Wachtel Tree Science

 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

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

Congratulations to Sarah and Michael Gilman of Mequon. The Gilman’s are the fifth of our year long monthly contest winners in our 75^th 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

We are celebrating our 75^th 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

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

You may have heard the phrase “the right tree for the right place.” But why is that important and what does it mean when choosing and planting a tree?

 Trees are long-term assets to your property. They cannot be easily moved like furniture or painted over when you’re tired of the color. They take many years to mature and removing an undesirable tree can be costly.  So it is best to consider and plan carefully.

 Several factors should be considered with your tree selection. Hardiness assures it will survive our Wisconsin winters. Heat tolerance indicates if trees are acclimated to our hot summers. The two factors together make sure the tree is suitable for our seasons and area.

 Your tree choice will be influenced by: its mature size; the level of maintenance required; the aesthetic or functional features of the tree and for how many seasons of the year; limiting insect or disease issues; and the life span of the tree (this can vary widely). The initial cost and size may be a factor. Always look for quality and value, not just price. It is best to purchase from a local reputable source. For some, whether the tree is native or potentially invasive are important factors (the two are not the same). And most of all, consider what you want.

 The planting site itself will help you define your selection choices. Some issues to consider are: How much space is available for both roots and the crown, now and at maturity? What is the soil type? How much moisture and light are available?

The tree you plant has a lot of potential. Some benefits of trees include seasonal temperature modification and evaporative cooling in summer. They provide shade and serve as windbreaks. Property values are increased and aesthetics improved. Undesirable views can be screened or assets enhanced. Air quality improves with tree cover. Trees can provide habitat for and attract wildlife if desired.

 With proper tree selection, benefits can be maximized. Match the tree’s needs with the site and your desires. This will minimize plant health issues and reduce maintenance costs that often require the expertise of a certified arborist.

Selecting and planting a tree(s) is something that we can do for our own future as well as that of our children and grandchildren. Plan carefully and think ahead. Planned replacement for trees that may be lost in the future makes a lot of sense. “Starter” trees can be put in before removing a tree to make the change less radical. New trees can be added as the site permits and you desire.

 If you are wondering what tree selection is appropriate for your immediate or future needs, the experts at Wacthel Tree Science can advise you, find your tree, and install it for you.

By: Jean Ferdinandsen Certified Arborist # WI-0149A

Congratulations to Bob Kraus of New Berlin. Bob is the fourth of our year long monthly contest winners in our 75^th Anniversary celebration.  One of our PHC applicators fertilized two spruce trees in his yard during April as part of a two part program to help control Needlecast, a harmful disease of Spruce trees. Our applicators will also be applying fungicide sprays to the spruces in the spring season as the second part of Bob’s program.      

The prize for April was 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.

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 May drawing will be a $75 gift certificate for Minor’s Garden Center located at 7777 N. 76th St in Milwaukee.

I read a couple of dozen trade and business journals a month.  I also have a file on my computer labeled, “Sayings.”  Whenever I read a one or two line quote that I feel has significance with respect to how I would like to manage my personal and/or business life, I add it to my Sayings list.

 Several months ago I added the following quote of Chris Coswell’s.  “With any service-oriented business, length in business is generally synonymous with quality of service:  the good companies survive while the bad ones fail.”  This struck a chord with me since Wachtel Tree Science & Service was founded in 1935 and is now in its 73^rd year.

 Last week as I was going through some old files I came across a few old Metro-Milwaukee Yellow Pages with notes on prices, ad size, etc.  I thought of Coswell’s quote and decided to examine the ads and see who was still in business.

 Under the heading of Tree Service there were 27 companies listed in the 1949 directory.  Of these twenty-seven companies, five are still in business today, 60 years later.  And of these five, three of them are mainly nursery/garden center type businesses today.  In 1949, Wachtel was the second to last in the listings.

 Move ahead to the 1960 yellow pages and there are 40 companies listed.  Of these forty, only the same five from 1949 are still around.  Wachtel is still the second to last listing.

 Ten years later in 1970 there are now 51 tree service companies listed in the Yellow Pages.  Of these, nine are in business today, with four of those being more nursery/garden center type businesses.  Wachtel is still the second to last listing.

 Last year there were 91 companies listed under Tree Service and we are now the seventh from the last listing.  When we are celebrating our 100^th anniversary in 2035, I wonder how many of these 91 companies will still be in business.  One thing is for sure; You can depend on us for quality and knowledgeable care of your trees.

Paul Markworth, Board Certified Master Arborist

Predicting the potential insect and disease problems for the coming year is a helpful tool that guides us in what to watch for. We pool our collective experiences and take our best guess. Here is what we will be looking for:

Insects:

Japanese Beetles: Their numbers will continue to increase over time! With all of the attention on EAB, this one will catch many people by surprise. This insect builds rapidly to very high numbers and can be a nuisance to people. In addition, they defoliate a wide range of plants. See our fall ‘08 issue on line at www.healthytrees.com. Watch for lacey looking leaves appearing during the summer.

Emerald Ash Borer (EAB): Many more discoveries are sure to come this year. We still could be a year or two away from starting to see a lot of dying ash but it is coming.

Two-line Chestnut Borer (oaks) and Ips Bark Beetles (conifers): These pests continue to affect a wide variety of trees. If you have been plagued with these in the past, be sure to keep up treatments to keep your trees vigorous.

Bronze Birch Borer: (a relative of EAB) be sure your birch is well watered (by you or nature) and call us if you see thinning or dieback in the crown.

Gypsy Moth: Our egg mass counts in general say numbers will continue low for 2010. There are higher counts in some areas and a few hot spots will be aerial treated by the state this year. Keep watching for early summer leaf damage. The numbers could build for 2011.

Diseases:

Sphaeropsis/Diplodia Tip Blight of Pine: This is continuing to be high. Watch for dying tips from this fungal stem canker. This disease can ruin a valuable landscape plant.

Needlecast disease in spruce and pines: Watch for older, interior needles browning or going off color. This can leave trees looking bare and devastate nice screen or specimen trees.

Apple Scab: Levels continue to run high creating spotting on leaves. If your tree is susceptible, it needs to be protected before the leaf disease starts or you can have a bare ugly tree by mid-summer.

Do not forget about other creatures. The long winter season and deep snow cover in most areas has created ideal conditions for rabbits and voles to do damage on thin bark trees and shrubs. I know since I have lost several plants in my yard to the rabbits this year!

The heavy snow also damaged tree branches. These need to be addressed for safety, health and appearance. A broken branch can be an invitation to more damage or a disease problem.

There is nothing like monitoring for problems to head off serious damage to valuable plants. With the above clues, you can catch a problem in the early stages. Call your Wachtel Tree Science Certified Arborist to help you keep your landscape healthy and beautiful.

We just uploaded numerous newsletter articles that weren’t on the website from 2009 & 2010. There are also a couple new groups on the News & Resources page. You can now easily find EAB information, the 75th Anniversary winners, our plant health care calendars, and news updates.

Please go and check it out!

Reminder: All Wachtel Arborists are Certified!!!! 

We now have 22 Certified Arborists and 3 Board Certified Master Arborists on staff. That covers all of our production and sales staff!!!