Tree & Shrub FAQ

Here you'll find answers to the most commonly asked tree care questions. Can't find what you need? Our tree care experts are standing by to help you. Give us a call at 888-438-4733

My crab trees were beautiful in the spring, but now the leaves are turning yellow and are falling off. Why?

You have a typical case of apple scab. This is a common disease on crab apple trees. There are several different treatments that we offer to help control the disease. In the mean time, rake up all those fallen leaves and dispose of them, otherwise the disease will be transposed through the soil and back into the tree. Call us and we can help.

My beautiful white birch tree has branches and leaves falling off. Please help!

European white birches have two serious insect problems that are life threatening. They are the bronze birch borer and leaf miner. The good news is that they are both treatable. Contact us for a program to stop the damage.

My new landscape is only two years old and many of the yews and boxwoods are turning brown and are dying. Why?

They are most likely being over-watered. The first five years of a new planting are critical for proper watering. Trees and shrubs can drown very easily before they become established. If the fine feeding roots sit in water too long without getting oxygen, they will begin to decompose and stop taking up water. Most people think that because the plant is turning brown it needs more water, so they water more and the plant dies more quickly. Clay soil is also a large contributor to this problem.

I have a large magnolia tree that has all these white bumps on the bark. What is it?

This is called magnolia scale which is an insect. If these insects are not controlled, it could be life threatening to the tree. This scale will only attack magnolias. You need not be concerned with this insect affecting other plants. There are trunk injections and sprays that will help control this problem.

It’s August and I am seeing webs in my trees. Is this a serious problem?

These webs are caused by tent caterpillars and fall web worm. They usually defoliate some leaves on the tree, but are generally not life threatening. The following year the tree will usually leaf out just fine and you may not even see the webs again. Foliar sprays will help control any damage.

My Alberta spruces get brown spots late in the season. What is causing this?

Most likely it is spider mites. One way to find out is to do the white paper test. Take a sheet of paper and put it in the bush near the brown spot, shake the branch and little red spiders should fall on the paper and start running around. Foliar sprays will control this problem.

My oak tree has very yellow leaves this year. Why?

This is common in pin oaks and is typically due to a lack of iron in the tree. The tree needs iron to produce chlorophyll which gives leaves their green color. A trunk injection in the spring each year will help your tree recover.

I have heard different information regarding how much I should water my trees and shrubs. Can you help?

A well established landscape only needs about 1/3 the water your lawn needs. The reason for this is because the roots of trees and shrubs are generally much deeper in the ground, so there is less evaporation and better retention of water. Watering your trees and shrubs twice a week for about 10 minutes is usually enough. This does not apply to annual flowers and some perennials.

My purple plum was all chewed up and there are hardly any leaves left. What happened?

More than likely, the damage is from Japanese Beetles. For 3 - 4 weeks in June through July, these beetles are menacing, but usually not life threatening. They can cause a lot of damage. Insect sprays are effective if you respond quickly.