Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions

  What does it cost to remove a tree?

Costs to remove a tree depend on the size, location, access, and difficulty of removal, including any structures, improvements, or valuable landscaping directly beneath the tree’s crown.

  Can I have work done on my tree without a permit?

Some municipalities have zoning ordinances that require owners of trees to obtain a permit before having any work done. Often, the jurisdiction is limited to street trees, but in some cases, it can include trees beyond rights of way. It’s best to check, as zoning ordinances are frequently updated and changed.

  If a tree expert says he has insurance, does that mean he does?

Not necessarily. It’s always better to ask for a ‘certificate of insurance’, which will tell you if a contractor has proper insurance (workers’ compensation and liability) as of the date of the certificate. Seeing a policy only tells you that, at some point in the past, the contractor had insurance, but doesn’t tell you whether the insurance is still in effect.

  What kind of background and training should an arborist have?

ISA Certification is a great starting point. At least the contractor has undergone the testing procedure and demonstrated a minimum level of knowledge of proper tree care. Formal education at a college or university with a degree in Horticulture, Arboriculture, or Forestry is preferred and demonstrates knowledge, ability, and commitment to the science and study of trees.

What is that?

  What is the green stuff growing on the bark of my tree?

Lichens are associations of a fungus and an algae or bacterium that can produce food for the fungus. Usually, lichens are green and grow on the bark of a tree or, sometimes, on surrounding rocks and soil. Lichens are not harmful to trees. It is sometimes said that Lichens always grow on the north side of a tree, so that you might find your way if you were lost. There are more reliable methods to find your way.

  What about the white stuff on the bark of my tree?

The reproductive parts of wood-decay fungi sometimes appear as white, brown, or tan-colored growths on the bark. Usually, by the time you see this growth, the woody tissue it is growing on is dead tissue. The recommended treatment is the removal of the infected portion of the tree. When the stem or base of the tree is involved, it might be wise to remove the whole tree, as much of it is either dead or will soon be. There is no known treatment to remove fungus successfully from the stem of a tree.

  What is the shiny sticky stuff on my leaves, and awning and car?

Trees will normally transpire during hot summer days, sometimes dripping sap as they try to cool off. This sometimes leaves a residue on surfaces beneath the tree. Excess amounts of sap can occur when aphids or other insects with sucking/piercing mouthparts are at work on your tree. These insects will draw sap from the tree and pass excess sap through their bodies, leaving anything below them covered in sticky sap. This sap often attracts other insects, including wasps and bees eager for an easy meal. In addition, molds can grow on this sugary substrate, making awnings and cars not only sticky but also discolored and hard to clean.

  What are those little brown dots on my car and house?

Artillery fungus is responsible for depositing small brown dots on anything near enough to be peppered by this nuisance fungus. The fungus is associated with hardwood mulch. It is hard to predict whether the mulch will be a problem, but once the ‘dots’ appear.

  What are those little bags that look like pine cones hanging on my tree?

Bagworms form cocoons made from the host plant, and when the host plant is an evergreen, the cocoons can be mistaken for cones. Bagworms are potentially damaging insects to many trees, especially evergreens, most frequently spruces and Arborvitae. They can be controlled through the proper application of a pesticide. If not, they can seriously damage an evergreen in one season.

Trees

  Why are my leaves curling up?

Leaves can curl on a tree for several reasons. Aphids and other insects will cause leaves to curl if they are sucking sap out of the leaf. Certain fungal diseases can cause leaves to curl, as can droughty conditions. Broadleaf weed killers, often used on lawns to kill weeds, can curl leaves as they form if an application was made nearby.

  Why are my needles turning brown?

Browning needles on evergreens can be caused by disease, insect, or mite damage. Normally, there is a pattern of browning that indicates whether it is a fungus or an insect. The time of year when symptoms show up can also be an indicator. This kind of damage can usually be controlled, but it should be controlled as soon as it is spotted.

  Is my tree too tall?

Trees have evolved over many eons and generally grow safely. Although some trees are affected by conditions that create hazards, being too tall is not one of them. While any tree has some risk, cutting it or topping it to make it shorter is not recommended.

  Is it bad for water to be getting into my tree?

No. Water often found in crotch formations where a cavity has formed is not harmful to the tree. Most wood-decay fungi are aerobic and require air. Water acts to prevent decay. In addition, if your tree is alive, it is a conduit for water, as the living cells in the tree need water to stay alive.

Pruning & Trimming

  Why should my tree be pruned?

Trees in nature are often never pruned. Some trees will be ok and have long lives. But all trees are not equal. Some landscape trees, especially when they are yours, will look better and be much healthier when cared for regularly. Your trees, when properly cared for, will be an asset in your landscape and will contribute significantly to the value of your real estate.

  What is the right time of year to have my tree pruned?

Most trees can be pruned at any time of the year. Certain ornamental species require pruning during periods when they are not susceptible to fireblight. Fruit-bearing and flowering species require pruning at specific times of year to optimize fruit or flower production.

  How often should my tree be pruned?

Recommendations for maintenance pruning of shade trees are generally every 4 years. Pruning is a health maintenance treatment, and as such will help the tree conserve energy and reduce the risk of insect and disease infestation. In addition, a well-pruned tree will be more aesthetically pleasing and be less of a hazard in the landscape. Of course, some tree owners will prune more frequently while others will do so less frequently, depending on budget and personal preference.

Ornamental trees should be pruned more frequently to maintain their appearance and maximize flowering.

  How should my tree be pruned?

Properly. Your best guarantee of proper pruning is to contract the service with qualified, certified arborists who are also fully insured. At Wolf Tree Specialists, you can be assured that your trees will always be treated professionally. Please take a look at the Credentials section of this website.

  Does it matter how my tree is pruned?

Yes. Without a doubt, tree pruning can be the best thing that happens to your tree or the worst. An amateur can quickly ruin what nature has taken a long time to form. Having your tree professionally pruned by a trained arborist is the best way to ensure it is pruned properly.

  Shouldn’t the pruning cuts made when you remove a limb be painted with something?

No. That is old technology that has not been practiced since the 1970’s. Dr. Alex Shigo, who was chief scientist for the U.S. Forest Service, concluded after studying tree responses to wounding that the wound dressings available were ineffective in preventing infection by decay fungi.

  Do trees heal?

No. Trees do not have a healing process like that of animals and humans. Trees are generative systems, producing new tissue each year from the cambium layer, and animals are regenerative systems, regenerating tissue at the wound site in the same spatial location as before the wound. This fact serves as the guiding principle for choosing how and where to prune a branch on a tree.

  Should my hedge be trimmed every year?

Yearly trimming of a hedge is best to keep it properly sized, protect it from winter damage, and optimize fullness. Every two years is alright, but going beyond that will begin to affect the appearance and jeopardize longevity.

Topping

  Should my tree be topped?

No. Topping hurts trees. It permanently disfigures the crown and causes many wounds, resulting in unnecessary damage to the tree. Most trees do not need to be reduced in size, and topping a tree is usually a waste of money. Proper pruning will cost less and have much better results.

  What is wrong with topping trees?

Soil & Fertilization

  Does my tree need to be fertilized?

Trees need certain macro and micronutrients to be healthy. When trees grow in natural environments, nutrients are usually replenished each year through decomposition of organic matter. Trees in our landscapes are usually growing in sites that include grassy areas where leaves and other organic materials are routinely raked and disposed of. Adding fertilizer will stimulate growth and vitality. This is best accomplished using a procedure that injects the nutrient mix below the surface to avoid burning the turf. When applied with the proper amount of pressure, it will restructure compacted soil, providing an improved root zone for the tree. Fertilizing is normally recommended on an annual basis, as nitrogen, the primary nutrient, is leached from the soil each year.

  Grass grows in Kansas?

Yes, grass grows in Kansas, and trees grow in Pennsylvania. When you try to combine the two in a single landscape, there will be some conflicts. This is one of the main reasons that trees need care. Grass needs special soil and growing conditions. Often, those conditions are different from what our landscape trees need. Understanding this fact forms the basis for Wolf Tree Specialists’ tree health recommendations.

Pests

  I see ants. Are they hurting my tree?

No. Ants are generally present when there is a cavity in a tree that is a suitable place to build a home. Ants, if they are present, are not going to damage live tissue, although they might hollow out a spot where fungus has already decayed the wood.

  Do I need to spray my tree every year to keep pests from damaging it?

To best protect your tree from damage, the answer is yes. Trees and pests have evolved together, with life cycles that coincide and recur annually.

Don’t see the answer to your question?

Call (610) 944-5644 or email us today with your questions. We will provide you with the answers you seek and get you on your way to healthier trees and plants.