Fall is an ideal time to fertilize your trees and shrubs.  We use a slow-release, low nitrogen fertilizer fed directly into the root system of your trees and shrubs to provide fertilization in an effort to increase their vigor over the winter.  This can be extremely beneficial to trees that have been compromised as a result of insect infestations throughout the summer as well as early defoliation resulting from various diseases. Why not call us for a quote today.

Nobody wants the “burnt lawn look”. If you are having this problem, one of the following problems could be the cause:

1. Our pets’ urine is very harmful to the lawn, especially females.

2. Leaving dead grass after mowing. (Blow the grass off lawn to prevent grass from dying)

3. Over-watering or incorrect times of watering (morning and late evening is best)

4. Cutting grass too short

5. Needs new grass seed spread

6. Drought

7. Over-fertilized (certain fertilizers have a high nitrogen content and if not applied correctly will burn the grass)

Watch out for sucking insects; they’ll suck the green right out of you!

This month we’re talking sucking insects.  The culprits: Scale and Aphids.  Often these creatures are overlooked due to their size (less than1/8 of an inch to less than1/32 of an inch) until evidence of plant distress becomes evident.  These insects have piercing mouthparts that suck the sap and cell contents out of their victims, leaving large areas of the plant in decline.  A black, powdery mold is another evidence of the presence of these pests.  Honeydew is a sugary liquid excreted by scale while they actively feed on their host.  The black mold feeds on the honeydew along with bees, wasps, and ants.  Parked cars, sidewalks, and benches can become covered with this sugary, sticky mess.  It is imperative to catch and address these symptoms early.  Heavy infestation can cause tremendous damage and can be a challenge to treat efficiently.  Give us a call to check out your property!

How to defeat the attack of the Japanese Beetle

Summer is almost here; all the flowers and trees are at full bloom.  Just in time, it seems, for the emergence of the Japanese Beetle.  Adult beetles become active June and July to capitalize on the new growth of the spring blossoms.  This half inch beetle would be beautiful, with its metallic green and bronze body, would it not be for the destruction it leaves to its favorite food sources.  Linden, elm, rose bushes, and flowering and fruiting trees of all kinds are preferred targets of the Japanese Beetle.  Browned, tattered, and “shotgun holed” leaf and flower surfaces are often all that remain of a plant ravaged by these beetles.  But there is a defense.  Both the larvae, which are born and grow into adults in the turf, and the adults can be controlled by the application of pesticides.  These pesticides must be applied before or immediately after the first signs of adult activity.  Give our office a call 317-257-4516, any delay could result in the damage or loss of the susceptible plants in your landscape by these invaders.

Bagworm Blues

If you have a juniper, arborvitae, or pine tree, you are probably all too familiar with the bagworm blues.  But did you know that your willow, apple, maple, elm, birch, and cedar trees might be at risk to this pest as well?  Bagworms are a nuisance to many species of trees and shrubs, and if left unchecked can cause tremendous damage to the foliage of the occupied plant.  Bagworms are identified by the small bags that house them, made up of silk produced by the worm and chewed up plant material.  These bags hang from the twigs of the infected tree or shrub, often well camouflaged, and contain the eggs of the pest.  In late June the eggs hatch and the worms begin their assault upon their host.  This feeding continues until August.  Early identification of this pest is vital to accomplish effective control.  Often the bags can be physically removed.  This should be done between the months of October and May.  After the eggs have hatched, however, and the worms are actively feeding, an insecticide should be applied for control.  If you wait until August, it will be too late.  Give us a call at 317-257-4516  to protect your property from this pest.

]]> http://allpointstreeservice.com/?feed=rss2&p=168 0 emeraldashborerwantedposter http://allpointstreeservice.com/?p=157 http://allpointstreeservice.com/?p=157#comments Mon, 01 Mar 2010 03:41:40 +0000 Admin http://allpointstreeservice.com/?p=157

Mulch Mountain Mayhem

As winter fades and our diligently piled snow packs dissolve with the increasing warmth, our eyes are drawn to the bareness of our lawns and gardens.  Realizing this starkness, the spring ritual of buying and spreading of mulch begins, and all over town the mulch-mountains begin to grow.  Mulch is a beautiful and beneficial addition to your landscape, but there are hidden dangers if applied improperly.  The construction of mulch beds around trees and gardens protects the landscape from human activity and creates a favorable soil environment.  Landscapers and arborists use mulch to reduce the competition with weeds and turf grasses, stabilize soil temperature, increase the soils water-holding capacity, and increase soil microbial activity.  A 2-4 inch depth of mulch is all that is necessary to accomplish these goals.  Unfortunately, the common practice of most homeowners is the piling of many more inches of mulch on their trees and in their flower beds than necessary, creating what we call in the industry “mulch-mountains.”  These mountains cause tremendous damage to the root systems of trees by reducing the available oxygen vital to the physiological processes of the plant.  The roots respond by growing up towards available oxygen and into soil horizons unable to sustain the weight and nutrient requirements of a growing tree.  Also, trees with shallow roots systems are much more drought intolerant than those with deeper root systems.  If left unchecked, these shallow roots tend to wrap around one another creating a problem know as girdling roots, which further chokes the life from the plant.  It may look nice, but resist the urge to make these mountains of mulch; trees and plants subjected to this practice are destined for death. Give us a call with any questions or to assess your landscape for plant health problems today! 317-257-4516

Spring is almost here.  We all welcome the warmth that spring brings, but with the warmth comes a hidden enemy to our landscape…there is fungus among us!  Fungal disease is an extremely common ailment to our trees in Indiana.  Disease cycles intensify with warm, dry days followed by cool, damp nights.  Many species of plants are susceptible to fungal infection.  The more common infections are those of the crabapples, hawthorns, and other flowering ornamentals.  Symptoms are spots or fruiting bodies on the leaf surface or twigs.  If you have had fungal disease problems in the past, give us a call promptly.  There is a small window of opportunity to treat fungal disease; fungicide applications are effective only in early spring.  Give us a call for a positive diagnosis and correct treatment today. Call 317-257-4516