3 Winter Tree Damages to Watch Out For This Season

Wintertime is not a great time for trees. Not only are they more susceptible to health and structural difficulties, it is more challenging for you to implement the proper inspections needed to ensure they remain in good health throughout the entirety of the season. For these reasons, it is wise to hire a professional tree service provider for all your winter tree care needs. Otherwise, your landscaping trees may fall victim to one of the top 3 most common winter tree problems.

Continue reading to learn what these common winter tree problems are, and where to find the best tree service in town.

Indianapolis Winter Tree Service 317-590-1842
Indianapolis Winter Tree Service 317-590-1842

Among all of the possible problems that trees can experience in the winter, the top three you need to watch out for are cold damage, frost heaving, and seasonal drought. For each, here is a brief explanation of their causes, symptoms, and prevention strategies:

❅ Cold Damage

The high and low seasonal temperature spectrum can greatly affect trees, especially if they are already weakened or sick. The afternoon sun can be very warm for trees, and then the nightly lows bring them back into a freeze. These changes cause a condition informally known as “cold damage”, which is often distinguishable by a wide range of symptoms, such as cracked or peeling bark, and even inner bark damage. Trees that experience late seasonal growth are more vulnerable to cold damage.

To reverse cold damage, you will need to implement a customized and strategic tree care plan with the help of an industry professional. To prevent cold damage in your landscaping trees, you will need to do the same, except ahead of time, before the winter season is upon us again next year.

❅ Frost Heaving

Frost heaving is a typically winter tree problem, especially in regions where snow and ice are abundant. This condition starts in the soil. As the outdoor climates freeze and fluctuate, the underground water within the soil beneath trees also freezes. This occurrence develops ice in the soil, which causes the soil to swell upwards towards the base of the tree trunk. You may have seen the ramifications of this condition before in concrete, sidewalks, and pavements.  Frost heaving is a problem for tree because it weakens and damages roots, which can then make a tree more susceptible to toppling over.

Frost heaving is not something you can really prevent. If it does occur, you will need professional tree service to ensure the tree is not a hazard or liability. Routine tree care is vital to grow strong, healthy, resistant trees; if you stay on top of tree care, a tree has a better chance of surviving frost heave.

❅ Seasonal Drought

You would think that trees get plenty of water in the winter with all of the snow, but the reality is that freezing temperatures can cause a tree to lose water reserves at a much faster rate; so fast, they cannot absorb enough water from the ground in time to replace the loss. This results in winter drought, which can be identified through a number of symptoms like branch loss, cracking bark, wildlife infestation, and death. Seasonal drought can also lead to late growth in spring, sunburnt leaves in the summer, and premature foliage loss in fall.

To help trees avoid seasonal drought, your best approach would include the assistance of a tree care professional. They have the knowledge and resources necessary to ensure your landscaping trees are healthy and ready to take on winter conditions. In addition to tree service, you can also help tree’s retain moisture through adequate mulching, year-round.

Where to Get Affordable and Trusted 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 care solutions at the most competitive prices in town. Request a free estimate, today.

Where to Get the Best Winter Tree Service Deals in Indy

Indianapolis tree service can be easy and affordable. All you have to do is choose Budget Tree Care for your seasonal tree service needs!

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

Here at Budget Tree Care, we provide professional tree services in Indianapolis, and throughout Central Indiana. Our licensed and insured tree service contractors have more than 20 years of hands-on experience in the tree service industry!

Best of all, we offer a wide variety of tree service coupons, discounts, monthly specials, deals, and more!  No matter what tree service you require, you can be sure Budget Tree Care is offering a matching coupon or special just for you! Don’t miss out on our winter tree care deals this season!

Why Choose Us for Winter Tree Service

Owner Curt Scott, and his team of highly trained and qualified tree removal contractors, provide a vast range of tree work for residential and commercial properties throughout the city. Not only can we facilitate any tree service task required, we also retain state-of-the-art equipment and extensive industry training to professionally care, service, and removal all varieties of tree.

Budget Tree Care offers tree removal, tree disease treatment, tree transplanting, stump grinding, pruning, shaping, trimming, fertilizing, tree bark repair, emergency services, lot clearing, Emerald Ash Borer treatment, and much more.  There is simply no tree job our skilled specialists can’t tackle with perfection.

Request an Estimate TODAY!

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! That’s right; we guarantee to FIT YOUR BUDGET! Request an estimate, today!

Types of Winter-Resistant Tree Species

When you are planning your new landscaping scheme, you may want to make future considerations regarding weather and climate changes. In Indiana, we experience a wide range of seasonal changes; one winter may be mild and calm, while the next is harsh and relentless. For this reason, it is important to carefully strategize which trees you will plant, and more importantly, where you will plant them.

Continue reading to learn which tree species are most resistant to ice and winter storm damage, as well as, some tips that will help you make a safe, long-term plan for your property.

Indianapolis Tree Service 317-590-1842

Indianapolis Tree Service 317-590-1842

Winter Tree Damage

Winter time in Indiana is usually unpredictable. We never know if we should expect an early winter with lots of snow and ice, or if winter will come late and we will have an extended fall season instead. This is why tree planning is so important. Not only do you need to consider protecting your trees through the changing seasons, you must also think about protecting your property and its surroundings.

Winter snow, ice, hail, and harsh winds can cause an extreme amount of damage to a tree, especially if the tree is already diseases, damaged, or dying. In turn, the amount of winter damage can cause structural damages to your home, power lines, vehicles, and worst of all, people. This is why you do not want an unhealthy tree to be located near anything it can fall on top of. With winter-resistant tree species, you can better prevent the possibility of tree damage and fallen trees.

Here are some top-recommended tree species that hold up well in the winter:

🙓 American Sweet Gum
🙓 Arborvitae
🙓 Black Walnut
🙓 Blue Beech
🙓 Catalpa
🙓 Eastern Hemlock
🙓 Ginkgo
🙓 Ironwood
🙓 Kentucky Coffee Tree
🙓 Norway Maple
🙓 Little Leaf Linden
🙓 Silver Linden
🙓 Swamp White Oak
🙓 White Oak

If Storm Damage Happens

If you have a storm-damaged tree on your property, be sure to have it inspected by a licensed Indianapolis tree service company to ensure it does not pose any safety hazards to people, pets, or property. In the case that a damaged or dying tree is near such areas, it is strongly encouraged to have it removed before the harshest of winter weather conditions are here.

Next spring, when you plant your new winter-resistant trees, be sure to also stay on top of routine tree care, such as pruning, watering, and fertilizing. See our blog, “The 5 Parts of Spring Tree Care” to review some tips for routine tree care.

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. We offer residential and commercial tree work, as well as, free estimates, senior discounts, and the guaranteed lowest price in town! That’s right; we guarantee to FIT YOUR BUDGET! Request an estimate, today!

The Difference Between Angiosperm and Gymnosperm Trees

There are various tree species here in Indiana, ranging in color, size, shape, growth patterns, and more. But all trees can be categorized into one of two categories: deciduous or conifer. Deciduous trees shed their foliage in the fall and re-bloom them in the spring. Conifer trees, also known as evergreens, keep their foliage all year long. When trying to determine if a tree is an angiosperm or gymnosperm, your first step is to determine if it is a deciduous or conifer.

Continue reading to learn the difference between an angiosperm and gymnosperm in order to improve your tree identification skills!

Indianapolis Tree Service 317-590-1842

Indianapolis Tree Service 317-590-1842

Angiosperms

Angiosperms are a taxonomic class of flowering trees. These trees produce seeds that, when matured, is enclosed in an ovule (usually a fruit). For example, an apple is the mature seed that an angiosperm tree produces. The apple is the ovary, or ovule. Angiosperm trees lose their leaves in the fall, and regrow them in the spring, making them a deciduous tree. They are classified as hardwoods, and include species like oaks, maples, dogwoods, and more.

Gymnosperms

Gymnosperms are a taxonomic class of non-flowering trees that produce a mature seed that is not enclosed inside an ovule of any kind. A pine cone is a perfect example. Also known as “naked seed”, gymnosperm trees are softwoods, and do not lose their foliage in the winter. This makes this conifers. Species include pine trees, cedars, spruces, and firs.

General Rule:

🌲 Conifers are gymnosperms.
🌳 Deciduous trees are angiosperms.

Exceptions to the Rule:

🌲 Gymnosperm trees do lose their foliage in the winter, such as ginkgo, dawn redwood, and bald cypress trees.

🌳 Some angiosperms keep their leaves in the winter, such as live oak, sweet bay magnolia, and rhododendron trees.

Where to Get Superior Tree Care Advice

Budget Tree Care

Budget Tree Care 317-590-1842

Call Budget Tree Care at 317-590-1842 to learn how we can help you with your tree concerns and tree service needs, today. From tree removal and tree trimming, to stump grinding, tree disease treatment, and more, our professionals are prepared to deliver exceptional Indianapolis tree service for both residential and commercial properties.

How to Protect Your Trees From Cold Temperatures

This time of year, many of those who have invested in nice landscaping are concerned about cold temperatures effecting their young and mature trees. They wonder if all this snow and cold weather can harm a tree’s health, or worse, kill it before warm weather emerges once again. The short answer to this question is yes.

Continue reading to learn how trees are affected by cold temperatures and extreme climate conditions we often see in winter, and what you can do to protect your trees year-round.

Indianapolis Tree Service

Indianapolis Tree Service 317-590-1842

Tree Health and Stability

Like virtually all living organisms, trees too can be negatively affected by cold temperatures and inclement weather. This is especially true for long bouts of extreme weather conditions. Several environmental elements, climates, and weather conditions can affect the overall health and stability of a tree. And from these harsh winter temperatures and weather, endless issues may arise. Trees can lose their water and nutrient supply during these seasons, which can eventually cause them to dry up from undernourishment and water deficiency. This commonly occurs when the ground freezes, thus prohibiting tree roots from absorbing water.

Another major concern in the wintertime is excessive snow accumulation, which can cause trees to bend and break. Of course a large tree that is also unstable is a hazard. Weak and vulnerable trees can fall on people, houses, cars, and buildings; causing costly repairs, or worse, injury and death. It is wise to prevent large amounts of snow from accumulating at the base of your trees for the above two examples. Not only will lack of snow prevent a weakening tree trunk, it will reduce the ground temperature, thus preventing the ground from freezing and the trees not being able to absorb water.

Preventative Maintenance for Winter

Fortunately, there are several ways you can protect your landscaping trees from suffering any harm caused by extreme cold and harsh winter climates. In order to protect trees in the winter, or during long periods of colder climates, is to be prepared and put in the needed effort. This starts with ensuring your trees are healthy before the winter approaches, so that they are in good condition to face harsh weather and cold temperatures.

Furthermore, it is important to keep nuisance wildlife and pests away from your trees, implement autumn pruning and trimming, and maintaining proper mulch levels. Even a late winter pruning can be beneficial to your trees, as it can provide extra protection against cold weather and snow. Consult with a local and trusted Indianapolis tree service provider for the best advice regarding winter tree care.

Affordable Winter 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 Average Cost of Removing a Tree That Fell Over

When trees fall, the outcome can be very devastating. Large trees can completely demolish houses, cave in roof tops and garages, take out power lines and telephone poles, and even harm people and pets. Furthermore, a fallen tree can still be a hazard even after it has already toppled over. For this reason, it is important to have a fallen tree removed as soon as possible. You may be wondering how much this could cost. If so, you are not alone.

Continue reading to learn the average costs for fallen tree removal service.

Tree Removal 317-590-1842

Fallen Tree Removal 317-590-1842

Factors That Impact Tree Removal Cost

The price for tree removal is dependent on various factors, including the company, the size of a tree, the condition of a tree, location of a tree, degree of risk, surrounding environmental factors, and more. It is best to simply contact a local Indianapolis tree service company and request an estimate for fallen tree removal.

A licensed and insured tree care specialist will ask you a series of questions to help measure an average price over the phone. Next, they will come out in person to evaluate the circumstances surrounding the fallen tree. From there, they can provide a final, accurate estimate.

Average Price Expectations

As for average costs, tree removal prices can be as low as $100 and as high as $1000 or more. Refer to the guide below for average tree removal cost estimations.

25 to 30 Feet = $100 – $400
30 to 75 Feet = $400 – $1000
75+ Feet = $1000+

Additional Costs to Consider

Aside from tree removal, there are some additional costs to be aware of. Some companies charge extra (up to 50% more) if trees are obstructing (or located over) utility lines, power lines, roads, buildings, and public trans ways.

If you wish to have the stump removed as well, you will most likely face additional charges for stump removal service. This ranges anywhere between $100 and $500, depending on the size of the stump and the extent of the underground root system.

Also, it is common for tree care companies to charge an additional fee of $50 to $75 for haul-away service. It is important to ask if hauling service is included in the estimate given to you before you decide to accept a final quote.

Where to Get Tree Removal on a Budget

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 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.

How to Protect Your Trees From Deer Damage This Fall

Usually when you see a deer, you feel honored and excited. And when it’s a buck, you really feel like you’ve hit the jackpot! However, frequent deer sightings can sometimes veer more towards a nuisance deer problem depending on the impact they have on your property, particularly on your trees.

In fact, many homeowners who live near wooded areas begin to question whether or not deer activity can harm their trees. Aside from grazing, many homeowners ask why bucks rub their antlers on newly-planted trees, and if this behavior can injure young trees. These are very good questions, and important information to your overall tree care routine.

Continue reading to learn why bucks are rubbing their antlers on your trees, and how to stop them from causing any damage with this behavior.

Indianapolis Tree Care 317-590-1842

Indianapolis Tree Care 317-590-1842

Buck Behavior and Trees

Bucks rub their antlers against young trees because they are still flexible. There is a misconception about bucks who rub their antlers on trees. Many people in the past have assumed that it is due to the velvet that initially covers buck antlers. It was believed that this velvet was itchy, and bucks were simply relieving the irritation. But this can’t be true because antlers do not have nerve endings! Research shows that bucks most likely exhibit this behavior for a number of reasons. But the 3 most common include:

To Mark Their Territory
To Practice or Strengthen Neck Muscles for Battle
To Arouse and Attract Fertile Does

Potential Damages

This distinctive buck behavior can harm trees. It can create open wounds in trees and break off bark. This leaves a tree more vulnerable to diseases, infections, and pest infestations. If a tree gets sick, it can quickly decline and die. So it is necessary to take action because deer will come back to your trees, season after season.

Protection

You have a few options to protect your trees from deer interference. You can install a fence around your property, which will inhibit deer from being able to enter your premises. If you are not interesting in such a large investment, you can install a perimeter fence just around your trees. You can make these using sheets of welded wire mesh, or you can purchase manufactured tree barriers or ornamental metal grates on the market.

Be sure they are at least 5 to 6 feet tall, and reinforced by 8-foot-tall rebar. The rebar should be pounded into the ground at regular intervals around the perimeter of the tree. If this doesn’t work for you, you can use corrugated plastic drainpipe. Cut it in half, lengthwise, and wrap it around the tree.

Indianapolis Tree Care You Can Trust

Budget Tree Care

Budget Tree Care 317-590-1842

Call Budget Tree Care at 317-590-1842 to speak directly with a professional tree service technician about your tree removal and tree care needs. Feel free to request free estimates, information, or DIY advice while you have us on the line! And remember, we also offer emergency services, lot clearing, Emerald Ash Borer treatment, and much more! There is no tree job our knowledgeable and skilled tree service specialists can’t tackle! Call 317-590-1842 to request a free estimate, today.

FAQS About Fall Tree Care

Just because summer is behind us doesn’t mean that our landscaping trees are through being cared for. In fact, right now is a prime time to tend to your trees. One of the most important things you can do for trees is care for them through all the seasons of the year.

Continue reading to review some frequently asked questions about fall tree care to learn what you need to do this season for your landscaping trees.

Indianapolis Tree Service 317-590-1842

Indianapolis Tree Service 317-590-1842

🍂 Do I Need to Mulch a Tree in the Fall?

Mulch is not just necessary in the spring and summer, it is also highly impactful to soil and tree growth conditions in the fall. Be sure to mulch around the base of your trees, around 2 to 3 inches deep, to keep soil moist and protected all winter long.

🍂 Do I Need to Water a Mature Tree?

Mature trees have slowed in growth, making them more vulnerable to the hazards in their surrounding environment this time of year. They are more susceptible to pest infestations, diseases, blights, and wildlife interference. To ensure proper growth and survival, mature trees need regular watering, all the way up until the very first snow fall.

🍂 When Do Trees Need to Be Pruned?

The prime time to prune trees happens to be coming up very soon! Pruning is vital to tree growth and overall tree health, as it promotes vigorous, healthy branch growth come spring and summer. The best time to prune trees is in the coldest part of the season, before the first snow falls. By this time, trees are fully in their dormancy stage.

🍂 Can I Prune My Trees Myself?

It is not wise to 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.

🍂 Should I Top My Trees in Fall?

Tree topping also goes by the names, “tipping”, “hat-racking”, “heading”, and “rounding over.” Sadly, many people believe that tree topping is an effective form of pruning. The truth is, it is not an acceptable technique at all. In fact, tree topping is the most harmful tree care practice used for pruning trees. It can cause a long list of damage and health decline, including bark and tissue decay, sunburn, epicormic sprouting, pest infestations, and more.

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 you can trust. 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.

Questions and Answers About Oak Tree Care

Oak trees are a remarkable ancient species that provide a wide range of benefits for ourselves and the surrounding environment. For these reasons, it is no surprise that you are interested in learning how to take better care of your oaks. Continue reading to review some common questions about oak tree care, and their answers too!

Indianapolis Tree Care 317-590-1842

big oak in summer wood

How Big Does an Oak Tree Get?

When it comes to how big an oak tree can get, you must think about how old it can get. Oak trees can live up to 1,000 or more, but on average, live to be 200 years old. In fact, the Pechanga Great Oak Tree is considered to be the oldest in the world, coming in at a ripe age of 2,000 years. Although they live very long, they tend to max out in height, averaging between 50 and 70 feet. Branch to branch, their canopies can span as wide as 50 feet or more, and they produce an average of 2,000 acorns per year. White oaks tend to grow the tallest.

What are the Common Types of Oak Trees?

Our continent has the highest number of oak tree species, with 90 species native to the U.S., and 160 more in Mexico. The most prevalent oak trees found in Indiana include Northern and Southern Red oaks, Eastern White oaks, Chestnut oak, Bur oak, Black oaks, Scarlet oak, Pin oak, and Post oak.

Do Oak Trees Need to Be Pruned?

All trees require a specific regiment of care, and one of the most important parts of a tree care plan is annual pruning. Pruning oak trees and removing deadwood is a very delicate task compared to pruning other deciduous tree, so it should always be performed by a trained Indianapolis tree service professional.

Are Oak Trees Susceptible to Disease?

The two most common diseases that kill Oak trees are Sudden Oak Death and Oak Wilt. Sudden Oak Death (Phytophthora ramorum) is a water mold that takes down Oaks in as little as one month. Oak wilt is another lethal tree disease that is caused by the fungus Ceratocystis fagacearum. Additional diseases and pests that can impact an oak tree’s health include Powdery Mildew, Foamy Bark Canker (generally exclusive to California), galls, wood-boring beetles, gall wasps, and gypsy moths.

What Can I Do to Improve the Look of My Oak Trees?

The best way to get bountiful, robust, and brilliant looking oak trees is with a proper tree care plan. Trees require watering, fertilizing, mulching, sunlight, and more in order to grow strong and big. Talk to your professional tree service contractor for advice you can trust.

Where Can I Find Reputable 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. 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 next season! Call 317-590-1842 to request a free estimate, today.

Important Information About Tree Pruning

Improper tree pruning can kill trees, so the techniques and methods used to prune trees is very specific. If you care about your landscaping trees, it is wise to learn as much as you can about proper tree care practices, especially when it comes to pruning. Continue reading to review some vital information about tree pruning, trimming, topping, and more.

Indianapolis Tree Pruning 317-590-1842

Indianapolis Tree Pruning 317-590-1842

Proper Tree Pruning Standards

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.

Storm Damaged Trees

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.

Harmful Effects of Tree Topping

Tree topping also goes by the names, “tipping”, “hat-racking”, “heading”, and “rounding over.” Sadly, many people believe that tree topping is an effective form of pruning. The truth is, it is not an acceptable technique at all. In fact, tree topping is the most harmful tree care practice used for pruning trees. It can cause a long list of damage and health decline, including bark and tissue decay, sunburn, epicormic sprouting, pest infestations, and more.

DIY Tree Pruning

It is not wise to 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.

Hire a Professional Tree Service Company

When you need to have your trees pruned, hire a licensed and insured Indianapolis tree service 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. Be sure to ask them for licensing and insurance information, and whether or not they adhere to ANSI A300 tree pruning standards.

Professional Tree Pruning You Can Trust

Budget Tree Care

Budget Tree Care 317-590-1842

Call Budget Tree Care at 317-590-1842 for professional tree pruning 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! 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. Request an estimate, today!