Trees represent not only beauty, but also value. Knowing your tree(s) condition and what option should (or shouldn’t) be done can significantly improve the chances for a successful outcome. The small cost involved for a site visit by a professional, certified arborist who’s experienced with tree health and their response can greatly increase the odds in saving ill-spent money down the road should a tree decline or die that could have been saved. Call today to inquire and schedule an appointment – 912-269-5780
Credentials: ISA Certified Arborist SO-4137A / ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification
SERVICES OFFERED
• Consultation and Diagnostics
• Tree Risk Assessment
• Soil Treatments/Fertilization
• Soil and Foliar Testing
• Pest Management
• Air Spading
• Expert Witness and Litigation
Consultation and Diagnostic
Soil Treatments/Fertilization
Not all trees need added nutrients. But in many situations, addition of them can mean the difference between maximizing health vs. a tree just barely surviving.
Whether it be a lack of sufficient nutrients or an upcoming known stress situation such as a home building or construction project where root systems will be reduced and/or compromised, a soil treatment can greatly strengthen a tree’s health by building its reserves.
Example: A good analogy is a live oak about to undergo stress compared to an elderly person about to have surgery. Both are scheduled for significant “surgery” (root reduction) in six months. One “patient” is beefed up with proper “vitamins and supplement”; the other patient is not. Which “patient” can be expected to respond better and have a faster recovery following treatment?
Soil treatment is much more than just adding nutrients. Utilizing the Hydro-Jet method, numerous 2” holes are safely opened using water pressure to a depth of 8-10”. These openings act together as an “oasis” for new root development, by reducing soil compaction issues and improving aeration allowing for new root development. Besides the use of a proprietary blend of fertilizer developed by The Tree Guy®, LLC in over thirty years of testing and development. It includes the addition of new rooting products (mycorrhizal), plant rooting hormones and soil humates/conditioners.
Pest Management
The Tree Guy®, LLC utilizes the Arborjet system to most effectively apply registered materials in which products are injected into the trunk. This is by far a safer method compared to spraying and drenching which may or may not reach the targeted pest. By directly applying concentrated insecticides, fungicides, and/or nutritional products into the trunk via drilled in ports. The products move within the tree to precisely where they are needed and have much longer persistence and effectiveness, while requiring less material than conventional application methods that tend to waste product and pollute non-targeted areas.
• Red Oak Borer – This insect has a two year life cycle and is killing trees in the red oak group (laurel, water and willow oaks) throughout the south and north Florida. Deadwood and decline occur as populations buildup over months and years, until a threshold is reached in which the trees die. Trunk injections are very effective in reducing this insect and protecting trees from future infestations.
• Giant Palmetto Weevil – An especially aggressive insect that has become a major concern for those with existing or newly planted Canary Island Date Palms (Phoenix canariensis), infestation can cause a palm to die within days. Past methods in treating for this insect utilized spraying and bud drenching, but success was highly dependent on frequent applications between February through November since rainfall washes away the pesticide.
Application through trunk injections places the pesticide directly inside the palm where it is transported to the bud and is most effective in repelling and killing the weevils. Although no treatment method can guarantee 100% control, it is by far the most effective technique available.
• Pine Beetles – There are five prominent pine beetles that attack pine trees throughout the south. Unfortunately, for spraying to be effective, applications must reach the tops for total coverage and be applied on a frequent basis from March through October.
By utilizing the trunk injection method, concentrated pesticides reach all portions of the tree with an effectiveness that not only repels newly invading insects, but can kill beetles already present, providing internal tree nutrient transport vessels haven’t been severely damaged. (Note: trees already in decline or too severely infested may not be recoverable.)
• Scale – Another devastating insect that has recently increased in its spread is Kermes scale. This particularly destructive insect causes dieback and eventual total decline and death of live oaks, both newly planted and mature trees.
Air Spading
Utilizing an Air Spade® – an essential tool that acts as an air knife using high velocity air flow with specialized equipment to safely blow away soil from roots and utilities – allows arborists to:
• Break up compacted soils that prevent proper water flow, nutrient uptake, and root respiration exchange (oxygen/carbon dioxide)
• Perform root collar excavation by removing soil to expose potential problems at this critical junction between the trunk and roots
• Removing soil around the trunk to inspect presence of girdling roots, a potentially life threatening problem for the tree
• Provide vertical mulching – the process of alleviating soil compaction within the critical root zone by opening up a grid of holes and adding organic backfill with nutrients for tree health recovery
Expert Witness and Litigation
Trees grow, trees fail, and trees fall. And often these occurrences cause damage and injury. Sadly, this is where litigation often begins.
As an expert witness, Roger is a ISA certified arborist and qualified tree risk assessor. He has been involved with several legal cases involving forensic tree risk assessments and is available to perform site investigations and inspections, document reviews, and digital documentation. Through the process, he is able to develop an impartial expert opinion.