Maier Tree & Lawn News

Since the 1950s, oak wilt has devastated nearly every oak species. Transferring quickly from oak tree to oak tree, the contagious nature of oak wilt has prompted statewide actions such as the halting of firewood transportation throughout the state in order to limit the spread. Here at Maier Tree and Lawn, our tree care professionals provide careful pruning and treatment to Rochester, MN, trees suffering from oak wilt and other tree diseases to help limit this spread and curb the damage to oak trees nationwide.

Oak wilt is a fungal tree disease that can quickly spread and dispatch oaks in a relatively short period of time. The fungus works its way into the water transport systems within the tree and can spread rapidly throughout the tree’s internal system. This leads to wilting leaves, leaf loss, surface discoloration, and a decline in overall health that some oak trees, once infected, will only survive between one and four months.

Oak wilt can be spread by a surprising number of different avenues. Insects, root connections, and firewood transport can all disseminate the fungal spores across the state and to other areas that may not yet be impacted. During the months of active growth and active insects, the spread tends to increase. Because of this, pruning and treating trees suffering from oak wilt is best done by tree care professionals during dormancy, or more specifically, November through March of every year.

Timing the treatment of your trees that are impacted by oak wilt is important because it limits the potential spread. This treatment may include the aforementioned pruning, but it can also involve other tree disease treatments such as root cutting, tree removal, or fungicidal application. The best course of action can be determined following a consultation by a tree care expert. But, in general, taking action on your own without expert input is not recommended as the contagious nature of oak wilt can be unintentionally exacerbated.

If your Rochester, MN, oak trees have been impacted by a tree disease such as oak wilt, the tree care professionals at Maier Tree and Lawn can help. Residents or land owners can call us at (507) 286–8733 or contact us online for more information.

It’s easy to think that healthy trees in the Winona, MN area are perfectly suited to their natural environment. They can grow independently around the lakes, flourish without intervention on the bluffs, and of course, survive cold, harsh Minnesota winters.

Unfortunately, while some trees are indeed able to pull off this trifecta with very little help, it’s still entirely possible for your trees to sustain damage from extreme winter conditions. Luckily the arborists with Maier Tree and Lawn have the tree care techniques that you need to get your trees safely to spring.

Tree care tends to be a little more hands-off during winter compared to the rest of the year. This is because many tree species are experiencing some level of dormancy. Even a healthy tree, however, may need a bit of help once winter sets it. Cold and ice damage can happen to trees and roots, and hands-off tree care may not be enough to prevent it.

Cold damage can manifest as a gradual sapping of the overall health of a tree in the winter, or it can occur due to a sudden onslaught of ice and snow. You may notice conifers browning rapidly, cracking or scarring bark, branch or leaf loss, or breakage from the weight of overwhelming heavy snow. These tree injuries may happen overnight or lead to a slow decay that damages your trees after snowmelt. Luckily there are actions that can be taken to prevent cold damaged to otherwise healthy trees.

Depending upon the type of damage in question, there are a variety of solutions that can serve to preserve the health of your trees. In some cases, carefully tying up weak or young trees may be all you need to ensure they survive the winter, but on occasion more intervention may be needed. Winter tree care performed by a professional arborist may include expert pruning to reduce snow stress cabling or bracing of branches to protect weak branch unions. No matter what your tree needs may be, our tree care professionals can help.

If your healthy trees in the Winona, MN area have been impacted by ice or snow damage and are in jeopardy, contact Maier Tree and Lawn at (507) 454-7000. For additional information on tree care and winter tree maintenance, you can also contact us online.

Maintaining a group or forest of trees doesn’t always mean leaving them to their own devices. Even developed areas have a unique ecosystem that needs to be kept in good condition in order for trees to flourish. At Maier Tree and Lawn, our forestry professionals provide in-depth risk assessments and all the tools you need to ensure your Rochester, MN area trees are healthy, managed, and looking their best year-round.

If you don’t have access to a staff forester, knowing what actions to take to best benefit your trees can be a complex and nuanced process. Even decisions that seem simple, such as tree removal or pruning, may ultimately have adverse effects if they’re not done with the health of the surrounding trees and plants in mind. In situations like these, our professional forestry consultants can offer their expertise in order to help all of your trees to thrive. The tree management team at Maier Tree and Lawn pinpoints and addresses problem areas in each ecosystem through careful assessments and tree risk management.

It’s important to remember that a tree doesn’t have to be totally and visibly rotted for it to be a risk. A wide range of factors may influence whether or not a tree is considered risky to a property or the trees around it. Risk assessments, inventory, and management completed by forestry service experts allows you to plan for the health and safety of your entire property or an entire forest region. After assessments are made, our forestry consultants can also assist you in selecting the appropriate treatment or the next steps you can take.

Depending upon what is discovered during risk assessment, treatment may be a possibility. In some cases, careful pruning, soil care, or other treatments such as fungicides or insecticides can remove the risk from the area and make it safe for trees and people alike. But in other cases, our assessments may recommend tree removal, aggressive pruning, or other large-scale changes. No matter the condition of the tree, our forestry service professionals can help guide you towards a decision that will benefit the forest and its ecosystem as a whole.

If your forest or local ecosystem would benefit from professional forestry services, contact Maier Tree and Lawn today for information on our tree risk management and more. Rochester, MN area residents can reach us at (507) 286–8733 or online for additional details on our forestry services and forestry consulting options.

Selecting a fertilizer that suits your lawn and its needs can require trial and error. Some may be too harsh, some ineffective, and some may seem suitable until the season begins to shift. Different grasses benefit from different care, and without careful application, fertilizer may end up doing more harm than good to your property. At Maier Tree and Lawn, our organic-based fertilizing options are a perfect solution for Rochester, MN lawns in need of care but not in need of harsh chemical intervention.

Selecting an organic-based fertilizer or safe standard fertilizer is a delicate process. Fertilizing is, at its core, a process that reintroduces necessary nutrients to your lawn. This can be done in several ways, but depending upon the method you choose, it may result in different and sometimes adverse outcomes. For instance, some chemical fertilizers, when improperly applied, can be too harsh on your turf and lead to toxic runoff, salt buildup, chemical burning, and more. Organic-based fertilizers, on the other hand, provide the nutrients your lawn needs without the excess risk.

Organic-based fertilizers are basically just fertilizers made with natural and plant-safe ingredients. Some organic fertilizers may include minerals, animal components, and other sources of soluble nitrogen. These fertilizers are often slow to release but prove effective with time and careful application. This is accompanied with the benefit of being gentle on lawns and preventing burning or corrosion from overly harsh chemicals.

Organic-based fertilizers ultimately provide all the benefits of standard fertilization without utilizing any harmful or harsh chemicals. For lawns that are patchy, recovering from damage, or growing sparsely, fertilization may be able to restore some of the luster that they are missing. Building up the health of your turf and restoring balance to the ecosystem of your lawn is possible with the right tools.

If your lawn is struggling and in need of a boost, organic-based fertilizers may be just the solution you are searching for. Maier Tree and Lawn offers fertilization assistance and application to Rochester, MN residents looking to restore their property to the best version of itself. Call us today at (507) 454-7000 or contact us online for more information.

Winona, MN area tree enthusiasts are likely familiar with the emerald ash borer thanks to its consistently troubling presence in Minnesota. Maier Tree and Lawn’s comprehensive forestry services include precise disease management techniques to help lessen the impact the emerald ash borer infestation has on homeowner’s trees.

Emerald ash borers can tear through a community’s ash trees quickly. They eat away at the bark of trees, burrow into trunks, and divert the necessary nutrients that ash trees need to survive. In this manner they can quickly kill trees and then spread to other ash trees nearby. Because of the devastation they can cause, quarantines on wood and tree transport are frequently in effect across Minnesota. If emerald ash borers have already been identified in your area, disease management support may be the next best step. 

Planning, planting, and tree maintenance programs need disease management in order to mitigate the impact emerald ash borer has on local trees. Disease management may include tree injections, tree removal, and other risk-reducing care methods. Each step is catered to the environment to best preserve every level of the ecosystem. Once an infested tree has been identified, the proper steps are taken to ensure the health and safety of surrounding plants and trees.

If any of your Winona, MN area trees have been impacted by emerald ash borers or other tree diseases, the disease management teams at Maier Tree and Lawn can help. Call us today at (507) 454-7000 or contact us online for additional information.

Unless your property resides in a bubble, you can’t realistically expect to control every aspect of your Rochester, MN, lawn. Uncontrollable variables exist at every turn and can manifest in any form from severe weather to pet or lawn mower damage. But with proper lawn care such as weed control and mitigation, it’s possible to guide the trajectory of your lawn toward consistent green success. At Maier Tree and Lawn, our lawn care professionals can help you follow a healthy path forward for your outdoor property.

By nature, weeds are often some of the sturdiest, quickest growing, and fastest spreading plants in your lawn that you probably haven’t planted or planned for. Some of the best-known Minnesota weeds include frequent visitors such as dandelions and crabgrass, but different types of thistle, fox tail, and more may also make regular appearances as well. In short, there is no shortage of possibilities when it comes to midwestern weed growth. And along with being a general eyesore, weed growth can lead to lawn care difficulties that may impede the health of your lawn.

Excessive weed growth can prevent your desired plants and grass from flourishing. Without weed control, undesirable weeds can overtake the grass, flowers, or plants that you actually want. Like any other plant, weeds need nutrients in order to survive. When they begin to overtake your lawn, there’s a good chance that they’re sucking essential water, minerals, and sunlight away from smaller or more delicate plants that may be struggling. And even if you spot weed growth in the early stages, without employing some expert lawn care techniques, it may be difficult to eradicate it on your own.

Depending on the ecosystem of your lawn, there may be several weed control avenues worth exploring. Some common lawn care techniques such as expert fertilization, aeration, and controlled sprays can all contribute to a weed-free lawn. But the technique that suits your property best may not be the same technique that suits your neighbor’s property. Requesting a weed control consultation and discussing appropriate lawn care options is an excellent place to start.

At Maier Tree and Lawn, we offer everything from weed spraying to aeration. Cultivating a thriving Rochester, MN, lawn that doesn’t allow for weed growth may not happen overnight, but with the right techniques you can take a step toward a weed-free future. For weed control options suited to your needs, call us today at (507) 286–8733 or contact us online for additional information.

Extreme heat, extreme cold, and during these last months of summer, extreme storms are all part of the Minnesota living experience. For Winona, MN, tree owners, such extreme weather can mean sudden, unexpected storm damage that leaves their trees injured or damaged beyond repair. However, storm damage doesn’t have to be a death sentence for any of your trees. With effective first aid, tree health can be preserved even after storm damage occurs. Maier Tree and Lawn’s tree health professionals can help you take action and start your trees on their road to recovery.

Storm damage to your trees can come in many forms, ranging from mild to severe. Sometimes hail and wind just knock some branches loose or shake some leaves to the ground, but in more extreme cases, you may be dealing with extensive tree injuries. Major damage to the tree trunk, large amounts of snapped or loose branches, or even uprooting can be consequences of intense weather. Yet, even if the damage looks deadly at first glance, you should know that it’s always a good idea to request a tree health consultation for a professional opinion. Depending on the type of tree in question and its condition prior to the storm, the tree still may be salvaged and restored to health.

Trees are more resilient than most people tend to realize. There are, of course, conditions that render them more vulnerable, but once they are grown and healthy, they can withstand a lot of what Mother Nature has to offer. If your tree was healthy prior to a storm occurring, it will more likely bounce back from minor storm damage. But it’s important to remember that without professional expertise, trying to treat a storm damaged tree on your own can result in further injuries to the tree—and maybe even yourself.

Minor tree injuries can sometimes heal without intervention, and trimming or sawing when it’s not needed can cause a tree undue stress. Plus, damaged trees can pose a physical hazard due to their heavy, unstable branches falling or their risk of tipping. If any of your trees were injured during a storm, our tree health professionals can help.

Our tree health experts examine each storm damaged tree, determine the best course of action, and employ appropriate measures and first aid in order to preserve the health of your trees for as long as possible. First aid may include careful, precise trunk cutting; stabilization’ strategic trimming; and more. But regardless of the steps needed, the health of your trees and the safety of your property are our primary goals.

If you’re looking to save a tree on your property that has sustained any amount of storm damage, contact Maier Tree and Lawn today. Winona, MN, area residents invested in tree health and tree recoveries can call us at (507) 454-7000 or contact us online for more information.

Maintaining a healthy ecosystem on your Rochester, MN, property requires a healthy foundation. Effective plant healthcare is only possible when the conditions of your yard are suited to consistent growth, and without proper soil care, those vital conditions become much more difficult to realize. The plant healthcare experts at Maier Tree and Lawn have the tools and knowledge to help your plants thrive year-round with in-depth soil assessments and treatments.

Great soil is truly the foundation of every great lawn and healthy plant. Indeed, the quality and health of just about everything growing on your property relies on the proper care of your soil. Soil care may feel secondary to other types of plant healthcare, but if your soil is inadequately cared for, your plants will have a much more difficult time putting down sturdy roots. If the soil is packed too tightly, devoid of essential nutrients, or otherwise unsuited to the plants you want to grow, you’ll likely run into gardening difficulties.

Healthy soil is earth that provides the necessary groundwork for the growth of all of your plants. Depending on the type of property you’re managing, the components of its ground may change based on the time of year, the types of plants you’re trying to grow, and how the soil was treated in the past. All these factors mean that proper soil care varies from yard to yard. Ultimately, proper soil care ensures that the plant healthcare process is never impeded by unseen factors below the surface.

Plant healthcare means adjusting your care to the needs of the plants in question. A professional consultation to develop a soil care plan my include lawn aeration, tree root enhancement, and/or soil amendment and is the first step in providing your landscape with solutions to growing in the urban environment.

If you’re struggling with building a strong foundation for your Rochester, MN, lawn and plants, Maier Tree and Lawn can help. For soil care assistance, consultations, and maintenance plans, call us today at (507) 286–8733 or contact us online for more information.

The damage that lawn fungus can cause ranges from a minor inconvenience to comprehensive devastation for lawns. Whether your Winona, MN, property is commercial or residential, maintaining healthy and inviting turf makes a big impact on the value and perception of your property. If left untreated, lawn fungus can grow and flourish across the expanse of your lawn. At Maier Tree and Lawn, our fungus control professionals can help you treat your property and prevent lasting damage to your turf.

Lawn fungus can manifest in quite a few different forms. In some cases, you may find yourself contending with unassuming dry patches, circles of discolored grass, or oddly colored shapes and streaks, while in other cases, you may even be able to spot webby mold or full-fledged mushroom circles. But regardless of the form that it takes, lawn fungus can post a very real threat to the health of your lawn. Without proper fungus control, lawn fungus can spread and effectively kill an entire lawn.

Preventing fungus growth and turf diseases is in many ways just an extension of proper turf care. Aeration and irrigation, proper fertilizing, regular mowing and general turf maintenance may be enough to prevent quite a few types of fungus. However, once a fungus has appeared, the method of treatment should quickly shift to fungus control rather than general maintenance. Depending on the fungus in question, its spread may be gradual, but can be expedited by rain, mowing, wind, and more. 

At Maier Tree and Lawn, our fungus control methods are fast and effective in order to preserve the lasting health of your turf. Lawn fungus can be resilient and stubborn, and if you don’t remove it completely, it can return with a vengeance. With our expertly applied fungicides and careful mechanical treatments, you can rest assured that your lawn will be rendered fungus-free in short order.

If you’re in need of fungus control on your Winona, MN, property, contact our lawn fungus experts today for additional information on mitigation, lawn care, and complete fungus removal. Winona, MN, area residents can call us at (507) 454-7000 or directly online.

Like people, trees are susceptible to illness and disease. And like human diseases, tree diseases can quickly spread from tree to tree. While some trees manage to escape the worst of a disease, others prove more vulnerable. Protecting your Winona, MN, trees from diseases requires a fair amount of vigilance, especially if the disease in question is a fast-moving fungal one such as oak wilt. Our tree disease experts at Maier Tree and Lawn urge homeowners to keep their eyes peeled for signs of oak wilt so that if it occurs our tree health experts can step in and ensure a full recovery.

What trees are at risk for oak wilt?

As the disease’s name implies, oak trees are the primary targets for this particular fungal strain. Red oaks are the most vulnerable, but white oaks can also be afflicted with oak wilt. Depending on the species of oak, the apparent symptoms may vary slightly or even quite significantly. Oak trees that are growing close to each other may also be at risk of spreading oak wilt depending on their underlying root structure. Staying on top of any visible signs is especially vital if you have a tree grove or a lot of trees on your property.

What are the signs of oak wilt?

Oak wilt is transported primarily via the internal water transport systems of your trees. This means that it can spread very quickly and lead to wilting and discoloration. The wilting can occur as quickly as in four to five weeks. The tree’s leaves may turn brown or bronze starting from the outside and then inward. The leaves may also begin to drop as the tree becomes more ill.

What should you do if you spot symptoms of oak wilt?

As soon as any symptoms are spotted, it’s important to act. Tree diseases such as oak wilt kill thousands of trees a year, and depending on the proximity and species of the trees on your property, it may spread rapidly among more than a single tree. Plus, oak wilt can also be transmitted via insects, which means that homeowners should not prune during the growing season. Immediately calling a tree disease professional after identifying a symptom of oak wilt is the best way to protect all of your trees.

If you’re concerned that an oak tree on your Winona, MN, property has been impacted by oak wilt, call Maier Tree and Lawn today. Our tree disease experts can help evaluate and treat your trees, no matter their current condition. Call us at (507) 454-7000 or visit our website for more information.