<![CDATA[Beechnut Tree Service - Beechnuts Tree Blog]]>

<![CDATA[Beechnut Tree Service - Beechnuts Tree Blog]]>Sat, 04 May 2024 00:05:43 -0700Weebly<![CDATA[Why should i trust tree services nowadays?]]>Fri, 03 May 2024 22:10:23 GMThttp://beechnutree.com/tree-service-blog/why-should-i-trust-tree-services-nowadaysWhen i go out to someone's home to give them a free estimate which is pretty standard in my business, I am a Certified Arborist and i pretty much know what is wrong with the tree or tree's after inspecting them. I have spent 20 yrs of my life studying them and know how to treat them and how to trim them to make them strong and healthy. So its no wonder when i go out to the customers home that they come out and start telling me how to trim the tree. Or how long it will take me to do it, that i am taken aback at some of their arrogance and disrespect they show me when i go there not charging them anything and try to give them advice for the health and safety of their trees. I have had people ask me to Hurricane cut their palm trees which means that they only want 2 to 3 palm fronds left on the palm after i am threw trimming it. When i ask them why they want it cut that way and i tell them that it is not good for the tree to be trimmed like that, all they ever say is i don't care that's the way I want them trimmed. Can you imagine an electrician or a plumber coming to your home to do some work and you start telling them how to do their job. I recently had one lady tell me over the phone that it would only take me one half hour to do what she wanted done. When i got over to look at the job she wanted to know where my equipment was? I told her that i have to look at the job to see what i need to do it. Well she didn't like that and started telling me that she wanted it trimmed right because the last guy that trimmed it hacked it up. Well it certainly didn't looked hacked up to me but i kept listening to her complain about that and that she was going to stand out there and watch every cut i made. When i asked her about the dead branches that were up in the tree she said no. Then she started talking about trimming over her roof and i advised her that i would cost more if i had to trim over the roof and she lost it and said " Well i guess you just don't want the Job" and walking back in her house leaving me standing there. This kind of thing makes me want to charge for the estimates i give. Had another HOA group wanted estimates on 90 palms that they wanted trimmed on their property's after spending 5 hrs. looking at trees and giving advice on how to trim them and giving them an estimate was told by one of the gentleman that would i consider lowering my price to get the job. Here at Beechnut tree service we do the best for your trees at the lowest possible price. We are not going to lower our prices to get the job and we are not going to do bad things to tree's or palms just so the owners can save a few bucks. If that means that we don't get the job then that's fine. We want to be known as the professional tree company that actually helped the tree's and not the company that other company's make fun of the work that looks like crap and is not good for the tree's health and life of the tree. So if you would like your tree's pruned correctly and for a reasonable price by a Certified arborist call us today .

]]><![CDATA[Fertilization: Why?, When?, and How?.]]>Thu, 28 Dec 2023 12:32:01 GMThttp://beechnutree.com/tree-service-blog/fertilization-why-when-and-how A lot of people ask me when is the best time to fertilize my tree's and shrubs? Well I usually like to fertilize when I see that its likely to rain that day or when it is going to rain for a few days that would be even better. That way the fertilizer can leach into the soil better and it can get down to the root system faster. Another way is to fertilize and then water down the soil everyday or so to keep the soil wet so it can break down and reach the roots that way.
The problem I see is when people use a lot of fertilizer and do not water it well enough then you start running into the problem of Reverse Osmosis. This is where the fertilizer actually absorbs water from the soil and the plants or trees. You might know this process as (Fertilizer burn). When this occurs then the fertilizer pulls water from the tree's , shrubs and surrounding soil.
Trees require certain essential elements to function and grow. An essential element is a chemical element that is involved in the metabolism of the tree, In the forest these elements are usually present in sufficient quantities in the soil . Urban trees however may be growing in soils that do not contain sufficient available nutrients. Fertilizing can increase growth , reduce susceptibility to certain diseases and pests and can help reverse declining health.
I have personally seen here in New port richey and witnessed the transformation on some of the palms that I have treated with fertilizer after being called out to look at a declining palm that was dying or starting to decline and treating it and teaching the customer about the importance of fertilization of Palms The Palms that I have treated have made miraculous recovery's. Palm decline occurs a lot here in Pasco where everybody wants their palm Hurricane Cut, or a good percentage of the fronds removed which often causes nutrient deficiencies in the palm. Here at Beechnut Tree Service. we recommend keeping as many green fronds on the palm that is possible and use a slow release fertilizer. This will help prevent fertilizer burn and break down into the soil slowly. Beechnut tree service can provide and assist you in your quest to increase your tree and shrubs health. Fertilizers are also good for fruit tree's if your fruit is not sweet or not growing to the size you think it should be.
Besides being good for Palms, Fruit trees, and all plants Fertilizer is good for the health, growth, it is also good for the soil by replacing valuable nutrients that They lack in this urban environment. If we have not answered all of your questions about this subject feel free to contact me and if I can't answer them or I can connect you with someone who will be able to help you. Beechnut Tree service can make your tree's and shrubs happy again! Also remember to apply the fertilizer around the dripline of the tree or shrub. This is where the absorbing roots live not next to the trunk..... Thanks for stopping by!

]]><![CDATA[Beechnut tree is now selling firewood.]]>Sat, 16 Dec 2023 18:09:59 GMThttp://beechnutree.com/tree-service-blog/beechnut-tree-is-now-selling-firewoodNow is the time to stock up on Beechnut tree's premium aged oak firewood. We have available stocks that we can personally deliver and stack for your convenience. We deliver throughout New port richey, Trinity, North Pinellas, Land o lakes, spring hill, and surrounding areas. There is usually a small charge for delivery just to cover the cost of fuel.

A lot of company's sell firewood but it is not all aged and it is not all Oak. They will not tell you and you get it home and it won't burn. Beechnut tree service not only segregates its Oak from other species but we have a system that insures that you will not only get aged firewood but you are assured that it will burn like a duraflame and will burn clean so you don't need to have your chimney cleaned every few months. I personally use this wood in my fireplace and can tell you that it is the best in pasco county. Maybe even everywhere. Call us today to get your supply stocked up, and be prepared for the cold winter months.

]]><![CDATA[Legend of the Geezers ?]]>Fri, 08 Dec 2023 19:52:01 GMThttp://beechnutree.com/tree-service-blog/legend-of-the-geezers

legend of the Geezers Competition 2013.

There is a competition around this time every year. It is known in the tree world and in numerous countries as Legend of the Geezer competition . It was started in 2003 by a friend of mine named Bruce Smith. Bruce at that time was the President of the Florida chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture. He was based out of Sarasota Fl. I was and still am based here in New Port Richey, just a few miles north of him. Any way he came up with the idea i believe after Me and my girlfriend at the time were competing in the 2003 Florida ISA tree climbing competition. We were the oldest Man and Woman competing and i think we impressed a lot of the other competitors any way we had a good time. So the Geezers Competition is where Older Ladies and Gentleman Climb tree's in a competition that is meant for much younger people. Beechnut tree service is a proud competitor and a volunteer at this Competition The Picture above is me in the 2013 Comp. Beechnut tree service is and will always give to this worthy cause that has blossomed into a international event that helps bring people and trees together for the better good of both species. If you would like any information on this event don't hesitate to contact me 727-967-8733 or maybe you would just like to learn to climb trees safely feel free to ask us about our Tree Climbing Classes here in New Port Richey starting next spring.

]]><![CDATA[Proper Palm pruning Techniques.]]>Mon, 19 Jun 2023 19:32:28 GMThttp://beechnutree.com/tree-service-blog/proper-palm-pruning-techniquesWhen considering pruning your palms, You may think you need to " Hurricane prune " your palm tree. Hold that thought before you do more harm then good. There is a misunderstanding that by removing almost all palm fronds, leaving only the youngest few, you can create a more wind resistant palm. However, evidence suggests that it is not correct and "hurricane pruning" actually weakens palm trees and they could become more vulnerable to damage.

Proper pruning techniques

So what are some better p0runing techniques when it comes to Palms?
First. Only completely dead fronds should be removed. While yellow leaves may be unsightly, They are an indication of something going on. These leaves should be left on as they are still helping to support the palm through mobile nutrients, such as potassium (K)

A healthy palm tree should actually have a 360 degree canopy of leaves.
However , often they are over pruned due to nutrient deficiency symptoms.
Never remove any leaves above the horizon of Three to Nine ( on a clock)

One other thing to consider when pruning palms are the flowers and fruit. It is fine to leave the fruit or to prune it out of the palm if you do not want your yard littered with the fruit .

Hiring a Certified Arborist

Please keep in mind, if you cannot safely prune a palm safely, it is best to hire a Certified Arborist and we here at Beechnut tree service have a arborist on all our jobsites and actually doing the trimming.
we are professionals and are trained in proper pruning techniques.

In closing I know you think that Hurricane cutting will help you not to have to trim so often but it is just the opposite. The more fronds you take off the faster the tree will grow to try to replace the fronds it has just lost. it is a vicious cycle that will end up making your tree so tall that no one will be able to trim it . And if you happen to live in one of these gated community's where they come around and tell you that you have to have your palms Overpruned You tell them that Beechnut tree service says you only should trim the dead ones and the fruit.

]]><![CDATA[Tree's , Property lines, and Improper root cutting.]]>Mon, 30 Jan 2023 01:10:08 GMThttp://beechnutree.com/tree-service-blog/trees-property-lines-and-improper-root-cuttingThe other day I was called out to a home to look at some work that was going on beside a home of a friend of mine. Apparently the owner of a trailer park had some issues about a electrical line that they had run on top of the ground and were in violation by the county. So instead of getting some professionals to come in and bore a line, they decided to take chainsaws to the roots of a two hundred year old Live Oak that that was on the property line next to my friends home. After looking at the damage to this root system that had just been butchered up and very close to the trunk I might add, I suggested to him to document and take pictures of the damage.
The damage to this tree will not be known for some time. It might be two or three years from now, Or it could be during the next tropical storm when the tree just falls over. Who knows?
My friend said that he talked to some attorneys , One of which was supposed to be the best and he said my friend had no case? I told him to get another attorney quick, the next attorney said that he had a case but unfortunately will have to share the cost if the tree falls over. Again I told him that the lawyer was wrong. Why should he have to bear the cost to remove this Giant Oak when he did nothing to cause this trees decline.
If there is anyone who has some experience with these types of matters please feel free to comment below. Contact Beechnut Tree before you go cutting roots, especially if those roots connect to a neighbors tree. ]]><![CDATA[Palm Trees : Care, Maintenance, and Proper Pruning.]]>Thu, 28 Jul 2022 13:20:48 GMThttp://beechnutree.com/tree-service-blog/palm-trees-care-maintenance-and-proper-pruning

  Having been in the tree care business now for over 20 yrs and having trimmed thousands of palm trees here in Florida, I have seen just about every type of Palm Disease, Deficiency, insect, and pruning techniques that can affect your palm.
  The number one thing you can do for your palm trees is to not overprune them, or what is called in the industry as Hurricane pruning. Palm trees need a certain amount of fronds or leaves to keep the palm tree healthy. When you Over prune or take off more fronds then necessary, In time this will cause the palm to start having deficiencies and not only that but the tree will start having rapid growth to try to replace the fronds that it has lost due to improper pruning. This is a vicious cycle that will cause the health of the palm to decline over a period of time .
Beechnut Tree Care uses proper pruning methods prescribed by The University of Florida when pruning palms.

Another misconception about Palms is that they must have fertilizer on a regular basis. Though Palms do like fertilizer and it does seem to help in the health and vigor of the palm it is not really necessary unless you believe that your palm has a deficiency. Then it is a good idea to call Beechnut tree and have a Certified Arborist come out to look at it so that the best methods of treatment can be applied.

Bugs and Insects :
There are many different types of bugs and insects that affect palms. If your trees are infected then you might want to call Beechnut tree for a plan of action against these little critters.
One of the bugs I see a lot of here in Central Florida That is affecting Sago Palms really bad is what is called Asian Scale , it is also affecting other types like Pigmy Date palms and Others. It is a little white bug that will latch on to the underside of the palm frond it almost looks like white powder. These bugs can be combatted by using Dawn dishwashing soap and water . for more info on this bug contact me and I will explain the process.
There are other little bugs that affect Palms, there are leaf skeletonizers that suck on the juices of the leaf or frond and cause parts of the frond to turn brown.
There are a lot of bugs that use the palm also for shelter or to make nests in the Palm, So if you see bugs or ants or bees or squirrels in your Palms don't get alarmed, " They are not hurting the palm by being there"
There are a number of funguses and bacteria that affect palms. Some Bacteria and Fungus causing what looks like a mushrooms at the base of the Palm. This fungus called Ganoderma can greatly affect the health of Palms.
There is also a bacteria that is affecting The Phoenix class of Palm trees Throughout Central Florida right now like the Date Palms and others Called (TPPD) This is a bacteria caused by Phytoplasma and is sometimes called Lethal Bronzing.

In Closing i would like to note that it is Important to properly prune your palms and not to allow yourself to be fooled into believing that if you get your palms stripped up or Hurricane cut, That it is not only bad for your palms but it is unsightly and will cause rapid growth in the tree to which you will have to trim them faster then you normally would. Call Beechnut Tree Care today for your free evaluation of your palms and trust that we will give you the correct information and will not sell you something that you do not need and always keep your palm trees health our number one priority.

]]><![CDATA[Sit back and enjoy your moss draped oaks]]>Sat, 23 Jul 2022 19:30:25 GMThttp://beechnutree.com/tree-service-blog/sit-back-and-enjoy-your-moss-draped-oaks

Spanish moss which is actually a bromeliad, does not harm healthy trees. but instead takes advantage of defoliating trees as they naturally decline in health.

There are many myths we grow up believing, such as the link between proximity to the television and the potential for blindness. Other childhood fables are more specific to circumventing " bad" luck by avoiding crossing paths with black cats, walking under ladders, and breaking mirrors. As we age we realize how ridiculous it was for us to believe most of these superstitions.

Yet there is one myth that most people believe well into adulthood, that moss kills trees.

People believe what they see. When you observe dying trees with moss clinging to dead limbs the connection is made that the moss, acting as a parasite, is killing the tree. As opposed to healthy trees with full, leafy canopies appearing to have very little moss.

The relationship moss has with trees is actually opportunistic and has little to no impact on the health of the tree. A dying tree will gradually defoliate, exposing large areas of bare branches within the canopy. This provides the perfect scaffolding and growing conditions for moss growth. Vigorous trees with fuller leaf cover have a shielding effect, limiting access of moss seeds into the canopy.

Moss seeds are very small and primarily distributed by the wind. The nooks and crannies of tree bark are ideal for capturing and sheltering these seeds as they sprout and mature. Tree mosses produce small tendrils that will secure the plant to the tree as it gains size.

These tendrils are often assumed to be roots that enter the tree and " steal" food and water, which is not the case. The moss will obtain all the water it requires from atmospheric moisture, which we refer to as humidity. Food is also readily available in the form of atmospheric nitrogen.

There are two types of moss typically seen on trees here in the south, Spanish moss and ball moss. Despite their name, these are not really mosses, They are bromeliads.

Although a great deal smaller and less colorful than other members of their family, they do not share the similar wildlife benefits. Tree moss offers refuge to many species of wildlife, including birds, lizards , and tree frogs. And i have rarely found birds nest that didn't utilize moss in its construction.

Back to our discussion of dying trees with profuse quantities of moss. As a trees heath declines, moss will further accumulate on the weakened branches, increasing the potential for limb breakage due to the weight of the moss growth. This should be the only time moss will present a direct threat to a tree.

But now that we have a better understanding of mosses, we know that this tree is failing due to other circumstances. The moss is only guilty of opportunistically taking advantage of desirable growing conditions. A bit like us wanting to live in the sunny , warm state of Florida.

Hopefully this has changed your perspective on the moss that is growing on the trees in your yard. Instead of fearfully trying to remove it from your trees canopy, sit back and enjoy its beauty.

]]><![CDATA[Why Proper pruning is so important....]]>Sat, 14 May 2022 09:45:47 GMThttp://beechnutree.com/tree-service-blog/why-proper-pruning-is-so-important Any time a living part of a tree is cut open through pruning, or broken open through storm damage, the remaining area will likely decay. Any time a living part of the tree is cut open The remaining area will decay. Reduction cuts vs removal cuts There are many different types of cuts and they should be made very carefully. If you do not know where to make a proper cut or just cut limbs for no apparent reason then the tree is going to suffer.
When tree limbs are cut at the proper spot on the tree limb then the tree will respond by compartmentilizing behind the wound and will help the tree heal and will stop the spread of decay at the site of the wound . The tree then builds walls behind the wounded area and stops the spread of decay. Sort of like when a dying branch falls off and you see the little round swelling behind the branch in what is called the branch bark ridge. This area closes off the wound to stop the spread of decay throughout the the tree.
This is why you do not want to ever top trees. Not only is this bad for the tree but it cuts off that part of the tree that helps the tree heal. Even in tree's like Crape Myrtles This type of pruning practice is discouraged. The best possible way to cut or prune the tree properly is to hire a tree service like Beechnut tree service to properly prune your tree, so it will heal over like it should and stop the spread of decay.
If you can't make a proper cut on a tree limb or the limb has a cut from a long time ago then i would suggest calling Beechnut tree service out to your home to evaluate the limb or limbs that have been cut improperly to see if they can be repaired or simply need to be removed. Sometimes the wound was made through nature , possibly lightning or animals . In that case there is not much you can do. Or when the tree has bad structure, then a more drastic approach must be taken , but these are rare cases and should be taken as a last resort. In Closing i must tell you to please don't let anyone work on your tree's that is not a Certified Arborist . Once you start trimming or having a tree trimmed it must be done properly or the results can end up in disaster. Call us Beechnut tree Service for your free Estimate and make your trees the talk of the neighborhood.

]]><![CDATA[Tree's Neighbors and Property lines....]]>Mon, 18 Apr 2022 11:22:09 GMThttp://beechnutree.com/tree-service-blog/trees-neighbors-and-property-lines I get a lot of calls about people wanting to trim tree's that are over or close to someone else's property. I usually ask them " Why do you want to trim the tree over your neighbors property"? They usually respond by telling me that the neighbor contacted them about trimming it. After looking at the tree its trunk is on one side and the limbs are hanging over the line and going into the neighbors yard. I will start by telling them that the limbs that are hanging over into the neighbors yard are their responsibility to keep trimmed up not yours. They most often say " I don't care just trim it up so they will stop complaining about it to me. And there is nothing wrong with trimming your tree if it is over the neighbors property , but don't think that you have a legal responsibility to do so. The law requires every home owner to trim what ever is over their property line to trim it up themselves . And they must do it to benefit the tree and not cut it to hurt the tree. In other words they must trim the tree properly. A person or neighbor who is mad because you won't pay to have the limbs cut over his side of the property cannot and should not be allowed to then go up and just hack off a bunch of limbs that could injure or kill the tree. I once went out to a jobsite and the tree was right on the line between neighbors . The one neighbor who called me out to the sight wanted me to cut all the roots that were coming over onto his side . Well I don't have to tell you that if i were to cut all of those roots the tree would most likely fall over in a storm. After telling him that it would most likely kill the tree or it would fall over during a storm because of the roots being cut he threw up his arms and asked me to leave after saying a few more choice words to me. In closing just remember to not try argue with your neighbor about the tree Just call me Beechnut tree service, and i will politely explain to them that i am a Certified Arborist and can usually educate them on the law and tree's. And remember you are not obligated to trim anything over your neighbors property, That is the Law. Don't let them scare or threaten you into spending thousands of dollars when it is their responsibility. If you have any questions about this topic you an call or email me directly at Treescab@gmail.com .

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