What is Tree Fertilization?

Posted on September 10, 2018 by Completetree

Just like most living organisms on the planet, trees need micro and micro-nutrients to survive. Tree fertilization is a common tree care practice that provides supplemental nutrients for newly-sprouting and young trees. Continue reading to learn more about tree fertilization, including it’s many benefits.

Reasons to Fertilize a Tree

The most common reasons why tree are administered fertilization treatments include aesthetics, strength, and longevity. Tree fertilization provides added nutrients, which in turn help a tree grow strong and healthy, and live longer. Not only does this help a tree look beautiful and rich in color, it gives the tree durability and an increased resistance to inclement weather, disease, pests, nuisance wildlife, and other forms of environmental bearings.

Micro vs. Macro-Nutrients

Trees require both micro-nutrients and macro-nutrients, but they use more macros than micros. Macro-nutrients include elements like nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, potassium, and sulfur. Micro-nutrients are made up of nitrogen, zinc, copper, magnesium, chlorine, molybdenum, and boron.

Although a tree does not need as many micro-nutrients, without a sufficient amount, they will experience vulnerability or decline. Without the proper levels of macros, trees will also greatly suffer, and at a much faster pace. Tree fertilization helps to make up for any nutrient deficiencies that might be at play.

Protect Your Trees With Routine Care!

Call Complete Tree Care at 317-783-2518 for professional Indianapolis tree service you can trust. We serve all of Central Indiana with a wide range of skilled tree removal and tree care services, for both residential and commercial properties. Whether you need a single tree removed, or simply require routine tree service, like trimming or pruning, we can deliver prompt and professional service at a fair price. Request a free estimate, today.

What You Need to Know About Daily Tree Root Care

Posted on August 6, 2018 by Completetree

If you have a newly planted tree, it is important to understand and implement daily root care. Continue reading to learn what you need to know about taking good care of your tree’s roots in order to promote strong, sturdy growth for years to come.

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Although they are the least visible part, roots are highly important to the overall health and sustainability of a tree. That is because they are responsible for transporting nutrients throughout a tree. The better care you take of your tree’s root system, the better foundation they are able to create for your tree. You may not be able to protect your tree from every type of damage, but there is plenty you can do to promote optimal growth and health with routine root care. And it all starts with the soil.

Daily and Weekly Root Care

Be sure you are regularly watering your newly planted tree. But keep in mind that too much water can be just as harmful as too little. Use your best judgement to determine when and how much water your tree needs. A general rule of thumb is to check the soil for moisture. Healthy soil is moist, not soggy, mushy, or soaked. If the soil is still adequately moist three inches down, the tree does not need a watering. Just be sure you check it every day by digging 3 inches deep with a garden trowel and touching the soil with your fingers.

In addition to checking for soil moisture every day for the purpose of watering, it is also important to inspect the soil conditions to ensure it is health. As mentioned, healthy soil is moist, not soggy. For the first few months, it is wise to assess the soil’s moisture levels to confirm it is still conducive to healthy root growth. Do this by locating the tree’s dripline, digging a small hole, and inspecting the malleability of the soil. Read our blog, “How to Measure a Tree’s Critical Root Zone”, for help locating your tree’s drip line. If the soil can be formed into a ball, it is healthy.

Seasonal Root Care

At least one time a year, you should manually cultivate the soil beneath your tree. You can accomplish this with ease by using a standard hand cultivator to cautiously loosen the top 2 to 3 inches of soil. This eases compaction, thus allowing water and air to reach the roots. Soil compaction is one of the most common causes for tree decline.

Furthermore, it is important to apply a new layer of mulch to the base of your trees right before every spring season. Mulch is incredibly important to root care for many reasons. Not only does it protect against sun scorch and excessive heat that dehydrates soil, it also acts as a barrier to physically protect exposed roots. Additionally, mulch adds valuable organic matter to the soil. Just be sure to not exceed 2 to 4 inches of mulch, and keep it 6 inches away from the trunk of the tree.

Professional Tree Care You Can Trust

Call Complete Tree Care at 317-783-2518 for Indianapolis tree service you can trust. We are licensed and insured tree care contractors who serve both residential and commercial properties with a wide range of professional tree care services, including stump removal, lot clearing, storm damage clearance, and more. Request an estimate, today.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Tree Care

Posted on October 3, 2017 by Completetree

Trees are critically important to humans, animals, and nature. For this reason, we must always do our best to protect and preserve our trees in any way that we can. As for property owners, you can start with some basic routine tree care to improve the health, appearance, and functionality of your landscaping trees! If you are unsure on where to begin, simply consult your local tree care company for advice about tree service and maintenance for your particular property.

In the meantime, continue reading to review some of the most frequently asked questions about tree care.

Does My Tree Removed?

This is a common question in the tree service industry. Many homeowners are not sure if their tree is dead, dying, diseased, treatable, or hazardous. For this reason, they ask this question. The answer varies, unfortunately. It will require a professional inspection to assess the condition and location of the tree in order to determine whether or not it needs to be cut down. If your tree is showing signs of fungal growth, shoots growing from the roots or base, foliage loss, leaf discoloration, thinning, or any other unusual symptoms, it may need to be treated or removed.

Do I Need a Permit to Remove a Tree Myself?

Although it varies from county to county, in most cases, you do require a permit to remove a tree. This is why it is better to trust a licensed tree care company to provide tree removal services, safely and efficiently. They retain the proper tools, equipment, and training to carry out a safe and professional project in a convenient time frame.

What is the Difference Between Stump Grinding and Stump Removal?

The short answer to this question is this: stump removal retrieves the entire stump from the ground, leaving a void behind, whereas stump grinding essentially “shaves down” the stump so that it is ground level. It requires a team of trained professionals with the proper equipment to safely and effectively carry out either service.

What is Emerald Ash Borer and Can it be Treated?

Emerald Ash Borer is a green jewel beetle that feeds on Ash trees. If you have Ash trees on your property, they could be susceptible to EAB infestation. Signs of EAB include D-shaped holes in bark, dieback of the upper and outer crown, epicormic sprouting, bark splits, woodpecker activity, and more. Fortunately, it can be treated with the help of a licensed arborist! Your tree care company can refer you to a trusted arborist in your area.

Do I Call an Arborist or a Tree Care Company?

If your trees are diseased or infested by insects or pests, you would require the specialized services of a licensed arborists. Because they are specialized, their services are more costly, but highly necessary nonetheless. If you require tree removal or routine tree service, you want to call a local tree care company instead.

Call Complete Tree Care at 317-783-2518 for experienced tree service in Indianapolis and throughout Central Indiana. Free estimates and more!

How to Prevent Moss Growth on Trees

Posted on August 5, 2016 by Completetree

In the appropriate setting, moss growth can be quite stunning. Waterfalls, forests, and along the shores of streams are common places moss grows without ever affecting our private landscapes. But when moss grows on our property’s favored trees, it can create a multitude of problems for both homeowners and the trees themselves. Moss can be a nuisance in many ways, and grow out of control if not managed properly.

Fortunately, moss growth can be controlled and even prevented. If you are starting to notice an increase in moss growth on your trees, it may be time to make some changes to your landscaping maintenance routine. Continue reading to learn some simple and effective methods to preventing moss growth on trees.

Moss Control and Prevention

In order to control and prevent moss growth, it is helpful to understand what makes moss thrive. Then simply eliminate any conditions or variables that contribute to moss growth! Creating unfavorable conditions for moss is the number one method for reducing or eliminating it. And to get rid of moss on tree trunks, it is necessary to start with the lawn. That’s because moss that grows on lawns is bound to reach the trees.

Moss Removal Tips

Water is moss’ best friend. Without it, moss simply cannot thrive. So try to water your lawn less often, and be sure to avoid soaking the tree trunk and tree bark during the grass-watering process. Moisture is a growth house for moss, so less moisture means less chance of moss infestation. Keep in mind that properties with more shade require less lawn watering.

Look up the proper pH levels for your lawn plants and gardens, and then use a soil testing kit to test the pH levels in your lawn. You can purchase these kits for a reasonable price at any local garden or home improvement store.

Treat your soil so that the pH levels fall within the proper parameters. Acidic soil should be treated with lime to create unfavorable soil conditions for moss growth. But be sure to not use too much because it can harm your garden and trees as well.

Outsource tree thinning services to thin out tree branches. This allows for more light, which in turn reduces moisture accumulation on trunks and bark. Be sure to use an experienced Indianapolis tree service company for professional assistance.

Use a punch-core aerator to aerate the soil in your lawn. You may also try introducing organic soil to the topsoil. Both of these methods will improve drainage and prevent standing water and slow water absorption. And this prevents moss growth.

Manually remove moss on trees with your hands. You can choose to use a power washer but it can damage your tree if you are not careful. Manual moss removal takes longer, but it is much safer for your trees.

Call Complete Tree Care Today!

Call A Complete Tree Care at 317-783-2518 for prompt and professional Indianapolis tree service. We are experienced tree care technicians that can resolve your tree problems, regardless of your projects size or scope. We offer a wide range of tree removal and tree services, for both residential and commercial properties. We even offer free estimates and free tree care advice! Call 317-783-2518 if you need tree removal in Indianapolis, IN and its surrounding locations.

Need-to-Know Glossary Terms for Tree Care

Posted on July 14, 2016 by Completetree

If you are a new homeowner, or simply new to the landscaping and gardening world, you will soon discover that trees are an important part of your property, and require routine care in order to grow and thrive to their full capacity. One place to start when it comes to tree care is terminology. By reviewing some common tree care terms, you will better understand your research and be better prepared to discuss your tree care needs with a professional.

Continue reading and you will find a helpful glossary full of need-to-know tree care terms used for residential and commercial tree service.

Tree Care Terminology

Tree care is phrase used to describe the requirements and process for maintaining healthy, thriving trees. This includes routine inspections for pests, insects, and tree diseases, as well as, routine tree trimming, pruning, fertilizing, watering, and more. Already a bit confused? Don’t worry! These terms, along with a few others, will be covered below!

Crown or “Canopy” – This is the upper part of a tree. It is measured from the lowest branch to the longest, most outward branch, and again to the highest point of the tree. This includes all branches, leaves, and foliage.

Tree Trimming – Shortening the limbs and twigs of trees for the purpose of adding light and air flow, removing dead or disease branches, reducing obstructions, promoting new growth, and more.

Tree Pruning – Selectively removing branches or stems for the betterment of the whole tree. This is done for the same purposes as trimming.

Tree Thinning – This is a preferred method of tree pruning. Selectively removing interior growth and thinning out branch tips.

Tree Shaping – To selectively trim foliage and branches of trees to achieve an appealing or desired shape.

Tree Topping – To completely remove all top portions of a tree. It is considered by many to be an unnecessary and highly-detrimental practice.

Tree Pollard – This is a drastic means of tree pruning that involves the removal of all green growth and foliage, giving trees a “hat rack” appearance.

Shirt Raise – To prune only the lower branches and foliage of trees. This enables better access, reduces obstructions, and promotes more sunlight.

CODIT – Compartmentalization of Decay in Trees.

Dead-Wooding – Removing all dead, dying or diseased branches, twigs, limbs, and growth on a tree.

Root Prune – Severing sections of tree roots that pose hazardous or structural threats to its surroundings.

Stump Grinding – Shaving or cutting down a tree stump so that it is ground level.

Stump Removal – Extracting a whole tree stump from the ground.

Deep Root Fertilization – Inserting a probe (soil needle) 8 to 12 inches into the soil below the base of a tree, and then injecting a liquid fertilizer directly to the root system to provide additional nutrients for a tree.

Tree Spraying – To spray liquid insecticides and fungicides on trees to protect from pest infestations and tree diseases.

A Complete Tree Care – The Indianapolis tree care company to call for expert advice and tree service at an honest and fair price.

Call A Complete Tree Care at 317-783-2518 for professional tree removal services in Indianapolis, Indiana and its surrounding locations. Our tree care specialists have more than 30 years of experience, and retain the knowledge and skills needed to deliver quality tree service in a convenient time frame. We offer a wide range of residential and commercial tree services, from tree trimming and tree pruning, to lot clearing, stump removal, and much more. Call 317-783-2518 to request a free estimate for Indianapolis tree service, today.

Why Does My Tree Look Bad?

Posted on June 22, 2016 by Completetree

You may not notice right away, but sometimes trees can start to slowly decline in appearance and performance. One week they can look great, and the following month they look as though something is not quite right. If you have found yourself in a similar dilemma, continue reading to learn what might be wrong with your landscaping trees.

Water Distribution

The first question you want to ask yourself involves the amount of water your tree is getting. Is it getting too much? Is it not getting enough? Both of these scenarios will causes adverse changes in your landscaping trees. Trees require deep watering, especially in hotter temperatures. Strive toward saturating the ground with water, starting at the trunk and finishing at the outer perimeter of the tree’s dripline. This should suffice until the tree roots are dry again.

Pest and Insect Control

Once you have addressed any water management issues, it is time to ask yourself about pest and insect control for your trees. Beetles, borers, mites, wildlife, and even tree diseases can quickly affect the health of a tree in the worst way. For instance, leaf-eating insects inhibit the tree’s ability to carry on the process of photosynthesis, thus rendering the tree sick and weak. It requires a professional arborist to positively identify, diagnose, and treat insect infestations and tree diseases.

Nutrients

Trees don’t just thrive on water and sunlight alone. They also require a sufficient amount of nutrients, or tree food, for optimal growth and survival. Trees source their nutrients from the surrounding and underlying soil. Which means poor or inadequate soil conditions can cause adverse changes in a tree. If you suspect that your tree is suffering from a lack of nutrients, try fertilizing it to regain its strength and stability.

Additional Causes Include:

• Too much mulching
• Improper species-to-site location
• Invasive sprinkler systems
• Inclement environmental conditions
• Overgrown grass around trunk
• And more

✨ Contact an experienced tree care company for professional advice and service you can trust!

A Complete Tree Care

Call A Complete Tree Care at 317-783-2518 for professional tree services in Indianapolis, Indiana and its surrounding towns. We serve all of Central Indiana with a wide range of skilled tree removal and tree care services, for both residential and commercial properties. Whether you need a single tree removed, or simply require routine tree service, like trimming or pruning, we can deliver prompt and professional service at a fair price.

Helpful Tree Care Tips For Spring and Summer

Posted on May 16, 2016 by Completetree

If you own a home, chances are you have trees on your property. And as a homeowner, protecting and preserving your investment is your top priority, and part of this initiative is proper tree care. Healthy trees can drastically increase property value since they provide such a wide range of benefits, including noise reduction, privacy, shade, improved energy efficiency, and much more. So keeping trees in good condition is in the best interest of your investment, as well as, your quality of life.

There are several things you can do on your own to care for your landscaping trees, but for some tree care needs, you’ll require the services of a qualified professional. Continue reading to learn some helpful tree care tips for this spring and upcoming summer.

Take Good Care of Your Trees

Having basic knowledge of proper tree care helps you understand the level of care your trees need to remain healthy and alive for a long time. This is the first tip for tree care. If you do not have any trees, and you wish to plant new ones, be sure to do so during periods of dormancy, such as early spring or late fall. This gives roots a chance to establish themselves before warmer temperatures promote top-growth. And always be sure to water newly-planted tree immediately, and often!

Trees need watered frequently, and even more so during hot drought seasons. Be sure your trees are getting at least 20 to 25 gallons of water each week. But be careful not to over-water. Too much water can inhibit the adequacy of oxygen in soil and drown the roots. Mulching is another valuable step in protecting the health of your trees. Mulch acts as insulation for the soil, providing a buffer from extreme temperatures. It also retains water, which helps keep the soil moist.

Fertilization is another important aspect to tree care. Trees require certain essential nutrients in order to function and survive, and they primarily acquire these nutrients from the soil. If your ground soil has insufficient nutrient supplies, then tree fertilization is necessary. Proper tree fertilization can greatly increase the health of your trees, allowing them to sustain a healthy condition all year long.

It is important to have trees trimmed and pruned at certain times of the year. This provides safe, directional branch growth, prevents obstruction issues, and increases the curb appeal of your property. Tree limbs can grow fast and disrupt power lines, rooftops, gutters, and more. Regular tree trimming and tree pruning can prevent tree branch structural damage. Talk to your local tree care specialist about the health of your trees. They can provide professional assessments and inspections, and offer suggestions regarding your tree’s individual needs. Be sure to hire an experienced tree care company for professional tree services you can trust.

Complete Tree Care

Call Complete Tree Care at 317-783-2518 for professional tree service in Indianapolis and throughout Central Indiana. We are highly trained and qualified tree care specialists that have decades of experience in the tree service industry. We provide a wide range of residential and commercial tree services for both residential and commercial properties, including tree trimming, tree pruning, stump grinding, stump removal, lot clearing, and much more. When you need quality tree removal services at a fair price, you have come to the right place! Call Complete Tree Care at 317-783-2518 to hear more
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