A Professional Tree Service can Help Rental and Investment Property Owners

Something that rental and investment property owners should seriously consider is hiring professional tree services. Such a company can help improve the value and attractiveness of your property.

Well-groomed trees, bushes and shrubs make a property more attractive to potential renters and buyers. Dead, sick, untrimmed and un-pruned will drive owners away from a property. They also look unprofessional and just plain ugly. Potential purchasers and renters will think the property is un-maintained.

Anybody who purchases a foreclosure or any other property that has sat empty for more than a few months should definitely have a tree company look at the shrubs, brushes and trees on it. Even if they look healthy they could be infected with fungal diseases or infested with pests that could kill them. A tree service employs professional arborists that can identify such menaces and take steps to prevent them.

Another problem is that tree limbs can grow into power lines and building and cause damage. Limbs that grow over a roof can fall on the building and damage it. Limbs that grow over a neighbor’s property can also fall and cause damage you could be held liable for.

A service can also help with the problem of dead or dying trees or trees that get too big. It can remove those trees safely, completely, legally and quickly. In many cases it can be dangerous or hard to remove a tree. You will need to hire a special service to get rid of the trunk and you face the danger of it falling on a building or house and damaging it. The pros can remove such a trunk without any damage.

Finally there is the problem of stumps, a professional tree maintenance company can take care of them with a stump grinder. This is a device that can literally turn a stump into sawdust. That completely eliminates the problem. It will look as if there was never a stump there to begin with.

Companion Planting for Organic Fruit Tree Care

Organic gardeners and environmentally conscious homeowners will do anything possible to avoid spraying trees with synthetic chemical compounds - especially fruit trees. Thankfully, anyone has the potential to combat common tree health problems while increasing yields with a simple method called companion planting.

What is Companion Planting?

Companion planting is a technique that takes advantage of the natural properties of certain plants, flowers, and weeds to combat pests and disease. Although it requires a little preliminary research and an understanding of local plant life, companion planting is one of the cheapest and most ecologically friendly methods of tree maintenance.

The key is to plant only native companions to avoid the threat of overgrowth or attraction of unfamiliar bugs and predators.

Naturally Improve Soil and Deter Pests

Many gardeners and homeowners have a somewhat unreasonable fear of weeds – spending hours uprooting and destroying each and every one. Next time, carefully select the varieties that are less of a nuisance and consider leaving them behind. Many small weeds present no competition to nearby native trees, and their presence and lifecycle actually help to improve soil conditions by preventing compaction and increasing water and air penetration.

Clover is a popular choice for companion planting with fruit trees – it provides essential nitrogen for neighboring plants, while inhibiting aphid spread by attracting desirable ground beetles. The flowers are also one of the main nectar sources for honeybees. Garlic is another popular favorite: it’s not only delicious, but also helps to accumulate sulfur as a natural fungicide to protect from diseases. Comfrey accumulates phosphorus, potassium, and calcium while keeping the soil rich and moist.

So, want to save money on maintenance, fertilizers, pesticides, fungicides, and herbicides by next year? Start researching native companion plants to improve tree health today! Whether you want to plant a new tree or rejuvenate an old one, there is no such thing as too late to introduce some beneficial plant life companions!

Winter Peach Tree Diseases

Delicious fruit is something that many gardeners look forward to all year round, but winter peach tree diseases can put a quick end to the fun. Quality peaches are extremely rewarding to enjoy, but often difficult to grow. Preventative care and regular tree maintenance are an absolute necessary – take the following action steps to prevent the most common peach tree problems:

Powdery Mildew

The sphaerotheca pannosa fungus goes dormant in buds and shoots of peach trees during the winter. This nasty infestation manifests as powdery white mildew on the host surface, causing new foliage to grow in damaged and distorted. The problem becomes noticeable as green peach fruit begin developing circular white spots, turning infected areas of fruit brown. Proper pruning leads to good air circulation, which can play a major role in the prevention of mildew attacks. The chances of an infestation increases greatly when rose buses are planted nearby.

Brown Rot

One of the most widely spread and serious peach tree diseases is brown rot, caused by the monilinia fructicola fungus. Although it is not a “true” winter disease, the fungus survives the winter in fruit that has been “mummified” by the infection. To prevent this unfortunate and damaging disease, collect and remove all affected fruit as it appears – both from the tree and off the ground.

Perennial Canker

Perennial canker occurs when sudden temperature changes damages a part of the tree, generally after a harsh winter. These cankers are caused when cytospora fungi attacks exposed areas, creating cankers that secrete foul purple sap. Cytospora can survive year-round, even on dead wood. Young infected trees can face a rather sudden death, while hardier specimens may slowly fade out of life as the canker grows. Annual pruning and protection from sudden changes in temperature can prevent perennial canker, and many other winter peach tree diseases. In special cases, a trustworthy tree service professional may be able to remove the infected portion to save the tree.

Attracting Georgia Wildlife with Native Fruit Trees

Although every state has a variety of interesting wildlife, Georgia remains one of the most versatile planting regions for attracting beautiful and beneficial birds, insects, and mammals. Nothing is more relaxing than sitting quietly by a window and enjoying the free entertainment of thriving animals enjoying a harvest of fresh fruits.

The benefits are obviously mutual – you can support your local habitat while still having plenty of produce left for yourself. Ask your local tree service professional about the following varieties of fruit trees that act as wildlife magnets:

Persimmon

The diospyros virginiana variety of wild persimmon is native to Georgia and can even be found growing uncultivated in many areas around the state. Although the fruit is not very desirable for human consumption, many animals especially enjoy the taste. Female trees must be planted near a male to achieve fruit.

Blueberry

Okay, so blueberries don’t really grow on trees – they grow on shrubs. The berries are so delicious though that the distinction will not matter for the purpose of this article. Blue jays, brown thrashers, and mockingbirds will all be eager to split your crop. Climax, Triumph, and Tifblue blueberries are readily available, though any edible variety will be well appreciated by local wildlife.

Plum

Prunus Americana is Georgia’s native plum tree. Showy white flowers will beautify your property in the springtime, which will later produce fruits that are valued for nutritional value to many species of animal. If your home is positioned on the outskirts of town, even wild deer may stop by to graze on this tree’s foliage.

Dogwood, serviceberry, red buckeye, sumac, mulberry, and oak are all great trees that attract wildlife for different reasons and may make a great alternative if edible fruit is not what you are after. Planting native Georgia trees is always recommended, but now you have even more reason to get out there and start spreading the good Earth love. Good luck and happy planting!

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.

Growing Citrus Trees Indoors

Dwarf fruit trees are sometimes all it takes to bring the tropics indoors for the winter. The fresh scent of citrus could provide just the right pick-me-up for any stale interior, while providing all of the benefits of a garden right in the home. Growing these little trees is a bit trickier than raising the average houseplant but the yields will prove to be worth the effort!

Choosing a Citrus Tree

Your choice of tree should take into account factors like sunshine availability, space, and upkeep. Trees that produce sour fruit often require less sunlight than other species. If you’re looking for a tree that will produce edible delicious goodies, choose something like the Sunquat or Papaya, both of which produce fruit that can be eaten straight off the tree. If aesthetics are more important, the Calamondin Orange will produce fragrant flowers and sour ornamental fruit, which can be used in marmalade or left to hang for months. Before planting a tree, consider all of the possibilities: it's likely that your citrus will outlive any plant you've owned before!

Potting a Citrus Tree

Drainage is very important but easily forgotten. Those who choose to keep indoor trees often focus more on the visual design of the pot while forgetting all about functionality. If the planter you choose doesn’t have drainage holes, simply keep the tree in a simple drainable pot inside of the larger one. Make sure to place a layer of gravel or broken pottery underneath the soil, which should preferably be light and airy. Larger trees may eventually be placed on a platform with wheels, to make trimming and pruning a little easier.

Citrus Tree Upkeep

Bright, direct light is recommended for most species of dwarf citrus tree. In the summer months, these dwarf varieties can enjoy some outdoor sun. Although your indoor plant may produce plenty of pretty blossoms, not all of them will produce fruit without a gentle helping hand. If you’ve gone a couple seasons with no results, try taking a dry paintbrush and gently transferring pollen from one flower to the next. By keeping your citrus happy and healthy, you’ll be enjoying limitless fruit all year long from the comfort of your own home!

Pruning Fruit Trees in Late Winter

According to an extension horticulture specialist at North Carolina State University, winter pruning is extremely important to the growth of a young fruit tree. Growers that neglect annual training and pruning find themselves with short-lived trees that produce lower quality fruit. Failing to care for the framework of the tree can result in serious limb breakage under a heavy load of snow or fruit. Since fruit trees in the Northeast should not be pruned after July (due to potential winter damage), it’s important to take advantage of the increased growth potential that winter trimming offers.

Which to Trim and Why?

Summer and winter pruning have very different effects on fruit trees. Winter pruning, also known as dormant pruning, is an invigorating process that can spurs growth but reduces the fruit bounty of the next season. That’s why only young, relatively untrained fruit trees need a vigorous winter trim- it will prepare them to bear larger loads later in life. Older trees can benefit from a little work as well, but keep in mind that new growth on an established tree often causes more trouble than it’s worth. The reason that this growth spurt occurs after winter pruning is because the trees are still in their dormant stage, so the level of energy doesn’t decrease despite the removal of nutrient-consuming shoots. This extra energy shows up in the spring in the form of rapid growth.

When to Trim Fruit Trees

Pruning should begin as late in the winter as possible, because cold weather injury could pose a real threat to a newly trimmed tree. Those who are unfamiliar with winter pruning should seek the advice of a local tree maintenance professional who can advise on proper technique to decrease the chances of damage. Apple and pecan can be pruned the earliest. The typical rule of thumb for other types of fruit bearing trees is to prune the latest blooming first, and the earliest blooming trees last. Age is a significant issue to the health of a tree during pruning, as well, since younger trees are more susceptible to winter injury of any type.

Planting Perfect Fruit Trees in Georgia

Georgia is famous for thriving crop plantations and beautiful flowering trees but this state is perfect for much more than that. Planting fruit trees on your property will give you fresh organic fruit and cool shade in the sweltering summer. This state has the perfect growth climate for a huge variety of fruit trees. In this article I am going to outline my three favorite fruit trees that take just perfect to Georgia weather. 

Yoshino Cherry Tree

This particular variety of cherry tree is so celebrated in Georgia, that there is a yearly festival dedicated to these delicious cherries in Macon! These trees grow to be a rather small size, with a typical maximum spread of 15 feet. These trees bloom with pinkish flowers in the spring and make a very attractive option for any yard. Maintenance for this variety is almost non-existent, but during a drought it will need to be watered. The Yoshino prefers moist, well drained soil. They originated in Asia, but have adapted to Georgia’s climate beautifully. 

Shockley Apple

Shockley apple trees are common to the northern region of Georgia. The apples yielded by these trees typically reach full ripeness in the latter half of October. Shockley apples are rich and sweet, and the trees don’t get too large as to be unmanageable. These trees approach an average height of 15 to 18 feet when grown in full sun with well-drained soil. Shockleys just won’t thrive well in areas that are prone to flooding of any kind.

Belle of Georgia Peach Tree

Of course, Georgia is famous for its legendary peach orchards. The Belle is just one of many varieties of peach found in the state, but this tree happens to be great for yard growth. With a maximum height of 15 to 25 feet and a total spread of anywhere between 8 to 20 feet, you will be sure to harvest more peaches than you can possibly eat. I hope you like sharing with friends!