Green Man Tree & Landscape Services

Tree Services Waukesha and Milwaukee | Waukesha and Milwaukee Landscaping | Tree Removal and Mulch

Tree Services Milwaukee | Milwaukee Landscaping | Tree Removal and Mulch

Saturday, November 9, 2013

Waukesha Tree Removal | Winter tree removal

Tree Removal in Waukesha is actually easier in many cases and better for your trees.

Tree removal and pruning service in the months of December, January, February, and March is easier for our Arborists;  Benefits of winter tree work for the Arborists include:

  • Improved sight lines due to limited foliage
  • Hard ground makes for better equipment access
  • Reduced outdoor activity presents less obstacles

These benefits make it easier to provide exceptional tree services.  Take advantage of winter tree work and you'll realize:

  • Winter pruned trees will be healthier come spring
  • Dangerous hanging limbs from past storms can be safely removed
  • Work can be done without impacting your lawn or gardens
If these perks aren't enough to convince you of the importance of winter tree service, then we encourage you to talk to one of our Certified Arborists in a free consultation.


Green Man Tree & Landscape Services Serving Milwaukee and Surrounding areas 414-301-9807 https://thegreenmancompany.com Milwaukee Tree Services, Tree Removal, Mulch, Landscaping and wood products. All trees & wood by-products removed from your property will be reused to make fine furniture, firewood or re-purposed into high quality compost and soil for gardeners.

Monday, September 30, 2013

Stop in and see us at the Fine Furnishings Show in Milwaukee! !

Stop in and see us at the Fine Furnishings show at the Harley-Davidson Museum at 400 W Canal Street in Milwaukee from Oct 4th-6th 2013







Green Man Tree & Landscape Services Serving Milwaukee and Surrounding areas 414-301-9807 http://thegreenmancompany.com Milwaukee Tree Services, Tree Removal, Mulch, Landscaping and wood products. All trees & wood by-products removed from your property will be reused to make fine furniture, firewood or re-purposed into high quality compost and soil for gardeners.

Friday, September 27, 2013

Fall is a good time to take care of insects and weeds in your yard | Waukesha Landscape and Tree services


Fall and early winter are an effective time to use pesticides, a broad term that includes products that kill insect pests and also kill weeds (herbicides).  Waukesha tree and Landscaping professionals at Green Man recommends.

Insect pests
Many people don’t have to use pesticides at all,” says Peter Gerstenberger, senior advisor for safety, standards and compliance for the Tree Care Industry Association. “Professionals may be able to solve landscape problems without pesticides by choosing non-chemical alternatives, such as sanitation procedures and selecting shrubs and ornamental trees that are less susceptible to diseases and insects.
For example, an infestation last year may only require all the old plant material be cut out, Often, cultural practices (pruning, raking leaves, etc.) will go a long way toward solving pest problems.”
For homeowners who decide to use pesticides, the Tree Care Industry Association offers these suggestions:
  • Identify the pest first. There is no use in applying a pesticide that won’t address your pest problem.
  • Don’t be tempted to use agricultural chemicals. They aren’t designed for use by homeowners. A small miscalculation in the mixing of a small batch could result in drastic overdosing.
  • Buy the least toxic chemical. Most chemicals available to homeowners use the signal words “caution,” “warning,” or “danger” on their labels. Try to avoid those with the “warning” and “danger” labels, as they are more hazardous.
  • Never mix herbicides with other kinds of pesticides, and never use the same equipment to spray herbicides and other pesticides. You could unintentionally kill the plants you are trying to protect.
  • Don’t mix or store pesticides in food containers, and don’t measure pesticides with the measuring cups and spoons you use in the kitchen. Always store pesticides in the original container with the label intact.
The best choice may be to consult a professional who can diagnose pest problems and recommend chemical or non-chemical alternatives. A beautiful lawn, shrub or tree isn’t worth the trade-off if pesticides are not being used properly.
Herbicides
Fall is a good time to inspect walkways, driveways and patios for those annoying trapped seeds. Despite drought and frequent sweeping, some seeds from weeds, grasses and trees will have germinated, lining joints with unsightly green. Other seeds simply lie in wait until the spring. This new growth must be stopped before the growing season arrives and those small cracks become gaping holes filled with vegetation.
Herbicides are the most cost-effective way of eliminating unwanted weeds, but homeowners need to be careful when using herbicides! When they are used improperly, they can just as easily kill your valuable mature trees and shrubs as sprouting weeds. Only products approved for use on non-crop areas should be considered. Users should read the product label to ensure proper application methods.
“Herbicides should not be applied on or near desirable trees,” cautions Gerstenberger, “or on areas where their roots may extend or in locations where the herbicide may be washed or move into contact with their roots. Even properly applied chemical applications may be affected by rainfall. Some herbicides can be washed off paved surfaces or soak into the ground through the cracked joints – the very place with the greatest concentration of fine tree roots.”
If you are thinking about using herbicides, hire professional arborists. They will choose the correct type of herbicide for the job. 

Green Man Tree & Landscape Services ServingWaukesha and Surrounding areas 414-301-9807 http://thegreenmancompany.com Waukesha Tree Services, Tree Removal, Mulch, Landscaping and wood products. All trees & wood by-products removed from your property will be reused to make fine furniture, firewood or re-purposed into high quality compost and soil for gardeners.

Thursday, September 19, 2013

Tree pruning | Waukesha tree Care | When to prun a tree

When is it a good time to prune a tree?  Tree pruning is best to be done when the tree is most dormant.  Green Man Tree and Landscape of Waukesha can help!  Here are some tips from the arbor day foundation.

Winter Pruning

Pruning during dormancy is the most common practice. It results in a vigorous burst of new growth in the spring and should be used if that is the desired effect. It is usually best to wait until the coldest part of winter has passed. Some species, such as maple, walnuts and birches, may “bleed”—when the sap begins to flow. This is not harmful and will cease when the tree leafs out.

Summer Pruning

To direct the growth by slowing the branches you don’t want; or to slow “dwarf” the development of a tree or branch, pruning should be done soon after seasonal growth is complete. The reason for the slowing effect is that you reduce the total leaf surface, thereby reducing the amount of food manufactured and sent to the roots. Another reason to prune in the summer is for corrective purposes. Defective limbs can be seen more easily, or limbs that hang down too far under the weight of the leaves.

Pruning Flowering Trees to Enhance Flowering

If your purpose for pruning is to enhance flowering:
  1. For trees that bloom in spring, prune when their flowers fade.
  2. Trees and shrubs that flower in mid- to late summer should be pruned in winter or early spring


Click here to learn more about tree pruning

Green Man Tree & Landscape Services Serving Waukesha and Surrounding areas 414-301-9807 http://thegreenmancompany.com Waukesha Tree Services, Tree Removal, Mulch, Landscaping and wood products. All trees & wood by-products removed from your property will be reused to make fine furniture, firewood or re-purposed into high quality compost and soil for gardeners.

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Firewood available in Waukesha | Green man Wood Services

 Split Seasoned firewood is available from Green Man Wood Services in Milwaukee.

Ready to burn, Mixed batch of oak, hard maple, cherry, hickory, elm, walnut and more.  Prices are $175 for a half cord, and $275 for a full cord.  Additional charge for delivery may apply.
Waukesha tree service




Green Man Tree & Landscape Services Serving Waukesha and Surrounding areas 414-301-9807 http://thegreenmancompany.com Milwaukee Tree Services, Tree Removal, Mulch, Landscaping and wood products. All trees & wood by-products removed from your property will be reused to make fine furniture, firewood or re-purposed into high quality compost and soil for gardeners.

Friday, August 16, 2013

Waukesha Tree Care and Services | Emerald Ash Borer On the Move

Looks like the Emerald Ash Borer has moved further North.  

Friday, August 2, 2013

Mulching tips and uses for Waukesha | Waukesha Mulch

Got mulch? You can use less water and improve the health of your trees and plants by using a layer of mulch, three to four inches deep, around your trees. Instead of having your “yard waste” hauled away, you can mulch by simply allowing fallen leaves and other plant matter to stay on the ground.

Here's how to mulch:

1. Make or obtain mulch


To make your own: When you prune trees, you can chip the non-diseased branches into mulch using a chipper or your own pruning tools. Chippers will work on branches up to 3 inches in diameter. You can purchase or rent one from home improvement stores or equipment rental businesses.  Or Contact Green Man Tree Services and we can do this for you.

Do not use grass clippings as mulch around plants. They smother the soil and do not allow oxygen to get into the soil. Compost your grass clippings instead.

Under existing trees and shrubs, allow the leaves and branches to fall and stay on the soil. Do not rake them up and throw them away, unless they are diseased.

2. Remove weeds


Remove weeds from around the base of the tree before mulching.

3. Break up the soil


If the soil surface is highly compacted, break up the surface using a metal rake or shovel before mulching.

4. Place the mulch


Place a 3- to 4-inch layer of mulch around the tree. Keep the mulch at least 2 inches away from the base of the tree. If possible, mulch all the way out to the dripline (the dripline is the area that reaches out from the trunk and extends to the end of the branches). Be sure to mulch over the berm if you've created one around your tree.

Additional mulching tips & resources


  • Tree pruning and landscape maintenance companies are another good source for mulch. Call Green Man Wood Services in Milwaukee and Waukesha at 414-301-9807.
  • Do not buy sawdust or wood shavings for mulch. These won’t allow enough air into the soil.
  • Wood or bark chips work best when they are between one and three inches in size. Pieces smaller than that can smother the soil and do not allow enough oxygen to get into the soil. Larger pieces get kicked around or can cause tripping.


Green Man Tree & Landscape Services Serving Waukesha and Surrounding areas 414-301-9807 http://thegreenmancompany.com Waukesha Tree Services, Tree Removal, Mulch, Landscaping and wood products. All trees & wood by-products removed from your property will be reused to make fine furniture, firewood or re-purposed into high quality compost and soil for gardeners.

Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Waukesha Tree Care | You Planted a Tree Now What?

You've planted a tree...fantastic! What do you need to do next?

Well, it's not easy being green, especially for a young tree in a city. A tree's needs sound simple: healthy soil, air, water and sunlight.  But sometimes these needs can be hard to come by.

That's where you can help.

Follow these basic tree care tips to ensure that the trees you plant grow and mature:

1. Weed


Pull any weeds that grow within 4 feet of your tree.

2. Check the stake


Check the tree stake to make sure it is not rubbing or damaging the tree.

3. Check the ties


Check the tree ties to make sure they are secure, but allow some tree movement. Trees will grow a stronger room system and trunk if allowed some wiggle room.

4. Mulch


Keep a 3 to 4-inch layer of mulch on the soil around your tree. Do not place any mulch up against the trunk of your tree. See our mulching guidelines for more information.

5. Water


Check out our watering guidelines to find out how much and how often to water your tree.

 Green Man Tree & Landscape Services Serving Waukesha and Surrounding areas 414-301-9807 http://thegreenmancompany.com Waukesha Tree Services, Tree Removal, Mulch, Landscaping and wood products. All trees & wood by-products removed from your property will be reused to make fine furniture, firewood or re-purposed into high quality compost and soil for gardeners.

Monday, July 29, 2013

Tree Care during a drought | Waukesha Tree Care

Tree care during a drought in Waukesha and other areas
  • Water is one of the most important things trees need. Trees take in water by their roots but many people water the leaves of their trees, creating an environment for disease. Instead, adjust sprinkler heads down to water the soil. Some sprinkler heads may need the nozzle changed to a flat spray.
  • Do not water near the trunk unless you’ve planted the tree within the last four or five years. Instead, water the area under the drip-line (edge of the branches) where the tree’s root system extends.
  • Water slowly, this allows water to adhere to soil particles on its way down. Soaker hoses and drip irrigation work well.
  • Mulch is a gardener’s best friend. A three to four inch layer of wood chips spread on bare ground will reduce water evaporation, insulate roots from heat, keep the weeds away, and give a home to beneficial microorganisms.
  • Avoid over-fertilizing your trees or you may find that sap-sucking insects such as aphids, white fly and scale are paying you a warm weather visit. Pest populations, including insects and disease, increase rapidly with warmer weather. Keep things in balance and you’ll reduce your problems.
  • Mature trees: We often take our large trees for granted and forget that they can decline in health during extended drought. Most people don’t realize the tree is in trouble because symptoms appear first in the top center portion of the canopy far from view.
  • Do not prune live branches in a severe drought. Removing live tissues forces the tree to expend energy to defend against the pruning cuts. Removing live foliage also reduces the capacity of the tree to grow once rains return.
  • Do not fertilize trees in extended drought since this pulls water from the roots and forces the tree to expend precious energy to process the fertilizer.
  • Do not dig under the canopy of the tree in drought. Digging under the tree kills the small roots that absorb water, thus reducing the tree's capacity to uptake water.
Green Man Tree & Landscape Services Serving Waukesha and Surrounding areas 414-301-9807 https://thegreenmancompany.com WaukeshaTree Services, Tree Removal, Mulch, Landscaping and wood products. All trees & wood by-products removed from your property will be reused to make fine furniture, firewood or re-purposed into high quality compost and soil for gardeners.

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Tree Pruning Waukesha | Prunning the right way

There are many types of proper tree pruning as well as a myriad of reasons to do so.

There are two basic rules for pruning, with the first being the best time of year to prune is the latter part of winter, or just before growth begins in early spring.
Time of year is probably the most critical element of proper tree pruning.
If trees are pruned during dormancy (when the trees are asleep), they suffer less stress when cuts are made. Dormancy is when the trees have shed their leaves and have experienced a frost. This allows the tree to heal faster when spring arrives and the growing season begins.
Cuts made out of season can induce stress on the tree, possibly leading to further problems. While an improper pruning cut will only make matters worse.
The second basic rule for proper pruning is that broken limbs or branches, as well as diseased or dead wood can be removed at any time of year.
Once any of the symptoms are present, they should usually be addressed as quickly as possible.
Diseased limbs may spread throughout the tree and dead/broken limbs may fall at any time causing injury or possibly even death.
If you have any concerns regarding proper pruning for your tree, call us and arrange an appointment any time so that we may assess your pruning needs. This will allow us to place you on our dormant list, so that we can arrange a schedule.
Proper pruning is a "limited time only" or seasonal type of work and should be coordinated likewise.

Five good reasons to Prune a Tree

  • Remove Dead branches
  • Eliminate hazards, i.e. broken or hanging limbs
  • Remove crowded or rubbing limbs
  • Pedestrian clearance, i.e. limbs too low (raise canopy)
  • Limbs interfering with power lines or structures Green Man Tree & Landscape Services Serving Milwaukee and Surrounding areas 414-301-9807 http://thegreenmancompany.com Waukesha Tree Services, Tree Removal, Mulch, Landscaping and wood products. All trees & wood by-products removed from your property will be reused to make fine furniture, firewood or re-purposed into high quality compost and soil for gardeners.

Waukesha Tree Removal | Storm Damage Tree Removal

Storm Damage Tree Removal

Storm damage comes in many different forms, i.e. tornadoes, ice, strong winds, flooding, lightning, etc. However not all storm damage requires emergency tree removal.

Non-Emergency Storm Damage

Following a storm, after everyone has been accounted for, and weather/daylight permitting, damage assessment may then take place.
Unless there are injuries, or egress routes have been compromised, there is no reason to start removing the tree from the roof in the middle of a thunderstorm.
For safety reasons, damage assessment should not begin until daylight or an official all-clear signal has been issued.

Emergency Storm Damage

Here's what to do if a tree falls on your roof during a storm. If it comes through the roof and ceiling, usually there is already a power outage, but if there is not, assume that all lines are hot, and get to a known safe area.
Do not attempt to assess the damage in the dark. The best first step is to leave the premises without touching anything for fear of electrocution.
Often, it's not the actual thunderstorm that causes accidents and injuries, it's the aftermath and cleanup as people are attempting to remove limbs and debris before the all-clear signal has been given by local authorities.
This is the time for the homeowner to contact their insurance agent and gather necessary information to begin the claims process. This is also a good time to take pictures. Again, wait for the "all clear" from authorities. 
Once the storm damage site has been cleared for entry, damage assessment can begin. In some cases, the insurance adjuster may require more than one estimate before any work is approved.
Remember, these are only hints, as policies vary from insurance to homeowner. Not all insurance policies are the same.
Be weary of tree companies who insist on performing this work immediately. Also, beware of companies who are not locally based or those who do not meet the local regulatory requirements.
Storm damage cleanup: Our goal is to accomplish this without incurring any further damage to the structure. Further damage should be kept at a minimum if at all possible.
Storm damage tree removal is usually EXTREMELY dangerous and involves a much higher degree of risk.

Green Man Tree & Landscape Services Serving Waukesha and Surrounding areas 414-301-9807 https://thegreenmancompany.com Waukesha Tree Services, Tree Removal, Mulch, Landscaping and wood products. All trees & wood by-products removed from your property will be reused to make fine furniture, firewood or re-purposed into high quality compost and soil for gardeners.

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Waukesha Tree Care and Services | Green Man

Healthy trees are an asset. They provide cooling shade, habitat for birds, and can increase the value of your property. This information is provided to help you care for the trees around your residence.
There are some very good things you can do to promote heathly, long-lived trees. And there are a number of things you will want to avoid. If in doubt, call a member of the National ARBORIST Association or Green Man Tree Services of Waukesha for advice specific to your region and variety of tree or shrub.
Topping...Don't Do It!
Topping or stubbing are examples of removing large branches from mature trees. A topped tree is a disfigured tree and although it was intended to help the tree, the opposite is the result. When a large amount of a tree's canopy (umbrella) is removed, the crown to root ratio is imbalanced and this adversely affects the tree's nutrition. It also exposes the tree to the sun which can result in scalding. Topped trees develop multiple branches or suckers, at or near the pruning cut. These branches generally are weakly attached and are prone to failure. A topped tree is also vunerable to disease as the stubs have a difficult time forming protective callus and this invites invasion of fungi and insects. The location of the topping cuts may also prevent the tree's natural defense system from doing its job. Finally, topping trees represents an unwarranted expense. A topped tree will often grow back to its original height quickly, and it will be more dense than one that has been pruned correctly. Other costs may be hidden, such as loss of property value that a well-maintained tree will encourage. There is also increased hazard from branches that have weakened as a result of the topping. Inflicted Wounds Wounds made by climbing spikes invite infection. There will be holes in the tree bark. These injuries often do not repair efficiently or effectively. Mechanical Injuries Lawn mowers and string trimmers hitting the bark of a tree can severely damage the inner bark and cambium near the soil line. This damage invites insects and fungi infestation. The best advice is to remove sod from around the base of the tree and replace with mulch. Soil Compaction Compacted soil is not easily penetrated by water and air, the two basic needs for strong, healthy roots. Soil compaction can be caused by heavy equipment used near a tree, concrete over the root zone, even foot traffic can cause soil compaction. Do not store items by the tree. Take Care with New Plantings Do not plant a new tree with a wire basket, rope, or anything that may constrict or "girdle" the roots. Girdled roots seriously affect the health and the stability of a tree. Plan where you want to plant a new tree based on its type and mature size. Be cautious when planting trees near a home foundation, patio, driveway, under power lines, or under a home's eaves. Excessive Soil Too much fill over a newly planted tree's roots can cause damage, and may even kill some species. Take care not to plant tree too deep. Excavation/Construction Damage Building foundations, driveway, sidewalk & road excavation are common events that can cause serious damage to a tree's root system. Construction damage may not be immediately noticeable, but over a period of years the health of the tree will decline as a result of root damage. A prized tree may be inadvertently, but fatally injured when care is not taken during excavation or construction. If you are building near an existing tree, consider calling an arborist to advise on the project during the planning phase, before any work has begun.

Whats Good for Trees

Pruning/Thinning
Pruning is needed to remove dead, diseased, injured, broken, rubbing and crowded limbs. Trees are thinned to allow for the wind and air to flow through. Proper thinning reduces wind resistence often responsible for uprooting or creating deformities. A well-thinned tree reflects a skilled arborist with good judgement and it is worthwhile investment in a valued tree. Healthy, well-formed trees increase the value of property. And the opposite is also true. A well-pruned tree will hardly look like it has been pruned. The tree will retain the characteristics of its species. Some tree species are small, some are large. A skilled arborist will not make a large tree small as that is contrary to industry standards. When to Prune Tree pruning to remove hazardous limbs, dead and diseased branches, can be accomplished at any time. Light pruning can usually be done at any time. Large cuts are best made in late winter or early spring. Correct pruning is more important than timing. Drainage/Aeration/Vertical Mulching If the soil drains easily, it is usually well aerated. Soil that does not drain, needs aeration. An adequate supply of oxygen and water to the roots is essential. Vertical mulching can improve the soil and encourage root growth and water uptake. For this, holes are drilled around the root zone and filled with small gravel or other material for the purpose. Watering The frequency of watering depends of the type of soil and the amount of rainfall. Water must be allowed to soak deep into the ground. The most beneficial time to water trees is in the early morning. Water slowly or use drip irrigation until the water has moistened down to the roots. Do not allow water to puddle or accumulate and runoff. This is wasteful and can be detrimental to root growth and function. Tree Nutrition & Fertilizing Trees require certain essential elements to function and grow. Fertilizing a tree can increase growth, reduce susceptibility to certain diseases and pests, and can help reverse declining health.

Green Man Tree & Landscape Services Serving Waukesha, Milwaukee and Surrounding areas 414-301-9807 https://thegreenmancompany.com Waukesha Tree Services, Tree Removal, Mulch, Landscaping and wood products. All trees & wood by-products removed from your property will be reused to make fine furniture, firewood or re-purposed into high quality compost and soil for gardeners.

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Waukesha Tree Removal | Green Man of Milwaukee

Tree Removal Services in Waukesha, There are many different types of Tree Removal.

Two very different types of tree removal are pine tree removal and oak tree removal. Pine trees grow much taller and are easier to break than oak trees. They are filled with sap that can cause breakage in the winter when frozen. Pine trees have a deep tap root that does not flare out like an oak tree’s root system. This makes it easier for a pine tree to be blown down in the event of a storm.  Green Man Wood Service is equipped with the latest and greatest knowledge of how to properly remove trees including those of the pine tree family.Removing an oak tree can be just as tricky as removing a pine tree. Oak trees grow large and broaden out over a very big area. An oak tree can have a root system that covers an entire yard. Any debris from oak trees, including branches, limbs, knobs or even brush can be professionally removed by Green Man Wood Service. We are prepared to assist you with all of your tree care service needs

Green Man Tree & Landscape Services Serving Waukesha and Surrounding areas 414-301-9807 http://thegreenmancompany.com Waukesha Tree Services, Tree Removal, Mulch, Landscaping and wood products. All trees & wood by-products removed from your property will be reused to make fine furniture, firewood or re-purposed into high quality compost and soil for gardeners.

Saturday, July 6, 2013

Tree Care Waukesha | Green Man Tree Services

 The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is adding Winona County, Minnesota, Claiborne County, Tennessee, and La Crosse County, Wisconsin to the list of quarantine areas for emerald ash borer (EAB), Agrilus planipennis. EAB, an invasive wood boring beetle, is native to China and eastern Asia. Since its first U.S. detection in Michigan, EAB has been responsible for the death and decline of tens of millions of U.S. ash trees. The interstate movement of firewood from quarantine areas is an especially high-risk pathway for spreading EAB. APHIS works with State cooperators and foresters to raise public awareness about this pest and the potential threats associated with long distance movement of firewood

Green Man Tree & Landscape Services Serving Waukesha and Surrounding areas 414-301-9807 http://thegreenmancompany.com Waukesha Tree Services, Tree Removal, Mulch, Landscaping and wood products. All trees & wood by-products removed from your property will be reused to make fine furniture, firewood or re-purposed into high quality compost and soil for gardeners.

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

How to protect trees from storm damage | Waukesha tree Care tips

Even the sturdiest-looking trees can be brought down by high winds, heavy snow and ice, but there are ways you can limit the damage.
Here are some storm-proofing suggestions that will pay off over time, starting with determining which trees in your landscape are the most vulnerable.
"I'm a great believer in storm-proofing or preparing for anything that will have the most impact on your lifestyle," said Mark Chisholm, a third-generation arborist from Howell, N.J., and spokesman for Stihl Inc., a manufacturer of outdoor power tools.
"Try to prep your house and yard if you have the time," he said.
"Clear rain gutters so water will flow. Remove loose lawn furniture from decks. Stabilize trees around the house by cabling or tying them down, especially those that you know have structural flaws."
Additional tips:
— Get to know an arborist or tree-care professional — now. "When a storm hits, you'll likely be prioritized as an existing customer," said Chisholm, who works with the power industry clearing debris left behind by severe weather, including Hurricane Sandy in October.
— Get a pre-storm assessment to identify trouble spots. Decaying and leaning trees should be pruned, staked or removed, especially those threatening dwellings or utility lines.
— Think safety during cleanup. "The stuff on the ground won't hurt you unless downed power lines are involved," Chisholm said. "It's what's overhead that's dangerous. Stress fractures or dead and broken limbs can come crashing down and do serious harm."
— Be especially careful when working with chainsaws. "If a tree is on the ground, try to cut it up without harming yourself in the process," said Kim Gabel with University of Florida Extension in Key West. "If a badly damaged tree is still standing, it's not recommended that a layman climb a ladder to take care of it. Get professional help."
— Patience can be a money-saver when dealing with ice or snow loads on trees. "Wait until it melts and the weight is removed to see what kind of damage was done," Chisholm said. "Trees are resilient and are capable of bouncing back."
— Plant native trees rather than exotics. Some varieties fare better than others in storms, especially trees with conical branching, those with strong branch connections and trees that are small when mature, according to the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety.
— There is strength in numbers. "Trees planted in groups survive better in high winds," Chisholm said. "They can't bend as readily to the point of failure. They also help dampen the (wind) force."
— Learn how to assess damage. "If you have a tree that has lost a couple of branches of significant size but the trunk is mostly intact, that's still a keeper," said Hank Stelzer, a state forestry specialist with University of Missouri Extension. "If you lose the top of a tree from ice or a windstorm and if half or a quarter of the trunk is gone, that's a no-brainer. It should go."
 Online:
For more about First Aid for storm-damaged trees, see this University of Missouri Extension fact sheet: http://extension.missouri.edu/p/G6867
___


Green Man Tree & Landscape Services Serving Waukesha and Surrounding areas 414-301-9807 https://thegreenmancompany.com Waukesha Tree Services, Tree Removal, Mulch, Landscaping and wood products. All trees & wood by-products removed from your property will be reused to make fine furniture, firewood or re-purposed into high quality compost and soil for gardeners.

Thursday, June 6, 2013

Waukesha Tree Removal | Green Man Wood Services

Along with all the tree services that Green Man tree and Landscaping does, Simple Tree Removal is available in the Waukesha Area. 
All trees and wood by-products removed from your property will be reused to make fine furniture, firewood or repurposed into high quality compost and soil for gardeners.
Green Man Tree & Landscape Services prides itself on fully utilizing all parts of the tree and wood by-products in order to provide additional value added products to consumers.
Products include:
• Compost
• Mulch (natural shredded)
• Woodchips (utility grade)
• Firewood (seasoned/unseasoned)
• Rustic Wood Slabs (bar/table tops, benches)

We understand that urban trees can harbor many memories for your family and pride ourselves in finding innovative ways to promote our recycled “green” wood products. At Green Man the talented and professional staff will find another purpose or use for the wood in the tree(s) removed from your property. The wood can be turned into handcrafted furniture, tables, counter tops and benches.  Other uses for the wood by-products include compost, garden soil and firewood.



Green Man Tree & Landscape Services Serving Waukesha and Surrounding areas 414-301-9807 http://thegreenmancompany.com Waukesha Tree Services, Tree Removal, Mulch, Landscaping and wood products. All trees & wood by-products removed from your property will be reused to make fine furniture, firewood or re-purposed into high quality compost and soil for gardeners.

Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Watering Tips for trees | Waukesha Landscaping

Water should be applied to established trees once a month during the winter and as often as once a week during the heat of the summer. Water should be applied at the tree’s drip line and beyond. Trees adapted to drier climates need far less irrigation than other species. If Mother Nature provides enough precipitation to wet the soil two to three feet deep, don’t apply additional water. If Mother Nature’s precipitation falls short of a full soaking, apply only enough additional water to wet the soil two to three feet deep. Apply water slowly so that it sinks deeply into the soil . Soaker hoses, drip emitters, bubblers, and hand-held hoses are preferable to sprinklers. Mulch the soil around a tree trunk (but not so closely that the mulch touches the trunk). A layer of mulch keeps the soil moist and reduces weeds that compete for water. Organic mulches, such as bark or wood chips, keep the soil cooler but can absorb water that could otherwise get to tree roots. Inorganic mulches, such as gravel, are a fine choice for native and adapted trees that can tolerate the increase in soil and air temperature
Green Man Tree & Landscape Services Serving Waukesha and Surrounding areas 414-301-9807 http://thegreenmancompany.com Milwaukee Tree Services, Tree Removal, Mulch, Landscaping and wood products. All trees & wood by-products removed from your property will be reused to make fine furniture, firewood or re-purposed into high quality compost and soil for gardeners.
Green Man Tree & Landscape Services Serving Waukesha and Surrounding areas 414-301-9807

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Tree Disease | Waukesha Tree Services

 There are hundreds of different tree diseases that can attack a tree in Milwaukee.  Green Man Tree Services of Waukesha can help you figure out what is attacking your trees and how to treat them.


Symptoms of Tree Disease
Common symptoms of tree disease include dead or hanging branches, rotten wood or cavities in the trunk or roots, major splits, fungal fruiting bodies at the base, and the presence of insects. Many of these symptoms are obvious signs that something is wrong, but insects can be kind of tricky. You should identify the insect before you start to worry. Some insects are actually good for your tree. Ladybugs eat aphids, for example. If you're not sure if something is harming your tree, it's probably best to play it safe and talk to an arborist.


Root Decay
Root decay can cause all kinds of havoc for your tree. Most people know that roots provide all sorts of functions for plants, in general. They extract water and nutrients from the ground and anchor the tree to the ground. A tree suffering from root decay is significantly more likely to be felled from a wind storm. Often, the only way to detect root decay is from broken roots (if they're visible) or the presence of fungus. The size of a fungal growth is not indicative of root damage. Even a small fungal growth can destroy an entire root system. If root decay is extensive, often little can be done for a tree, but keep in mind what caused the root decay in the first place and plant more wisely for your next tree.
Read More Here






Green Man Tree & Landscape Services Serving Waukesha and Surrounding areas 414-301-9807 http://thegreenmancompany.com Waukesha Tree Services, Tree Removal, Mulch, Landscaping and wood products. All trees & wood by-products removed from your property will be reused to make fine furniture, firewood or re-purposed into high quality compost and soil for gardeners.

Friday, May 24, 2013

Waukesha Landscaping Tips | Green Man Tree And Landscaping

Choosing plants for your yard is an important step in making the landscape sustainable. Besides the usual consideration of how the plant looks, there are other important factors to keep in mind when selecting the plant materials for your garden. Visit the Virtual Garden Tours & Plant Database for plant lists tailored for Santa Barbara County.
Low water using plants:
In Milwaukee, the water requirements of a plant are an important consideration. There are many beautiful, low-water using plants available locally. To avoid maintenance conflicts, group plants with similar water, sun, shade, and soil requirements.
Reduce size of lawn:
Lawns can be an attractive and useful part of a landscape, but are not considered “sustainable landscaping” due to the large inputs of water, labor and often chemicals to keep them healthy. Many people find that even while reducing the lawn area, they can still meet the need for children’s or pet’s play area. A smaller lawn requires less labor and resources. When mowing the lawn, clippings can be left on the surface as mulch. Although there are no truly "drought tolerant" turf grasses, some varieties do use less water.
Anticipate plant size and reduce pruning:
Choose plants that will grow to an appropriate size for the area you are planting. If a plant that grows into a tree is selected for a hedge, the result is endless pruning: more work for you and more material for the landfill. Many reference books will include the mature size of plants.
Decrease plant disease:
Before you select a plant, find out if it has pest problems locally. Some plants are more susceptible to disease and insects, requiring more effort and pesticides or herbicides to keep them alive. If plants do develop disease, look for biological controls (insects) or non-chemical means of easing the problem.
Go Native:
Native plants are low-water, fertilizer and pesticide users. They require little maintenance and they provide habitat for local wildlife. Native deep rooting bushes can decrease erosion with little maintenance.
Careful of Invasive Plants:
Some semi-arid exotic plants grow like crazy. This seems great for your garden however, some can take over wild native plants that keep our watersheds healthy and provide habitat and food for wildlife. Here are a few examples of invasive plants: Pampus Grass, Fountain Grass etc.
Green Man Tree & Landscape Services Serving Waukesha and Surrounding areas 414-301-9807 http://thegreenmancompany.com Waukesha Tree Services, Tree Removal, Mulch, Landscaping and wood products. All trees & wood by-products removed from your property will be reused to make fine furniture, firewood or re-purposed into high quality compost and soil for gardeners.

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Waukesha Tree Service

Waukesha Tree Care Tips.


As a Waukesha Tree Service Company, we've all seen trees gashed by car bumpers, and limbs blown off in storms, but these are just a couple of the many ways trees get injured.
Others include chafing or scrapes and cuts from lawn mowers being pushed into the lower trunks, or by improper staking; line trimmers cutting away bark week after week; rubbing away of the bark caused by touching branches; and improper pruning.
All of these things create injuries, similar to a person being cut by a dull knife. If you get too many such cuts, you're going to be in serious trouble from infection or loss of blood. Trees react in much the same way, so it’s important to avoid damage if possible and to provide proper tree care when it occurs.

Repeated Abuse Is The Worst

Of all the damaging things we've listed, the worst may be the repeated damage from lawn mowers and trimmers. When grass grows right up to a tree, the base of that tree is nearly guaranteed to take some direct hits by mowers or trimmers or both. What makes it all worse is that it continues week after week, compounding the injuries over time. A simple and effective tree maintenance fix is a border of mulch around the base of your trees. This makes mowing a heck of a lot easier and protects the trees at the same time. You can read more about proper mowing techniques on our mowing tips page.

Avoid Staking Trees When Possible

Staking of trees should always be avoided when possible (to encourage stronger growth), but if needed, should be done right. Don't stake by tying stakes directly to the tree; avoid tightly binding straps; and remove all stakes as soon as the tree can stand on its own.

Proper Pruning

When pruning, make sure all cuts are clean, and keep heavier branches from ripping when your saw is 2/3 of the way through by doing an initial cut from the bottom.
As part of your tree maintenance, also remove one of each pair of branches that are rubbing and chafing against each other.

When You Discover Damage

When you do discover damage, it’s important to clean the wound. All tree injuries provide entry points for disease and insects, while interrupting the flow of water, food and nutrients between the roots and the leaves. Removing any loose bark and brushing out any dirt that is lodged in the wound will expose the damaged area to sunlight and air and promote healing. Fertilization also helps speed up recovery from damage and general plant health.

Remember:

  • Mechanical damage causes wounds that allow entry of diseases and insects into the soft tree wood.
  • Mulch all lawn trees to eliminate mower and trimmer damage.
  • Dress all wounds to promote fast healing and reduce disease or insect problems.

Green Man Tree & Landscape Services Serving Waukesha and Surrounding areas 414-301-9807 Waukesha Tree Services, Tree Removal, Mulch, Landscaping and wood products. All trees & wood by-products removed from your property will be reused to make fine furniture, firewood or re-purposed into high quality compost and soil for gardeners.

Saturday, May 18, 2013

Tree Trimming Milwaukee | Green Man Wood Services



Summer Tree Care In Milwaukee

Proper summer tree care can be a life and death issue for certain trees so, it's important to know something about your trees’ needs.

To Prune or Not to Prune
Regular pruning is not always necessary every year. Pruning can cause stress to a tree when pruning during hotter temperatures, or by pruning too much off a tree. Trees grow and produce leaves to manufacture sugars for fuel, and transevaporate water that keep them cool. Removing too many fuel producing leaves off a tree during the summer could cause it stress.

Too often pruning is done for the wrong reasons. If you prune a large tree to keep it small, perhaps you planted the wrong tree. Or it could be that you are over-watering and over-fertilizing, causing the tree to grow too big too fast.

Pruning during the summer deprives the tree of leaf area that it uses for shade as well as food production. Many trees have been thinned and pruned to the point that they provide no shade-even to themselves. Excessive pruning such as that exposes the tree's bark to intense sun, and can be harmful to the tree. The tree is likely to get sunscald on the bark, especially on thinner bark trees or younger trees.
This excessive heating of bark can lead to a condition which can cause limb death or total tree death.

Try to reduce summer pruning to the removal of only dead or broken branches, especially if they are over hanging a structure or walkway.

Temperature – Hot Enough for You?
Heat is also a summer issue for trees. Decomposed granite used as mulch under or around trees absorbs and then reflects the heat and sun. This makes the radiant heat even more intense. Block walls, glass, structures, and water surfaces all reflect and/or absorb heat, and can affect nearby trees.

How About a Little Water? I’m Parched!
The warmer months are an important time to provide water to the tree roots. Insure that your trees have enough moisture stored in their leaves, branches, trunks, and roots to sustain them during the summer. This is when they are growing and expanding, and transpiration is occurring. Otherwise, trees can be thrown into stress which could compromise the health of the tree .

In order for trees to have enough water, don't wait until the tree is dying to water it. Infrequent but deep watering of the entire root system out to the dripline of the branches will benefit the tree the most.

During the summer, the trees may need to be watered every seven days or so. For smaller, newly planted trees a drip system with one or two emitters at the edge of the rootball would provide adequate irrigation. Turn the system on for about thirty minutes every two or three days. Watering needs should be reevaluated after the tree has been in the ground for a few months.

Staking
Another important consideration is how trees are staked and tied. It is not always necessary to stake and tie newly planted trees. If it is necessary (to keep the tree from falling over), do so with the idea that as soon as possible stakes and ties should be removed. Usually, the ties can be removed after one full growing season.

Keep your tree as vigorous as possible with good cultural practices. This can prolong the life of your tree, and allow you to bask in its shade and beauty all summer long.



Green Man Tree & Landscape Services Serving Milwaukee and Surrounding areas 414-301-9807 http://thegreenmancompany.com Milwaukee Tree Services, Tree Removal, Mulch, Landscaping and wood products. All trees & wood by-products removed from your property will be reused to make fine furniture, firewood or re-purposed into high quality compost and soil for gardeners.

Thursday, May 16, 2013

Tree Service Milwaukee | Why Choose Green Man?


Why Choose Green Man?

Inspired by the Green Man Legend, Green Man Tree & Landscape is one of the only environmentally responsible tree care companies in Milwaukee County. As a Green Man client, you can be assured that our eco-friendly operation will reuse 100% of all trees and wood by-product removed from your property. As guardians of the urban forest, we feel that it is our responsibility to our customers & community to find innovative ways to recycle and reuse these precious green resources. We offer our customers competitive prices at little cost to the environment. After your tree has been removed, it will be ‘tree-incarnated’ into everything from fine furniture to firewood, or even compost for local urban food producers and home gardeners. Thank you for the opportunity to look at your project…and may the Forest be with you!
All trees & wood by-products removed from your property will be reused to make fine furniture, firewood or repurposed into high quality compost and soil for gardeners.
• Competitively priced products & services
• Certified Arborists & Professionally trained staff
• All tree services performed in an environmentally responsible manner
• BBB Accredited & Fully Insured
• Senior discounts Available

Green Man Tree & Landscape Services of Milwaukee 414-301-9807.http://thegreenmancompany.com Tree Services, Tree Removal, Mulch, Landscaping services in the Milwaukee area. All trees & wood by-products removed from your property will be reused to make fine furniture, firewood or re-purposed into high quality compost and soil for gardeners.

Friday, May 10, 2013

Tree Service Milwaukee | What to look for in your new tree

Good tree care starts with a healthy tree. Follow these tips and learn how to buy a tree.

What to Look for on Your New Tree

Inspecting your tree upon delivery or at the nursery will help your tree provide a lifetime of benefits.
  • Bare root tree: Abundant root growth, fiberous and numerous small roots, good color; moist
  • Balled and burlapped tree (B&B): Firm soil ball, with trunk securely tied. Do not accept a plant with a broken “ball”. Do not accept a tree with circling roots at the base of the trunk. Always carry B&B plants by the soil ball, not the trunk, stems or branches.
  • Container-grown tree (containerized and potted): Avoid trees that are “root-bound” in the can. Roots can circle around the edge of the container may become circling roots. (Cut any circling roots when planting.) Because of this, B&B trees are generally preferred for large trees. Always remove can, basket or pot when planting.
Bare Root SeedlingsBalled & BurlappedPotted

Bare Root Seedlings

  • Roots should be moist & fibrous.
  • Deciduous seedlings should have roots about equal to stem length.

Balled & Burlapped

  • Root ball should be firm to the touch, especially near the trunk.
  • Root ball should be adequate for the tree’s size.

Potted

  • Pot should not contain large, circling roots.
  • Pruned roots cut cleanly, none wider than a finger.
  • Soil & roots joined tightly.

Some Extra Things to Consider When Purchasing Mature Trees

When choosing trees for city plantings along streets and in parks, you will want to trees with fairly substantial caliper (trunk diameter).
Mature Tree
  • Strong, well-developed leader (or leaders in a multi-leader tree).
  • Bright, healthy bark.
  • Trunk & limbs free of insect or mechanical injury.
  • Branches well-distributed around trunk, considerably smaller caliper than trunk.
  • Ideal spacing between branches, at least 8–12" for most species.
  • Good trunk taper.
  • Wide-angle crotches for strength.
  • Low branches—they are temporary, but help develop taper, promote trunk caliper growth, and prevent sun damage.


Green Man Tree & Landscape Services Serving Milwaukee and Surrounding areas 414-301-9807 http://thegreenmancompany.com Tree Services, Tree Removal, Mulch, Landscaping services in the Milwaukee area. All trees & wood by-products removed from your property will be reused to make fine furniture, firewood or re-purposed into high quality compost and soil for gardeners.

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

The Value of Shade Trees to your Wallet | Green Man Tree Service Milwaukee

The Christian Science Monitor’s “The Simple Dollar” blog this week touts the value shade trees can bring to both the wallet and the quality of a neighborhood.
Contributor Trent Hamm notes the difference he observed between the “slow-growing” tree in part of his house and “beautiful shade tree” in his neighbors yard that provides countless benefits just twelve years after being planted. Noting the shade from his neighbor’s tree makes gardening easier in his own yard, Hamm added:
For them, it’s even better. For a good portion of the morning, the tree provides shade to the back of their house. It keeps the hot rays of the morning sun from going in their windows, enabling them to throw open those windows for fresh air without worrying about the heat of the sun and keeping them from running their air conditioning until a bit later in the day than they otherwise would.
He goes to discuss many of the benefits of trees we talk about all of the time here the Foundation: lower energy bills, higher property values and chance to literally watch your own investment grow into something great. He also adds the important caveats about planting the right tree in the right place, and doing one’s homework prior to digging.
The whole piece is available here.

Green Man Tree & Landscape Services Serving Milwaukee and Surrounding areas 414-301-9807 http://thegreenmancompany.com Tree Services, Tree Removal, Mulch, Landscaping services in the Milwaukee area. All trees & wood by-products removed from your property will be reused to make fine furniture, firewood or re-purposed into high quality compost and soil for gardeners.

Monday, May 6, 2013

Milwaukee Tree Services | Keys to Good Pruning

Green Man Tree & Landscape Services Serving Milwaukee and Surrounding areas 414-301-9807.  Tree Services, Tree Removal, Mulch, Landscaping services.

 

Keys to Good Pruning

  1. Angles Use The ⅓ and ¼ Rules of Pruning
    1. Never remove more than ¼ of a tree's crown in a season
    2. Ideally, main side branches should be at least ⅓ smaller than the diameter of the trunk.
    3. For most deciduous (broadleaf) trees, don't prune up from the bottom any more than ⅓ of the tree's total height.
    4. Where possible, try to encourage side branches that form angles that are ⅓ off vertical that form "10 o'clock" or "2 o'clock" angles with the trunk.
  2. Begin visual inspection at the top of the tree and work downward.
  3. For most species, the tree should have a single trunk. Identify the best leader and later branches before you begin pruning and remove defective parts before pruning for form.
  4. Don't worry about protecting pruning cuts. For aesthetics, you may feel better painting large wounds but it doesn’t prevent or reduce decay.
  5. Keep tools sharp. One-hand pruning shears with curved blades work best on young trees.
  6. For high branches use a pole pruner. A major job on a big tree should be done by a professional arborist.
  7. Ridge & CollarFor larger branches, cut outside the branch bark and ridge collar (swollen area). Do not leave a protruding stub. If the limb is too small to have formed a collar cut close.
  8. When simply shortening a small branch, make the cut at a lateral bud or another lateral branch. Favor a bud that will produce a branch that will grow in desired direction (usually outward). The cut should be sharp and clean and made at a slight angle about ¼ inch beyond the bud.
    Correct Pruning CutToo CloseToo LongToo Slanted
    Correct Pruning CutToo CloseToo LongToo Slanted
Now that you know the pruning basics learn what steps you should take throughout your trees life.


Green Man Tree & Landscape Services Serving Milwaukee and Surrounding areas 414-301-9807 http://thegreenmancompany.com Tree Services, Tree Removal, Mulch, Landscaping services in the Milwaukee area. All trees & wood by-products removed from your property will be reused to make fine furniture, firewood or re-purposed into high quality compost and soil for gardeners.

Sunday, May 5, 2013

Milwaukee Tree Service | Green Man Tree and Landscape

Tree Care Services offered:
• Trimming/Pruning
• Removal
• Installation
We understand that urban trees can harbor many memories for your family and pride ourselves in finding innovative ways to promote our recycled “green” wood products. At Green Man the talented and professional staff will find another purpose or use for the wood in the tree(s) removed from your property. The wood can be turned into handcrafted furniture, tables, counter tops and benches. Other uses for the wood by-products include compost, garden soil and firewood.

Inspired by the Green Man Legend, Green Man Tree & Landscape is one of the only environmentally responsible tree care companies in Milwaukee County. As a Green Man client, you can be assured that our eco-friendly operation will reuse 100% of all trees and wood by-product removed from your property. As guardians of the urban forest, we feel that it is our responsibility to our customers & community to find innovative ways to recycle and reuse these precious green resources. We offer our customers competitive prices at little cost to the environment. After your tree has been removed, it will be ‘tree-incarnated’ into everything from fine furniture to firewood, or even compost for local urban food producers and home gardeners. Thank you for the opportunity to look at your project…and may the Forest be with you!
All trees & wood by-products removed from your property will be reused to make fine furniture, firewood or repurposed into high quality compost and soil for gardeners.
• Competitively priced products & services
• Certified Arborists & Professionally trained staff
• All tree services performed in an environmentally responsible manner
• BBB Accredited & Fully Insured
• Senior discounts Available

Green Man Tree & Landscape Services Serving Milwaukee and Surrounding areas 414-301-9807 http://thegreenmancompany.com Tree Services, Tree Removal, Mulch, Landscaping services in the Milwaukee area. All trees & wood by-products removed from your property will be reused to make fine furniture, firewood or re-purposed into high quality compost and soil for gardeners.

Thursday, May 2, 2013

Tree Service Milwaukee | Tree Prunning


Tree pruning, trimming, or cutting is an ongoing process throughout the life of your tree. After selecting the right tree and carefully planting it, early pruning is the most important thing you can do for a young tree.

 Green Man Tree & Landscape Services Serving Milwaukee and Surrounding areas 414-301-9807

Proper pruning will save you money and give you a safer more beautiful, healthier, and easier-to-maintain tree. Remember what you do to your tree in its first few years of life will affect its shape, strength, and even its life span.

Leave as much of the entire leaf surface as possible to manufacture food that will build a larger root system. Roots will be larger after one year if left unpruned.
Do prune the following and trim close to the trunk:
  • Broken branches.
  • Branches competing with the leader.
  • Swollen branches from insect eggs or stings.
  • Remove tree tags.
Good Pruning Bad Pruning
Good Bad

Root growth should be well on its way to anchoring the transplant and expanding the size necessary to nourish the growing branches.
  • Cut off root suckers and sprouts in the crown.
  • Thin excessive branches to reduce competition for light, water, and nutrients.
  • Remove co-dominant leader.
  • Remove a few of the lowest limbs but others are temporarily left to help the trunk develop more taper and strength.
  • Eliminate branches that rub or growing in undesirable direction.
  • Remove narrow angled branches.
Good Pruning Bad Pruning
Good Bad
Now it is time to make a good tree even better.
  • Lower limbs are pruned off to raise the bottom of the crown well out of the way of human heads. The lowest limbs are now permanent limbs. Please note: branches DO NOT move upward as a tree grows taller. The center of a branch at 5 feet will always be at 5 feet.
  • Cut back a few of the higher up branches so they don't protrude beyond the graceful outline of the crown.
  • Inspect tree to see if you need to remove a branch here or there for even spacing.
Good Pruning Bad Pruning
Good Bad

With proper pruning at the beginning of your trees life your tree will have a better chance of surviving extreme conditions such as wind storms, ice, and drought. That is because proper pruning gave strength to the branches.
Early each spring, look for dead or damaged limbs. If you do have dead or damage limbs remove using proper pruning methods.
Good Pruning Bad Pruning
Good Bad





Green Man Tree & Landscape Services Serving Milwaukee and Surrounding areas 414-301-9807 http://thegreenmancompany.com Tree Services, Tree Removal, Mulch, Landscaping services in the Milwaukee area. All trees & wood by-products removed from your property will be reused to make fine furniture, firewood or re-purposed into high quality compost and soil for gardeners.

Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Tree Damage in the Spring Milwaukee


Spring Floods Can Drown Trees, with the wetter then normal spring Milwaukee has been receiving, you may want to check on the health of your trees.
Are your trees drowning? A wetter-than-normal spring can leave trees sitting in soil saturated with water. Too much water at the base of a tree can cause myriad problems. A traditional life preserver might not be the answer for these leafy giants, but a little knowledge – and knowing where to seek assistance – can help trees survive spring thaw. Too much water can be as bad for trees as too little water. While some trees are suited to survive occasional floods, most are not. In addition, as a tree becomes older, its ability to adapt to abrupt environmental changes decreases. When Spring water levels recede, consumers may begin to notice problems with their trees.

Some species – such as some oaks, pines and junipers – have adapted to survive drier conditions. Trees that grow along rivers (such as willows, poplars, cottonwoods and sycamores) and trees that grow in or around swamps and ponds (such as red maples, gums and pond cypress) can also grow in wet conditions. Flood injury occurs when soil becomes saturated with water. There doesn’t need to be an actual flood to cause flood injury.

How to look for flood injury:
Flood injury is usually expressed through changes in the foliage. One symptom in particular, chlorosis, is commonly caused by flood injuries. Chlorosis is the yellowing of leaves caused by a decrease in the amount of chlorophyll (green pigment) in the leaves. This symptom can look like a symptom of a disease but is often caused by non-disease problems, such as excessive water.
“A professional arborist can determine if chlorosis is caused by a pest or some other site factor, many of which can be controlled, or by water damage,” says Gerstenberger.
When flood conditions are prolonged, root dieback occurs. During root dieback, soil is so saturated that there is not enough oxygen available to the tree roots. Without the proper balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide, roots can’t survive. Eventually the tree is not able to absorb adequate moisture, despite the flood condition. The tree will exhibit symptoms similar to leaf scorch, where a tree’s leaves turn brown and die due to a lack of moisture in the leaves. The symptoms usually start at the top of the tree or on the ends of branches, and spread throughout the entire crown. The symptoms are often more severe on the side of the tree facing the prevailing winds.
Symptoms of flood injury, in the order that they develop on the foliage, are:
• slight wilting or drooping of the foliage;
• yellowing and browning (necrosis) of leaf edges;
• browning in the center of the leaf.
What to do
The best prevention for this problem is to avoid planting flood-intolerant trees in areas that are frequently flooded. There are a variety of wetland trees and shrubs that can be planted instead. There are not many practical short-term solutions other than improving drainage. Whenever changes in drainage are made, the impact to all the affected landscape and landscape plants needs to be considered. Avoid creating problems for flood-tolerant plants by providing drainage for intolerant plants.
For more advice on spring damage to trees, contact an arborist.

Green Man Tree & Landscape Services Serving Milwaukee and Surrounding areas 414-301-9807 http://thegreenmancompany.com Tree Services, Tree Removal, Mulch, Landscaping services in the Milwaukee area. All trees & wood by-products removed from your property will be reused to make fine furniture, firewood or re-purposed into high quality compost and soil for gardeners.