Johnson Ops Tree Care Blog

Keep Your Landscape Deer Free, Deer damage to ornamental plants is a recurring problem in many areas. Deer populations in many neighborhoods have grown due to suburban sprawl, with expanses of pavement and expensive, cultivated landscapes. In areas with heavy snowfall in the nearby woods, front and backyard plantings can serve as easy winter forage. Deer are selective feeders that eat leaves from flowers, shrubs, and ornamental trees. Damage to larger trees can extend up to 7 feet off the ground. In some areas, deer damage peaks in winter when snow […]

One of the major causes of tree failure is root damage. When a tree’s root system has been extensively damaged, the whole tree can fall to the ground – or onto your house. So let’s get to The Root of The Problem. “Most homeowners will look at a tree’s branches (canopy), and if there is no visible problem, they will determine that the tree is healthy. Many problems in trees do show themselves in the canopy – leaf discoloration, premature leaf shedding, or even branch death. Trees may fall over […]

Don’t Use Climbing Spikes When Pruning Trees Is your tree care provider using spikes to climb while pruning your trees? Climbing spikes are sharpened steel spikes attached to the climber’s leg by leather straps and padded supports. A tree worker should only use them to access trees being removed. When these spikes are used on living trees, it is traumatizing to the tree and creates unnecessary damage. So remember, Don’t Use Climbing Spikes When Pruning Trees. Each puncture from a climbing spike produces a certain amount of tree tissue death, though this […]

Why We Don’t 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 […]