What is the Soil Food Web and How Does it Benefit Trees?

Posted on April 26, 2023 by Completetree

Have you ever heard of the soil food web? If not, it’s something that could benefit your trees in a big way. The soil food web is a complex network of organisms that interact with one another to create a healthy and balanced Ecosystem within the soil. This system helps trees get the nutrients they need to thrive and can even help protect them from diseases or pests.

In this blog post, we will discuss what the soil food web is, how it works, and why it’s important for tree care. We will also provide some tips on how to maintain and encourage healthy levels of beneficial organisms in your soil so you can keep your trees as healthy as possible!

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Soil Food Web Facts

The soil food web is made up of organisms such as bacteria, fungi, earthworms, and nematodes. These organisms help cycle nutrients from the soil to the trees’ roots. This cycling process helps ensure that the tree is getting all the essential nutrients it needs for growth, including nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and other trace minerals.

As these tiny organisms decompose organic matter in the soil, they also produce substances that can help protect trees from pests and diseases by attacking them before they have a chance to do any damage. Additionally, these same beneficial microorganisms play a crucial role in improving soil structure by creating air pockets in the dirt and binding together particles of sand or clay so water can move freely throughout it.

Another type of organism in the soil food web is mycorrhizal fungi, which form a symbiotic relationship with plant roots. This type of fungus helps increase the surface area for water and nutrient absorption and may even be able to transfer nutrients from one tree to another!

Maintain Healthy Trees With Optimal Soil Biology

Overall, the soil food web plays an incredibly important role in maintaining healthy trees. Without it, trees would not be able to get all the necessary nutrients they need for growth or have any protection against pests and diseases. Therefore, it’s important that we do our part as tree owners/caretakers by encouraging healthy levels of beneficial organisms in our soils. This can be done through practices such as using compost or mulch around trees, avoiding over-fertilizing, and minimizing soil compaction. By following these simple steps, we can ensure that our trees are getting the best possible care.

Soil Testing

Testing your soil can be an important and necessary step to ensure that your landscape is healthy for trees. It helps diagnose potential problems with the fertilizer or nutrient content of the soil, ensuring a healthy environment for all plants on your property. Having an understanding of what kind of nutrients, you have in the soil is key to providing the trees the best environment possible. It will improve their growth potential, provide greener leaves, and make the sizes larger among other benefits. Regularly testing your soil at least once a year will help guarantee optimal health for your tree investment.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the soil food web is an incredibly complex network of organisms that interact with one another to provide essential nutrients and protection for trees. It’s important to understand how this system works so you can take proper care of your trees and make sure they get all the benefits it provides. With a little bit of effort on our part, we can ensure that our trees stay healthy for many years to come!

Ready to get your trees in shape for summer? Start now! Contact Complete Tree Care at 317-783-2518 to get advice from a certified arborist in Indianapolis, Indiana. We serve residential and commercial clients with comprehensive tree care solutions.

Top Tips for Avoiding Transplant Shock in Trees

Posted on April 12, 2023 by Completetree

Transplant shock is a common problem that can affect newly planted trees, and it’s important to understand how to prevent it. Transplant shock occurs when the tree is moved from its original environment, resulting in stress on the roots which can cause leaf discoloration and decreased growth. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to reduce the risk of transplant shock for your trees. Continue below to learn some top tips for avoiding transplant shock in trees.

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What is Transplant Shock?

Transplant shock is a common condition that may affect plants when they are moved or replanted. The stress of the transplantation process can cause a variety of symptoms, such as wilting, leaf drop, stunted growth, and yellowed leaves. This can be concerning for gardeners, but it’s important to understand that transplant shock is a natural response to change, and most plants will recover with time and proper care. To avoid transplant shock, it’s essential to handle plants gently, water them regularly, and provide them with a suitable environment that matches their needs. With patience and a little effort, your plants can thrive in their new home.

How to Avoid Transplant Shock in Newly Planted Trees

Plant During the Cooler Months: The best time to plant a tree is in the late fall or early spring, when temperatures are milder. This can help reduce stress on the roots and make it easier for trees to adjust to their new environment.

Water Properly: Newly planted trees should be watered regularly, at least twice per week for the first two months after planting. Soaker hoses work well for this purpose and can ensure that your tree gets enough water without getting too much.

Prune Carefully: Pruning newly planted trees should be done with caution, as pruning too severely can cause more stress on the roots and therefore increase transplant shock symptoms. Additionally, make sure any cuts are made cleanly and at the right angle.

Monitor Growth: Trees should be monitored regularly in order to identify any signs of transplant shock as soon as possible. Early detection can allow for corrective action to be taken more quickly, which can often result in a better outcome for the tree.

Hire an Arborist. An arborist is a tree expert who has received extensive training and certification to care for trees. Their role is not just limited to trimming branches or cutting down trees. Instead, arborists undertake complex procedures to ensure that trees are healthy, safe, and aesthetically pleasing.

By following these tips, you can help ensure that your newly planted trees adjust well to their new environment and avoid transplant shock. Proper tree care is important for ensuring the health and longevity of your trees, so take steps now to reduce the risk of transplant shock. If you ever have questions about proper tree care or how to prevent transplant shock in your trees, contact a local arborist for advice.

Benefits of Arborist Services

Arborist services can be invaluable for maintaining and caring for trees on your property. Knowing how to care for trees appropriately can help ensure their longevity. Those who do not have expertise in this area, however, may need assistance from a professional arborist. A certified arborist will provide consultation and hands-on services such as pruning, trimming, fertilizing and pest control that are necessary to keep trees healthy.

They have the necessary knowledge and experience to identify problems with trees at an early stage while they are still manageable and act promptly to address them. They also use specialized safety equipment to carry out their duties and work closely with other professionals such as landscapers, architects, and engineers to ensure that trees are properly integrated into the larger ecosystem. Ultimately, an arborist service can help you maintain a beautiful landscape of healthy trees on your property.

Are you looking for a state-certified arborist to help bring your landscaping trees back to their full glory? Here at Complete Tree Care, our Indianapolis arborist is licensed in tree disease diagnosis, as well as, tree insect identification, for all Indiana tree species. Call 317-783-2518 to request service, today.

What You Need to Know About Tree Disease Treatment

Posted on April 6, 2023 by Completetree

If you’re a homeowner, chances are you have trees in your yard. It is important to recognize the signs of tree diseases and understand how to prevent them. Tree disease treatments can be expensive, so it’s best to know what steps to take for proper tree care ahead of time. An experienced arborist should be consulted if you think any of your trees may be suffering from a serious ailment or infection.

In this blog post, we will discuss some common tree diseases and how they can be treated by an arborist. We will also look at ways that homeowners can practice good tree care in order to reduce the risk of their trees becoming diseased in the first place. By following these tips and working with an experienced professional, you’ll ensure that your outdoor oasis stays beautiful and healthy for years to come!

Common Tree Diseases and Their Causes

Tree diseases can be caused by a variety of factors, including fungal or bacterial infections, insect infestations, and environmental stressors. Common tree diseases include Anthracnose, Dutch Elm Disease, Powdery Mildew, and Fire Blight. Each of these requires different treatment strategies to address the underlying cause of the problem. An arborist will inspect your trees for signs of disease and then develop a tailored plan for treating them. This could involve chemical treatments such as fungicides or herbicides, physical pruning techniques, or other methods that are intended to protect your trees from further damage.

ANTHRACNOSE – Anthracnose is an incredibly widespread disease. It often strikes out of nowhere, quickly spreading its devastating presence to vulnerable trees of all sizes and varieties. From gigantic pines standing tall among the canopy of a pristine forest, to small bushes nestled underneath cozy porches, this tree disease shows no signs of mercy as it chips away at each living limb. As summer creeps up with its hot days and long sunlit hours, heightened damage from seasonal anthracnose can appear seemingly overnight and create lasting complications for entire woody landscapes.

DUTCH ELM DISEASE – Dutch Elm Disease is an ominous threat to many trees. It has left marks of destruction on elm woodlands across North America, Europe, and Asia for more than a century. The vascular conditions caused by Dutch Elm Disease can weaken or even kill off infected trees in just one season. This means that the disease spreads rapidly amongst trees and can lead to significant losses for forest environments. Direct contact between healthy and diseased plants spread its spores quickly, making it incredibly difficult to contain without drastic measures such as complete tree removal. On top of this, Dutch Elm Disease also threatens city streets since a variety of elm species are popular decorative trees planted in urban areas around the world. In short, Dutch Elm Disease truly is a common and devastating tree disease.

POWDERY MILDEW – Powdery Mildew is a fungus that attacks different parts of trees. It appears as a white to gray powdery substance, which can cause leaf spots or even mortality in certain tree species such as Elm, Maple, Oak, and Ash trees. Symptoms may appear slowly on the underside of leaves and gradually become more prominent as time passes. In some cases, these spots grow together, causing large necrotic patches that can cause extensive damage to branches. This infection can have serious consequences for the health of your trees and spread easily throughout orchards, greenhouses and nurseries containing susceptible species. Early preventive treatment is essential if you want to keep your trees safe from Powdery Mildew.

FIRE BLIGHT – Fire Blight is a bacterial infection seen routinely in trees, especially those in the Rosaceae family. This group includes such perennials as Pear, Crabapple, and Cotoneaster species. While this disease can be disheartening to observe, it can occur with even younger trees that haven’t had time to fully mature. Certain environmental conditions prove favorable for Fire Blight to thrive, and usually begins at blooming season. Weather temperatures in the upper 80s during days of humidity over 75%, when combined with rainy spells intensifies the rate of infection while allowing bacteria spread.

Routine Tree Care

In addition to professional tree care services in Indianapolis, it’s important that homeowners practice proper tree care throughout the year in order to reduce the risk of disease. This includes regular pruning, mulching, and fertilizing to ensure that your trees stay healthy and strong. It’s also important to avoid over-watering or under-watering your trees, as both can lead to nutrient deficiency and other problems. Lastly, be sure to inspect your trees for signs of disease on a regular basis so you can take swift action if any issues arise.

Now You Can Maintain Healthy Trees Year-Round

By following these tips and working with an experienced professional arborist in Indianapolis, you’ll help ensure that your outdoor oasis stays beautiful and healthy for years to come! If you think one of your trees may be suffering from a serious ailment or infection, it is best to consult an arborist right away; they can develop a tailored plan for effective tree disease treatment. With the right care and attention, you’ll be able to keep your trees healthy and beautiful for years to come!

Are your landscaping trees in need of some TLC this spring? Contact Complete Tree Care at 317-783-2518 to get advice from a certified arborist in Indianapolis, Indiana. We serve residential and commercial clients with comprehensive tree care solutions.

Common Diseases Affecting Trees in Indiana and How to Treat Them

Posted on January 30, 2023 by Completetree

Indiana is known for its lush forests and wide variety of trees. However, these trees can be vulnerable to a number of diseases that can cause serious damage if left untreated. Common tree diseases in Indiana include anthracnose, oak wilt, fire blight, Dutch elm disease, and Phytophthora root rot. Understanding the symptoms and causes of these diseases is key to protecting your trees from harm and preserving their beauty for years to come.

In this blog post, we will discuss the most common tree diseases affecting Indiana trees as well as how you can identify them and treat them effectively.

Call 317-783-2518 to Speak With a Licensed Arborist in Indianapolis Indiana. — Dutch Elm Disease (DED) (Ophiostoma ulmi)

Indiana Tree Diseases and Treatments

Anthracnose

Anthracnose is a common fungal disease that affects many tree species in Indiana. It is caused by fungi that thrive on wet, humid weather and can cause deep, dark spots on leaves and twigs as well as leaf loss. Anthracnose can be treated with fungicides applied to the affected area or entire tree depending on how severe the infection is. It’s important to note that fungicides must be used carefully and according to instructions to avoid harming other organisms in your garden or landscape.

Oak Wilt

Oak wilt is another common tree disease found in Indiana, particularly affecting red oak species. Oak wilt is caused by a fungus which rapidly spreads from tree to tree through their root systems. Symptoms of oak wilt include yellowing, wilting and curling of foliage, as well as dieback of branches. Treatment for this disease requires injecting the tree with a fungicide or removing infected branches to prevent further spread.

Fire Blight

Fire blight is another destructive fungal disease that affects many fruit trees in Indiana. It is characterized by cankers on twigs and branches as well as blackening of fruit. Treatment for fire blight typically involves pruning away affected branches and applying a chemical solution to the tree to prevent further spread.

Dutch Elm

Dutch elm disease is another serious fungal infection that affects many species of elm trees in Indiana, particularly older trees. It is characterized by wilting and yellowing of leaves, as well as dieback of branches. Treatment for this disease requires pruning away infected branches and using a fungicide to prevent further spread.

Phytophthora

Phytophthora root rot is a fungal infection that causes severe damage to tree roots. Symptoms include wilting and yellowing of foliage, as well as dieback of branches. Treatment typically involves removing affected roots and applying a fungicide to the tree or soil to prevent further spread.

Routine Tree Care is Key

Tree care is essential in order to keep your trees healthy and beautiful. It’s important to check your trees regularly for signs of disease and act quickly if any are spotted. While it may be tempting to try and treat tree diseases yourself, it’s important to seek professional help in order to ensure the best results and prevent further damage. A qualified arborist can inspect your trees for any signs of disease, recommend an appropriate treatment plan and provide advice on how to best care for your trees.

Protect Indiana’s Trees

Protecting Indiana’s treasured forests is essential to maintaining the state’s natural beauty. By recognizing common tree diseases and taking steps to prevent and treat them, you can help ensure that our forests remain healthy and vibrant for years to come.

Are you having trouble keeping your trees healthy year-round? Contact Complete Tree Care at 317-783-2518 to get advice from a certified arborist in Indianapolis, Indiana. We serve residential and commercial clients with comprehensive tree care solutions.

Are Spider Mites Threatening Your Trees?

Posted on April 10, 2017 by Completetree

Although spider mites only as large as a black pepper flake, they can cause an extensive amount of damage to landscaping trees. These small mites are not insects, but rather, spiders, and they only attack species of evergreens, primarily Spruce trees. If you have Spruce trees on your property, spider mite infestations are something to be on the lookout for every spring and summer.

Continue reading to learn more about spider mites, how to identify the signs of invasion, and what you can do to help infested trees.

Detecting Spider Mites

Spider mites are small, oval, and black. As mentioned, they are about the size of a black pepper flake, and even resemble black pepper on a leaf. In fact, this is one way to identify a spider mite infestation. Simply turn over the leaves to see if you see specks of black. Another way to see of your tree has spider mites is to snap off a small twig and shake it over a white piece of paper or napkin. If a lot of black moving specks fall off onto the paper, you have found your spider mites. One of the first signs of spider mite infestation is tree health decline. You will see this in its canopy and leaves. Leaves will discolor in patches across the canopy, and overtime, will eventually cause complete crown die-back.

Spider Mite Solutions

If you have spider mites in your evergreen trees, you can try a few do-it-yourself solutions first. But if the infestations are too large, or your trees are too sick, you may need to skip over the DIY approach and go directly to professional tree care service. For small or early spider mite problems, spray the tree foliage with a garden hose. Do this every day for one week, and then do an inspection to see if spider mites still exist. Be sure to not wet the trunk of the tree too much. This can attract more pests.

If a spider mite infestation is beyond your control, you will need a licensed arborist to provide professional tree disease and pest control service. They have the proper training and resources necessary to treat tree pests, responsibly and efficiently.

Indianapolis Tree Service

Call Complete Tree Care at 317-783-2518 to speak with a professional Indianapolis tree service contractor about tree pests and tree care. We have an on-duty arborist who can diagnose and treat your tree pest problem. With over 30 years of experience, you can trust our tree care company for excellent support and quality service. Call 317-783-2518 to request an estimate, today.