Almstead Tree, Shrub & Lawn Care Company

Ever wonder why leaves change color in fall? #fallleaves #fallplants #arborist #almstead

A Beautiful Lawn Next Year Starts with Our Fall Services Fall tends to be overlooked in the cycle of lawn care, but a touch of attention during this season can lay the foundation for a lush lawn come spring. If you haven’t signed up for our Fall Lawn Care Services, please contact your local Almstead Branch Office right away as time is of the essence.   Soil Testing & Fertilization The best first move towards nurturing a healthy lawn is a soil test. This can range from straightforward pH and fertility examinations to more intricate evaluations of organic matter and living organisms beneath the surface.   Overseeding & Core Aeration Fall is the optimal time to think about overseeding, a process that enhances your lawn's quality for future seasons. By mixing the appropriate seed blend for your specific site and adding it to the existing turf, you can mend bare spots, intensify the color and thickness of the grass, and render it more resistant to diseases. Compacted soil, often a result of heavy foot traffic or regular maintenance like mowing, can be another barrier to a splendid lawn. It hampers root development, leading to subpar turf. Core aeration, often performed alongside overseeding, can alleviate this issue by creating small openings in the soil, permitting air, water, and nutrients to reach the grass roots.   Topdressing Topdressing, or adding a mixture of top-notch organic compost and sand before seeding, further enriches the soil, providing the seeds with a solid footing and the nutrients they need to flourish.   The formula for a beautiful lawn is straightforward: supply the grass with what it requires and when it requires it. This encompasses maintaining appropriate soil conditions, ensuring sufficient moisture, employing good mowing techniques, and managing both broad-leaf and grassy weeds.

Enhance Your Property with Fall Tree Planting: Fall is an ideal time for tree planting, offering one of the most effective ways to boost your property’s value and appeal. For a timeless look, consider classic species like oaks, maples, or elms. If you prefer a modern aesthetic, slender and elegant trees such as birch or Japanese maple can create a sleek, sophisticated appearance. Strategic placement can make a significant difference. Planting larger trees near the corners of your property can frame your home beautifully, adding a sense of balance. Medium-sized trees along driveways and pathways guide the eye and create a welcoming entrance. Shrubs add depth and texture to your landscape. By layering shrubs—taller ones at the back and shorter ones in the front—you can create visual interest and make your garden appear more expansive. Evergreen shrubs provide year-round greenery, while flowering shrubs offer seasonal color and fragrance. Almstead provides expert advice on plant selection, placement, and care. We assist with soil preparation, planting techniques, and ongoing maintenance to ensure your landscape thrives. Call your local Almstead branch office today to schedule an appointment with a certified arborist. #falltreeplanting #curbappeal #arborist

Almstead arborist Jack Lambert from our Connecticut branch, spoke at the Rotary Club's meeting at Lapham Community Center in New Canaan, CT today. His presentation, titled "Rotary and the Environment," highlighted the growing focus on environmental initiatives within Rotary and the importance of trees in our communities. Jack, who is a past president of Rotary, discussed how the organization can partner with Almstead to enhance and beautify local community spaces through collaborative environmental projects. #rotary #treeplanting

Summer storms can bring high winds, heavy rain, and lightning, all of which can cause significant damage to trees and shrubs. After a storm, it's crucial to assess the damage promptly and take appropriate actions to ensure the safety and health of your landscape.   Before you begin assessing the damage, prioritize safety. Look for downed power lines, broken branches that are hung up in the tree, and any trees that are leaning precariously. If you spot any of these hazards, keep a safe distance and contact emergency services or a professional arborist to handle the situation. Never attempt to deal with these dangerous conditions on your own.   When to Call your Almstead Arborist • Tree Removal: Safely removing trees that pose a hazard to your property. • Cabling and Bracing: Installing supports to stabilize cracked or split trees and prevent further damage. • Health Assessments: Evaluating the overall health of the tree and determining the best course of action for recovery or removal. • Debris Cleanup: Safely removing fallen branches and debris from your property.   To minimize future storm damage, consider scheduling regular inspections to identify and address potential issues before they become serious problems.

Our Annual Summer Picnic was particularly special this year as it marked Almstead’s 60th Anniversary. The event, sponsored annually by the Almstead family, invites employees and their families for a day filled with fun, food, and games. This year, we welcomed over 300 attendees. During the picnic, we also presented our Years of Service Awards, which include plaques and cash, to those celebrating five, ten, fifteen, twenty, twenty-five, and more years with Almstead. Notably, Antonio Licea and Ryan Duff received awards for 20 years of service, while Amador Corona and Jorge Galvez were honored for their 25 years of service (see photos).

Heat stress is a common issue for trees and shrubs during the hot summer months, particularly during prolonged heat-waves. Recognizing the signs of heat stress early can help you take the necessary steps to mitigate its effects and protect your plants. One of the most visible signs of heat stress in trees and shrubs is wilting leaves. When plants don’t receive enough water, their leaves can droop and wilt as the plant tries to conserve moisture. Another sign is leaf scorch, which appears as brown or yellow edges on leaves. This occurs when the plant loses water faster than it can absorb from the soil, causing the leaf tissue to dry out. Additionally, heat-stressed plants may exhibit premature leaf drop, where leaves turn yellow and fall off earlier than usual. In some cases, heat stress can cause reduced growth, with new shoots and leaves appearing stunted or not growing at all. Bark cracking and sunscald, particularly on young trees or those with thin bark, can also be indicative of heat stress. Sunscald appears as discolored or damaged areas on the bark, which can become more susceptible to pests and diseases. If you notice these symptoms, it’s crucial to take action promptly. To mitigate the effects of heat stress, start by ensuring your trees and shrubs are receiving adequate water. You can also apply a layer of organic mulch around the base of your trees and shrubs can help retain soil moisture and regulate soil temperature.

Pests and Diseases Affecting Lawns Our earlier post discussed pests and diseases affecting trees and shrubs. Lawns are not immune to summer pests and diseases either. Here are a few you should look out for this summer. The Japanese Beetle is a major pest that feeds on the roots of grasses in its larval stage and on the foliage of many plants as an adult. Infested lawns often exhibit irregular brown patches where the grass can be easily pulled up due to root damage. Grubs which are the larvae of various beetles, are another common problem for lawns. These pests feed on grass roots, leading to thinning and dead patches. Signs of grub infestation include increased activity of animals like skunks and raccoons that dig up the lawn to feed on the grubs. Summer Patch, caused by the fungus Magnaporthe poae, is a significant lawn disease that creates circular patches of dead grass, often with a frog-eye pattern — see image on left. This disease thrives in hot, humid conditions and affects Kentucky bluegrass, a common lawn grass in the Northeast. Prevention & Treatment: Almstead has several Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies to effectively combat pests and diseases on your landscape. They include regular monitoring, cultural practices, biological controls, and targeted chemical interventions. If you don’t have a Plant Health Care (PHC) Program and Lawn Care Program with us, please contact your local Almstead Office for more information and to schedule a free consultation.

Summer Pests and Diseases Affecting Trees and Shrubs: The summer months bring a wealth of growth and beauty to our landscapes, but they also come with challenges in the form of pests and diseases. As temperatures rise and humidity increases, trees, shrubs become more susceptible to a variety of harmful organisms. One of the most notorious pests affecting trees in the Northeast is the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB). This invasive beetle targets ash trees, and its larvae feed on the inner bark, disrupting the tree’s ability to transport water and nutrients. Infested trees often exhibit thinning canopies, D-shaped exit holes in the bark, and increased woodpecker activity. Another significant pest is the Spongy Moth (formerly known as Gypsy Moth) which defoliates a wide range of tree species, including oaks, maples, and birches. The caterpillars can strip trees of their leaves, weakening them and making them more susceptible to other stresses. Signs of Spongy Moth infestation include large amounts of caterpillar frass (droppings) and egg masses on tree trunks. The Spotted Lanternfly (SLF) is now a threat to trees all over our region. This invasive insect primarily targets Tree-of-Heaven but can also affect a wide range of trees and plants, including grapes, hops, and several hardwood species. Spotted Lanternflies feed by sucking sap from stems and leaves, leading to weakened plants, reduced yields, and sooty mold growth. Infestations can be identified by the presence of adult insects, which are easily recognizable by their distinctive spotted wings, and egg masses on tree trunks and other surfaces. Among the diseases, Anthracnose is a common issue for deciduous trees such as oaks, sycamores, and maples. This fungal disease causes irregular, dark lesions on leaves, which can lead to premature leaf drop. In severe cases, repeated infections can weaken the tree over time. Powdery Mildew is another prevalent disease that affects a variety of trees and shrubs, including dogwoods, lilacs, and roses. Characterized by a white, powdery growth on leaves and stems, this disease thrives in warm, humid conditions. It can stunt growth and reduce the aesthetic appeal of plants if left untreated. Beech Leaf Disease (BLD) is an emerging threat to beech trees in the Northeast. Caused by a nematode (Litylenchus crenatae), BLD leads to dark, banded interveinal leaf striping and reduced leaf size. Over time, the disease can cause leaf curling, canopy thinning, and eventually tree mortality. The disease spreads through soil, water, and possibly leaf litter, making management challenging. Recognizing and addressing these issues promptly can help maintain the health and aesthetics of your landscape. Please contact us for treatment options. #treepests #treediseases #summerlandscape

Efficient and Safe Tree Removal: Here’s a video of our skilled tree removal crew from our Connecticut Branch using a Branch Manager machine to move debris quickly and safely over uneven terrain. This specialized machine is designed to handle tree limbs and other large debris with ease, ensuring a smoother and more efficient cleanup process. It not only enhances our efficiency but also helps maintain safety standards on challenging landscapes. #treebranchmanager #arborist