Sawfly Don’t Bother Me
What’s eating my pine? Sawfly larvae were feeding on your bristle cone pine, which is a very cool tree choice by the way. The larvae eat needles down to the fascicle, the sheath that hold the bundled needles together. Later in the year, the winged sawfly lays eggs (and earns its name) by sawing a […]
When to Prune to Reduce Oak Wilt Risk
Red, white, and bur oaks are some of our most-loved trees in Minnesota, and they face a mortal threat: oak wilt. Red oaks form the backbone of the red oak-sugar maple-basswood forests of the west metro. White and red oaks intermix through the Anoka sand plain and the southeast metro. Bur oaks line the uplands […]
How to Identify and Prevent Sunscald and Winter Burn
Winter in Minnesota provides many challenges for trees and shrubs, from extreme cold to dry winds and even the sun. Bright, sunny days can pose as much, or even more risk to some plants. The main issues we see later in winter are sunscald and winter burn. Both of these issues are best treated with […]
Tree Preservation Plans
Life in the urban environment causes conflicts between humans and the natural environment. But this does not mean people and trees cannot coexist in the same space. Quite the opposite is true. With planning, we can build homes under the canopies of large trees with minimal impact. A “tree preservation plan” protects before, during, and […]
Using Sampling and Testing to Prescribe Fertilization
Soil and foliar sampling are great tools for understanding a tree’s health. Soil sampling will determine the nutrient content of the soil. Foliar sampling will show which nutrients the plant absorbs and the quantity. Accurate metrics allow arborists to determine how to address plant deficiencies or health. The soil sampling process. Soil sampling can be […]
How to Care for Mature and Veteran Trees
At one time or another, we’ve likely all been struck by an impressive sight — a tree that has stood the test of time. These trees come in many forms. They might be particularly large or appear old and wizened. Some may be relics of the time before settlers, some may be remnants of groves […]
Red vs. White Oak and their Response to Oak Wilt
In Minnesota, there are two groups of Quercus, the genus for oak trees: red and white oak. Red oak trees are identifiable by their pointed lobes. These trees include red oaks and northern pin oaks. The lobes on a red oak go halfway in, whereas pin oak lobes go almost 80% of the way in. […]
Saluting Branches 2023
For the second year, Vineland participated in Saluting Branches. This marked the 9th year of the event where 4,000 volunteers worked at 100 veteran properties nationwide. An estimated 4 million dollars of services went to the maintenance of trees in our nation’s cemeteries. It’s an opportunity for arborists to come together and contribute our unique […]
What’s Going On With Oak Trees?
Oaks are some of our most iconic shade trees, playing a central role in many ecosystems. Soils, drainage, and fire created the red oak-sugar maple-basswood forest around Lake Minnetonka to the bur and pin oak savannas that once flanked the Mississippi. Bur oaks still line the bluffs, preserved in city parks and boulevards. They also […]
Getting Rid of Japanese Beetles
The Japanese Beetle is an invasive pest that feeds on the leaves, flowers, or fruit of more than 300 plants. Hosts include Rosaceae, little-leaf linden, birch, elm, pin oak, grapes, and other vines. They are one of the major pests in the United States, causing monumental crop damage each year. Japanese beetles were first discovered […]