Do You Have a Sick Tree? Consider Green Solutions
August 13, 2025
Much like any living thing, trees can get sick. Tree diseases are common, and not all are critical or dangerous for overall health. Still, it's important to watch for signs of disease during the active season. If you're walking around your property on a warm summer day and notice a dark-colored ooze seeping from your tree, this is likely fluxing—a bacterial infection that happens within the outer heartwood and inner sapwood areas. Fluxing isn't always dangerous, but it can sometimes signal a much larger issue beneath the surface.
Our Xylem Tree Care certified arborists can diagnose issues like fluxing and many, many more. Like healthcare for humans, our Green Solutions program helps keep your trees healthy.
How Green Solutions works
Focused on prevention and maintenance, our program allows you to choose individual services as needed or bundle them together and save. Green Solutions provides a customized health plan for your trees and shrubs. Here’s the seasonal breakdown of services:
- Summer check-in diagnostics: Expert watering advice, pruning, and pest control assessments to ensure your trees stay strong enough to endure summer heat.
- Fall fertilization: Help your trees recover from summer by replenishing essential nutrients, boosting resilience, and preparing them for winter dormancy.
- Winter dormant horticultural oil: Applying dormant horticultural oil, the best defense against pests and diseases, keeps your trees healthy all year round.
- Spring fertilization: Enhance growth with our special blend of nutrients that also strengthen roots and help trees and plants handle summer stress.
Root Restore Soil Services
Green Solutions can also be paired with our Root Restore treatments—advanced soil care designed to strengthen trees from the ground up:
- BioAeration – Injects a liquid blend of biological stimulants and biochar into the soil to improve aeration, feed beneficial microbes, and boost tree vitality.
- Decompact + BioChar – Relieves soil compaction using air tools, then amends with biochar to improve structure, retain water, and create an ideal root environment.
These treatments work alongside your seasonal care plan to create healthier, more resilient trees—especially in tough urban or compacted soil conditions.
Treatments are more effective when done early. Start your customized tree health program today and give your trees the care they deserve. Call 1-833-544-8733 to learn more. Evaluations are free.
Until next time, enjoy a wonderful and safe remainder of your summer!
When most people think about tree health, they focus on what they can see above ground: leaves, branches, bark, maybe even the canopy’s shape. But the real story often starts below the surface. In many urban and suburban environments, poor soil quality is one of the most common and overlooked threats to healthy, thriving trees. Why urban soils struggle Unlike the rich, loose soils found in forests and natural settings, urban soils are often heavily compacted and lack the organic material trees need to grow strong. Construction, foot traffic, and even routine lawn care can press the soil tightly together, reducing its ability to absorb water and air. The result? A root system that feels like it’s trying to breathe through a straw. If you’ve ever noticed trees in neighborhoods looking tired, stressed, or less vibrant than those in more natural spaces, compacted soil may be the culprit. A simple DIY test Here’s an easy way to check if your soil might be too compacted: Grab a Phillips-head screwdriver and press it into the ground. Ideally, you should feel little to no resistance for the first six to eight inches below the surface. If the tool stops quickly or takes significant effort to push down, your soil is likely compacted. This compacted soil causes more problems than you might think, especially during rainy periods. Clay-heavy soils, which are common in many urban areas, don’t drain well. Instead of letting excess water pass through, they trap it, leaving roots in standing water. This “drowning” effect causes stress that affects the entire tree, from root to canopy. Why it matters for your trees Roots are the lifeline of your trees. When they’re stressed from poor drainage, compacted soil, or a lack of nutrients, the tree struggles to take in what it needs. You may notice signs like yellowing leaves, slow growth, or branches dying back. Left unchecked, these issues don’t just affect your tree’s appearance, they can threaten its long-term health and stability. Ask yourself this question: Would you simply ignore the foundation of your house? For your trees, the soil is that foundation. What you can do right now While certain soil treatments—such as decompaction services—are best performed in specific seasons, there are still steps you can take today to support your trees: Mulch wisely: A layer of organic mulch around the base of your tree (but not touching the trunk) helps retain moisture, regulate soil temperature, and add organic material as it breaks down. Watch your watering: Avoid overwatering, especially in areas with poor drainage. Slow, deep watering encourages roots to grow deeper rather than staying near the surface. Reduce foot traffic: Try to limit heavy use around the base of trees, as repeated pressure compacts soil even further. When to call the experts Sometimes, the best thing you can do for your trees is get a professional opinion. A Certified Arborist can evaluate your soil conditions, check for signs of stress, and recommend a treatment plan tailored to your property. Whether it’s planning future decompaction services, improving drainage, or adjusting your care routine, the right approach can make a world of difference. Healthy soil means healthy trees, which in turn create a more beautiful, resilient landscape for you to enjoy.
When it comes to tree care, timing is everything. Many homeowners wonder if summer is a safe time to prune, or if it’s better to wait until the dormant season. The truth might surprise you: With the right approach, summer can be a great time to give your trees the attention they need. Why pruning matters Pruning isn’t just about shaping a tree to look nice (though that’s a welcome bonus). It plays a critical role in keeping your trees healthy and your property safe. By removing weak, crossing, or damaged branches, pruning helps reduce the risk of large limbs breaking off, especially during those sudden, windy afternoon thunderstorms we often get this time of year. Beyond safety, proper pruning also helps prevent large wounds that trees may struggle to heal, supports balanced growth, and allows more sunlight and airflow to reach the interior branches. In short, it’s one of the best investments you can make for the long-term health of your trees. Summer Pruning: The do’s and don’ts As we already mentioned, you may have heard that pruning should only be done in winter when trees are dormant. While dormant-season pruning has its benefits, summer pruning is not only acceptable but also beneficial—as long as it’s done thoughtfully. The key is moderation. Arborists often refer to “dosage” when discussing pruning, meaning the amount of live growth removed. In summer, keeping the dosage reasonable is crucial. Too much removal can stress the tree, while careful, selective cuts can strengthen its structure and reduce risks. Think of summer pruning like a tune-up rather than a major overhaul. Signs your trees may need summer pruning Not sure if your trees could benefit from a mid-season trim? Here are a few signs to look for: Overhanging branches: Limbs that stretch too close to your roof, driveway, or power lines. Dead or damaged wood: Branches that look brittle, cracked, or lifeless. Crossing branches: Limbs that rub against each other, creating weak spots. Storm hazards: Large, heavy limbs that could break during high winds. If you notice any of these, your trees may benefit from some selective pruning now instead of waiting. The Big Picture: Prevention is key As the old saying goes, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” When it comes to trees, a little preventive pruning today can save you from dealing with storm damage, costly repairs, or even tree removal down the road. Pruning helps reduce risks not just to the tree, but also to the people and property around it. Remember, pruning isn’t a one-size-fits-all job. Every tree has its own needs, depending on its species, age, and environment. Why a professional evaluation helps Before reaching for the pruning saw, it’s wise to start with a professional evaluation. A Certified Arborist can assess whether your trees actually need pruning right now, identify any hidden risks, and recommend the best approach for both safety and tree health. Sometimes, the right call might be a minor trim. Others a more targeted structural prune may be in order. By partnering with a professional, you’ll ensure your trees get the care they need, without the risk of over-pruning.
