Tree Health Care in Western North Carolina

At Blue Oak Affordable Tree Solutions, we believe that certain trees are invaluable and helping these trees thrive is a passion of ours. In natural settings, trees grow, adapt to their environments, and take care of themselves, but in urban or residential areas, trees must share their space with people, and their overall health condition can be of considerable consequence.  Not just any tree or landscaping crew should be working with highly valued trees.  Care for these large, living organisms requires special education, tools, and techniques if it is to be administered properly. Our ongoing mission at Blue Oak is to be a tree service that provides this level of qualified tree care.  We do this by giving our arborists the proper training, equipment, and ongoing education they need to maximize their effectiveness when providing tree health services.

Why Tree Health Matters

Trees are living organisms that often face stressful growing conditions. Common stressors include: poor urban soil conditions, periods of drought, fungal diseases, invasive pests (Hemlocks and Ashes in WNC), among other problems.  Like all other living organisms, stressful conditions deplete energy at a higher rate.  Trees are resilient by nature, and they can endure short periods of stress quite well, even adapting to be stronger each time!  But when the stressful condition is ongoing, the effect is weakening to their health.  When trees are in chronic stress, they deplete their energy reserves faster, and when they run out of energy, they die.

Hopefully you can understand the value in recognizing and amending chronic stress-inducing conditions for your trees.  Blue Oak Affordable Tree Solutions is experienced with the identifying and alleviating chronic stress-inducing conditions for trees in Western North Carolina.

The Most Common Stress Inducing Conditions in Western North Carolina:

#1: Compacted soil

This is probably the most universal threat to yard trees which, luckily, is easy to fix. Compacted soil limits oxygen and water infiltration to the rootzone, creating anaerobic and drought-like soil conditions.  Even during periods rain, compacted soils do not absorb much water.  Most of it runs off and is never aquired by the tree’s root system.  Furthermore, with limited oxygen, the roots go into anaerobic (instead of aerobic) respiration process.  Think of how hard it is to breathe while sprinting versus walking.  That’s the difference between anaerobic and aerobic respiration.  Trees still “breathe” in compacted soil conditions, but they consume their energy at much faster rates, leaving less energy available for defense and other important life functions.  Blue Oak Affordable Tree Solutions knows how to effectively reduce soil compaction through a variety of techniques.

#2: Buried Root Flares

(Also called trunk flare or root collar)-This condition hinders proper tree respiration, encourages girdling root formation (explained further below), and is a favorable environment for basal rot fungi.  Root flares should be uncovered carefully and properly with the use of an air pneumatic tool.  Use of a the wrong tools, like metal shovels, can easily damage the trunk and buttress roots, causing more harm than good.  Blue Oak Affordable Tree Solutions uses an Airspade with precision and care to perform proper root collar excavations.

  • Weed barrier fabric- these do more harm than good for your trees.  Do not use them.
  • Volcano mulching- mulch can be good (if it is a mulch of organic wood chips), but mounding it up against the tree’s trunk causes the same problems as a buried root flare.

#3: Girdling Roots, Chains, Ropes, or Cables

Have you ever had something around your arm or leg tight enough to loose circulation?  That’s essentially what “girdling” means for trees.  When tree owners hang swings, set up clothes lines, or leash their dogs on their trees, they often tie a cable, chain, or rope around the trunk or a branch which seems perfectly harmless in the moment.  As the trunk or branch grows and gets bigger, the girdling effect starts to cut into the tree’s vascular tissues and can stress or even kill the living tree parts above it.  Even the tree’s own roots should be pruned if they encircle and girdle the tree’s trunk or major buttress roots.

#4: Invasive Pests

  • Emerald Ash Borer (invasive pest threatening Ash trees)- Nearly every hemlock in our area of WNC is under threat of the HWA.  If left unaddressed, the bugs slowly and steadily weaken and kill their host trees over a period of years.  Depending on their life cycle, they may or may not be noticeable to tree owners.  When ovipositing, they create clusters conspicuous white, cottony egg sacks along the hemlock needles which earned them the “woolly” part of their name.  During other life cycles, however, the cottony clusters are not present and the adelgids themselves are too small to see with the naken eye.  Do not wait to have your hemlocks treated with an appropriate systemic pesticide.
  • Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (invasive pest threatening Hemlocks)- Every Ash tree in our area of WNC will die from the EAB beetle if it is not continuously treated with system chemical protection.  Depending on the type of treatment, trees can remain protected for several years before requiring it again.  If left vulnerable, the insect can completely kill a healthy ash in the span of a 1-3 seasons.  If you think you have ash trees, don’t risk leaving them untreated.

#5: Mechanical Injuries

  • Over-pruning or “topping”- Though the damage cannot be “undone”, health invigoration services directed at the rootzones of previously abused trees can give them a better chance of bouncing back.
  • Construction of graging- Every equipment compactes soil, and lowering or adding to the existing grade (even inches) will have extremely harmful effects on your trees.  Did you know that tree roots extend 2-3 times the spread of the branches?  The highest concentration of roots is in perimeter of soil directly under the canopy.  If you are under the branches, you are in the “critical rootzone”, and disturbance to this area is serious.  When having construction done, avoid the critical rootzone if at all possible.  Consider boosting the health your tree beforehand by having us come out and administer the appropriate services.
  • Lawnmower or string trimmer damage– Easy to do when the tree is not protected by mulch.  Lawn mower injuries to shallow surface roots are potential entry points for root rot fungi.  Even minor contact with string trimmers to the trunk can cause serious damage to the vascular tissues.

Other Stressful Conditions

  • Lack of organic mulch- Trees that have to share their rootsystem with turfgrass will have the added stress of competition with the grass roots for water and nutrients.  Worse yet, trees that have rocks or uncovered dirt around them will be deprived of the essential benefits of organic mulch.  Organic wood-chip mulch provides a layer of protection the the rootzone, insulates from extreme cold or hot weather, moisture retains, and promotes valuable organic activity and natural soil aeration processes.  Every tree you care about should have organic mulch around it, but proper application of the mulch is important.
  • Prolonged periods of drought- Although the weather cannot be altered, certain techniques and tree health products can help trees get through drought conditions.
  • Overly crowded beaches or trees planted too close together- When airflow and light penetration are significantly limited by too many branches, fungal diseases can grow and spread.
  • Too much or too little sunlight for the tree’s species requirements
    • Pines, as an example, are evergreen conifers that require full sun and will not survive in too much shade.  Alternatively, hemlocks are an evergreen conifer that thrive in shade and will often struggle in full sun.
  • Too much or too little water availability for the tree’s species requirements
    • Poor site drainage or frequent periods of flooding causes the decline of many tree species
    • Some species thrive in wetlands and will struggle in dryer sites.

The Most Common Signs Your Tree Is Stressed

Trees show very delayed symptoms, but when stress is bad enough, they will start to show subtle signs that something is wrong.  If you already know that your tree’s growing conditions may be less than ideal, you shouldn’t wait for these symptoms to appear, as the chances for irreversable tree decline will be increased the longer the stress-inducing condition persists.  If you see any of these symptoms in a tree you care about, you should call us immediately:

  • Yellowing, browning, or loss of leaves outside of normal seasonal changes

  • Uniform dieback of the tree’s crown or death of major branch systems.

  • Clusters of sprouts (epicormic sprouts, also called water sprouts) growing from the trunk or branches.

  • Fungal fruiting bodies at the base of your tree or on the buttress roots

  • A thin canopy appearence

Recognizing these signs and quick intervention can be the difference between life and death for your tree.

Our Tree Health Care Services

1. Comprehensive Tree Assessments

We examine your trees from roots to canopy to determine their overall condition. Our arborists evaluate soil quality, structural integrity, and signs of stress or disease to create a customized health plan.

2. Soil and Root Care

Healthy roots are the foundation of a healthy tree. We perform soil testing, aeration, and nutrient assessments to ensure your trees get what they need to grow strong and resilient.

3. Recommending Specialty Products and Fertilizers

We don’t believe in over-fertilization, but we do use well tested products when we believe it will be beneficial to the tree and tree owner.  Our approach to product recommendations is based on each unique tree and site assessment as well as professional experience.  When desired, our arborists also work with qualified labs to provide even more specific fertilizer and product prescriptions.

4. Preventive and Ongoing Maintenance

Prevention is always better than repair.  Repair is still usually better than removal. We develop plans and prescriptions for initial site ammendments, ongoing treatment plans, inspections, soil and root care, and early intervention to give your trees the best care available.

Why Choose Blue Oak Affordable Tree Solutions

Our passion for your tree’s preservation drives every decision we make when it comes to our tree health services. We understand Western North Carolina’s unique climate, soil types, and environmental challenges. Our team blends arborist expertise with appreciation for the living organisms we are entrusted to care for.  We aim to help your trees live long, healthy lives.

We don’t just treat trees, we nurture them, protect them, and help you enjoy the countless benefits they bring to your property and our community.

Protect Your Trees for Generations

Healthy trees add life, beauty, and value to your property while supporting the local ecosystem. At Blue Oak Affordable Tree Solutions, we are dedicated to providing expert care that preserves the trees you love and keeps them thriving for decades to come.

Call (828) 655-7690 today to schedule your tree health assessment or to speak with a local tree care expert.