Have you ever pondered the value of your trees?
Steve Dobbs, author of the book Oklahoma Gardener’s Guide put it this way:
“Trees are truly the pillars of our landscapes. Think of trees as an investment for future generations.”
So, what are trees worth?
Homes with “excellent” landscaping can expect a sale price 6-7% higher than equivalent houses with “good” landscaping. Improving “average” to “good” landscaping can result in a 4-5% increase. Clemson University
Landscaping can bring a recovery value of 100-200% at selling time. (Kitchen remodeling brings 75-125%, bathroom remodeling 20-120%). Money Magazine
A mature tree can have an appraised value between $1,000 and $10,000. Council of Tree and Landscape Appraisers
99% of real estate appraisers concurred that landscaping enhances the sales appeal of real estate. Trendnomics, National Gardening Association
98% of realtors believe that mature trees have a “strong or moderate impact” on the salability of homes listed for over $250,000. American Forests, Arbor National Mortgage
What are some of the insect and disease issues that are currently threatening your landscape investment?
Scale – Common on trees and shrubs. Scales produce honeydew which is a growing medium for sooty mold fungi. The honeydew also attracts ants. Rarely do they kill a plant themselves, but they predispose plants to attack from other insects and pathogens. There are two types of scale — soft scales, common on Redbud and Oaks, — and hard scales, such as the white scale found on Crape Myrtle.
White scale, a hard scale, is commonly found on Crape Myrtle. Just like soft scale on Oaks, rarely will it kill the plant but it does invite other insects and diseases that will cause harm.
Soft scale are common on Oaks. They rarely kill a tree but do weaken it making it susceptible to attacks from other insects and disease.
Bagworms – One of the most damaging pests in our landscapes. Bagworms start out very small and hard to notice. As they mature, their feeding becomes more apparent. On evergreen trees, the tips will appear brown and unhealthy. As they continue to feed, plants can become defoliated and even die, especially on evergreen species because their leaves do not replenish as well as deciduous plants.
Evergreens with tips that are turning brown and looking unhealthy likely are being attacked by bagworms.
Bagworms start out very small and nearly unnoticeable, but as they grow and feed on evergreens they become one of the most damaging pest to our landscapes.
Webworms – Caterpillars weave a loose web around tree branches while they are munching on the leaves. Favorite trees include hickory, mulberry, oak, pecan, popular, redbud, sweetgum, and willow. But, you can find them on most ornamental shade trees when populations are heavy. There can be 2 or 3 generations per season with the last generation causing damage when the branch tries to rebud just before a killing frost. When this occurs, you can expect the affected branch to die.
Webworms weave loose webs around tree branches. The late summer to early fall generation can result in twig and branch die back.
Borers – Nearly all trees are subject to borers when they are injured or weakened by disease or stress. Borer refers to the larval stage of some beetles and moths that feed inside the stems, branches, and trunks of plants. Generally, the presence of borers is indicated by their emergence holes through the bark. Other signs are a gummy fluid oozing from the tree, dead areas under the bark, or small piles of sawdust. When left unchecked trees, will decline and are likely to die. There are many types of borers with varying life cycles and habits.
Evidence of borers are holes, oozing fluid and saw dust. Borers often attack trees that are injured or weakened by disease or stress.
This large Blue Atlas Cedar was under attack by borers last summer. Trunk injections were made with an insecticide to control boring and chewing insects.
Anthracnose – Spores are transported to new buds and shoots in the spring and are enhanced by cool, wet conditions. There are many species of anthracnose that impact a variety of deciduous trees. The primary signs are tan to red-brown lesions that extend along the veins and edges of the leaf followed by considerable defoliation and sometime complete leaf loss.
Anthracnose is a fungus that results in leaves curling, wilting and defoliating. The disease is enhanced by wet and cool conditions.
Chloroses – Iron or manganese chlorosis describes a condition in which a tree’s foliage loses its healthy green color and fades to pale green or yellow hue. If allowed to progress, it will cause slow growth, leaf loss and eventually tree death. It is particularly prevalent in oaks. It is caused by deficiencies of the micro-elements iron and manganese. Trees growing in poorly drained soil are also susceptible.
The signs of chloroses are leaves fading from a healthy green to pale green to yellow.
By injecting minerals directly into the tree, cholorses can be reversed.
A severe case of chloroses on a mature oak.
One year after treatment the oak leaves have returned to a healthy green color.
Sudden Oak Death – Sudden oak death is often a fatal tree disease caused by Phytophthora ramorum which attack roots. Leaves appear drought-stressed, turning dull green, yellow, red or purple as they wilt. Bleeding cankers form at the base of the trunk and eventually lead to death. The disease is often followed by beetle infestations.
Sudden Oak Death will result in leaves turning brown, leaves appearing drought stressed and wilting. A trunk injection of a fungicide will give the tree a chance to recover.
Hall | Stewart Lawn + Landscape Plant Health Care Professionals can help you keep your landscape investment healthy:
Tree & Shrub Care Program –
Four regularly scheduled plant health care visits to keep your trees and shrubs healthy throughout the year. Program includes:
Dormant oil application to smother overwintering insects
Two spring to summer applications to minimize insect and disease population during the growing season
Fall fertilizer application
Applications are tailored to your plant species
Trunk Injections –
An effective treatment to control insect, disease and nutrient issues on larger trees.
Specific formulations are injected directly into the truck where it is quickly taken up by the vascular system and distributed throughout the tree.
In most situations, the treatment provides protection for 12-18 months.
Unlike spraying, herbicides injected directly into the tree limits impact to the surrounding environment.
Deep Root Feeding –
Deep root feeding techniques inject fertilizer 5-6” below the surface ensuring fertilizer reaches tree roots. As trees mature, they are in competition with the turf grass growing on top of roots for nutrients.
Deep root feeding restores soil health for struggling trees by providing essential nutrients.
Signs your large trees may need deep root feeding:
Reduced foliage in the canopy.
Light green to yellowish leaves.
Little to no annual growth.
A healthy tree is more likely to withstand harsh weather conditions, pest infestations, and diseases.
We believe…
Trees are worth it.
Trees make a difference in the appearance of our communities.
Trees make a difference in the way we feel.
Trees increase the value of a property.
Trees, trees... trees just make the world a better place!
We believe trees are the pillars of our landscapes.
Hall | Stewart’s goal is to help you have your best lawn and landscape.
If your trees need help, please call (405)367-3873 or respond to this email to schedule a time for a Plant Health Care Professional to visit your landscape.
Lorne Hall
Hall | Stewart Lawn + Landscape
(405)367-3873