How to Dig Up a Mature Pine Tree

It’s quite easy to remove a young evergreen, but mature trees require a lot more work. Pine trees and other evergreens are beautiful and ornamental assets to residential landscapes. They provide their beauty and benefits all year long, in all regions of the country. In some cases however, they need to be removed. Most often, pine trees need to be removed if they are dead, dying, or need to be transplanted to another location. Either way, if you choose to dig up your pine tree on your own, you will need to review some guidelines to the process. Continue reading to learn how to dig up a pine tree and tips for tree removal.

Evergreen Tree Removal

In order to protect a tree during transplanting, you must dig it up carefully and at the right moment. The guidelines below is a method for safely removing pine trees for transplanting purposes. You may also, however, refer to these same guidelines to remove a dead or dying pine tree as well. It is important to know that pine tree transplanting is a lot of work, and requires some pre-planning and preparation. It is strongly encouraged to have another capable person there to help. This is especially important for large trees. If you are not in good physical health, it is not a good idea to remove a pine tree on your own since it requires physical effort. Instead, call a local tree service company for safe and professional tree removal you can afford. For those who wish to remove a moderate size or mature pine tree, here’s how to get started:

1. Always remove pine trees while they are still dormant. This is in the late winter months, between February and April.

2. Do not attempt to remove a pine tree with a branch spread of more than four feet wide. Any larger, and you will need heavy equipment to manage the weight and height of the tree.

3. The night before digging up the pine tree, water it thoroughly around the base. This will keep it well-hydrated enough to prevent distress during the transplant process. Allow a hose to flow for 10 or 15 minutes around the base of the tree for a deep watering. Soil should be wet as deep as 5 inches.

4. Measure and mark a radial line around the base of the tree to use as a guide for digging up the tree’s root ball. Increase the radius by 2 inches for every 12 inches of branch spread.

18 inch Branch Spread = 1 Foot Radius
24 inch Branch Spread = 14 inch Radius
36 inch Branch Spread = 16 inch Radius

5. Use the tip of a sharp shovel to pierce the perimeter of your marked radial line to begin the dig. Continue to etch out this perimeter until you reach 9 inches deep for an 18 inch radius.

11 inches Deep = 2 Foot Radius
13 inch Deep = 3 Foot Radius
14 inch Deep = 4 Foot Radius

6. At a 45 degree angle, dig down below the root ball. Pull back on the shovel handle to help pry roots from the soil. It is safe to cut tough, vertical roots that won’t break free. Use your shovel edge or tree pruning shears.

7. At this point, you will need assistance lifting the tree from the ground. Do this by holding onto the base of the tree trunk, and then working your hands down under the root ball, using your legs to lift it out of the ground.

8. After the tree is out of the ground, wrap the root ball in wet burlap. This keeps the roots hydrated and prevents them from overheating. Use jute twine to secure the burlap while you transport your pine tree.

9. Fill the empty hole with leaves or soil.

It is highly important to call a licensed arborist for help with large-tree transplanting and removal. They retain the proper tools, training, and equipment to safely and efficiently remove trees. If you have never dug up a tree before, and it is a tree you wish to preserve, it is highly recommended to trust a professional to ensure accuracy and safety.

Tree Service Fishers Indiana

Tree Service Coupon Fishers Indiana 317-537-9770

Tree Service 317-537-9770

Call 317-537-9770 for professional tree service in Fishers, Indiana. We are highly trained and qualified tree specialists that provide a wide range of tree care services; including tree removal, transplanting, lot clearing, stump grinding, tree disease treatment, trimming, pruning, and much more! We also offer tree removal coupons and discounts! Call 317-537-9770 for safe and professional tree transplanting in Fishers, IN today.

What is Oak Wilt Tree Disease?

Oak trees are among the most majestic and beautiful trees in Indiana. They provide an abundance of benefits, and service even more purposes. But just like all living organisms, Oak tree are vulnerable to disease and illness too. One of the most common forms of oak tree disease is called oak wilt, and affects hundreds of acres of oak trees each year. Continue reading to learn more about oak wilt and how to manage a tree with this disease.

Oak Wilt Disease

Oak wilt is an intravenous fungal disease that attacks the vascular system of an Oak tree. It inhibits water and nutrients from accessing the tree’s canopy, causing the entire tree to suffer. There are two primary ways oak wilt disease is spread. The first and most common means of oak wilt transmission is root grafting. Root grafting occurs when the root systems of two separate trees come together and share water and nutrients. This is very common for trees that are close together. So if one tree becomes infected with oak wilt, and it is grafted with another tree’s roots, it can spread the disease to the other tree.

The other common form of oak wilt transmission is through beetles. Nitidulid beetles can carry oak wilt fungus from one tree to another. They are most active during the months of February to June, which is why you should never trim oak trees during this time of year. Nitidulid beetles are attracted to wounds in oak trees, so if an oak tree is newly trimmed during their active time of year, Nitidulid beetles will go for the fresh cut marks in the tree and potentially spread disease. For this reason, be sure to only trim Oaks between July and January. If an oak tree must be trimmed between February and June, pruning paint can protect against Nitidulid beetles and other pests.

The only effective method of treatment or preventative care is fungicide injections. Once oak wilt is identified within 200 feet of your landscaping trees, it is a good idea to proceed with fungicide injections for precautionary purposes. But preventative precautionary fungicide injections are not always effective. Once a tree is infected with oak wilt, the only fungicide treatment that can cure it is called Propiconazole. Again, treatment is not always effective. Talk to your local arborist for information about protecting your landscaping trees against disease and other hazards.

Tree Service in Fishers, IN

Tree Service Coupon Fishers Indiana

Fishers Tree Service 317-537-9770

Call 317-537-9770 for professional tree service in Fishers, Indiana. We provide a wide range of tree services for residential and commercial properties at the most competitive prices in town. Services include tree disease treatment, tree transplanting, tree removal, tree trimming, pruning, shaping, lot clearing, and more. Call 317-537-9770 for affordable and fast tree removal services in Fishers, Indiana.

What Will Stunt a Tree’s Growth?

Planting new trees can be frustrating at times, especially since so many things can go wrong. Tree care is hard work, and there’s certainly a learning curve as you go. Trial and error make good gardeners, so don’t get too upset if a newly planted tree dies or stops growing. Learn the primary factors that influence tree growth, and the variables that can stunt it. Then you will be on the right track to better protect and care for your landscaping trees. Continue reading to learn the four primary reasons why a tree might die or stop growing.

Lack of Sunlight

Trees require a certain degree of sunlight to grow and produce oxygen. Sunlight is food for a tree and they need it to survive. If a tree is not receiving enough sunlight, it cannot produce enough oxygen and will eventually lose its leaves and die. Sometimes a large structure or tree can block sunlight from trees, while other times its circumstances out of your control, like overcast weather and storms.

Lack of Water

Just like sunlight and oxygen, tree require water for proper nourishment and healthy growth. Water depletion in trees can be caused by droughts, water source obstruction, root damage, and more. If you suspect your tree is not receiving enough water, try to set up a routine watering schedule until the problem is solved. Contact a licensed arborist for professional service and assistance.

Pest Infestations and Tampering

Insects and animals can also be a threat to the well-being of a tree. Beetles, like the Emerald Ash Borer, and other insects, like termites, wasps, and larvae, can be detrimental to a tree. They can use up all the trees nutrients and water, leaving the tree without sustenance. Without proper nourishment, a tree will stop growing and eventually die. Also, animals like raccoons can cause tree bark damage or over-consume foliage, leaving the tree in distress, stunting its growth.

Tree Service Fishers, Indiana

Tree Service Coupon Fishers Indiana

Tree Service Coupon Fishers Indiana 317-537-9770

Call 317-537-9770 for tree service in Fishers, Indiana. We offer a wide selection of residential and commercial tree services at the most competitive prices in town. Our licensed arborists are licensed, punctual, and highly trained to solve any tree problem you have. Call 317-537-9770 when you need professional tree removal services you can trust in Fishers, IN.

Recommended Pest Control Products for Trees and Shrubs

Utilizing safe but effective pest control products can be a fantastic way to protect your trees and shrubs from hazardous insects and more. There are various insecticide products available on the market, all ranging in price, target, and quality. For this reason, is it important to distinguish the good products from the poor-quality or ineffective ones. Continue reading for three top-recommended tree pest control products that are both safe and effective for trees and shrubbery.

Martin’s Dominion Tree and Shrub Insecticide

If you are looking for an environmentally-safe non-toxic insecticide, Martin’s Dominion Tree and Shrub Insecticide is a great choice. You can find this product online, or on the shelf at most garden and landscaping stores. The price per bottle is relatively inexpensive, ranging from $15 to $30, depending on the size or quantity. A 32 ounce bottle costs around $25 on average. This rain-roof solution protects against insects like aphids, crickets, grubs, ticks, beetles, and more. The best part is that it can be applied to trees, shrubs, lawns, bushes, and more without causing any harm! It treats and protects trees for up to 12 months, so reapplication is necessary on an annual basis.

Bayer Advanced Tree and Shrub Insect Control

Another effective rain-proof, environmentally-safe, and non-toxic insecticide on the market is Bayer Advanced Tree and Shrub Insect Control. It is scientifically designed to destroy all pests and prevent infestations; including Emerald Ash Borer, ticks, larvae, beetles, wasps, termites, and more. This product is perfect for more mature trees are a large quantity of trees. The familiar blue bottle with its equally-familiar red banner generally costs anywhere from $100 to $150, for a one gallon portion. Although a bit pricey, it is an optimal choice for large-scale tree care and protection. It is a concentrated formula too, so you are getting much more than one gallon’s worth of product, making the cost more understandable. It is to be mixed with water and then poured at the base of trees for up to one year of protection. Just like the aforementioned product, it needs reapplication on an annual basis.

Zylam Liquid Systematic Tree Shrub Ornamental Insecticide

Another effective and non-toxic insecticide product that comes highly recommended is called Zylam Liquid Systematic Tree Shrub Ornamental Insecticide. It is more like a topical solution that can be applied to bark and foliage, or used as a soil-injection, tree band, or drench. Like the others mentioned, this product is specially-formulated to kill all pests and prevent infestations; including Emerald Ash Borer, crickets, ticks, larvae, beetles, wasps, termites, and more. Since it moves intravenously through leaves, it even targets and destroys insects that hide underneath leaves. This colorless and odorless solution generally costs around $150 per court, depending on the quantity purchased and retailer.

Tree Service in Fishers Indiana

Tree Service Coupon Fishers Indiana

Tree Service Coupon Fishers Indiana 317-537-9770

Call 317-537-9770 for professional tree service in Fishers, Indiana. We are trained and qualified arborists with several decades of experience in the tree industry. We provide a wide range of professional tree services for both residential and commercial properties; including tree removal, tree trimming, transplanting, tree disease treatment, stump grinding and removal, lot clearing, and much more. Call 317-537-9770 for prompt tree removal services in Fishers, IN.

Protect Your Trees From Sunscald This Summer!

Just like humans, trees and plants can get a sunburn during the summer time too! For this reason, it is important to protect your landscaping trees in order to promote healthiness and longevity. Sunscald is a damaging effect on flora that occurs as a result of massive over-exposure to sun or strong sunlight. It generally affects the more delicate and vulnerable areas of a plant or tree, like fruit or leaves.

The biggest concern in terms of sunscald is disease. When a plant or tree is badly sun-scalded, it can allow diseases to enter. This can lead to a very sick or dead tree. Young or newly-planted trees are more at risk to sunscald. Continue reading to learn how trees and plants get sunburnt, and how to protect them from this type of natural hazard.

Signs of Sunscald on Trees

When humans get a sunburn, their outer layer of skin is affected or damaged; and this damage is usually visible by peeling, discoloration, swelling, and more, depending on the severity of the burn. This is exactly the same for trees and plants. The outer layer of bark on a tree, or the outer layer of skin on a plant, are the areas most damaged by sunscald. Other areas of flora can be damaged by sunscald as well, including leaves, foliage, stems, tree trunks, and more.

Signs of Sunscald Affects:

• Rotted Fruit
• Unattractive or Droopy Flowers
• Lesions
• Peeling Bark
• Discoloration
• Sickly-Looking Plants
• Damaged Spots
• White, Brown, or Withered Leaves
• Diminished Crops
• And More

The best way to treat tree sunscald is to do your best to prevent it from happening in the first place. Routine tree care and preventative maintenance are crucial for protecting beloved and valuable landscaping trees from all natural wear, tear, and danger. Once a tree or plant is sunburnt, there is no way to fix it. Preventative maintenance and care involves covering growing fruits and crops with cheesecloth during the afternoon, using proper fertilizers, proper watering, accurate pruning and branch trimming, wrapping young tree trunks with tree wrap strips in the fall, and placing plants and trees in the proper areas of a landscape. Consult a professional tree contractor for advice when needed.

Tree Service Fishers Indiana

Tree Service Coupon Fishers Indiana

Tree Service Coupon Fishers Indiana

Call 317-537-9770 for professional tree service in Fishers, Indiana. We are highly experienced and qualified tree care contractors that provide a wide range of services for commercial and residential properties. We offer tree transplanting, trimming, pruning, shaping, tree removal, lot clearing, stump grinding, stump removal, and much more. Call 317-537-9770 for a free estimate regarding tree removal services in Fishers, IN and more!

Manual Stump Removal Versus Stump Grinding

The method and degree of difficulty for removing a stump largely depends on its size and age. An older tree stump is likely rotted or decayed, making it easier to remove; while a fresh stump is solid and requires more labor and supplies to remove. There are several methods to stump removal, but they all boil down to two categories, manual versus grinding. Continue reading to learn the manual methods of stump removal and stump grinding, as well as, the methods that involve both.

Manual Tree Stump Removal

Generally, older and smaller trees, stumps, and shrubs are easier to remove, so a manual approach to doing so is your best option in most cases. There are a few different approaches to manual stump removal. One approach is to drill a few large, deep holes into the stump from the top, and then fill those holes with either a natural compound like cow manure that has a high nitrogen content, or a store-bought stump remover solution the promotes tree decay in the same way. From there, all you do is wait for the tree trunk to rot away and become one with the Earth again. Although easy, keep in mind this is the slowest method to stump removal.

Another method of manual stump removal is probably the most attempted method, as well as, the most dangerous and destructive. It is the old fashion version of tree stump removal, using a rope, and a vehicle. You get the picture. This can cause major damage to a vehicle, the driver, the landscape, and the surrounding environment. This is a popular method for the DIY tree stump remover, but not a recommended one. Do not try this under any circumstances, ever!

Stump Grinding

For larger or fresher tree stumps, a more invasion and aggressive method of removal is needed. This typically involves using machinery like chainsaws, chip grinders, lateral grinding machines, and more. Stump grinding is the fastest method for removing tree trunks. For those who prefer the DIY route, you can rent or purchase a stump grinding machine, but be sure to do ample research to learn how to safely handle such equipment. The best option for stump grinding is to hire a professional tree company who already retains the proper tools, equipment, resources, licensing, and training to remove tree stumps in a time frame that’s convenient for you.

Tree Service Fishers Indiana

Call 317-537-9770 for prompt and professional tree stump removal in Fishers, Indiana. We offer a wide range of tree services for both residential and commercial properties at the most competitive prices in town. When you need tree service you can trust, call on our highly trained and qualified tree contractors every time! Just dial 317-537-9770 and speak directly to a qualified tree service professional in Fishers, IN today.

How to Identify a Hazardous Tree

Mature trees are a beautiful asset to any home or property. Not only do they provide endless aesthetic appeal and enjoyment, they give us shade and privacy, which improves our indoor energy efficiency and reduce external noise pollution. As a family grows year after year, trees do too, making it harder to say goodbye to the ones that need removed. But sometimes, old or ill trees can pose a serious safety concern for humans, pets, and properties.

It is important to remove a hazardous tree within a few short days of discovering it. A dead, dying, or bedridden tree is likely to fall at any moment, depending on its condition. So taking preventative precaution is strongly encouraged for everyone’s safety. But how do you know when a tree is hazardous?

Continue reading and learn the signs of a sick, dead, or dying tree.

Fishers Tree Services 317-537-9770
Fishers Tree Services 317-537-9770

Dead and Dying Trees

Dead trees are the easiest to spot. To identify a dead tree, simply take a twig and scratch the surface of it with a knife. What does the inner meat look like? A bright green implies a healthy, but probably dormant, tree. A dull green implies a lower vigor and might mean there is an issue. But brown or dark meat underneath the bark skin signifies a dead tree.

An obvious sign of a dead tree is significant leaf reduction or leaf loss. Outside of winter, a healthy tree grows its leaves back. If it is spring or summer, and a tree is bare, it’s dead or dying.

Another sign of an unhealthy or dying tree is peeling tree bark. When the bark of a tree is spongy, or if it’s brittle and crumbles off at the slightest touch, it is in trouble. It is either already dead or close to it. The same goes for tree limbs and branches. If you notice that many branches and limbs are falling from the tree, or missing from the tree, it is a sure sign that the tree is unhealthy and therefore, unsafe.

Last, you can check for insect infestation to gauge the health and condition of a tree. If you notice a large infestation of beetles or other obtrusive insects, then it may have a tree disease of some sort. This too makes a tree unsafe.

Trusted Tree Removal in Fishers Indiana

Call 317-537-9770 for professional tree removal in Fishers, Indiana. Our highly trained and qualified arborists have decades of experience in the tree care industry. We offer a wide range of tree services for residential and commercial properties. Call 317-537-9770 for more information about tree removal and tree service in Fishers, IN.

Fishers Tree Service Coupons
Fishers Tree Service Coupons 317-537-9770

Which Types of Insecticides are Used to Prevent Emerald Ash Borer Disease in Trees?

Emerald Ash Borers are beetles that can cause a significant amount of destruction to Ash Trees. In order to prevent such infestations, arborists commonly apply systematic insecticides for optimal tree protection. Systematic insecticides contain the active ingredients dinotefuran, emamectin benzoate, or imidacloprid. These chemicals have all been registered with the Environmental Protection Agency and deemed appropriate for agricultural applications. They are approved to be used for certain gardens, crops, and foods because they are “reduced-risk” insecticides. They are also used in certain veterinarian applications, like deworming medication for horses and dogs. Continue reading to learn about each insecticide ingredient and where they are applied for pest control purposes.

Active Ingredients

The ingredient imidacloprid has low enough toxicity levels that it can be used on pets to prevent fleas and ticks. It is used to prevent insect infestations and other types of pest infestations in turf grass, farming crops, and landscaping florae.

The ingredient, dinotefuran, is actually sort of new in the world of insecticides. It shares similar properties as the last ingredient, but more information about this is not yet conclusive because there’s not enough research about it quite yet.

The last ingredient, emamectin benzoate, actually comes from a natural source. It is taken from soil bacterium and has been registered for use with the Environmental Protection Agency for more than 10 years. It is approved to be used as a foliage spray for vegetable crops and also cotton fields. Another interesting fact about emamectin benzoate is that it is also used in salmon aquaculture to prevent parasitic lice infestations.

Tree Service Fishers Indiana

Call 317-537-9770 for prompt and professional tree service in Fishers, Indiana. We are highly trained and qualified arborists with decades of experience in the tree care industry. We provide tree services for residential and commercial properties all throughout Fishers and its surrounding neighborhoods. We also offer tree service coupons! Call 317-537-9770 for tree disease treatment for Emerald Ash Borers in Fishers, IN today.

How to Check Twigs to Detect if a Tree is Dead or Alive

A dead tree is not typically a safe tree to have on or near your property. They are in fact a safety concern, especially for places where children are often present. A dead tree can fall over and crush anything beneath it, causing injury or death to people and pets, or severe structural damage to property and vehicles. If a tree cannot serve its purpose of aesthetic appeal and comfortable shade, then why have it on your property at all? It is best to remove a tree once it is deemed dead. But how can you know for sure that a tree is dead? After all, many seem as if they have died, only to re-bloom the following spring. One easy strategy for identifying a dead tree is checking its twigs. Sound a little too easy? It should because it is! Continue reading to learn how a twig can quickly tell you whether or not a tree is dead or alive.

Tree Twigs

When trees become dormant in winter, it can be tricky discerning the difference between a dead tree, a tree that needs a few dead branches removed, and a tree that is simply inactive due to the climate. This is why twigs are useful tools in identifying a tree’s condition and health. The only catch to this simple method is that it could take a few twigs or more to make a proper distinction.

Here’s how to check twigs to assess the health and status of a tree you suspect is dead or dying:

1. Examine the moisture level and color of the twigs. The dryer the twig, the deader the tree. Dead or dying trees also have brown or grey-colored twig branches, rather than the healthy-looking tan, purple, orange, or greenish colors that an active tree would have.

2. Look for new branch or bud growth at the ends of the twigs in the late winter or early spring. If the leaf buds appear swollen or open, then the tree is alive. You can also gently scrape the leaf buds with your fingernail to see if you can spot some green. This is another sign of an active tree.

3. Check the flexibility of a few twigs by gently bending them, but not too far that it could break or damage a healthy branch. A dead or dying tree twig will easily snap in half or clear off the tree with just a little pressure; while a healthy tree will exhibit some buoyancy and bend back into shape.

4. Use a small pocket knife, or your fingernail, to scrape the flesh of a twig. If green, white, or cream-colored on the inside, you have a healthy tree on your hands. If brown or grey-like, you have a dead or nearly dead tree.

If you find a dead tree on your property, it is a potential hazard to you, your children, your guests, your home and siding, your cars, and more. It is strongly recommended to have a dead tree removed as soon as possible by a licensed tree service.

Tree Service in Fishers Indiana

Tree Service Coupon Fishers Indiana 317-537-9770

Tree Service Coupon Fishers Indiana 317-537-9770

Call 317-537-9770 for professional tree service in Fishers, Indiana. We are highly trained and qualified tree service contractors with several years of experience in the industry. We provide residential and commercial tree removal, as well as, a long list of additional tree services. Call 317-537-9770 to learn more about our affordable tree removal services in Fishers, IN today.

How Does Winter Weather Affect Landscaping Trees?

There are two different kinds of trees that we see in Indiana, deciduous trees and conifers. Conifers, or evergreens, are the pine and fir trees that keep their foliage all year long; while deciduous trees are those that lose their foliage in the winter seasons. Continue reading to learn more about conifers and deciduous trees, and how the winter weather can affect them both.

Conifers

Conifers are also called softwoods or evergreen trees. The popular species of these trees in Indiana are the Northern White Cedar and Junipers. The term conifer refers to the type of “fruit” that the tree grows. These are usually the pine cones or woody cones we see at certain times of the year; although some conifers, like Junipers, bore tiny berry-like fruits that are not meant to be consumed by humans or pets. Softwoods have needle-like foliage, often green in color, but can range from yellows to oranges, and even shades of blue. The differences among species of conifers is their branch and bud distribution, needle color, yielded fruits, tree size, and more. In the winter, these species of tree do not shed their foliage, nor does their foliage change in color. They remain “ever-green” all year long! So in conclusion, conifers are not significantly affected by winter weather, but they do prepare for winter seasons by storing up extra water and nutrients in the soil surrounding their root systems.

Deciduous Trees

The term “deciduous” literally means to “fall off at maturity” or “tending to fall off”, which refers to their foliage loss in winter climates. Every autumn, deciduous trees change leaf color, and then lose their leaves, leaving their branches exposed and bare. This process is called abscission. Although the foliage may be gone for now, they tree is not dead, but simply dormant. It will await the start of spring to bloom more buds and regrow its leaves. There are several species of deciduous trees, ranging in size, color, shape, smell, fruits, and more. Examples of such trees include Maple trees, Ash trees, willow trees, apple trees, oak trees, and cherry blossoms. Trees are not the only deciduous plant in nature. Shrubs, herbaceous perennials, and some plants also experience abscission.

Be sure to protect your landscaping trees this winter by laying down an extra layer of mulch or soil before the freeze-thaw cycles begin and before the first big snowfall. Also, water your trees as much as possible leading up to deep winter. This way, they have plenty of excess water and nutrients to keep them healthy while dormant. You may also want to apply soil additives for additional nutritional value. This is helpful and recommended for newly planted trees or young trees. Contact a professional tree service company for industry advice and information you can trust.

Tree Service Fishers Indiana

Tree Service Coupon Fishers Indiana 317-537-9770

Tree Service Coupon Fishers Indiana 317-537-9770

Call 317-537-9770 for professional information and advice regarding tree service in Fishers, Indiana. We are highly trained and qualified arborists with several decades of experience in the tree removal and service industry. We provide a wide-range of tree care services for both residential and commercial properties. You can trust you are receiving the most accurate and honest advice about winter tree protection and more. Call our professionals at 317-537-9770 to learn more about Fishers tree service today.