AAA Tree Talk
" We Love to Talk About Trees! "
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Tennessee Tree Day 2025
Posted -2025, February It's that time again!! Tennessee Tree Day 2025, hosted by The Tennessee Environmental Council, will be held Saturday, March 15th. You can reserve your native trees now through March 2nd. Pickup will be on March 14th or the 15th depending on your location. You can find the list of locations and make reservations on the TEC website. https://www.tectn.org
Tree species available this year:
Elderberry
Eastern Red Cedar
White Oak
Dogwood
Tulip Poplar
Pecan
Red Mulberry
Witch-Hazel
Eastern Redbud
Wild Plum
Mockernut Hickory *
Shagbark Hickory *
Persimmon*
Black Cherry*
So head on over to the TEC website and make your reservation!
*May not be available in all areas.
Regular Tree Maintenance
Posted - 2025, January Regular tree maintenance is important to keep your trees in optimal condition and prevent potential health issues. Here's an overview of standard tree maintenance:
Maintenance begins with trimming to remove any potentially unsafe limbs. For example "crossed limbs" that have grown and fused together create a slightly weak area in both limbs. The weakness grows as the limbs get larger. Removing the limbs removes the danger from overhead and creates space for the healthy limbs to thrive.
Next, removing "sucker branches", which are the small new growth that clutter the center of the tree, allows for more sunlight and better air circulation throughout the tree.
Also, selectively removing limbs that are growing awkwardly and low hanging limbs that could counterbalance the tree promotes better tree structure.
Regular Inspection and removal of any diseased or pest infected limbs is necessary to stop widespread infestation. Early detection is essential to control and prevent further destruction of the tree.
Most trees should be trimmed and inspected at least every 1 to 3 years depending on the species and growth rate. However, there are situational and environmental factors to be considered.
Fertilization is the next part of regular maintenance. Trees depend upon the soil to provide the essential nutrients it needs to survive but often poor soil quality leaves the tree lacking. Deep root fertilizing helps to supplement any nutritional needs not met by the soil. Most trees benefit from fertilizing every 1 to 2 years.
Regular maintenance not only promotes the health and longevity of a tree it also enhances the beauty and safety. Consulting a professional can provide tailored advice and services to ensure your trees remain healthy and thrive for years to come.
Trees with Superpowers!
Posted 2024 - 21, Nov.
1. Willow bark - contains a chemical called salicin, which is similar to aspirin. It can be extracted and sed as a remedy for inflammation and pain.
2. Sugar Maple Trees- can be tapped to drain the trees sap to make syrup. It takes about 40 gallons of sap to make one gallon of syrup.
3. Cedar Trees - produce thujone, an insect-repelling chemical that causes nerve damage to bugs and insects..
4. All trees have the ability to absorb carbon monoxide and produce clean oxygen through the process of photosynthesis.
Boxwood Shrub
Top 5 Shrubs Used in Landscaping
Posted 2024 - 20, Sep.1. Boxwoods - Popular because its thick evergreen foliage gives it a uniform look all year round. Its slow growth makes it easy to shape and maintain. Boxwoods are often the go to shrub for formal garden designs.
2. Hydrangeas - Appreciated for its beautiful blooms. It comes in an array of colors including white, pink, blue, purple and green. It's a hardy shrub that can thrive in a wide range of climates. Due to its variety of color choices and it's adaptable nature, hydrangeas are easily incorporated into any garden style.
3. Forsythia - A common choice due to its striking yellow flowers that bloom in early spring. It provides a vibrant pop of color before other leaves emerge. It's also a very tolerant shrub that requires very little maintenance to thrive.
4. Azaleas - Are a popular choice because of its brilliant spring blooms. Its impressive display of color signals a welcome end to cold winter weather. It's also a low maintenance addition to any garden
5. Juniper - Are drought tolerant evergreens that are very popular in the dry southwest regions. Often used for ground cover, they are quite useful in the prevention of soil erosion. They are also long living, slow growing shrubs that require almost no maintenance.
Any one of these shrubs would be an excellent addition to any garden!
1st Step Before Planting a Tree
Posted 2024 - 10, JulyThe 1st step you should take before you plant a tree or before any home improvement project that involves digging is to "Know What's Below!" (www.tn811.com)
Now days it's common for utility companies to bury the lines they run underground and some of these service lines are closer to the surface than you might think. So digging at even shallow depths to plant a small tree can become a dangerous task. It's also important to never assume that because you don't use a specific service that there aren't any lines running under your property. So, what should you do? Always call 811 (in Tennessee) before you dig! TN811 is a completely free service available to Tennesseans. You notify them of your up coming digging project and the notify the utility companies to go out and locate the lines on your property and mark them with either paint or flags. You need to call them at least 3 business days before your planned project. They also ask that you outline the area you plan to dig with white paint to make it easy for the utility workers to find. It's important to note that some lines are customer owned lines and may not be marked by the utility companies. Customer owned lines can include but not limited to outside lighting wires, some gas lines, irrigation systems, etc.
It's important to always use caution when digging. If a line is damaged, stop digging and notify the proper utility company. If the line damaged creates a life threatening situation call 911.
For more in depth information on this subject check out: www.tn811.com
5 Fun Facts About Trees
Posted 2024 - 25, June1. There are over 400 different species of Oak trees.
2. The Dwarf Arctic Willow is the smallest tree. At full maturity, it only grows to about 2" to 3" inches in height.
3. The Great Basin Bristlecone Pine is said to be the oldest living tree at 4855 years old. It's in a secret location along the Methuselah Trail in the Inyo National Forest White Mountains California.
4. A Coast Redwood standing 380 feet is currently the tallest tree alive.
5. Most tree roots expand 2 to 4 times the diameter of the trees crown.
Can Vines Kill a Tree?
Posted 2024 - 10 JuneIt's hard to imagine those seemingly harmless climbing vines posing a threat to the towering giants of our landscape. On the surface it's a beautiful scene. The coexistence between trees and vines seem serene but they are actually engaging in a fierce competition for sunlight, water and nutrients both must have in order to survive.
A tree surrounded by vines for ground cover and decoration isn't in immediate danger. What if the vines are allowed to grow 10 feet up the tree? 20 feet? Do you reach a tipping point? The answer is yes. The vines get thicker and harder to control. The tree begins to succumb to lack of sustenance. Some trees will deteriorate quicker due to age or pre-existing problem. The type of vines would be a determining factor. Some vines are more aggressive than others but even the very popular English Ivy can be very aggressive under the right conditions. Some vines can grow an astonishing 20 feet a year! That type of growth could overtake a smaller tree in a couple of years.
Basically, a tree is fighting a losing battle against vines. Without intervention, the vines will out compete the tree for resources. Ultimately, the vines will suffocate and kill the tree.
6 Steps to Grow a Fruit Bearing Tree
Posted 2023- 3, August
Step 1- Site Selection
Selecting the right location to plant your fruit tree is crucial to its success. Most Fruit trees are full sun trees that require at least 8 hours of sun a day. So be sure to choose a nice sunny location. They also need plenty of air flow and space to grow, it's best to plant them at least 15-20 feet away from any other trees or structures.
Step 2- Soil Preparation
Before planting your fruit tree, prepare the soil by removing any weeds or grass and add some organic matter such as compost or aged manure to the soil. This will help improve soil quality and provide essential nutrients for your fruit tree. If you are growing from seed, soil should be loosely packed as fruit seeds don't grow well in heavily compacted soil.
Step 3- Watering
Fruit trees require consistent watering to ensure they flourish. In general, a fruit tree needs over an inch of water per week. So be sure to water deeply and regularly, especially during hot and dry weather. It's best to water in the morning, as this allows the foliage to dry off during the day and reduces the risk of fungus or disease.
Step 4- Fertilizing
Fruit trees require lots of nutrients to grow and produce tasty fruit. It's recommended to fertilize fruit trees in early spring, just before the buds start to swell. You can use a balanced fertilizer that's high in nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Just be careful not to over fertilize because it can lead to excessive growth, which actually reduces fruit quantity and quality.
Step 5- Trimming / Pruning
Trimming / Pruning is also an important part of caring for fruit trees, as it helps to promote healthy growth and better fruit production. The best time to trim is in late winter, just before the new growth begins.
When trimming, remove any dead or damaged wood, as well as any branches that are crossing or rubbing against each other. You can also remove any branches that are growing straight up, as these are less likely to produce fruit. Be sure to leave a few inches of space between the branches to allow for proper air circulation and sunlight.
Step 6- Pest and Disease Control
Fruit trees are susceptible to a variety of pests, fungi and diseases, so it's important to take steps to prevent these issues. One of the most effective way to prevent any problems is to keep your tree healthy through proper watering, fertilization, and trimming.
The use of organic pest control methods such as neem oil, insecticidal soap, or an organic pesticide will help circumvent pests and can be purchased at your local nursery. However, If you notice any signs of disease, such as brown spots on the leaves or fruit, be sure to remove and dispose of the affected plant parts to prevent the disease from spreading.
Following these steps will help to ensure your fruit tree has the best chance to survive and thrive. It will require a little time and effort, but the reward will be well worth it!
Is Mulch Killing Your Trees?
Posted 2023-3 January Homeowners and lawn care professionals often use mulch as a staple when designing landscapes. Why wouldn't they, this stuff is great isn't it? It's a cost-efficient way to help keep the weeds down and it will give any yard a cohesive well-manicured look. All that said, is mulch good for trees or bad?
To answer that question, there's a couple things to consider including type of mulch and the application of the mulch.
There are two basic types of mulch, inorganic and organic. Inorganic mulch is composed of different kinds of shredded and chipped up rubber and plastics. This type of mulch holds in a lot of heat which in turn causes most trees and plants to wither. The soil beneath doesn't breathe well either which kills beneficial insects and organisms needed to maintain healthy soil. So, most professionals prefer organic mulch. It is made up of shredded pine needles, coconut husks, leaves, and compost. It holds in moisture which helps to cool trees and plants in extreme heat. Because it's made of organic material, it decomposes and replenishes the soil fertility.
Now we have chosen organic mulch, what can go wrong? Well a lot, it's very important to apply it correctly. The layering of mulch should never exceed 2 to 4 inches. Never add new mulch on top of the old mulch. Always remove the old mulch and recycle it or dispose of it. ( I like to recycle my old mulch along my fence line to help reduce weeds sprouting along my fence). Heavy layering will cause the mulch to become over saturated. The bottom most layer will "sour" and rot. It will begin to smell pretty bad and attract a whole host of unwanted insects. The excess moisture could also cause the tree or plant roots to rot.
So the over all answer is, when used properly organic mulch can be very beneficial to your trees. Just make sure to avoid the "Mulch Mountain!"
Ice Storm Warning
Posted 2022 -3 MarchThe National Weather Service has issued an ICE STORM WARNING for West Tennessee! Prepare for icy road conditions, power outages, broken tree limbs and downed trees. Officials say even a quarter inch of ice can wreak havoc on power lines. The main culprit of power outages is fallen trees and limbs knocking down power lines.
What should you do about ice covered trees?
As ice accumulates on a tree limb it will start to bend and sag from the weight. You may want to try and remove some of the ice in an attempt to prevent the limb from breaking and knocking down your power line, or fence, etc. but BEWARE just touching the limb could likely cause it to snap! This would cause a chain reaction of ice and limbs to rain down on top of you causing serious injuries and possibly even death. Always call a professional to evaluate ice covered trees!
AAA Tree Service provides FREE evaluations and price estimates. We also provide 24 hour emergency services. So be safe and give us a call!
Verify Insurance
Posted 2022- 2, January With fall fast approaching, most folks are getting their trees trimmed up to prepare for hard winter! We here at AAA Tree Service just want to remind everyone to protect themselves against uninsured workers on their property. The property owner could become liable for the worker and any damages done. At AAA Tree Service we always put safety 1st and we carry $1,000,000.00 in Insurance. We are happy to provide proof of insurance to our customers upon request.
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Q&A
Why is Tree Work So Expensive?
Tree workers have an extremely dangerous and highly stressful job! A mistake in this profession could cost you or someone else their life. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2023 and most prior years, the #1 civilian occupation with the highest fatal worker injuries was the logging industry. That statistic is reflected in every aspect of tree work from the price of the safety gear we use, the cost of insurance a tree company is required to carry, to the prices we must charge to stay in business. (www.bls.gov )
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Can I Cut Limbs Off My Neighbors Tree?
Yes, anything hanging over your property line. According to Granberry v. Jones the Tennessee Supreme Court ruled that property owners have the legal right to cut branches and foliage that extend past their property line onto or over their property. Limbs and foliage can only be trimmed back to the property line and no further. (https://www.tncourts.gov/press/2002/12/19/supreme-court-expands-rights-property-owners-harmed-neighbors-trees)
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Can you give an estimated price without seeing the tree?
Unfortunately, no. Every tree is unique as well as it's surroundings. Therefore, every job presents its own unique set of problems. This is why we offer 100% free estimates. We come out and give you a price free of charge. You are under no obligation to have the work completed.
