Integrity Tree Care

Oak wilt, caused by the fungus Ceratocystis fagacearum, is the most destructive disease affecting live oaks and red oaks in Central Texas. Most of the tree mortality results from tree to tree spread of the pathogen through interconnected or grafted root systems, once an oak wilt center becomes established. New infection centers begin when beetles carry oak wilt fungal spores from infected red oaks to fresh, open wounds on healthy oaks. Wounds include any damage caused by wind, hail, vehicles, construction, squirrels, birds or pruning. Research has shown that both oak wilt fungal mats on infected red oaks and insects that carry oak wilt spores are most prevalent in the spring. Below is a brief description of how you can reduce the risk of fungal spread when pruning. Always paint fresh wounds on oaks, including pruning cuts and stumps, with wound dressing or latex paint immediately after pruning or live tree removal at all times of the year. Clean all pruning tools with 10% bleach solution or Lysol™ between sites and/or trees. If possible avoid pruning or wounding of oaks during the spring (currently defined as  February1 through June 30). Reasons to prune in the spring include: To accommodate public safety concerns such as hazardous limbs, traffic visibility or emergency utility line clearance. To repair damaged limbs (from storms or other anomalies) To remove limbs rubbing on a building or rubbing on other branches, and to raise low limbs over a street. On sites where construction schedules take precedence, pruning any live tissue should only be done to accommodate required clearance. Dead branch removal where live tissue is not exposed. Pruning for other reasons (general tree health, non-safety related clearance or thinning, etc.) should be conducted before February 1 or after June 30. Debris from diseased red oaks should be immediately chipped, burned or buried. Regardless of the reasons or time of year, proper pruning techniques should be used. These techniques include making proper pruning cuts and avoiding injurious practices such as topping or excessive crown thinning. If you are uncertain about any of this information, contact Integrity Tree Care.

Pruning Guidelines for Prevention of Oak Wilt in Texas

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As many as a half-billion trees may have died across Texas from the effects of the 2011 drought, the state’s forest service says. A survey released Monday by the Texas Forest Service estimates 100 million to 500 million trees, or 2% to 10% of the state’s 4.9 billion trees, have been killed by the severe drought, which began last year. Although it will take several years to obtain enough data to determine the full effect of the drought, “ultimately, Mother Nature is going to dictate what will happen,” said Chris Edgar, a forest resource analyst.

Drought may have killed a half-billion trees

Integrity Tree Care

Pruning Guidelines for Prevention of Oak Wilt in Texas Oak wilt, caused by the fungus Ceratocystis fagacearum, is the most destructive disease affecting live oaks and red oaks in Central Texas. Most of the tree mortality results from tree to tree spread of the pathogen through interconnected or grafted root systems, once an oak wilt center becomes established. New infection centers begin when beetles carry oak wilt fungal spores from infected red oaks to fresh, open wounds on healthy oaks. Wounds include any damage caused by wind, hail, vehicles, construction, squirrels, birds or pruning. Research has shown that both oak wilt fungal mats on infected red oaks and insects that carry oak wilt spores are most prevalent in the spring. Below is a brief description of how you can reduce the risk of fungal spread when pruning. Always paint fresh wounds on oaks, including pruning cuts and stumps, with wound dressing or latex paint immediately after pruning or live tree removal at all times of the year. Clean all pruning tools with 10% bleach solution or Lysol between sites and/or trees. If possible avoid pruning or wounding of oaks during the spring (currently defined as February1 through June 30). Reasons to prune in the spring include: To accommodate public safety concerns such as hazardous limbs, traffic visibility or emergency utility line clearance. To repair damaged limbs (from storms or other anomalies) To remove limbs rubbing on a building or rubbing on other branches, and to raise low limbs over a street. On sites where construction schedules take precedence, pruning any live tissue should only be done to accommodate required clearance. Dead branch removal where live tissue is not exposed. Pruning for other reasons (general tree health, non-safety related clearance or thinning, etc.) should be conducted before February 1 or after June 30. Debris from diseased red oaks should be immediately chipped, burned or buried. Regardless of the reasons or time of year, proper pruning techniques should be used. These techniques include making proper pruning cuts and avoiding injurious practices such as topping or excessive crown thinning. If you are uncertain about any of this information, you should consult with  Certified arborist from Integrity Tree Care in DFW Texas. Call 817-926-5462 or 817-714-1777 or contact us through our contact forms at http://integritytreecare.org/contact-us

Pruning Guidelines for Prevention of Oak Wilt

Integrity Tree Care

DALLAS/FT. WORTH tree service

Angies List 2011 Super Service Award Winners

Integrity Tree Care

No matter where you are located, if you are a homeowner, there is a chance that you are going to one day need tree service in your front or backyard. Having someone come and take care of these different outdoor issues can mean less work and mess for you as well as the risk of incorrectly solving the problem. Call and expert to get help for pruning, removal, or bracing for plants around your home. Pruning It is possible for you to climb up the ladder and work all day to prune and cut. However, many times, people cut too little or too much and may not keep with the original shape of the plant. A tree service can come to your house and correctly prune everything according to what is best for the growth and longevity of the plant. Keeping everything pruned correctly isn’t just about adding an aesthetic appeal to your home. Safety is also involved. Each area needs to be cut correctly to make sure there is no chance of later damage to the home or surrounding areas. No one wants to be responsible for damaging their trees or home. Removal A tree service can remove and entire object including the roots or just get rid of a stump. Deciding whether or not this is what is best should be left to the professionals. They can come and take a look at the situation and decide if removal is the only option. This too will add to the look of you home and yard. When done correctly, there is no damage to the property or any of the surrounding plants or wildlife. This may also be necessary if bad weather has come in and split branches into two causing a hazard to the home and people inside. Bracing Correctly bracing plants and shrubs is important because it determines the direction of growth. You don’t want anything to grow crooked as it won’t look right and also won’t be able to last long in that position. This tree service can give newer growths the chance to stand up straight and mature correctly. There are proper ways to set up the mechanics of bracing and a professional will be able to set your yard up for success. Don’t overlook this process of planting. Without this a strong wind or bad weather can come along and ruin your yard’s set up. Take the time to have this done correctly and you will reap the benefits for years to come. A professional comes with their own equipment, typically a bucket truck, that is designed to reach hard to get areas. They also bring with them a wealth of knowledge on specific types of growth and how best to handle each one. This makes it easier for you to maintain the yard you have always wanted and prevent problems in the future. Allow someone with experience in these areas come in and help. Any homeowner could benefit from any one of these types of tree service. A Fort Worth Tree service can help save you backbreaking time by pruning, removing, or supporting your trees. Find one today at http://www.integritytreecare.org.

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We don’t always have the coldest of Winters in Texas, but just the same, it is good to take certain steps in the cold months for your trees. We have compiled a small list of things to consider when the air starts getting cold in Texas. Tips for Homeowners with Trees 1. Adding composted organic mulch underneath your trees in the fall or early winter can help to retain water and keep temperature extremes at bay. A thin layer of mulch will act like a blanket and give the tree’s roots a little extra winter protection. 2. Make sure your trees have enough water. Winter droughts require watering as much as those in summer. If temperatures permit, an occasional watering during the winter on young trees can be a life saver. But be sure to water only when soil and trees are cool but not frozen. 3. Keep your trees pruned. Winter is actually one of the best times for tree pruning because it is easier to see the structure of trees without their leaves. But limit pruning to deadwood and poorly placed branches in order to save as many living branches as possible. 4. Prevent tree damages. Ice and snow can cause Branch breakage or splitting on your trees. Prevent problems from occurring on young trees by wrapping the base of trees in a hard, plastic guard or a metal hardware cloth. Wrapping trees with burlap or plastic cloth can also help prevent damages to your trees. Just remember to remove the wraps and guards in the spring to prevent damage when the tree begins to grow. For more information on trees or tree care in Texas, feel free to contact Integrity Tree Care. http://integritytreecare.org

Winter Tree Care in Texas

Integrity Tree Care

Backyard landscaping for Fall does not have to be drastic or hard. You can do your own backyard landscaping or you can hire a contractor to do it for you. The choice is yours but doing it yourself can be a lot of work, especially if you do not have any experience in this type of thing. There are all kinds of things that you will need to learn about before you start doing your own backyard landscaping.  You may be able to save some money on the work if you do your own backyard landscaping but if you mess things up too badly you may end up paying even more to get everything fixed. A big part of landscaping includes trees. Integrity Tree Care specializes in tree care, and using trees for landscaping. Trees are a specialty, and we recommend you contact us for help in this area of your landscaping. We offer consultation, and complete tree care service, so you can rest easy and leave the hard work to us.  

Backyard Landscaping for the Fall

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Check out our ad on Craiglist for tree services in DFW

Craigslist Ad

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According to officials, tree owners in Texas need to water their trees immediately, or chance suffering loss. Until the drought passes, trees need help with watering.

Texas advised to water trees immediately

Integrity Tree Care

Most of Texas is at the highest level of drought intensity and this is weakening and killing many landscape trees. Dr. Todd Watson, President Texas Chapter, International Society of Arboriculture, Tom Boggus, State Forester and Director Texas Forest Service, and Gary Woods, President Texas Urban Forestry Council have requested Professional Arborists to send a message to all homeowners and business owners alike in Texas. Water Your Trees NOW! For more information and tips on watering and caring for your trees, you can call us at 817-926-5462 or 817-714-1777 The ISA has a page setup for more information also:  http://isatexas.com/Consumers/Customer_Tree_Care_Info.htm Click here  

Texans Water Your Trees Now