Tree Care Articles
18 Jul Rawson Tree Pruning: Expert Service from Start to Finish!
Here are the words every Charleston SC homeowner dreads: “Honey, are you EVER going to take care of the tree pruning?” Tree pruning is a hassle, and it can be dangerous for the amateur. There are a bunch of “pros” out there, but who can you trust to do the job right? And what does “doing the job right” even mean?...
30 Oct Caged In: Wire Baskets Should be Partially Removed After Transplanting Field-grown Trees
If the wire cage is left on a transplanted tree, is it bad for the tree? This may be the most hotly debated topic in the landscaping industry. And the answer is not a simple yes or no. There are so many factors that impact tree development- soil drainage, fertility, planting depth, irrigation- that often it is hard to determine if leaving a...
14 Sep A Deadly Disease of Laurel Oak
LAUREL OAKS As far as landscape trees go, the Laurel Oak (Quercus hemisphaerica) is one of the very best for the Lowcountry. This native oak is semi-evergreen (briefly losing most of its leaves in late winter) and grows to a mature height of 40-60 feet. Laurel Oak is a rapid grower that thrives in well-draining soils. Because it is smaller than Live Oaks and...
19 Jul Preventing Hurricane Damage to Landscape Trees
The official hurricane season along the Atlantic seaboard extends from June 1 through November 30. Typically, the chance for damaging storms peaks in August and September in the Carolina Lowcountry. Large shade trees, like Live Oaks and Laurel Oaks, are able to better withstand the winds that accompany these storms if they have been maintained properly. Plant trees that are well-suited...
17 Jul Protecting Your Trees From Lightning Damage
In the South Carolina Lowcountry, there are 5o to 70 days with thunderstorms every year. The lightning that is produced during these storms can damage or destroy mature trees in our landscapes. These specimen trees are important components of the gardens, golf courses and parks of Charleston. Well-developed trees, especially Live Oaks, add shade, unmatched beauty and value to a property. In fact, many...
21 May Southern Red Mites: Cool-Season Pest of Lowcountry Trees and Shrubs
During the cooler months, from November until March, the Southern Red Mite (Oligonychus ilicis) can be a devastating pest of common landscape plants. It prefers broadleaf evergreens like Hollies, Azaleas, Magnolias and Camellias- all of which are favorite plants in Charleston gardens. When infestations become severe, they can damage these plants and cause leaf discoloration, leaf drop and dieback. This mite is tiny...
24 Mar A Common Reason for Tree Decline: Planting Trees Too Deep
When a tree is in decline, the culprit is often assumed to be either disease, insect or nutrition-related. And while many times this is the reason, poor horticultural practices often allow these other problems to occur. It is comparable to Eastern vs. Western medicine. While Western medicine will often treat "symptoms" like a cough or rash, Eastern medicine tries to find the cause...
21 Mar The Consequences of Leaving The Wire Baskets on Field-Grown Trees
Charleston is a city of grand trees and well-designed gardens. When the azaleas begin to flower under canopies of Live Oaks each spring, we are drawn back into our gardens and parks to enjoy the long growing season of the Lowcountry. Live Oaks, Crape Myrtles, Ligustrums and Dogwoods are some of the trees and shrubs that create the lush Charleston landscape we...
09 Mar Tree Pruning in the Low Country: Start them Young!
South Carolina homeowners know that pruning their trees isn't just a matter of making them look neat and tidy. Pruning is also important to the growth and overall health of the tree. This is particularly true of the young tree. In order to develop a tree that has a sturdy structure and an attractive appearance, pruning is essential. If you take...