Call 413-525-0060 or email us today to schedule your firewood delivery!

ArborTech Tree Services has exceptional firewood for sale to burn in your wood stove, fireplace or outside fire pit. When purchasing firewood, you should take the following into account to ensure a great burning experience:

• Moisture Content – properly seasoned firewood has a moisture content below 20%
• Cleanliness of wood
• Length desired for your burning apparatus

ArborTech’s seasoned firewood has a low moisture content (<20%).  Burning wood with a high moisture content can cause buildup of creosote in chimneys and pipes, which increases the risk of chimney fires.  Our firewood is screened twice, once when split and once before it is delivered, and we stock 4 different lengths:

• 10-12”
• 12-14”
• 14-16”
• 16-18” (most popular)

ArborTech is proud of the seasoned firewood that we sell.  When a load leaves our yard, we are confident that you are getting quality wood, at a reasonable price, with the best customer service in the area. The firewood that we burn in our homes comes from the same piles that we sell to our customers. There’s no private stock here at ArborTech; just quality, truly seasoned firewood that will keep you and your family warm this winter.

Some Benefits of burning firewood:

• Cut energy costs
• Energy independence
• Eco-friendly heating
• Ambiance
• Warmth when the power goes out
• Fire for cooking

“The fire is the main comfort of the camp, whether in summer or winter, and is about as ample at one season as at another. It is as well for cheerfulness as for warmth and dryness.”

– Henry David Thoreau

Call 413-525-0060 or email us today to schedule your firewood delivery!

by Danny Briggs – Happy Burning!!

The post Need Firewood? appeared first on ArborTech Tree Services.

Here are some suggestions to improve the vitality and longevity of your trees and shrubs:

• Fertilize – apply a slow-release fertilizer to replenish nutrients lost over the summer and improve resistance to damage from disease, insects and inclement weather.
• Prune – make your trees and shrubs healthy, productive, beautiful and safe. Take advantage of pruning after leaves have fallen when the skeletons of the trees and shrubs are visible. Pruning during the colder months also puts less stress on your plants.
• Mulch – give root systems an extra layer of warmth.
• Wrap evergreens to prevent animal damage.
• Shelter plants from runoffs of melting salts.
• Schedule an appointment with an ArborTech arborist – our arborist can assess the plants on your property, design and execute a plan that will meet your plants’ healthcare needs

The post Prepare Your Trees and Shrubs for Fall and Winter appeared first on ArborTech Tree Services.

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – Arborists are trying to save the trees damaged during this year’s infestation of gypsy moth caterpillars.

For weeks, 22News has taken you to eastern Hampden and Hampshire County towns, where gypsy moth caterpillars have been eating the leaves of thousands of trees. Springfield arborist Danny Briggs of ArborTech told 22News that it’s still possible to save trees from being completely foliated, using a “measured” chemical attack.

“We spray the foliage- it’s just a light mist- and it will kill the caterpillars. We suppress the caterpillars. We don’t kill them all, we suppress them,” Briggs said.

“The outbreak is really bad in Brimfield, Ware, Hampden. It’s making its way into Wilbraham and East Longmeadow.”

Briggs regrets that caterpillar infestation victims don’t call for help earlier, before their trees were left without any leaves.

“I personally believe within two years, a tree is defoliated- it’s very hard to tap into its carbohydrates and come back,” Briggs said.

The Springfield arborist said that tree owners can take steps now against a possible caterpillar infestation next year.

“So that’s a soil drench, and the tree will uptake the insecticides and protect them from the caterpillars in the future,” Briggs said.

A bit of welcome news for affected homeowners: Briggs predicts that the worst will be over in about two weeks, when the caterpillars follow nature’s cycle, going into the cocoon stage before becoming harmless adult moths.

The post How to Keep the Gypsy Moth Caterpillars Away appeared first on ArborTech Tree Services.

In the last month, ArborTech’s Plant Health Care (PHC) Technicians have been out and about inspecting, monitoring and treating different pests in our customers’ landscapes.

Many will remember the devastation last summer of entire forest canopies “gone missing” in Monson, MA due to Gypsy Moth defoliation. Well, folks, sorry to say, but they’re HERE! UMASS Amherst has reported Gypsy Moth caterpillars feeding on campus. ArborTech clients from Wilbraham to Somers are seeing multiple types of caterpillars in their yards

The truth is, insect and disease issues are always present in our landscapes. As a homeowner, it’s one thing to use a spray bottle on your Lilies for that pesky Leaf Beetle, but quite another, when your 70′ White Oak tree is covered in tiny, feeding caterpillars. Even when your 12′ Ornamental Cherry is having issues, it’s best to call a professional.
Another growing concern are ticks, as more and more cases of Lyme Disease are being reported. Here are some facts regarding ticks and preventative measures:

6 Tick Facts

• Ticks don’t jump or fly, they crawl.
• People are most likely to experience a tick bite between the months of April and September.
• Ticks are also active in the winter. Freezing temps do not kill ticks.
• Only deer ticks transmit Lyme disease.
• Deer tick nymphs are the size of a poppy seed.
• Ticks carry various transmittable diseases.

ArborTech Tick Prevention Techniques

Perimeter and Tick Habitat Spot Treatments: Perimeter treatments can be either liquid or granular applications. Spray treatments are applied using a high-pressure sprayer. Three applications work best, one in mid May, one in mid-June and one in the Fall.

Deer Browsing Treatment: Ticks are brought into our yards by deer, rodents and other animals. Do your best to prevent these from encroaching on your property with deer repellents and rodent deterrents.

Pet Treatments: Treat your pets with a tick preventative product. There are many on the market.

Tick Tubes: These tubes contain treated cotton that mice like to steal and bring back to their nests where ticks reside.

Rely on the professionals when it comes to insect and disease issues in your landscape.  A good Plant Health Care Technician uses knowledge and experience to diagnose problems and offer treatment options.

So give us a call at (413) 525-0060 or contact us here.  We have solutions, even before you know you have problems!

The post Annoying Pests: Caterpillars & Ticks appeared first on ArborTech Tree Services.

The cotton balls you’re seeing on the ground are from the Cottonwood tree. These white fluffs are actually the seeds leaving the tree, which is a good sign for allergy sufferers because it means the worst of the pollen from the Cottonwood tree is over.

The post White Fluffy Seeds Causing Nuisance for Allergy Sufferers appeared first on ArborTech Tree Services.

With the rubber soles of her boots firmly pressed against the rippled bark of an old maple, Laura Mele leans back, thrusting her body up toward the tree’s canopy. Using just a single rope, her self-propelled ascent appears effortless, particularly with the arsenal of tools that dangle from her harness. She works like a surgeon, armed with a chainsaw, a telescoping pole saw, climbing hardware and handsaw nestled in a scabbard at her hip. She scours the tree, inventorying each branch and devising a systematic approach that focuses on the health and safety of the deciduous giant.

Laura is an Arborist, a professional trained in the art and science of planting, caring for, and maintaining individual trees. Her expertise is a collaboration of physical vigor and the knowledge needed to care for trees. In a way, she serves as our local Lorax and is a catalyst to honor Arbor Day on Friday, April 28.

A Massachusetts resident, Laura grew up in the antithesis of an arboreal environment, but rather as a “suburb kid” in Connecticut. When she was eighteen she took off to Oregon and her first job was mowing lawns for a landscape company. It was on a zero-turn lawnmower in the Pacific Northwest that she realized this type of work was a practical way she could make a real living.

“It was so cool, I was getting paid to be outside,” says Laura. “I fell in love.”

Laura continued landscaping for about four years before returning to New England to attend the University of Connecticut, earning a degree in Horticulture. From there, she continued to work in landscaping, but really delved into the world of trees; she appreciated the speciality of the field. She began working for a company in the Berkshires and knowing every winter a round of layoffs would be distributed, she began working for a tree service and would prune apple trees throughout the winter months.

“It was such an eyeopener because [some] tree guys can be a rough bunch,” laughs Laura. “At the same time, I felt right at home in that way.”

It’s no secret that the tree service business is predominantly a male-dominated industry. But Laura, an admitted “scrapper,” didn’t let that stop her. Conversely, she enjoyed the challenge. At just over five feet – and with an awesome

laugh – she’s had no problem with physical prowess.

With a few years of work experience under her belt she began working for a small tree company in Florence, Massachusetts. The small business serviced residential accounts, an operation she described as “old-school.” Without a bucket truck, she was employed as a tree climber, gaining experience in all facets of tree work including climbing, pruning, cabling, removals and fertilization. Simultaneously she earned her Liberal Arts Degree at the University of Massachusetts, then went on to work as a Utility Arborist for Western Massachusetts Electric Company and as a Field Arborist with National Grid. Since then, she has found a home at ArborTech Tree Services in East Longmeadow. Laura says she enjoys all the facets, the contrast of biology and botany, pruning and maintenance, and the healthcare aspect in identifying diseases.

“My work is specifically for the health of the tree,” explains Laura. “Especially in a residential environment, I have to balance what the tree needs and what people need so there is a coexistence.”

It’s the balance of pruning back tree limbs over a driveway while being meticulous for the overall health of a tree, for example. As a highly accredited Arborist, Laura is an expert at pruning ornamental trees and shrubs with training in insect and disease managements. She’s an ISA (International Society of Arboriculture) Certified Arborist, is a Certified Treecare Safety Professional, and is a licensed Arborist in both Massachusetts and Connecticut – examinations that are no easy accomplishments.

Like any living thing, trees need TLC and upkeep. Well cared for trees not only add value to individual properties, but also offer incalculable environmental benefits. Arborists like Laura remove branches, prune back tree limbs that are diseased or dead, clean up tree damage and care for fruit trees to ensure maximum fruit production.

“We’re gaining more traction as a profession; it’s a career path that requires a lot of knowledge,” says Laura. “It’s important for me that people know arboriculture

is a real professional and viable career. Younger people should know that it is a good option with a lot of rewards. It’s great to be outside and have a positive impact on the environment.”

With annual conferences, scientific symposiums, tree climbing competitions and trade events, the world of arboriculture is growing. Events like the New England Tree Climbing Championship (June 3 in Attleboro, MA) is a blend of technical events made up of safety-oriented tree care tasks and practices. The winners of this competition will be sponsored by the New England chapter to attend the North American Tree Climbing Championship in Utah, a “Super Bowl” of sorts in the tree care world.

Organizations such as WTCW (Women’s Tree Climbing Workshop) create a safe, encouraging, and empowering learning environment for women to climb trees, with an emphasis on arboriculture. The successful workshops are run by some of New England’s most successful women climbers – Melissa LeVangie, Bear LeVangie, Marcy Carpenter (co-founders), and Rebecca Seibel-Hunt. Organizations like WTCW are a welcomed demonstration of the progressive momentum in the world of arboriculture.

Laura says her job is a test of both physical and mental strength; there’s a lot of problem solving. Her tree knowledge has earned her respect in the field, but she has irrefutably proven herself with her climbing ability.

“It’s such a rush, look at what you’re dealing with, it’s just so massive,” says Laura. “Trees are some of the oldest living things on earth, and we are so small, and the idea that I get to interact with them is pretty cool.”

Back on the sprawling branches of the towering maple, Laura’s like a calculated pendulum, swinging with accessibility to every part of the tree. She moves swiftly and accurately, removing a dead branch in one section and for maximum growth, prunes back another. By definition she’s a tree doctor, an expert in the needs of trees and is trained and equipped to provide proper care.

“I love trees, it sounds cheesy,” Laura says with a smile. “I really care about trees and the times that I’m out in nature and quiet, it’s just phenomenal. They are giant, long lived and they don’t even really need us. They’re great, I just love trees.”

The post In the Canopy with Arborist Laura Mele appeared first on ArborTech Tree Services.

In the past year, New England homeowners have benefited from the drop in price for heating oil and gas, however the market price for fossil fuels can be as unpredictable as the weather. Firewood, on the other hand, remains an all-natural, renewable resource for heat which keeps the price competitive and affordable.

When choosing a supplier for your oil or gas the most decisive factor is price, since quality is typically the same (the fuel burns consistently).  When choosing a supplier for firewood, quality (then price) should be the most important factor.  You should take into account wood cleanliness, cut length, and most importantly moisture content, all of which can severely affect the burning experience.

With so many factors affecting firewood quality, whom should you trust as your firewood supplier?   Is it the company waiving the delivery charge or saving you $50 on a cord of wood?

New England is currently experiencing a shortage of seasoned firewood. Last winter’s frigid temperatures resulted in many companies selling out of seasoned firewood. To keep up with customer demands, some companies began selling wood that was set aside for the 2015/2016 burning season thus leaving them with minimal seasoned wood for this year. Reputable companies may cap the number of cords that you can buy in an effort to manage the supply to satisfy other customer orders. They will also let you know when they are out of seasoned wood.

It’s rather unfortunate that when demand exceeds supply, consumers are sometimes taken advantage of.  Unreputable suppliers who sold their seasoned wood in the spring have a history of selling semi-seasoned firewood as “seasoned” in the fall.  This “seasoned” wood is hard to light and tends to sizzle and smoke.

A reputable firewood supplier keeps their stored wood away from dirt and mud to limit surface contaminates. All pieces should be to a uniform length for a consistent, even burn in your stove. Companies that deliver should be insured and the drivers D.O.T. compliant. Your supplier should also be able to let you know the moisture content of their inventory, which should be 20% or lower for seasoned wood (semi-seasoned wood’s moisture content is between 30-40%, which is too damp for burning).

Quality seasoned firewood is more than just a price point; it’s about the overall buying and burning experience.  Being able to heat your home effortlessly is priceless and doing so at a reasonable price is what ArborTech’s goal is.  We’re proud of the firewood that we sell to our clients.  When a load leaves our yard, we’re confident that you are getting quality wood at a reasonable price with the best customer service in the area. The firewood that we burn in our homes comes from the same piles that we sell to our customers. There’s no private stock here at ArborTech; just quality, truly seasoned firewood that will keep you and your family warm this winter.  Happy burning!

The post Price should not be the deciding factor when buying Firewood appeared first on ArborTech Tree Services.

A professor at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA used to keep an extensive list of massive trees in Massachusetts. Unfortunately, upon his passing, the inventory was not updated.

Recently, several Arboriculture Associations, the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) and many volunteers have teamed up to locate the trees on the professor’s list and update their existence, size and condition. This list is officially known as the State Champion Tree list.

The DCR encourages everyone to get involved in identifying trees that may qualify as “State Champions”. A nomination form noting simple measurements and location of a tree can be found at their website.

Mail the completed form to the DCR for review. Field inspectors will verify the tree species and measurements. Nominators and landowners will be notified if a tree is logged into the Massachusetts Big Tree Registry!

As a Certified Arborist, I won’t be able to tell you if your backyard specimen is a “Massachusetts Champion” or not; only the DCR can do that. But, I would love the opportunity to assess the condition and vitality of your tree(s).

At ArborTech Tree Services, we offer a Plant Health Care (PHC) Program that is multifaceted and geared toward proactively caring for your trees and shrubs via deep root fertilization, pest management and annual maintenance pruning (AMP) programs. Give us a call at (413) 525-0060 to schedule an appointment for a FREE consultation or contact us through this website. We can work with you to develop a PHC program that will benefit your “Champion” for years to come. Let’s start hunting for those big trees!

The post Big Trees in Massachusetts appeared first on ArborTech Tree Services.

These weather conditions are also difficult on our landscapeʼs trees and shrubs. Some of the damage is not readily noticeable until the warm days of spring. Some of the more common injuries that our New England plants sustain are as follows:

Wind Burn (Desiccation)

This injury is common with broadleaf evergreens such as Rhododendron, Holly, and Mountain Laurel, but can also affect conifers such as Arborvitae and Cypress. The browning of the leaves occurs when a leaf and surrounding tissue lose moisture and are unable to replace the moisture due to frozen ground conditions and/or dry soils.

Stem Dieback

Although quite similar to Desiccation, this injury is more common in stems rather than leaves. Some species or cultivars of trees and shrubs are injured if temperatures fall below a minimum tolerance for the given plant. This damage is not evident until spring when leaves and flowers do not emerge and the stems turn brown. Even our native species can suffer damage from excessively low temperatures in the coldest winters. Japanese Maple, Eastern Redbud, and Serviceberry commonly suffer from this injury in our area.

Salt Damage

Salt, a.k.a. ice melt makes our lives easier in the winter. We rely on salt to improve our roads and walkways, but in doing so we jeopardize the vitality of our trees and shrubs. Salt-spray, from passing autos, can cause the burning of leaves. Salt run-off is taken up by a plantʼs root system. Salt, which is made up of sodium and chloride, is toxic to plants when present in high concentrations. Sugar Maple, Ash, and most fruit trees are highly sensitive to salt.

We will always have challenging weather in New England. Remember the October Snowstorm in 2011?  That storm was a great example of the destructive force of Mother Nature on our landscapeʼs trees and shrubs.  Snow, ice and straight-line winds stressed even the most structurally sound trees by weakening their branches, main limbs, and root systems.

Nothing is guaranteed when it comes to defending against Mother Nature, but a proactive approach is a lot wiser investment than a reactive approach. Thatʼs why ArborTech offers a Plant Health Care program that works with your landscapeʼs trees and shrubs from the roots up.  To learn more about this program call (413) 525-0060 to schedule a free consultation with one of our Certified Arborists. Think Spring!

The post Winter Stress on Trees and Shrubs appeared first on ArborTech Tree Services.

Even the less ornamental shade trees, such as Sugar Maples and Oaks are beginning to flush out their leaves for the start of a brand-new season.

As the 2017 spring season begins, ArborTech’s Certified Arborists are out and about assessing customers’ trees and shrubs for health and vitality. They’re walking properties, identifying problems and making recommendations for treatment as well as preventative care.

Many homeowners take care of their lawns (it shows). Aeration, fertilization and irrigation are all excellent for healthy soil and green, weed-free lawns. Your lawn is healthy, are your trees and shrubs? ArborTech’s Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs are all about knowledge, prevention and responsible care of your trees and shrubs.

Take a peak outside, do any of your Hemlocks look like this?

Do your Rhododendron’s leaves look like this?

And, one more tid-bit of info to leave you with…caterpillar season is approaching. Leaf feeding caterpillars eat an enormous amount in a short period of time.

Being proactive is key! Take advantage of ArborTech’s IPM programs which are custom designed to meet your plants’ healthcare needs. Call Chris at (413) 525-0060 to schedule a free assessment of your landscape’s trees and shrubs. She looks forward to hearing from you.

The post Spring Has Sprung! appeared first on ArborTech Tree Services.