Holiday Tree Dedications

Finding the perfect gift for family and friends around the holidays can be a grueling endeavor. Everyone expects to get what’s on their Christmas list so they don’t have to stand in the Returns line the day after Christmas. But there’s a way to give a meaningful gift that anyone would love without standing in any lines. TreePeople of Los Angeles suggests gifting a tree this year. Ordering a dedication tree offers a long lasting gift that people all over the state of California can enjoy for years to come.

Each year, thousands of gift trees are ordered through TreePeople, as well as other gift tree websites, and are becoming a popular gift for all occasions. Gifting a tree not only makes a wonderful gift for the holidays, it can also commemorate a special occasion such as an anniversary, birthday, new birth, or dedication to a lost loved one.

A gift tree is also an eco-conscious contribution to restoring the local environment and involving friends and family in the rebuilding of our nation’s forests. TreePeople, based in Los Angeles, have received donations from residents as far as San Diego who have donated trees to honor their loved ones, in an effort to revitalize the Angeles National Forest in California. The donations help plant new trees as well as maintain trees that have been donated already.

Though TreePeople doesn’t know exactly where your tree will be planted, and can’t guarantee a specific location, all dedication trees are planted within in the park woodlands and mountain forests of the Angeles National Forest. The area has been chosen because of deforestation caused by wildfires, neglect, and other natural causes. Because so many trees are donated throughout the year, it’s not possible to put markers on every tree, but participation is encouraged. If you’d like to make your gift exceptionally special, tree planting events are open to dedicators and recipients.

During the holiday season, each donation is given special attention by presenting your honoree with a personalized greeting card and a certificate of announcement as a token of gratitude.

This year think outside the big box stores and celebrate the future of our planet. Tree donations start at $25 and multiple trees can be donated at a discount. Perhaps you’re looking for a way to involve your friends and family in green efforts – donating a tree is a great way to show them how they can make a difference.

Palms Need Care and Maintenance Too

Contrary to popular belief palms need care and maintenance just like any other tree. Home and property owners in Southern California to take active steps to keep their palms healthy and attractive, after all palm trees are part of the California lifestyle. Pests like the Red Palm Weevil and the Royal Palm Bug threaten palms and palms also need special fertilizer and other kinds of care. The sad thing is that many homeowners do not perform simple maintenance such as fertilizing and applying insecticide.

That means they end up cutting down a palm which could potentially increase the value and appeal of their property. Worse they have the expense of tree removal and the problem of planting a new palm. This kind of expense can be easy averted with proper tree care. Quite a few property owners could avoid having to cut down a palm or replace it with a new tree - if they had just hired a professional tree service to maintain their palms. Simply having a professional arborist take a look at your palms or palm once a year could make all the difference. An arborist is a professional tree expert that can examine your palms and see if there is any problem. If you own a rental home or commercial property, a tree service can be tax deductible because it is a business expense. Spending some money on professional care to preserve the health of your palms and the appearance of your property makes a lot of sense.

The truth of course is that there is no tree that does need care. All trees need regular care to maintain their health. Without professional pruning and trimming and spraying trees not only become unattractive they can die. A good tree service can maintain all of your trees including willows, evergreens and eucalyptus as well as palms and preserve the unique appearance of your property. Spending a little money now to keep palms and other trees healthy and looking good makes sense.

The Growing Threat to Your Trees

The threat to trees from insects, fungal diseases and other pests is growing everyday. Almost every species of tree found in the United States is now under threat from some sort of nasty bug or deadly fungus. To make matters worse new threats to trees are arriving from all over the world everyday. State officials in Southern California are now warning property owners about the Red Palm Weevil. A pest that they think could wipe out every palm tree in the Golden State. Back east Chestnut Blight almost wiped out American chestnut trees. Every year home and property owners loose thousands of trees to such menaces. Protecting Your Trees Fortunately there are steps that property owners can take to protect their trees and the value they add to properties. The first and best step you can take is to have your trees regularly inspected by a professional tree service. Such a service should employ trained arborists that can spot threats to trees and stop them. Once a threat has been identified there are steps that can be taken to protect trees, shrubs and other greenery. Almost all of the insects that kill trees can be stopped by spraying but to be effective and safe, spraying has to be done early and quickly. Fungus can also be also controlled by proper spraying. Improper pruning and trimming can damage trees and actually encourage the spread of fungus and some pests. Having this work done by a professional tree service can stop the spread of such menaces. Finally, dead, dying and infected trees must be removed as soon as you notice them. Such trees must be removed properly to keep pests and diseases from spreading. Professional tree removal is often the best means of protecting a properly from tree killing pests and diseases.

World’s Worst Palm Tree Pest Now in California

An insect described as the world’s “worst palm tree pest” has apparently been detected in Laguna Beach in Orange County, California. The Pest is the Red Palm Weevil and California state officials believe it is a threat to most ornamental palm trees. So far it has not been reported out of Laguna Beach but it could spread.

Officials are worried about the Red Palm Weevil because it can fly for up to a half mile. The pest then lays eggs in the bark of the palm, larvae hatch from eggs and eat the tree and kill it. People should be able to detect the beetle by looking for holes with brown ooze coming out of them on barks. Dead weevils and their larvae will be visible if there is a heavy infestation.

It is not just people in California who should worry about the Red Palm Weevil. It has also been reported on some islands in the Caribbean so it could soon spread to Texas, Arizona and Florida. Palms are very vulnerable to this kind of pest because they are not native to most parts of the US even though they have widely planted in many areas.

Since palms often add to the value of properties owners should definitely be on the look out for this and other palm killing pests. Persons who think they see this pest should contact their state’s department of agriculture.

The presence of this kind of pest shows why professional tree services are so important. Without proper tree care such bugs can easily get out of control and destroy all the palms on property. Most people will not be able to spot infestations or deal with them until it is too late.

Trained tree experts or arborists can do this and take the steps necessary to protect trees. They can also safely and professionally remove infested trees to contain the problem.

So it is definitely a good idea for persons with palms on their properties to have them checked by a professional tree service on a regular basis. Nobody can be too careful these days with all the different pests around.

Beautiful Winter Treescapes and Scenic Drives

Sure, the holidays are over, but why end the winter fun now? It’s still January, and there are plenty of wonderful winter destinations that make for an exciting family adventure. Scenic drives are one of the most popular cold-weather activities because of the fact that the grandeur of the outdoors may be enjoyed from the warm comfort of a vehicle. The only thing more fascinating than lush greenery is miles and miles of snow topped trees, a commodity which none of the following destinations are lacking!

Zion Park Scenic Byway – Utah

This byway consists of the main highway through the famous Zion National Park. Many people consider Utah to be a place full of jutting canyons and desert landscapes, but the upper elevations actually get more than one hundred inches of snow per year! Besides the breathtaking winter photography opportunities provided by trees that keep their leaves year-round, the park is a haven for wildlife like eagles and majestic elk.

Payette River Scenic Byway – Idaho

Payette River Scenic Byway takes winter sightseers on an icy and exciting drive along the river from Boise to McCall. Those who would like to take their adventures to the next level will find hundreds of miles of snowmobile and ski trails. Beginning in sage-covered foothills of Boise, visitors will be treated to sights of pines, tamaracks, aspen trees, and wild birds as the road gains more than 2,000 feet of elevation before reaching the cozy town of McCall. 

General’s Highway – California

Although Sequoia and King’s Canyon national parks see most of their 1.5 million visitors in the summer and spring, the winter remains one of the most intriguing times to capture the beauty of General Sherman, the world’s largest tree, in all the glory of quiet and gentle snow. The other giant sequoias are just as magnificent and humbling to behold. It is simply unfair to categorize California as a summer destination when there is so much to check out in the cooler months as well.

Always call ahead of time to make sure that no fallen trees or icy conditions will delay your trip through any of these spectacular scenic drives. Take the same safety cautions you would when driving in any other inclement conditions. Many parks will suggest bringing traction devices, flashlights, blankets, and other emergency provisions. Remember- the best way to get the most out of a scenic byway or treescape adventure is to prepare for it!

Parasitic Winter Insects Threaten California Fruit Trees

California fruit trees are subject to a wide range of nasty winter insect infestations. While these trees may look dormant, there may actually be another world of teeming parasitic life just below the bark. Never trust appearances- it may take years before an infestation is successfully detected and by then it may be too late to salvage the tree’s health. The following threats to fruit tree health can all be successfully treated during the dormant winter months:

San Jose Scale – This particular type of scale is perhaps the most widely recognized and damaging scale insect pests found throughout California. Ornamental, shade, and fruit trees are included as part of this parasite’s list of hosts, along with more than 60 other plants. That is some serious reach. These scales are circular, convex, and grayish black and generally thrive in populations which proliferate long before symptoms are generally visible. 

Mites – Blister mites often invade pear trees, feeding on leaves and even developing fruit. The damage done can impair the functioning of leaves, but the effects are not just aesthetic. The ugly yellow “blisters” left by these pests are breeding grounds for their young. Blister mites  can only be treated during the dormant season with a thorough tree spray.

Twig Borer – Apricot, peach, nectarine, plum, and prune trees are all at risk for damage by this steel gray moth, which can grow up to half an inch long. The larvae of these borers will burrow deep down into young shoots, making it difficult to train young trees particularly. Larvae will also feed on the stems of fruits causing them to be off grade. 

Aphids – Aphids attack a wide variety of fruit and nut trees throughout the orchards of California each year. These pests can reproduce asexually, or without a mate, meaning that populations can grow uncontrollably without the proper intervention. These insects feed primarily on groups of stems and leaves. Eggs hatch in early spring but can easily be killed in the overwintering phase with a professional tree spraying during the dormant winter months.