Tree Pruning Prevents Storm Damage

Prune problem areas: Remove deadwood, clear trees from your house, walks, pools and driveways. Thin crowns to decrease weight and wind resistance.

Prevent Winter Burn on Evergreens

Protect your evergreens from winter damage: Hollies, Rhododendrons and Azaleas are most at risk. Giroud's winter protectant forms a barrier to prevent moisture loss.

Looking for holiday gifts for tree lovers?

Here are a few unique gift ideas!

1. Plant trees: Give a membership to the Arbor Day Foundation and they can
   order 10 free trees, plus help trees get planted across the country, http://www.arborday.org/.


2. Donate to a local nature center: Great local options include: Pennypack Ecological Restoration Trust, http://www.pennypacktrust.org/, Churchville Nature Center, http://www.churchvillenaturecenter.org/, and Briar Bush Nature Center, http://www.briarbush.org/.


3. Give the gift of tree care: Contact Giroud today at 215-682-7704 or customerservice@giroudtree.com and we’ll be happy to prepare a Giroud Gift Certificate in the amount of your choice.

Protect Small Trees from Deer Damage

Small trees are a favorite target for deer. Between August and February, Trees with trunks that are up to 6" in diameter often sustain the worse damage from male deer rubbing their antlers on the trunks. You can protect your trees by installing plastic or wire fencing around the trunks of your small trees. Fencing is available at your local hardware store. Or, ask your Giroud Arborist and we will be happy to install it for you.

Fire Prevention--Trim Trees Away from Chimneys

It's time to get the home fires burning. Before you light your fireplace, step outside and check your chimney. Tree branches growing over your chimney may be a fire hazard. Ask your Giroud Arborist to prune branches away from your chimney to protect your home and the tree. (Pictured right: Branches growing near chimney are a fire hazard and should be trimmed back.)

Protect Evergreens from Winter Burn:

Prevent Winter Burn: Cold wind can suck the moisture from the leaves and needles on your evergreens. Azaleas, hollies and rhododendron are most susceptible but pines, hemlocks and yews can also be affected. Ask your arborist to apply an antidescicant to protect your evergreens.

Stop Deer Problems!

Are deer ruining your landscape? The prime time for deer damage is now through March. Protect your landscape by having Giroud apply a deer deterrent during the prime months. Giroud's deterrent is biodegradable, rain resistant and has a scent that is despised by deer but not offensive to humans. Ask your Giroud Arborist for more information. (Pictured at left: Deer feeding leaves bare branches on lower trunks of Arborvitae.

Fertilizer Helps Sick Trees

Build Energy Reserves with Fertilizer. A Fall injection of time-release fertilizer with vitamin complex stimulates root growth, improves root absorption capability and provides vital nutrients through the winter to get a strong start in the spring.

Prune trees now for health, beauty and safety

Fall is a great time to prune most trees. The risk of spreading disease is reduced and
the tree’s structure is more visible. A professional should remove deadwood,
eliminate crossed branches and establish a healthy growth pattern. Fall is also a good
time to elevate lower branches and prune trees away from houses, pools, driveways and walks.

Warning Signs of Tree Problems

Trees often advertise their problems as clearly as a billboard on I95. Are the leaves changing color too early? Are the branches bare at the tips? Do you see a lot of deadwood? These are just a few of the ways your tree can advertise that it’s in trouble.

Trees of the same type usually change color and drop their leaves at about the same time. For example, if you have three Maples in your yard and one begins changing color before the others, that tree probably has health issues.

Top 5 Fall Warning Signs
1. Die-back or deadwood
2. Decay
3. Early leaf drop or color change
4. Peeling bark
5. Leaves eaten or discolored

If you see any of these signs, please schedule an appointment with your Giroud Arborist. He will do a complete inspection to determine if action is necessary.

Unsightly Webs in Trees

Ugly, silken webs on trees in late summer and early fall are the calling card of Fall Web Worm. Birch, Walnut, Maple, Cherry and Crabapple trees are its favorite hosts. This pest usually eats leaves late in the season and can significantly defoliate a tree through repeated attacks. If your Giroud Arborist is concerned about potential damage, he will recommend treatment.

Early Warning Signs

Is your tree in distress? August is usually a great time to savor the last days of summer. Unfortunately, it’s also a time when trees show the first signs of distress.

Sycamores, Oaks, Maples and other hardwoods should be in full leaf and green through September. If a tree has health issues, fall may appear to come early. Here are the top three signs to watch for:
1. Premature color change
2. Early leaf drop
3. Branch die-back or Flagging

Root problems or diseases such as Anthracnose and Bacterial Leaf Scorch are the most likely culprits. Your Giroud Arborist can diagnose the cause and determine the best treatment.

Solving a tree problem with your neighbor

It’s a common problem. You share a tree with a neighbor. The tree is primarily in your neighbor’s yard but the problems are on your side of the property line. No matter how tempting, it’s always best to get your neighbor’s permission before taking any action on the tree.

Most shared tree problems fall into a few categories:

• Property Damage: The neighbor’s tree falls on your property


• Hazardous Trees: Dead, split or leaning tree that could damage your property if it falls


• Tree debris: Falling on your pool, patio or gutters


• Root encroachment: Roots lifting your driveway or sidewalk


• Eyesore/Poor Maintenance: Tree blocks your view or, puts too much shade on your gardens.

What can you do? “Start with a professional evaluation,” advises Lou Giroud, Giroud President. “As an ISA Certified Arborist, your Giroud Arborist is in the best position to assess the situation and give you a recommendation.” The next step is to reach out to your neighbor. “In working with 1,000’s of tree issues between neighbors,” explains Lou, “I’ve found that the best results are gained through friendly communication.”

• If your neighbor is approachable: Meet with them face to face to explain your concern and let them review your Giroud Arborist’s recommendation.
• If your neighbor is never home, write a friendly letter and ask them to call you.
• If your neighbor won’t respond, send a certified letter or hire an attorney who understands tree law.

For more information on solving shared tree issues, go to our website: www.giroudtree.com/seasonal.

Planning New Construction? Protect Your Trees!

If you are planning any kind of construction on your property, you need an Arborist Before Construction! Prized trees often decline and die within a few years after construction. Why? Soil compaction from heavy equipment; root damage from utility installation; and, changing the original grade are just some of the many abuses trees face during construction. (pictured right: Bark stripped from tree roots during construction has caused root damage and hazardous conditions)

You can avoid these problems by asking your Giroud Arborist to develop a plan to protect your favorite trees. He will:

• Evaluate the construction site.


• Determine trees most likely to be impacted.


• Recommend actions that may include simple protection measures, regrading, drainage systems and possibly tree removals.

For more information on protecting trees during construction go to: http://www.giroudtree.com/seasonal.htm

Think Thin and Trim!

Too much shade on your pool, patio or gardens? Are low hanging branches making your sidewalk or driveway an obstacle course? Discuss your problem areas with your Giroud Arborist. Tree elevation, thinning and selective pruning are just a few of the ways to make your property just the way you want it!

Big Trees in Trouble

Many Oaks, Ash and Sycamore are suffering from serious health problems. Giroud Arborists are particularly concerned about a growing incidence of fungus diseases such as Anthracnose and Bacterial Leaf Scorch. The warning signs include: early leaf drop, die back in the crown and off color or contorted leaves. If you spot these symptoms, please call us for an inspection.

(pictured right) Sycamore suffering from Anthracnose shows sparse leaf development and die-back in the crown.

Are your trees healthy?

Many homeowners are worried about their trees. You may see bare branches, bald crowns, lots of deadwood and sparse or small leaves. The culprit is a ghost from the past. The impact of last year’s drought is glaringly apparent now.

Bring your tree back to good health by:

• Having your Giroud Arborist inspect the tree and pinpoint the cause.
• Rebuilding the root system through soil amendments such as Giroud’s Vitamin Complex and/or Mycor injections.
• Watering deeply whenever there is low rainfall for extended periods.

How to mulch around a tree

Dressing your trees with Mulch: Mulch looks great around a tree. It also can provide healthful benefits.

The key is putting down the right amount of mulch in the right place. Spread the mulch so that it is no more than 2 inches high at the outer edge of the bed tapering down to flat around the trunk. Never mound mulch around the trunk! Use organic mulches rather than stone. These mulches provide the tree with nutrients as they break down overtime and also attract beneficial insects.

Tick Alert! Protect Your Family from Lyme Disease

Just when we’re enjoying the great outdoors, we need to be on high alert for ticks. These dangerous pests spread of Lyme Disease as well as other serious illnesses such as Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.

Ticks like the shade. They seek protection from the sun in ground level vegetation such as high grasses, underbrush, shrubs and woods.

You can protect your family from ticks and tick borne illnesses by having your Giroud Arborist inspect your property to identify high risk areas, cleaning-up shady tick habitats, deer repellant and tick control treatments.

For more information on tick control actions, ask your Giroud Arborist or go to: www.giroudtree.com/seasonal.htm.

Top 5 Pests of the Season!

Here are Giroud's Top 5 Pests for Summer

Ticks: Protect your family and pets from Lyme Disease. Giroud can help with pruning, perimeter clean-up and spray treatments now and again in the Fall.

Aphids: (pictured) Attack a variety of trees including Hemlocks, Spruce and Tulip Poplars. A professional diagnosis is critical before treating the tree.

Scale: Is a real heavyweight for damage. With 12 varieties of Scale, we must first identify the type of Scale to determine the best time for treatment.

Japanese Beetles: Swarms start in late June. If you are concerned about beetles, get on our schedule now. That way, we’ll be able to treat your property at the first sign of an outbreak.

Bagworms: Often mistaken for harmless cones, bagworms are irregular, loosely woven bags that harbor destructive pests. June is the best time for treatment.

Find out more at: www.giroudtree.com/seasonal.htm

Summer Storms--Protect Your Trees

High winds and pounding rain are not a good combination for trees. Storms expose any weakness in a tree. Trees that haven’t been professionally pruned can catch the wind like a sail and topple. Cracks open wide to split trees. Dead limbs snap and weak roots give way.

Homeowners can prevent storm damage by taking the following actions:

1. Start with a professional tree inspection: Spotting problems early is the main purpose of the inspection. Your Arborist will be looking for cracks, decay, excessive deadwood, structural defects and other problems that may require action.

2. Check tree roots for health problems: Look for warning signs such as mushrooms growing out of the root system, decayed roots or raised ground around the tree’s trunk. These signs often signal fungus diseases, root rot or soil compaction. Your Arborist may recommend fertilizing the tree in the Fall with a time release formula that stimulates root growth.

3. Install Cables or Bolts: Trees with multiple trunks or weakly attached limbs are prime targets for splitting. Cables or bolts should be installed to secure the limb or trunks. It’s essential that your Arborist chooses the right hardware and uses it in the right way to successfully brace the tree.

4. Have your trees professionally pruned: Pruning reduces the risk of storm damage from breakage and uprooted trees. Your professional Arborist should remove dead, rotted and weakly attached limbs. He should also thin the crown to reduce strain from wind and top heavy limbs.

5. Select Trees That Can Stand Up To Storms: Trees with genetically weak crotches like Bradford Pear, Ash and Mulberry are more likely to sustain damage in a storm. Trees that are known to be more storm resistant include Holly, White Oak, Bald Cypress and Linden.