerworm pests at Schneider Shrub and Tree Care consists in tree banding. We wrap bands covered with a sticky substance around tree trunks. The sticky bands trap moths when they’re climbing up to lay their eggs.

Aside from periodic checks to ensure the bands remain debris-free, this method costs less than using insecticide, which requires multiple applications each week.

Insect pests like fall cankerworms aren’t the only things that can pose a threat to the health of your shrubs and trees. Diseases and malnutrition can harm your shrubs and trees just as much as an army of ravenous fall cankerworms. Schneider Shrub and Tree Care offers a three-tier healthcare program that’ll help your plants resist pests and thrive for years to come.

Top 5 Shrub & Tree Care Services in the Upstate

Your shrubs and trees are the most valuable part of your landscaping, so it only makes sense to hire only the best tree care professionals. We’ve rounded up the top five shrub and tree care companies in Upstate South Carolina.

1. Smith Tree Service LLC

Smith Tree Service LLC offers the full range of tree services. Not only do they diagnose and treat shrub and tree pests and diseases, they also offer pruning and tree removal services. They have been in business since 2002 and have built a glowing reputation for themselves. Their average rating is 5 stars on Google and 4.9 stars on HomeAdvisor.com.

2. Plant and Tree Solutions

Plant and Tree Solutions is a horticultural consulting and plant health care company. They are ISA Certified Arborists who are equipped to care for all the plants in your residential or commercial landscaping. Additionally, they offer organic mosquito and biting insect control. Andrew Long, the owner and operator, has over 18 years of arboriculture and horticulture business experience. They average 4.7 stars on Google and 5 stars on Facebook.

3. Greentree Doctor

Greentree Doctor is 30 years strong in the shrub and tree care industry! They have a 5-tier treatment program that carefully diagnoses, treats, and monitors shrub and tree health. The founder, Randy Cyr, is the Upstate’s first board certified Master Arborist. His mindset of “responsible arboriculture” has set Greentree’s services apart from other shrub and tree care companies. They have an average rating of 4.9 on Google.

4. Arbor Master Tree Care

Arbor Master Tree Care is another full service shrub and tree care company that has been serving the Upstate since 2007. They offer both tree preservation and removal services so that you don’t have to worry about finding another company to get the service you need. They also offer mosquito and pest control. Arbor Master focuses on tree preservation and strive to save a tree if possible instead of just cutting it down. They have high ratings on Google (4.7 stars), Facebook (4.6), and Angie’s List (A rating).

5. The City Arborist

The City Arborist offers full tree and shrub service, including pest and disease control, pruning, removal, lightning protection, hazard assessments, and tree lighting installation. Shrubs and trees in an urban environment are at a higher risk for pests, disease. Increased environmental stressors like pollution, construction, and soil compaction require that your trees and shrubs receive specialized care. The City Arborist team specializes in helping urban landscapes thrive despite multiple stressors. They have excellent ratings on Google (4.6 stars), Facebook (5 stars), Thumbtack (5 stars), and Better Business Bureau (A+).

Do you have experience working with any of these shrub and tree care companies? Are there any companies you think should be included on this list? Leave us a comment below. We’d love to hear from you!

4 Things to Remember About Poison Ivy

Poison ivy--a common yard fiend. If you’ve done a lot of yard work, you’ve probably encountered poison ivy. And maybe you’ve even suffered a rash despite your best efforts to avoid it! Here are four things to remember as you look out for poison ivy in your yard:

1. Poison ivy takes different forms.

People typically think of looking for poison ivy near the ground, but did you know it can also grow as a vine on your trees or even in a shrub-like form?

2. Protect yourself from poison ivy exposure.

Wear long sleeves, long pants, and heavy-duty gloves that can either be disposed of or thrown into the wash immediately. When pulling up poison ivy by hand, encase your gloved hand in a plastic bag. Be aware that even dead poison ivy can affect you.

3. Never burn poison ivy.

Burning poison ivy releases its toxins in the air, which will cause the rash to form in the lining of your lungs! That’s even worse than a rash on the outside of your body!

4. Wash all yard tools thoroughly.

Wash any tools like pruners or spades very thoroughly with soap and water after using them around poison ivy. This will help prevent spreading the poison.

But don’t just spray poison ivy killer all over your yard!

You might feel more comfortable spraying the poison ivy with chemical herbicides instead of pulling it up by hand and risking a rash. But be careful! Poison ivy killer can also kill the plants you want to keep--including your shrubs and trees! Some poison ivy can even climb high into your trees, causing removal to be much more complicated.

Do you have poison ivy taking over part of your yard or even some of your shrubs or trees? Are you nervous about removing poison ivy yourself and even risking the health of your other plants? Give Schneider Shrub & Tree Care a call at 844-260-0303, and we’ll be glad to help you take back your yard from poison ivy.

When Nature Strikes

 Tree Care After the Storm

For much of the southeast, Hurricane Irma has come and gone and left a path of flooding and damage. Other than flood waters, hurricanes bring with them extremely strong, damaging winds. Extreme winds can be one of the most damaging external forces a tree can face. Trees with defects or issues will become very apparent during a storm event like a hurricane.Unfortunately, if you have a tree that has failed completely, either at the roots or somewhere on the trunk, it is very unlikely that it can be saved. If you have trees that have broken branches or lots of deadwood hanging in the canopy, you need to take some steps to make sure your trees can recover and stay safe.
Unfortunately, if you have a tree that has failed completely, either at the roots or somewhere on the trunk, it is very unlikely that it can be saved. If you have trees that have broken branches or lots of deadwood hanging in the canopy, you need to take some steps to make sure your trees can recover and stay safe.

Assessing the Damage

First, call your arborist to evaluate your trees. A tree evaluation by a professional arborist will include a visual assessment of the root zone, the trunk, the crown, as well as branches and leaves. The arborist will look for soil that looks like it is heaving or moving, indicating that the root zone may be compromised. They will also check the trunk and crown for visual defects like cracks or broken hanging limbs. These are all crucial for keeping your trees safe.

Restorative Tree Pruning

Second, if your tree does have some damage, some restorative pruning may need to be performed on the tree. Pruning a tree to remove broken and split branches will help the tree recover and close those wounds. Open wounds on a tree can let in damaging insects and diseases. Pruning quickly after an event like this is crucial for keeping your tree as healthy as possible.

Tree and Shrub Programs

Lastly, talk to your arborist about putting all your trees and shrubs on a program. Our programs will keep your trees and shrubs as healthy as possible. Keeping your trees and shrubs healthy will help them withstand attacks from insects and diseases, as well as recover from other stresses like storm damage. A tree and shrub program is one of the most important steps to take if you love your trees and shrubs

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Call us today to set up an appointment with your arborist.

There's A Fungus Among Us

What is ‘Black Knot’?

Check this out! One of our technicians brought in a branch this week with a strange bulbous-looking fungus growing on it; have you ever seen anything like it?

Our technician explained that it is called “Black Knot,” a disease that commonly affects Cherry and Plum trees. It is caused by a fungus that will infect the wood on twigs, branches, and stems. At first, the fungal spores will create light brown swellings; these swellings are not very noticeable, and will eventually turn green. In the last phase, the green will progressively get darker until it is black. It will harden and become rough, becoming a ‘black knot’ around the branch or stem. The disease doesn’t stop there! It will continue to grow and can begin to girdle the branches it rests upon. When girdling happens, the affected twigs are cut off from water and will eventually die.

Taking Action

Did you realize how serious a little fungus like this could be? While the fungus might not look too serious, it can girdle branches, cut them off from nutrients, and kill them. So, what action can be taken to prevent Black Knot from taking over and girdling affected tree branches?

This type of fungus will spread to other susceptible trees if given the chance. There are only a few ways to get control of this kind of disease:

• One way is to very carefully prune the affected branch or stem; cuts need to be made around 6-8 inches below the infected area. Not only that, but any equipment used to prune around the Black Knot will have to be sterilized after each cut so as not to spread the infection further.
• As a last resort, burning the affected branches or removing the entire tree can be used to control Black Knot.

We Can Help

The earlier our Arborists and technicians can pinpoint diseases like this, the faster we can implement services to control and combat them. Contact us today for a consultation with one of our certified tree service experts and make sure your trees and shrubs are healthy and well tended to.