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 […]
2023 Tree Climbing Championship

Did you know the arborists you hire to prune your trees like to climb on the weekends, too? On May 19th-21st, a group of Vineland Tree Care’s arborists and tree climbers participated in the 2023 Minnesota Society of Arboriculture’s Tree Climbing Championship. The competition took place this year at Sturges Park in Buffalo, Minnesota. Vineland […]
Your Tree Has Dutch Elm Disease

Here’s what to do next. Dutch Elm Disease is a fungal infection spread via beetles and roots. The fungus produces pheromones that attract the Elm Bark Beetle. These beetles feed on small twigs and areas where branches meet, called unions. Dutch Elm Disease can kill a tree in three to six weeks. This is why […]