While all states experience a fluctuation in climate across the four seasons, Minnesota’s seasonal changes tend to be more extreme than in many other states. From hot, dry summers to cold, snowy winters, the climate in Minnesota can be tough on trees. If you want your trees to thrive year after year, there are some basic maintenance tasks you may need to perform each season.
Trees are an important part of any commercial or residential property. Their majestic beauty brings curb appeal, their foliage provides shade as we work or relax outside, and their presence can increase the value of your land. While trees are usually about as sturdy as they look, they’re not invincible; pests and diseases or even a lack of sufficient nutrients in the soil can result in tree decline and failure.
The emerald ash borer (EAB) is native to northeastern Asia, but since 2002 it has established itself as one of the most devastating invasive species in the United States. Emerald ash borers lay their eggs in ash trees, where their larvae create galleries that cut off the trees’ supply of vital nutrients, causing them to deteriorate and die. This is particularly problematic in Minnesota, where black ash trees are very common.
Have you ever been tempted to try your hand at tree care but held back by everything you don’t know? Trees are complicated organisms and the proper methods of caring for them can be confusing if you don’t have a background in arboreal studies. If you’re seeking answers to some of the most common tree care questions that arborists get asked, just keep reading.
As spring comes to Minnesota in 2023, trees are waking up from their dormant state, stretching their roots out, and growing new foliage. Mature trees are so elegant looking that it can be difficult to imagine they need any help from us in order to thrive. The truth is, even the oldest and tallest trees may need some TLC in order to keep healthy and look their best. If you have trees on your property in the Twin Cities metro, check out this tree care guide to learn what you can do to keep your trees in peak condition.
For trees in Minnesota, winter is one of the biggest obstacles to survival. Heavy snowstorms, intense cold, ice accumulation, the freeze-thaw cycle and even road salt in the soil can all cause tree damage during winter. When your trees sustain winter damage, you may need to take action to keep the tree alive. Here are the telltale signs of winter tree damage and what you can do to help your trees survive and recover.
In recent years, the emerald ash borer (EAB) has firmly established itself as one of the most destructive invasive species in the United States. Minnesota is among the many states whose ash tree populations have fallen victim to the EAB scourge, and the effort to fight these invasive pests has proven frustratingly ineffective.
Trees are a game-changer for any yard. They give your property beauty, they provide shade and privacy, and they may even create a new habitat for birds. When planting a tree near your home in Minnesota, one of the first important decisions you’ll need to make is whether you want an evergreen tree or a deciduous tree.
When living in an urban or suburban setting like the Twin Cities metro area, privacy can be hard to come by. The idea of neighbors and passerby observing them discreetly is enough to make many homeowners unable to relax in their own backyards. Thankfully, there’s a good solution: planting the right kind of trees in your yard can shield you from all unwelcome eyes.
Trees are tall, majestic and seem to last forever. That’s why it’s so easy to forget that our trees can get sick and die, just like we can. Unfortunately, there are a number of fungal diseases that can afflict trees in Minnesota, including Rhizosphaera needle cast, Dutch elm disease and apple scab. The threat posed by these tree diseases varies greatly, with some merely affecting the appearance of the tree and others spelling imminent death.