Prepare Your Trees for the Hot Days of Summer and Storm Season

With our trees now full of bountiful, green leaves, it reminds us that summer is just around the corner. It may also be a time that you notice a tree hasn't been producing as much as it used to, or it may seem a bit bare compared to the others.

As you prepare for the hot days of summer ahead, consider these simple tree care tips to keep your trees healthy.

1. Protect tree and roots with mulch, but do NOT mound the mulch against the trunk.

2. Water during the dry season.

3. Fertilize as needed.

4. Prune away any diseased, dead or damaged branches.

5. Examine for any pests. Visit Purdue Extension of Forestry and Natural Resources to learn more about common pests or diseases to watch out for.

6. Examine trees before the storm season.

These are great steps to take to prepare your trees for the summer. If you have any further questions about the health of your trees, it is best to seek a professional arborist, especially to examine any pest infestation or care of large trees.

Browning Tree Service employs Joshua Browning ISA certified arborist license #KY-9849A who is a proud member of Indiana Arborist Association and International Society of Arboriculture, serving the West Lafayette and Lafayette, Indiana area!

Resources:

https://www.purdue.edu/fnr/extension/faqs/

https://www.treesaregood.org/treeowner/pruningyourtrees

https://www.treesaregood.org/treeowner/planthealthcare

Have you checked out our local West Lafayette Parks and Recreation Department lately?

As a child, you likely have fond memories of running from the swings, to the slide, then back to the swings aiming to touch the sky! As an adult, you have probably spent hours on the bench watching your own children or grandchildren joyfully run around on the playground. There is so much fun to be had on the playground, but have you explored further into the other activities that the Parks Department has to offer?

"[Parks are] not just a place to put your kids to go play until their lunch is ready; it's a place that they can learn, they can exercise, they can interact with nature, and more importantly, they can escape some of the tedium of their daily lives," said West Lafayette Mayor John Dennis.

Did you know? The city's parks encompass more than 464 acres of recreational areas, picnic grounds, nature trails, and accessible playgrounds! Across the 15 park properties, it includes 30 miles of paved trails and an additional 4-5 miles of nature trails.

Be sure to explore the parks, which include:

• Celery Bog Nature Area (195 acres and Lilly Nature Center)

• Happy Hollow Park (81 acres)

• Cumberland Park (62 acres)

• Tapawingo Park (20 acres and Riverside Skating Center)

• West Lafayette Wellness Center and more!

In addition, The Recreation Department offers a wide range of community activities and classes year-round at the Happy Hollow Complex and at local schools.

A list of current events and services include:

• Spring Egg Hunt - Saturday, April 9th, 10:00 a.m.

• Tree Friends - Tuesday, April 12, 12:00 p.m.

• Wednesdays in the Wild - Spring at Ross Biological Reserve, Wednesdays, 1:00 p.m.

• Thursday Early Bird Walk at Celery Bog Nature Area, Thursdays, 8:30 a.m.

• Flower Orders - Due Thursday, April 14th

• De-Trash the Wabash! - Saturday, April 23, 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

• Adult Softball Leagues

• Art Classes

• Dance Classes

Check out their calendar and Facebook page for the latest events!

Exciting News!

The West Lafayette Parks and Recreation Department is currently in the process of a 5-Year Parks Master Plan Update with the city to develop its parks system to meet the needs of its residents. The project will engage residents and community leaders to provide recommendations that seek to improve the current parks system. The plan’s recommendations will focus on infrastructure improvements and will address policy and program updates to support the continued growth of the parks system over the next 5 years and into the future. The planning process will include a review of existing conditions and documents, public input, and recommendations for infrastructure improvements and policy changes. Click here to learn more about the 5-Year Parks Master Plan Update.

What Happens to Trees in the Winter?

Winter is here and with it comes the threat of unpredictable weather and winter storms.

Have you ever wondered how trees are able to survive the ever-changing weather? Contrary to what some people may believe, trees do not die during the winter. Instead, trees go into a form of hibernation called dormancy.

"Dormancy of trees can be divided arbitrarily into three phases: early rest, winter rest, and after-rest. A tree begins its preparations in late summer as day length shortens to survive winter temperatures. Cold acclimation occurs gradually and fall color is a sign that the process is in place and pre-dormancy is beginning." (Purdue University)

Because of this interesting fact, trees are engineered to withstand normal weather changes. However, as winter comes, so does the threat of snow and ice storms. Ice and snow can cause damage to trees by putting excessive weight on branches. Trees may become injured from extreme weather.

"It is at this point that a tree owner or manager must make an informed decision based on the extent of the damage. The assistance of a trained arborist can help determine if a tree can be saved from sustained injuries, or if it requires removal." (Purdue University)

Browning Tree Service employs Joshua Browning ISA certified arborist license #KY-9849A who is a proud member of Indiana Arborist Association and International Society of Arboriculture, serving the West Lafayette and Lafayette, Indiana area!

Resources:

https://www.purdue.edu/fnr/extension/what-do-trees-do-in-the-winter/

https://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/fnr/fnr-faq-12-w.pdf

It’s Storm Season…What Does that Mean for Your Trees?

It’s April and that means stormier days ahead. Tornadoes, thunderstorms, wind, rain and hail are all possible this time of year, especially for Indiana’s unpredictable weather pattern. “With their girth, large trees may seem indestructible but though they may withstand most things, hurricane-force winds, lightning, and floods brought about by non-stop rain can wreak havoc on the plants.” (American Arborists). With these destructive forces, comes damage to your property, home, and trees. So what do you do to prevent your trees from being damaged?

The good news is, “over time, trees swaying in the wind develop extra strength to withstand directional forces. If conditions are consistent, trees will initiate changes in their development to compensate for these loading patterns.” (Purdue Extension)

You can do a lot to help your trees better withstand these massive storm systems with a little extra care and attention. “The first and the most effective step to storm-proof trees is by keeping them strong and healthy long before a storm arrives and ruin everything in your yard.” (American Arborists) Here are some other key factors that help trees withstand these storms (American Arborists).

Make sure trees are:

• Watered

• Fertilized

• Pruned properly, especially with young trees.

• Protect tree’s root system and avoid construction and excavation.

• Add mulch

Also, if you are concerned about the strength and tolerance of specific trees on your property, you can contact us, and we can send a professional to your home to assess which trees are sensitive to future storms and damage. We can also assist with deciding which trees need pruning or removal.

Make sure you are prepared this storm season and prevent possible damage to your home, landscape and property with the help of our services. Browning Tree Service is a proud member of Indiana Arborist Association and International Society of Arboriculture, serving the West Lafayette and Lafayette, Indiana area!

Resources:

https://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/FNR/FNR-FAQ-12-W.pdf

https://www.americanarborists.net/tree-tips/2017/august/protecting-your-trees-from-storm-damage/

125 Year Old Tree Taken Down On North Salisbury Street

One of our latest projects….

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI)

“Those driving down North Salisbury Street in West Lafayette may notice one less tree along the street.

A 125-year-old silver maple was taken down today after a large cavity was discovered within the tree. The City of West Lafayette encouraged the removal of the tree for safety reasons.

Kathy McDowell and her family have lived on the property since 1913, and she reflected upon the loss of the tree and the memories she has of it.

“For me, it's like an old friend,” McDowell said. “Every day I look out my bedroom window and look at the tree and my husband always says, ‘I'm gonna miss that tree whenever it's gone,’ because that was the same bedroom window he had when he was in the old farmhouse he looked at all the time.”

While the tree may no longer be standing, its remains will be put to good use as mulch for other landscaping jobs throughout the Greater Lafayette area.

McDowell says she plans to plant a crab apple tree in the newly opened space."

Article from WLFI.

Support a local charity this holiday season!

Browning Tree Service would like your help in support of a local charity this holiday season! Did you know there are families in our community without the basic needs, food, clothing and shelter? Be a part of the solution and help out families in need by donating to Helping Hands Community Outreach.

“Helping Hands Community Outreach endeavors to help create a better world for future generations by meeting practical needs, providing enriching opportunities, and serving communities.”

Donate today and Browning Tree will give a year end dollar for dollar match up to $5000!

To donate online:
https://www.gofundme.com/support-a-local-charity-this-holiday-season

OR

Mail checks to:
Helping Hands Community Outreach
3651 Stonevalley Drive
Lafayette, IN 47909

About Helping Hands Community Outreach - Lafayette,IN:
Helping Hands Community Outreach is a non-profit, charitable organization that has formed working relationships with teachers, coaches, pastors and public service personnel to identify areas of need in our community.  With the help and support of local businesses, monthly sponsors and individual donors we then meet those needs in a practical manner, as we are able.  Our goal is to help bridge the gap between current services and programs offered and the stark reality of the needs around us.  If we join together and utilize our resources to level the playing field and help a child, neighbor, or single parent, we will build unity right here in our very own community! Learn more here: https://www.facebook.com/HHCObridgesthegap/

We've Receive a New Certification!

In October of this year we were awarded the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ). The "TRAQ is an ISA qualification program that trains arborists how to use the methodologies outlined in the ISA Best Management Practices for Tree Risk Assessment. This qualification promotes the safety of people and property by providing a standardized and systematic process for assessing tree risk. The results of a tree risk assessment can provide tree owners and risk managers with the information to make informed decisions to enhance tree benefits, health, and longevity."  

"The ISA Certification Program has led the way as a credentialing body in the arboricultural industry for many years. In order to meet the needs of the profession and respond to the demands of the stakeholders for advanced certificate-based programs, ISA has expanded its training and credentialing opportunities to include qualifications."

Click here to learn more about this certification.