Is that branch going to crack? Should you be worried about dying leaves? Learn how to recognize the signs that indicate tree cabling would benefit your plant. By cabling branches, you can protect your beloved plants – and your property – from damage.
Weeping cherry trees are one of the loveliest plants to have in your Michigan yard. If you’re considering adding an ornamental plant to your garden, we highly recommend this flowering beauty.
Dutch elm disease (DED) is the latest in a series of tree infections sweeping across Michigan. Learn how to recognize the signs and what you can do if your tree becomes infected.
First, it was the Emerald Ash Borer. Now there’s a new threat to Michigan trees: oak wilt. This disease will quickly overpower your oaks and leave them devasted. Thankfully, there are treatment options if caught early.
Are you tired of peering eyes looking over your shoulder? Want to block out the loud traffic and the noise from the neighbors? It’s time to design your own living privacy fence. A living privacy fence is a row of lush, vibrant, evergreen foliage. PPM Tree Service & Arbor Care has compiled a list of the best evergreen trees available in Michigan, ready to give you the privacy your family needs.
There are many ways to remove a tree stump, but when you look at the pros and cons, stump grinding is the clear winner. And when you hire PPM Tree Service & Arbor, you can let us do all the heavy lifting!
Our Michigan trees come up against a lot of stressors in the summer: pests, diseases, drought, competition from other plants. They need a helping hand during the hottest part of the year. Here’s how to give it to them.
Vines may look beautiful growing up the side of a house or trellis, but vines can actually do a lot of harm to your trees if left untreated. As they climb the tree, vines add extra weight to limbs, can catch more wind in a storm, and can girdle or strangle the tree. If the vine reaches and spreads over the canopy, it can shade out the tree and deprive it of sunlight. Before you go in and start ripping down vines you should know what kinds of vines you are dealing with. Here are a few vine identification tips to help you with your tree maintenance.
Probably the most common vine you’ll encounter here in Michigan is Virginia creeper. This deep-rooted vine can grow fast and be difficult to remove once it’s established. Its roots and underground tendrils can stretch several feet. Since it is an aggressive grower, Virginia creeper can cover an entire tree in just a few seasons. It’s important to keep an eye on this vine or it could deprive your trees of sunlight.
As an ornamental vine, Virginia creeper can look quite stunning climbing over a shed or the side of your house. Its clusters of tiny white flowers bloom in the summer and produce dark blue-black berries in the fall which will attract wild birds, make vine identification easy.
If Virginia creeper is a problem, the best way to remove it is to find the main vines and clip them. This won’t kill the roots but will kill everything in the tree. When the vine is dead you can pull down the vines by hand or just leave them to fall off naturally.
Moonseed is usually found in forests and swamps where soils are moist. It grows along the ground and climbs whatever it comes into contact with. Its leaves are roundish and vibrant green, but turn golden yellow in the fall. Its blossoms bloom in June and July and turn into berries in autumn for song birds and mammals to feast on.
Poison ivy is actually covered in a substance called urushiol which can trigger a severe allergic reaction in most people. The oil is so potent that you can get it even if you don’t touch the plant directly. Secondary sources include pets, clothes, and smoke.
Poison ivy can grow as a bush or a vine climbing up a tree. They have clusters of three leaves which help tell it apart from other harmless vines. This vine identification is made easy if you remember the old mantra, “leaves of three, let it be.” Shower thoroughly and wash your clothes after working in wooded areas.
Poison oak has bright green leaves that also grow in clusters of three, but the leaves of poison oak are more rounded and have a textured surface. They can grow as a shrub or a vine and can pack the same punch as its cousin, poison ivy.
Another very common vine that you will encounter, especially if you have overgrown or wooded areas, is riverbank grape. It can grow almost anywhere and it’s not uncommon to find riverbank grape growing in flower beds or around your deck, thanks to birds. Grape vines can grow thick over several years making them very hard to remove without cutting them and letting them die.
The riverbank grape leaves are large and glossy and can provide a lot of shade for a garden or porch. This vine is sometimes a nuisance as it can grow fast and completely cover the canopy of a mature tree. With its thick vines and large leaves, it adds a lot of weight and strain on the tree which can result in broken limbs or a toppled tree during the next strong winds. Its fruits are tart but edible and make great juice, wine, or jelly.
At PPM Tree Care we provide tree trimming, pruning, and tree cabling services to help your trees grow up to be the best they can be. You can ask about our wide range of services here or call us at (877) 454-8733.
Don’t let the pandemic dampen your outdoor spirit! PPM Tree Service & Arbor Care brings the magic of nature right to your door with firewood delivery!
Weeping willows are one of the most beautiful trees to grace our Michigan yards. But did you know they’re not native to North America? Discover what else you didn’t know about this fascinating tree in our latest blog post!