Why You Should Mulch Your Trees Every Spring and Winter

Posted on February 23, 2022 by Completetree

Winter is here, and the Spring season is next, so let’s talk about the importance of mulching your trees. Continue below to learn why tree mulching is so vital, not only to the survival of your trees, but also for the curb appeal of your property!

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Mulching is a Vital Part of Tree Care

Mulch is a man-made product generally composed of organic materials like wood chips, pine needles, manure, and other types of compost. But it can also be made from non-organic materials like rock, stone, geo-textile fabrics, and pulverized rubber. When applied properly, mulch allows soil to retain sufficient levels of moisture. This not only improves the condition of the soil, but it does also so much more!

The Visible Benefits of Tree Mulching:

☑ Promotes overall tree health
☑ Controls weed growth
☑ Insulates soil
☑ Protects tree roots from extreme temperatures
☑ Prevents certain plant diseases
☑ Improves soil aeration and drainage
☑ Gives landscaping a well-groomed look
☑ Mulch decomposition improves soil fertility

The Best Times of Year to Mulch Your Trees

Trees should be mulched at the start of spring, after the ground has thawed from a frozen state. Trees should also be mulched at the start of winter before the ground freezes through. Mulching is an important part of the tree care process, so be sure to stay current on your program. You can choose from a wide selection of mulches, ranging in color, texture, shape, and more. Talk to your trusted Indianapolis tree service provider for recommendations on tree mulching practices for your property. Don’t forget to mulch your shrubs and bushes too!

Tree Protection in Winter

Are you concerned about the condition of your landscaping trees? Contact Complete Tree Care at 317-783-2518 for licensed Indianapolis Indiana tree service and affordable price. We serve both residential and commercial clients all throughout central Indiana.

Top 3 Winter Tree Damages and How to Prevent Them

Posted on February 9, 2022 by Completetree

Wintertime is not a great time for trees. Not only are they more susceptible to health and structural difficulties, but it is also more challenging for you to implement the proper inspections needed to ensure they remain in good health throughout the entirety of the season. For these reasons, it is wise to hire a professional tree service provider for all your winter tree care needs. Otherwise, your landscaping trees may fall victim to one of the top 3 most common winter tree problems.

Continue reading to learn what these common winter tree problems are, and where to find the best tree service in town.

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The Most Common Tree Damage Threats in the Winter

Among all of the possible problems that trees can experience in the winter, the top three you need to watch out for are cold damage, frost heaving, and seasonal drought. For each, here is a brief explanation of their causes, symptoms, and prevention strategies:

❶ Cold Damage

The high and low seasonal temperature spectrum can greatly affect trees, especially if they are already weakened or sick. The afternoon sun can be very warm for trees, and then the nightly lows bring them back into a freeze. These changes cause a condition informally known as “cold damage”, which is often distinguishable by a wide range of symptoms, such as cracked or peeling bark, and even inner bark damage. Trees that experience late seasonal growth are more vulnerable to cold damage.

To reverse cold damage, you will need to implement a customized and strategic tree care plan with the help of an industry professional. To prevent cold damage in your landscaping trees, you will need to do the same, except ahead of time, before the winter season is upon us again next year.

❷ Frost Heaving

Frost heaving is a typically winter tree problem, especially in regions where snow and ice are abundant. This condition starts in the soil. As the outdoor climates freeze and fluctuate, the underground water within the soil beneath trees also freezes. This occurrence develops ice in the soil, which causes the soil to swell upwards towards the base of the tree trunk. You may have seen the ramifications of this condition before in concrete, sidewalks, and pavements. Frost heaving is a problem for tree because it weakens and damages roots, which can then make a tree more susceptible to toppling over.

Frost heaving is not something you can really prevent. If it does occur, you will need professional tree service to ensure the tree is not a hazard or liability. Routine tree care is vital to grow strong, healthy, resistant trees; if you stay on top of tree care, a tree has a better chance of surviving frost heave.

❸ Seasonal Drought

You would think that trees get plenty of water in the winter with all of the snow, but the reality is that freezing temperatures can cause a tree to lose water reserves at a much faster rate; so fast, they cannot absorb enough water from the ground in time to replace the loss. This results in winter drought, which can be identified through a number of symptoms like branch loss, cracking bark, wildlife infestation, and death. Seasonal drought can also lead to late growth in spring, sunburned leaves in the summer, and premature foliage loss in fall.

How to Prevent Damage to Trees in the Wintertime

To help trees avoid seasonal drought, your best approach would include the assistance of an Indianapolis IN tree care company. They have the knowledge and resources necessary to ensure your landscaping trees are healthy and ready to take on winter conditions. In addition to tree service, you can also help tree’s retain moisture through adequate mulching, year-round.

Are your landscaping trees suffering this winter? Contact Complete Tree Care at 317-783-2518 for licensed Indianapolis Indiana tree service and affordable price. We serve both residential and commercial clients all throughout Central Indiana.

Winter-Resistant Tree Species for Indiana

Posted on December 20, 2021 by Completetree

The first day of winter is officially here tomorrow! Are your trees ready for the upcoming season? The ground is not yet frozen, which means you may be able to plant some more trees before dormancy kicks in. In Indiana, we experience a wide range of seasonal changes; one winter may be mild and calm, while the next is harsh and relentless. For this reason, it is important to carefully strategize which trees you will plant, and more importantly, where you will plant them.

Continue reading to learn which tree species are most resistant to ice and winter storm damage, as well as some tips that will help you make a safe, long-term plan for your property.

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Winter Tree Damage

Wintertime in Indiana is usually unpredictable. We never know if we should expect an early winter with lots of snow and ice, or if winter will come late and we will have an extended fall season instead. This is why tree planning is so important. Not only do you need to consider protecting your trees through the changing seasons, but you must also think about protecting your property and its surroundings.

Winter snow, ice, hail, and harsh winds can cause an extreme amount of damage to a tree, especially if the tree is already diseases, damaged, or dying. In turn, the amount of winter damage can cause structural damages to your home, power lines, vehicles, and worst of all, people. This is why you do not want an unhealthy tree to be located near anything it can fall on top of. With winter-resistant tree species, you can better prevent the possibility of tree damage and fallen trees.

Here are some top-recommended tree species that hold up well in the winter:

▷ American Sweet Gum
▷ Arborvitae
▷ Black Walnut
▷ Blue Beech
▷ Catalpa
▷ Eastern Hemlock
▷ Ginkgo
▷ Ironwood
▷ Kentucky Coffee Tree
▷ Norway Maple
▷ Little Leaf Linden
▷ Silver Linden
▷ Swamp White Oak
▷ White Oak

If Storm Damage Happens

If you have a storm-damaged tree on your property, be sure to have it inspected by a licensed Indianapolis tree service company to ensure it does not pose any safety hazards to people, pets, or property. In the case that a damaged or dying tree is near such areas, it is strongly encouraged to have it removed before the harshest of winter weather conditions are here. Next spring, when you plant your new winter-resistant trees, be sure to also stay on top of routine tree care, such as pruning, watering, and fertilizing.

Are you interested in learning how to protect your trees from winter season damages? Contact Complete Tree Care at 317-783-2518 for licensed Indianapolis Indiana tree service and affordable price. We serve both residential and commercial clients all throughout central Indiana.

Should I Spray Anti-Desiccants on My Evergreen Trees?

Posted on February 17, 2021 by Completetree

Winter is hard on trees. It may not look like it, but the cold climate and harsh conditions can cause a long list of hardships, even for coniferous trees like evergreens. The ultimate way to better protect your evergreen landscaping trees from freezing temperature and inclement winter weather is stay on top of your routine tree care checklist throughout the winter season. Additionally, consider adding anti-desiccant treatments to your checklist too. Unsure about the effects and applications of anti-desiccants on evergreen trees? You are not alone.

Continue reading to learn some brief, fundamental facts about such tree care treatments, including how they help trees survive the winter and where you can find trusted winter tree service near you.

Coniferous Tree Damage in Winter

In general, the most damaging effect on trees is the loss of moisture they experience. Through tiny pores on their needles or leaves, trees will lose moisture and dry out. Because of the extreme dry air and harsher winds, the rate of moisture loss in trees is drastically accelerated, which causes a faster decline compared to other seasons of the year. Coniferous trees react to these elemental conditions by drawing more and more water from the roots to feeds the leaves or needles. As a result, trees experience all sorts of health problems, primarily needle discoloration and loss. This tree health problem is known as winter burn, or winter desiccation.

Anti-Desiccants Can Prevent Winter Burn

A common method of preventing the affects of winter weather and moisture loss in trees, including winter burn, is to include anti-desiccant treatments to your regular tree care routine. Anti-desiccants are effective at abating this cycle of water over-consumption and needle loss in trees because they are specially formulated to stop moisture in its tracks. Anti-desiccant treatments are a wax coating application applied to the needles and leaves of trees that acts as a barrier against harsh winters, freezing temperatures and dry air. Think of anti-desiccant coatings like your hand moisturizers or house humidifiers, which promote moisture retention and abates moisture loss in our skin.

Additional Ways to Protect Trees in Winter:

► Mulch Around Trees
► Insulate/Wrap Tree Trunks
► Brace Young or Vulnerable Trees
► Prevent Deer Damage
► Remove Heavy Snow on Branches
► Keep Ice Salts Away
► Prune in the Spring and Fall
► Annual Tree Inspections

Where to Get Winter Tree Service in Indianapolis, Indiana

Call Complete Tree Care at 317-783-2518 for Indianapolis tree service you can trust. We are highly trained and experienced tree care technicians that offer commercial and residential tree services at affordable prices. Request an estimate or advice anytime. Contact us to learn more about tree care in Indianapolis, IN today.

4 Winter Storm Preparation Tips for Landscaping Trees

Posted on January 26, 2021 by Completetree

Winter storms can bring about a mixture of freezing rain, snow, ice, hail, lightening, and more. So long as you have strong, healthy trees, you can rest assure they will stand up to this type of inclement, seasonal weather that is to be expected. But if you have young, weak, newly planted, or vulnerable trees on your property, there is a smaller chance that they will thrive through a winter storm spell. If you do not do what it takes to protect your landscaping trees from winter storm conditions, you are at a much higher risk of waking up to storm damaged trees.

Continue reading to learn the top 4 winter storm preparation tree care tips, and how to get started with a professional tree inspection.

4 Ways to Stronger and Healthier Trees

❶ Routine Tree Care and Pruning

Trees with denser canopies, strong branches, and healthy roots are trees that will stand up to winter weather and storms. In order to achieve this for your landscaping trees, they should be serviced at least bi-annually by a licensed tree care provider for tree pruning, fertilizing, trimming, and inspection. Tree pruning is one of the most vital routine tree services that make for stronger, healthier trees, and should be the main area of focus in the fall or early spring. Talk to your Indianapolis tree service company to learn your recommended tree care schedule.

❷ Year-Round Mulching

Trees need to be mulched if you want any chance at success. Mulch plays many important functions for trees, and the roots below. With a wide perimeter of mulch around the base of your trees, the root systems are well-moistened, and the trunk is protected from potential lawnmower damage. Furthermore, mulch contains organic constituents that are pertinent to the nutrition of the soil and quality of the root system.

Mulch is a year-round necessity for trees, as it preserves the heat of the sun and prevents the ground from freezing in harsh temperatures. All of this helps promotes healthy tree growth come spring and summer. When mulching your trees in spring and fall, aim between 2 and 3 inches of mulch at the base, but be sure not to allow the mulch to “crawl” up the trunk of the tree.

❸ Protection Against Lightning

Although lightening is not a major threat during the winter season, you still need to protect your trees against lightening damage year-long. This way, your trees will remain strong and resilient when the winter weather is upon us. To do this, consider installing a quality lightning protection system. These devices will direct electrical currents away from the tree, sending them down a sequence of wires and into the ground.

❹ Tree Cavity Management

Tree cavities might not seem like they are a big threat, but they are a common influence on how well a tree can withstand inclement winter weather conditions. The more hollowed a tree, the less stable it is, and therefore, more susceptible to strong winds and rains, or heavy snow and ice. So, keep an eye out on all tree cavities, and monitor their progress. If you are noticing that one tree cavity is growing too large, you will need to have that tree inspected, and possibly cabled or braced for the winter.

A Complete Tree Care Offers Winter Tree Protection Service in Indianapolis

Call Complete Tree Care at 317-783-2518 for trusted winter tree service in Indianapolis and throughout Central Indiana. We are a family owned and operated Indianapolis tree care company that offers the most competitive prices for tree trimming and pruning, tree removal, stump removal, and more. Our tree service pros serve both residential and commercial clients all throughout the Central parts of the state. Request a free estimate or advice, today.

Will the Snow Kill My Tree?

Posted on February 28, 2020 by Completetree

Do you have a tree on your lot that has been experiencing some weakness or problems? If so, all this recent snowfall might have your concerned about its potential to persevere through spring. Continue reading to learn how snow and cold temperatures might affect landscaping trees, and what you can do to better protect them for the remainder of the winter season.

Indianapolis Winter Tree Service 317-783-2518

Winter Tree Threats

There are various factors that can influence the health and condition of a tree, year-round. Not only can harsh winter weather impact a tree’s ability to thrive, other natural occurrences can weaken or damage a tree overtime, such as pest infestation, wildlife tampering, poor soil compaction or pH levels, lawn drainage, landscaping, construction, and much more. As for the winter, the most damaging elements that trees can suffer from include heavy snow, hail, ice, windstorms, and heavy rain.

So, will this recent snowfall cause your trees to die? Probably not, but the possibility is there if your trees have existing health problems, such as disease or malnutrition. Furthermore, newly planted and young trees are more vulnerable to elemental damages, making it important to protect them during times of heavy snowfall and below-freezing temperatures.

Beware of Winter Burn

Also known as desiccation, winter burn is a potentially-fatal seasonal problem among evergreen trees. The most common causes for winter burn are insufficient levels of moisture in soil, freezing temperatures, and inclement winds. These factors cause trees to lose moisture faster than they can replace it, as a result of the frozen ground and soil conditions. Because of these conditions, trees suffering from winter burn often die before spring arrives

How to Protect Trees in Snowy Weather

Diseased, decaying, or dead trees can easily be knocked down in a large snowstorm. It is wise to remove a tree in this condition before it becomes a threat to the people and surroundings in your neighborhood. This is one reason why routine tree care and maintenance is so important. Regular, year-round tree care is highly effective, and can help thrive through winter.

Additional winter tree protection methods:

➥ Burlap Wraps
➥ Cable and Bracing
➥ Tree Staking
➥ Mulching

Winter Tree Service in Indianapolis You Can Count On

Call Complete Tree Care at 317-783-2518 for experienced tree service in Indianapolis and throughout Central Indiana. We offer a wide range of residential and commercial tree services, including tree removal, tree trimming, stump grinding, stump removal, lot clearing, and more. If you want professional and efficient service you can trust, Complete Tree Care is the right call!

Seasonal FAQS About Tree Care

Posted on December 11, 2018 by Completetree

Our landscaping trees are more than just magnificently appealing; they are also highly valuable to our overall indoor comfort, protection, and efficiency. Not only do trees provide privacy on our properties, they also double as built-in shade canopies, snow fences, wind barriers, and UV-ray absorbers. These attributes offer a higher level of energy efficiency in the home, which in turn, reflects on your monthly utility bills.

For these reasons and more, it is important to implement proper tree care practices every season, even in the winter. Continue reading to review some of the most frequently asked questions and answers regarding winter tree care.

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❄ Should I Prune Trees in Winter?

Tree pruning is important because it stimulates new growth, which in turn, enhances the strength, appeal, and performance of trees. In the winter, trees need to be pruned for optimal spring growth, as well as, pest and disease protection through the colder months. It is a great time to have your trees pruned since all the foliage has dropped. Tree service technicians can easily see where limbs and branches connect, giving them more access to the tree’s canopy.

❄ Do Trees Need Mulch in Winter?

Just like pruning, mulch is also a year-round necessity for trees. Not only does mulch provide an added aesthetic appeal to your landscaping, it actually protects tree roots and retains soil moisture. The mulch bed preserves the heat of the sun and prevents the ground from freezing in harsh temperatures. All of this helps improve soil nutrient levels and conditions, thus promoting healthy tree growth all year.

❄ Will Snow and Ice Kill My Trees?

If you take good care of your trees all year long, including proper tree care practices, watering, pruning, fertilizing, and mulching, you can expect your landscaping trees to survive the winter. However, inclement conditions like snow and ice can harm trees, and even kill them, if they are already weakened, inadequate, or diseased.

❄ How Can I Protect My Trees in Winter?

Aside from pruning and mulching, there are several other initiatives you can take on to ensure winter time survival and optimal spring tree growth. Such undertakings include cabling and bracing, bark repair, integrated pest management, routine inspection, and even dead or hazardous tree removal. Consider talking to a licensed Indianapolis tree service company for professional and personalized advice for your landscaping trees.

Who Do I Call for Trusted Winter Tree Service?

Indianapolis Tree Care 317-783-2518

Call Complete Tree Care at 317-783-2518 for Indianapolis tree service you can trust. We are highly trained and experienced tree care technicians that offer commercial and residential tree services at affordable prices. Request an estimate or advice anytime. Call 317-783-2518 to learn more about tree care in Indianapolis, IN today.