Insect Control has a direct impact on your plant health and longevity. Certain types of insects can be fatal to your trees. Four of the major pests that threaten Massachusetts tree populations include the Emerald Ash Borer, Asian Longhorned Beetle, Wooley Adelgid and Winter Moth. A variety of microorganisms, pests, and insects are necessary for the balance of nature and overall tree health. A variety of microorganisms, pests, and insects are necessary for the balance of nature and overall tree health. The key, is knowing when the naturally occurring insects and diseases begin to cause problems for your trees. This is when an integrated pest management (IPM) program is helpful.

IPM creates the steps needed to promote a healthy landscape by providing insect control to prevent destructive pest outbreaks. IPM strives to maintain the health of your trees. One of the ways to maintain tree health is to make sure you have diverse types of trees as well as a variety of ages. For example, the pests on a younger tree could be naturally regulated by the parasites and predators that are already well established on an older tree. Also, keep your landscape properly trimmed and thinned. When trees are overcrowded, they compete for the things that sustain them such as light, water, and soil nutrients. This can stress the trees causing them to be more susceptible to destructive pests.

If you see symptoms of poor health on your trees such as dieback on the upper limbs, yellowing needles or leaves, or severe thinning foliage, contact a certified Tree Tech arborist right away. Tree Tech professionals can examine, diagnose, and create a personalized integrated pest management program that will ensure the health and beauty of the trees you love for years to come!

For more information about all of Tree Tech’s many tree services including tree disease diagnosis, insect control and tree treatments, visit www.TreeTechInc.net or call us at 888-873-3832. We provide complete tree services in Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

Lace bug continues to be a problem for azaleas and broad leafed evergreens, especially andromeda. Plants should be treated in june when they are active. Using merit (imidacloprid) in the fall will help protect susceptable plants the following season. This can eliminate timing and weather related issues the following spring. While not lethal, lace bug injury inhibits the plants ability to produce chlorophyl which can allow the plant to become vulnerable to more damaging insects and disease. Heavy lace bug activity will also reduce a plants value aesthetically. To have your plants inspected for lace bug, contact a Tree Tech certified arborist today.

Tree Tech offers the most comprehensive tree service in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. For more information on Tree Tech’s complete tree care services please visit www.treetechinc.net or call 888-873-3832 to speak to an arborist or click here to request a site visit today.

Tree pruning is about maintaining the aesthetics, health and safety of your trees. Most landscape trees require maintenance, and proper pruning will enhance the beauty of your landscape and compliment the other shrubs, plants and the lawn area on your property. A tree growing naturally assumes the shape that allows it to make the best use of light in a given location and climate, which isn’t always ideal for your landscape. The trees can become unsightly or unhealthy and may create a liability for your property.

Fundamentally, pruning is removal or reduction of certain parts of the tree that are not required. The common reasons for  pruning are to train the tree, maintain tree health, improve the quality of flowers, fruit, foliage or stems, and restrict the growth for landscape effect or value of the plant.

When a Tree Tech Massachusetts Certified Arborist, comes to evaluate your trees for pruning he will look for crowded or rubbing limbs, dead branches, and hazards. Removing these obstructions will increase air flow and light penetration which will help to protect trees and shrubs against insects and diseases.

All tree trimming and pruning is done to ANSI A300 Standards. These standards have been developed by the Tree Care Industry  association. They are performance standards based on current research and sound practice for writing specifications to manage trees, shrubs and other woody plants. This way, lients can compare estimates from several professional tree care companies,
giving both a client and a reputable business protection from dishonest  competitors (those who say they will deliver the same service at a lower price  but only provide a fraction of that service).

When a tree is properly pruned, as you can see by this white pine, not only is it contained but it has a more natural shape and  form.  Pruning promotes stronger growth and minimizes susceptibility to strong winds and snow loads. Pruning can be done any time of the year. Many people have their trees pruned in the spring or summer. But you may want to consider doing it in the fall or winter, after the leaves are off the trees. During these seasons without the leaves the structure of the tree is now highly visible  which makes it easier to access, and a better evaluation can be made.  Additional benefits are the cost can be reduced and that it may take less time to get your work scheduled and completed.

Tree Tech Inc. has been Providing Quality Tree and Plant Healthcare Services throughout Massachusetts and Rhode Island Since 1986. Visit www.treetechinc.net for more information or click here to request a site visit.

If you’re new to tree trimming or pruning, here’s the top 5 tree pruning terms you need to know to help keep your trees beautiful all year round. These will help you better understand what to expect when hiring someone to trim your trees or shrubs.

1. Crown: Refers to the part of the tree consisting of the limbs, branches, twigs and leaves.
2. Crown Cleaning: The removal of dead, dying, diseased, crowded, weakly attached and low vigor branches from the crown
   of the tree
3. Crown Thinning: The selective removal of tree branches to increase light penetration and air movement through the crown. Thinning opens the foliage of a tree, reduces weight on heavy limbs, and helps retain the tree’s natural shape.
4. Crown Raising: Removes the lower branches from a tree in order to provide clearance for buildings, vehicles, pedestrians, and vistas.
5. Crown Reduction: Reduces the size (height or spread) of the tree, often for clearance for utility lines.

For more information on Tree Tech’s expert tree trimming and pruning services in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, call 888-873-3832 or visit www.treetechinc.net. We’ve been serving greater New England since 1986.

Tree Tech’s on site evaluation and insect control recommendations can include any of the following: altering irrigation, pruning, planting depth, changing or addressing mulch issues, spraying or applying plant treatments. Our goal is to keep your trees and shrubs healthy.  Tree Tech even has the necessary equipment to reach the tops of large trees to provide treatment.

Tree Tech’s licensed applicators use sprays, pesticides and organic treatments when applicable to effectively treat a wide variety of pests including mites, gypsy moths, Emerald Ash Borer, Asian Longhorned Beetle, deer ticks, winter moth and other types of intrusive insects that can harm your trees and shrubs. We offer Mosquito sprays, poison ivy treatment and soil injections for insect control. Our insect control philosophy is simple – use low impact treatments and natural, organic ingredients whenever possible to minimize the presence of insects while maintaining a sense of environmental responsibility.  Contact us for a complimentary site visit.

Tree Tech serves the greater Boston with year round tree services including all of Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Call today for a site visit 888-873-3832 or visit www.treetechinc.net.

You might balk at the notion that using landscaping to enhance your home’s curb appeal is a worthwhile endeavor, until you look at the statistics. According to the National Association of Realtors®, 49% of buying decisions are based on curb appeal. Not only is curb appeal a consideration, but value is too. The value of an attractive landscape to a home’s perceived value is as high as 15%
percent according to the Journal of Environmental Horticulture.

Curb appeal is the equivalent of outdoor staging for your home. Everyone knows you need to add a fresh coat of paint to the  interior and clean the windows. What sellers don’t always consider is what needs to be done in the garden or landscape to sell a home. Winter is an especially difficult time to maintain curb appeal, but there’s still ways to maximize your home’s visual appearance, like adding winter friendly plants and properly trimming overgrown trees and shrubs. Cutting back overgrown plants can clean up your landscape, increase light in rooms, improve flow toward entrances, and clear walkways.

Here are a few helpful planting tips from the certified arborists at Tree Tech to get you on your way to a greener, more visually appealing landscape this spring.

Arborist Tips to add Curb Appeal:

• Clear trees and shrubs from house and all other structures.
• Reduce and bring out of proportion trees and shrubs into proportion.
• Individualize plants encroaching on one and other.
• Provide sufficient clearance to walk ways, driveways and paths.
• Elevate low limbs (where necessary) to improve visibility to house.
• Define areas by edging beds and installing natural colored mulch

Most “curb appeal” projects by Tree Tech can be accomplished in 1 day or less. Contact us for a free consultation for what it will take to improve your homes curb appeal Tree Tech has been providing residential and commercial tree and shrub care services
throughout Massachusetts and Rhode Island since 1986. Call today to speak to a certified arborist about our tree planting and tree pruning services. Call 888-TREE-TECH today to schedule a site visit.

We provide tree and shrub maintenance and year round plant healthcare in Boston, Worcester, Springfield, Lowell, Cambridge, Brockton, New Bedford, Fall River, Quincy in Massachusetts and Providence, Warwick, Cranston, Pawtucket, East Providence, Woonsocket and Coventry, Rhode Island and the surrounding areas.

The Department of Agricultural Resources has confirmed that the deadly emerald ash borer was detected in Massachusetts for first time last August. Massachusetts is the 18th state in the country to detect the deadly beetle. The EAB is a small, flying beetle, native to Asia. First discovered in North America in 2002, in the Detroit, Michigan area, EAB has been moving to Eastern states at a rapid pace. Ohio has had an estimated 2.8 Billion Ash Trees affected; now the exotic insect from Asia Ash Tee Borer is  threatening trees in Massachusetts.

The Emerald Ash Borer feeds on the cambium layer of Ash trees, in effect cutting off the flow of nutrients and water, which ultimately starves the tree. Most infected trees die within 1-5 years because the insect bores directly under the bark. Massachusetts residents and home owners are encouraged to keep a watchful eye out for signs of the Emerald Ash Borer. The good news is there are treatments for Emerald Ash Borer.

Signs of EAB Tree Damage:

• Small D-shaped exit holes in the bark of ash trees, die-back in the upper third of the tree canopy, and sprouting of branches just below this dead area.
• The Emerald ash borer is a tiny, emerald-green metallic beetle, so small that seven of them could fit on the head of a penny.

If you find signs of infestation, please contact the EAB hotline at 1-866-322-4512 or call the tree care experts at Tree Tech 1-888-873-3832 and request a site visit to have your trees evaluated for free. Our trained, ISA certified MA arborists are trained to treat the Emerald Ash Borer. Visit http://www.treetechinc.net/index.php for more information about our year round tree services in Massachusetts.

Winter Moth has been well established throughout eastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island for over 10 years.   It also is one of the first caterpillar pests to hatch from over-wintering eggs, and can be seen in the early spring; usually just prior to bud-break as host plant buds are swelling. Over the early weeks of the spring, the feeding damage on the leaf will become more obvious and the caterpillars may grow to a visible size. The caterpillars may also be seen descending from the canopy on silken threads. Extensive populations of Winter Moth can cause severe defoliation of the tree. Some of the winter moths favorite deciduous trees are (but not limited to) oaks, maples, cherries, ash, crabapples, apple, and blueberry. So if these trees are in your yard keeps an eye out for any chewing activity in the early spring.

The winter moth is appropriately named, as adult moths are generally active from November through January. Early detection of Winter Moth is difficult, as the first instar larvae begin feeding while the pre-formed leaf is still in the bud. The first symptoms will be visible only after buds break and leaves unfurl, revealing small feeding holes in the leaves; at this point, the larvae are still generally too small to be seen.

Generally, the best seasons for injection are fall and spring – uptake occurs when trees are transpiring. Tree Tech offers a winter moth treatment. One of the products we use is Conserve SC the active ingredient is called spinosad. It is not a broad spectrum insecticide so it is less harmful to the beneficial predators and parasites. It is a bit more costly and must be requested. It is very important to sign up for the treatment early so we can make sure that your property is treated in a timely manner. We always do our best to accommodate last minute calls however waiting too long to schedule your trees may already be heavily damaged and it may be past an effective treatment time.

To schedule a Winter Moth inspection of your trees, call a certified arborist at Tree Tech today or click here to request a site visit. Tree Techcan effectively treat winter moth to help maintain your trees health and longevity.

We are a full service tree care company serving Massachusetts and Rhode Island since 1986 with offices in Foxboro, Wellesley and Fall River.  Members in good standing of the Tree Care Industry Association, Massachusetts Tree Warden Association, Massachusetts Arborist Association, and the ISA. For more information call 1-888-873-3832 or visit www.treetechinc.net

Spring is officially here and although it might not feel like it, trees and shrubs will be blossoming soon. Now is a good time to start trimming and pruning to give your plants a healthy head start on summer. Here are a few helpful tree trimming tips from the ISA certified arborists at Tree Tech in Massachusetts.

Trimming & Pruning:

1. Prune to thin out  old, overgrown shrubs Trim trees and shrubs damaged by heavy snows
2. Start by removing dead, diseased or broken branches
3. Remember that whenever tips are removed, lower buds are encouraged to grow
4. Prune 1/4″ above the bud, angling down and away

Tree Tech is a full service tree care company providing tree trimming and pruning services through Massachusetts and Rhode Island since 1986. If you need assistance from a certified arborists, please call to schedule a complimentary site visit or go to http://www.treetechinc.net/index.php

Our Residential, Commercial and Municipal Tree Service areas include Massachusetts: Boston, Cambridge, Brookline, Newton, Needham, Dedham, Westwood, Weston, Wellesley, Dover, Sherborn, Holliston, Natick Hopkinton, Millis, Medway, Medfield, Walpole, Franklin, Bellingham, Wrentham, Foxboro, Mansfield, Norton, Taunton, Easton, Bridgewater, Canton, Randolph, Milton, Quincy, Weymouth, Hingham, Hull, Cohasset, Scituate, Marshfield, Plymouth, Duxbury, Norwell, Marion, Mattapoisett, Fairhaven, Lakeville, Freetown, Assonet, Swansea, Fall River, Raynham, Attleboro, North Attleboro, and Braintree. Rhode Island: Providence, Tiverton, Barrington, Cumberland, Cranston, North Kingstown and Warwick.

At Tree Tech, we’re dedicated to providing you with the best tree service in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, including great advice from our staff of MA certified aborists. Here’s some insect control tips for spring to keep your trees and shrubs in optimal health:

• April is a good time to schedule chemical tree treatments for winter moth and other plant damaging insects.
• Moisture is necessary for most plant and tree diseases to thrive. Target watering to turf and bed surfaces. Avoid wetting of foliage.
• Air movement and light penetration favor plant health and reduces pest problems. Conditions can be improved through proper plant spacing at planting and good pruning and trimming practices.
• Good sanitation reduces the source and habitat of insects and diseases and helps control outbreaks. Removal of leaves and debris beneath plants with known problems is beneficial. Heavy deposits of leaves on turf or groundcovers over the winter will cause damage.

Vigorous, healthy trees and shrubs with good reserves can fight off pests and resist environmental stress much better than those in a weakened condition.

To have your trees and shrubs evaluated by a certified arborist in MA call us today or click here to schedule a site visit. Tree Tech has been serving Massachusetts and Rhode Island with residential and commercial tree services since 1986. For more information about our services visit www.TreeTechinc.net or call 888-873-3832.