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Winter Aeration and Fertilization

2010-09-30T09:44:00.000-07:00

Now that we are moving closer to the winter season, it is a good time to think about aeration and fertilization for your trees and shrubs. Because of this summers unusually high temperatures and lack of rainfall in our area it has caused our trees' foliage to start to change color, and drop leaves in preparation for the winter ahead. Autumn is a great time to fertilize and aerate your trees and shrubs, doing it now gives the fertilizer time to penetrate the soil and also gives the roots the time to absorb it and have it readily available to use for its growth in the spring. Organic fertilizers are the best to use because they help the tree to naturally metabolize the nutrients the way nature intended.

2009-12-09T08:28:00.000-08:00

Anti-Desiccant spray to protect your plants against winter damage

The window for anti-desiccant sprays is small. Conditions are just right on a dry, calm day with temperatures above 40 degrees Fahrenheit. It usually falls on the last week of November and or the first week of December. While the spray lasts for the entire winter during normal conditions, some years we recommend respraying your susceptible trees and shrubs in late January/early February. Stay tuned for spray updates.

Landscaping

2009-10-16T04:47:00.000-07:00

Your trees and landscape should enhance your home, as they make the first impression of your property value and your commitment to it. Our purpose is to reflect that value and commitment by ensuring your trees and landscape are well maintained and beautiful.

We are specialists in the design and installation of beautiful landscapes for both your home and office. We have a comprehensive knowledge of design principles, and landscape elements.
We're a family owned business with years of experience customizing your landscaps. This experience means that you get the very best in landscape design, installation, and long-term management.

Seasonal color beds are used to draw attention to entryways of property, highlight sign areas or enhance views through the landscape. Winter annuals are installed September through November. Summer annuals are installed from April through June. It is our job to navigate through the market's offerings at a given time and recognize the specific site conditions
present at your home.

Whether you own a commercial or residential building, our goal is to provide you with the best possible possible landscape.

Need help during the winter months?
We offer:

complete residential landscape maintenance
annual and perennial plantings
fall and spring clean ups
specialty pruning and preservation( done by certified arborists)
weeding beds
aeration
insect and disease control (done by certified arborists)
mulching and edging
new plantings, trees shrubs, flowers
hardscaping/retaining walls/ walkways
snow plowing
fire wood
fertilization and soil ammendments
deer repellants
tick control
fence installation
power washing and gutter cleaning

whats wrong with whys?

2009-10-15T11:27:00.000-07:00

As one who has spent the last few years understanding how the arboricultural business works by gathering viewpoints of other professionals. I have many definite ideas based on principals, personal observations and experience. To quote Dr. Alex Shigo: "I'm just trying to get the people who work with trees to understand them."
My goal here is not to compare improper techniques with proper ones. Rather the purpose is to compare an arborist to a tree cutter. An arborist, to me , is a person who understands the art and science of trees. Also one who makes decisions, followed by treatments, based on that understanding. That understanding must be based on a thorough knowledge of tree biology. Would you go to a doctor who does not know your heart from your knee? An arborist is a person who understands trees and their biology. The day will come when we will have to rely more on knowledgable arborists.
What is a professional tree business? You either know what you're doing or you can ask someone more knowledgable than you. Low price is a poor gauge of a qualified arborist.
Often, the better ones are more expensive because of more specialized equipment, more professional help and higher insurance costs.
Many commercial arborists continue to perform flush cuts, toppingsand other practices that research has shown to be harmful... More often, arborists perform these practices knowing that they are harmful, but believing that theirbusiness cannot survive witout doing so.
An educated homeowner would probably recognize the potential hazard or failure in some trees and have something done about it. It is the responsibility of the tree care professional to help educate customers about the care of their trees.

3 step Winter Preservation Program

2009-10-15T10:54:00.000-07:00

Al Cherry Tree Service is proud to offer its innovative 3 step winter preservation program.
The program consists of fertilization, root zone aeration and an anti-desiccant spray.

Fertilization is the first key component to help trees survive the winter cold. The late fall is considered the best time to fertilize your trees and shrubs. Since the fertilizer- when applied in the late fall- has a longer period of time to penetrate the soil, it can be better absorbed by the roots. The fertilizer is absorbed through the winter and is made available to the tree for its growth in the spring. Adding this extra boost of minerals and nutrients is an easy way to help your trees build stronger defenses against insects and diseases. We use only Organic Fertilizer
which helps the tree to metabolize the nutrients naturally.

Root Zone Aeration can increase gaseous exchange in the root system of a tree. Compaction, trenching and changes in grade can all lead to conditions where tree roots no longer get oxygen. Aeration is a process by which a special tool is used to penetrate the soil and break up compacted soil. This allows gases and water to freely exchange in the soil.

Anti- Desiccant spray is used in late fall and forms a membrane over the leaf surfaces. It protects from winter weather yet still allows the plant to pass oxygen, carbon dioxide and ethylene gas and assume otherwise normal functions. When used correctly the spray can reduce moisture loss by 50% which has a direct correlation to the prevention of winter kill. trees that hold water and water vapors- research shows- can survive periods of below freezing temperatures very well. Most importantly, it is non-toxic and completely safe to use because it is water based.

2009-06-26T04:08:00.000-07:00

Azaleas can be pruned now, before July 4th, in order to not jeopardize the blooms for next year.
If pruned much later than that you risk cutting off the buds for next spring and the shrub will not bloom. Different shrubs have different prune times. Some shrubs bloom on "old wood"(meaning that the plant makes the buds in the fall-e.g.hydrangeas), while others bloom on "new wood"(meaning that the plant makes the buds in the spring right before they bloom that same year-butterfly bush). Contact us if you have questions about a particular shrub.

2009-06-23T04:32:00.000-07:00

Girdling Roots- A Problem Of Shade Trees

Trees can slowly weaken and die over a period of years or decades because of root girdling.
Roots begin to grow around the main trunk and restrict and eventually cut off the movement of water, plant nutrients and stored food reserves.
Certain trees are more prone to it than others. There are limited options of control once the tree is mature, the problem must be adressed at the time of planting or early on in the tree's life while it is trying to get established. Have your trees planted and inspected by Certified Arborists.

Summer is Here

2009-06-05T11:19:00.000-07:00

The weather this Spring of cooler temperatures and above average rainfall has led to an increase of fungal diseases on trees and shrubs in our area. Example of such fungal diseases is Cedar Apple Rust and Anthracnose to name a few. Careful management by our Plant Health Care Professionals who are also ISA Certified Arborists will not only improve the beauty and health of your trees and shrubs but enhance the aesthetic and monetary value of your biggest investment- your home and property.

Please feel free to contact us by phone at 215-672-6777 or email.

2009-04-01T11:20:00.000-07:00

fungicide for fruit trees and ornamentals

spring is the best time to start treating your trees with fungicide. If you have noticed spots on the leaves last summer and experienced early leafdrop on your apples, hawthorns,etc. have us treat them BEFORE the leaves come out (budbreak). We use a systemic fungicide that is applied as a soil drench below the surface of the area immediately surrounding the trunk.
Treatments are safe and affordable and will improve your trees' health and appearance.

Konstanze Fabian, Plant Health Care supervisor and Certified Arborist

Tree Professionals Blog Created

2009-03-22T10:33:00.000-07:00

The Tree Professionals Blog has Been Created