Maier Tree & Lawn News

With fall rolling in, winter is just around the corner in Winona, MN. Though last year’s winter wasn’t as brutal as it could have been, that doesn’t mean the northern states aren’t in for a doozy this time around, and that includes their trees as well. Trees are notoriously able to withstand extreme weather, but for Winona area residents new to tree care, watching your beloved trees get pummeled by freezing rain, sleet, and wet, heavy snow isn’t exactly a fun way to spend a season. Here are a few Maier Tree and Lawn recommended methods for preparing your trees for the wintery madness.

Winter tree care isn’t terribly different from tree care throughout the rest of the year thanks to the self-sufficient qualities that hardy, regional trees possess. These trees are naturally prepared for extended periods of dormancy, so even significant leaf-loss and exposure to ice aren’t necessarily a detriment to their systems. However, as their tree care advocates, there are still plenty of things you can do to support them until spring. For instance, many tree consulting services recommend performing winter maintenance on your trees such as pruning and examinations.

Because of the natural cycle of trees, winter is the best time to really get a good look at them. A lack of foliage allows you to get up close and personal to the branches and trunk in a way that you can’t always do in other seasons. They might not be as pretty around this time, but it’s an opportunity to spot tree defects such as weak branch unions or areas that could use some winter pruning. If there are any discolored patches, dead branches, buggy-nests, or other signs of damage, they’ll likely be much easier to spot. The best thing you can do for your trees is report these issues as soon as you spot them. Relying on a tree consulting service during the winter is a great way to ensure your trees will be sturdier come spring.

If you’re trying to maximize the benefits of tree care, all you really need to do is take action and stay vigilant. It’s all too easy to be dormant yourself just because you know that your trees happen to be resting. Don’t be afraid to schedule some trimming while the shape of the tree is especially obvious. Request an overall checkup from a tree consulting service as soon as those leaves are done falling.

Winona, MN, residents looking for assistance from a tree consulting service can contact the tree care experts at Maier Tree and Lawn at (507) 454-7000, or visit our website for more information.

Winter in Winona, MN, can be tough on your trees, sometimes even in ways that you don’t expect. Being a tree owner in the winter months can feel like a bit of a vacation from more hands-on spring, fall, and summer tree care, but the reality is that your trees are just as susceptible to tree damage if not more so in the midst of winter storms.

Maier Tree and Lawn’s tree care professionals are experts at identifying and rectifying severe and moderate tree damage. Your job as a tree owner is to understand when you can take measures yourself and when it’s time to ask for help.

Physical damage from wind is a very real possibility during the winter months just as it is in other seasons with turbulent weather. Though you may not have to contend with tornadoes during the snowy seasons, there are still plenty of high-powered storms that pack a hefty punch. Your trees may lose bark, branches, or even sustain significant trunk damage. Even if you aren’t dealing with a full-fledged blizzard, winter winds still have enough push and pull to do some serious damage.

Winter tree damage is possible even without strong winds thanks to extremely low temperatures and ice buildup. Both of these can contribute to damage to the flesh or roots of the tree or lead to excessive dryness and breakages. Though trees do achieve some level of dormancy (depending upon the species), that doesn’t make them entirely invulnerable to severe weather. This type of tree damage can occur rather suddenly as the temperatures drop, and can be intensified by the addition of heavy snow.

While snow may appear soft and fluffy, it’s easy to forget how much sheer water weight it can contain. A light dusting won’t have much of an impact on your tree care needs, but once it starts to pile up, tree damage can occur rather quickly. Brittle branches can bend quickly under increasing weight, and smaller trees can even sway or fall under extreme snow conditions. Spotting these symptoms early is vital for keeping all of your trees upright and healthy.

If your Winona, MN, area trees have been impacted by winter tree damage or you’re in need of expert cold-weather tree care, contact Maier Tree and Lawn at (507) 454-7000 or visit our website for more information today. Breaks and cracks aren’t necessarily a death sentence for trees, but getting them the tree care they need can help ensure they survive until spring returns.

The weeks before winter sets in can feel like a delicate time for lawn care in Rochester, MN. Homeowners have to balance proper care and watering with freezing temperatures, and it can feel like snow will fall at any moment. However, when it comes to lawn aeration with Maier Tree and Lawn, fitting it in during the autumn months can be a great way to help your lawn retain nutrients through the upcoming cold season.

For the uninitiated, aeration is a lawn care process that helps relieve compacted lawns by manually adding a little “breathing” room. By removing small plugs of soil from your lawn, you can effectively give beneficial nutrients a way to seep deeply into the turf which will help the grass to flourish. Depending upon the type of soil in your lawn, aeration may be a once-a-year project.

The aeration process is great to do in the fall because it can help strengthen your lawn in preparation for the winter. An overly compacted lawn can increase the risk of improper draining, dryness, or even grass death due to inadequate nutrients. Aeration is a great way to give your lawn every advantage before the harsh winter sets in.

Along with eliminating compacted soil, aeration can increase the potential for nutrients in your lawn thanks to additional access points to the roots. It’s best to plan aeration after a peak growing period and before dormancy whenever possible to maximize the benefits of the process. However, like many aspects of lawn care, this timeline is a little flexible. If you’re not sure if aeration is right for your lawn, consulting a lawn care professional first is a great way to ensure you’re doing everything you can to help your lawn flourish after winter melts away.

If you’re interested in the benefits of aeration for your Rochester, MN lawn and are looking to update your lawn care techniques, contact Maier Tree and Lawn today for additional information at (507) 286-8733, or by visiting our website here.

When you live in Winona, MN, it’s easy to find solace in the fact that a good old-fashioned Minnesota winter can kill just about any pest under the sun. When it comes to certain tree pests, like the prolific emerald ash borer, your trees might not be so lucky. At Maier Tree and Lawn, we’ve seen the type of damage that emerald ash borers can do, and unfortunately, they may still be able to cause that damage after winter melts away.

Emerald ash borers are a sturdy sort of tree pest. Their ability to burrow deep into the flesh of trees plus their hibernation cycle allows them to survive in your trees through the winter. Even worse, a tough winter could actually be bad news for your trees in the years to come. Similar to how antibiotics can lose effectiveness over time, a brutal winter will only kill the borers that cannot withstand severe temperatures, allowing the hardier bugs that survive to pass along those traits through breeding. Assuming that winter will take care of your tree pests without further investigation will not only potentially doom your trees but may in fact be dooming other trees down the line.

With this is mind, tree enthusiasts looking to prevent these stubborn pests may want to familiarize themselves with the signs and symptoms of an emerald ash borer infestation. Spotting these signs in fall and winter means keeping your eyes open for subtle indicators of poor health that may be difficult to discern during the summer months when there’s an abundance of foliage. Bark splitting, S-shapes under the bark of your trees, and increased woodpecker activity may all be signs of impending trouble.

If your trees are infested with emerald ash borers, they can die within two to four years unless interventive steps are taken. Infestations can spread from tree to tree and even through the transportation of firewood, which becomes all the more relevant during the cold winter months.

If you’re concerned your Winona, MN, trees are showing signs of an emerald ash borer infestation, have them inspected immediately by our tree pest professionals. Call Maier Tree and Lawn at (507) 454-7000 or visit our website for more information on tree pests and how to fight back against the dreaded emerald ash borer.

Native Minnesota trees are generally a hardy bunch having flourished in the harsh, fast-changing weather of the north. Even the sturdiest trees, however, can fall victim to the wide variety of environmental risks a true Minnesota winter offers. With winter looming, protecting your trees is as much about thinking ahead as it is reacting to issues as they arise. The tree care professionals at Maier Tree and Lawn want your trees to be ready for anything that winter in Winona, MN, can throw at them, and with professional tree consulting services, you can prepare for the worst and work to ensure the best.

Professional tree consulting services can cover any number of topics. It may be that one of your trees is looking a little droopy or discolored. Perhaps you’re tired of your trees not making it through the winter, or frustrated with local wildlife munching away at bark and low hanging branches all year long. Regardless of the specificity of your concerns, an effective tree consultation session will leave you with a much better sense of how you can keep your trees intact and healthy in every season. Preparing for harsh weather is an excellent reason to schedule a professional tree consultation.

You may have a variety of trees on your property that ranges from different species and ages to different levels of overall health. Even if the trees in question are well suited to winter, they may still be in danger of unexpected winter damage. New, young trees are especially susceptible to environmental damage such as freezing, wind damage, or snow-related breakage, but this type of damage is not exclusive to trees in the early stages of growth. Our tree care professionals are trained to help you pinpoint the support that all your trees will need to make it through the freezing months ahead.

If you’re concerned about the trees on your Winona, MN, property, contact our tree care professionals at Maier Tree and Lawn today for tree consulting services. For additional information on effective winter tree care, please give us a call at (507) 454-7000 or by visiting our website here.

The fight against the emerald ash borer population continues in Rochester, MN, as numbers rise in borer-impacted communities. According to recent Minnesota news, not only have the pests been identified in several Rochester communities, but the cost of fighting them continues to increase as well. Tree mortality rates due to emerald ash borer infestations are also going up which means tree owners should consult Maier Tree and Lawn’s tree pest removal professionals as soon as symptoms become apparent.

For Rochester area tree owners, an increase in emerald ash borer identification means that caution while working with and transporting wood is essential. Tree pests can be transferred from place to place via chopped wood or tree debris. Spreading emerald ash borers in this manner can ultimately lead to extensive tree damage and death. If you purchase, sell, or in any way handle wood, be sure to confirm that it has been properly cleared of any signs of tree pests.

Ash trees continue to be popular among urban areas in Minnesota, making up nearly 15% of all trees in Rochester as of 2016. With this in mind and in order to stem the spread of emerald ash borers, all homeowners should be vigilant about checking trees for signs of tree pests. Be sure to alert the proper authorities if signs of borers are spotted in your area as identification is the first step towards eradication. Be on the lookout for burrowing, damage to the trunk, or visible borers in your trees.

For information on how to treat your trees for pest infestation or how to fight back against emerald ash borers, contact Maier Tree and Lawn at (507) 286–8733 or visit our page on pest consultations. Protecting your trees means protecting every tree in your yard, neighborhood, and city. Be sure to check here for future updates on the emerald ash borer population in Rochester, MN.

Autumn can be a tough time to identify risks to your Rochester, MN area trees. The transitional nature of autumn means that colors will be changing, leaves will be dropping, and everything will be getting a bit brown. If your trees also happen to develop a tree pest problem, you might miss the signs without even realizing there are signs to miss. Maier Tree and Lawn’s tree care professionals offer these autumn tips to spotting tree pests even when everything in your yard is in a state of fall flux.

There will indeed be a lot of changing colors and dropping leaves in the autumn, but the rapidity in which your tree is transitioning can sometimes be cause for concern, especially if that transition is paired with rapid leaf loss. If you notice that leaves are browning and dropping at an alarming rate, it may be a sign of declining tree health or stress. However, depending upon your familiarity with the tree in question, you may not notice if the rate of transition is any faster or slower than previous years. If you’re still not sure, start to watch for other signs of potential tree pests.

If everything looks good in terms of leaves, the next tree care stop is the bark and trunk. Discolored bark, odd “bald” spots, and visible rot are all signs that something is amiss, but collections of small holes or burrows should be cause for alarm as well. Borers are a category of tree pest that, true to their name, bore into trees. Trees infected with certain types of borers, such as the emerald ash borer, may not survive longer than five years after infection. If you happen to spot some oddities in the bark of a tree, don’t hesitate to reach out to tree care professionals for a second opinion.

Regardless of the autumn signs you spot, you should never feel afraid to ask for a second opinion. Autumn in Rochester, MN is a time of change, and it can feel like it goes by in a blink. If you think you may have a tree with declining health, the tree care professionals with Maier Tree and Lawn are here to offer their expert eyes. Rochester, MN locals can call us at (507) 286–8733 or visit our website.

The word fungus has a lot of connotations when it comes to home and lawn care, and none of them are especially pleasant. Most Winona, MN, area residents will conjure images of mushrooms, mold, and any number of odd growths when fungus is mentioned, but unfortunately it can be much subtler than a large capped mushroom towering over your grass. As soon as symptoms appear, fast-acting fungus control from Maier Tree and Lawn is vital in order to maintain the look, feel, and overall health of your lawn.

Fungus control can become necessary relatively unexpectedly during your normal lawn care process. Spore growth can occur after a long rainy period, a drought, an overly close mow, and in the event of compacted soil as well as in other scenarios besides. If that sounds like a lot of causes, it’s because there are a lot of causes! Fungal spores are hardy and spread easily, which means that a little bit of growth can expand quite quickly into a lawn care hazard.

Along with the environmental causes, some types of turf are more susceptible to fungal growth than others. If you end up needing fungal control on a regular basis, you might have grass that isn’t especially suitable for the conditions on your property. But whether fungus is a recurring issue or a one-time problem, fungal control experts should be contacted quickly to assess and address the spore growth before it gets worse. If your grass is indeed ill-suited to your property, the lawn care professionals can help you determine what steps to take to rectify your fungal conundrum.

It’s also key to remember that fungus is a lawn care issue that can be difficult to pinpoint, thanks to the many forms it can take. It might appear reddish or rusty in color, white and ringed, or can manifest as patches of yellow and brown. To the untrained eye, some types of lawn fungus may just look like a dry patch. Some of the giveaways of a real fungal problem are if that spot seems to spread, change color, or have a noticeable slippery or slimy texture. Plus, even if you aren’t sure about that odd spot on your lawn, it’s never a bad idea to confer with a lawn care professional.

If you’ve noticed signs and symptoms of fungal growth during your lawn care routine, be sure to contact the fungus control professionals at Maier Tree and Lawn. Lawn fungus doesn’t have to plague your grass forever, and the experts at our Winona, MN, branch are trained and ready to help you “de-fungus” your lawn today. Call us at (507) 454-7000 or visit our website for more information.

There are probably plenty of reasons why you haven’t had that sick tree removed from your Winona, MN, lawn: lack of time, indecision on whom to contact, or perhaps, lingering attachment to the tree that has yet to completely die. But a dying tree isn’t necessarily a lost cause. Leaving it to its own devices may seem easier at first thought, but as more time passes, the potential risk factors that a dying tree poses can increase. And if a tree is lagging or is simply a little under the weather, ignoring those symptoms can seal the tree’s fate. Relying on the Maier Tree and Lawn tree care professionals to discern, diagnose, and treat your trees is the perfect way to help spruce up your trees and nurse them back into tip-top shape.

Expert tree care can accomplish several goals at once. Not only does it restore a healthy look to your yard, but it also helps ensure that your property is safe for visitors and family members alike. It can be difficult to tell at a glance, but sick trees may have interior decay and structural weaknesses, causing instability. Depending on how long the tree has been sick and its location on your property, it could also be a potential fire risk. Having your sick tree evaluated can alleviate those risks, including additional side effects that the sickness may be triggering.

Sick trees can also be something of an attraction for all manner of pests—burrowing, infesting, or roosting on the branches. Whatever is killing the tree in the first place may still be alive and thriving inside. This may encourage these types of unwelcome visitors to set their sights on the dying tree as well as other nearby trees and plants. Without intervention, pest and fungus infestations can spread fast when sick trees are in the equation. Tree care and mitigation can kill pests before they spread and potentially even give your tree a chance to bounce back.

Regardless of how long the tree in question has been sick, it’s important to remember that extensive tree care should not be attempted without the assistance of a professional. A professional consultation not only ensures that the sick tree is treated safely, but it’s also the perfect chance to get tips on how to keep your trees healthy and intact for as long as possible.

Even if you thought that sick tree was done for, there might be a chance that recovery is possible. Tree care professionals can evaluate the state of the tree and the potential risks it poses while considering options for possible recovery. Instead of allowing dying trees to dictate the overall health of your yard, contact the tree care professionals with Maier Tree and Lawn today. Winona, MN, area residents with tree care needs can call at (507) 454-7000 or visit our website here for additional information.

Keeping a lawn healthy year-round can be a bit of a struggle for Rochester, MN, area homeowners. There are a multitude of factors that go into well-maintained grass and turf, and sometimes long bouts of dry or excessively hot weather can leave your lawn looking wilted or a little worse for the wear. Spotting signs of health trouble for your grass is sometimes straightforward, but getting the treatment you need requires a little bit of know-how and enough concern to request a visit from the lawn care professionals with Maier Tree and Lawn.

One of the simplest visual indicators of lawn health is tied directly to color. The color of your grass likely goes through a variety of hues throughout the year, but sudden or drastic color shifts may be indicative of an underlying issue. Yellow patches, brown spots, or even unusual grayish hues can all be signs of poor grass health. Even one or two spots that appear dead or dying could be a precursor to a long-lasting, frustrating lawn care conundrum. Having a lawn care expert check out unexpected changes is a great way to prevent a small brown spot from becoming unmanageable.

Another indicator of problems that sometimes goes unnoticed is feel. This might be the blades of the grass feeling dry or brittle, certain patches feeling slimy to the touch, or it could be an odd, mushy spot in the soil that is signaling something amiss under the surface. This doesn’t necessarily mean that you need to go around petting your lawn to check for good grass health, but it also isn’t something to ignore when encountered. Following up on irregularities is a vital tenet of long-lasting lawn care.

And finally, a surge of visible insects on your lawn are a pretty obvious sign that you have a pest problem, but it might not always be that clear. Instead of seeing the perpetrators themselves, you might be faced with the results of their attraction to your lawn. Depending on the type of grass you keep and the time of year, the actual culprit can vary, but some of the side effects of a pest problem are fairly consistent: webbing, thin sections, patchy dead spots, and occasionally, chewed-down crowns. Any irregularities that look somewhat gnawed are worth an investigation as pests don’t always tend to stay in one place.

Signs of declining grass health can be treated best if they’re caught early. Follow up your Rochester, MN, area lawn care concerns with the experts at Maier Tree and Lawn. Our professionals can be contacted regarding any questions and concerns at (507) 286–8733. Residents can also visit our website here for details on how to schedule a lawn care checkup appointment.