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10 Signs of an Unhealthy Tree

Aug 30, 2018
Drought

Trees are pretty self-sufficient. Many species can live for decades if not centuries without much help from people. Because of this, and because we have so many beautiful trees in the Raleigh-Durham area, you may be tempted to ignore clear warning signs of unhealthy trees. Doing this can have disastrous effects though, like falling limbs and tipping trunks. Look over this list of 10 symptoms of a sick tree, and consider whether any of your trees may be suffering from the following.


  1. Cracking wood — If you start to see splitting and cracking, it may be a sign that your tree is not in peak health. As temperatures change, the tree can break in places if healthy and unhealthy areas warm and cold at different rates, after a thaw for example. 
  2. Fungus growing — Funguses love to feed on the dead and decaying matter, including from trees. One common form of fungus around unhealthy trees is when you see mushrooms growing around the base of the trunk.
  3. Lack of leaves in warm months — Trees that have been thick with bright leaves every year and then all of a sudden aren’t may be in poor health. This is a sign that something has changed. It could be drought or abnormal weather, but it could also be a loss of vitality.
  4. Dead limbs — A single dead limb isn’t always a sign of a more significant problem. But, if this issue spreads to multiple branches, the health of the tree is definitely in question.
  5. Color changes in the trunk — There are many reasons a tree’s trunk may change color. Some of these include disease, damage, and age. Investigating a significant change in hue is wise.
  6. Insect infestations — Insects, especially termites and beetles, consume wood as their primary food source. They do not tend to bother with hard, live wood, however. When wood becomes soft and dry from decay, the risk of insect infestations increase. Their presence should then be a sign that decaying wood is likely to present.
  7. Cankers forming — Cankers are, not unlike canker sores in a person’s mouth, an indented open wound. These form in trees after disease grows in between the bark and the inner tree. When many of these forms, it is a sign that a disease is harming the tree.
  8. Wilting leaves — If when you look around at your trees, you see one that’s leaves are dry and wilting, this can signal ill health. There are many potential causes, but generally, they show the tree’s strength waning.
  9. No growth in stems, buds and flowers — Similarly, if a tree that has consistently grown flowers, stems and buds every year is now barren, this is a sign of weakening. 
  10. Uprooting — When a tree’s root system dies, it no longer has an excellent anchor to the ground. If the soil around the tree starts to crack, and especially if the tree is visibly beginning to lean, the tree is likely in later stages of decay.


Henry’s Tree Service can diagnose unhealthy trees

Reading through this list, you may have noticed one or more signs that are evident in your backyard. Don’t wait and hope for the best. Some problems, like lack of water, disease or pest infestation, can be handled and the tree saved if they are caught early. Those in Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, Cary, Morrisville and the greater Triangle area can call Henry’s to schedule a consultation at (919) 532-9141.

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Backyard-Fun
25 Oct, 2018
One of the greatest joys of childhood is making fortresses with your friends and family that can bring a child’s imagination into a world of fantasy and adventure. The woods in Raleigh and Durham are perfect for building the king of all forts — the treehouse. Parents are a little more cautious these days though and maybe keeping a closer eye on these amateur backyard builders, but that’s probably a good idea. With safety in mind, parents often ask themselves, which common North Carolina trees are the best for building a treehouse? Maple trees — The Triangle area has many maple varieties, including red and silver maple. Their wood is hard and trunk thick, perfect for a treehouse. Hickory trees — The hickory is another hardwood deciduous tree. Its thick branches can easily support a treehouse. The shagbark hickory is especially prevalent in North Carolina. Oak trees — The English oak, red oak and white oak are all beautiful trees found across the state. Their strong nature makes an excellent choice for treehouses as well. Beech trees — These large, gray-barked trees make an impressive treehouse location. Their shiny leaves will give the fortress an almost mystical quality as light bounces off them. Tulip trees — A tulip tree is truly massive. They grow quickly and can reach almost 200 feet tall. Their sturdy trunks can support this size though and make good treehouse spots. Just be careful climbing too high! Commonalities You may have noticed that all of these are deciduous, meaning they are seasonal growers that lose their leaves for the winter. This is no coincidence. Deciduous trees tend to build sturdy, thick trunks and limbs. Their wood is hard and foundational roots are sturdy. North Carolina has a lot of pine trees. Our state tree is even the longleaf pine. But you’ve likely noticed these are very thin and tall with few branches until much higher up. Many evergreens, like pines, have softer wood and weaker branches. There are solid evergreens that make good treehouse trees, like the Douglas fir, but in general, it’s better to focus on deciduous hardwoods. Want a professional opinion? Henry’s can come to take a look! It’s always better to be safe than sorry. Henry’s Tree Service has the expertise in horticulture and tree care to know whether the tree species and the particular tree itself would be suitable for a treehouse. Those in Raleigh, Durham, Cary, Chapel Hill, Morrisville and the surrounding Triangle area, please call (919) 532-9141 today.
Pruning-Trees-With-Pruning
11 Oct, 2018
Working in the outdoors is a hobby for many here in the Raleigh-Durham area. And no wonder. It’s a great region with fantastic weather and natural beauty almost year-round. When it comes to working on your trees though, there are some dangers involved that you should be aware of. Falling Kids aren’t the only ones who get injured after climbing trees. It’s not at all uncommon for homeowners to haul some tools up into a tree for some pruning and to then come plummeting down a short time later. Trained arborists and tree care professionals not only have training and experience, but they have specialized equipment like ropes and harnesses that secure them to the tree to prevent serious injury. These almost entirely remove the danger of falling when used correctly by experts. Falling limbs It’s not just you that may fall. Branches that are not cut down properly, whether by recklessness or inexperience, can also create a hazard as they fall to the ground. These limbs may land on a structure, on a vehicle, or God forbid, on a person. Professionals, like the team at Henry’s Tree Service, use industry best practices to ensure anything falling from the tree will do so in the safest manner — away from people and property. Killing the tree Sometimes a homeowner gets a little enthusiastic when they are pruning a tree and takes off too much… way too much. This can quickly destroy the tree. Other times a homeowner may use the wrong tool or chemical, or in the wrong amount or manner, and the tree’s overall health is affected. After caring for as many trees as we have, Henry’s and other tree care professionals know the right way to prune, treat, and tend to trees. There are right ways, and there are wrong ways. We know which is which. Injuring yourself or others with tools The tools used for tree care are not toys. The saws and shears, for example, are incredibly sharp and are meant to quickly and easily slice through hardwood. They can just as quickly cut through a person’s soft skin on their fingers, arms or other parts that accidentally come in contact with them. If you insist on using these tools yourself, please be careful. Henry’s Tree Service can help you avoid common hazards If you get yourself in a bind and need a professional to answer a question about tree maintenance, pruning or removal, we can help keep you safe. Even better though — call us before you get started, and we would be happy to get the job done for you professionally and safely. Property owners across the Triangle, in Raleigh, Durham, Cary, Chapel Hill, Morrisville and beyond, trust Henry’s to keep their trees healthy and looking great. By avoiding these dangers, we help keep them healthy and looking great too! Call us at (919) 532-9141 to discuss our tree care services.
Forestry-Worker-Cutting
27 Sep, 2018
Pruning a tree is a great way to keep your property looking good, but before you grab some tools and start climbing, it’s best to educate yourself on the methods and reasons for pruning to keep your yard as healthy as possible. The Raleigh-Durham area is fortunate to have an excellent climate for trees, and we have a wide variety of them throughout the region for landscapers and garden lovers to choose from. Expert tree services like Henry’s in Raleigh make a living helping area residents maintain healthy, attractive trees. Why prune a tree anyway? If your tree is green and alive, why bother pruning it? There are a few good reasons you may want to prune or have your trees pruned. Aesthetics : This is just a fancy word for beauty. Sometimes a tree looks better with a little guidance. All of the branches might be growing into a nice uniform direction, and then a few decide to jot out from the side and ruin everything. Pruning for aesthetics usually entails eliminating these wayward branches. Safety : When there is a branch hanging ominously over your home or your parking space, it may be best to prune this away. Larger branches are harder remove, so the earlier you can spot and prune these, the better. Dead limbs : Branches that are dead will take valuable resources away from the rest of the tree, affecting its overall health. It’s wise to find and remove these dead limbs when possible to reroute all nutrients to the parts of the tree that are still alive and well. Halting spread of disease : Some diseases start off on only a branch or two. Spotting this and eliminating the diseased branches can stop the disease in its tracks and save the entire tree. Air flow : Too many branches clustered together will prevent proper air flow. Thinning the extra branches can solve this issue. Tips for proper pruning DO prune lightly. Eliminating more than a quarter of limbs at once can harm the tree. DO NOT prune more than once per year. Give the tree time to recover. DO prune during the winter. This will prevent uneven growth in limbs. DO NOT remove major branches unless necessary as it can also weaken the tree. DO cut at the branch collar. Cutting further out leaves a stub and cutting further in creates a gash. Best tip on pruning A great suggestion for pruning though is to rely on expert arborists and tree care professionals. Yard work is fun for some people, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they will know the proper technique. There is a chance you could drop heavy branches onto a home or vehicle; there is the possibility of killing a beautiful part of your lawn; there is even concern that you could be injured. Henry’s Tree Care in Raleigh, NC, has the equipment, experience, and training to prune effectively and at a great price. We serve R aleigh, Durham, Morrisville, Cary, Chapel Hill, Garner and the surrounding areas. Give us a call today to discuss how we can help at (919) 532-9141 .
Forestry-Worker-Cutting
04 Sep, 2018
Stumps are not pretty. And sadly, they aren’t very easy to get rid of, either. With all the trees the Raleigh-Durham area has, we’re bound to have a few of these eye-sores around to deal with. Henry’s Tree Service removes stumps professionally and would be more than happy to remove any problem stumps on your property. That being said, there are a few ways to remove a stump if you are going to attempt DIY stump removal. Digging it out This is the old-fashioned way. Digging out a stump involves a lot of muscle, hard work, and time. You’ll need some basic tools like an axe, a shovel, and a crowbar. The instructions for this method are fairly straightforward: Using the shovel, dig around the stump, removing rocks and dirt to expose the roots. Using the axe, hack through the roots connecting to the stump. Using the crowbar, pry upwards to loosen the stump and break the roots. Repeat these steps and eventually, it will loosen enough to be removed. Rotting the stump If you are very patient, you can simply wait for nature to take its course and for the stump to rot away. You can also speed this process by using chemicals. A common method of stump rotting involves: Cutting the stump as low to the ground as possible Drilling holes in the stump Filling the holes with water and nitrogen Covering the stump with a tarp to trap moisture and accelerate the rotting process Burning out the stump While we do not recommend this–as it can be dangerous–there are chemical compounds available to assist in a stump burning method. Applying this chemical to the stump makes it able to absorb accelerants like kerosene very efficiently. After the chemical has been applied, and the accelerant has also absorbed into the stump, a controlled fire is lit to eliminate the stump. The “right way” to eliminate a stump — stump grinding By far the best way to get rid of a stubborn stump is to use modern equipment. A stump grinder is a fairly large piece of machinery. It is not always easy for the novice to use, but it is the most efficient way of quickly eliminating a stump. Rather than laboring for days with chemicals and fires and shovels, a stump grinder can make your stump a distant memory just one hour later. The grinder is brought over to the stump with the blade raised, then the blade is lowered onto the stump and turned back and forth until all the stump at that depth is turned to sawdust. At that point, the blade is lowered again and the next layer of the stump is taken on. This is continued until at least six inches below the surface, at which point the hole is filled. The whole process takes under an hour for a typical stump. Henry’s Tree Service knows stump grinding  Rather than renting a stump grinder and trying to pick up this new skill, trust an experienced arborist to do the job for you. Henry’s Tree Service has the equipment and trained professionals ready to go. Those living in Raleigh, Durham, Morrisville, Apex, Cary, Chapel Hill and the surrounding areas who have stumps they want to go, give us a call at (919) 532-9141 and we’ll remove them immediately.
stump grinding
30 Jul, 2018
Stump grinding is the process of shaving down a tree stump after the original tree has been removed. Whenever a tree is removed, they don’t just yank it out of the ground; they cut the tree leaving the base and roots intact. There are different ways that a tree stub can be removed based on each individual case. The most common ways to eliminate one is with a grinder, chemicals, or by harvesting. We are going to focus on the grinding aspect of stump removal. Stump Grinding is For Professionals Stump grinding should be done by a professional in almost every instance. The machines that are used to grind stumps are dangerous and can be as large as a car. The machinery and skill required for stump grinding warrants a profession with years of experience. A knowledgeable tree service provider, like Henry’s Tree Service, has the professionals and equipment needed to execute a stump grinding correctly. How it Works A frequently asked question that we get is, “Does stump grinding include removing the roots of a tree?” Depending on how deep the tree’s roots are, the roots can be removed; however, that isn’t always the case. Older trees will have extensive root systems that can be a hassle and hazard to remove, while younger trees will have a smaller root system, allowing a possibility for removal. During the stump grinding process, the stump is shredded into chips by powerful blades. Along with the stump, some of the roots will be ground too, to dissuade any possible growth of the tree in the future. Once this is done, the area where the stump used to be, will be covered with fertilizer and/or soil. The Benefits of Stump Grinding Stump grinding is an effective technique that assures the surrounding vegetation and grass will be unharmed. Not only does it remove the potentially hazardous stump, but it also erases the unaesthetic aura that a random stump displays. Grinding is often recommended over simply removing the stub because removing a tree stump can leave a giant hole in your yard. Rely on Henry’s Tree Service to perform a stump grinding for you. Henry’s Tree Service serves Wake, Durham, Chatham, Johnston and Franklin counties with expert trimming and other tree care. Reach us at (919) 532-9141 to get a proper stump grinding in the Triangle area.
Top-View-Of-Old-Tree-Stump
25 Jul, 2018
When getting a tree removed from your property, the company removing your tree isn’t going to just yank it out of the ground. Instead, they are going to cut the tree while leaving the base still in the ground. The stump that remains can either be removed or ground down. There are many benefits that can come with the process of grinding the stump down, rather than having it removed from the ground. Stump grinding can be a tough task to complete by yourself though, especially because the equipment needed is dangerous and should only be operated by professionals. The machines used can range from the size of a lawnmower to the size of a truck. If you need a stump to be ground in your yard, consider calling a professional, like Henry’s Tree Service. At Henry’s, we have knowledgeable and capable professionals who can grind stumps with ease and poise. Stump Grinding Benefits  One benefit to stump grinding is that it increases the visual appeal of your property. If someone were to remove the stump, it would leave a huge hole in your yard. With stump grinding, we grind down the stump into chips and mulch, leaving a flat surface to be covered with either soil or fertilizer. This method also allows for more flexibility when deciding what to do with the space where the stump was. Another benefit to stump grinding is that it eliminates any risk of getting termites, ants, or other pests in your yard. A stump that is left to rot will eventually attract these pesky critters, and we can assure you don’t want those anywhere near your yard. Stump grinding also eliminates any hazardous endeavors, in the sense that it takes care of a stump that is in your yard. Someone could trip over the stump and potentially injure themselves. Opposed to stump removal, it is also less hazardous because it doesn’t leave a giant hole in your yard. If you have an unwanted stump sitting around on your property, consider the many benefits of having it ground away and give Henry’s Tree Service a call. We serve Wake, Durham, Chatham, Johnston and Franklin counties with expert trimming and other tree care. Reach us at (919) 532-9141 to get a proper stump grinding in the Triangle area.
hands-pruning-tree-branch
15 Jun, 2018
Tree pruning is an alternative term used to describe the process of trimming a tree. There are multiple reasons one would need to prune a tree. Whether you want to remove dead wood, shape the tree, trim hazardous branches, or restrict growth – the ultimate goal is to remove diseased, unproductive, or unpleasant looking branches/tissue so the rest of the tree can flourish. Pruning a tree can have extremely detrimental outcomes if done incorrectly, which is why we have some helpful tips that are essential to remember before attempting this process. Make sure you have the proper tools. Strongly consider a professional before you try and DIY. Make sure to determine if a tree is actually dead and needs to be removed. Using the Proper Tools Usually, pruning a tree will only require hand pruners, loppers, or a pruning saw. When it comes to hand pruners, there are three types: a bypass, an anvil, and a ratchet. In most situations, a bypass hand pruner is going to be your best bet. Similar to hand pruners, the two types of loppers include a bypass or an anvil lopper. For tree pruning, a bypass lopper is the safest option. Most of these tools can easily be found at your local hardware store. On top of having the proper tools, it’s important to know that the best time to prune your trees is in the early spring, right before the tree begins to bloom. If you opt to prune at another time, make sure it isn’t during a period of extreme dryness. Consider a Professional Many people think that they can prune a tree on their own, and that is totally fine. However, in certain instances, you’re going to want to call a professional like Henry’s Tree Service. DIY attempts can end up harming the tree or even killing it. The times in which it is necessary to call a professional include: If the tree is growing close to a power line. If the tree is too big. If you’re unsure how to trim the tree. If the tree is diseased. We guarantee that our experienced professionals will make sure that they prune the tree correctly, while also sustaining as much of the living tree as possible. Along with sustaining the tree, a professional will make sure that they preserve the surrounding environment. How to Spot a Dead tree The first step to determining if your tree is dead or not is to simply examine the tree. If the tree is generating new and colorful leaves, then it is very much alive. Another way you can tell if your tree is dead is by bending the smaller and less durable branches on the tree. If you find that most of them are snapping instantly without any resistance, then your tree could very well be dead. Another technique you can use is the scratch test. This implies scratching the bark on the tree, and if it is green underneath, then it is alive. Make sure to scratch multiple places on the tree because some parts of the tree may be alive while others are dead. If you determine that your tree is dead, be sure to give one of our professionals a call today so that they can safely remove it from your property. Trimming a dead tree is a time consuming task that has little to no beneficial outcomes. Not to mention you could damage your surrounding environment. Therefore, if you have a dead tree on your property, call a professional like Henry’s Tree Service to remove it. Call Henry’s Tree Service for Any Pruning Needs  Henry’s Tree Service serves Wake, Durham, Chatham, Johnston and Franklin counties with expert trimming and other tree care. Reach us at (919) 532-9141 to get a proper tree pruning and more in the Triangle area.
Tree-Surgeon-At-Work-Color
22 May, 2018
There are a right way and a wrong way to do most things in life. When it comes to trimming trees, Raleigh Durham area residents should do a bit of research before doing the job a wrong, and most likely dangerous, way. Henry’s Tree Service can always help you get the job done, but regardless, make sure you are not doing any of the following. Using dull saws The sharper the saw, the more dangerous, right? Wrong. Sharp saws can certainly be risky in untrained hands, but saws are meant to be sharp. Dull saws do not cut as smoothly, and because you will be struggling, an accident will be more likely to occur. Climbing high into a tree without protective harnesses Safety gear requires some extra steps and time, but if you’ve seen tree care professionals operate, they won’t operate without harnesses. Falling out of a tree is nothing to laugh about. People die or are seriously injured every day by falling many feet to the ground. Trimming trees alone One of the biggest mistakes inexperienced tree trimmers make is going out to do the work by themselves. Not only are they alone, but they often don’t even tell anybody! In the result of an accident, this means they are completely on their own. Not good. Not making sure the ground is clear beneath you This seems like common sense, but this mistake is made time and again. If there are children or pets playing in the yard, do not trim the trees. If there is a car or structure below, do not trim the trees. Make sure the ground is totally clear of anybody and anything that could be harmed by falling limbs. Needlessly eliminating large, healthy branches Sometimes people get carried away when they are trimming their trees. Rather than eliminating small branches, dead limbs and pruning others back to be in line with the rest, they will trim off important branches. This can be done, but it shouldn’t be done lightly. Cutting off too many limbs, especially too many large, vital ones, can greatly weaken the tree’s overall health.  When in doubt, call Henry’s Tree Service and we’ll trim them the right way! The risks are pretty high when trimming trees the wrong way. Improper tools and techniques can put not only you, but everyone around you at risk. It can also harm the tree and defeat the entire purpose of giving it some attention. Henry’s Tree Service serves Wake, Durham, Chatham, Johnston and Franklin counties with expert trimming and other tree care. Reach us at (919) 532-9141 to get a proper tree trimming in the Triangle area.
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