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 Our newest Tree of the Month is, in our humble opinion, one of the prettiest trees we’ve ever seen: the flowering dogwood. Also known as the Florida dogwood, St. Peter’s Crown, and just plain-old Dogwood, Cornus florida is most well-known for its large, showy “flowers.” We put that in quotations because what most people would consider the dogwood’s flower is actually four bracts, or modified leaves.  These four bracts can be stark white to deep pink in color, and usually have a dimple on their outer edge that causes them to curl into a point. The true flowers of the dogwood are the little green clusters in the center of the four bracts, often mistaken for stamen or pollen pods. From one end to the other, the bracts measure around 3 inches long on average, making them larger than most tree flowers. As the “flowers” of the dogwood are actually bracts, they last much longer than typical flowers do, and can bloom as long as May all the way through October.  In addition to this long flowering season, dogwoods also offer beautiful color displays throughout the year, making them a favorite of landscapers and homeowners alike. Long, handsome dark-green leaves herald in the warmer months prior to flowering season. In the fall, these leaves change to brilliant scarlet reds and deep mahogany purples. Small, glossy-red berries offer more months of color, and attract a range of winter birds and small animals. And when the tree is fully bare, the pretty speckled bark is revealed. Dogwoods can naturally be both single- and multi-trunked, and with a little cultivating, you can encourage your tree to either. Typically, dogwoods grow as wide as they do tall, with a full, spreading crown of nearly horizontal branches. Most dogwoods will stay on the smaller side, reaching heights between 20 and 30 feet tall (though some have been recording surpassing 40 feet!).  When it comes to caring for these native trees, dogwoods are relatively low-maintenance. They are both heat- and cold-tolerant, so they can handle the scorching summers and occasional freezes of the South. On a regular day, they prefer partial shade, which means around 4 hours of direct sunlight. Though the roots need to be kept cool and moist, the tree itself doesn’t need constant watering. The best way to help out a dogwood is by adding a few inches of mulch around the base to protect the roots from drying out. Otherwise, the natural rain patterns and sun levels of Georgia will get the job done. 
AuthorEmily Casuccio is sister and sister-in-law to Rebekah and Scott Rushing, and has over half a decade of experience in copywriting, copyediting, proofreading, and developmental storyboarding. She's worked with both published and undiscovered authors on both fiction and nonfiction, and takes pride in supporting local businesses. Her passion lies in the written word and helping authors of all capacities realize their dreams and achieve their fullest potential. To learn more about her, read samples of her work, or contact her, visit her online portfolio.
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 There’s nothing quite as refreshing as enjoying fresh fruit in the heat of summer. And fruit doesn’t get any fresher than when it’s just been picked straight from the tree! Fruit trees are notorious for being difficult to maintain, and many would-be fruit enthusiasts end up disappointed when all their hard work doesn’t yield any…well…fruit. And don’t get us wrong, fruit trees aren’t easy. They’re pretty high-maintenance, and can be fickle, especially in the temperamental temperatures of Georgia summers and winters. But, for those willing to put in the elbow grease, here’s a list of some handy tips on how to grow fruit trees in Georgia! Social Distancing Fruit trees need a lot of nutrients in order to actually grow fruit. If you plant fruit trees too close to each other, their roots will end up competing for resources, which will weaken all the trees involved. Room to GrowWhen you dig a hole to plant your tree, make it about twice as wide as the root ball or tree’s container. You’ll fill this in with nutrient-rich soil, of course, but doing this loosens the ground around the roots so they have an easier time spreading. This gives your tree a much better chance of successfully establishing itself. Fun in the Sun While the summer heat isn’t always the best thing for fruit trees, they definitely need sun exposure. Be sure to choose a full-sun location (6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight every day). Don’t Forget DrainageFruit trees definitely need a lot of water, but they also don’t like their soil to be sopping wet. A well-drained area will ensure that any excess liquid won’t stick around to rot the roots. Pro Tip – a good way to ensure good drainage is to plant on a slope or incline! The Watering Sweet SpotMost fruit trees will need about 3 inches of water per month. That’s a hard measurement to calculate as far as how much you should water, but a good rule of thumb is to use your thumb. Stick your thumb into the dirt near the base of your tree. If the dirt is dry as far as your thumb can reach, then it’s time to water. Birds of a Feather Fruit trees can’t pollinate properly unless there are multiple different varieties of that tree around for cross-pollination. Be sure to plant at least 2 (but preferably more) varieties of whatever fruit tree you choose. Pro Tip – plant a range of different fruit trees (in addition to different varieties of the same fruit) for best results! What fruit trees grow best in Georgia?Most fruit trees will grow in Georgia with some love, but the best fruit trees for Georgia are:
AuthorEmily Casuccio is sister and sister-in-law to Rebekah and Scott Rushing, and has over half a decade of experience in copywriting, copyediting, proofreading, and developmental storyboarding. She's worked with both published and undiscovered authors on both fiction and nonfiction, and takes pride in supporting local businesses. Her passion lies in the written word and helping authors of all capacities realize their dreams and achieve their fullest potential. To learn more about her, read samples of her work, or contact her, visit her online portfolio. Sources:
How Much Water Should One Give a Fruit Tree? How to Grow Fruit Trees in Georgia UGA Extension: Growing Fruits UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Best Fruit Trees to Grow in Georgia Fruit Trees for Zone 8 Georgia Grown: Fruits Planting a Small Home Orchard Bare Root Fruit Trees Fruits to Grow in Your Garden Planting and Caring for Fruit Trees  With summer creeping in around the corner, you may think you’ve missed your window to start that garden or update those sad bushes out front. But it’s not too late! There are actually plenty of species that will thrive when planted in the warmest months. Check out these species that don't mind the summer heat: FlowersBring some color to your yard with these floral favorites.
FoliageUse shrubs to add some privacy to your patio, or just to liven up your curb appeal!
VeggiesNothing says "summer" like a fresh cucumber salad, or maybe a summer squash soup.
HerbsAdd some home-grown flavor to your favorite dishes .
There you have it! If you think you may want to grow any of the plants we just mentioned, check out the links below for tips and tricks. How to Grow Cucumbers How to Grow Summer Squash Cabbage Plant Profile How to Grow Carrots How to Grow Cauliflower How to Grow Peas Spinach Planting Guide Growing Cosmos Growing Hyacinth Growing Morning Glories Growing Sunflowers Geranium Care How to Plant, Grow, and Care for Zinnias How to Grow Impatiens How to Grow and Care for Barberry Bushes How to Grow and Care for Boxwood Shrubs Growing Hydrangeas Growing Juniper Shrubs Growing Sage Growing Basil How to Grow Dill in Your Herb Garden How to Grow Parsley How to Grow Rosemary Tips to Keep Your Late Summer Garden Going Strong 10 Easy Summer Gardening Tips AuthorEmily Casuccio is sister and sister-in-law to Rebekah and Scott Rushing, and has over half a decade of experience in copywriting, copyediting, proofreading, and developmental storyboarding. She's worked with both published and undiscovered authors on both fiction and nonfiction, and takes pride in supporting local businesses. Her passion lies in the written word and helping authors of all capacities realize their dreams and achieve their fullest potential. To learn more about her, read samples of her work, or contact her, visit her online portfolio.  May is bright and colorful as everything begins to bloom. As the saying goes: April showers bring May flowers. In addition to colorful petals, we will soon see just how many shades of green there are! One of the hallmarks of this time of year is the buzzing of bees and fluttering of butterflies. In fact, May is when pollinators come out in full force. These seemingly insignificant members of the ecosystem are actually the most vital. You’ve probably heard of the #savethebees movement. In addition to large-scale corporate efforts, communities all over the world are coming together to help out their local pollinator populations. One way you can contribute is by participating in No Mow May. What is No Mow May?No Mow May is exactly what the name says. It means you don’t mow your lawn for the month of May. Whether you have a 5x5 foot yard in front of your apartment or multiple sprawling acres, No Mow May means you let the plants on your property grow uninhibited.  How does No Mow May help? When you mow your lawn, you aren’t just cutting down your grass to a uniform length. You also take down any weeds that have dared encroach on your property. In colder months, this isn’t really a problem. But these wildflowers and wild grasses are a major source of food and nesting ground for pollinators. Our flying friends need these resources to do their job, and without them, they won’t be able to pollinate as much as normal. What is pollination?Pollination is a fancy word for when a plant’s reproductive genetic material (pollen) is transferred from the anther (the male part) to the stigma (the female part). This is the first step of the life cycle of plants. Without it, any seeds the plant bears won’t be able to grow, and the plant won’t be able to contribute to the next generation. Pollination can happen in a variety of ways. While some plant species can actually self-pollinate, most require assistance. Wind and water pollination happen when the natural elements carry pollen from one flower to another.  But the most common form of pollination is via pollinators like birds, bees, butterflies, bats, flies, wasps, and even some small mammals. Why do we need pollination?Something like 75% to 95% of all flowering plants on the entire planet fall into the category of species that need help pollinating. That means that almost every flower, bush, and tree you see on a daily basis requires a pollinator of some kind. To put it in perspective, consider this: of the more than 180,000 different species that pollinators visit, approximately 1,200 of those are crops humans use as foodstuffs. For even more perspective, that means that approximately 1 bite of food out of every 3 bites is thanks to pollinators. What can you do to help?No Mow May as a movement was designed to not only ensure pollinators have everything they need to do their thing, but also to draw public attention to the dwindling pollinator populations across the globe.  As our cities grow and we develop more and more land, we reduce the available area for biodiversity. In addition, human creations like pesticides and other pollutants kill off both the plants our pollinators need and our pollinators themselves. Participating in No Mow May is an easy, short-term way you can help boost your local ecosystem. If you want to take a more active role, you can plant species that specifically attract pollinators. Want to learn more? Check out these resources! AuthorEmily Casuccio is sister and sister-in-law to Rebekah and Scott Rushing, and has over half a decade of experience in copywriting, copyediting, proofreading, and developmental storyboarding. She's worked with both published and undiscovered authors on both fiction and nonfiction, and takes pride in supporting local businesses. Her passion lies in the written word and helping authors of all capacities realize their dreams and achieve their fullest potential. To learn more about her, read samples of her work, or contact her, visit her online portfolio.  Every year, green cicadas pop up in late spring and early summer and start “singing.” Of course, to us, it sounds a whole lot more like screaming! The shed skins of cicadas (which we always thought look a little like cicada ghosts) will litter the sides of houses and trunks of trees. And then, just as suddenly as the screaming started, it’ll stop, and the cicadas will be gone until next spring.
What does that mean? To understand, we’ll have to take a look at the life cycle of cicadas. The Life Cycle of CicadasAdult cicadas vibrate their tymbal organs, which are membranes on both sides of their abdomen, in order to attract other cicadas in the area. This vibration creates the roar we associate with cicada breeding season, and can easily approach 100 decibels. That’s about as much sound as a leaf blower or chain saw! Once enough cicadas have gathered together, males will begin courting females with courtship calls. Females express their return interest by an audible flick of their wings, adding even more noise to the chorus.  After mating, the female cicada will find a small, thin branch or twig to lay her eggs. Using a rigid appendage on her abdomen, the cicada gouges a line into the wood where she then deposits batches of 20 to 30 eggs. The average female can lay around 600 eggs, which means she can do this upwards of 30 times! Fertilized eggs will develop in their nests for about 6 to 10 weeks before hatching. You’re probably familiar with the idea that many bug species start their lives out as larvae. Cicadas, on the other hand, have what’s called a gradual metamorphosis. So, instead of larvae, they’re called nymphs.
Cicada nymphs will shed their skin a few times underground, and then once more above ground before their exoskeleton hardens and they are officially adults, where they repeat the cycle over again. What makes Brood X different?
The cicadas we see annually are green in color, and relatively reasonable in number. You see them around, and they sure make a lot of noise, but they aren’t exactly overwhelming. Brood X, on the other hand, is made up of periodical cicadas. They are brown to black in color, with yellowish wings. “Periodical” is used to describe species that go dormant between generations. In the case of cicadas, there are two types: 13-year periodical and 17-year periodical. The nymphs of periodical cicada species hide underground for 13 or 17 years at a time before re-emerging as adults to breed. Brood X is the newest generation of 17-year periodical cicadas. The parents of this generation mated and laid their eggs in 2004. In the last 17 years, the nymphs have been feeding and shedding about a foot underground.  This May, over a trillion Brood X nymphs are expected to pop out of the ground and shed their skin one final time before spreading their wings and beginning their adult lives. The Danger to Your TreesWith trillions of cicadas emerging, at least half of them female, and each female capable of filling over 30 nests… that’s a lot of gouges in a lot of trees. The cuts needed for a cicada to lay her eggs are pretty shallow and not very long, but they can still do some damage. There’s also concern that the open wounds may allow pests a to get a foothold into your tree, or bacteria an entry point to infect. As cicadas prefer to lay their eggs in small, thin branches, they usually pick young twigs near the end of their main branch. Though the injury isn’t that big, it’s more than enough to kill off the twig.
Older, well-established trees can handle the death of some twigs just fine. The dead ends usually drop off in the weeks following the cicada laying her eggs. In some cases, the twigs recover, though the location of the nest will probably be structurally weaker than the rest of the branch. Younger and smaller trees, on the other hand, may be in genuine danger from Brood X. Plant nurseries, orchards, strawberry and blueberry farms, and even landscaping trees planted in parking lots and along city streets are all likely to be targeted by this new generation.
Basically, that means you need pretty tightly-woven mesh to keep cicadas out. If the gaps between threads are more than a single centimeter, the pesky bugs will worm their way in and go about their egg-laying like normal. Looking for more information? Check out the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences article. AuthorEmily Casuccio is sister and sister-in-law to Rebekah and Scott Rushing, and has over half a decade of experience in copywriting, copyediting, proofreading, and developmental storyboarding. She's worked with both published and undiscovered authors on both fiction and nonfiction, and takes pride in supporting local businesses. Her passion lies in the written word and helping authors of all capacities realize their dreams and achieve their fullest potential. To learn more about her, read samples of her work, or contact her, visit her online portfolio.  Power lines are one of those things you probably only think about when they aren’t working. If a storm knocks them out, you lose power to your home. But at Classic City Arborists, we have to think about power lines a lot. In fact, they’re one of the first things we note when assessing a potential customer’s tree work. What do we look for?It can be hard to judge whether or not a power line close to your home will be a problem when it comes to the tree work you want done.  Scott Rushing, our Certified Arborist, uses his many years of hands-on experience and professional training to decide whether or not the lines need to be dropped before any work can be done. But essentially, we’re looking to see if there are power lines too close to the tree(s) in question, or even just too close to the work site where we’ll be operating some heavy machinery. What does “dropping” power lines mean?If the power lines on or near your property end up being too close to the job site for us to work around them, then your estimate will have a note that the “power lines need to be dropped.” Basically, this means the lines have to be detached from at least one pole so they aren’t running live power. Usually, they’re laid flat on the ground that they’d normally hang above, so they’re easy to reattach when the time comes. How do I get power lines dropped?It’s actually pretty easy to get your power lines dropped. In most cases, we will contact your power provider to set everything up. We will coordinate the specific work date with you and your provider a few weeks prior.  Will I lose power?Unfortunately, yes. Depending on the scope of the tree work you want done, you may be without power for just an hour or two, or maybe for the whole day. Once the lines are dropped and we can begin working, we always start with the tree(s) and work that directly interferes with the power lines. As soon as we are no longer working around the power lines, we will call the power company to have them restore the lines. Can’t you just work around them?We know that having the power to your home cut for even a short period of time can be super inconvenient, even with plenty of time to prepare. When assessing any job site, Scott walks around and even measures distances to see whether or not working around power lines is an option. But it’s important to realize how dangerous working too close to power lines can be, for us and for you. The Dangers of Tree Work around Power LinesAccording to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), contact with electricity is the leading cause of death for tree care workers. Trees are excellent conductors, which means electricity travels through them easily. This means that if we put a metal saw against a limb of a tree that’s touching a power line, electricity will run from the line, through the tree, into the metal saw, and then into the worker!  This may not seem like a big deal (especially if you’ve ever been zapped by an electric fence), but power lines pack some heavy firepower. Coming into contact with one, even indirectly like we just described, can be fatal. Even if you don’t die by electrocution, that amount of electricity wreaks havoc on the human body. Depending on circumstances, it may even be enough for ignition (which means you catch on fire). Of course, we take a range of safety precautions to protect our workers. The first measure we take to protect against power line accidents is to have lines dropped when working close to them. Our employees also wear proper gloves and shoes at all times, and maintain the regulation distance from overhead lines. We maintain Workers Comp to ensure our employees (and customers) are protected in the event of an accident. By dropping power lines before completing your tree work, we’re also keeping you safe as well. Like we said, trees are excellent conductors of electricity. If a limb comes into contact with an active power line, electricity can travel through it and into the ground, where it disperses in all directions. This surge can electrocute you, your dog, your children, passersby, and can even overload the circuits in your home (like if it got struck by lightning).  Basically, messing with power lines is a huge risk for everyone involved! Having them dropped prior to our work protects both you and us from injury and even death. Have other questions? Check out our FAQs for more information! For a free estimate, feel free to give us a call or fill out our online form. AuthorEmily Casuccio is sister and sister-in-law to Rebekah and Scott Rushing, and has over half a decade of experience in copywriting, copyediting, proofreading, and developmental storyboarding. She's worked with both published and undiscovered authors on both fiction and nonfiction, and takes pride in supporting local businesses. Her passion lies in the written word and helping authors of all capacities realize their dreams and achieve their fullest potential. To learn more about her, read samples of her work, or contact her, visit her online portfolio.  Quercus laevis, more commonly known as the turkey oak, is a short, sometimes shrub-like tree native to the southeastern United States. We call it the turkey oak (or sometimes the turkey-foot oak) because its leaves have three distinct lobes, and they look a whole lot like turkey feet.
As it prefers well-drained soil, the turkey oak is pretty drought resistant, making it a great choice for areas with low annual rainfall.
On average, the turkey oak will reach 26 to 33 feet high, putting it squarely on the small side of the tree size spectrum. With a little pruning, you can even grow this species like a shrub!
As we mentioned, the turkey oak gets its name from its turkey-foot-shaped leaves. While the leaves are young, they do often resemble turkey feet, with 3 deeply divided lobes.
An interesting feature that makes turkey oak leaves unique is their growth pattern. Most trees hold their leaves horizontally, so they are displaying as much leaf surface as possible for photosynthesis. Turkey oaks, on the other hand, hold their leaves vertically. This protects the leaves against the hottest hours of the sun, so they don’t burn, and lets them photosynthesize best in the morning and evening, when the sun is lower in the sky.
In fact, turkey oaks will hold onto their beautiful burnt-gold leaves well into the winter!
Though you might expect the flowers of the turkey oak to also bloom in the spring, the male catkins actually don’t start appearing until around November. They produce high amounts of pollen, and may be responsible for your winter allergies! Though it deviates from the typical oak characteristics in many ways, the turkey oak is still an oak tree. That means it’s still susceptible to diseases like chestnut blight, shoestring root rot, oak leaf blister, cankers, and even mildew. If you suspect that your turkey oak is showing signs of decay, don’t hesitate to give us a call!  AuthorEmily Casuccio is sister and sister-in-law to Rebekah and Scott Rushing, and has over half a decade of experience in copywriting, copyediting, proofreading, and developmental storyboarding. She's worked with both published and undiscovered authors on both fiction and nonfiction, and takes pride in supporting local businesses. Her passion lies in the written word and helping authors of all capacities realize their dreams and achieve their fullest potential. To learn more about her, read samples of her work, or contact her, visit her online portfolio.  Classic City Arborists is a family-owned business started right here in our very own Athens, Georgia. We’re proud to bleed red and black (go Dawgs!), and our Athens heritage is just as much a part of our company as our honest work ethic and loyal customers. As you probably know, Athens is an old town with lots of rich history. This city is made of relics from years past that stand alive and well today, like the Arch on UGA campus and most of downtown. But there’s some history of Athens that isn’t locked away in buildings or structures. Some of our city’s legacy lives in its trees. Tree That Owns Itself
At the time, this presented something of a legal conundrum. How can a tree own itself? But the City of Athens, after some time, officially recognized the tree’s right. Unfortunately, the Tree That Owns Itself was damaged during an ice storm in 1907. After many years of erosion near its base, root rot, and other conditions, the 100-foot-tall oak fell to the ground. It was replaced in 1964 by one of its seedlings that had been cultivated by Captain Jack Watson. Thus, the Son of the Tree That Owns Itself legally inherited itself and all land 8 feet in every direction from its base. Spec Towns OakThe Spec Towns Oak is named after Olympic track and field star Spec Towns. After winning a gold medal in the high hurdles, Towns’ athletic director Herman Stegeman presented him with an oak from the Black Forest in Berlin. This oak was planted behind the North Stands of Sanford Stadium and stood for just over 30 years. However, in 1967, the stadium was expanded. The Spec Towns Oak was moved elsewhere on campus, but the team in charge failed to dig a hole large enough for the tree’s root system. To solve this, they cut back the roots until everything fit. Unfortunately, this led to the tree’s death not long after.  The late Dean of Men, Mr. William Tate, got into contact with Berlin and managed to have a replacement tree from the Black Forest brought to campus. That tree also died, for unknown reasons (usually attributed to problems surviving the international trip). But as luck would have it, an acorn of this replacement tree was saved, and planted successfully. So now, the Son of the Half-Brother of the Specs Town Oak survives on the south end of the Spec Towns Track. The Pecan Tree Courtyard at the Georgia Center for Continuing EducationYou might not find this one on a list of historic landmarks for our city, but we certainly think it’s worth a visit. The Georgia Center for Continuing Education features a wildly popular restaurant with courtyard seating centered around a large pecan tree.  Pecan trees are known for their stunning foliage displays (and of course, their delicious pecans), and many believe this tree and the view it provides has contributed to the restaurant’s success over the years. The Tree Room
Over time, the building was used for a variety of purposes: a squat house for travelers, a dumping ground for a neighboring concrete plant, and even a playground for local children. Now, the building has been transformed into an event space owned by Athenians Ashely and Doug Booher, who discovered the building and tree as children and grew to love it. Most of the original architecture still stands, with accommodations made in the name of safety and design. The name “the Tree Room” comes from the toddler of one of the Booher’s friends, and is proudly used by the public to refer to this stunning natural display. UGA ArboretumIf you’re looking for more beautiful trees to look at, then you should definitely pay a visit to the University of Georgia’s Arboretum.
AuthorEmily Casuccio is sister and sister-in-law to Rebekah and Scott Rushing, and has over half a decade of experience in copywriting, copyediting, proofreading, and developmental storyboarding. She's worked with both published and undiscovered authors on both fiction and nonfiction, and takes pride in supporting local businesses. Her passion lies in the written word and helping authors of all capacities realize their dreams and achieve their fullest potential. To learn more about her, read samples of her work, or contact her, visit her online portfolio.  As you might remember from some of our Tree of the Month articles, many common species in our area have pretty long lifespans. For example, in places like Savannah and Charleston, the southern live oaks you see there are likely to be at least 150 years old. Loblolly pines, which are common to the Athens area, can be expected to live up to 300 years in favorable conditions. But what’s the longest living tree?  The first species that comes to mind is probably the redwood. Those towering behemoths are surely some of the oldest in the country, if not the world, right? That’s pretty impressive, but redwoods are by no means the longest-lived tree species out there. In fact, they are comparatively going through their angsty teen years. Species such as the bald cypress, chestnut, Grecian olive, and sequoia have recorded members well over 3,000 years old. The World’s Oldest Living Tree
By most estimates, the tree Methuselah is believed to be over 4,852 years old. Aside from microscopic organisms whose ages we can’t definitely confirm, that makes Methuselah the oldest living thing on the planet.
But wait – we said Methuselah was the oldest living tree up until a few years ago. What about now?  In 2016, another bristlecone pine in the Inyo National Forest was discovered that is believed to be over 5,000 years old, beating out Methuselah by at least 150 years. This tree has not been given a name, and is usually referred to collectively with Methuselah as “Methuselah and its senior.” AuthorEmily Casuccio is sister and sister-in-law to Rebekah and Scott Rushing, and has over half a decade of experience in copywriting, copyediting, proofreading, and developmental storyboarding. She's worked with both published and undiscovered authors on both fiction and nonfiction, and takes pride in supporting local businesses. Her passion lies in the written word and helping authors of all capacities realize their dreams and achieve their fullest potential. To learn more about her, read samples of her work, or contact her, visit her online portfolio.  Springtime is here! There are little blue and white wildflowers blooming in the grass, and the trees are sprouting new leaves and buds. Or are they? As you’ve probably noticed, not all trees are showing new leafy growth. In fact, some look just as dead as they have all winter. Your first instinct might be that these trees are dead or diseased. But don’t cut them down just yet! There are a lot of different factors that go into knowing when a tree should be growing new leaves.
In addition to this, trees bloom and develop leaves at their own pace. Things like their species, size, age, and the availability of resources can direct how and when a tree starts to leaf out. Some trees might get the memo earlier than others, so they’ll start to bloom first. Other trees might take much longer to grow leaves, so the change is a bit delayed. Birch and willow trees tend to bloom earlier than other species to get a head start on food production time. Oaks and elms, on the other hand, wait until the last minute to start budding, because the sudden drops in temperature in the spring can be especially damaging for them. So how are you supposed to know if your tree is just getting a slow start, or if it’s actually in danger?
After bending a few twigs, if you still aren’t sure, you can cut a twig or two from the tree and examine the inside. Living twigs will be moist and colored some shade of green, depending on the species. Dead twigs will be dry on the inside, and will be a “lifeless” color (white, cream, grey, brown, ash, black, etc). If you come across dead or dying twigs, it’s time worry. Check for other signs of decay, like insect burrow holes or rot. You can also give your friendly neighborhood arborist a call. We offer free estimates, and will come out and diagnose the problem for you.
AuthorEmily Casuccio is sister and sister-in-law to Rebekah and Scott Rushing, and has over half a decade of experience in copywriting, copyediting, proofreading, and developmental storyboarding. She's worked with both published and undiscovered authors on both fiction and nonfiction, and takes pride in supporting local businesses. Her passion lies in the written word and helping authors of all capacities realize their dreams and achieve their fullest potential. To learn more about her, read samples of her work, or contact her, visit her online portfolio. |
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23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,
24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
Colossians 3:23-24
24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
Colossians 3:23-24