Hemlock Infestation? Act NOW to Save Your Trees

Hemlock woolly adelgid in the Seattle area.

If you've seen little white spots on the tips of your Hemlock branches, your tree has the dreaded hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA) Adelges tsugae. 

This insect damages trees quickly and weakens hemlocks, so if you value your hemlocks, you should act to kill the HWA and prevent their spread to other hemlock trees.




Here are 6 steps you can take to protect your hemlocks from HWA and reduce infestation:

- remove dead and dying branches (this pruning can be done by Blooma Tree Experts);
- discourage birds and squirrels from visiting your hemlocks, since they spread HWA;
- during drought, water your Hemlock roots at dripline, slowly, 1" per week;
- do NOT apply nitrogen fertilizer during infestation; after the insects are under control, apply fertilizer;
- direct a water spray to the eggs to help dislodge them; and/or
- apply a pesticide (see the next section).

The "woolly" evidence of HWA infestation

What about pesticides?
According to the US Forest Service, if you want to save an eastern hemlock, you must use chemicals. However, you must be committed to treating your trees for several years--until all trees in the vicinity infested with HWA are dead. You may want to consider the cost and effort of that compared to removing your tree now. You might want to just save a particular hemlock tree or trees that you value.

There are two methods of applying insecticide:
1) thoroughly drench infested trees with horticultural oil, insecticidal soap, or any one of several petrochemical insecticides (this usually is best done by a professional); or
2) in April to May, inject a systemic insecticide, such as imidacloprid or acephate, into the roots of infested hemlocks with a hydraulic injection needle. This works on healthy hemlocks only; if the tree is in decline, the first method will work best. (Call Martin at Blooma for a referral in the Seattle area: 206-714-9835)

A healthy hemlock is a beautiful tree.

An excellent, thorough article about HWA can be found here: http://na.fs.fed.us/fhp/hwa/control/mcclure.pdf

If you live in the Seattle, WA area and need a professional pruning or removal of a hemlock tree, please call Blooma Tree Experts for a free quote: 

(206) 714-9835.

5 Reasons to Remove English Ivy From Your Tree

Sometimes we are called to a home to inspect a tree with ivy climbing on it. The homeowner will ask, "Should we remove the ivy?" The answer, always, is "YES!" (And yes, we offer to remove the ivy for the homeowner.)

A Lombardy Poplar (Populus nigra being smothered by Ivy.

The same Lombardy Poplar after we cleared out the all the Ivy. It will now live.

 English ivy harms a tree in 5 ways:

1. Weight: ivy is very heavy, putting a tremendous burden on a tree. Because the ivy is evergreen, it remains vibrant and growing even while the tree is dormant. This can add strain to a tree from its weight and by catching the wind (dynamic load) during its most vulnerable months.
2. Suffocation: where there is ivy, there is little to no light getting through to the tree's leaves. Since photosynthesis is one of the primary ways a tree receives nutrients, and sunlight hitting a tree's leaves is how photosynthesis occurs, it's easy to see how ivy will prevent this process. For more info on photosynthesis, go here.
3. Constriction: like a boa constrictor, ivy grafts to itself, creating a constrictive blanket, like a sock. This prevents the tree's ability to increase its girth, a requirement a tree to support itself.
4. Nutrient Theft: at the root level, the ivy's roots will lay above a tree's roots, competing for water and other nutrients. In addition, the ivy prevents leaves and other debris from landing around the base of the tree; these organic materials provide nutrition to the tree.
5. Pore blocking: Lenticils are tree pores on the bark that allow the exchange of gases. The ivy blocks this, which interferes with a tree's basic function. For more info on lenticils, click here.

Removing English ivy is a time-intensive, challenging project. The Blooma Tree Experts can remove ivy efficiently and thoroughly, thus giving new life to a formerly constricted tree.

Here is the same Lombardy Poplar today; photo is courtesy of Google Earth:

Beautiful!

Tree Pruning: Is the Lowest Bid the Best Option?

I was recently called out to examine a customer's Tulip tree (Liriodendron tulipifera) for a pruning job. When I saw the wound (below), I was alarmed. "Was this tree hit by a machine of some sort?" I asked. "No," the homeowner replied, "but we did have it pruned about three years ago." As I examined it closer, I saw the tell-tale marks of climbing spurs, and I knew that whoever pruned this beautiful tree three years ago will now be responsible for its death.

A large wound in this Seattle area Tulip tree began three years ago when an ignorant (or lazy) tree service worker used spurs to climb and prune this tree.

Climbing spurs create open wounds in a tree's vascular system, penetrating the protective layer of bark. This exposes the tree to pathogens.

Spurs have been around since the days of old growth forests and huge logging operations. They are great tools for tree removals, giving the tree climber secure footing in often dangerous situations. Climbing spurs should NOT be used in living trees that you want to save.

Several spur marks are clearly seen on the trunk three years after the event. You can see that the lower spot has begun to decay and open up just like the large wound lower down on the stem.

This beloved Tulip tree will live for awhile longer, but its decay and death are inevitable. There is no healing this wound and the other wounds caused by a reckless use of climbing spurs.

 This story should serve as a warning to all homeowners--before you hire a tree service company, do some research:

• ask if they use climbing spurs for pruning
• check for their ISA Certified Arborist credentials (available on the ISA website)

If you are in the Seattle area, call us for a free estimate: (206) 714-9835. 

Or click here.