Are Your Birch Trees Suffering or Dying? Could be a Bronze Birch Borer Infestation

We've noticed quite a few Birch trees around Seattle beginning to die. Often the top of the tree will dye first, and before you know it, the whole tree looks like it's in decline.

The major culprit: Bronze Birch Borer

Prevention:
- deeply water your Birches once per month in dry weather
- mulch around the roots
- have a professional drench the roots with a pesticide once a year

If your Birch tree shows 30%+ dead, it is unlikely to recover and should be removed.

To read all about this bronze birch borer, check out this well-researched article by Kim Pokorny of The Oregonian:  Birch trees losing ground

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.

Jefferson's Monticello Tree Being Smothered by English Ivy

Last week we visited Thomas Jefferson's Monticello and admired hundreds of beautiful old trees, most barren for the winter. Then we saw the most substantial ivy vine/tree that we've ever witnessed. Take a look at these stunning photos:

This thick vine with its grasping tentacles is embracing the tree -- to death.

 

 

In the left photo, you see the ivy, green and vibrant, as the tree itself lies dormant and leafless. The photo on the right shows the top of the tree, rising above the ivy. It's surprising to us that this English ivy has been allowed to grow so vigorously on the Monticello estate. It should be removed to ensure a long, healthy life for the tree.

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.

Blooma Removes Trees for Seattle's Street Car Project

In order to make way for new street cars on First Hill (Yesler Terrace), the City of Seattle needed to remove a number of street trees. Blooma Tree Experts was proud to get the job.

Martin Macauley, ISA Certified Arborist and owner of Blooma Tree Experts, hangs upside down to safely remove a tree for the City of Seattle.

Here is the Blooma crew in action, working with flaggers and  the construction team of Stacey and Witbeck to provide a corridor for Seattle's newest street car addition.

Funniest Customer Review for Blooma

We have the best customers! Enjoy this note sent from a new customer:

 Pretty funny. We appreciate you, Maria! To see more of our customer reviews, go here.