Wondering what to do about a tree that has succumbed to the drought? The analysis is simple: if it’s brown, take it down. You don’t need a tree doctor to tell you it’s dead. If the tree is 100% brown and still holding on to leaves or needles, it’s dead.
If you don’t remove a dead tree soon, it will cost more to remove it later. Removal becomes a more intricate job as the tree decomposes. In a tree’s early stages of death, it is solid enough for an expert to climb and remove the tree one section at a time. When it’s rotting, they can’t safely climb the trunk and the removal process requires more equipment, more workers, and costs more money.
It must be done. A dead tree is a potential safety threat to houses, fences and cars if they are toppled by an intense wind. Even though hurricane season is over, Texas thunderstorms can produce damaging winds.
Do you know if a tree is struggling to stay alive? Many trees are starting to shed leaves for the fall, as they normally would. The trees that shed yellowing leaves prematurely are likely stuggling to stay alive. Could such trees benefit from the deep root watering/feeding we talk about often? Yes, they can! I encourage deep root watering/feeding on your own, but older trees need deep root/watering and feeding done by a tree company. Be careful: price-gougers come out of the cracks this time of year.
Speaking of the price-gougers, be sure you’re getting a good deal from a certified tree company. The cost of tree removal depends on the size of the tree and its accessibility, or lack thereof. Call at least three companies for comparable bids. Price-gougers will over-charge because they think you are trapped. Non-insured companies will give you the cheapest bid because they don’t have much overhead. However, there are the "rational" bids that will never be the cheapest or the most expensive bid. The company I have endorsed for years is the perfect example of this (Affordable Tree Service 713-699-2663). They have insurance and workman’s comp insurance overhead, as well.
Any tree company who bids your project should provide proof of insurance and workman’s comp insurance. If they can’t or won’t, don’t hire them. If something bad happens from a fallen tree, it’s all on you and your insurance. Don’t let Murphy’s Law take part in tree removal.GardenLine Appearance - Saturday
Shades of Texas
2618 Genoa Red Bluff
It’s the perfect time to replace trees lost to the drought. We are doing a GardenLine visit this Saturday to one of the premier tree farms in our area. We will be hanging out at Shades of Texas from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Shades of Texas provides trees and shrubs on a wholesale level to the retail customer. This 100+ acre tree farm is a whale of nursery, too. They have all the fertilizers and soil amendments previously recommended by GardenLine.
Don’t have the time or hauling ability to replace your lost trees? Shades of Texas provides tree planting services, as well.
This nursery/tree farm also has lots of small shrubs, annuals and perennials for sale. If you haven’t kept up with your fall feeding, herbicides, and fungicides, they have everything you will need. Also, a representative from Nitro-Phos will be there talking about fertilization scheduling and the new organic Sweet Green 11-0-4.
Don’t forget: you can always use these visits as an excuse to “get a pair of eyes on it!” Bring your plant or bug sample and a let’s figure out what’s causing your problem. However, make sure your sample is in a zip-lock bag; this is a full-blown, working nursery.
If you need more incentive to come to Shades of Texas this weekend, our friends at Soil Mender 832-641-5050 will have free goodies for you. I know we will have free sample bags of Yum Yum Plant Food and bottles of Plant Wash.
Finally, one of the best reasons to go to Shades of Texas (as Jon Matthews has always done) we will hold a drawing for two 30-gallon Hannah Rae BottleBrush trees. There will be two 30-gallon Eagleston Hollies and one 20-gallon Mexican Sycamore. We will draw every half-hour, so get there and register early.