Oxydendrum arboreum

Oxydendrum arboreum

Oxydendrum arboreum – known commonly as sourwood – is one of the great trees for small spaces with a history of healing. The oval-shaped tree grows 20-25 feet tall, provides year round interest and exceptional fall color. It is common in the nursery trade as a large multi-stemmed tree or with a central leader. It requires very little pruning and is tolerant of most soil types.

As the tree matures its bark becomes gray, ridged and scaly, adding to visual interest in the winter months. Pioneers used to chew sourwood bark for mouth pain, draw its sap to relieve fever and brewed leaf tea for digestive maladies. Truely an all season tree for both its look and herbal remedies.

Today sorrel leaf tea is widely used to slake the thirst of mountain climbers. In spring the branches take a back seat to glossy green leaves 5-8 inches long and sour to the taste, hence the tree’s common name.

Summer ushers in drooping 4 to 8-inch clusters of waxy, fragrant white blooms very much like lily-of-the-valley. These are a favorite of pollinators and sourwood honey is a delicacy in Pennsylvania south to Florida and Louisiana. Where the tree is native.

The flowers make their parting bows, making way for unusual fruit that looks like brown, wooden capsules and contain numerous pointy seeds.

Fall is where this tree takes center stage in the landscape, dense leaves take on intensely beautiful shades of brilliant crimson, purplish-red and sometimes yellow.

Winter, spring, summer, fall: Oxydendrum arboreum shines as a lawn specimen, a garden feature, an ornamental addition in a tree line or as a clump in a wide open space.

Summer Tree Stress

Summer Tree Stress

Summer sun and heat is a welcome reward in the Pacific Northwest. While we enjoy the warm weather for camping, boating and relaxing under clear blue skies, prolonged hot weather and irrigation stress can cause damage to your trees. Heat and drought, stress your plants. It is important the rising temperature’s effect on your landscape, as the Northwest summer temperatures continue increasing each year. Prolonged heat and improper summer irrigation can cause permanent damage to your trees, creating potential hazards that pose a risk to your home and property.

Don’t wait until it’s too late to observe your tree’s signs of drought stress. Oftentimes insects and pathogens will attack trees that are already weakened. Proper deep root watering is the best way to establish your tree’s root system for long term plant health.

There are some signals to help you spot signs of early stress. If your tree’s leaves are dying off, wilting or showing folded or crispy leaves, those are telling signs of a problem. You may still be able take measures to restore the overall health of your tree.

Other Signs of Irrigation Stress Include:

  • Leaf wilting, curling or folding
  • Leaf Scorch
  • Needle drop in conifers
  • Canopy Die-off of main branches or new growth
  • Insect or Disease Issues
  • Premature Fall Color on leaves
  • Leaning or wilting new branches

Solutions:

  • Give trees the best start with proper planting, deep root watering and regular pruning
  • Make sure roots are not exposed when planted
  • Water at the base of your trees
  • Observe and scout for insects, disease and overall tree health regularly – before it’s too late
  • Deep root watering
  • Preventative pruning to improve overall tree health
  • Light summer Pruning to reduce canopy weight
  • Shearing back damaged evergreens to expose older healthy foliage
Preventing Poor Tree Care

Preventing Poor Tree Care

Getting your trees off to the right start 

Summer is a great time to take a look at your trees. It makes it easy to spot dead wood and begin the process of training young trees to develop a healthy and attractive canopy as they grow. Summer pruning should be light and selective. Young trees may benefit from early training to avoid future issues. Summer is NOT the time to aggressively prune your trees. Frontier Tree Care can save you the risk of having your trees damaged or poorly pruned, which can have lasting effects on your home and can lead to ongoing issues. The wrong style or methods of pruning make it challenging, if not impossible, for trees to recover from. We will get it right the first time! Contact us today!

Treating Pest/Disease Issues 

We are committed to maintaining high quality environmental standards that minimize the use of harsh chemicals for pest issues. Your landscape adds value to your home and your plant and tree health is a huge component of a beautiful outdoor space. We are in business to help you find the right solution to promote health, growth, and performance of your trees and landscape plants for years to come. We will work with you to develop a plan to prevent disease and pest issues and provide proper treatment for unavoidable circumstances. 

Fertilizing 

The optimal time to fertilize trees in the Spring when they break dormancy or in late Fall prior to dormancy. It’s easy to confuse things in the summer if you are actively fertilizing your shrubs, annuals and perennials. Another common garden mistake is trees inadvertently absorbing fertilizer that is meant for lawns that contain herbicides. This can damage them, especially young trees. 

June Landscaping and Pruning

June Tree Landscaping and Pruning

Summer is nearly here and everything is lush and green! It’s the right time to just enjoy the garden, while keeping up on landscaping and pruning maintenance. We have a few tips for you, this June, to keep your landscape healthy and gorgeous.

Pruning: 

tree pruningWhile pruning is the most common tree maintenance project, we don’t recommend doing any heavy pruning in summer, as any high temperatures can damage freshly pruned trees & plants. We always want to keep the nature of the tree in mind – incorrect pruning can permanently damage or kill the tree’s life.

However, the start of summer is a good time to do minor pruning of flush growth, to help trees & plants keep their shape during this time of increased growth. This is especially applicable to evergreen conifers, whether they are trees or shrubs. This minor pruning helps maintain overall health, without harming the core of the plant. Our maintenance team can come out to help you with this type of pruning and to spruce up your yard while they’re at it. 

Routine, proper pruning to remove dead, diseased or weak limbs can happen any time of the year without harming the tree. It is necessary for safety, clearance and overall landscape planning.  Get an estimate by clicking here.

Irrigation: 

As the warm weather starts, now is the perfect time to get your system started on for the year. residential irrigation Vancouver WAAs summer goes on, trees depend on homeowners more and more for water. It’s important to take care of your trees and shrubs with proper watering. 

The amount of water a tree needs depends on a variety of factors – age, species, time of year, weather and soil type. New trees need more watering than older ones, but as it gets warmer, all trees will need extra watering. You’ll need to find the balance between enough water to keep younger trees growing, and older trees healthy. You don’t want your trees & shrubs to be dependent on irrigation – they need to be able to survive on what mother nature provides. 

A good irrigation system can be adjusted, based on rainfall, so you can tailor it to the weather. Start now to get on a regular schedule by the end of June. July, August, and September are generally very dry months. Hopefully, by now you have had your backflow testing and any repairs done – if not contact us soon to get prompt service.

Weeding: 

weedingGetting rid of weeds is always at the top of everyone’s spring/summer garden care priorities. If you don’t start removing weeds now, you’ll spend all summer trying to get rid of them. Everything is having a growth spurt right now, including the weeds. They can be left over ones from last year, or new ones that sprouted in cool weather. Either way – get rid of them now.  It seems like every few hours, some new ones are popping up. Try to dig out the entire plant, including the roots, and pull them up BEFORE they make seeds. They’ll be easier to remove before the ground gets harder when the weather gets drier. If it gets out of control, or you just need a little professional help, our maintenance team is on the job!

What other garden tasks are on your list for this June? Do you have any concerns or questions about your landscape? Reach out to us and ask!

 

Healthy and Well-Maintained Trees – Tree Removal

Fall tree care in Vancouver WAHealthy and well-maintained trees provide beauty and add value to your property, but sometimes it is necessary to remove a tree due to disease or other factors. Some trees must be removed simply because they are at the end of their lives. Regular tree care and regular maintenance can also improve and prolong tree health.  A tree’s life span can vary greatly, depending on the variety of tree. If you need expert tree removal services, you can count on Frontier Tree Service.

 

 

Reasons for Tree Removal can include:

  • A tree is dead or dying
  • Root and crown rot or other types of disease
  • A tree has grown too large for the space it occupies and threatens life or property
  • Aggressive root systems that undermine pools, retaining walls and foundations
  • New construction in the area
  • Winter Weather Damage

At Frontier Tree Service, our primary goal is to save the tree if possible. But, if you need to have a tree removed from your property, you’ll want an expert. Often, trees that need to be removed have grown in confined spaces near houses, utility lines and other sensitive areas. This can happen with urban trees. Tree removal requires considerable expertise.

You can count on us to leave your property completely free of debris, once our work is finished. As the property owner or a property manager, care and maintenance of trees can reduce the need for removal in the long term, keep healthy trees and reduce the need for removal.

Contact Us today to discuss your tree service needs.

After the Storm…

After the Storm…

After a storm, hasty decisions about damaged trees can result in unnecessary removals or drastic pruning decisions. Proper and professional pruning practices can help a tree recover from the storm damage. How long that takes can depend on the amount and extent of damage, and the tree species, initial health and age. Frontier Tree Service’s Highly skilled team can help advise on management, pruning and removal decisions based on your situation. Prompt and well thought out action will get trees on the road to recovery.

Trees provide many benefits such as shade, privacy, beauty and even improved water and air quality. To provide those benefits safely and for the long term, trees require proper maintenance and good care. A healthy, well-maintained tree is better able to withstand weather events like snow, wind, excessive rain and wind storms that can cause some tree parts, or entire trees, to fail. After a storm, some homeowners are reluctant to replace downed trees, while others choose to remove trees regardless of how well the tree survived the storm. Tree damage and tree failures can cause property damage, but the possibilities can be managed through proper maintenance. Prepare your trees to withstand these events, to help to preserve the benefits you enjoy from having trees around your home. Ask your frontier Professionals for advice and action on how to manage storm damaged trees, to help retain or even regain those many benefits we all enjoy.

Fall Tree Care with Frontier Tree Service

Fall Tree Care with Frontier Tree Service

Fall tree care in Vancouver WA

Fall is here and Winter is right around the corner. The best way to ensure that your trees stay healthy and happy is to prepare beforehand.

Our trained professionals at Frontier Tree Service can help. Here are a few things that are necessary when getting ready for the approaching winter.

Trees “seem” to be in a state of hibernation or dormant in the winter. However, exposure to rough weather conditions can cause them great stress. We can minimize the stress by preparing your trees a little at a time. It is a fact that if your trees are well cared for in the Winter, they will give you a lovely Spring.

Watering… Winter droughts require watering as much as summer droughts. Obviously, this depends on the amount of rainfall we will get this year but if temperatures permit, an occasional watering during the winter on young trees can be a lifesaver. If your rainfall hasn’t provided enough moisture, watering takes place when soil and trees are cool but not frozen. Depending on which area you are in, this can vary but it is best to be aware of what to do in this situation to ensure the best tree health.

Preventing breakage issues…

Branch breakage or splitting can be caused by ice and snow accumulation or chewing and rubbing by animals. You may prevent problems with young trees by wrapping their base in a hard, plastic guard or a metal hardware cloth. Wrapping trees with burlap or plastic cloth also can prevent temperature damage. However, it is important to remember to remove the wraps and guards in the spring to prevent damage when the tree begins to grow. Other damage can be caused when plowing or shoveling snow. Be mindful of trees nearby. Damage to limbs and trunks from plow blades or a sharp shovel can be detrimental to trees.

Prune your trees… 

Fall pruning tips

Fall is a good time to prune your trees. Not only are trees dormant in the colder months, but it is also easier to see a tree’s structure when there are no leaves on the branches. Proper pruning is vital to the health of trees and plants, as it helps relieve stress on trees and keeps them growing. Each tree is different, so make sure to consult with your frontier Tree Experts, to determine which trees are best pruned in your area.

Plant NOW! 

Fall tree planting.

Since autumn is the time of year for beautiful fall foliage, many people do not realize that it is also a prime time to plant new trees. After cooler weather has set in, conditions are excellent for stimulating root growth in new trees. Once roots are established throughout the fall and winter, spring showers and summer warmth encourage new top growth. 

Contact US to schedule an appointment!

 

Stump Grinding and Removal

Stump Grinding and Removal

Do you have an unsightly stump on your property? Aesthetically, a tree stump can ruin the look of your property and detract from your home’s beauty and curb appeal. Frontier Tree Service has the experience and stump grinding equipment to remove your tree stump efficiently. We will completely grind your stump, which will create mulch, rich in nutrients. You can then spread the mulch over your property to enrich your other trees & plants. With the proper soil amendment, you can even plant a new tree in the same location.

 

Tree Stump Grinding and Removal – The Reasons…

 

  • The stump (s) are not usually aesthetically pleasing.
  • The stump may be a safety hazard.
  • Removing the stump eliminates the possibility of attracting highly destructive pests that can affect the rest of your trees and landscape.

 

Stump removal and grinding can be a challenging process and special machinery is required. Stump grinding by a professional is the easiest and safest way to handle this work. Frontier Tree Service provides tree stump removal and stump grinding services to satisfied customers throughout Portland, Vancouver and surrounding areas.

Contact US

We look forward to hearing from you!

Spring is here at Frontier Tree Services!

trees

With spring here, what are some spring tree care practices you can do to imrpove the health of your trees?

How to know when/if a tree should be removed.

It should be obvious, if your tree is completely dead, it absolutely should be cut down for safety reasons. Leaves and needles will fall when a tree is not doing well. Smaller leaves than normal on a tree could be a sign of the health of a tree… Limbs and branches will start falling soon after the tree has expired. There is also a risk that the whole tree could fall as well, endangering property, pets, and even lives.

But what about struggling trees? A damaged or partially dead tree can also be dangerous. Sometimes they can recover, and the human inclination is to give everyone a second chance. Let’s look at some of the considerations first before deciding.

How close is the tree to living spaces?

The first consideration should always be human life and limb. Does this tree threaten sidewalks, a road, or perhaps a backyard where children might play? Is it dangerously close to your home, perhaps leaning towards a bedroom, or an often-occupied back deck? These are areas you simply don’t want to have a tree hospital. If there is any real risk to people, consult your Professionals at Frontier Tree Service and have them handle it.

plant new trees

Is it more costly to treat the tree or to replace it?

As “Tree People”, we love our trees and would rather save them whenever possible. Sometimes this is not possible or recommended. Generally, it depends on what your vision and the recommendations of our Arborist,  as to what a replacement might be. Also, some diseases are easily treated with a variety of nutrients but for many diseases the necessary applications can be costly and require years of treatment to be effective.

It is best to get professional consultation from our certified arborists at Frontier to get a full grasp on the effectiveness and cost of saving a tree before spending your money on what may be a lost cause. You might also consider replacement with a hardier species a better long-term solution, depending on the original cause of the tree’s decline. In the end, this decision is up to you.

Being realistic about a trees chance of recovery

Whether it’s wind damage, or perhaps die-back from drought or nutritional deficiencies, every tree has a limit to what it can fully recover from. This isn’t an exact science, but canopy damage of somewhere between 25%-50% could be enough to doom most hardwood trees. If disease is the cause, as little as 15% canopy loss can spell irreversible decline in many species of trees.

Knowing the cause is key to making this assessment. Perhaps the tree is just water stressed and dropped its leaves early to protect itself. It is well worth the money to have an arborist give you a diagnostic report and recommendations. We are here to help you make an informed decision and have the facts in hand, rather than going down the rabbit hole!

uprooted tree

 

Don’t take bad advice

Your neighbor really does mean well with his tree advice, “Just throw down some Weed & Feed, it’ll give it a boost!”

But the truth is there are thousands of tree species and sometimes dozens of sub-groups and hybrids within a species. Unless your neighbor just happens to be a certified arborist, and familiar with the kinds of trees in your area, their guess is exactly that.

Professionals will sometimes send off soil or leaf samples to specify exactly the nature of what is causing the decline in a tree. You take your animals to a vet. Take an arborist to your trees.

Taking the long view…

Remember that there is a good chance that most of the trees on your property will out-live your great-grand kids. If a tree is in decline, the sooner it is replaced, the sooner a healthy and well cared for tree will someday tower over that same area. Instead of feeling badly about the end of a tree’s life, think about the beginning of a new tree’s life. A life that may likely go on for centuries!

Contact us at Frontier to schedule an appointment!

We look forward to hearing from you!