Tree removal, Tree Climbing, Tree Felling, Stump removal

Why is pruning important? Long-term management of pruning can ensure your trees continue to provide the aesthetic value and function they intended. Proper, conscientious pruning can enhance the beauty and function of your trees, while reducing the potential for loss of limbs or other failures during winter storms. Why prune in winter? When the leaves have dropped in the fall, it is easier for your arborist to see the structure of your trees. When summer annuals have been removed, there is less risk of disrupting your landscape when working on large trees. In regions where the soil freezes, equipment can often gain closer access, which can enhance our safety and reduce your costs. Winter pruning can also avoid enhancing some serious diseases that are active and spread easily during the growing seasons of spring and summer. Should I mulch in winter? Yes, you can. Mulching is an important enhancement for your trees. Mulch retains soil moisture, reduces summer soil temperatures, increases winter soil temperature and moisture restores and improves soil nutrient levels and structure. Which other tree care activities can I do in winter? Winter is a good time to consult a professionally trained arborist to inspect your trees. Winter foliage loss provides a clearer view for spotting some problems, such as weak branch attachments or insect damage, but an arborist can help you determine the best solutions for your trees. Consider the following: Winter is a suitable time for cabling and bracing your trees, if necessary. If your trees have cables and braces in them, the hardware should be inspected every few years to be sure it is intact, in serviceable condition and that the tree’s growth has not necessitated adjustment or replacement. Winter is a good time to remove critical risk trees. Inspect your trees and shrubs for ice damage in winter. Do you provide emergency service? Yes, we have 24-hour emergency service and can respond to storm damage to your trees and property in a timely fashion. Contact the professionals at JT Tree Service. We service the Fishers, McCordsville, Noblesville, Indianapolis, Carmel and Geist areas. JT Tree Service 12071 E. 131St St. Fishers, In 46037  317-674-2150

JT Tree Service is a locally owned and family operated complete tree service company. We service Fishers, Carmel, McCordsville Indianapolis and Giest areas.  We offer everything from trimming to removal and service residential properties as well as commercial sites. JT Tree Service offers multiple pruning techniques including: thinning, heading back, dead wooding, shaping as well as bracing, complete tree removal and stump removal. We remove all debris and pride ourselves on our clean-up. We are available 24 hours a day for storm damage. We also offer free estimates and a 5% senior discount. JT Tree Service is licensed through the State of Indiana and fully insured.

Winter Tree Pruning

Should trees be pruned in winter?

Tree pruning provides a variety of benefits to your trees and landscape. In addition to improving their appearance, trimmed trees will be safer and healthier. Pruning promotes plant health by removing dead or dying branches that have previously been injured by disease, insects, mites, animals, storms or people.

Request a free quote from JT Tree Service.

Winter is a great time to prune trees.

Tree Pruning can be done at any time of the year; however, recommended times vary depending on the species. In general, the best time to prune most trees is any time during winter.

• Better access

  The frozen ground gives the arborist access to areas that they would otherwise not be able to reach.

• Better visibility

  Without foliage to obstruct views, structural problems are more visible, making it easier to make pruning decisions. This also reduces damage to under story plants such as perennials and annuals.

• Between growing seasons

  Trees are dormant during winter. Which means fresh wounds will only be exposed for a very short length of time – just until the spring when new growth begins sealing new wounds.

• Convenience

  On the practical side, it is easy for a homeowner or property manager to be inundated with outdoor projects in the spring and summer. So, why not reserve tree trimming for winter?

If you are interested in a winter tree pruning service, contact JT Tree Service at 317-674-2150 to schedule an appointment.

JT Tree Service

12071 E 131st St.

Fishers, In 46037

Established trees may seem self-sufficient, but arborists agree: Healthy trees don’t just happen. Trees are low-maintenance, not no-maintenance. Tending to seasonal chores helps keep trees healthy and protects your landscape investment.  Contact JT Tree Service at 317-674-2150.  JT Tree Service offers service in Fishers, Carmel, Geist, McCordsville and Noblesville Indiana.

Get your trees off to a growing start by following six simple steps for spring tree care.

1. Clean Up

Kick off the new growing season with a quick spring cleaning – for trees.

• Remove any remaining decorative holiday lights. Don’t allow lights to stay wrapped around tree trunks or branches. If you forget about them, you risk girdling growth.
• When temperatures warm, remove any protective winter wraps you placed around trunks.
• Rake and gather debris that collected beneath trees over winter, such as small twigs, leaves or fallen fruits. This is especially important with trees susceptible to fungal diseases, which can overwinter on debris. Examples include pines affected by diplodia tip blight or crab apples affected by apple scab.

2. Mulch

A layer of mulch helps soil retain moisture and suppresses weeds. It’s most crucial when caring for younger trees, ones that have been in the ground up to 10 years, but it’s OK to mulch older trees, too.

• Aim for a 3-inch-thick layer around trees but not against the trunk. Mulch piled against the trunk holds moisture and heat, which helps give diseases such as canker an easy point of access.

3. Water

Wait until soil thaws to tackle watering chores. If you water while the soil is still frozen, you’ll just create runoff.

• Deeply water trees located in areas where de-icing materials were used over winter. Irrigating moves salt-laden materials through soil and away from tree roots.
• Even though the weather is cool, don’t allow trees to dry out. You may have to water several times if weather warms or if you have sandy soil.
• Check your sprinkler system. Inspect emitters and lines for leaks or clogs. Look for puddling around trees; adjust sprinkler heads accordingly. Sprinklers shouldn’t spray water onto foliage of trees susceptible to fungal diseases. If dogwood, for instance, has continually wet leaves, it’s more likely to develop anthracnose or powdery mildew.

4. Prune

The ideal time to prune most trees is during winter dormancy. Click here to learn more about how to prune trees.

• You can, however, remove any dead, damaged or broken branches in spring. If you’re unsure whether a branch is dead, wait until the tree leafs out. Dead branches are easy to spot once leaves unfurl.

5. Inspect

Before leaves appear, inspect tree trunks and branches, looking for signs of disease or damage. Not sure what to look for? Learn about inspecting trees and what to look for when identifying potential health hazards for your trees.

• Look for rabbit or vole damage near the base of trunks. If damage is present, erect a fine-mesh screen to prevent further damage, and monitor the tree’s health over time.
• If you do spot something that makes you feel uncertain about the safety of a tree, contact a local certified arborist to receive expert tree care advice.

6. Pests & Diseases

Check with your local extension agent or a licensed arborist to learn which pests and diseases pose the most serious threat to your trees – and how to best treat them. New problems develop yearly, and older foes are often defeated.

Contact JT Tree Service at 317-674-2150.  JT Tree Service offers service in Fishers, Carmel, Geist, McCordsville and Noblesville Indiana.

JT Tree Service

12071 E 131st St.

Fishers, In 46037

317-674-2150

Article posted by Bayer Advanced

Shrub trimming is a work of art that helps to maintain the beauty of the particular plant and a desirable shape. The technique differs with the shape of a shrub that may be mounding, tree-like or cane. Correctly pruned shrubs experience good growth and health. Contact the professionals at JT Tree Service at 317-674-2150 to have your shrubs trimmed. We service the Fishers, McCordsville, Carmel and Indianapolis areas.

Renewal Pruning
Many times a homeowner selects a shrub to plant near the foundation of a home that grows too large for the space The shrub can grow up against the home or cover the window and begins to look out of proportion with the home. Renewal pruning is necessary to cut the shrub back to between 6 and 12 inches tall and bring the plant back within its bounds. Additionally, rejuvenation pruning can help save a shrub that is doing poorly and allow it to sprout back out with new healthy growth.

After these types of severe pruning, sometimes additional expert care is needed to promote a new and healthy shrub. Our expert staff knows which shrubs respond well to these types of pruning and at what time of the year to do so for the best results. Heavily pruned shrubs then need the extra care of water, fertilization and pest control to be successful. We can also determine the new shape of the shrub based on our experience so that you can add a focal point to your landscaping.

Tree Form Shrubs
Many of the most popular shrubs such as yaupon holly, wax myrtle, crape myrtle and wax leaf privet can be pruned into a tree shape. These shrubs usually have only a few vertical trunks to make the process easier. It is best to start forming this shape when a shrub is 1 year old to make it easier on the shrub’s health. We trim the vertical branches back to sustain only one or two vertical trunks and remove the other vertical branches. Removal of lateral branches less than 4 feet from the ground as the shrub grows gives it the tree form.

When to Trim Shrubs
Each species of shrub has a particular time to prune it for the best results. When shrub trimming, the different seasons of the year triggers different responses from the shrubs to the cutting process. New tissue forms rapidly when a shrub is pruned in the late winter or early spring. If your shrub is a spring bloomer, they should be pruned after all the flowers have finished producing. Pruning them too early in the spring will drastically reduce the flowering display in your lawn. Shrubs that bloom in the summer do best when trimming them in the early spring before it buds, or after it has finished blooming in the late summer.

When new tissue forms from pruning it needs time to harden off before winter so as not to kill your shrub with small new growth freezing. It depends on the type of shrub and when cold weather is expected as to when the best shrub trimming time is for you.

Our staff is highly trained and experienced in all arborist areas and provide the best possible service. We service the Fishers, McCordsville, Carmel and Indianapolis areas. We can help you have great looking landscaping in your neighborhood.

JT Tree Service

12071 E 131st St.

Fishers, In 46037

317-674-2150

Trees provide a beautiful view, a significant amount of shade, and provide a home for a diverse array of wildlife. However, trees can cause serious damage to property. This can place significant financial stress on a property owner or business and at minimum trigger a costly deductible on an insurance policy.

Trees can grow in a variety of directions and sometimes in a direction that causes the base to be in a poor position to support the rest of the tree If the top of a tree is not situated firmly over the base, the tree can fall on top of a structure and cause major damage, even without the significant stress of a hurricane, tornado, or major storm.. The risk becomes more prevalent if the tree has multiple trunks or has an open canopy. To help prevent this problem from developing, many people will use bracing rods or cables to support the tree and prevent it from collapsing. Anyone worried about a tree collapsing on their property should find out more about how bracing rods and cables might help trees that are in jeopardy..

An Overview of Tree Bracing and Cabling
There are two methods that are commonly used to reduce the stress the top of a tree places on the base of the tree.
Pruning – This will remove some of the stress on the tree by reducing the weight of the branches.
Bracing rods & cables – Cables are set up to redistribute the weight across the body of the tree instead of focusing the stress on a single point on the tree. This makes major branches less likely to snap and cause structural damage. Bracing rods and cables can even be installed after key branches and trunks have split open

Contact JT Tree Service at 317-674-2150 for a consultation to find out if bracing and cabling is the right solution for your trees. We services the Fishers, McCordsville, Carmel, Noblesville, and Indianapolis areas.

Multi-Trunk Trees: Cabling and Bracing Rods
Trees with multiple trunks are prone to collapsing more than the average tree. As the tree grows, each trunk of the tree is fighting for space in the canopy. This causes the limbs of the tree and the associated foliage to grow away from the center of the tree as it searches for sunlight andleads to significant weight being located on each side of the tree trunk. When this is added to the competition occurring between the root systems underground, the tree is prone to failure. If any of the trunks fail, the tree can become wounded and diseases or insects can ultimately kill the tree.

It is essential that people apply bracing rods and cabling to keep these beautiful trees intact and preserve the structure of any nearby property. The professionals at JT Tree Service have extensive experience with bracing and cabling trees and can help to preserve the trees and property they surround.

Protect Split Trees with Cabling and Bracing Rods
Some trees have exceedingly narrow angles between their branches that can lead to vertical splits and cracks. These cracks are made worse by storms or the stress of inappropriate weight distribution. Anyone noticing a split in a tree should address the issue immediately. This is a sign of distress that the tree is unable to handle the same amount of weight as it could in the past. If not addressed quickly, the entire tree could collapse. Professional attention is needed to determine whether or not the tree should be removed. Sometimes, the life of a tree can be extended through the use of bracing rods and cabling.

Use Cabling and Bracing Rods to Protect Older Trees
As a tree grows older, the tree branches will occur at different angles with a varying degree of stress. Some branches will grow at narrow angles that can place stress on the integrity of an older tree. Younger trees are smaller and these angles may not cause a significant number of problems. However, as older trees grow older, they become larger and weaker. This stress can overwhelm the integrity of the structure of the tree and itcould collapse. For this reason, it is appropriate for a professional to investigate the possibility of placing protective cables and braces to prevent problems from developing down the line. Contact the professionals at JT Tree Service for more information regarding whether or not a mature tree is appropriate for these measures.  We work in Fishers, McCordsville, Carmel, Noblesville and the Indianapolis area and can be reached at 317-674-2150.

JT Tree Service

12071 E 131st St.

Fishers, In 46037

317-674-2150

Pruning properly keeps trees and shrubs healthy, improves the appearance, and increases the life span of the plants.. Poorly pruned trees and large shrubs can be a hazard to people and property when they overhang a home, business, sidewalk or driveway.

Deadwood Pruning Criteria

Problem limbs are more likely to break in a storm with high winds, excessive rain or in the event of a snow and ice storm that places adds weight to the limb. In order to ensure safety, limbs that are dying, dead or diseased need to be removed by a process called deadwooding.. Deadwood pruning can help the affected tree, shrub or bush to rejuvenate to a healthy level and improve the amount of blooms for flowering or fruit producing trees and shrubs. This technique can save your landscaping.

Crossed Limbs – Limbs that cross over one another rub together, and the bark will be removed. The exposed areas are an invitation to disease or pests. These limbs need removed in order to keep disease and pests from spreading to the entire tree, shrub or other landscaping plants.

Damaged Limbs – Storm damage with high winds can partially break limbs. When limbs are dangling and partially broken, they will no longer grow as they should and will eventually die making them a hazardous condition.

Deadwooding Considerations
Good pruning practices are essential for tree and shrub longevity and should begin when the plants are small. Professional arborists recognize the area that is appropriate for removing dead, dying and diseased limbs. Improper deadwooding can result in an entire tree dying in your landscape design.

Each cut made in pruning can change the tree’s shape, form and balance. If only one large branch is removed on one side of a tree or shrub, it can make the plant unstable and lean in one direction. If a heavy snowfall or strong storm occurs, the entire plant may uproot or fall over. Removing large amounts of branches and limbs from a tree or shrub doesn’t allow the plant to gather enough sunlight for its production of food for good growth. Only the dead portion of limbs should be removed to cut them back to the healthy wood.
JT Tree Service offers professional deadwooding in the Fishers, McCordsville, Carmel and Indianapolis areas. You can trust our family owned and operated services. We have been serving the residential and business sectors in Indiana for many years and offer free estimates. We also respond to storm damage calls 24/7 to serve your needs quickly and prevent extra damage that can occur with broken trees and branches. We service Fishers, McCordsville, Carmel and the Indianapolis area. Contact us at 317-674-2150.

JT Tree Service

12071 E 131st St.

Fishers, In 46037

JT Tree Services offers professional tree shaping and pruning services in the Fishers, McCordsville, Carmel, and Indianapolis areas. We have 24 hour storm response team and are a local family-owned business.  Our number is 317-674-2150

Whether for cosmetic design purposes or to control the amount of light and shade received by windows, balconies, or patio areas, we use professional quality tools and skilled techniques to form the shape you want for your trees, At the basic level, we can transform your trees from straggly to a rounded or neat shape, with minimal pruning and stress on the tree.

JT Tree Service has the expertise needed to ensure that you get the right balance between the appearance you want and the natural growth and health of the tree. Pruning for shape should always be done when the tree is . This is late winter or early spring for deciduous trees and after the flowers fade in late summer or early fall for some flowering to help prevent the risk of not flowering (or bearing fruit). The timing depends on whether the blossoms are produced on new growth or the previous year’s growth. Evergreens should be trimmed in winter. We can handle crown raising to clear space for signs or paths under the tree and crown thinning to allow more light. We can also prune and train fruit trees for convenient harvesting or for aesthetics.
With young trees, “formative” pruning may be advisable to ensure a pleasing mature shape or to control size and shape. This is particularly important for fruit trees.

At JT Tree Services we can also prune and shape shrubs and hedges, and help with training trees to create a proper hedge for privacy and appearance. We know the best time to prune each species of tree and can also give advice on the best shape for fruit trees to maximize yield and convenience in harvesting. Each tree and each situation are different, so we will give you the right information to make the right decision for your yard.

We will always focus on what is best for your tree and your garden. Talk to us about exactly what you want, whether it is to trim a conifer to make the perfect outdoor Christmas tree or deal with a tree on your property that is dangerously overhanging the sidewalk. We use only the best tools and offer competitive prices, and will always clean up properly after a job. JT Tree Service works in the Fishers, McCordsville, Carmel, and Indianapolis areas.

JT Tree Service

12071 E 131st St.

Fishers, In 46037

317-674-2150.

JT Tree Service offers professional pruning services in Fishers, McCordsville, Carmel, the Indianapolis area.

Heading Back Pruning
Trees and shrubs benefit from heading back cuts when they are trimmed. This technique removes portions of a stem that are often made at an intermodal area between either two buds or two nodes.

Heading cuts reduce the total height of a shrub or tree when the lateral branches and terminal buds are removed. However, heading cuts should not be made to branches that are one year old or older or it will produce water sprouts and suckers on the trunk that will need removed to maintain the size and shape of the plant.

Specifics of Heading Cuts
When heading cuts are made, it stimulates the growth of buds that are closest to the cut area. The new growth will appear in the direction of the top remaining bud. This allows an experienced professional to choose exactly which branches will grow and in which specific direction in order to indicate what new shape the tree or shrub will take on.

Heading cuts are made approximately ¼ inch above the bud while sloping down and away from the bud. A cut that is too steep or too close can actually kill the bud so the tree or shrub will not increase in size laterally. The heading cut should be made above a node with two buds or more to remove the buds that face inward to the center of the tree or shrub. This prevents new growth that would grow laterally and cross the trunk or other limbs as that can lead to limbs rubbing on one another and becoming weak or damaging bark. Damaging bark is an invitation to pests and disease on any type of tree or shrub.

Heading back encourages new dense growth on the outermost portions of a tree or shrub and can result in less light reaching the inner branches or leaves and can make the plant appear sparse in the center. Heading cuts made by a professional can prevent this problem and promote new, healthy growth in a desired shape while reducing the height of a tree or shrub.

Maintenance Pruning
All trees and shrubs can benefit greatly from maintenance pruning. This helps keep the plants at a specific size so they do not outgrow the area resulting in plants that are healthy and long lasting.

Maintenance pruning includes removing all dead or diseased branches from trees and shrubs to promote good health. Pruning tools must be disinfected properly after each cut so as not to spread the disease to other parts of a healthy plant.

Professional Pruning
When you take into consideration that pruning can be a daunting task that must be done correctly and at the correct time of year for each individual shrub or tree, it is best to leave it to the professionals. Contact JT Tree Service at 317-674-2150 for a free estimate on all of your landscaping needs for pruning trees and shrubs. JT Tree Service works in Fishers, McCordsville, Carmel, the Indianapolis area. We are family owned and operated and have been proudly serving the community for many years as your premier tree service company.

JT Tree Service

12071 E 131st St.

Fishers, In 46037

317-674-2150

As a tree service company in the Fishers, McCordsville, Carmel and Indianapolis areas, JT Tree Service offers a wide range of tree services. Services we offer range from tree removal and stump removal to tree shaping and tree thinning. Our staff has the depth of experience to properly evaluate an area and its trees to provide the best advice on what services are most appropriate to solve the challenges at hand.

Tree thinning
This refers to the selective removal of trees, or parts of trees. The procedure is usually undertaken in an effort to improve the health or growth rate of the remaining trees or remaining parts of trees.

Why you should request our tree thinning services
At times, trees may grow so big that the area on which they stand becomes congested. In some cases, a number of factors can affect the general health of a tree or trees at your home, workplace or in public spaces. When this happens, we are always ready to step in and offer our thinning services to ensure healthy trees.

Health
Trees or parts of trees can be affected by disease, suffer damage from different forces or die altogether. This can lead to decay or organisms entering the tree. In other cases, dense tree covers will act to reduce sunlight penetration, resulting in diseases. In order to avoid such problems, it is important to enlist thinning services to promote the health of trees.

Safety
Our thinning services help to avoid safety hazards that may be caused by dead or broken branches that can fall off. In a similar way, tree limbs that hang dangerously close to utility lines or obstruct your view can be removed through thinning.

Aesthetics
Careful thinning of trees helps to maintain their natural form and shape. We will work to remove vigorous branches with the right amount of thinning to avoid damage.

Stimulate or restrict growth
In situations where it would be preferable to have certain trees or other parts of trees growing faster, we will move in with the aim of ensuring that our services produce the desired outcome.

When you should call us
When there are threats to the health of your trees or parts of the trees threaten safety or you would like to improve the aesthetics of your property, please call us. Although, thinning can be done at any time, we discourage against it when extreme weather conditions are expected.

Why you should choose us
Choose JT Tree Service because we take great pride in the job we do and making your trees look great. We service Fishers, McCordsville, Carmel and the Indianapolis areas.

Professional services
All JT Tree services are provided by qualified personnel with wide experience in forestry. Our staff understands that it is better not to undertake the process than to do it incorrectly. As such, you can rest assured that our services will not lead to damage to your trees or parts of your trees.

Thinning tools
At JT Tree Service, we have invested in the best thinning tools in order to offer you quality and satisfactory services. With the latest tools and equipment in the market, you can be sure that we will shape your trees without damaging them. Only the parts that need to be removed will be removed.

Alternative services
Whenever our clients request a service, a member of our staff will visit the site before they undertake any work. After evaluating the area, we will advise on the best technique to solve the problem at hand. When thinning would not be the best service, our staff will readily let you know and propose the best thing to do.

Clean-up
Once we are done thinning your trees, we will clean-up our work area. In fact, clean-up is included in all the services we offer.

Advice
Taking care of trees and plants in general, requires knowledge. After we have removed damaged parts or those affected by diseases or decay, we will advise you on how best to take care of your trees so they continue in good health.

We strive to offer the best services to our clients at all times. We service the Fishers, McCordsville, Carmel and Indianapolis areas. Feel free to contact JT Tree Service at 317-674-2150 with any questions or for a free estimate.

JT Tree Service

12071 E 131st St.

Fishers, In 46037

Candice S

We had 7 different tree removal companies give estimates to remove our 12 ash trees. The prices ranged from $1400 – $8000 for the same job.
We felt JT Tree Service offered the best combination of price and professionalism.
Joel was knowledgeable and articulated exactly what would happen and when. Also, what challenges we might face with so many large trees in a fenced yard.
Joel and his crew took down the trees, ground the stumps, and cleaned all debris from the yard. The did an incredible job and it was like they were never here. We certainly recommend JT Tree Service.

Bob M

We were pleased with the quick response and professional service we received from Joel. He and his team-member were extremely polite and conscientious. We look forward to working with JT Tree Service again in the near future!

Nanette F

Provided quote timely and completed work when stated. Very professional, very reasonable and we have already provided friends with referral information. Would definitely use again.

JT Tree services the Fishers, McCordsville, Geist, Noblesville, Carmel and Indianapolis areas.

317-674-2150

Katherine R

We hired JT’s tree service to remove some of the dead trees in our backyard. I was very impressed with the job they did. They came early one morning and didn’t wake me up, they just got started to work right away. The job was done very quickly. They did an excellent job cleaning up the sawdust in the backyard. Aside from the missing trees, it was like they had not even been there. I’d received several quotes on the cost of this job and they were the lowest priced. In addition, they trimmed one of the trees in my front yard and it looks great. On top of all of this, Joel was kind enough to answer my random tree questions via text at a later date. This level of customer service has made me a customer for life!

Jim V

I had 3 trees in my front yard thinned and trimmed by JT tree service. The service was outstanding, friendly, professional, and did the job at a super reasonable price. The owner, Joel Taylor is really knowledgeable about trees and keeping them healthy!

JT Tree services Fisher, Carmel, Noblesville McCordsville and Indianapolis areas.

JT Tree Service

12071 E 131st St.

Fishers, In 46037

317-674-2150

Bill W

2 months ago-

Professional service and excellent communication. Had three trees removed. On time, superb clean up. Recommend to my neighbor who also hired him.

Candice S

4 months ago

We had 7 different tree removal companies give estimates to remove our 12 ash trees. The prices ranged from $1400 – $8000 for the same job.
We felt JT Tree Service offered the best combination of price and professionalism.
Joel was knowledgeable and articulated exactly what would happen and when. Also, what challenges we might face with so many large trees in a fenced yard.
Joel and his crew took down the trees, ground the stumps, and cleaned all debris from the yard.
We certainly recommend JT Tree Service.

Denice G

10 months ago

I contacted Joel after a trusted neighbor recommended him. I had a large split branch high up in a maple tree. He got back to me promptly and came out to assess it along with some other trimming and possible tree removal I felt was needed. He gave me a thorough evaluation of my options along with a price I found to be very reasonable. I had a tree removed, the branch taken out, and complete trimming of all the trees in my yard within a week of the assessment. When I returned from work, all the trees looked great and my yard was completely cleaned up. I later found out that my neighbor had come out and he and his crew did some on the spot tree maintenance for her, which she was very happy with. Again, work was done well, with complete clean-up. Additionally I would like to note that Joel and his crew are very knowledgeable as well as patient and pleasant to work with. I will definitely hire JT Tree again. Thanks Joel. Denice.

Trimming trees is something I have always loved to do. It has always seemed to come naturally to me. I will look at a tree and create a vision in my mind of what I want the finished tree to look like based on the clients request, as well as keeping within the scope of our industry standard trimming boundaries. There are three boundaries that we work within when trimming a tree:

1) The clients request- it may be thinning, dead wooding, crown reduction, shaping or a combination.

2) Only taking off one third of the foliage- Most arborist agree that only one third of the foliage should be taken off a tree when trimming.

3) Making proper cuts that will ensure the health of the tree going forward. Cuts need to be made back to promising growth on branches and to the collar if a branch is being taken all the way off. A stub cut is unacceptable and can lead to structural problems and disease. Stub cuts and other poor pruning cuts are against the law in some states and tree companies can be fined for not following industry standard techniques.

The only tree that falls outside of these boundaries is the Bradford Pear. Most arborist agree that a fifty percent reduction and hard cutting is acceptable with Bradford Pears. The Bradford Pear is our number one storm damaged tree due to how the Pear trees crotches are shaped. A reduction is the only option to significantly reduce storm damage in these trees.  JT Tree services the Fishers, Carmel, McCordsville, Giest, Noblesville and Indianapolis areas.

Joel Taylor

JT Tree Service

12071 E 131st St.

Fishers, In 46037

317-674-2150

Dead trees can be very dangerous. They can hurt people and damage property if they fall. But what you may not know is that if you have a dead tree on your property, your insurance may not cover a claim if that tree falls and causes injury or damage. In many cases, because a tree is dead, insurance companies are not covering claims and the responsibility is falling back on the home owner. Insurance companies are saying that the home owners should have had the dead tree removed. As word is spreading more home owners are being proactive and having their dead trees removed. We are encouraging people to contact their insurance companies to find out what is, and is not covered under their policy.

We are also receiving calls in regards to neighboring properties that have dead trees on them that are within striking distance of their neighbors properties. Once an inspection is done, homeowners are sending written notice to their neighbors to have their dead trees removed. From what we have been told, this is putting their neighbors on notice and also making them responsible if damage occurs from a dead tree falling into a neighboring property. We are again encouraging people to call their insurance companies and their attorneys to make sure these situations are handled properly.

If you have a dead tree that needs removed, call the professionals at JT Tree Service. JT Tree services the Fishers, Carmel, McCordsville, Noblesville and Indianapolis areas.

Most people in the Fishers, Carmel, McCordsville and Indianapolis Indiana area have either residential or commercial property with trees. Trees provide a unique view, a home for wildlife, and shade from the damaging UV rays of the sun. Similar to other foliage, trees require maintenance and pruning periodically to keep them in the best shape possible. Many people will try to trim their own trees in an effort to save some time and money; however, there are many hazards to attempting to trim trees without any professional training. People could fall out of trees and wind up with serious injuries. They may also trim the wrong branches and cause damage to the structure and integrity of the tree. This could cause the tree to fall on the structure, leading to a significant amount of damage and an expensive homeowner’s insurance claim. Therefore, it is vital to contact a professional tree trimming service to ensure the job is performed correctly.  JT Tree services the Fishers, Carmel, McCordsville and Indianapolis areas.

Professional Tree Trimming Services
There are numerous reasons people need to have their trees trimmed periodically. Tree branches can overgrow and prevent people from having an appropriate view of the surrounding area. Branches can grow over a property and drop leaves and branches onto roofs which can clog gutters or damage roofs. A major storm can develop which can knock off even larger branches and lead to serious damage to important property and structures. These are only a few of the reasons that people will contact a professional tree trimming service for assistance. These professionals come with the latest equipment and expertise to perform this job appropriately. Equipped with the latest vehicles, cables, and safety equipment, professionals have the ability to tackle branches that are high in the air, buried in large trees, or dangling over roofs. These branches are no match for highly trained tree technicians who can tackle any challenge.

Professional Tree Removal Services
Sometimes, a tree trimming service isn’t enough. There are times when trees simply must be removed completely. There are a wide variety of reasons that trees must be taken out. Sometimes a serious storms has damaged a tree to the point that it cannot be salvaged and must be removed before it collapses and causes severe damage to valuable assets. Other times, a property expansion has been planned and the tree is in the way of the new structure. Whatever the reason, people should rely on professional tree removal services. Every type of tree requires a different type of technique for safe and efficient removal. Multi-trunk trees have a complex network of roots underground which can make it challenging to remove. Younger trees are extremely flexible and can bend and twist in a frustrating manner. Older trees are brittle and could shatter, spreading dangerous branches all over the property. The professionals will arrive with the appropriate equipment to quickly and efficiently remove whatever tree needs to be taken out. With the training and experience to handle this job appropriately, no tree is too challenging for these well-trained technicians.

Contact the Professionals for Stump Removal
Once the tree is removed, it is essential to ensure the stump is removed as well. Removing a stump is a difficult challenge because the roots are usually ingrained firmly in the soil. Over time, the stump will degrade and create an ideal habitat for pests such as insects, cockroaches, and termites. These pests can quickly spread to the structure and cause structural integrity issues for a wide variety of property. Furthermore, these stumps can develop mold and fungus which can spread to other plants in the area and cause this foliage to die. When removing a stump, it is vital to ensure that the entire root system is removed because these roots can cause a substantial number of problems for the lawn down the road. Contact the professional stump removal services to make sure that no trace of the tree or the stump is left behind. This is vital to ensuring that the property and the wildlife is intact down the road.

Quality Tree Trimming, Tree Removal, and Stump Removal Services
All of these services are related and it is important that potential clients know that these services can all be handled in one fell swoop. Whether it’s a tree trimming, tree removal, or stump removal request, the professionals at JT Tree Service can handle it all. Hiring a professional service is important because they will do the job safely and correctly the first time, saving valuable time and money. Contact JT Tree Service at 317-674-2150 in the Fishers, Carmel, McCordsville and Indianapolis Indiana area today for more information.

Years ago people would burn stumps out. Farmers were lucky enough to have horses or oxen at their disposal to pull them out. Nowadays there are products designed that will slowly rot the stump out. However, that process can take months and months, and involve the use of toxic chemicals. If you’re having us cut down a tree, consider having JT Tree Service remove the stump as well. If you’re thinking of just leaving it in the ground, give some thought to the following reasons to remove it instead.

Stumps take up space
If you’re one of the fortunate few that have a very large yard, the space taken up by the stump won’t mean that much. Most of us though, don’t have that luxury. In some cases, space is the reason for removing the tree in the first place. Even a small stump, situated in the wrong spot, can render a large chunk of your yard unusable.

Stumps attract insects
A decaying tree stump can take a very long time to completely rot out. During this time it becomes a magnet for ants, beetles, termites, and all sorts of wood-boring pests. This may not be much of a problem in the yard, but eventually, they may find their way into your home.

Stumps are hazardous
Children don’t always pay attention when they’re running around the yard. Something the size of a stump, sticking up six or eight inches out of the ground, creates a terrible trip hazard. An unsuspecting visitor could easily get hurt and hold you liable for ignoring the hazard.

Stumps may continue to grow
A stump left behind may sprout new growth. Small unsightly trees might begin to grow from the stump. Aside from just plain looking bad, these small trees steal precious nutrients from the lawn and any other nearby plants.

Stumps interfere with lawn care
Whether you own a riding mower or an old fashioned push mower, you’ll need to avoid the immediate area around the stump. Protruding roots can wreak havoc on a mower’s blade. You’ll be using a weed whacker, or hand trimming, around the stump, for years to come.

Stumps are unsightly
Even the tidiest stump looks out of place in a well-manicured yard. If you’re even the least bit fussy about your landscaping, you’ll find that removing the stump is well worth the effort.

In most cases, when a tree comes down, the stump should come out too. JT Tree Service offers professional stump removal in the Fishers, Carmel, McCordsville and Indianapolis areas.

JT Tree Service is a local family-owned business offering professional tree removal in Fishers, Carmel, McCordsville and Indianapolis areas.

It is critical that tree removal be done properly and safely.

A tree removal decision can be hard, as trees are an important parts of our ecosystem. However, there are many valid reasons for tree removal, including:

Dying, diseased, or dead trees – These trees can be a safety hazard. It’s much better to have a dying tree come down in a safely planned removal process than to have it fall on your house in the middle of a storm.
Trees that are in an unsafe location, such as being too close to an existing structure. – Even trees that are healthy can pose risks to structures. If a mature tree next to your home has grown too big, it may be time to have it removed..
Trees that are hindering the growth of other plants in the area – An abundance of trees can take nutrients and sunlight from other plants. Removing some of these trees will help all the plants in the area thrive.
A desire for a change in aesthetics for landscaping – Maybe you bought a new home and want to change the existing landscaping, or you’re just ready for something new. Either way, you may need to remove some trees to make room for new plants or landscaping.
Trees that are in the way of a building or construction project – When starting new construction, there are often trees in the way of the plans. It’s obviously imperative that these trees be removed before construction can begin.

No matter what your reason for removing a tree, the experts at JT Tree Service can help with all your tree removal needs. Trying to remove a mature tree on your own can be extremely dangerous and damaging. Trusting a professional with tree removal helps keep the removal process safe and as minimally invasive as possible.

At JT Tree Service, we will work with you every step of the way to remove your trees. Before we begin your tree removal, we will talk with you about the price and develop a plan so you feel as comfortable with the process as we do. As professionals, we take care to remove the tree without damaging nearby property and landscaping, and our work doesn’t stop once the tree is removed. After the tree is removed, we will clean up the entire area of any debris from the removal process. We can also leave a stump, cut the stump close to the ground, or remove the stump, depending on your preferences and the scope of the project. We are confident that you will be satisfied with the tree removal process from start to finish. To discuss options and get a free estimate for your tree removal call us today at 317-674-2150. JT Tree Service works in the Fishers, Carmel, McCordsville and Indianapolis areas.

Winter Tree Pruning

Should trees be pruned in winter?

Tree pruning provides a variety of benefits to your trees and landscape. In addition to improving their appearance, trimmed trees will be safer and healthier. Pruning promotes plant health by removing dead or dying branches that have previously been injured by disease, insects, mites, animals, storms or people.

Request a free quote from JT Tree Service.

Winter is a great time to prune trees.

Tree Pruning can be done at any time of the year; however, recommended times vary depending on the species. In general, the best time to prune most trees is any time during winter.

• Better access

  The frozen ground gives the arborist access to areas that they would otherwise not be able to reach.

• Better visibility

  Without foliage to obstruct views, structural problems are more visible, making it easier to make pruning decisions. This also reduces damage to under story plants such as perennials and annuals.

• Between growing seasons

  Trees are dormant during winter. Which means fresh wounds will only be exposed for a very short length of time – just until the spring when new growth begins sealing new wounds.

• Convenience

  On the practical side, it is easy for a homeowner or property manager to be inundated with outdoor projects in the spring and summer. So, why not reserve tree trimming for winter?

If you are interested in a winter tree pruning service, contact JT Tree Service at 317-674-2150 to schedule an appointment.

JT Tree Service

12071 E 131st St.

Fishers, In 46037

The Dangers of Tree Removal

Some trees require yearly pruning to keep them healthy and attractive, while others respond to trimming by producing more fruit the following season. Sometimes you may want to trim a tree to make sure its branches don’t impede access under or around them and sometimes you might need to trim diseased or broken branches. For whatever reason you trim a tree, late fall is one of the best times to undertake a tree trimming project.

Evaluate the size of your tree-trimming job based on the size of the tree you want to trim. If you have experience pruning large trees and using power tools such as chain saws, you might choose to do the job yourself. However, if you are inexperienced or if your tree is very large, you might be wise to hire a professional tree service like JT Tree Service, “Hire a professional for jobs you can’t handle—it’s really not worth getting seriously hurt, or damaging expensive property, just to save money.”  JT Tree Service provides service in Fishers, Carmel, Geist and Noblesville.

If you are going to attempt this on your own, consider the following:  Wait for deciduous trees to fully lose their leaves in fall—trimming trees during their dormant season is the best time to perform this “surgery.” Then start your pruning activity by cutting off branches that are misshapen or that appeared dead before the tree lost its leaves.

Cut off branches that bump into each other. The University of Minnesota Extension advises people who are interested in trimming their trees to “remove branches and branch stubs that rub together.” Every time you trim off a branch, cut close to the tree’s trunk, but don’t cut into the trunk. According to The University of Minnesota Extension, leave the branch’s “collar,” which is a bulbous or raised area where the branch connects to the trunk. They add, “The branch collar grows from the stem tissue around the base of the branch. Make pruning cuts so that only branch tissue (wood on the branch side of the collar) is removed. Be careful to prune just beyond the branch collar, but DON’T leave a stub. If the branch collar is left intact after pruning, the wound will seal more effectively and stem tissue probably will not decay.”

Trim large branches by making one cut half way through the branch from the bottom and a second cut that meets the first cut from the top of the branch. Using this method, the cuts will allow the branch to fall off cleanly and will avoid injuring the trunk. The University of Minnesota explains further: “Three or four cuts will be necessary to avoid tearing the bark. Make the first cut on the underside of the branch about 18 inches from the trunk. Undercut one-third to one-half way through the branch. Make the second cut an inch further out on the branch; cut until the branch breaks free.”  If you don’t feel comfortable doing this, hire the professionals at JT Tree Service in Fishers, Carmel, Geist and Noblesville.

Keep trees trimmed back from windows and doors of your home to eliminate hiding places for burglars.  Also, prune branches that obscure vision at the end of your driveway and intersections if applicable.

Dispose of your trimmed tree parts appropriately. If you have a chipper/shredder, many types of trees make good mulch or an addition to your compost pile.  JT Tree Service takes all their tree debris in Fishers, Carmel, Geist and Noblesville to recycling centers to be recycled and used as mulch.

If your looking for a tree professional in the Fishers, Carmel, Geist or Noblesville area, call JT Tree Service at 317-674-2150.

Pruning Young Trees

Here is a great article I found from the International Society of Arboriculture.  This really hits home as just this past week I pruned a smaller Maple for a couple on the Northeast side of Indianapolis.  I told them I wish I had more clients like them that had me prune their trees when they were still small.  This allows us to direct/control the growth moving forward, which will make your tree much healthier and area appropriate going forward as you will read below.

Proper pruning is essential in developing a tree with a strong structure and desirable form. Trees that receive the appropriate pruning measures while they are young will require less corrective pruning as they mature.

Keep these few simple principles in mind before pruning a tree:

• Always have a purpose in mind before making a cut. Each cut has the potential to change the growth of the tree.

• Poor pruning can cause damage that lasts for the life of the tree. Learn where and how to make the cuts before picking up the

pruning tools.

• Trees do not heal the way people do. When a tree is wounded, it must grow over the damage. As a result, the wound is contained

within the tree forever.

• Small cuts do less damage to the tree than large cuts. Correcting issues when a tree is young will reduce the need for more drastic

pruning later.

Making the Cut

Pruning cut location is critical to a tree’s growth and wound closure response. Make pruning cuts just outside the branch collar to avoid damaging the trunk and compromising wound responses. Improper pruning cuts may lead to permanent internal decay.

If a large branch must be shortened, prune it back to a secondary branch or a bud. Cuts made between buds or branches may lead to stem decay, sprout production, and misdirected growth.

Pruning Tools

Small branches can be cut easily with hand pruners. Scissor-type or bypass-blade hand pruners are preferred over the anvil type as they make cleaner, more accurate cuts. Cuts larger than one-half inch (1.27 cm) in diameter should be made with lopping shears or a pruning saw. Hedge shears should be used for shaping hedges only. Do not use shears to prune a tree. Whatever tool you use, make sure it is kept clean and sharp.

Establishing a Strong Scaffold Structure

A good structure of primary branches should be established while the tree is young. These limbs, called scaffold branches, are a mature tree’s framework. Properly trained young trees will develop a strong structure that requires less corrective pruning as they mature. The goal in training young trees is to establish a strong, central trunk with sturdy, well-spaced branches. This form mimics tree growth in forest settings where outward branching is limited by neighboring trees. Some tree species develop some or all of these characteristics naturally, even when grown openly in an urban or park setting. Others may require more frequent attention.

Trunk Development

For most young trees, maintain a single dominant leader growing upward. Do not prune back the tip of this leader or allow secondary branches to outgrow the main leader. Sometimes, a tree will develop double leaders known as codominant stems. Codominant stems can lead to structural weaknesses, so it is best to remove or shorten one of the stems while the tree is young. A tree’s secondary branches contribute to the development of a sturdy, well-tapered trunk. When numerous branches are being removed, it is preferable to retain some, at least temporarily, to promote trunk diameter growth.

Permanent Branch Selection

Most of the branches present on a young tree at planting will be pruned away at maturity to provide clearance for mowing, pedestrians, and/or vehicle traffic.

The height of the lowest permanent branch is determined by the tree’s intended function and location in the landscape. The road side of a street tree may be raised to 16 feet (5 m) to accommodate traffic. In most other situations, 8 feet (2.4 m) of clearance is sufficient. Trees used as screens or wind breaks, however, usually branch low to the ground. Sufficient branch spacing and balance, both vertically and radially, is important. The space between permanent branches should be approximately 3 percent of the tree’s eventual height (for example, 1.5 feet [0.5 m] for a tree that can grow to be 50 feet [15 m] tall). Beyond spacing, the strength of branch structure depends on the relative size of the branches and branch angles. Branches similar in diameter to the trunk or limb from which they arise are more prone to failure than those smaller in diameter. Narrow angles of attachment or tight crotching can enclose bark within a branch union. Such growth is called included

bark, a condition that weakens the branch attachment and may lead to failure when the tree matures. Branches with weak attachments should be pruned while still small. Balance should be considered by retaining some branches in each direction radially, spreading from the center outward. Make sure one scaffold branch is not allowed to grow directly

above another. When pruning, be sure not to remove too many branches. Leaves and their supporting branches are major sites of food production and storage. Eliminating too much of the canopy can “starve” the tree, reduce growth, and increase stress. No more than 25 percent of the crown should be removed in one pruning.

Newly Planted Trees

Pruning of newly planted trees should be limited to the removal of dead or broken branches. All other pruning should be withheld until the second or third year, when a tree has recovered from the stress of transplanting.

Wound Dressings

Despite any claims otherwise, research has shown that wood dressings do not reduce decay or speed wound closure and rarely prevent insect or disease infestations. Most experts recommend that wound dressing not be used.

So true! JT Tree Service is FC Tuckers preferred tree care company for Fishers, Carmel, McCordsville and the Indianapolis area. We have helped many homeowners with instant curb appeal to get their home sold. Trimming trees, shrubs and removing dead trees has proven to increase curb appeal and sell homes. When done properly, it will help your trees and shrubs compliment your home and not overtake it. Below is an article I recently found on HGTV.

Use these 10 tips to increase your home’s curb appeal and find out how an attractive and well-maintained landscape can add as much as 10 percent to its value.

Potential home buyers form their first impression of a home from its curb appeal. Yet often a home’s outdoor landscaping is overlooked, or underdone, in the preparation for the sales process. An attractive and well-maintained landscape can add as much as 10 percent to the value of your home.

Ideally the time to get started cleaning up your yard is about a month before you plan on showing your house. That should give you enough time to get everything looking just right and not leave the impression that you simply waited until the last minute to put things in order. Follow these tips for sprucing up your yard to help your home sell quickly.

Spruce up outdoor containers.

Container plants add considerable interest to patios and doorways where would-be buyers enter and exit the house. Such displays also demonstrate the endless possibilities for designing with container plants.

Touch up the mulch.

Nothing spruces up a place like a new application of mulch, so apply a fresh layer in all your garden beds. The color enhances the contrast of the surrounding plants and makes everything pop. What’s more, mulch is relatively cheap and easy to apply.

Plant some instant color.

Seasonal color makes the landscape pop as well, and flats of annuals are also relatively inexpensive. Go for a splash of several colors or a more monochromatic scheme, whatever fits in with the look of your home.

Shape unsightly or overgrown trees and shrubs.

Regardless of the season, it’s a good idea to tackle any overlooked pruning chores because nothing says neglect like a bunch of dead branches. The idea is to show how well not only your house but your garden has been maintained. It’s okay to prune deciduous trees and shrubs any time of the year.

Tend to perennial beds.

Tidy up herbaceous plants, such as annuals and perennials, that don’t look as good as they should. If a plant is in such bad shape that it needs to be removed, either replace it or stick a decorative pot in its place.

Now is also a good time to dig up any plants that you want to take with you to your new home. If you intend to remove any landscape plants and haven’t already done so, you have an obligation to inform the buyer exactly which plants you plan on digging up. That’s only fair, and in many states there are restrictions on removing plants from the landscape.

Clean up water features.

Get rid of any visible algae, remove leaves and clean filters so that the water is crystal clear. After all, a water feature that doesn’t look good or function properly can be an instant turnoff.

Take care of any irrigation issues.

If there are any problems with an irrigation system, fix them. Irrigation system repairs can be expensive, and you don’t want to lay the cost of those repairs on the buyer. Provide information about your irrigation schedule, especially if you have an automatic system. Include instructions as to how the system operates and recommend the same watering schedule that’s worked for you.

Repair faucet leaks.

A leaking faucet suggests that there may be other problems elsewhere in the plumbing, and that can be an instant turn-off to buyers.

If you receive sufficient notice that your home is about to be shown, water a half-hour or so before the appointed time. The water reduces the glare of paved surfaces and also sends the message that your plants are well-maintained. You might even consider running your irrigation system just to show that it’s working properly.

Consider labeling as many plants as possible.

That way the buyer will at least know the name of each plant and can then research their growing needs. Also consider creating a complete plant inventory in scrapbook form and leaving it out on a table for prospective buyers to browse through as they tour your home. This relatively simple step can have a powerful effect on buyers, whether they’re gardeners or not.

Power-wash dirty surfaces.

Consider buying or renting a power washer to clean paved surfaces. With very little time or effort, you can make grungy, grimy surfaces look brand-spanking new. Power washers also do a great job of cleaning fences, as well as brick and vinyl siding.

JT Tree Service

Winter Tree Pruning

Should trees be pruned in winter?

Tree pruning provides a variety of benefits to your trees and landscape. In addition to improving their appearance, trimmed trees will be safer and healthier. Pruning promotes plant health by removing dead or dying branches that have previously been injured by disease, insects, mites, animals, storms or people.

Request a free quote from JT Tree Service.

Winter is a great time to prune trees.

Tree Pruning can be done at any time of the year; however, recommended times vary depending on the species. In general, the best time to prune most trees is any time during winter.

• Better access

  The frozen ground gives the arborist access to areas that they would otherwise not be able to reach.

• Better visibility

  Without foliage to obstruct views, structural problems are more visible, making it easier to make pruning decisions. This also reduces damage to under story plants such as perennials and annuals.

• Between growing seasons

  Trees are dormant during winter. Which means fresh wounds will only be exposed for a very short length of time – just until the spring when new growth begins sealing new wounds.

• Convenience

  On the practical side, it is easy for a homeowner or property manager to be inundated with outdoor projects in the spring and summer. So, why not reserve tree trimming for winter?

If you are interested in a winter tree pruning service, contact JT Tree Service at 317-674-2150 to schedule an appointment.

JT Tree Service

12071 E 131st St.

Fishers, In 46037

Here is some information on several different types of borers that JT Tree Service found recently that are effecting Pine trees in the Fishers, McCordsville, Carmel and Indianapolis areas. We have specifically found weevils in the tops of Pines in our area that have killed the top portion of the tree. In these instances we have removed the top portion of the tree. The unaffected portion of the tree will then send up one of the next bows to take over leader. It is recommended that the tree be treated chemically to take care of any further borer issues going forward.

The article below was published recently by the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture.

Borers That Attack Landscape Pines

ENTFACT-437: Borers That Attack Landscape Pines | Download PDF

by Lee Townsend, Extension Entomologist & Lynne Rieske-Kinney, Assistant Professor, Forest Entomology
University of Kentucky College of Agriculture

Many types of borers can attack conifers but most are not serious pests of vigorously growing landscape or ornamental plants. Several species attack pines in Kentucky, including bark beetles, weevils and sawyers. The larval stages of these insects tunnel beneath the bark and may cause enough damage to severely stunt or kill the tree before the homeowner is even aware that a problem exists. As the larvae tunnel in the conductive tissue of the tree, they interfere with sap flow and destroy the cambium. Some of the sawyers, longhorned beetles, can carry the pine wilt nematode that compounds injury to the tree. Many pine borers carry fungi and increase the susceptibility of the host tree to these pathogens.

Unfortunately, borer infestations usually are not discovered until the most obvious symptoms appear and it is too late to apply corrective measures. These include yellowing or wilting of the needles, holes in the bark that exude sawdust or pitch, emergence holes of the beetles in the bark, or tree death. In some cases, the damage is so extensive that the tree cannot recover. Insecticides will not penetrate the bark and sapwood to kill borer larvae.

The major decisions involve:

Bark Beetles

Dendroctonus borers are the most aggressive borers in pines and attack and develop in all species of yellow pine, eastern white pine, and spruces. They initially attack the mid and lower trunk but the infestation spreads up and down the tree over time. Females create S-shaped galleries and deposit eggs along the way. The larvae tunnel at right angles to the main gallery. Eventually, they move into the corky outer bark and eventually produce pupation chambers. They emerge through exit holes in the bark after transforming into the adult stage. Several overlapping generations are produced each year; this complicates the effective timing of preventive bark sprays.

Ips beetles, or engraver beetles, normally attack trees struck by lightning, or recently felled trees. However, when large numbers are present, they can attack and kill young, healthy pines and the tops of older trees. Problems in the home landscape tend to involve weakened or stressed trees that have been recently transplanted into unfavorable sites.

Engraver beetle galleries radiate in all directions but eventually tend to run parallel to the grain. They frequently appear as a “Y” or “I”. Females lay eggs along the sides of the galleries and the legless, grub-like larvae tunnel into the phloem. Mature larvae pupate in expanded areas or cells in the inner bark. There can be several generations each year.

Weevils

White pine weevils can breed in a wide variety of spruces and pines. Adults spend the winter in litter on the ground and become active in the spring. Females lay eggs in bark cavities and the larvae tend to bore downward in the cambium. In late July they produce a pupal chamber that contains thin shreds of wood. Newly emerged adults will feed on the tree until fall.

Pitch flow on the terminal shoots is the first sign of weevil attack. This is in response to feeding by the beetles. New growth is stunted and finally the needles wilt. White pine weevil attack frequently results in the destruction of the terminal leader, leading to distorted growth of the tree.

Pine Sawyer – Pine Wood Nematode

Pine sawyer beetles have segmented antennae that are much longer than their body. The white, legless larvae are almost 2″ long when full grown. They produce roughly oval galleries which contain shrelied wood.

Pine sawyers carry the pine wood nematode. When these longhorned beetles emerge from nematode-infested trees and fly to healthy trees, the nematodes are carried under the beetles’ hard wing covers. As the beetles feed on needles and twig bark, the nematodes leave the insect and enter the tree through feeding wounds. In just a few months, the nematode infestation can be great enough to plug resin ducts, stress the tree and cause rapid wilting and death. Although some pine sawyers attack other conifers besides pines, the nematodes are only known to infest pines.

Trees stressed by nematodes or other causes are attractive to the beetles for breeding purposes. The beetles do not lay eggs on vigorous trees. The eggs hatch into the roundheaded wood borer stage of the beetle and the borers contribute to the decline of the already ailing tree.

Gradual fading out and browning of needles over an entire Scots pine or large parts of a tree can be caused by pine wilt nematode. This nematode also attacks Austrian pine, and occasionally white pine. Cut into affected branches and observe if there is sap or resin flow. Laboratory analysis is needed for positive nematode diagnosis. Submit a one-foot section of an affected lower branch; select the part of the branch closest to the trunk.

Chemical control of the nematodes is not available. Trunk sprays for the beetles are of little help because the beetles only go to those trees already stressed or dying from nematode infestations. Foliar sprays to kill beetles while they feed on needles would not prevent nematodes from leaving these beetles and infesting the tree. The recommended control is to immediately destroy dead or dying trees before borers can complete their development.

Cultural Controls

White pine weevil infestations may be reduced by spraying seedlings and new growth in mid-April and early May and again in August to kill adults as they feed on the needles.

The larval stages of borers, which cause the damage to the tree, are underneath the bark and are not reached by insecticides that are sprayed onto the trunk and limbs. Applications of an insecticide with residual activity may provide some reduction of re-infestation by killing adults before they lay their eggs. However, these preventive sprays must be timed properly to coincide with adult activity. Repeated applications are needed if there several generations in a season or if several species with different flight periods are involved.

Issued: 10/97
Revised: 10/97

CAUTION! Pesticide recommendations in this publication are registered for use in Kentucky, USA ONLY! The use of some products may not be legal in your state or country. Please check with your local county agent or regulatory official before using any pesticide mentioned in this publication.

Of course, ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW LABEL DIRECTIONS FOR SAFE USE OF ANY PESTICIDE!

At JT Tree Service, we have experience in emergency tree services. We are available 24/7 for emergency callout. Whether it is high winds, ice storms or heavy rain that causes the damage, we are here to help. We are proud of our fast response times, and we can provide immediate clean-up and removal services after storms. We are also able to temporarily cover up holes in roofs caused by fallen trees or branches to help minimize damage to your home. Regardless of the magnitude and intensity of damage, our primary focus is always the safety of our crew, the public, and the individuals impacted by the storm.  JT Tree services Carmel, Fishers, McCordsville and Indianapolis areas.

Thinking Spring? Tree Care & Maintenance Tips

Spring time…the trees are budding, then blossoms appear. Why prune your trees in the Spring?

Spring is a good time to prune out any frost damage to your trees and other plants, which may have occurred from the harsh winter. In spring, you can prepare your yard for summer landscaping by thinning or removing deadwood and/or removing the unwanted parts of your existing landscaping. This will help prevent damage to any new landscaping.

What should I do to make sure my trees are healthy after a rough winter?

Want a great project to do with your kids that will help our environment? Plant a tree starting with the branch.

The best way to grow a tree from a branch is to take the most recent season’s growth, removing buds, flowers and some of the leaves on the branch. The plant must be kept in high humidity, and to achieve this, cover the pot with a bottomless milk carton, or place the pot in a plastic bag.

Planting a tree starting with the branch, known as stem cutting, is a common method used to grow trees. The best way to grow a tree from stem cutting is if the branch is from the most recent season’s growth. It’s best to cut the branch in early morning, because the plant is fully engorged at that point in the day. Older branches may not root. Heavily fertilized plants, especially fertilizer with nitrogen, may not root well.

Removing the buds and flowers helps to preserve energy for producing roots and not more flowers. Leaves on the lower third of the branch should be removed, but larger leaves can be trimmed down to conserve water. The time it takes for the branch to root is different with each species. Branches that have new roots flourish when they continue to grow and stabilize before the transfer into the ground.

JT Tree Service

Winter Tree Pruning

Should trees be pruned in winter?

Tree pruning provides a variety of benefits to your trees and landscape. In addition to improving their appearance, trimmed trees will be safer and healthier. Pruning promotes plant health by removing dead or dying branches that have previously been injured by disease, insects, mites, animals, storms or people.

Request a free quote from JT Tree Service.

Winter is a great time to prune trees.

Tree Pruning can be done at any time of the year; however, recommended times vary depending on the species. In general, the best time to prune most trees is any time during winter.

• Better access

  The frozen ground gives the arborist access to areas that they would otherwise not be able to reach.

• Better visibility

  Without foliage to obstruct views, structural problems are more visible, making it easier to make pruning decisions. This also reduces damage to under story plants such as perennials and annuals.

• Between growing seasons

  Trees are dormant during winter. Which means fresh wounds will only be exposed for a very short length of time – just until the spring when new growth begins sealing new wounds.

• Convenience

  On the practical side, it is easy for a homeowner or property manager to be inundated with outdoor projects in the spring and summer. So, why not reserve tree trimming for winter?

If you are interested in a winter tree pruning service, contact JT Tree Service at 317-674-2150 to schedule an appointment.

JT Tree Service

12071 E 131st St.

Fishers, In 46037

Winter pruning involves trimming unwanted branches off a tree during the cold season, when trees are dormant and pruning isn’t harmful to the tree. One reason for pruning is to remove diseased or dead wood from the plant, as the disease is likely to spread to the healthy parts.

• In addition to the tree’s dormancy, winter offers a number of other advantages for pruning. For example, trees without leaves show their branching structure more clearly. The wintertime is also less likely to facilitate disease transmission among plants, and insects are less likely to investigate the fresh wounds from pruning.
• Winter pruning should have a clear purpose. With deciduous trees, this should include developing a natural style. It’s not sound to shear tall shrubs, to top them so that they are shorter or to limb up a low-branching tree. The tree’s natural outline should remain in place. The best pruning job looks neat, but as if no one has pruned the tree at all.
• In addition to taking off diseased or dead wood pieces, gardeners prune water sprouts (stems growing at right angles from the branches) and suckers (straight stems growing from the base of the tree). Neither of these types of new growth become limbs that look natural or branch well. When pruning, the process should go back to the nearest branch or bud rather than leaving an open end or a stub.

JT Tree Service

Winter Tree Pruning

Should trees be pruned in winter?

Tree pruning provides a variety of benefits to your trees and landscape. In addition to improving their appearance, trimmed trees will be safer and healthier. Pruning promotes plant health by removing dead or dying branches that have previously been injured by disease, insects, mites, animals, storms or people.

Request a free quote from JT Tree Service.

Winter is a great time to prune trees.

Tree Pruning can be done at any time of the year; however, recommended times vary depending on the species. In general, the best time to prune most trees is any time during winter.

• Better access

  The frozen ground gives the arborist access to areas that they would otherwise not be able to reach.

• Better visibility

  Without foliage to obstruct views, structural problems are more visible, making it easier to make pruning decisions. This also reduces damage to under story plants such as perennials and annuals.

• Between growing seasons

  Trees are dormant during winter. Which means fresh wounds will only be exposed for a very short length of time – just until the spring when new growth begins sealing new wounds.

• Convenience

  On the practical side, it is easy for a homeowner or property manager to be inundated with outdoor projects in the spring and summer. So, why not reserve tree trimming for winter?

If you are interested in a winter tree pruning service, contact JT Tree Service at 317-674-2150 to schedule an appointment.

JT Tree Service

12071 E 131st St.

Fishers, In 46037