Articles by Lee County Master Gardeners
When an arborist is needed
By Suzanne Crow
Trees are prominent and valuable assets in many home landscapes and public spaces. Losing a tree, especially one that has taken decades to mature, can be upsetting. How do we know when we need the expertise of a professional to be good stewards of our trees?
Arborists are trained to know how to properly maintain trees for the public's safety and the tree's health. Some arborists plant trees and most can make recommendations for a suitable species for your unique landscape. The wrong tree in the wrong location is a recipe for future problems down the road like growing space, insects, and diseases.
Light pruning can often be handled by the homeowner with proper technique, but there are times when the job needs to be handled by a certified arborist. Repairs to large branches and trunks can be very dangerous. An arborist can safely remove, prune, or straighten uprooted trees that have sustained storm damage while reducing further risk of damage to people and property.
Arborists may also provide other services that include plant health care or preventive maintenance. Jeff Wilson, a certified arborist, and Mississippi State Master Gardener coordinator, says that the two most common questions homeowners ask him are what’s wrong with my tree and should I remove the tree? Although he never makes the call concerning the removal of a tree, he tries to give the homeowner all the information about the health of the tree that will allow for an informed decision.
In many of the cases, the main issue is due to the environment the tree has been exposed to such as drought, wet periods, heat, and cold - sound familiar? Trees in our area are often exposed to all these conditions and it is usually impossible to narrow it down to a single factor when a tree is exhibiting signs of stress. By the time insects have invaded a tree, whether dead or living, the tree has usually been subjected to one or more of these stressors.
If you would like to learn more about your particular tree issues or find an arborist in your area you can contact your county extension office. To read more about caring for trees visit msucares.com.
Suzanne Crow is a Lee County Master Gardener
By Suzanne Crow
Trees are prominent and valuable assets in many home landscapes and public spaces. Losing a tree, especially one that has taken decades to mature, can be upsetting. How do we know when we need the expertise of a professional to be good stewards of our trees?
Arborists are trained to know how to properly maintain trees for the public's safety and the tree's health. Some arborists plant trees and most can make recommendations for a suitable species for your unique landscape. The wrong tree in the wrong location is a recipe for future problems down the road like growing space, insects, and diseases.
Light pruning can often be handled by the homeowner with proper technique, but there are times when the job needs to be handled by a certified arborist. Repairs to large branches and trunks can be very dangerous. An arborist can safely remove, prune, or straighten uprooted trees that have sustained storm damage while reducing further risk of damage to people and property.
Arborists may also provide other services that include plant health care or preventive maintenance. Jeff Wilson, a certified arborist, and Mississippi State Master Gardener coordinator, says that the two most common questions homeowners ask him are what’s wrong with my tree and should I remove the tree? Although he never makes the call concerning the removal of a tree, he tries to give the homeowner all the information about the health of the tree that will allow for an informed decision.
In many of the cases, the main issue is due to the environment the tree has been exposed to such as drought, wet periods, heat, and cold - sound familiar? Trees in our area are often exposed to all these conditions and it is usually impossible to narrow it down to a single factor when a tree is exhibiting signs of stress. By the time insects have invaded a tree, whether dead or living, the tree has usually been subjected to one or more of these stressors.
If you would like to learn more about your particular tree issues or find an arborist in your area you can contact your county extension office. To read more about caring for trees visit msucares.com.
Suzanne Crow is a Lee County Master Gardener
