Maier Tree & Lawn News

Summer lawn care can feel like an uphill battle for states with widely varying temperatures like Minnesota. Winona, MN residents dedicated to lawn care are likely used to fighting back against blistering summers and frigid winters with all the resources at their disposal, but sometimes it’s hard to tell if you’re helping or hurting your lawn in adverse weather conditions. The lawn care professionals here with Maier Tree & Lawn can spot healthy grass in every season, and with a careful eye you can learn to judge when your lawn is just playing it safe or when it’s really in danger from the elements.

Grass, like any other plant, goes through cycles of growth. There may be times of the year when your grass looks a little duller, feels a bit different, or grows at different rates. But even with minor variations, healthy grass is still usually pretty easy to spot with the naked eye. A vibrant green color, thick coverage, and no obvious signs of discoloration are great starting points for lawn care enthusiasts. But this game of I Spy gets a little tougher in the summer when everything is hotter and drier.

When it comes to healthy grass in the summer it can be difficult to differentiate between what is some unavoidable summer wear and tear and what’s an actual risk factor. Large brown spots are an obvious worry, but what about a little yellowness or a few brown patches here and there? If you’re having a tough time visually, don’t be afraid to test the soil by hand. If it feels dry with the grass rooted to it deeply, you may be dealing with drought conditions.

The obvious solution would be to water more, but maintaining healthy grass isn’t always that simple. You may need to devise a watering schedule that is more effective based upon the weather, or you may not be watering slowly and deeply enough on a regular basis. Ultimately, if you’ve already increased your watering amounts during your lawn care routine and are still finding trouble spots, it may be a great time to consult a professional.

Drought conditions can be a lawn killer in Winona, MN, especially if you don’t treat the symptoms when you see them. If you’re committed to keeping healthy grass and are interested in receiving professional lawn care assistance, call us today at (507) 454-7000 or by visiting our website here.

For Winona, MN residents perfecting their personal landscaping goals, tree transplanting may be on your major to-do list, and thanks to the work of the modern tree health professionals at Maier Tree and Lawn, tree transplanting isn’t necessarily a death wish for your trees that need relocation. However, that doesn’t mean the process is foolproof.

Knowing what “transplant shock” looks like after moving a tree can help you ensure your newly relocated tree lives well and has the chance to take root.

After a tree has been transplanted in its new location, it’s always wise to watch it a little more closely. It’s difficult to transplant a healthy tree without inducing some measure of stress, and the same care your older trees get might not be enough for a young, transplanted tree. Signs of degrading tree health should be nipped in the bud quickly to prevent a slow decline from spiraling out of control.

Signs of declining tree health due to transplant shock include wilting leaves, premature coloring, stunted floral growth, and browning leaves and leaf tips. These signs may come on quickly after tree transplanting, and if they’re not treated, they could get worse. In some cases, optimal tree health may not be regained for several years after the transplant. That doesn’t mean it’s impossible, but it can be a long journey.

If you notice signs of transplant shock, contact tree health specialists to evaluate the next steps to help your tree revitalize itself in its new home. The solution may be more direct care such as additional watering or mulch installation. But, in some cases, it may require replanting the tree entirely. If the chosen spot doesn’t suit your tree’s nutritional needs, a better location could be the solution your tree needs in the end.

If you have a tree on your Winona, MN property that you’d like transplanted, or if you’re seeing signs of poor tree health after a tree transplant has been completed, call Maier Tree and Lawn today at (507) 454-7000 for tree care assistance. For additional information, visit our website here.

Fertilizing is one of those lawn care processes that seems like it should be simple but tends to conceal complex layers under the surface. For instance, for Rochester, MN lawn care novices, it may seem simplest to just fertilize your lawn every season to make sure it soaks up all the nutrients it possibly can! But unfortunately, it’s not quite that straightforward. Sure, nutrients are great, but if applied at an inopportune time, the fertilizer may not be helping as much as it could. The lawn care professionals here at Maier Tree & Lawn encourage personalizing the timing of your fertilizing to match your lawn and maximize your lawn care effectiveness.

Some property owners never make the effort to keep their lawns fertilized because they find it tedious, messy, or overly time-consuming. What they don’t realize is that they’re missing out on a very effective way to cut down how much care and repair your lawn will need over time.  Living in a harsh climate like Minnesota means that sometimes your lawn may need a little boost, and fertilizing is a great way to get a jump-start on year-round health.

Depending upon the type of grass you’re growing, it may benefit from early spring fertilizing, late spring fertilizing, summer fertilizing, or fall fertilizing. But it might not get the same boost from all of them. Generally, early spring and fall fertilizing are a great choice because they build the grass up after winter and prepare it for the freeze respectively.

It’s important to remember that when it comes to fertilizing, what works for your lawn care routine may not work for someone else’s. If you think you missed the perfect window to fertilize this spring, don’t fret! The lawn care professionals with Maier Tree & Lawn can help you analyze your Rochester, MN lawn and decide on a fertilizing routine that suits you perfectly. For questions about personalized lawn care or fertilizing techniques, call Maier Tree & Lawn at (507) 286-8733 or visit our website here for additional information.

The time of year for record heat is upon us in Winona, MN, which means sweltering temperatures have arrived for people and plants alike. Local residents may be eager to spend time in the cool shade of their trees, but don’t forget that those trees are bearing the brunt of that heat all summer long. Even the sturdiest trees can suffer ill-effects from hot weather, and without proper attention, too much heat can become deadly. If your trees are suffering from drought stress, contact the tree care experts at Maier Tree and Lawn for assistance to ensure your trees survive and thrive.

Some symptoms your trees may exhibit when suffering from drought stress include wilting leaves, fading colors, extreme browning and dry spots, and foliage loss. Some, if not all of these symptoms can be mistaken for early signs of tree death, but that’s not always the case! If you notice any of these signs during your tree care routine, your trees may be suffering from drought stress and require immediate attention.

As you may have guessed, providing adequate water is a big part of fighting back against drought stress. A little bit of sprinkling here and there, however, might not be enough to reverse the damage. Start by making sure you’re watering at the most effective times. Watering your trees during the peak heat of the day may seem like the best time, but due to the high temperatures, much of that water will evaporate before it has a chance to help. Watering during cool times of the day such as early morning or late evening are best and making sure to water the area around the tree thoroughly can help tremendously to maintain adequate moisture retention.

You can also help your tree by ensuring it’s not overworking itself to get nutrients and water. If mulch surrounds the tree, saturate it so the water will be available to your tree throughout the day. If there are lots of other plants surrounding the drought stressed tree, consider moving them to prevent competition. If your attempts to aid the tree aren’t helping, reach out for professional tree care assistance. The best way to fight back when your tree is showing serious signs of drought stress is to contact tree care professionals quickly before the damage becomes worse.

If you notice your Winona, MN trees are exhibiting signs of drought stress or other worrying symptoms during your tree care process, call Maier Tree and Lawn today at (507) 454-7000 or visit our website here for more information.

It’s not just humans that suffer during extreme summer heat in Rochester, MN. The recent influx of high temperatures in the northern states spells trouble for just about everyone and everything spending time in the great outdoors, and that includes your trees. During periods of high temperatures, our tree health experts here at Maier Tree and Lawn encourage tree care enthusiasts to pay careful attention to their trees, especially if you seek to prevent serious summer damage from settling in anytime soon.

During a heat wave it’s wise to watch for signs of heat damage during your regular tree care routine to help ensure your trees survive the summer scorch. The most obvious sign of heat trouble is wilted leaves. Wilt is generally caused by a lack of adequate water, and with extreme temperatures, your normal watering schedule may not be enough. Wilting can lead to browning, and browning leads to leaf-loss and, unsightly trees. It’s wise to add a tree health check to your daily routine just to keep an eye out for wilt or browning during the summer months.

Even if your trees are looking plenty healthy, you should consider implementing preventative measures. This may include introducing temporary shade to your lawn, adding mulch or other materials to absorb heat more effectively, or simply increasing your watering schedule temporarily. The proper tree health solution will depend on the type of tree you own and the extent of the damage that has already been caused. To prevent heat damage to your trees this summer, consult the tree health experts at Maier Tree and lawn to find out the proper tree care plan for your property.

If your trees survived the brutal Rochester, MN winter in one piece there’s no reason they shouldn’t be able to power through a little extra heat. For more information on summer tree care or emergency summer tree health tips, contact Maier Tree and Lawn today at (507) 454-7000 or by visiting us here.

Winona, MN residents with a ‘green thumb’ are at least somewhat in tune with the growth of their plants year-round. The cyclical nature of familiar plants can be predicted merely with exposure. With a little experience, predicting their next stage of plant growth becomes fairly simple. However, living in a heavily varying climate means that plant growth doesn’t always go as expected. The horticultural experts at Maier Tree and Lawn don’t just understand the natural cycles of your plants, but they also utilize growing degree days in order to schedule and apply care whenever and however it’s most effective. This means happy plants, happy gardeners, and a beautiful looking lawn all throughout the growing season.

Growing degree days are a way to calculate the pace at which your plants will grow. GDDs are calculated using an equation that takes into account average temperatures, predicted temperatures, and the temperatures at which plants are most predisposed towards growth. This means that even if temperatures are different than predicted, or different from previous years, your plants’ growth can still be predicted and thus catered to appropriately.

Using growing degree days, our experts can determine when and how to best cultivate plant growth and sustain long term health for a variety of plant types. By predicting a plant’s next step, we can step away or give extra care as needed rather than relying solely on guesswork. For some plant life, this can be the difference between thriving and shriveling young.

Along with promoting general plant health, the horticultural experts with Maier Tree and Lawn utilize growing degree days in order to apply insecticides and other preventative measures and treatments. Since insect activity also related to the stage that your plants are currently in, growing degree days allow professionals to apply treatment at the right moment to maximize effectiveness.

If you’re interested in taking advantage of growing degree days in Winona, MN, or are looking for advice on sustaining consistent plant growth on your property, contact the horticultural professionals with Maier Tree and Lawn today at (507) 454-7000 or by visiting our website here for more information.

The best-known basics of lawn care pretty much include watering, fertilizing, and weeding. Beyond that, many Rochester, MN residents new to the process (or even veterans who stick with the tried and true) may not be familiar with what else they can do in order to maintain a healthy, attractive lawn. The lawn care professionals with Maier Tree & Lawn stand by the power of the basics, but if you’re looking to bump your lawn care to the next level, lawn aeration may be a great next step.

Lawn aeration isn’t a particularly rare form of lawn care in the Midwest, but even if you’ve seen it in progress, it doesn’t mean you’re necessarily familiar with all of the benefits it presents. Lawn aeration promotes root growth, breaks up soil compaction, reduces thatch, and allows more oxygen and water to make its way down to needy roots. It’s also great to have as an option when you live in a state that suffers from intense, drawn-out winters.

Residing in the Northern Midwest makes lawn aeration all the more essential. Long, intense winters can do a real number on even the sturdiest lawn, and a season spent under heavy snow can contribute to soil compaction. Come spring, your lawn may be more than ready for a little TLC. Aeration could be the difference between slow, arduous growth and lush lawns.

Lawn aeration is best done during major growing seasons, which means that early spring is a great time to get on board. While you’re easing back into your warm-weather lawn care, consider introducing lawn aeration into the mix. If you’re interested in taking the next step for your Rochester, MN lawn, contact Maier Tree & Lawn today for additional information. Call us at (507) 286-8733 or by visiting our website here.

Winona, MN has had some unseasonably wild April weather already this year. Along with the heavy snow, there’s also been a fair share of high winds. Though most residents can avoid the worst of this by bunking down under the covers, trees don’t have such a luxury. After a storm hits your area, our tree care experts with Maier Tree & Lawn encourage all tree lovers to perform a welfare check after the storm clouds clear away to make sure your trees are in tip-top shape.

Storms can be bad news for tree care even if they aren’t especially strong. A single gust can take down unsteady limbs, which can lead to further damage down the tree. Because of this, you should never walk underneath your trees during a major storm. It may seem like a refuge from heavy snow or rain, but in the right circumstances, it could be extremely dangerous. Tree damage can be hard to identify in clear conditions, let alone rough weather. Instead of leaving it to chance, keep a wide berth and wait for the winds to settle.

After the storm passes and it’s no longer risky to go outside, perform a welfare check from a safe distance. A basic welfare check for tree damage should be purely visual. Take note of obvious damage and breaks and make a note of things you’d like to ask a tree care professional. Tree damage may not always be obvious to the naked eye, but often a visual check is enough to tell that something is seriously wrong.

If your tree has been broken or is leaning in a precarious manner after a storm, call for tree care assistance immediately. Unfortunately, tree removal may be your only option in some cases of major tree damage, but there may be more options if the tree is mostly intact. If the tree is still in a dangerous state, then keep your distance until further assistance can be contacted.

If a tree on your Winona, MN property has been impacted by significant or minor tree damage, contact the tree care professionals with Maier Tree & Lawn to discuss options for your tree. Call today at (507) 454-7000 or by visiting our website here for more information.

Winter tree care in Rochester, MN can be a challenge because of how intense and long Minnesota winters can really be. There are many “tree hacks” that people employ to protect their trees through the icy months, but there’s no guarantee that even the best preparations can help once the deep freeze settles in. The question is, since maintaining overall tree health is so tough in the winter, how can you tell if your winter efforts actually paid off come spring? The tree care professionals with Maier Tree & Lawn advocate for an in-depth spring checkup for any trees that you have lingering concerns about; even after the temperature begins creeping above freezing.

Tree care as a process is generally pretty hands off because trees are fairly self-sufficient organisms that usually fare pretty well on their own. However, because people tend to plant trees with aesthetics in mind instead of core tree health, sometimes even the sturdiest trees can suffer from a life planted in an unfamiliar habitat. Spring checkups are a great way to involve yourself in the health of your trees without becoming a full-time arborist.

Some signs that your trees may need a checkup include discoloration, slow growth, and other physical signs of distress. For instance, trees have a natural rhythm to regaining their foliage, if one tree is far behind the others it may be a cause for concern. Dead branches and irregular growth can be cause for concern as well. You don’t have to be a tree health professional to sense that something looks a little wrong, so take your concerns seriously and direct them to the people who are trained in tree health.

Regardless of whether you’re new to tree care or a long-time hobbyist, being able to thoroughly evaluate the health of your trees is best left to tree health specialists. Despite the simplistic nature of trees, there are still many subtle and intricate signs that may indicate various health concerns. Take note of any issues that you see, but don’t feel like you have to solve the puzzle of what’s wrong on your own.

Rochester, MN residents who are concerned with post-winter damage to their trees can contact the tree care professionals here with Maier Tree & Lawn today. Call us at (507) 286-8733 or by visiting our website here for additional information on tree health and tree care.

Spring is a great time for tree care hobbyists in Winona, MN to evaluate the health of their trees. These tree care evaluations can include anything from eyeing them for a little trimming all the way to removing trees entirely. Though it can be a tough call to make, it’s possible that the rough Minnesota winter has rendered some trees hazardous and because of this, it would be safer to have them professionally evaluated and removed. If you’re starting the spring tree care season with some reservations about your hazard trees, the tree care experts with Maier Tree & Lawn have a few pointers of what to look for when deciding who should stay and who should go.

When you’re trying to identify hazard trees, start by looking for obvious structural damage. If you see branches hanging askew or entire sections looking lopsided, make a note and keep an eye on the spot. Depending upon the size of the tree it can be difficult to determine what makes a hazard tree and what is just a few damaged limbs but making notes of these things is useful for tree care professionals as well. Always be sure to play it safe though and avoid walking beneath the loose looking sections.

If there’s no obvious damage, the next step is to check for unusual leaning or swaying. Hazard trees are often identifiable by their lack of sturdiness in adverse weather. If you have a big old tree that seems to be shifting in the breeze, be sure to contact a tree care professional with your concerns ASAP. A wiggly tree is one thing; a downed tree on your car is another.

If you can’t quite pinpoint the issue and you’re concerned that the damage is more internal, you could also do a simple knock test to check for hollow or soft spots. This process can be difficult to do without experience and sometimes problem spots can be subtle. As soon as you feel like something is off during the tree care process, consider contacting a professional familiar with signs of hazard trees.

Hazard trees can be unpredictable, and with the windy spring weather coming into Winona, MN soon, be sure to deal with it sooner rather than later! If you’ve noticed an odd spot, hanging branches, or other signs that a tree on your property may be hazardous, contact Maier Tree & Lawn today at (507) 454-7000 or by visiting our website here for more information.