- Bot canker on arborvitae. Been seeing a lot of bot this summer. http://yfrog.com/evz7qij http://yfrog.com/f1p85hj #
- Hard to see in pics, but this is fruiting body causing stress fractures. http://yfrog.com/5kwbloj http://yfrog.com/3v77cttj #
- Hard to see in pics, but this is fruiting body causing stress fractures. http://yfrog.com/159jnjj http://yfrog.com/507m6gj #
Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-10-11
- Mystery live oak problem shedding leaves http://yfrog.com/nacnkmj http://yfrog.com/5lqjyj http://yfrog.com/m9t7obj http://yfrog.com/6rzmhj #
- At the annual ISAT Texas Tree Conference in College Station: Trees Mean Business. http://yfrog.com/5pptacj http://yfrog.com/j7mi4kj #
- City of Pflugerville citizen Pforester class. Micah and Keith are teaching pruning and soil/fertilizer. http://yfrog.com/5ypbwhj #
- We removed a dying cottonwood for the Austin Symphony and they had this awesome carving done on the remaining stump http://yfrog.com/ca6t8cj #
- Micah manning the booth at the Austin apparently association expo @ parmer event center http://yfrog.com/b9tmjij #
- Parks n Rec stakeholder meeting to discuss private profitable use of public land. Mostly about trainers http://yfrog.com/mh6d1cj #
- Typical fate of a 12 year old Bradford pear. http://yfrog.com/3tnp4dj http://yfrog.com/ncud7tj #
Ganoderma applanatum – Artist’s Conk
Ganoderma applanatum is called the artists conk because it has a very good surface for painting and carving. This is the end of the list of good qualities for this fungi. For trees, this disease is devastating. Continue reading Ganoderma applanatum – Artist’s Conk
No Tree Left Behind
Trees are the original green. I’m talking about the green movement. Almost every community across the country has some kind of tree ordinance these days. We know trees make a big contribution to the health and beauty of our living space, but what is the best way to ensure trees get what they need to sustain. After all, we’re insisting the trees remain, but they’re only beneficial to us as healthy, lush canopies. Unhealthy trees fall down. That’s just how it works. That’s what old trees do as they die. All too often the tall green objects we covet aren’t allowed the conditions they need to thrive. The solutions is that every tree needs to be addressed as an individual…”No Tree Left Behind.”
Continue reading No Tree Left Behind
Our New Employee – the Mini Skid Steer
We got a new worker recently. A new machine to help us load and haul heavy logs. I’ve been a long time hater of equipment. It’s just more to take care of. But, one of my friends up in Ft. Worth, Jimmy Pritchard of Integrity Tree Care, has been telling me for a long time that it has revolutionized his business. So, I’ve decided to give it a try. The machine is pretty low cost compared to most equipment and it is small so we can take it into back yards and many other places that large equipment won’t go. We’ve only done one job with the mini so far, but it is definitely earning its keep. The logs in this video are from a palm tree. This wood is difficult to cut with chainsaws and the wood is very heavy. With the mini skid steer we didn’t have to cut into small pieces or pick them up at all!
As you can tell, we’re going to have to get used to driving it, but this machine is going to save us a lot of back breaking labor!
The Mexican Sycamore – Platanus mexicana
The Mexican sycamore has been a popular planting choice for about 10 years. Like the moneterey oak, it seems to be emerging as a great tree for the area, but it has yet to stand the test of time.
Continue reading The Mexican Sycamore – Platanus mexicana
A Tree Climbing View From Above
Every now and then I like to do a fun climb. It really is a relaxing and peaceful thing 
for me to do. However, I wouldn’t recommend it for the average Joe. I have all the right safety equipment and know how to (hopefully) keep from breaking my neck.
Sick Pecan Trees of 2010
This has been a terrible year for the pecan trees of Austin, TX. Quite a sad story I must say. The drought of 2008-2009 has been said to be the worst 2 year drought period in 60 years. It has taken a toll on the pecan trees for sure. This year we’ve cut down many pecans that didn’t leaf out this spring. Many more did come out with severe die-back.
How to Grow Fruit Trees
Growing healthy fruit trees can be very rewarding. There is nothing more satisfying than eating something you have grown yourself. However, fruit trees can be very frustrating. If you lose your crop, 
you miss out for the whole year. There are a number of things to consider when growing fruit trees. Here are some good tips to help you along your way.
site conditions
Ideally, You would want about 7-8 hours of direct morning and mid-day sun with some filtered shade in the afternoon on a well drained site with irrigation. It is rare to Continue reading How to Grow Fruit Trees
Cavity in Your Tree – Internal Decay
Ever wondered how a tree that is hollow on the inside can be alive, or have not fallen when 
the wood is hollow in the middle? Internal decay is a common phenomenon in trees. I wouldn’t call it good, but it is normal (i.e. very common). These cavities are caused by mother nature’s decay fungi. Their job in the grand scheme of things is decompose woody materials back into the soil.
The decay process usually gets started from some large wound. Could have been from a lightening strike, broken limb or even a damaged root underground. Any large wound usually leads to decay. Wounds larger than about 3-4″ diameter (can vary depending on tree species and health) take Continue reading Cavity in Your Tree – Internal Decay