Gaithersburg, MD headlines

Given the likelihood of encountering ticks, it is important to know that controlling tick populations in your landscape is possible. The first step is assessing your landscape for common habitats like wooded areas, leaf litter and ornamental beds. Based on the assessment, treatments can specifically target at-risk areas.

Crepe Myrtle Bark Scale are tiny, sap-sucking insects that have a devastating impact on crepe myrtle trees. These pests are extremely common in our area. Preventative treatment, before damage becomes widespread, provides the most effective control to keep your crepe myrtles beautiful.

After winter ends, your trees and shrubs will be working hard to establish spring growth. A soil test in early spring can help determine the precise nutrients needed for that growth, yielding a fuller canopy and vibrant, health foliage.

Trees under stress display key symptoms indicating a serious problem may exist. This includes wilting or loss of leaves/needles, yellowing of leaves or browning of needles, premature autumn color, early leaf drop and sappy spots on branches. Correctly identifying the underlying cause is critical to addressing tree health issues.

Summer is a time of high activity for pests as well as tree diseases caused by fungi and other organisms. Some problems may be simply aesthetic, while others can be a real threat to tree health and vitality. As such, it is important to have an arborist check your trees to determine the underlying cause.

The Bartlett Tree Research Laboratories has broken new ground to protect beech trees from beech leaf disease with novel pest management strategies.

Summer storms often cause branches or entire trees to fall. Preventative care can help you maintain your landscape while mitigating the possibility of unanticipated costs.

Now is a critical time of year to prepare your trees and shrubs for the coming summer. Healthy trees and shrubs are better able to withstand the higher temperatures and weather extremes that summer brings. Proper care in spring can help ensure the health of your landscape plants.