Jack O’Lantern Mushrooms

Shrub Doctor was called assess the health of this oak tree yesterday. Normally mushrooms and fungal conks growing at the base of a tree indicate advanced stages of root decay. In this case, the tree was in perfect health.

These Jack O’lantern mushrooms are actually living off of the decaying mulch and leaf debris surrounding the tree. Jack O’lantern mushrooms get their name from the strange glow that is emitted from their underbelly. Jack O’lantern mushrooms contain a substance similar to that of a lightning bug, causing the areas around the mushroom to emit a faint glow in darkness.

If you see mushrooms growing around the base of your trees, call Shrub Doctor immediately. Not all assessments of basal fungi end in good news. Our ISA Certified Arborists will provide you a clear and accurate assessment of your trees so you will have a better understanding of the health of your landscape.

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Smooth Patch Fungus on Oak

Shrub Doctor noticed a good example of  smooth patch fungus activity on this tree today. Also known as white patch, this fungus decomposes the corky outer bark layer of the tree. Since the patch fungus only invades the nonliving outer bark tissues, no harm is done to the tree. Smooth patch is one of many natural occurrences that can be found in our landscapes. No treatments are needed, and your tree should recover over the future seasons. If you notice concerns with your trees and shrubs within your landscape give Shrub Doctor a call. One of our ISA Certified Arborists will be glad to schedule a visit and provide solutions that will keep your plants healthy and vigorous for many years to come.

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Treating Tea Scale on Giant Camellia Shrubs

We took the opportunity the other day to treat a grove of huge camellia shrubs that were infested with scale insect activity. Shrub Doctor has had great success killing scale infestations with horticultural oil and our backpack fogging machine. We blast the oil into the canopy of the shrubs suffocating the scale. We have used this non-toxic method to control scale activity with our customers for many years. If you have a scale insect problem, call Shrub Doctor at 704-920-0290. We will promptly visit your landscape and get your landscape back in control.

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Transplanting Dogwood Trees

The late winter season is a great time to transplant your dogwood trees. Shrub Doctor moved this tree just the other day. We made a sequence of photos to record the proper procedures that we use to assure a successful transplant.  The first photo shows where we severed the roots for easy removal. We next found some great organic compost right under a willow oak, at the back of the property. This compost was mixed with the clay soil removed from the new tree site.  Note how we added a few rotting limbs to the bottom of the hole to help improve the fungi populations in the soil. You can find earlier posts that describe this procedure in more detail. We next fertilized the tree with our special blend of poultry manure and completed the planting with a slow deep soaking of the tree. We will continue to perform this same watering procedure about three times a week until we feel the tree can make it on its own. If you have any questions about transplanting your trees or shrubs give Shrub Doctor a call at 704-920-0290. We’ll be glad to give you advise to  assure that you too have a successful day in your garden.

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White Oak -Trunk Damage

Shrub Doctor was called to assess and treat this white oak tree. It appears that a tree service has removed several lower limbs in the past years yet did not properly cut the limbs back to the collar of the tree trunk. Over the years minor rotting has occurred underneath the remaining limb of the tree.  Shrub Doctor stripped away the bark, removed the decayed wood, and killed the existing populations of insects that were harbored in the wound area.  After cleaning the wounded area, an orange rind oil was applied to the wound to minimize future decay. The orange oil will soak into the wound and reduce further insect activity. During future seasons the tree will slowly close this wound. Shrub Doctor will monitor the healing process and keep the customer informed with its progress.

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Decline of Oak Tree

Here’s an example of an oak tree that is experiencing serious stress due to its new urban environment. You will notice the small sprouting branches along its trunk, and the dead limbs in its crown.  Not many years ago this tree was thriving in the forest. Urban development cleared away the other trees and left this one in the landscape. This tree has survived the removal of its organic top soil, heavy grading and change of topography, and the construction of this house. The tree now experiences competition with the turf, compacted soil, and a serious reduction of organic nutrition.

Shrub Doctor is regularly contacted to help trees in this state of stress. Our certified arborists will assess the health of the tree, recommend  removal of limbs and dead wood from the crown, and treat the tree with our organic nutrients to restore its health and promote root growth.  Shrub Doctor has over ten years experience restoring the health of Charlotte’s prized trees.  Call Shrub Doctor today for a free evaluation of your tree’s health.  Contact us at 704-490-2000. Our doctors still make house calls.

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Long-Term Affects of Gloomy Scale Activity

I have been watching this maple tree outside our office warehouse lately. Notice how there is no foliage emerging within its canopy. Only the tips of the limbs have leaves. In a previous post I showed photos of its bark and the multiple layers of bark scale insects that are feeding on the sap of the tree. Underneath these small bumps is a scale insect that is continually feeding on the sap of the tree. Overtime these insects multiply until they so overwhelm the tree that foliage cannot emerge from the limbs. The scale insects slowly migrate up into the canopy of the tree. This tree is experiencing the advanced stages of a scale insect infestation. Sadly, many urban maple trees around the city of Charlotte are infested with bark scale. Shrub Doctor often notices that many dense neighborhoods with heavily planted maple trees have this condition. If left untreated, this photo will be the result. Shrub Doctor has performed many bark scale treatments this season. We can save your trees from gloomy scale. Give us a call today to learn more about this problem and how Shrub Doctor can save your trees. Shrub Doctor Inc. has ISA Certified Arborists on staff to evaluate the health of your trees. Give us a call today at 704-920-0290.

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Aging Oaks in Myers Park- Charlotte, NC

Myers Park is one of the oldest and most prominent areas of Charlotte, NC. It began development soon after World War I, and many of its trees are almost 100 years old. Charlotte is known for its majestic trees, and now Myers Park is saddled with the challenge of how to save them. As you see in the photos, many of the street lined trees have never had an adequate area to grow, and are now being invaded by roads, driveways, and sidewalks. Shrub Doctor is also seeing the signs of decay in several trees. As a tree ages, it often experiences root rot diseases. As the roots decay, the tree becomes very vulnerable to uprooting in a storm. Attached are photos of fungal conks growing on the root flairs at the tree’s base.. These trees will become more and more dangerous as the decay progresses. In one photo Shrub Doctor identified a huge tree that is slowly declining. Notice in the second photo that its directly in front of a very beautiful home. This is just one of several examples that can be seen while walking in Myers Park. If you see issues with your trees give Shrub Doctor a call. Mark Tally is a certified ISA arborist and will gladly meet with you. He will provide a free evaluation of your trees and provide solutions that can add years of life to your landscape. Give him a call today, 704-920-0290, or contact Mark Tally at mark.tally@shrubdoctor.com /2014/12/myers-park-1.jpg”>

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