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Gypsy Moths are back!

Gypsy Moths are back! The Maryland Department of Agriculture is taking action to prevent damage to its trees but MD homeowners need to be proactive too.

According to the Associated Press, cyclical infestations of Gypsy Moth caterpillars caused defoliation damage to 19,000 acres of trees last year.

So what are these terrible pests? Well, in 1869 a scientist in New England brought the moth - native to Europe, Asia and North Africa - to North America. He was trying to cross a Silk Worm with the Gypsy Moth but a few of the moths escaped into the surrounding woods. The experiment failed but we have been dealing with the effects of the escaped Gypsy Moths ever since. They have propagated and migrated throughout the eastern United States and are one of the most disliked insects in the US.

What do they attack and what can you do? They attack almost every species of tree with a strong preference for Oaks and Maples. For most homeowners, the practical solution is to have a Professional Arborist visit your property to list the most vulnerable trees and propose a spray-treatment regimen. Some treatment the homeowner can do themselves. The spraying should be done by a licensed applicator (A Year Round Tree Expert Company would be happy to do this for you!) with tall tree high volume spray equipment. Pickup trucks mounted with low volume sprayers used on lawns is a BIG no-no! In some cases one spray a year is sufficient; in other cases two sprays will be needed. Call Steve, your Year Round Tree Expert, for advice and a free estimate!!

Sources:

Picture from A Year Round Tree Expert Company

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/bay_environment/bal-gypsy-moth-0501,0,2426297.story

Want to know the names of trees? Cool new phones that can do the trick!

Ha! This just in: Apple is coming out with a new application for iPhones that will allow you to take a picture of a tree's leaves and bark and will identify the tree for you! Technology and trees together, now that is fun!

Source:
http://scitech.blogs.cnn.com/2009/05/04/future-iphone-app-may-identify-trees-from-photos/

A Note from the Office: "Treat Me Right"

Warmer weather serves as a reminder to all of us that we must take care of ourselves. Eat right, get out and exercise, spring cleaning. Out with the old and in with the fresh new season. It is also a reminder that our trees and shrubs need proper treatment as well!

At a Year Round Tree Company we offer full service care for your trees to keep them healthy and beautiful through every season. Have us trim your trees now, remove weakened branches from winter’s wrath, prune deadwood, trim and shape for aesthetics and health.

We also have a full service health program for your trees. We will assess your trees for health and integrity at absolutely no cost (assessments and estimates are always free!), provide disease diagnosis, treatment, licensed pesticide applications and fertilizing. The healthier your trees and shrubs the more enjoyment you have for friends and family and it doesn’t hurt your property value either!


Well maintained properties are desirable. Do you feel like that tree just isn’t going to make it? No problem, just give us a call. With our in-house 23 ton crane and equipment, expert crews and the most attractive pricing, we can safely and efficiently remove the big trees and the small ones, grind the stumps and leave your area clean. Are your trees near wires? Leave them alone and give us a call. We handle all aspects of power outages with the utility company. We will safely care for your tree and have your services restored the same day. So treat your trees and shrubs (and yourself!) right. Call our Experts at A Year Round Tree Expert Company today!

Funny Stuff...

From the Huffingtonpost: "When President Obama attended a tree-planting ceremony in Washington on Tuesday, he made the mistake of wearing dress shoes to work in the mud, a decision he appeared to regret."

When you work outside everyday it sure does tickle your funny bone to see something like this!

Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/04/22/obama-wears-wrong-shoes-t_n_190000.html

Is the Economy Affecting our Love for Trees?

Well now, this is a bit of a downer on what is one of the most exciting days of the year for your local tree expert. (Ok, how many of you know today is Earth Day..and how many more know that this is almost synonymous to Christmas for a tree guy?) We had wondered if the shrinking economy would make us Americans (both people and companies) begin to pull back on helping the environment if it meant digging even farther into our already overstretched pockets... and well, it looks like there are some mixed views.

According to the Arizona Republic, a series of polls that were done in January confirmed our fear, that Americans felt more concern for the economy than the environment. "For the first time in 25 years, people told Gallup they would sacrifice environmental protection for economic growth. The green movement started to look like a luxury, and some of its leaders wondered if it would become another victim of the recession," reports the Arizona Republic.

But it's not all black and white. Even though many of us have begun to worry about bringing in the bread and butter (and who can blame this basic instinct to first preserve yourself in the present), we still haven't forgotten that caring for Mother Nature is also preserving ourselves in the future.

"The environment is an integral part of our survival," says Tia Holmes, Miss Earth Maryland 2009. "If more people were aware of all of the things they could do to help the environment, then it would not have ranked so low on the importance scale [...] Going green in many ways is much cheaper than not."

Thankfully, when your Year Round Tree Expert asks, "is the economy affecting our love for trees?" we can still say for a good many of us that the answer is a resounding no!

Sources:

http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/news/articles/2009/04/19/20090419env-attitudes0419.html

http://www.onemotherearth.blogspot.com/

Picture courtesy of Tia Holmes, Miss Earth Maryland 2009.

One Tree Expert that is down for Earth Day!

This Wednesday is Earth Day...and of course you can expect your local Tree Expert to celebrate with you and the millions of others this year too!

We've found some cool things to do around the B-more area (we like to include DC too because of its proximity):

Today, April 19 - DC is holding a HUGE gathering on the National Mall to rally support for national action on global warming. The Celebration begins at Noon and runs until 6:00 p.m. The focus this year is on environmental volunteerism. The event will include a free festival with music, entertainment, speakers and environmental activities.

Wednesday, April, 22 - Baltimore is hosting an event put on by Maryland's Transit Administration (MTA). State and local officials will be in the pavilion area of Power Plant Live in Downtown Baltimore from 11 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. The MTA will exhibit a hybrid bus along with other environmentally-friendly information. Demonstrations on the use of MTA’s bus-mounted bicycle racks will be provided throughout the celebration. Enjoy outdoor workshops and live performances at center stage!

And since we're all paperless and online anyway, you should try the Facebook application: Every Day is Earth Day. Look for the GenGreen life logo.

...Just a few more tips from your Year Round Tree Expert;)

Utilities Above & Below

Working closely to power lines is dangerous and utility companies recommend staying at least 10 feet away from power lines during any project. When your trees have grown up into or near the power lines you definitely should not try to maintain them yourself, instead it is recommended that you call a professional. Experts can safely provide maintenance of your trees by contacting the utility company to de-energize wires while pruning, trimming or tree removal is performed.

And the danger isn't only those visible wires overhead, but below the ground too. If you are having a stump removed, a professional tree company will check with the utility company to have the area marked in the case that gas, oil or other utilities may be running underground below the stump.

A special note from the Baltimore Sun:
"April is National Safe Digging Month and the Common Ground Alliance reminds you to call 811, the national call-before-you-dig number, before you break ground on tree planting or any other outdoor projects.

The phone call alerts the utility companies of your intent to dig and they send locators out to your home to mark the underground lines so you don't accidentally strike them and cause serious personal or neighborhood damage. (Think gas explosion). More than 256,000 digging accidents occur in the country every year."

What's in your Backyard?

We're so lucky to have Washington DC's cherry blossoms practically in our backyard! Picture from the Washingtonpost.

Source: www.washingtonpost.com

Arbor Day in Maryland & Fun Tree Facts!

Happy Arbor Day Marylanders! It's interesting that each state is slightly different, as they each celebrate this special day on a date of their own choosing (although the majority will celebrate their Arbor Day within the month of April). Maryland is always the first Wednesday in April and we celebrate our state tree, which is the White Oak!

Despite its name, it is not common to find a White Oak with white bark; it is usually gray in color. They are a very broad tree and are often as wide as they are tall. They are one the the first hardwoods of eastern North America and are known to have lived over 600 years. The oldest and largest white oak in the United States stood for more than 460 years in Wye Mills, Maryland and was called the Wye Oak. The Wye Oak was the honaray state tree of Maryland but was destroyed by a thunderstorm in 2002.

Since we're on the topic of old trees -the world's oldest known living tree is a conifer in Sweden that dates back to the end of the last Ice Age.

According to National Geographic, the ancient tree - called a Norway spruce (Picea abies) - sprouted in Sweden's Dalarna province over 9,550 years ago. Researchers found the "shrubby" mountain tree at an altitude of 2,985 feet.

"Though the visible portion of the tree is not as old, parts of the root system were radiocarbon dated to determine its age. Scientists say the Norway spruce's ability to clone itself contributed to the specimen's long lifespan: When one stem dies, another grows from the rootstock," reports National Geographic.

Sources: www.nationalgeographic.com; www.wikipedia.com

Exciting Environmental News (We Just Had to Pass Along!)

This is an exciting way to care for Maryland's environment & put a little extra cash in your pocket at the same time! It comes from the Baltimore County Dept. of Environmental Protection & Resource Management:

Growing Home Campaign - Plant a Tree in Your Yard & Save $10

The Growing Home Campaign, the national award-winning tree planting program for homeowners, begins its fourth year this spring. Regional expansion of the Growing Home program to include Baltimore County, Baltimore City and Harford County enables over 1.6 million residents to learn more about selecting and planting trees to beautify their properties, save money and improve the environment

The Growing Home program is an innovative public-private partnership between Baltimore County, Baltimore City, Harford County, 50 local retail nurseries and garden centers, and homeowners to increase the tree canopy in our region by offering homeowners comprehensive education about planting trees and a cash incentive, the $10 Growing Home Tree Coupon redeemable toward the purchase of a qualifying tree with a retail value of at least $25.

Homeowners can obtain the $10 Growing Home tree coupon from the Growing Home brochure, which is widely available at county and city facilities, and the Growing Home Campaign website http://www.baltimorecountymd.gov/go/trees. Information about the value of adding trees to one's property and within existing neighborhoods, guidance about site considerations and tree species selection, and instructions about tree planting and maintenance is also available in the brochure and at the website.

The Growing Home Campaign's goal is to plant 10,000 new trees on residential land in the Baltimore region. Studies show that the best opportunities for increases in urban tree canopy in the area are available on private land. Planting on residential property is crucial to successfully increasing the Urban Tree Canopy in the Baltimore region.

Educational material and coordination for the Campaign is funded in part by a Chesapeake Bay Program Small Watershed Grant. The Campaign is coordinated by Baltimore County Dept. of Environmental Protection & Resource Management. For more information about the program visit http://www.growinghome.info/ or contact Diana Cohen at 410-887-4488 Ext 287.

Why “Do-It-Yourself Tree Removal” is a Bad Idea

We can all probably agree that tough times make people do things they wouldn’t normally do. But trimming back on your tree care by removing a tree yourself is not only a bad idea monetarily (if you have an accident you could end up paying a lot more for the hospital bills than you would have originally for the tree service), it is also highly dangerous. Jay Leno’s “Resume Guy” is a good example. Leno made Dean Biondi famous for carrying around his resume everywhere. Biondi, an exceptional job seeker trying to beat unemployment and try his hand at various professions, met his match with the tree service industry. While we applaud Biondi for his enthusiasm in tree care, it goes as a reminder to us tree guys about how dangerous our job can actually be.

Sources:

http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/19234584/detail.html

What's Bugging You?

Many tree infesting insects remain dormant during the winter season. When warmer weather does arrive, there are countless varieties of insects emerging all with the same thing in mind...to infest in or eat your trees! The three main ways they do this are by chewing, sucking , or boring into a tree. An example of chewing insects would be Bagworms, sucking insects - Aphids, boring insects - Bark Beetle. Did you know that pesticide applications aide your trees in ridding these pests through one or a series of sprays of the tree, or injection of a systemic (Merit) into the root area of the tree? Well, now that you've listened to the Expert you do. We're just a bunch of tree lovers like you!

Picture of Bagworms from Google Images

Can Anyone call themselves a Tree Expert?

The answer is: NO.

In order to maintain the status of Tree Expert you must provide proper training and certification and be licensed by the Department of Natural Resources.

A Year Round Tree Expert Company Inc. (License #000197) has been licensed since 1980, in addition Owner and Professional Arborist Steve Martin holds a Forestry Degree from Penn State University. We are fully insured, which means that we not only carry general liability insurance to protect your property (we have an excellent safety record!) but we also carry workers compensation insurance on all of our employees. Our crews are proud employees of A Year Round Tree Expert Company and not subcontractors.

You can locate A Year Round Tree Expert Company on The Department of Natural Resources website at http://www.dnr.state.md.us/forests/tree_expert_search.asp.

DNR Tips on Choosing a Licensed Tree Expert:

1. Ask to see their Tree Expert license. Any Licensed Tree Expert will carry a card that contains their three-digit Expert number and verifies their status as being licensed. Call DNR if you are not satisfied with the answer you receive, the Department maintains a complete list of Licensed Tree Experts.

2. Ask for proof of insurance. A Licensed Tree Expert will have personal and property damage insurance, as well as worker’s compensation insurance.

3. Ask for references. Find out where the company or person has done work similar to work you are requesting. Don’t hesitate to check references or visit other sites where the company or individual has done tree work.

4. Get an estimate in writing. Licensed Tree Experts are required to enter into a written contract with a client. Be sure to read the contract carefully and make sure it includes information on when the work will be started and completed, who is responsible for clean-up, the total price and an hourly rate if more work needs to be done.

5. Be wary of individuals who solicit business door-to-door. While these individuals may appear to be offering lower costs for tree care services, be assured it’s no bargain. A person soliciting business door-to-door will often give a cell phone number and no other means of contact, thereby making it difficult to find them should a problem arise. Licensed Tree Experts must have an address of record and other contact info on file with the Department.

2009 Tree Tips!

A Year Round Tree Expert company, based in Baltimore, MD is dedicated to making your 2009 Tree Care experience the best one ever. So visit this blog often, as well as AYRTE's main page: http://www.baltimoresbesttreeservice.com!