Why Can’t I Plant a Tree Just Anywhere?
When I first began working at Russell Tree Experts as a video production assistant, I had no significant prior knowledge of arboriculture, and I never really understood the concept of tree planting. My overall impression was that trees are good for the environment as they provide oxygen, contribute to an ecosystem, and are visually pleasing to look at and enjoy.
Recap: Arbor Day 2021
Hello! Arbor Day was last Friday (April 30th, 2021) — Check out the above video to see why it’s our favorite day of the year!Free Trees to Celebrate Arbor Day!
Arbor Day is tomorrow (!!!) and to celebrate we are giving away 300 tree saplings! Stop by our office (directions below) today (April 29th) starting at 10AM for a contact-free pick up of a bundle of 5 trees!
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Seventeen years ago near this season I was starting my second year as an arborist in training. A few months more into the year and I would be applying to the ISA to sit for the Certified Arborist examination, which thankfully I would pass. At this point in my career, I was fortunate to be working under a foreman who was (and is) passionate about trees, so as I learned primarily about climbing and pruning, I was also being taught about CODIT, tree identification, and common tree pests and diseases.
Is my boxwood trying to tell me something?
A truly fascinating and audible phenomenon is happening in Ohio gardens right now. The tiny worm-like larvae of the boxwood leaf miner have awoken and are voraciously feeding inside boxwood leaves.
Pruning Upper Arlington's Oldest Tree
We are honored that The City of Upper Arlington entrusted our arborists to prune their oldest tree - a towering, beautiful American sycamore. This massive tree is around 100 feet tall, 90 feet wide, and likely over
New Disease Control Measures for Oak & Elm Trees
… I hope everyone is having a great week and enjoying this sunshiny weather! I love being able to get outside with my girls and get some vitamin D and open our windows and get some fresh air. With spring around the corner, I wanted to bring to your attention that Russell Tree Experts is implementing some new Oak tree and Elm tree safety procedures to ensure the health and safety of these types of trees in the Columbus area.
Here... There... (and what feels like) Everywhere
Despite the snow and cold temperatures, Russell Tree Experts is staying busy this winter with several interesting projects.
Lecanium Scale (Part Two)
Recently one of my clients in Dublin ended up with three crabapple trees that had a heavy infestation of lecanium scale. We tried some treatments but the trees had declined and the client made the wise decision to remove and replace them.
Lecanium Scale (Part One)
If “Lecanium” is a new word for you, consider yourself lucky, or at worst, blissfully ignorant. If you have experienced species of this genus in your landscape you may know how devastating, unsightly, and generally… uncomfortable this insect can be. If you have ever stood under a tree covered in a scale population which is actively feeding and digesting you will know why the word “uncomfortable” came to mind. In this installment I will briefly describe Lecanium scale and its life cycle. In the next installment, I will share an unusual finding from last season, and stand out on a limb to make a forecast for this season.
♥ Happy Valentine's Day! ♥
Don’t you miss handing out Valentine’s Day cards at school? Did you make the shoe box and hope to get a card from that special someone? We’re feeling a little nostalgic this year so we decided to create some tree-inspired mini Valentine’s Day cards. You may not be in grade school anymore but take a moment and feel like a kid again by printing our Valentine’s Day cards below and give ‘em to your special someone!
Where’s the Fruit?
As an arborist, I often feel like I need to double as a detective. Trees, obviously, cannot tell us verbally how they are "feeling" or why they are behaving in a certain way. We have to look for clues as to what is possibly going on with them. When I am asked why a tree is performing poorly, oftentimes I need to swap out my helmet for a Sherlock Holmes cap and start digging around, asking questions of the tree's caretaker and standing back to observe the environment in which the tree exists.
Planting Trees for a Purpose
I think we all can agree that our TREE FOR A TREE® program is an awesome idea for replacing the trees that we remove, but as I set in the office watching nature happen outside my window, I started thinking of other reasons to plant trees. Trees provide countless benefits to our environment as well as providing food and shelter for a number of living organisms. Anytime that I am walking through a property I cannot help but notice the birds enjoying all that the trees are providing for them. I decided to write about planting trees that provide shelter and food for birds throughout the year.
Understanding Conifers
Understanding conifers should begin with a few simple definitions to clarify and classify. A conifer is a plant that bears its seeds in cones. When we hear the word cone, we likely think of pine and spruce trees, two types of coniferous trees that are widely found throughout Central Ohio and beyond. Their cones are obvious when they fall and scatter on the ground surrounding the tree. But did you know that yews (Taxus) and junipers are also conifers?
Putting the Year to Sleep
Today the light begins to increase again; days begin to lengthen. For the last 6 months or so each day has lost a minute or two of daylight, growing shorter as this part of the world approached the darkest day of the year. Earlier this week I was reading the musings of Henry David Thoreau once again, and came across a passage about the wonders of a milkweed seed, how each seed is carefully packed within its “light chest” attached to silk streamers, to be released when the time is right. Thoreau ends the thought with a quiet reflection on the faith of a milkweed plant which “matures its seeds” despite the prophecies of some men that the world would end.
How do you become a Certified Arborist?
Have you ever wanted to become a Certified Arborist? The first step is developing an interest in trees: species, habits, ideal growing conditions, diseases, pests, structure, life cycle. An inquisitive mind is a great asset for any arborist. Any question about trees is a good question! Now that your curiosity is piqued, the next step in developing your arboreal skills is finding the answers!
Free Trees! (Update: ALL GONE!)
We are giving away bundles of tree saplings! Just stop by our office during the times listed below for a contact-free pick up of a bundle of 5 trees plus a "Keep Ohio Green" tote! There are only 100 bundles so get here before they are all gone!