Tree Services Blog

Preparing your trees for the summer months in Florida is important to ensure that they stay healthy and look great. To do this, you can trim and prune your trees: trimming is good for a tree's appearance, while pruning is good for a tree's health by getting rid of any branches that are unhealthy. However, if you have any weak trees that are unable to be saved, you should remove them. With hurricane season coming up, weak trees are dangerous; you shouldn't take any chances. It's a good idea to have your trees checked by professionals, as they will be able to determine what services your trees need to stay healthy. They will also be able to tell you if any of your trees need to be removed.

Trim & Prune Your Trees

You should prepare your trees for the summer in Florida - whether it's for aesthetics or their health. Trees are a staple to the surrounding environment and it's a good idea to treat them with proper care. You can:

• Trim them - Trimming your trees will enhance their appearance. It also promotes proper growth of the branches, keeps their shape and fullness, and allows for better access to sunlight.
• Prunethem - Pruning your trees will help with maintaining their health by removing unhealthy branches. This prevents the issue from spreading to other parts of the tree and will also minimize the risk of them falling off.

Having trees on your property offers numerous benefits like providing shade on those hot days we experience here in Florida. However, there are certain situations when a tree needs to be removed. For example, you want to remove a tree from your property if it’s leaning toward your home to prevent the tree from causing any damage to your home. You should also remove a tree when it succumbs to a disease or insect infestation to keep the problem from spreading throughout your property. And, if you notice any cracks in the trunk of your tree, remove it as soon as possible because it is likely unstable and can potentially fall over. Keep reading to learn why it’s important to immediately remove your tree when faced with any of these three situations.

1. Remove your tree if it's leaning toward your house.

If one of the trees on your property starts leaning toward your house, then it’s best to start making plans to remove it. Branches and other parts of the tree will eventually start falling, potentially damaging your house. And in the worst-case scenario, the tree itself can fall onto your house during a storm. When a tree starts to lean while it is still growing, it usually means that there is a problem with the roots of the tree, and this issue cannot always be corrected. So, to prevent any substantial damage to your home, it’s recommended to remove the tree immediately once it starts leaning towards your house.

2. Remove your...

If you've ever gotten tree sap on your hands, you know how sticky, messy, and annoying it can be. There are many types of trees here in South Florida that produce excess sap at certain times of the year. If you have any magnolia, willow, maple, mesquite, silk-oak, or avocado trees on your property, you can avoid dealing with heavy sap drip by waiting to trim them until after spring. While sap drip is messy and unsightly, it is important to remember that it isn't harmful to your trees. If you do encounter sap drip, it's best to leave it alone rather than trying to stop it or clean it up.

Wait until after spring to trim these trees if you want to avoid dealing with sap drip.

There are a variety of trees commonly found in the South Florida area that are known for their heavy sap drip. If you wait to trim these trees until after spring, you can avoid dealing with sap drip. These trees include:

• Magnolias: Magnolia trees excrete a thick, sugary sap called honeydew. To avoid messy sap drip, you should trim your magnolia trees any time between mid-summer and early fall.
• Willows: Willow trees produce a watery sap that is abundant in salicylic acid. Avoid heavy sap drip by trimming your willow trees in the winter while they are dormant.
• Maples: Maple tree sap is well-known as the main ingredient in maple syrup and other sweeteners. Trim your maple trees in the mid-summer so you don't have to worry as much about sticky sap drip.
• Mesquites:...

In Florida, when there's a stump that needs to go, you'll be presented with two main options: stump removal or stump grinding. While they may sound similar, there are important differences to consider and, overall, one option that's better – stump grinding! Stump grinding is less intrusive to your land, not requiring the stump to be completely heaved up and roots to be pulled out. Since the stump is being ground down into small woodchips, you'll effectively be left with mulch that you can repurpose in your landscape. Because stump grinding takes less time and effort, it'll also be less expensive than stump removal. At the end of the day, either will get the job done, but if you're looking for the most efficient route, stump grinding is the clear winner!

Stump grinding is less invasive than stump removal.

One of the biggest differences between stump grinding and removal is the amount of intensive work they take. With stump removal, the stump will be heaved out of the ground and then all of the tree's roots need to be dug up and removed. While this does leave you with completely clear land, it also leaves you with a massive hole that will need to be filled in before you can really do anything with it.

Stump grinding, on the other hand, is much less invasive. There is a special tool that will grind up the stump until it is reduced to wood chips, which are then easy to move wherever you like. The roots are left intact to...

Trimming and pruning are commonly confused with each other. It's a common mistake among property owners because both processes involve cutting away parts of a tree, shrub, or hedge. However, the difference lies in the goal of each service. Trimming is the process of cutting away overgrowth on plants to keep them looking neat while pruning aims to remove dead or diseased branches to maintain the plant's health. Keep reading to learn how trimming is different from pruning, and why your trees and shrubs need both.

Trimming Keeps Your Trees, Shrubs & Hedges Looking Pristine

Plants are beautiful, but they tend to overgrow if they are not properly cared for. Overgrown plants with unruly branches and foliage can bring down your curb appeal. Trimming involves removing excessive overgrowth on your trees, shrubs, and hedges to maintain their pristine condition.

Here are some reasons why routine trimming is beneficial:

• It will keep your plants looking well-shaped and neat.
• It will keep your plants the same size to create a uniform appearance.
• It will give your plants a much-needed haircut, and multiple stems can be trimmed at once.

Because trimming is a maintenance service, you can trim your plants whenever you feel like they are becoming unruly. However, we recommend getting professionals to do it because if it is done wrong, it can actually be detrimental to the health of your plants.

The mighty palm tree has been commonly enjoyed in Florida for thousands of years so, luckily, we've had lots of time to learn the best practices of caring for these giant trees. Trimming is one of those practices! Trimming is the practice of removing brown or dying fronds to improve your palm's appearance as well as encourage healthy growth. While most property owners might think that trimming can be done year-round, this is actually far from the truth!

It is best to stick to trimming your palm tree's fronds in the spring season to keep your tree in optimal condition. In the same way, it is highly recommended that you avoid trimming in the winter season so that the fronds can protect your tree from cooler weather. Continue reading to learn more about why the time of the year matters so much when it comes to trimming your palm trees!

Trim your palms in the spring season to protect the health of your tree.

Many people assume that they should trim their palm fronds as soon as they being to turn brown or start to dry up. However, this could actually be a big mistake. To keep your palm in optimal health, it is extremely important to trim it before it starts to flower in the spring season. This ensures that your palm tree will recover with ease from the trimming process and grow new, healthy fronds.

If your palms have already begun to flower, you should wait until the next spring season to trim your browning fronds. Although brown fronds might be a sore...

Trees need hydration any way they can get it to ensure healthy growth. The rainy season in Florida can provide your trees with enough water to keep them hydrated, but an overabundance of rain can also cause several problems for your trees. Too much rain can oversaturate the soil and weaken root systems, in addition to causing fungal diseases that thrive in wet conditions. These can affect the health and appearance of your trees. Moreover, the rainy season brings strong winds that can blow down branches and trees.

You can mitigate the risks that excessive rain poses to your trees by closely monitoring and surveying them for signs of damage, such as lesions, cracks, and exposed roots. Having a company that provides tree care services will also help you ensure your trees are healthy. Continue reading to learn more about how the rainy season can impact your trees in Florida.

Too Much Rainwater Can Suffocate Your Trees

Continuous and heavy rain can oversaturate the soil with rainwater, which can be detrimental to trees. Too much rainwater can compact the soil and suffocate the tree's roots, as the water prevents the roots from absorbing enough oxygen. Because its pores are filled with water, the tree can run out of oxygen within a few hours. It can now take only several days before parts of the root begin to rot.

Fortunately, Florida enjoys sandy soil that provides good drainage. But we still recommend that you avoid stepping on your lawn after ...

Trees are the true gems of any landscape. They are eye-catching features that can also shade your property from some of Florida's heat. However, when it comes to maintaining trees on your property, there are a few things that we recommend you consider for the health and safety of your family and property in the long haul.

As wonderful as trees can be, large tree roots have been known to cause structural damage if they are spreading out under the soil too closely to your home. Trees can even cause roof and exterior damages if they are close enough to cascade over your home. These and several more issues can occur if your trees are not properly planted. You can avoid all of these issues by following proper tree planting guidelines so that there is ample space between your trees and your home.

Poorly planted trees can cause structural damage to your home and pose a safety hazard to your family.

Trees can cause structural damage in several different ways when they are not planted correctly on your property. Some of the problems that you should be aware of include the following:

• Large tree roots pose the biggest threat to your property. Trees are humble giants, but they require the right amount of space in order to grow their large and astonishingly strong roots. No matter the amount of space they have, a tree's roots will find ways to spread out underneath your soil. This is often what causes structural damage. Poorly planted trees can break up...

Palm trees are one of Florida's most stately features and the pride of many of our highways and neighborhoods. Many of our residents eagerly choose palm trees for their property due to how easy it can be to care for these beautiful trees. Some of the fastest-growing palm trees in the South Florida area include Carpentaria, King, Queen, and Royal palm trees. Continue reading to learn all about these trees and see which of them may be the best addition to your landscape.

1. Carpentaria Palm Tree

The Carpentaria palm tree is a popular choice for landscapes in Florida. This palm is often planted alongside another of its kind. Carpentarias look great in front of buildings or as the focal point of your property's entrance. Here are some additional facts:

• Scientific name: Carpentarias are scientifically known as Carpentaria acuminata.
• Yearly growth: They grow at around 6 feet per year.
• Mature height: They can grow to a mature height of 20-40 feet.
• Appearance: Carpentaria palm trees are tall and slender in stature. Their fronds grow dark green and wide along the crownshaft of the tree.
• Flowering: They bud tiny white flowers from spring to fall.
• Ideal environment and care: These palms grow in moist, well-drained soil. They also require moderate watering and can do well in indirect sunlight.

2. King Palm Tree

King palm trees are hardy trees that thrive outdoors. However, while they are young, they can make great houseplants. Here ...

Trees are one of the most vital living things on the planet. They provide oxygen, filter the air, provide habitat for wildlife, improve soil composition, and protect us from harsh winds, among many other functions. Trees are made up of various parts, from the roots to the crown, that allow them to provide these endless functions. Familiarizing ourselves with the anatomy of a tree will help us gain a better understanding of how they operate and how we can better take care of them. Below, we have listed the most vital anatomy terms that are commonly used in the tree care industry.

Roots Are the Foundation of Trees

Roots perform vital functions to keep the tree thriving. The roots are found below the ground where they absorb nutrients and water from the soil. The tree then uses these essential nutrients to promote its growth and store food to produce foliage. Aside from the uptake of nutrients and minerals, roots also provide structural support for the tree.

A tree's root system can grow as deep as seven feet. One common misconception about tree roots is that they grow deep in the ground. Roots actually extend mostly outward so they can have a good grip on the soil. The strength and growth of a root system will always depend on if it has adequate space and optimal soil conditions.

Tree Trunks Are Vital For Nutrient Delivery

Tree trunks start at the root collar (the area where roots converge with the trunk) and hold vital functions to ensure robust tree...