Drought killing native trees

Foresters say the best ways to take care of trees is to water them weekly and use mulch.

By Miguel Liscano
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF

Monday, August 31, 2009

When Sharon Drinkwine and her husband, Bob, moved into their new Sunset Valley home in October, she noticed the leaves on a large live oak tree in their backyard were looking a bit brown.

After a few days, she called a local forester who said the problem might be oak wilt, a fungus that blocks a tree’s water conducting system. Within months, the oak was dead.

Though she consulted with seven different tree experts, none could say conclusively what killed the tree, Drinkwine said. But they did agree on one thing.

“The tree was definitely weakened by the drought,” Drinkwine said. “We have other trees on the property and they’re not looking all that great either.”

Drinkwine’s dead tree isn’t alone.

Arborists and foresters say trees throughout Central Texas, even native species such as live oak and hackberry, have succumbed after being ravaged by the long drought and intense summer heat.

“I have not seen it to this extent in my lifetime,” said Jim Houser of the Texas Forest Service. “We’re even seeing cedars (Ashe junipers ) dying. They can exist on sunbaked, rocky plantscapes. And we’re seeing them die all over the place.”

Walter Passmore, the City of Austin’s urban forester, said hundreds of the city’s estimated 300,000 trees have died this summer. The city plans to cut down 49 trees in Zilker Park this month that officials say were killed by the drought.

And Don Gardner , an arborist who runs a consulting company in Austin, said he’s had so many calls about sick trees that it’s difficult to keep up with the work.

“Many of our well-established, well-adapted native trees are dying,” Gardner said. “From last year to this year, it’s really kicking in.”

Houser said the death of a tree is usually attributable to a number of factors, sucha s disease and insects. Stress from the drought and heat is often the fatal blow, he said.

However, he said, many of the trees dying lately appear to have been in good condition.

“Apparently completely healthy, vibrant oaks are going down,” Houser said. “There is just absolutely no water in the soil. There’s just no water there.”

To improve the health of trees, foresters recommend soaking them with about five gallons of water for every inch of trunk diameter each week. Houser said to apply water under the tree’s canopy and do it slowly so it will soak in.

They also recommended spreading mulch in the tree’s root zone to insulate soil, prevent evaporation and prevent harm from extreme temperatures. The mulch also reduces weeds and grass, so the tree will absorb more nutrients from decomposing organic material in the mulch, the foresters said.

Foresters say residents should look for insect infestations and bark falling off as signs that a tree is sick or dying.

Passmore said trees that die on city property are cut down and turned into mulch. Trees that die on private property in urban areas are typically cut down as well to avoid damage from falling over.

Back in Sunset Valley, Drinkwine said she’s installed a rainwater collection system to help save her other trees.

And she said she’s letting her dead live oak stand, for now at least.

“We really love the look of it,” Drinkwine said. “So, we’re going to plant wisteria around it, and vines.”

mliscano@statesman.com; 246-1150

Ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure:

I have been noticing a lot of trees around the Austin area really declining due to the “heat wave of 2009″ as the news is calling the latest droughty conditions. In many cases, these trees are declining
due to the heat and lack of rain fall however, I feel weather is more of a contributing factor rather than the main cause. Many of these trees would be able to weather the heat if they had the luxury of a healthy root system. Due to the large amount of growth and development in the Austin area over the past years, many of our native trees have taken a beating in regard to their root systems. From curb cuts to parking lots to building foundations, all this development directly effects the nearby trees. With a damaged or weakened root system brought on by site changes, our trees just can not keep up with the demands put on them by the recent weather.

In many cases if an arborist would have been consulted prior to or during the construction process, valuable root systems could have been saved. Way too often, as an arborist I get called to a site to try to revive a stressed tree after the damage is done. Many builders, developers, and even home owners are not aware of the damage they will cause to the existing trees and their root systems until it is too late. Inmany cases, a little forethought and planning can salvage crucial root zones throughre-routing planned utilities, side walks or a slight adjustment in the location of a future building or house on a property. In some projects, itis just impossible to avoid damage to the root zone during a project. In situations where vital roots are damaged or lost, we have options to stimulate new root development and manage the over all tree vigor. These techniques for root regeneration are significantly more productive if performed during or immediately following any stress to the tree rather than 18 months later when the tree in on its death bed.

It is during environmental extremes that we realized the damage that we cause to native trees during development. I urge you to consider the benefit of including an arborist before your next project. Wether it is a new pool, house addition, or even an irrigation system; a nominal arborist consultation fee is nothing compared to the value healthy trees will add to you property for years to come.

Brent Frazier
ISA Certified Arborist, TX-0965A
Certified Arbor Care, Inc

Okay so bear with me (us). I am not a computer genius, but we trying to stay connected. Come join our fan club and leave us a review.

Thanks,

Lee Evans
President

As stated in the post “Sealing wounds and why it is IMPORTANT”, we may save your life! Here are a couple of clips from a monthly publication.

Man falls from ladder while trimming tree

A 54-year-old Ocklawaha, Florida, resident fell from the top of a ladder while trimming a tree branch at his home
February 7, 2009. He was airlifted to a hospital in Gainesville. Donald Albritton was using a chain saw to remove a large branch when one end of the branch struck him,
knocking him off the ladder, according to a report in the Ocala Star Banner. Albritton was found lying face down, unable to move. His chain saw was still running beside him. Albritton’s wife told the officer that she saw her husband fall from the ladder, hitting his head against the tree trunk as he fell. The injured man was able to tell the officer that he felt “tingly” all over, but could not move or feel any- thing. When placed on the stretcher, however, he was able to move his arms.

TCIA Monthly Publication April 2009

Man killed by cut tree

A man was killed February 6, 2009, in New Derry, Pennsylvania, when a tree he was cutting down fell on him. Brian M. Shean, 37, of New Derry, and his father
were helping a friend cut down the tree in a wooded lot when it became lodged in another tree nearby. As the men tried to
pull it down, the timber, which was about 50 feet tall and 12 inches in diameter, fell toward them, crushing Mr. Shean. He was
pronounced dead at the scene.

TCIA Monthly Publication April 2009

Every month TCIA (Tree Care Industry Assocation) has section devoted to accident reports. Usually at least one, if not more of the articles are of homeowners’ trying to prune or remove trees themselves and getting seriously injured or even killed. I’m not saying if you prune your trees you are going to get hurt or die, but please use common sense!!!! Majority of the incidents involve a ladder. DO NOT PRUNE TREES FROM A LADDER, unless the ladder is properly secured to the tree and you (the trimmer) have on the appropriate safety gear i.e. rope, saddle, and safety lanyard.

DO NOT HIRE A COMPANY who is going to use a ladder to prune your trees…odds are that they are going to get hurt (eventually). I was called out to a site this past winter by one of our commercial clients to evaluate some work being done on a property from a “tree care company”. On the job site, the “tree guys” were using ladders to prune trees and another BIG NO NO using spikes (climbing spurs) on live trees. In shock and complete disbelief at what was before me, I almost ran into several cars in the parking lot. I watched these “tree guys” for a few minutes and during the brief time period, one of the guys fell from the tree while climbing a ladder with a BIG chainsaw in his hand. He looked around quickly, clearly embarrassed and hoping no one saw him fall. He repositioned his ladder and climbed back up the tree as if nothing had happened. What if he had the chainsaw running and it had hit his leg? Or another part of his body? Or someone passing by?

Next time some one knocks on your door offering to prune your trees really cheap, “Hey we are in the neighborhood will can give a REALLY good deal…”, think twice! Check their credentials! Are they ISA certified? Do they have Insurance? Check for General Liability as well as WORKERS’ COMPENSATION. Ask about how they are going to climb your trees? Are they using a ladder or ropes and saddles?

Trees are one of the most valuable parts to your landscape….take the extra time to research the folks you hire to prune your trees.

Lee Evans
ISA Certified Arborist TX-1339A
President, Certified Arbor Care

It is HOT……there is no sign of rain and did I mention it is HOT. I have been noticing more and more native trees continuing to struggle with the tough conditions we are having this summer. Trees are stressed from the drought and and declining rather quickly. It may not be a bad idea to give your trees a drink. Trees prefer long, infrequent waterings, not short and frequent. Watering for a longer period of time allows the water to soak deep into the soil and tree roots will grow deeper in to the soil…making the tree more drought tolerant. Short and frequent watering will cause trees to root shallower and be more susceptible to drought stress. Water your native trees once or twice every couple a weeks especially trees around fairly new construction (within the last 4 or 5 years). For newly planted trees they should be water daily or every other day…be sure to monitor the soil, it should be damp, but not saturated between waterings. You can over water, so be conservative!!!

Lee

Hopefully very few of you received any damage from the recent storms. Depending upon location around the Austin-metro area some were affected some were not. The harder hit areas seem to be around Cedar Park, Avery Ranch, Bertram, and other communities between these towns. PLEASE read up on WHY HIRE AN ARBORIST and BEFORE YOU PRUNE, especially on the certification and more importantly the insurance coverages. Your arborist should have not only general liability insurance, but WORKERS’ COMPENSATION as well. If the worker is injured while working on your property and your arborist does not have WORKERS’ COMPENSATION, then he or she is exposing you to a great liability(GL). Many people think that if they have general liability and if something happens they are covered. A GL policy on covers property damage not the worker. I have heard of companies buying a year policy, then canceling it within a few weeks or months so be sure to contact their insurance carrier to verify the policy.

WE ARE INSURED FOR YOUR PROTECTION and OURS!!!! General Liability and Workers’ Compensation carried year round…just ask us we will have our insurance agent send you copy directly.

Lee Evans
President/Owner – Certified Arbor Care
ISA Certified Arborist TX-1339A

This was one of the most debated topics a few years back. To seal or not to seal? (to be poetic) Sealing the wound on a tree (a cut, broken branch, scrape, or whatever the case may be) actually slows down the healing process. On all trees except OAKS (all oaks) the wound should be left untreated. The tree will compartmentalize the wound on its own and at a faster rate. ONLY oaks should be sealed here in the Hill Country due to the presence of oak wilt (Ceratocystis fagacearum). Now you do not have to go out and buy the $8 or $9 a can pruning paint, a 99 cent can flat black (black because it blends in well with bark and shadows of the limbs) or whatever color you desire to seal the wound.

There are two main reasons we seal wounds on OAKS. First, once a wound is made the tree excretes sap to keep insects or other pests out. However, the sap attracts the nitidulid beetle which can spread the spores of oak wilt into healthy trees. These beetles can fly 3 to 4 miles from a fungal mat (that is a long way for beetle smaller than your pinky fingernail). The second reason we seal wound on OAKS is to put a layer of protection from the fresh cut tissue to the outside environment. Again, protecting the wound from that rascally little beetle.

If you decide to cut a few branches yourself please seal the wounds on your OAK trees, better yet call the experts and have your trees professionally trimmed….it may save you headaches down the road or even your life (I’ll explain this one in a later post).

Lee Evans
Certified Arbor Care
ISA Certified Arborist TX-1339A

June 5, 2009

Fortunately and unfortunately it is that time of the year….the days are longer and NO RAIN plus it is getting HOT. In the recent weeks I have noticed the office getting flooded with calls for sick live oaks. Our trees are in much need of rain to replenish the moisture in the soil (or in some cases the caliche) for the trees to uptake. Transpiration rates are on the rise too. What does that mean for our trees? Stress and healthy looking trees declining rapidly!

The trees are already stressed for water and once oak wilt symptoms appear, the trees are dropping leaves and dying within a few weeks (some even faster). It seems like the trees are “drying up” over night at times. Trees showing symptoms are not salvageable this time of the year in my opinion, the demand for water and an infected trees ability to absorb water and nutrients make this task pretty much impossible.

If you have a tree that is looking sick contact us immediately! Look for signs of oak wilt on the ground below the tree. Not sure how to ID oak wilt look for leaves expressing venial necrosis (see website for pictures or visit www.texasoakwilt.org) the classic sign of oak wilt in our live oaks. Trees within 100-120 feet of an infected tree should be treated with ALAMO as quickly as possible. Give us a call we give FREE estimates or shoot us a quick email using or contact us form! WE ARE HERE TO HELP!!!

Lee Evans
President – Certified Arbor Care
ISA Certified Arborist TX-1339A
Texas Oak Wilt Certified TOWC-0024

An arborist is a specialist in the care of individual trees. Arborists are knowledgeable about the needs of trees and are trained and equipped to provide proper care. Hiring an arborist is a decision that should not be taken lightly. Proper tree care is an investment that can lead to substantial returns. Well-cared-for trees are attractive and can add considerable value to your property. Poorly maintained trees can be a significant liability. Pruning or removing trees, especially large trees, can be dangerous work. Tree work should be done only by those trained and equipped to work safely in trees.

Read more in the complete International Society of Arboriculture article. Topics include:

• Services That Arborists Can Provide
• Selecting the Right Arborist for the Job
• What Is a Certified Arborist?

Developed by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA), a non-profit organization supporting tree care research around the world and is dedicated to the care and preservation of shade and ornamental trees. For further information, contact:
ISA, P.O. Box 3129, Champaign, IL 61826-3129, USA.
E-mail inquiries: isa@isa-arbor.com

© 2007 International Society of Arboriculture.

Warning: Check Tree-care Credentials

United Voice for Healthier Communities, a coalition of arborists, urban foresters and tree care professionals, is urging everyone to take essential steps before hiring anyone to trim a tree or attempting to do that job themselves.

These steps are:

• Check credentials and references.
• Check for current ISA Certification.
• Confirm that workers are covered by workers’ compensation and liability insurance.
• Seek professional guidance, especially when planning to trim trees on one’s own.

The International Society of Arboriculture also has a hotline for tree care, 1-888-ISA-TREE (472-8733).