Johnson Ops Tree Care Blog

Industry news, tree health tips, recent projects, and more.

Why We Don’t Top Trees

Why Not To Top Trees: Starvation: Good pruning practices rarely remove more than 25 percent of the crown. Removing too much of the tree’s foliage interferes with the tree’s ability to manufacture food. Shock: When a tree’s foliage is removed the remaining bark tissue, which is not usually exposed to direct rays of the sun, can sustain scalding similar to a sunburn and can shorten the tree’s life expectancy dramatically. Insects & Disease: Large stubs left after being topped have a difficult time forming a callus. These stubs are highly […]

Benefits of Pruning Oak and Elm Trees in the Winter to Early Spring

With winter in full effect and the leaves all gone, now is the time to trim your Oaks and Elm Trees. Winter Pruning Reduces the Exposure to Pests and Diseases, Two such varieties that should only be pruned in the dormant months are Oak and Elm Trees, which are susceptible to fungal infections like Oak Wilt and Dutch Elm. Oak wilt is caused by the fungus, Bretziella fagacearum. The fungus grows through the infected tree’s water-conducting system, causing the tree to wilt and die. Oak wilt is introduced to an area […]

The Benefits of Removing Tree Stumps

The decision to remove tree stumps from your lawn can take some time to consider. Maybe you extracted an existing tree from your yard, or the stump was already there when you moved into the property. It may not seem like a problem now, but leaving a tree stump to rot may cause issues in the future. Here are a few good reasons for you to consider removing tree stumps from your yard. Get Improved Curb Appeal Tree stumps left to rot in the yard are often unsightly. Apart from […]

The Importance of Tree Pruning

There are many reasons why pruning a tree is important. Pruning a tree can influence in what way the tree grows. With proper pruning, a tree can be made to grow into a certain arrangment of limbs and branches that is more ideal for the structural integrity of the tree. Maintaining the tree’s structure helps to alleviate the risk of broken limbs and falling branches. A properly pruned tree will not have compromising branch structures and improper weight distribution that could lead to disaster later on in the tree’s […]

Fall Tree Care From Certified Arborists

Trees are an integral part of any property and neighborhood. A well-maintained tree offers comfortable shade and aesthetic appeal that can last through every season for years to come. Fall is one of the most important seasons to prepare for tree care. While fall is an incredibly appealing time for trees and the outdoors, it takes quite some preparation for new and mature trees to stay healthy. Without proper maintenance, urban trees can become a hazard to the community. Diseases and fragile deadwood are some dangers of improper tree maintenance. […]

9 Myths about Tree Care from a Certified Arborist

Many homeowners love to have trees on their properties but have little to no knowledge of the care needed for their trees. In most cases, some information on tree care people gather is founded on misconceptions and myths. Here are some of the most common myths about tree care. 1. At the time of planting, securely stake your trees. Although you may need to stake a tree to encourage its establishment and help to keep the tree upright, there are several adverse effects of staking a tree. For […]

Proper Tree Care: How To Keep Trees Healthy

Trees add texture, depth, reduce air pollution and noise. Trees keep the temperature around your home relatively cool, provide shade, and are undeniably beautiful. Many people have a common misconception that trees do not require much attention as they take care of themselves. The truth of the matter is that trees require some maintenance, such as pruning and regular inspection. In some instances, some trees need more than the usual attention to protect them from disease, extreme weather conditions, and damaging insects. So, then the question is, where do you […]

What is a Certified Arborist and Why Should I Use Them for Tree Care?

A Certified Arborist is a highly seasoned professional that has been certified by the International Society of Arboriculture. You can only become ISA-certified by passing rigorous certification exams that test your knowledge about all aspects of arboriculture. Things like growth, cultivation, reactions to pruning, diseases, de-compartmentalization of decay. An Arborists cares for the health of the entire tree. While trees provide a lot of benefits to people, if left untouched they could cause damage. They may overgrow onto power lines or people’s homes. They could also cause damage in severe […]

Plant Health Care – How to Identify Diseases in Your Trees and Shrubs

How do you keep your plants healthy? You’re diligent about watering them, feeding them, pruning them, mulching them, etc. But what if a disease hits one of them? Not only could it significantly harm the plant itself, it could then spread to your other plants as well. How do you recognize these diseases in your trees and shrubs, and what do you do about them? Here are a few symptoms to look for. Blotchy, Brown Areas – If you notice blotchy, brown spots on your tree’s leaves—particularly if they’re also […]

What’s the best time of year to trim an Oak Tree?

The best time to prune Oaks Tress is late Fall through early Spring, due to the threat of Oak Wilt. Avoid prunning Oaks in the summer if possible.