Protect Your Trees

Do you think the big trees in your yard are the picture of health? You may want to take a closer look. Plant pathologists with The American Phytopathological Society (APS) recommend tree owners inspect their trees once or twice a year for the following possible defects:

Dead Wood. Dead trees or branches should be removed as soon as practical. Dead branches and treetops that are broken and lodged in the crown of the tree (known by foresters as "widow makers") are especially hazardous.

Cracks. Cracks in trees are areas where the bark has been split, exposing the wood below. Cracks may be an indication that the tree or branch is failing. Cracks that extend deeply into a tree or branch, or are paired with other tree defects, can compromise a tree's structural integrity.

Weak Branch Unions. Branch junctions can be strong or weak; often the difference is in the angle of the branch attachment. Two large branches that come together at a very acute angle may become hazards if their point of attachment to the main stem is compromised.

Decay. Fungi that cause decay enter trees through wounds, so trees with large, open wounds should always be inspected carefully for the presence of decay. Decay usually proceeds in a tree from the center toward the outside. When wood is decayed or missing in the structural portions of the tree, the remaining shell of sound wood may not have sufficient strength to keep the tree from failing.

Cankers. Cankers can be identified by the "target" shape of the defect that they cause, or by either a sunken or raised appearance of the bark. Cankers are caused by fungi that kill the bark or outer woody portions of a tree, often with associated decay of the stem or branch behind the canker.

Root problems. Wounds caused by lawn mowers or weed whips can cause open wounds on roots, which can become infected by root rotting fungi. Diseases and injury to the structural roots of a tree can seriously compromise structural integrity.

Not sure about the condition of your trees? Contact OLM with your questions and we'll be happy to help!

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In the garden, Autumn is, indeed the crowning glory of the year, bringing us the fruition of months of thought and care and toil. And at no season, safe perhaps in Daffodil time, do we get such superb colour effects as from August to November. ~Rose G. Kingsley, The Autumn Garden, 1905

Need help? Have questions? Whether it concerns home or at work, contact OLM by phone, e-mail or fax and we will be glad to assist!

Contact us:

OLM, Inc.
975 Cobb Place Blvd.
Suite 304
Kennesaw, GA 30144

Call us: (770) 420-0900

E-mail: newsletter@olminc.com
Online: www.olminc.com
 



 
   

By all these lovely tokens
September days are here,
With summer's best of weather And autumn's best of cheer.
~Helen Hunt Jackson, 1830-1885

TOP 10 BENEFITS OF GOOD LANDSCAPE SPECIFICATIONS AND CONTRACTS
~Ed Jensen

1. Good specifications give "apples to apples" bid results.

2. Good specifications put a system is in place to monitor performance.

3. Good specifications mean there are no "gotchas".

4. Good specifications can be followed and adhered to by both the Contractor and the Owner/Property Manager.

5. Good specifications yield minimal questions so time is not wasted clarifying details.

6. Good specifications will help bids not to significantly change from the previous year.

7. Good specifications outline for Contractors what needs to be done without having to constantly tell them.

8. Good specifications promote proactive service which will catch plant health issues and help eliminate plant loss.

9. Good specifications have flexibility and can be adjusted for valid reasons during the bid process.

10. Good specifications can mean nights filled with rest, fun weekends, and improved efficiency…only if OLM does the work!

A Different Kind of Holiday

We all look forward to Labor Day - or any other reason to take a Monday off! Labor Day may be the holiday September is famous for, but there are a few more not so well recognized holidays in September:

September 2 is National Beheading Day.

September 5 is Be Late For Something Day.

September 12 is National Chocolate Milkshake Day.

September 14 is National Cream-filled Donut Day.

September 18 is National Play-doh Day.

September 28 is Ask A Stupid Question Day.

September 29 is Poisoned Blackberries Day.

September is also International Square Dance Month, National Bed Check Month and National Mind Mapping Month. We'll just have to wait until September 28 to ask about those!