August 26th, 2010
Congratulations to Mr. & Mrs. Nordyke of New Berlin. They are the seventh of our year long monthly contest winners in our 75th Anniversary celebration. Our Plant Health Care applicators were at the Nordyke property in July to apply the last of 2 treatments to their 8 Austrian Pines to help control Dothistroma/Sphaeropsis diseases. We have been helping Mr. and Mrs. Nordyke care for their property since 2007 and look forward to our next visit to check the progress of our programs. They will be receiving a $75 gift certificate to Johnson’s Nursery at the following locations:
W180 N6275 Marcy Rd in Menomonee Falls or Johnson’s Gardens at 8504 Hwy 60 in Cedarburg. If you have never been to Johnson’s they have a wide selection of trees, shrubs and flowers at both locations. As a reminder; we enter your name in our monthly drawing each time we perform a service at your home during the month.
Our prize for August is a selection of autographed books written by a friend of our company, Melinda Myers. An expert horticulturist that you may have seen on TV or heard on the radio, Melinda is known through out Wisconsin and the Midwest. Learn more about Melinda on her website.
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August 5th, 2010
Heat Stress
This has been a tough summer for trees. The extended periods of extreme heat that we have experienced this year have stressed some trees and made them more susceptible to problems.
High temperatures can have a detrimental effect on trees growing in tough sites or those with damaged vascular systems. Trees cool themselves through transpiration, a process where water is released from the leaves as water vapor. This is similar to the way we transpire water to cool our bodies when we sweat. As temperatures rise, water vapor is released through small pores in leaf surfaces. Even though trees have mechanisms to regulate water loss, water can evaporate from the leaves faster than it can be replaced. Even with sufficient soil moisture, trees and shrubs with limited/unhealthy root systems can struggle to move enough water. Lack of available water to trees and shrubs in hot areas often results in scorched, dead or wilted leaves.
Fall tree care will be very helpful this year. A great deal of root growth occurs in the fall. Practices that promote root development will go a long way to protecting their long-term health. Help your trees begin to recover as they head into winter. Call our office today to schedule a property tour.
Submitted by Jeff Wilson
Certified Arborist #IL0099A
Wachtel Tree Science
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July 30th, 2010
Trees keep our air supply fresh by absorbing carbon dioxide and producing oxygen.
In one year, an acre of trees can absorb as much carbon as is produced by a car driven up to 8700 miles.
Trees provide shade and shelter, reducing yearly heating and cooling costs by 2.1 billion dollars.
Trees lower air temperature by evaporating water in their leaves.
The average tree in metropolitan area survives only about 8 years!
A tree does not reach its most productive stage of carbon storage for about 10 years.
Trees cut down noise pollution by acting as sound barriers.
Tree roots stabilize the soil and prevent erosion.
Trees improve water quality by slowing and filtering rain water as well as protecting aquifers and watersheds.
Trees provide protection from downward fall of rain, sleet, and hail as well as reduce storm run-off and the possibility of flooding,
Trees provide food and shelter for wildlife.
Trees located along streets act as a glare and reflection control.
The death of one 70-year old tree would return over three tons of carbon to the atmosphere.
Submitted by Jeff Wilson
Certified Arborist #IL0099A
Wachtel Tree Science
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July 23rd, 2010
Homeowners and businesses investments in tree installations can reduce nearby noise 50% percent and site temperatures by as much as 9 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and American Forests, a nonprofit conservation organization.
99 out of 100 appraisers agree attractive landscaping increases the speed of home sales according to a survey conducted by the Society of Real Estate Appraisers.
Submitted by Jeff Wilson
Certified Arborist #IL0099A
Wachtel Tree Science
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July 19th, 2010
Almost all types of viburnums have become susceptible to viburnum borer. This insect tunnels into the stems at, or slightly below ground level. Look for damage in this area. Stressed plants are more likely to become infested. Water properly to avoid drought stress and renewal prune if appropriate to keep plants vigorous. Symptoms may be a curling and stunting of leaves and premature fall color, as well as dieback of some portions of the plant. Insecticide treatments require multiple applications are warranted only on high value plants.
By Jean Ferdinandsen
Wachtel Tree Science
Certified Arborist # WI0149A
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July 12th, 2010
Because these obnoxious, metallic green and brown beetles feed on over 250 different species of plants (roses, lindens and maples are favored), high expectations are given to traps to help save the day. Japanese beetle traps are very effective in attracting and trapping adult Japanese beetles, but they are ineffective in protecting your susceptible trees and shrubs from Japanese beetle feeding damage.
This seemingly contradictory answer requires an explanation. Japanese beetle traps, sold at most garden center outlets, usually contain two separate, chemical lures. One lure is a feeding attractant that attracts both male and female beetles. The second lure is a pheromone that attracts male beetles. These lures work very well in attracting hundreds, even thousands of adult beetles toward the trap.
Therein lies the problem. Many adult beetles are attracted into the area around the trap, but they do not necessarily get caught inside the trap. Susceptible plant species located nearby can be more heavily damaged than if the traps were not used at all. This can be true even if the trap is full of captured adults.
If you would like to experiment with Japanese beetle traps, be sure to locate them as far away as possible from the plants you are trying to protect. Placing a trap in the middle of your rose garden, for example, is just asking for trouble.
We have more than one treatment available to help control this destructive pest in your yard. Call our office at 262-538-1900 to schedule a visit by your Arborist.
Submitted By: Jeff Wilson: Certified Arborist #IL0099a Wachtel Tree Science
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July 8th, 2010
Congratulations the Tess family of Brookfield. The Tess’s are the sixth of our year long monthly contest winners in our 75th Anniversary celebration. Our Plant Health Care applicators were at the Tess property on two occasions during the month of June. Applications were applied to help control Fletcher scale on Arborvitae and Needlecast on Colorado Spruce. We have been helping Mr. and Mrs. Tess care for their property for a number of years and look forward to our next visit to check the progress of our programs.
Our prize for the Tess’s is a selection of autographed books written by a friend of our company Melinda Myers. Melinda is well known through out Wisconsin and the Midwest as an expert horticulturist that you may have seen on the TV or heard on the radio. Learn more about Melinda on her website.
As a reminder; we enter your name in our monthly drawing each time we perform a service at your home during the month.
The prize for July is a $75 gift certificate to Johnson’s Nursery at W180 N6275 Marcy Rd in Menomonee Falls or to Johnson’s Gardens at 8504 Hwy 60 in Cedarburg. If you have never been to Johnson’s they have a wide selection of trees, shrubs and flowers at both locations.
Submitted By: Jeff Wilson: Certified Arborist #IL0099a Wachtel Tree Science
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July 8th, 2010
Congratulations to Sarah and Michael Gilman of Mequon. The Gilman’s are the fifth of our year long monthly contest winners in our 75th Anniversary celebration. Our Plant Health Care applicators were at the Gilman’s property on two occasions during the month of May. Wachtel Tree Science has been caring for the Gilman’s trees for a number of years and we look forward to continuing to help keep the property looking great!
Our prize for Sarah and Michael is a $75.00 gift certificate to Minor’s Garden Center located at 777 N. 76 St. in Milwaukee.
As a reminder; we enter your name in our monthly drawing each time we perform a service at your home during the month.
The prize for our June drawing will be a selection of autographed books written by a friend of our company Melinda Myers. Melinda is well known through out Wisconsin and the Midwest as an expert horticulturist that you may have seen on the TV or heard on the radio. Learn more about Melinda at: www.melindamyers.com
Submitted By: Jeff Wilson: Certified Arborist #IL0099a Wachtel Tree Science
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July 6th, 2010
We are celebrating our 75th year in business with a monthly drawing and have had 5 winners so far this year. To become a winner you must have at least one service performed at you home or business during the month. Your name is then entered in a drawing where we pick a winner at the end of each month. You name is entered every time we are on your property, even if it’s more than one time in a month. You can read more about the winners and the gifts they received at http://blog.healthytrees.com/ . Our contest will continue through the end of 2010…….Good luck!
Submitted By: Jeff Wilson: Certified Arborist #IL0099a Wachtel Tree Science
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June 3rd, 2010
There may be three opportunities for the BugBarrier Tree Band to stop gypsy moth and interrupt its lifecycle. It can be applied anytime from early spring through mid summer. After Labor Day, however, it should be removed and a new band applied the following spring.
1) BugBarrier Tree Band applied in spring (by late April) is a protective measure to stop young larvae hatched in the lower part of the tree, or in nearby areas, from climbing up to feed on the foliage of uninfested trees.
2) In the summer, during their period of peak feeding activity, gypsy moth caterpillars take frequent trips (sometimes daily) down the trunk to spend the heat of the day in the cooler understory. They then crawl back up in the evening. These larvae are able to cross down over BugBarrier Tree Band to reach the ground but cannot cross the band to get back into the canopy, thereby reducing infestation levels and tree defoliation.
3) The third opportunity to stop gypsy moth is in mid to late July. The band will stop egg-laden female adults from climbing the tree. It won’t stop them from laying eggs. They will lay them wherever they happen to be. But, this may help concentrate egg masses below the band, making it easier to identify them, scrape them from the bark and destroy them before they can hatch.
Submitted By: Jeff Wilson: Certified Arborist #IL0099a Wachtel Tree Science
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