Frequently Asked Questions About Oak Wilt Tree Disease

Oak trees are magnificent parts of our landscapes. So when they begin to show signs of disease or infestation, it is only natural for us to be concerned. Learn about Oak Wilt, a common tree disease that may be the cause of your current Oak tree problems.

Indianapolis Tree Care 317-590-1842

Indianapolis Tree Care 317-590-1842


Oak Wilt is one of the most common infectious tree diseases in the country. It is caused by a fungus, Ceratocystis fagacearum. This invasive fungus enters a tree’s vascular tissues and incapacitates the water transportation lines within the tree. And without sufficient levels of water, a tree cannot survive.

Which Oak Trees are Susceptible?

All Oak trees can become victims of Oak Wilt, however, there are some species that seem to be more susceptible than others. Red Oaks, namely Spanish Oaks, are highly-susceptible, while on the other end of the spectrum, White Oaks are resistant to Ceratocystis fagacearum and are hardly ever affected by the disease.

Is Oak Wilt Contagious?

Oak Wilt is spread in one of two ways. The fungus can be carried from tree to tree by beetles and other insects, or it can spread through grafting roof. If you have an Oak tree that is currently affected, and it is located next to another Oak, there is a good chance the disease will spread through the root systems. However, the disease can also travel over long distances with the help of insects.

What are the Signs of Oak Wilt?

Although signs are hard to tell, you can try inspect your trees to determine whether or not Oak Wilt is to blame for their decline. Most often, laboratory cultures are the only way to truly know if Oak Wilt is present. White oaks exhibit leaf decline, such as wilting leaves, discolored leaves, dropping leaves, and dead leaves, while Red oaks barely show any signs at all. You will need a licensed tree care contractor to help with your tree diagnosis.

How Do I Protect My Tree From Oak Wilt?

Unfortunately, there is no way to control the spread of Oak Wilt, but there are ways to protect your tree from becoming infected. Preventative maintenance is the key to preventing Oak Wilt. This involve routine tree care, such as pruning, fertilizing, and spraying. Proper pruning is important to prevent open wounds in trees. For this same reason, you must also take extreme care when mowing the lawn or weed-trimming. It is also important to properly dispose of trees that were infected, otherwise, spreading will likely occur. An insecticide spray can be used prior to infection, as well.

Is it Possible to Cure an Infected Oak Tree?

Once a tree is infected with Ceratocystis fagacearum, it is a challenge to treat unless the tree is fairly young. The most common technique is to sever the root connections in order to stop the transmission of the fungus. However, this is not always a success if there is a large Oak Wilt epidemic in the area. There are no other current chemical treatments for Oak Wilt. Tree removal and root disconnection are the most effective treatments available.

Indianapolis Tree Service

Budget Tree Care

Budget Tree Care 317-590-1842

Call Budget Tree Care at 317-590-1842 for professional tree service in Indianapolis, Indiana and its surrounding areas. Owner Curt Scott is a licensed tree care specialist that offers a wide range of residential and commercial tree services at the most competitive prices in town.

Tree Care Tips for Homeowners Who Want to Add an Inground Pool

Adding a pool to your property will certainly raise your home’s value; but be sure to take the proper measures to ensure your beautiful landscaping trees are not negatively affected by the construction and installation process. Trees add property value too! Continue reading to learn what you need to know about tree care before having an inground swimming pool installed.

Indianapolis Tree Care 317-590-1842

Indianapolis Tree Care 317-590-1842

Preventative Maintenance Should Come Before Installation

Before construction begins for your inground swimming pool, be sure to talk to your contractor about their internal safety standards and practices in regards to landscape protection. You will want to know where they will need to enter your yard, which equipment will be driven on your lawn, which trees will need to be removed (if any), and much more. You will need to develop a plan together that will protect your trees during the construction process.

Tree Location

If trees are too close to a swimming pool, several inherent risks are posed. Not only can the leaves and pollen jeopardize the clarity of your pool water and add to the amount of manual maintenance you need to do, it can affect the tree root system. Trees that are too close are more likely to develop root stability problems, which can lead to tilting, tipping, and falling. This can subsequently cause the tree to experience health issues and eventual decline. As for your pool, the filter can be affected by all the falling tree debris, resulting in costly repair and replacement bills.

The general rule of thumb is to make sure trees are at least 2 ½ times the tree’s trunk diameter away from the lip of the swimming pool. Here’s an example on how to do the math:

Tree Trunk Diameter = 36 Inches
36 x 2.5 = 90 Inches
*This tree should be at least 90 inches (7.5 feet) away from the pool’s edge.

Pool Installation Crew

It is important to discuss how your pool company plans on installing your pool. That is because the impact of construction equipment and crew members can be highly detrimental to existing landscaping trees. Compaction of the critical root zones of trees can be easily prevented by simply discussing the concern upfront, and strategizing a way to avoid tree damage during the construction phase. Certain tree species are more resilient to this type of stimuli, such as live oaks. However, it is still important to take the necessary precautionary measures anyway. Other tree species are particularly vulnerable under such conditions, such as Hackberry trees. These will quickly split, rot, and decline if impacted negatively by pool construction.

Additional Tree Care Tips:

🌳 It is best to install pools in the fall or winter when trees are dormant. The stress of the construction and hot summer heat can take a large toll on landscaping trees.

🌳 Watch out for root damage when the pool installers begin to trench the ground. Roots should be cut cleanly, and never ripped or torn. This could cause uneven regeneration or root rot.

🌳 Contact an experienced Indianapolis tree service company for more advice on tree care.

Indianapolis Tree Care

Budget Tree Care

Budget Tree Care 317-590-1842

Call Budget Tree Care at 317-590-1842 for professional tree service in Indianapolis, Indiana. We offer residential and commercial tree work, as well as, free estimates, senior discounts, and the guaranteed lowest price in town! Request an estimate, today!

What Are My Options for Getting Rid of a Tree Stump?

If you have a stump taking up valuable lawn space, it is time to learn your options.

Stump Removal Indianapolis Indiana

Indianapolis Stump Removal 317-590-1842

Tree removal is only one aspect of taking down a tree. Once the tree is removed, whether for storm damage, safety, or aesthetics, there is always going to be a stump left behind in its place. Until you remove it, this stump will serve as a constant reminder that your work is not yet finished. Stump removal comes in different forms, so it is important to learn all your options in order to choose the most suitable method for your particular landscape.

There are 3 Options for a Leftover Tree Stump…

Stump Grinding

Stump grinding is a method that is best carried out by a professional tree service technician. They have the proper training and equipment to provide the service, safely and efficiently. There are several other steps involved in the process, but essentially, a large machine called a stump grinder is used to chip away at the tree stump until it is level to the ground, or just below. This is a very cost-effective and fast solution, but it does not completely eliminate the stump. In certain cases, a stump cannot be in the ground at all. This would call for stump removal.

Stump Removal

Stump removal is much more invasive and tedious, and must also be carried out by a professional tree care team who is trained and experienced. There are several ways to remove a stump, and these methods vary from company to company. The truest method in a fundamental sense is to dig, cut, pull, and repeat. This is more expensive than stump grinding since more labor is involved.

Stump Art

If you do not want to remove the stump at all, you can change into something attractive! You can carve it into a statute, or into a chair! You can also turn it into a bird feeding station, a lawn sign, and more. The artistic possibilities are endless!

Indianapolis Tree Care

Budget Tree Care

Budget Tree Care 317-590-1842

Call Budget Tree Care at 317-590-1842 for professional tree service in Indianapolis, Indiana. We offer residential and commercial tree work, as well as, free estimates, senior discounts, and the guaranteed lowest price in town! Call 317-590-1842 to request a free estimate for Indianapolis stump removal, today.

The ANSI Standards for Tree Pruning

Tree pruning is a critical part of tree care. Trees must be pruned to promote new, strong, healthy growth, as well as, to promote safety and security of landscaping trees. Not only is tree pruning a vital component to your tree’s overall health, it is a dangerous job that requires decades of hands-on experience and practice. It also requires specific tools, equipment, and most importantly, the right knowledge.

Indianapolis Tree Pruning 317-590-1842

Indianapolis Tree Pruning 317-590-1842

The American National Standards Institute

Improper tree pruning can kill trees, so the techniques and methods used to prune trees is very specific. In fact, the Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA) developed a set of standards for proper tree pruning that is used among true professional tree service contractors. This set of voluntary industry consensus standards was written by the Accredited Standards Committee (ASC), and is called the American National Standards Institute A300, or ASC A300. They are the generally accepted industry standards for tree care practices. They continue the initiative of developing consensus performance standards based on current research and sound practice for writing specifications to manage trees, shrubs, and other woody plants.

The Parts of ANSI A300

Tree pruning is only the first part of the ANSI A300. It other parts include soil management, supplemental support systems, lightning protection systems, management, planting and transplanting, integrate vegetation management, root management standard, tree risk assessment, and IPM (pest management).

ANSI A300 Tree Pruning Standards Cover:

✂ Pruning Objectives
✂ Pruning Systems
✂ Pruning Specifications
✂ Pruning Cuts
✂ Pruning Practices
✂ Palms and Similar Plants
✂ Pruning Definitions

You can view the ANSI A300 in full at https://www.tcia.org.

Indianapolis Tree Pruning You Can Trust

Budget Tree Care

Budget Tree Care 317-590-1842

Call Budget Tree Care at 317-590-1842 for Indianapolis tree pruning you can trust. Owner, Curt Scott, provides a wide range of residential and commercial tree services at the most competitive prices around. We aren’t called Budget Tree Care for no reason; we guarantee to FIT YOUR BUDGET! Call 317-590-1842 to request a free estimate for tree service in Indianapolis, today.

What is a Tree’s Critical Root Zone?

Taking care of your landscaping trees requires more than personal effort; it requires a little knowledge and understanding, too. A fundamental part of learning about tree care is knowing a tree’s critical root zone. A critical root zone, or CRZ, is essentially an imaginary boundary surrounding the base of a tree. Although the perimeter is imaginary, the meaning and importance is very real.

Measuring CRZ

Indianapolis Tree Care 317-590-1842

Indianapolis Tree Care 317-590-1842

The imaginary boundary mentioned above should start at the drip line of a tree. This is where the water drips from the borders of the tree’s canopy. Imagine an open umbrella with water pouring on top. The circle of water created around the umbrella is similar to a tree’s drip line. For thinner trees, it is best to imagine the dripline a little farther out just to be sure all roots are taken into account.

Rather than locating (or guessing) a tree’s dripline, you can simply measure it yourself by hand. To measure your tree’s CRZ, start with some simple math. Measure the diameter of the tree trunk, and then multiply that number by 1.5. Here is an example:

Tree Trunk Diameter = 24 inches
Critical Root Zone = 1.5 ft2
MATH: 24 x 1.5 = 36
CRZ Radius = 36 feet

When measuring your tree trunk, start at an area that is 5 feet from the base. This is a more accurate measurement of the trunk diameter. Another way to find the tree trunk diameter is to measure the circumference of the tree trunk and multiply it by 3.14 (pi). Here is an example:

Trunk Circumference = 76.36 feet
Critical Root Zone = 1.5 ft2
MATH: 75.36/3.14 = 24
Tree Trunk Diameter = 24 inches

Indianapolis Tree Service

Budget Tree Care

Budget Tree Care 317-590-1842

Call Budget Tree Care at 317-590-1842 for professional and affordable Indianapolis tree service. We are experienced tree care contractors who provide residential and commercial tree services, including both routine and major tree work. As out company name suggests, we have the tree service solutions that will fit your BUDGET! Call 317-590-1842 to request a free estimate, today.

The 5 Parts of Spring Tree Care

Indianapolis Tree Care 317-590-1842

Indianapolis Tree Care 317-590-1842

Now that spring is on its way, it is helpful to review your seasonal do-to list. One of the most important chores to add on that list is tree care. Your landscaping trees are valuable assets on your property. They provide shade in the summer, insulation in the winter, privacy, and sound-proofing benefits. They also provide beauty and curb appeal. Spring tree care is particularly important because that is the start of the growing season, so it is important to take good care of your trees during this time.

There are 5 parts of good spring tree care, some of which you can do on your own, while others require the assistance of a professional tree service company. Continue reading to learn more about them!

5 Parts of Tree Care in the Spring:

Cleaning

On the brink of springtime, start clearing away debris and other clutter away from you landscaping trees. This may include winter burlap covers, Christmas lights, rotted fruit, pine cones, pine needles, leaves, and more.

Inspection

After your trees are cleared, you want to take a good long look at them. Check their branches, foliage, trunk, bark, and overall stability. Look for signs of pests, wildlife activity, winter damage, and possible disease. If you see cankers, blights, or blemishes, it could be a sign that your tree is ill or dying.

Mulching

If you do not know the proper way to mulch a tree, it is vital that you learn as soon as possible. That is because mulch is a highly-important part of tree care. It helps the soil retain water and nutrients, and it prevents weed growth. Lay mulch around the base of the tree, not exceeding more than 3 inches of material. Be sure to avoid laying mulch against the tree trunk.

Watering

Watering is arguably one of the most important aspects of tree care, especially during the spring and summer months. Just be sure to not over-water your trees. To prevent moss growth, water your trees less often, but more deeply at every round. If soil is frozen, it is not ready to be watered.

Pruning

Spring tree pruning is important because it promotes new branch growth and renders bigger, brighter, fuller canopies come summertime. Be sure to have trees pruned by an experienced Indianapolis tree care company. They have the proper tools and safety training needed to get the job done right.

Tree Care on a Budget!

Budget Tree Care

Budget Tree Care 317-590-1842

Call Budget Tree Care at 317-590-1842 for professional spring tree service in Indianapolis, Indiana. We offer full-service, residential and commercial tree care and tree removal, and we guarantee to fit your budget! Let our highly-trained and experienced tree care contractors show you how to get your trees looking beautiful and healthy this season! Call 317-590-1842 to request a free estimate, today.

The Do’s and Don’ts of Pruning Trees

Indianapolis Tree Pruning 317-590-1842

Indianapolis Tree Pruning 317-590-1842

Tree pruning is one of the most important tree services you can provide for your landscaping trees. When done correctly, pruning trees delivers beautiful, robust, and bountiful blooms come spring and summer. That is because proper tree pruning promotes new healthy growth, which simultaneously improves its appearance. And healthy growth allows trees to grow brighter, greener, and fuller with every blooming season. But tree pruning is not effective if it is not carried out properly. It is important to learn what you should and shouldn’t do in terms of pruning trees. Continue reading to learn the top-most do’s and don’ts of tree pruning.

Please DO:

Hire a licensed and insured tree care contractor for professional tree trimming and pruning services. They have the proper knowledge, skills, training, and resources to get the job done, safely and efficiently.

Ask your tree care contractor for licensing and insurance information, and

Ask your tree care contractor if their tree pruning services meet the standards for tree pruning (also known as ANSI A300), as set by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).

Note: If they do prune according to the ANSI standards, their written estimate should also be written to reflect these specific ANSI A300 standards.

Remember that improper tree pruning can damage your landscaping trees long-term, and even cause premature tree death, disease, and pest infestations.

Take the time to inspect your trees after a severe rain or wind storm. If serious tree wounds are left untreated, it can harm the tree.

If there is damage to your trees after a storm, contact your trusted tree care contractor for storm damage clearance and tree removal services for fallen trees. They may even need to trim or cut branches to remove hazards and obstacles created from the storm damage.

But DO NOT:

Prune trees on your own. Several factors go into the process of tree pruning, so it requires extensive training and experience, as well as, professional tools and resources to implement the job safely and effectively. Attempting to prune your trees can put you at risk of having an accident or being seriously injured, and incorrect pruning can harm your trees. Even small trees that do not require the use of a ladder should not be pruned by anyone but a trained professional. And more importantly, never hire a fly-by-the-night tree service business. Be sure they are licensed, insured, and have been in business for several years.

Indianapolis Tree Pruning Services

Budget Tree Care

Budget Tree Care 317-590-1842

Call Budget Tree Care at 317-590-1842 for tree pruning and tree trimming service in Indianapolis, Indiana. We are licensed and insured tree care contractors that retain extensive experience in the tree service industry. We provide a wide range of residential and commercial tree services, all guaranteed to fit your budget! Call 317-590-1842 to request a free estimate for Indianapolis tree pruning, today.

Be on the Lookout for These Common Tree Diseases

Indianapolis Tree Care 317-590-1842

Indianapolis Tree Care 317-590-1842

Since we love our trees, it is natural for us to want to protect them. They are vulnerable living organisms just like us, so they are susceptible to disease and infection. There are more than 30 diseases that affect trees all across the country, many of which are preventable with proper tree care. They can either cause a serious decline in tree health, or worse, lead to tree fatalities.

Tree problems are the root of the frequency of expensive tree replacement in residential settings, and have even had a major impact on the commercial expense of future losses of products derived from forests. While most affect landscaping trees, these tree diseases can also affect large copses, forests, and more. Continue reading to learn more about some of the common tree disease we see here in Indiana.

Common Indiana Tree Diseases:

Armillaria Root Rot

Also known as Shoestring Root Rot, the principle fungus is called Armillaria mellea, but several other pathogens are involved. These pathogens attack the base and the roots of a tree. They primarily attack conifers and hardwoods, causing a long list of health implications that eventual lead to death if left untreated. One of the most common is characteristic mushroom growth at the base of a tree. In most cases of Armillaria Root Rot, a tree is attacked when it is in an advanced state of decline (i.e. malnutrition, pest infestation, open bark wounds, etc.). In a weakened state, trees are more susceptible to diseases.

Fire Blight

If you have fruit trees, you should be aware of Fire Blight. It mostly affects pear, apple, and plum trees, but can also affect many others. Fire Blight is caused by the bacterium Erwinia amylovora, and commonly spreads by insects and rainfall. It gets its name from its characteristic effect on leaves, turning them into a blackish-brown color, which makes them appear burnt. This is usually the first noticeable sign of Fire Blight. Once a tree if infected, it can be treated with specialized tree disease treatment and proper tree pruning.

Spruce Tree Disease

This disease is caused by the pathogens Phomopsis and Sphaeropsis, also referred to as Diplodia. These pathogens began attacking spruce trees 4 or 5 years ago in Indiana. Generally, they attack trees when they are in a weakened or vulnerable state. They add to the stress of the tree, causing a long list of complications, and often times, death.

Indianapolis Tree Service

Budget Tree Care

Budget Tree Care 317-590-1842

Call Budget Tree Care at 317-590-1842 for professional Indianapolis tree service you can trust. We treat tree diseases, and provide a wide range of additional tree services for both commercial and residential properties across Central Indiana. We also offer senior discounts and competitive prices! Call and request a free estimate for tree work, anytime!

Budget Tree Care Will Help You Build an Easy and Affordable Tree Service Plan for 2017!

Give your landscaping trees the gift of routine tree service for the New Year!

Indianapolis Tree Care 317-590-1842
Indianapolis Tree Removal 317-590-1842

If you want beautiful, healthy, and safe landscaping trees this spring and summer, now is the time to start making a plan. And Budget Tree Care wants to help you do just that! It is important to learn the status and condition of your current trees, as well as, their individual needs in terms of health and safety. Once you have this information, you can put together a strategy that will address these concerns and conditions. All this is part of our process for managing landscaping trees effectively.

Effective Tree Care. Affordable Tree Service.

Indianapolis Tree Care 317-590-1842
Indianapolis Tree Care 317-590-1842

We are fully-licensed and equipped to undertake any and all tree service needs, regardless of size or scope. We provide tree trimming, tree pruning, tree removal, stump grinding, stump removal, tree transplanting, and much more! As licensed and experienced tree care contractors, you can trust us to develop the perfect plan for your landscaping trees. Not only do we provide a wide range of residential and commercial tree services, we also offer free estimates, senior discounts, and the LOWEST PRICE GUARANTEED! We aren’t called Budget Tree Care for no reason! We can work with you to create a tree care plan that both meets your needs and your budget!

Indianapolis Tree Service

Budget Tree Care
Budget Tree Care 317-590-1842

Here at Budget Tree Care, we are committed to the utmost honest and professional business ethics. When you meet with us, you can expect us to show you the highest level of courtesy and respect by showing up on-time, neatly dressed, and ready to work. Give us a call today at 317-590-1842 to speak with a knowledgeable and friendly tree care contractor about planning out your 2017 schedule for tree care in Indianapolis, Indiana. Don’t forget to ask us about our tree service deals and discounts too!

The Advantages of Tree Pruning for Winter

Most would agree the spring and summer seasons in are the prime time to care for your landscaping and trees. But the truth is, it is important to pay attention to your trees during the wintertime as well. Winter tree care is highly beneficial for your landscaping trees in many ways, especially tree pruning. Continue reading to learn all the advantages of winter tree pruning, and protocol for prompt and professional tree service you can trust in your neighborhood.

Winter Tree Pruning

Treat pruning is the practice of trimming and cutting back tree branches for the purpose of stimulating new healthy growth. This is why tree pruning is so vital for winter. The harsh conditions are influential enough on landscaping trees, but add that with neglect, in your trees are not likely to survive the season. Tree pruning in the wintertime is a common practice because it promotes vigorous, healthy branch growth come spring and summer. The best time to prune trees is in the coldest part of the season. By then, trees are fully in their dormancy stage.

A Haircut for a Tree?

You can think of it as getting a haircut for yourself; if you want your hair to grow and be healthy, it requires occasional trimming, as well as other forms of care, like routine cleansing, conditioning, eating a healthy diet, taking vitamins, and more. In a similar sense, trees require the same type of care in order to grow strong and healthy. And winter tree pruning is exactly what they need this time of year.

Benefits of Pruning in the Wintertime

There are several advantages to pruning trees in the wintertime. These advantages are most visible come spring and summer when foliage and branches are full-grown and bursting with life and color. This includes flowers, leaves, and fruits. Pruning during the dormancy stage of trees also allows the exposed cuts to recover and heal better. This reduces the likelihood of tree diseases, pest infestations, and infections. There is also less of a chance for trees to wilt due to a lack of water. During the dormancy stage, trees to not require the same amount of water as they do during the growing seasons.

Indianapolis Tree Service

Budget Tree Care

Budget Tree Care 317-590-1842

Call Budget Tree Care at 317-590-1842 for professional tree pruning services in Indianapolis, Indiana. Owner, Curt Scott, and his team of licensed tree care contractors, provide a wide range of residential and commercial tree services at the most competitive prices in town; hence the name “Budget Tree Care!” Call 317-590-1842 to request free estimate for Indianapolis tree service, today. Don’t forget to ask about our tree service coupons and discounts too!