Summer Tree Care in Western NY
We’ve had a remarkable transition from Spring to Summer in the Western NY, Rochester, and the Finger Lakes Regions. Hazardous winds, harsh downpours, cool to scalding temperatures. We’re here to help mitigate tree risks with assessments, proper pruning or removals, plus diagnosis and treatments for diseases and pests impacting your trees and landscape.
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PRESCRIPTIVE PRUNING
Summer pruning of dead or damaged branches promotes tree health and can reduce potential hazards to people, pets, and structures. It is also a good time to use pruning to inform the future shape and growth of trees. Pruning is a great way to increase the longevity of your trees by ensuring airflow in the canopy which can help discourage fungus and bacteria. There are some species we will not prune in the Summer, including fruiting trees and Oak which is susceptible to Oak Wilt and other pathogens in warmer weather.
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SEVERE WEATHER PROTECTION
In the last several seasons, we've experienced an uptick in high winds, hail, heavy rainfall, and microbursts around the Rochester and Finger Lakes Regions. Trees with weak unions (connections between sections of the trunk, or branches and the trunk), or heavy overreaching limbs, are more susceptible to storm damage. A Certified Arborist may recommend cabling and/or bracing to help support the structure of a tree. Pruning, or trimming, for weight reduction of limbs can also help reduce the risk for future failure during weather events.
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PESTS & DISEASES
No matter the season, being on the lookout for pests and diseases will help your tree live a longer, healthier life. Issues like magnolia scale, woolly adelgid, black knot, and needle blight are common around Pittsford, Brighton, Webster, Victor, and Farmington homes. You can inspect the bark, branches, and leaves of your trees and landscaping for these issues as well as aphids, caterpillars, and other pests. If you notice sawdust, borer holes, leaves dying back, unusually chewed leaves, or weeping sap, have an ISA Certified Arborist check the damage. Catching and treating insects or diseases promptly can significantly increase your tree's chance to bounce back to health. Learn more about our Plant Health Care (PHC) program.
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YOUR LANDSCAPING - MORE THAN JUST TREES
Hardy plantings including Boxwoods, Arborvitae, lilacs, and more are susceptible to leaf miners, moths, fungi, bacteria just like trees. If you notice skeletonized leaves, white webbing, sticky dew, discoloration, or other oddities, reach out today to schedule a Tree and Landscape Assessment with our Certified Arborists and Plant Health Care specialists.
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THE CANOPY
A tree's leaves (or needles) are a quick indicator of many issues and will present seasonal dehydration by wilting, shrinking, curling, drooping, turning yellow/brown (needles may wilt or tint orange), and may even start to drop off the tree. These issues could also be a sign of overwatering, so be sure to check in with an ISA Certified Arborist for best practices for your specific tree care.
Does your tree have early season browning leaves, yellowing leaves, powdery white residue coating the leaf surface, the appearance of brown or black spots randomly dotting leaves? These can be indicators of various fungus or foliar issues or diseases ranging from apple scab to anthracnose, needle cast, powdery mildew, tar spot, black knot, and leaf spot and more. Some are simply unsightly and mostly harmless; others are detrimental, requiring treatment intervention for ensured long-term tree health. Our targeted applications can break the disease cycle and protect tender new growth.
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Soil Check:
Crumbly dirt and dry/crispy grass are good indicators to explore your soil. Dig about 4 to 6 inches under the surface near the base of your tree (take care and try to avoid hitting roots) and assess the deeper soil. Is it dusty, or dry feeling to touch? If so, your tree would likely benefit from watering.
ABOUT SOIL: We always recommend a regular soil amendment schedule to support your trees for all seasons. This can be especially beneficial in recovering from, or enduring a dry spell when the microbes in healthy soil may die off. Let us know if you're interested in our proprietary soil amendment, CompostTea, created specifically for the soil our Finger Lakes and Rochester area trees and landscaping live in.
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WATERING:
Generally, mature trees need about 5 gallons for every 1 inch of trunk diameter a week. The species, size, age, location, soil type, and other factors influence how much water any individual tree needs. Our regional species have adapted to handle cold and hot spells but there are some signs to look for if you're worried about the heat. If you see these signs (‘the canopy’ and ‘soil check’), reach out for our Certified Arborist to stop by with their expert opinion as many signs of water deficiency and tree diseases present similarly.
(Newly planted trees and saplings require regular, slow, deep watering.)
Other Tree Care Considerations:
Roots to Crown: Lasting Tree Health
Your trees and shrubs are living investments adding vitality and beauty around your home. Our Plant Health Care (PHC) program provides proactive, science-driven care to keep them strong, vibrant, and resilient in every season.
Tips for Watering:
Slow, deep watering from a soaker hose or, for smaller trees, a tree bladder or tree watering bag*, encourages roots to grow downward which helps the tree to be more resistant to future droughts.
Timing matters. Early morning or late evening watering minimizes evaporation.
Avoid overwatering; less frequent, deep waterings are best.
Sprinklers are NOT a tree's friend. Overhead watering that coats leaves, branches, or the trunk can encourage the spread of fungus and disease, as well as potentially result in scorching of leaves as water droplets magnify the hot sun.
*Ask us about the Tree Diaper, a newer watering bladder that is especially effective!
MULCHING:
Adding mulch around your trees can help with overall health and water maintenance (and make mowing easier!).
Mulching can help retain moisture and regulate soil temps for any size/age tree – but HOW mulch is applied matters:
Deeper isn't necessarily better: a two (2) to four (4) inch layer of mulch helps preserve moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature.
Do the tree donut: (Don't create a volcano – everyone likes donuts, but not volcanoes!) Keep mulch a few inches away from the tree's trunk to prevent rot and allow water to funnel down to the root bed. [Right: ‘donut’ mulching with tree watering bladder on top.]
Spread mulch out to the drip line (the edge of the tree's canopy).
Consider organic mulches to help add nutrients to the soil: wood chips, bark, or shredded leaves work well.
Excellence in Tree Care
We get it…your trees and landscape are important to you. They’re important to our crew of trained and Certified Arborists® too. We combine our passion for sustainable tree and plant health care with expertise, leading industry practices - safety is #1 - and teamwork. We bring our commitment to the highest quality of care to you and your property, every day, no matter the season.
We understand the unique challenges of tree care in Western New York and deliver solutions that work. Whether you’re looking for advice on tree health or summer tree & landscape care, we’re here to provide the knowledge and services you need: disease mitigation, structural & safety pruning, cabling & bracing, full removals, Plant Health Care (PHC), and more. Reach out today to connect directly with our ISA Board Certified Master Arborist®, Marty Avila and ISA Certified Arborist ®, Maria Olmsted.
Family owned/operated for more than 15 years
Local experts in Rochester & Finger Lakes tree species
ISA Certified Arborists®
Industry relevant insurances
TCIA® Certified Treecare Safety Professionals®
Dedication to environmentally responsible practices
Reliable, professional services
Contact us for your tree care needs:
Contact our team of professional Arborists to get additional information and request a quote: