Tree Care

- DORMANCY - In the winter most woody plants are dormant along with the diseases and insects that can invade a pruning cut.

- VISIBILITY - It's easy to identify form and structural issues in the plant when it's not covered in foliage.

- ENERGY - Pruning in the winter leaves the plant with extra root and energy reserves.  

- PREPARATION - The plant is better prepared for a Dormant Oil Application to kill off overwintering insects such as scale and mites, that will otherwise compromise it in the spring when the insects become active.

Fall is the time to prepare your trees and shrubs for winter so they stay alive through the harsh winter.

The following are some problems that can ultimately lead to the death of your trees and shrubs during winter if not addressed.

Lack of Nutrients

Dead Wood 

Dehydration

Timing is everything to maximize the effectiveness of a dormant oil application.  Dormant oil needs applied when trees are completely dormant and before the trees and shrubs produce new growth. 

This damage causing insect is a sucking insect that has a straw like mouth it uses to feed itself on the leaves of the host tree.  In large numbers they can do serious damage to the tree.

We are seeing an increased number of Birch Trees being demolished by the bronze birch borer in Boise, Meridian and Eagle. The bronze birch borer is a wood boring beetle that attacks all types of birch trees. (Say that 3 times fast!)

All around the Treasure Valley, we have been finding Elm Trees with reddish galls (they look like a Red Wart) covering the new foliage. 

Gall is an irregular plant growth which is stimulated by the reaction between plant hormones and insect and mites growth regulating chemicals. 

Lately, we has been asked by clients for our exclusive ISA Certified Arborist Consultations.  We’re being asked on a daily basis to determine what is wrong with plant material all over the Treasure Valley and prescribe a treatment to attempt to return it to full health.

Right now in the Treasure Valley we are encountering outbreaks of the following Tree and Shrub Problems:

-Powdery Mildew attacking Flowering Pears

- Aphids eating Ash and Maple Trees

- IPS Beetles desiccating Norway Spruces

- Tip Moths killing Austrian Pines

- Winter die back from fluctuating winter temperatures

Aphids cause foliage to curl from sucking the sap from your plants. This feeding can cause wilting and dieback of shoots and buds, not to mention the mess caused by excreting honeydew. 

The beautiful trees and shrubs we will see blooming around the Treasure Valley, now and in the next few weeks can significantly benefit from the nutrients found in a Spring Tree & Shrub Fertilization.

Do you have an ISA Certified Arborist taking care of your trees?  Green Services has 7 ISA Certified Arborists on staff ready to take care of your trees and shrubs today!

A correctly timed Dormant Oil application is done before trees produce new leaves.  It must be applied at the proper temperature to avoid damaging plants that do not drop their foliage.  Dormant Oil is safe for birds and animals, however, be sure ponds with fish are covered.