Registration #’s: WC-16727-HO5 CT-B1068 NYC-1331916 NJ Home Improvement #13VH06221500 arbor care plant health care Presorted Standard organic consulting lawn care U.S. Postage PAID Hawthorne, NY (914) 741-1510 Mail From Zip Code 08360 Permit No. 543 Arbor Notes 58 Beechwood Avenue Stamford, CT (203) 348-4111 New Rochelle, NY 10801, (914) 636-TREE North Haledon, NJ (973) 636-6711 Spring/Summer 2017 www.almstead.com Almstead Around Town: Arbor Day Celebrations It was another successful Earth Day and Arbor Day at and elected officials for Earth Day celebrations and Inside This Issue: Almstead this year! Our participation included events in planted a tree at Brookside Elementary School. New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. Hawthorne, NY: Arborist Patrick McVey presented a • Arbor Day Celebrations North Haledon, NJ: Branch Manager, Ryan Duff, show-and-tell demonstration on the benefit of trees in • Tree Disease Alert arborist Oscar Winfrey, and the Almstead team our environment to students at Transfiguration School organized a junior tree climbing station at the Ridgewood in Tarrytown while Assistant Branch Manager, Jeff • Best Lawn Care Practices Earth Day Fair, where children had memorable views Thrasher, and arborist, Russell Wagner, planted a tree at the Somers Public Library. • Trees To Consider from a tree-climber’s perspective! There were tree seedling giveaways as well as Almstead memorabilia. New Rochelle, NY: Arborist, Michael Marks, Michael • Places To Visits Ryan planted a tree at the Felician Sisters campus and Almstead and the Almstead crew supported an took part in Arbor Day activities at the Almstead Tree Eastchester Girl Scouts Troop at a tree planting event ...and more! Nursery at Russell Farms Community Park. Oscar at the Magic Treeture Forest Nursery. Almstead also shared his knowledge and expertise on trees and planted sponsored the popular junior arborist station and a tree at Sanfordville School in Glenwood. handed out saplings at Wave Hill Public Garden. Stamford, CT: Arborist Isaac Taylor organized a tree- For more information and pictures of all planting with students at the New Canaan Nature Center. our 2017 Arbor Day activities, please visit Branch Manager, Gary Norman, and Vice President, almstead.com/arborday or scan the QR code Michael Almstead, connected with students, teachers on right. Invasive Pests Update Places to Visit: Governors Island, New York The Southern Pine Beetle (SPB) Tree Disease Alert Oak Wilt Disease and Bacterial Leaf Scorch has expanded from New Jersey to Governors Island is a 172-acre island in Upper New York Bay, Oak wilt disease is a devastating autumn. The margins of leaves on affected Long Island and further north into digging down and severing the root approximately 800 yards from the southern tip of Manhattan. The disease capable of killing maturing oaks connections with other nearby trees can branches (typically in the upper third) Connecticut. It is an aggressive island has been designated as a national historic landmark district. in only a few weeks. Outbreaks of the prevent the disease from spreading. dry up and turn brown in an irregular bark beetle that invades pine trees, It is open to the public from May to September. The website for the disease have been recently confirmed • Trees that have tested positive need to pattern. There is often a yellow or brown hemlocks and spruces. The adult island notes that, “it is a world unto itself, unique and full of promise.” in Brooklyn and Long Island. Forestry region between the margin of scorched beetle enters a tree through crevices in the bark and then be removed and their stumps ground Almstead is proud to be involved in evaluating and maintaining the officers in New Jersey and Connecticut or treated with herbicide to stop the and healthy tissue. Affected leaves may creates S-shaped tunnels in the cambium tissue, just beneath trees on this beautiful refuge in the heart of New York City. are keeping a sharp eye out for signs of spread of the fungus. Removed trees fall prematurely. Periods of drought can the bark. This disrupts the flow The island has a history that pre-dates the Dutch settlers. The Dutch this deadly fungus. There is no cure once should be chipped entirely if possible, increase the severity of the disease. of nutrients, killing the tree in bought it from the Lenape Indians in 1637 for “two ax heads, a tree is infected. Inoculating trees prior and if necessary burned, debarked or There is currently no cure for bacterial typically 2-4 months. to infection and stopping the disease from a string of beads, and a handful of nails.” The British captured buried. leaf scorch. It is a chronic disease that spreading are the only options available. Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) it in 1664 and renamed it Governors Island. The state of New • Quarantines that prohibit/regulate the causes a slow decline in the aesthetic is another invasive pest that York inherited the Island after the American Revolution. In Oak wilt disease is caused by a fungus up the spores and spread the fungus from movement of potentially diseased wood beauty of the tree, and ultimately kills it. continues to wipe out trees in 1966, the Island was transferred to the United States Coast called Ceratocystis fagacearum, which infected trees to healthy trees sometimes including firewood are already in place Increasing the vitality, health and vigor miles away. It spreads underground our region. It is a metallic green Guard. In 2003, the federal government sold 150 acres of causes the vessels that carry fluids up and will be expanded as the disease of a tree through mulching, watering and through the connected roots of trees or insect that only attacks ash trees. It feeds on the layer of the Governors Island back to the people of New York. The Island’s through the tree to become clogged. spreads. fertilization can make it more resistant tree just under the bark and prevents the movement of life- The tree is unable to circulate water and root grafts. It is reminiscent of Dutch to the disease. Injecting a tree with an remaining 22 acres were declared the Governors Island elm disease that devastated the elm * * * * * sustaining sugar, water and nutrients through the tree. Most nutrients to its branches and leaves — so antibiotic such as Oxytetracycline (OTC), National Monument, which is overseen by the National Park population in the country in a similar trees die within 2-4 years after being infested with EAB. If you it wilts and dies. The species commonly Bacterial leaf scorch is another tree periodically, can also reduce symptoms Service. The island was opened to the public in 2008. way. Infected firewood and other wood haven’t yet identified and qualified ash trees that are worthy of affected are black oak, pin oak, Northern disease that we are seeing more of in our and slow down the development of the Visitors to the island are transported to a historical military village and scenic park with red oak, burr oak and white oak. materials pose a threat as well because region. It affects shade trees such as oak, disease. preservation with your arborist, do not delay any longer. they can harbor the fungus and spread breathtaking views of Manhattan. History buffs can wander through the forts and military homes, Symptoms include leaf discoloration, loss sycamore, maple, and elm. The disease is Talk to your Gypsy Moth Caterpillars are also the disease to other regions far away. while others can enjoy various activities including bike rides, guided tours, kayaking, picnics, of tree crown, fungal spores under the tree caused by the bacterium Xylella fastidiosa, arborist about destroying trees in our region. These and festivals. There are several food vendors on the island, including many vegetarian, vegan and bark, early leaf drop and death of the tree. There is currently no treatment for oak which grows and multiplies in the water- testing for oak voracious leaf eaters are capable of gluten-free options! Leaves turn dull green or bronze, look wilt disease. All that can be done is to try conducting tissue (xylem) of affected wilt disease and defoliating a tree very quickly which to prevent infection and to stop it from Governors Island is only accessible by ferry. There are two free ferry services: one operates to water-soaked, wilt, and then turn yellow trees. It is spread by leafhoppers and bacterial leaf can lead to the death of the tree. spreading through various means: and from the Battery Maritime Building in Lower Manhattan daily, while another operates from or brown and begin to fall. treehopper insects. As the disease spreads scorch — as well as through the tree, it disrupts the transport Almstead offers treatment options Brooklyn Bridge Park on weekends. The fungus that causes oak wilt disease • Macro-injections of individual trees treatment options. to protect trees from these pests. can spread both above ground and with a special fungicide prior to of water resulting in scorched leaves, Cost, location, and There are still several exciting festivals and events scheduled for this year on the island. Please visit Please contact your arborist for more information or a free underground. The fungal spores emit infection has been found to offer decline, and death of the tree. value are factors the events section at govsisland.com for more information. consultation. a sweet odor that attracts sap-feeding resistance for the disease. Bacterial leaf scorch usually appears that can determine beetles and bark beetles, which can pick • Trenching: Once a tree is infected, in late summer and continues through the course of action. A Letter from the CEO Best Lawn Care Practices: Creating and Maintaining a Beautiful Lawn Almstead Arborist: Dan Dalton We have all been waiting to spend time in our yards this year.