Sometimes we like to share information here on the Cartwright Tree Care blog that will be helpful to you in caring for your trees, and sometimes we just like to share information that we find to be interesting or fun. Today is one of those days for interesting and fun information, so we’re going to talk about American’s National Tree – the oak tree.

We may not be landscape architects, but we do know a thing or two about how beneficial trees can be in regards to your landscape. When placed around your property in a strategic manner and maintained properly, trees can enhance the beauty of your home and lawn. But the benefits of trees don’t stop there – trees can in fact help increase your home’s energy efficiency!

A new study out of the Department of Biology at McGill University has shown that large older trees could be very important in the growth of today’s forests. The study was conducted by Dr. Zoë Lindo, a post-doctoral fellow, and Jonathan Whiteley, a doctoral student. The findings of the study highlight the importance of maintaining large old-growth trees in coastal temperate rainforests stretching from Southern Alaska to Northern California, according to Science Daily.

Have you ever put trees and electricity together? The two seem like polar opposites to some, but in the past few years there has been quite a bit of research that links the two together.

Along with taking preventative action against common tree diseases, now is a great time to have your trees pruned. While pruning can be done anytime of the year, pruning before spring is a great way to enhance the beauty of your landscape trees right in time for the new season.

Tip blight, or pine blight as it is often called, is another common problem among the pine trees here in the Kansas City area, especially in Austrian and Scots pines. As we’ve previously mentioned, tip blight is a fungal disease that typically affects pine trees that are 15 years of age and older. It infects the growing buds and shoots, causing the newest needles of a tree to have stunted growth and turn brown in color, according to Landscape-America. After needles have been infected, they stop growing. It is important to note that symptoms of tip blight are not limited to the needles. Tip blight can affect future tree growth by damaging the terminal buds during infection, as well as stunting the growth of twigs and deforming them.

Apple scab is a common disease among trees here in the Kansas City area. It is one of the most destructive diseases affecting apples all around the world and is the most destructive fungal diseases affecting home apple planting, according to Weekend Gardener. When this disease is left untreated, it can leave green, black, or brown spots on the leaves of the trees and on the fruit of the tree, too. Additionally, apple scab can “defoliate susceptible varieties in mid-season,” weakening the tree, reducing the fruit yield, and blemishing the fruit so badly that it is only fit for use in ciders. The plants most commonly affected by apple scab are apple, crabapple, hawthorn, and pear trees.

Just a few days ago, we told you a few of the ways that Cartwright Tree Care can help you get your trees ready for spring with preventative treatments. One treatment that is very important is deep root fertilization. As with any other plant in your yard, trees must receive proper fertilization in order to grow and remain healthy.

March is the time to start thinking spring! Here at Cartwright Tree Care, we have a number of ways to help you get your trees in shape for spring. Many tree diseases are not reversible once they have infected a tree, but our preventative treatments can help you rest assured that your trees will be free of disease. Here are a few of the preventative treatments we offer: