Best Practices for Pruning Trees Starts with the Right Tools To prune properly, start by choosing the right tools for the job. Protect yourself by using proper safety equipment—working without it can be just as risky as using a dull blade. Include your safety gear in your toolkit so you use it every time you […]
Pruning Best Practices for NH and MA Trees and Shrubs Read More »
Like outdated medical practices such as bloodletting and lobotomies, arboriculture has its own discarded methods. Some approaches, though less shocking than lobotomies, are still questionable when critically examined. Techniques such as cavity filling and wound sealing, while other methods remain under review or are reserved for rare situations. So let’s chat about caring for wounds
Should you fill the cavity in your tree or seal a wound? Read More »
January marks peak apple tree pruning season—a productive and thoughtful task when other plant care is limited. Proper pruning in winter is vital for apple tree health, just like fertilization. This article covers why dormant-season pruning matters, what to look for when cutting, how much to remove, and how to encourage your apple trees to
Pruning Apple Trees in Winter Read More »
You may be walking or driving around and noticing that some trees have started to show some fall color lately. Well, let’s put those pumpkin spice lattes on hold for a few more weeks, because this is actually a stress response to the lack of rain we had this summer. New England is experiencing abnormally
Has Fall Arrived Early To New England? Read More »
Why is my tree dripping? Why is my car covered in sap or sticky substance? Trees can drip sap, but in all likelihood it is not sap that your tree is dripping. It is likely that your tree is dripping a substance called, Honeydew. Let me be clear, honeydew is just a lovely bow on
Why is my tree dripping a sticky substance? Read More »
We spend a lot of time talking about insects, but did you know that there is another nasty pest that causes problems in the garden. Today we are talking about mites! But Susan, Are mites’ insects? Mites are not insects. They are different animals all together. Mites are part of the arachnid family (Yes,
What in the world… are mites? Read More »
Is your tree healthy? Is it safe? How do you know when to ask for help? Here are some signs that we look for as arborists at Port City Tree Care to tell if a tree deserves some love and attention. Does the tree have as many leaves as its neighbors? At this point
How do I know if my tree is healthy? Read More »
This year, there have been several instances of Boxwoods displaying significant infestations of Boxwood Psyllid. Although treatment is typically not recommended, some situations have warranted it due to the severity of the infestation. Homeowners have been given the choice regarding whether to pursue treatment. What is Boxwood Psyllid and what impact does it have
Boxwood Psyllid – Should you be concerned? Read More »
What is resistance drilling? Resistance drilling has been around for several decades (nearly 40 years) and has been used to determine the strength of wood. It uses a very small diameter drill bit (about 1.5mm) spinning at incredibly high resolutions. While it is drilling into the tree it measures the resistance that the wood provides.
Resistance Drilling and how it provides tree owners with more information Read More »
Earth day is 55-years this year and I have grown up relatively mindful of Earth Day. It is generally the same week as my birthday and Arbor Day. I have always wondered, Is Earth Day intentionally so close to Arbor Day? What manifested these marked dates into existence? And as a society, do we still
