Tree Health Management

Regular "Checkups" Keep Your Trees Healthy

And Save You Money ...

And Save You Money ...

Some signs of insect or disease problems, structural issues, or nutrient deficiencies are easy to recognize (see our handy checklist of common tree problems for details).

However, many tree health problems aren't obvious and can be difficult to diagnose without having an in-depth understanding of tree biology, soil chemistry, insect identification and lifecycles, or bacterial and fungal diseases. Because the timing of treatment and prevention efforts is critical, missing signs of possible infestations or infections can put the survival of your trees at risk.

That's why regular tree inspections by an ISA Certified Arborist are invaluable. Tree issues can be identified and dealt with before they become a serious problem, saving you money in the long run - and possibly saving your trees as well.

Protect Your Trees

With a Tree Health Management Program

With a Tree Health Management Program

Rather than waiting until your trees show signs of stress, disease, or insect infestation, why not prevent the problems from occurring in the first place?

A tree health management program is a cost-effective way to keep your trees healthy, safer, and more attractive.

It involves regular inspections by our ISA certified arborists to evaluate the condition of your trees and head off problems before they begin. You'll get a comprehensive overview of the health of your plants and trees, and a detailed description of specific tree care services needed to keep them healthy. These services cover fertilization and soil improvement, prevention and treatment of insect and disease problems, and root system rejuvenation.

Ready to find out more?

Call us today at 703-402-9366 or click the button to contact us for a free quote!

Are your trees showing signs of insect damage, disease, or soil problems?

 

Call the ISA Certified Arborists at Riverbend to diagnose and treat the problem quickly and safely.

703-402-9366

Tree & Shrub Fertilization

Fairfax and Loudoun counties have many areas with clay soils, as well as recently-developed areas with disturbed and compacted soil or where poor-quality fill has been added. All of that contributes to soil that's missing essential nutrients and makes it impossible for your trees or shrubs to thrive.

Our tree healthcare experts can identify any nutrient deficiencies or soil problems affecting your plants. This information is used to recommend options that will improve the health of your soil and trees.

We create custom-blended fertilizers that are tailored specifically to the needs of your trees and shrubs, and are appropriate for your landscape conditions.

We're always careful to apply fertilizers correctly and at the right time. This minimizes runoff (to protect our wetlands and waterways), avoids "burning" plants or forcing tender new growth at the wrong time, and gets the nutrients to where they're needed most - to the root system.

Insect & Disease Management

Northern Virginia is home to a wide range of insect pests that attack trees. Plus, our more moderate climate makes it easier for many tree diseases to spread quickly.

Some of the more common tree pests and diseases you'll encounter in your landscape include:

While there are many "good bugs" (beneficial insects, such as ladybugs), there are many more "bad bugs." These insects defoliate trees, bore into trunks and branches, introduce harmful fungi, and damage roots. Left untreated, many of these insects will cause your trees to decline, decay, and eventually die.

Similarly, diseases harm and kill trees by disrupting the biological processes they depend on to survive.

Resource - Five Destructive Insect Pests That Attack Trees in Northern Virginia

Treatment Options

Our team offers a comprehensive insect and disease management program that can help prevent many of the worst tree problems.

We also offer immediate treatments that control existing insect infestations and bacterial or fungal diseases to prevent them from causing further damage to your trees.

Where possible, we prefer to use organic or low-impact pesticides that minimize harm to beneficial insects and other wildlife.

Some treatments require spraying your trees with a high-pressure sprayer (such as when applying horticultural oil). Others are injected directly into the tree or into the soil around the tree.

We will always let you know what kind of treatment we recommend, how it will be applied, and why we think that's the best option.

Insect & Disease Management

Northern Virginia is home to a wide range of insect pests that attack trees. Plus, our more moderate climate makes it easier for many tree diseases to spread quickly.

Some of the more common tree pests and diseases you'll encounter in your landscape include:

While there are many "good bugs" (beneficial insects, such as ladybugs), there are many more "bad bugs." These insects defoliate trees, bore into trunks and branches, introduce harmful fungi, and damage roots. Left untreated, many of these insects will cause your trees to decline, decay, and eventually die.

Similarly, diseases harm and kill trees by disrupting the biological processes they depend on to survive.

Resource - Five Destructive Insect Pests That Attack Trees in Northern Virginia

Treatment Options

Our team offers a comprehensive insect and disease management program that can help prevent many of the worst tree problems.

We also offer immediate treatments that control existing insect infestations and bacterial or fungal diseases to prevent them from causing further damage to your trees.

Where possible, we prefer to use organic or low-impact pesticides that minimize harm to beneficial insects and other wildlife.

Some treatments require spraying your trees with a high-pressure sprayer (such as when applying horticultural oil). Others are injected directly into the tree or into the soil around the tree.

We will always let you know what kind of treatment we recommend, how it will be applied, and why we think that's the best option.

Root System Health

Strong, healthy roots are critical to the wellbeing of your trees. Roots help stabilize a tree (so it doesn't fall over during a storm), absorb and store nutrients and energy to support the tree, and take up water that's then transported throughout the entire tree.

Unfortunately, roots can be damaged by nearby construction or landscaping projects, soil compaction, drought, pests and diseases, chemicals, and more. Over time, damaged roots lead to the decline (and possible death) of the tree.

Our Certified Arborists provide high-quality tree root system treatments that encourage root development and rejuvenate tree roots when they aren’t receiving adequate nutrition. These treatments use a combination of ingredients to stimulate root growth, such as beneficial bacteria, humic acid extracts, soluble sea kelp, yucca plant extracts, amino acids, and natural sugars.

Over the years, we've developed our root rejuvenation program so that it's highly effective at:

  • improving soil aeration,
  • decreasing compaction around a tree’s roots, and
  • increasing the tree's ability to absorb water and nutrients from the surrounding soil.

As a result, your trees will be healthier, stronger, and more resistant to attack by harmful bugs, fungi, and bacteria.

Why choose Riverbend for Tree Health Management?

We are properly licensed by the state of Virginia to apply chemicals used to treat tree and landscape problems (pesticide business license). Our registered technicians and commercial applicators are also licensed by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS), ensuring that all tree health treatments are done according to professional safety standards to protect your health and the environment.

 
Riverbend-BCMA-logo-transparent

ISA Board Certified Master Arborist

ISA Certified Arborist - logo

ISA Certified Arborists

To ensure that tree health treatments are used appropriately

Locally-Owned & Operated

Founded, owned, and operated by a life-long Great Falls, VA resident

Trained & Licensed Technicians

All tree health treatments are applied by specially trained technicians

Free Estimate & Detailed Proposal

So you'll know exactly what's wrong with your trees and what we plan to do

  • Riverbend-BCMA-logo-transparent

    ISA Board Certified Master Arborist

  • ISA Certified Arborist - logo

    ISA Certified Arborists

    To ensure that tree health treatments are used appropriately

  • Locally-owned & operated

    Founded, owned, and operated by a life-long Great Falls, VA resident

  • Trained & Licensed Technicians

    All tree health treatments are applied by specially trained technicians

  • Free Estimate & Detailed Proposal

    So you'll know exactly what's wrong with your trees and what we plan to do

Common Signs of Tree Health Problems

Prevent Irreparable Tree Damage by Recognizing the Symptoms

If your trees are looking unhealthy or showing strange symptoms, it's probably due to problems with insect pests, bacterial or fungal diseases, or soil conditions. Scan the list below to see if any of your tree's symptoms are listed. We've described the most common signs of tree health problems, sorted according to the most likely causes.

Fungal & bacterial diseases

Poor soil conditions

Leaf- & Tree-Damaging Insects

Blotches, dark spots, or yellow spots on leaves

Brown, crispy leaf edges

Sunken, rotted areas or spots on fruit

Fuzzy white or grey growth on leaves

Leaves turning brown and falling off early

Branch tips curling or dying

Conifer needles dying and dropping

Cankers or oozing sores on branches and tree trunks

Yellowing leaves

Stunted growth

Wilting throughout the tree canopy

Pale leaves with darker veins

Holes in leaves

Ragged or chewed leaf edges

Silk webs, threads, or "tents" on branches

Small holes in tree bark

Piles of sawdust around the base of the tree

Yellow, curled, spotted or stippled leaves

Black or dark grey fuzzy growth on leaves, branches or beneath the tree

Brown, white, or yellowish bumps on leaves and small stems

Leaves suddenly "disappearing" from the tree in spring or summer

Early identification of insect damage, infections, and soil problems is critical

 

Don't wait until it's too late to save your tree! Call the ISA Certified Arborists at Riverbend as soon as you notice anything unusual.

703-402-9366

“Last week I called Logan about 2 dead pine trees and my protective deer fence that was damaged. He was there with a crew within an hour – cut down and hauled away the two pine trees and put up a new deer fence for us. The fence is even better than the original! Logan is dependable, fast, and his prices are very fair. We highly recommend him.”

Patricia P

“A BIG thanks to Logan Jones and crew! When a tree came down the other night, crashing on top of our neighbor’s car (ugh!). I called Logan and within a couple of hours, they had the tree cut up, hauled away, and everything cleaned up. He was also able to fix our fence, although the car didn’t fare as well. Just a fantastic job!!!!”

Robin M

Tree Health Management

Tree Health Management, sometimes referred to as Plant Health Care (PHC), refers to all of the ways that we help you keep your trees healthy.

It can range from fertilization and soil improvement to prevention and treatment of problems caused by pests and diseases.

Prevention is always preferable to treatment, but Tree Health Management does both. 

Healthy trees and plants start with healthy soil. Fertilization can help improve the health of the soil and therefore of your plants. 

We also recommend planting native trees and plants whenever possible. A mix of plants that attract wildlife and pollinators is preferable. 

It depends on the plant and what you are treating. 

Some diseases are only stopped if your tree or shrub is treated before it is infected.

Other treatments are applied once the pest or disease has been identified. 

Weather can impact when treatments are applied each year - especially in the springtime. 

Northern Virginia has a wide variety of pests and diseases that can plague trees. Some of the most common issues we deal with include:

Any tree that is stressed will be more likely to encounter issues with pests or diseases, as the tree has less energy.

Several things can cause stress to a tree, including:

  • improper watering (too much or too little)
  • improper planting
  • heat stress
  • frost damage
  • soil issues
  • rodent damage
  • improper pruning or broken branches
  • mulch volcanoes
  • damage from wind, storms, or snow
  • construction-related damage
  • salt damage

In addition, specific  types of trees and shrubs are susceptible to certain pests more than others. For instance, ash trees are impacted by Emerald Ash Borer (EAB), while oak trees usually suffer from oak wilt. 

If you notice signs of an infection in your tree, call the experts at Riverbend Tree as soon as possible. In some cases, treatment may still be possible. 

Contact us for an inspection.

It depends. Some spots are only cosmetic issues, while others may point to a deeper issue. 

"Leaf spot disease" is the term used to describe leaf spots of all kinds, but they can be caused by different fungal or bacterial diseases.

While in some cases the spots are not aesthetically pleasing but cause no harm, in other cases, they can cause your tree to lose leaves, which can cause a serious decline in the tree. 

The best option is to have a professional view your trees and diagnose the issue. 

 

faqs-question-mark

Fertilization

In urban and suburban settings, there are fewer nutrients in the soil, thanks to prior construction and a lack of decaying organic matter. Unlike in forested settings, where plants, trees, leaves, sticks, moss, fungi, and other forms of life are constantly adding new nutrients into the soil, residential and commercial settings need some assistance.

That’s where fertilization comes in. Fertilizers add needed nutrients to the soil, helping trees, plants, and lawns stay healthy. In some cases, fertilization can help a struggling tree. In others, it might prevent some tree health issues.

Applying fertilizer at the correct time can be the difference between success and failure. Fertilizing at the wrong time can lead to runoff, unhealthy trees, and plants forced to grow when they should be focused on other functions.

There are exceptions, but in general, the best time to fertilize is during the spring and fall. Of course, first knowing the composition of the soil and what nutrients are lacking can make fertilization more effective, which is why we suggest a soil test.

Synthetic fertilizers contain nutrients that are created in a lab, whereas organic fertilizers are derived from minerals and animal or plant waste products.

Since the nutrients in synthetic fertilizers are from a lab and organic fertilizers are made with things found in nature, organic fertilizers tend to have more micro-nutrients than synthetic. They also tend to be more environmentally friendly and cause less harm to wildlife, water sources, and pets.

Organic fertilizers are usually slow-release and provide a steady amount of nutrients to your soil. Synthetic fertilizers tend to be quick-release, and often need to be applied more frequently. Because of their lower rate of decomposition, organic fertilizers can be gentler on trees and more consistent in releasing nutrients but are also less concentrated.

Organic fertilizers tend to cost more than synthetic and often rely on moisture and/or heat for the materials to properly break down.

The type of fertilizer used depends on your property goals, what your trees, lawn, or landscape plants need, and what the soil test reveals about the nutrients in your soil.

Based on that information, the best fertilizer is the one that matches your needs, budget, and soil health. Occasionally, more than one type of fertilizer may be used.

We recommend a soil test to determine what nutrients your soil has and which it lacks. Knowing the makeup of your property’s soil will help us determine which fertilizer (or fertilizers) would work best for your plants.

Granular fertilizer is often in the form of small pellets and is sometimes multi-colored. It’s commonly used in lawn fertilization and is generally less expensive than liquid fertilizer. The different colors of granules may represent different nutrients, depending on the type used. Granular fertilizer is applied to the soil surface and is slowly absorbed into the ground. It usually has more salt content than liquid fertilizer.

Liquid fertilizer can be applied by spraying or by injection into the soil, depending on the type and purpose of the fertilizer. The nutrients, which are mixed together, are much more quickly absorbed by plant roots, which means that plants receive the benefits of the liquid fertilizer soon after it is applied. Liquid fertilizer tends to contain less salt than granular fertilizer.

Deep root fertilization injects fertilizer directly into the soil around the roots, called the root zone. This reduces the chances of the fertilizer going anywhere other than where it needs to be and makes it easier for plant roots to quickly absorb the nutrients.

This method of application also often aerates the soil, providing needed oxygen to roots. This is especially helpful if the ground is compacted.

Nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (often referred to as NPK) are three macronutrients that are needed for plant life. So-called “complete” or “balanced” fertilizers will contain a mix all of three. However, if there is too much or too little of any of those nutrients, it can cause issues.

Unlike other nutrients, phosphorus does not naturally leach out of soils, so it can build up over time. This is often the result when manures or non-organic fertilizers are used multiple times in the same area.

If a soil test shows a build-up of phosphorus in your soil, your plants may have already shown signs of yellowing and withering. Phosphorus blocks a plant’s ability to take up other nutrients, such as iron and zinc.

When applied to the soil surface, such as with a granular lawn fertilizer, phosphorus can be spread to nearby streams, lakes, and other water bodies in runoff from irrigation or rain. Excess phosphorus stimulates the growth of weeds and algae ponds and waterways, resulting in green scum-covered waters and negatively affecting the entire ecosystem. Too much of this macronutrient also reduces the amount of dissolved oxygen in the water, with deadly outcomes for fish and other aquatic life.

It’s not possible to reduce the amount of phosphorus that is already in your soil, but you can restrict the use of fertilizers that contain phosphorus in the future.

We also recommend re-testing your soil once a year to check how the nutrient levels have changed.

Yes, it is possible for a tree to get too much nitrogen. When it does, some signs and symptoms seen in the tree and the surrounding area may include:

  • an excess amount of leaves (or larger leaves)
  • dehydrated leaves that look burnt (yellow or brown leaf edges that wilt)
  • slowed root growth, which can lead to an unstable tree
  • increased pest infestation
  • root issues or disease
  • groundwater pollution as nitrogen leaches out through water runoff

Again, a soil test can inform you if there is too much nitrogen in your soil. A professional from Riverbend Landscapes and Tree Service can help you with a fertilization plan to fix any nutrient issues.

Tree Health Management

Schedule an appointment with one of our professional arborists for a free tree health evaluation.

703-402-9366

Give us a call - we'd love to talk with you!

Tree Health Management

Schedule an appointment with one of our professional arborists for a free tree health evaluation.

703-402-9366

Give us a call - we'd love to talk with you!

Tree Health Management

Schedule an appointment with one of our professional arborists for a free tree health evaluation.

703-402-9366

Give us a call - we'd love to talk with you!