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Texas Tree Surgeons blog
Want to learn more about the tree services industry? Have a question about the trees on your property? Check back on our blog frequently for news, updates, and answers to your questions.
Just in Time For the Holidays!
Firewood Pickup and Delivery Now Available! At Texas Tree Surgeons, we love trees and we love our community! That's why we bring you Burn This Firewood! In the past 20 years, we have seen tons of wood waste being sent to landfills. With our recent relocation to our...
Artificial Turf and Trees
It seems that artificial turf is becoming more and more popular each year. With less required maintenance and year-round color, artificial grass can seem like an easy way to have a lush, green lawn. One thing that synthetic turf cannot replicate, however, is the role...
Free Trees for Dallas Tornado Recovery!
In October 2019, Dallas was hit with a devastating tornado. As part of ongoing recovery efforts, the Texas Trees Foundation is partnering with the Arbor Day Foundation and International Paper to give away 500 free trees to Dallas residents who were affected by last...
Is There Such a Thing as a “Tree Doctor?”
Another installment in our series of posts where Texas Tree Surgeons answers your tree questions. Are you having problems with your trees and want to know what's wrong? Let us know!I sometimes hear the term "tree doctor;" is that a real thing?We are used to going to...
Ask Texas Tree Surgeons: How Should I Water My Trees?
Another installment in our series of posts where Texas Tree Surgeons answers your tree questions. Are you having problems with your trees and want to know what's wrong? Let us know!I have a sprinkler system in my yard. Do I need to do anything special for my trees?We...
Ask Texas Tree Surgeons: What Can I Do About Bagworms?
Another installment in our series of posts where Texas Tree Surgeons answers your tree questions. Are you having problems with your trees and want to know what's wrong? Let us know!My cedar tree has bagworms. Can you treat for that?Bagworms are a common pest in North...
Ask Texas Tree Surgeons: What’s Wrong With My Oak Trees?
Another installment in our series of posts where Texas Tree Surgeons answers your tree questions. Are you having problems with your trees and want to know what's wrong? Let us know!The leaves on our oak trees are looking diseased, with bumps all over them. Is this oak...
Pecans in a Nutshell
Another installment in our series of posts where Texas Tree Surgeons answers your tree questions. Are you having problems with your trees and want to know what's wrong? Let us know!Are pecan trees native to Texas? How many recognized types of pecan tree are...
Grow A Tree from an Acorn!
We had a bumper crop of acorns recently. While this is good for squirrels, it also presents a great opportunity for a fun project that can be educational and help our urban forest! Growing your own oak from an acorn and planting it where it is needed is a great, easy...
Fun Tree Activities for Kids!
With school out and a lot of our community staying at home, now is the perfect time to spend some quality time outdoors! Texas Tree Surgeons is a family-owned company and we wanted to share a few fun tree-related activities we have been doing with our kids:Leaf...
Ask Texas Tree Surgeons: What’s Wrong With My Fruit Tree?
Another installment in our series of posts where Texas Tree Surgeons answers your tree questions. Are you having problems with your trees and want to know what's wrong? Let us know!Why is it that my peach trees get loaded with peaches every year, but the peaches only...
Ask Texas Tree Surgeons: My Tree is Leaning; Should I Be Worried?
Another installment in our series of posts where Texas Tree Surgeons answers your tree questions. Are you having problems with your trees and want to know what's wrong? Let us know!We have a tree in the back yard that is leaning. Is there anything we can do to fix...
What’s Blooming in North Texas?
As the weather warms up in the spring, we see trees begin to bud out in at different times. Most of our North Texas trees don't have colorful blossoms in Spring, but there are a few notable exceptions.Saucer/Tulip Magnolia An impressive early spring bloomer is the...
“Arborist” vs. “Certified Arborist”
It seems at times like there are as many tree care companies as there are trees. Sifting through the flyers, business cards, yard signs, and truck logos we see around North Texas can be overwhelming. However, whether you have many trees or just a few, it is always...
What is the Tree with White Blossoms in North Texas?
Wondering what those trees with flowers are in your area? Although they blend in to our urban forest the rest of the year, one variety of tree pops with white blossoms in the spring. Ornamental Pear(Bradford/Aristocrat pear) Just like their vivid fall color, the...
Best Way to Top a Crape Myrtle? Don’t.
The most common mistake made in caring for crape myrtles is the practice of “topping.” Topping involves removing branches and trunks from the top down, trimming all material above a certain height. Usually, all leaves, blooms, and other green material are removed,...
Why Is My Tree Losing Its Leaves in Spring?
Why is my live oak looking sick and dropping leaves? Falling leaves, just like color changes, have become a hallmark of Autumn, but not all trees drop their leaves in the Fall. In North Texas, we have a lot of live oaks, which is one particular exception to the "trees...
Ask a City Arborist: What Are the Tree Removal Requirements in Dallas?
Taking care of our urban forest is a complicated task. While tree care companies like Texas Tree Surgeons and individual homeowners are responsible for caring for most trees, communities and municipalities play an essential role in establishing the guidelines that...
Last-Minute Gift Ideas 2019!
Looking for some last-minute gifts and don't want to give gift cards again this year? Consider one of these eco-friendly options: Plant a Tree (Where They're Really Needed) Don't worry, you don't have to do any of the heavy lifting! There are several...
Can Christmas Trees Grow in North Texas?
While Christmas tree farms are not a common sight around North Texas, and many traditional evergreen trees do not thrive in our urban forest, there are several native evergreen species that can be used to give your yard some year-round color. Additionally, we’ll...
Ask Texas Tree Surgeons: Why Do I Have So Many Acorns?
Why are there so many acorns this year? Owners of oaks in North Texas have been asking us about the number of acorns they are seeing in their yards this year. While it's easy to point to the weather patterns or other environmental factors, those don't seem to explain...
When is the Best Time to Trim Trees?
Tree trimming or tree pruning in Texas is generally best when done after temperatures cool off in the fall and before buds begin to grow in the spring.
What Happens When a Tree Falls on My Car?
With all the storms in 2019, we have seen unprecedented damage to our community. We have previously covered what happens when a tree falls on your house, and we wanted to supplement that information. We reached out to Katie Tu, a content specialist with...
How Do I Plant a New Tree?
With the extensive and repeated storm damage we have had in 2019, many neighborhoods have lost their beautiful, established trees. While there is no quick fix to restore our urban forest to its former glory, planting new trees now will have benefits in the years to...
Tree Events in North Texas November 2019
After the storms of 2019, it is a better time than ever to learn about our urban forest and become involved in preserving it. For Dallas homeowners, the Branch Out Dallas campaign was a huge success this year, selling out of trees! If you participated in the program,...
The Tornado Took All the Leaves Off My Tree; What Can I Do About It?
After a devastating weather event like the tornadoes on October 20, 2019, the damage can be hard to assess, let alone start to repair. While damage to homes and other structures is of utmost importance to the community, addressing the damage to our urban forest, and...
Do We Ever Have Colorful Fall Leaves in DFW?
While North Texas is full of natural beauty, the changing color of leaves in the fall is not generally seen. More often than not, our trees are green for most of the year, and then drop their leaves quickly once real winter hits. However, there are a few common North...
Why Does Storm Debris Cleanup Take So Long?
The recent storms in North Texas have produced an unprecedented amount of broken limbs, downed trunks, and other tree waste material. Local residents have become frustrated with the seemingly slow response to the mess, and both cities and tree services have been...
Why Are My Oak Trees Turning Brown?
As the summer heat drags on, we start to get calls about trees “looking bad.” Recently, for example, we have been seeing general decline of trees, especially oak trees, in the Plano area. In a densely-populated suburban area like Plano, there are many potential causes...
Free North Texas Trees for 2019!
Just like last year, the City of Dallas is giving homeowners free trees as part of its Branch Out Dallas program! Registration starts September 1st, and continues until September 30th. The trees will be available for pick-up November 2nd. This round, the available...
Ask a Woodworker: Can You Make Something Out Of My Tree?
When we remove a tree, the owners often ask us if they can do something with the wood, other than using it as firewood. In the past, we haven’t been able to give many options, other than leaving a few inches of stump for a plant stand or stool. However, we recently...
Ask Texas Tree Surgeons: What Are the Bumps on My Pecan Leaves?
Another installment in our series of posts where Texas Tree Surgeons answers your tree questions. Are you having problems with your trees and want to know what’s wrong? Let us know!As we move into summer, there are several tree health issues that can present...
Ask an Insurance Agent: Does Insurance Cover My Trees?
The recent storm activity has caused widespread damage in our community. When there is storm damage, we are often asked if insurance might cover damage caused by trees or the trees themselves. While we can’t predict what your particular insurer or policy covers, we...
After the Storm…
Trees that survived the severe storm damage are going to need special care over the next few years. The loss of canopy will reduce the trees' ability to photosynthesize for food and to take up water. We are entering the hottest part of the year; after the rains have...
A Master Arborist’s Top 10 Ornamental Trees – Part 2
For our full list of decorative tree recommendations, start here! If it's time for a new look in your yard, or you recently lost some trees due to storms and are looking for replacements, our owner and ISA Board Certified Master Arborist Amy Langbein Heath has put...
Texas Tree Surgeons: No Problem.
At Texas Tree Surgeons, we love trees, but sometimes we need to remove them. This cottonwood had root rot and posed a danger to persons and property. The owner decided to take it down, and Texas Tree Surgeons was there to help. No problem. If you have a tree that you...
Ask Texas Tree Surgeons: Why Do My Red Tip Photinias Have Spots on the Leaves?
Another installment in our series of posts where Texas Tree Surgeons answers your tree questions. Are you having problems with your trees and want to know what's wrong? Let us know!Dear Texas Tree Surgeons, A lot of my bushes, especially the red tip photinias, are...
Is There a Difference Between Tree Trimming, Tree Cutting, and Tree Pruning?
When people talk about tree care, they can use different words to talk about the same thing. You may hear “trim,” “prune,” or “cut,” just as you may hear “limb” or “branch.” At Texas Tree Surgeons, we are often asked the difference between a branch and a limb, or...
![A Master Arborist’s Top 10 Ornamental Trees [UPDATED]](https://texastreesurgeons.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Texas-crepe-myrtle-400x250.jpg)
A Master Arborist’s Top 10 Ornamental Trees [UPDATED]
It looks like spring is finally here, and many homeowners are heading back out to their gardens and lawns to get them ready for summer. While spring is a great time to renew mulch and fertilize your trees, many people are also looking to freshen up their outdoor areas...
Storms and Trees – Quick Tips!
As we prepare for storm season, Texas Tree Surgeons has a few tips for taking the best care of your trees. Let us know if you have questions or need us to come out to assess your trees!Consult a Certified Arborist to Assess Any Storm DamageStorms, especially ones with...
Do My Trees Really Need Fertilizer?
Is mulch really that important? As discussed in our article on proper mulching, there is a big difference between urban soil and trees’ natural habitat. Mulching can greatly improve the quality of soil around a tree, but it is not always possible to properly mulch...
A Guide to Crape Myrtles
At Texas Tree Surgeons, we love trees and we love our customers, and we have created a series of articles covering tree basics. If you have a specific tree question, let us know! Crape myrtles (also crepe myrtles), seen by many as something between a bush and a tree,...
What is Oak Wilt?
At Texas Tree Surgeons, we love trees and we love our customers, and we have created a series of articles covering tree basics. If you have a specific tree question, let us know! Oak wilt, and the precautions that need to be taken to help prevent the spread of this...
![Ask Texas Tree Surgeons: Do I Need to Worry About the Emerald Ash Borer? [UPDATED]](https://texastreesurgeons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/emerald-ash-borer-1447682_1280-400x250.jpg)
Ask Texas Tree Surgeons: Do I Need to Worry About the Emerald Ash Borer? [UPDATED]
[UPDATED MAY 27, 2020 to reflect progression of EAB activity.] Another installment in our series of posts where Texas Tree Surgeons answers your tree questions. Are you having problems with your trees and want to know what’s wrong? Let us know!Dear Texas Tree...
How Do I Find Out What Disease My Tree Has?
At Texas Tree Surgeons, we love trees and we love our customers, and we have created a series of articles covering tree basics. If you have a specific tree question, let us know!While many plant and tree diseases are commonly seen and can be accurately diagnosed by...
Is Mulch Really That Important?
At Texas Tree Surgeons, we love trees and we love our customers, and we have created a series of articles covering tree basics. If you have a specific tree question, let us know! Mulch is an important part of tree care that is often overlooked. Many trees are...
Ask Texas Tree Surgeons: Should I Worry About Mushrooms on My Tree?
Another installment in our series of posts where Texas Tree Surgeons answers your tree questions. Are you having problems with your trees and want to know what's wrong? Let us know! Dear Texas Tree Surgeons,There are some mushrooms growing up my tree's trunk. Is that...
![Want a Free Tree? [UPDATED]](https://texastreesurgeons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/anywhere-4-400x250.jpg)
Want a Free Tree? [UPDATED]
There are two programs in North Texas this fall to help beautify our neighborhoods by providing free trees! For Dallas residents, the City of Dallas is introducing a new program called "Branch Out Dallas" on Saturday, October 27th. City officials and representatives...
What is Stump Grinding?
At Texas Tree Surgeons, we love trees and we love our customers, and we have created a series of articles covering tree basics. If you have a specific tree question, let us know! When providing a proposal for a tree removal, our arborists also evaluate the site for...
![Ask Texas Tree Surgeons: What’s Wrong with My Chinese Pistache? [UPDATED]](https://texastreesurgeons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/IMG_4994-400x250.jpg)
Ask Texas Tree Surgeons: What’s Wrong with My Chinese Pistache? [UPDATED]
Another installment in our series of posts where Texas Tree Surgeons answers your tree questions. Are you having problems with your trees and want to know what's wrong? Let us know! [POST HAS BEEN UPDATED TO REFLECT RESULTS OF LAB SUBMISSION] Dear Texas Tree Surgeons,...
Ask Texas Tree Surgeons: What’s All the Stuff Dripping on My Car and Patio?
Texas Tree Surgeons answers another question about trees in North Texas. Do you have a question, or would you like to have a visit from an arborist? Let us know! I park under a tree a few times a week, and have been noticing little drops all over my...
Dark Skies Over Plano: A Discussion of Storms from a Tree Service Perspective
It seems that we have been getting our April showers in September this year! North Texas storms are always a mixed blessing and, for those of us in tree service, a good reminder of the needs of our urban forest. Plano, Texas, with its mix of development ages and...
![Leaves Dropping Early? Ask A Frisco Arborist! [UPDATED]](https://texastreesurgeons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Twig-Girdler-1-400x250.jpg)
Leaves Dropping Early? Ask A Frisco Arborist! [UPDATED]
UPDATE 9/2019 - We see twig girdlers every year, so we thought it'd be a good idea to cover them again! While this post is directed toward Frisco, we are seeing them all over the Metroplex. Dear Frisco Arborist, Why are little clumps of leaves falling off my trees and...
![Dallas Tree Care – A Complete Guide to Tree Watering [UPDATED]](https://texastreesurgeons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/anywhere-bald-cypress-400x250.jpg)
Dallas Tree Care – A Complete Guide to Tree Watering [UPDATED]
Summer in Dallas can seem to last forever and just like we need to keep ourselves hydrated, we need to make sure our urban forest has the water it needs. However, tree watering can be challenging to do correctly. We made this guide to help you make sure you're not...
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