Nick Bates from Davey's Long Island office shares the importance of winter pruning and how to do so correctly and efficiently. In this episode we cover: Why is it important to prune trees this time of year? (:41) (15:11) How does weather affect pruning? (2:07) Is there a correct way to explain pruning? (2:57) Why you should let professionals prune your trees (4:29) Using the right tools and preventing diseases (6:17) The proper way to prune a branch (7:48) Can black knot disease be cut out? (9:2...
Jan 16, 2025•17 min•Season 5Ep. 3
Michael Spaulding from Davey's Portland, OR office talks about what post winter storm tree work looks like for arborists, including how Michael and his team handled Portland's January 2024 winter storm. In this episode we cover: What post storm work looks like for an arborist (0:39) Setting up priority (3:11) Powerlines (4:49) Being a counselor to clients (6:11) Insurance (8:41) Task priority management (9:54) Wrapping up the storm work (15:55) How it feels to help clients with storm cleanup wor...
Jan 09, 2025•22 min•Season 5Ep. 2
Michael Spaulding from Davey's Portland, OR office talks about what an arborist does to prepare for winter storms and what homeowners can do to help, as well as how Portland's January 2024 storm affected Davey's office, clients and trees in the area. In this episode we cover: What does an arborist do to prepare for a winter storm? (0:40) (5:33) How long can storm work take? (2:09) Portland's January 2024 storm (3:22) (7:48) What homeowners can do before a storm (6:37) Annual visits with an arbor...
Jan 02, 2025•18 min•Season 5Ep. 1
Ben Cuddeback from Davey's Northwest Detroit office shares signs that your tree's roots are being affected by freezing temperatures and how to protect them this winter, as well as what you can do in the spring to set them up for the next winter. In this episode we cover: Is snow a good insulator for roots? (0:41) Roots freezing (1:26) Mulching in the winter (2:24) Watering in the winter (2:43) Droughts and floods (3:17) Signs of tree root damage (4:34) Are young trees more susceptible? (5:33) Ca...
Dec 26, 2024•16 min•Season 4Ep. 49
David Horvath from Davey's Lake Bluff office shares how you should be caring for your evergreens and shrubs in the winter to help ensure they'll thrive once spring comes back around! In this episode we cover: First thing that comes to mind for evergreen and shrub care in the winter (0:39) Anti-desiccants (1:11) Importance of reading the labels (3:55) What was Chicago's season like this year? (4:58) Should you be watering in the winter? (6:28) Snow loading (7:30) Mulching and fertilizing this tim...
Dec 19, 2024•18 min•Season 4Ep. 48
Lou Meyer from Davey's mid-Atlantic region talks all things black gum trees, including the different names the tree goes by and the numerous benefits the species provides to a homeowner's landscape. In this episode we cover: Black gum vs Sweetgum trees (1:03) Why do people love black gums? (2:45) (10:30) Black gum's seasonal colors (3:49) Are black gums historically underused in landscapes? (6:03) Ways to protect smaller black gum trees (8:56) (10:10) Black gum's name origin (11:56) Why should y...
Dec 12, 2024•21 min•Season 4Ep. 47
Jay Judd from Davey's East Denver office shares information about the blue spruce tree, including how factors such as climate change and native pests are impacting these trees. In this episode we cover: What is the blue spruce? (:43) How is Colorado's climate affecting the blue spruce? (1:25) Is the blue spruce still being planted? (4:55) What other issues is the blue spruce dealing with? (6:46) (8:43) (10:19) Should you cut down a blue spruce if it is infected? (7:50) What other trees can you p...
Nov 28, 2024•15 min•Season 4Ep. 45
Eric Countryman from Davey's East Pittsburgh office discusses best practices for winterizing your landscape to help ensure it will thrive in spring and summer. In this episode we cover: How have drought conditions impacted trees on the East Coast? (:52) (1:38) How to winterize maple trees (2:34) (4:11) What material does Eric use to winterize trees? (4:54) How to prepare evergreens for the winter (5:48) (6:42) How to water trees and plants during the winter (8:34) Winter tree prep tips (9:11) Wh...
Nov 21, 2024•21 min•Season 4Ep. 44
Dan Joy, executive vice president and assistant to the president, gives a tour of Davey's Science, Employee Education and Development (SEED) Campus that will open in 2025. Dan takes us through the campus and shares information about each area, emphasizing how it will strengthen safety, training and research in the green industry. You can watch this podcast in video form to see the property come to life. Watch the YouTube video, Tour Davey's SEED Campus with Dan Joy . In this episode we cover: An...
Nov 14, 2024•18 min•Season 4Ep. 43
Dennis Zerwas Jr., Commercial Landscape Services (CLS) advertising and promotions manager from Mickman Brothers, a Davey company, shares the inside scoop on the company's holiday wreath-making process and how you can buy your own! In this episode we cover: How did Mickman's Brothers begin making wreaths? (:43) Is right now a busy time for wreath-making? (1:57) How big are the wreaths? (3:55) What are some characteristics of each wreath? (5:06) What is Dennis' favorite wreath? (6:50) How are the ...
Oct 31, 2024•19 min•Season 4Ep. 42
In this episode, Lou Meyer from Davey's mid-Atlantic region shares information about black walnut trees, including if black walnuts are edible and what specific plants you can grow under these trees. In this episode we cover: What are black walnut trees? (1:18) What is black walnut dye? (2:45) Do people eat black walnuts? (4:09) (6:10) How big do black walnut trees get? (7:25) Do black walnut trees have pests? (8:04) Are there any treatments for thousand cankers disease? (9:25) Can you plant som...
Oct 17, 2024•18 min•Season 4Ep. 41
In this episode, Natascha Batchelor from Hartney Greymont, a Davey company, in Cape Cod, shares advice on what homeowners should do with their leaves when they begin to fall on their landscapes. In this episode we cover: What should you do with leaves on your landscape? (1:30) (2:49) (15:24) What do leaves become when they are broken down? (4:03) What leaves are easy and difficult to deal with? (6:20) What leaves should you get rid of on your property? (6:54) Natascha's favorite trees for fall c...
Oct 10, 2024•17 min•Season 4Ep. 40
In this episode, Mike Cassidy from Davey's West Columbus office talks all about deer damage and how we can try to safely protect our trees. In this episode we cover: Why are we seeing more deer? (1:06) Plants that deer might not eat (2:12) What size trees do deer typically rub on? (4:20) What can you do to protect trees? (4:56) Most eaten plants? (7:46) Motion sprinklers (9:32) Sonic deer repeller (9:58) Clients' frustration (11:40) Fishing line (14:00) How Mike became an arborist (14:38) To fin...
Oct 03, 2024•19 min•Season 4Ep. 39
In this episode, Madison Law, sales and service coordinator from Davey's South Houston office, discusses how fall fertilization and planting can help cultivate and preserve your landscape throughout the year. In this episode we cover: Why do you need to fertilize your trees? (:48) What is the best fertilization method for trees? (1:33) (2:10) When is Madison's favorite time of the year to fertilize, and how often should you fertilize your trees? (3:00) What fertilizers do Madison use in her job?...
Sep 26, 2024•23 min•Season 4Ep. 38
In part two of this two-part episode, Zane Raudenbush, turf and herbicide specialist within the Davey Institute, shares fall lawn care tips to help homeowners maintain and prep their yards for cooler weather. In this episode we cover: Why is it important for homeowners to take care of their lawns in the fall? (:33) What can homeowners first do to take care of their lawns for the fall? (1:59) Do homeowners use a different fertilizer in the fall? (2:58) Is pH important for grass? (4:57) How long d...
Sep 19, 2024•24 min•Season 4Ep. 37
In part one of this two-part episode, Zane Raudenbush, turf and herbicide specialist within the Davey Institute, discusses the five common mistakes homeowners may be making with their lawns and what they can do instead. In this episode we cover: Overview of common lawn mistakes (:58) How summer weather has impacted lawns (1:59) Improper mowing techniques (2:23) Frequency of cutting a lawn (5:04) Best safety practices with lawn tools (7:26) Mechanical damage from ride-on lawn mowers (8:33) Overus...
Sep 12, 2024•21 min•Season 4Ep. 36
Joe Berg, district manager of Davey's East Bay office, discusses the differences between two of California's most recognized species, the Sequoia and the Redwood trees. Berg also touches on how the East Bay Davey office has worked with both species. In this episode we cover: Sequoias vs Redwoods (:40) How can you tell the difference between Sequoias and Redwoods? (1:48) Do both trees grow very tall? (2:44) (14:42) Would you plant either tree as a landscape tree? (3:24) Are people respectful of t...
Sep 05, 2024•20 min•Season 4Ep. 35
As National Tree Check Month comes to a close, Jason Hayes, district manager of Davey's Southeast Seattle office, shares tips on how you can properly inspect trees affected by pests and changes in the weather. In this episode we cover: What invasive species are in the Seattle region? (:41) How do we stop invasive species? (1:26) How does having a diverse landscape combat invasive species? (1:53) What are stewartia trees? (2:35) Seattle's summer weather (3:58) Is Seattle's climate the most ideal ...
Aug 29, 2024•19 min•Season 4Ep. 34
Lou Meyer, business development manager for Davey's Mid-Atlantic region, explains the practice of growing trees in containers and how you can ensure these trees thrive in your small landscape. In this episode we cover: Why do we use containers to grow some trees? (1:26) What trees can you grow in containers? (2:35) (7:04) (9:04) What are some of the planters made out of? (3:38) What do you fill the planters with? (4:28) The emotional impact of trees (10:31) Watering trees in a container (11:37) ...
Aug 22, 2024•18 min•Season 4Ep. 33
James Steffel, plant health care coordinator for Davey's North Minneapolis office, discusses how rapidly changing temperature and precipitation patterns can impact your trees. In this episode we cover: Shifts in the weather in Minneapolis (:38) How long has Minneapolis been in a drought? (2:03) Heavy rainfall periods in Minneapolis (2:52) Minneapolis temperature patterns (4:13) How are trees reacting to these weather pattern changes? (5:10) Wood-boring insects and weather pattern changes (6:45) ...
Aug 15, 2024•20 min•Season 4Ep. 32
In honor of Davey's Stewardship Week, Noah Pechatsko, environmental program specialist at the Davey Institute, discusses the long-term benefits of using battery-powered tools and how Davey is making this switch. In this episode we cover: Battery-powered tools vs gas-powered tools (:47) Do Davey arborists carry gas-powered tools? (2:22) Charging battery-powered tools and having backups (2:53) How many years do battery-powered tools last? (3:53) The environmental benefits of using battery-powered ...
Aug 08, 2024•15 min•Season 4Ep. 31
Lou Meyer, business development manager for Davey's Mid-Atlantic region, joins Talking Trees to discuss why sugar maple trees are loved by arborists and tree lovers alike. Meyer also touches on sugar maple pests, different sugar maple variables and how sugar maples produce maple syrup. In this episode we cover: Why do arborists love the sugar maple? (:49) Making space for a sugar maple in your yard (1:54) How are climate patterns affecting sugar maple populations? (2:35) Can sugar maples be trea...
Jul 25, 2024•15 min•Season 4Ep. 30
Scott Gardner, district manager at Davey's Vancouver, British Columbia, office joins Talking Trees to discuss the recent emerald ash borer (EAB) sightings that have plagued multiple Canadian municipalities and parts of the United States. In this episode we cover: Vancouver's climate (:48) Has emerald ash borer (EAB) reached Vancouver? (1:38) Scott's first experience with EAB (3:01) EAB prevention measures (4:15) Scott's EAB treatment recommendations (5:44) How are Candian municipalities using as...
Jul 18, 2024•19 min•Season 4Ep. 29
Nick St. Sauveur, district manager of Cortese Tree Experts, a Davey company, in Knoxville, TN, discusses the practice of air spading and how it can help improve soil quality and health. In this episode we cover: What is air spading? (:41) Can a tree of any size be air spaded? (1:12) Air spading and volcano mulching (2:40) What does an air spade look like? (3:14) How much soil comes out of air spading a big tree affected by soil compaction? (4:02) Where do you look at a tree for compaction stress...
Jul 11, 2024•18 min•Season 4Ep. 28
Dan Hager, district manager of Concord's Hartney Greymont office, a Davey company, discusses the origins of Beech Leaf Disease (BLD) and how it is infecting beech trees in the Eastern United States. Hager also discusses treatment options for BLD and research that is being done to understand the disease in more detail. In this episode we cover: When did Dan first hear about BLD? (:40) How do you know if a beech tree has been infected with BLD? (1:05) How does BLD impact trees? (1:36) (1:57) How c...
Jul 04, 2024•15 min•Season 4Ep. 27
Josh Leo, manager of business development for Davey's Detroit market, discusses how the recent extreme heat can affect trees and what can be done to help them stay healthy during the rising summer temperatures. In this episode we cover: How is the summer heat impacting Josh? (:37) How is the heat impacting trees? (:53) How do you know how much water to put on your trees? (1:48) Climate change and temperature patterns (3:24) Signs of tree damage due to hot temperatures (4:18) How mulching can hel...
Jun 27, 2024•20 min•Season 4Ep. 26
Alec Hall, sales arborist from Davey's St. Louis West office, discusses the impact of this year's historical dual cicada emergence and how you can protect your trees if they were damaged. In this episode we cover: St. Louis' cicada problem (0:33) 2024 dual cicada emergence (0:56) The impact of the dual cicada emergence (1:47) (2:02) How do cicadas impact trees? (2:43) When do cicada eggs hatch? (3:58) How to treat trees with cicada damage (4:39) How smaller trees are impacted by cicada damage (7...
Jun 20, 2024•17 min•Season 4Ep. 25
Ryan Gustafon, district manager of Davey's South Minneapolis office, talks about Interntional Society of Arboriculture (ISA) certifications and his involvement in the Minnesota Society of Arboriculture (MSA) chapter. In this episode we cover: What is an ISA (International Society of Arboriculture) certified arborist? (:44) ISA certified arborists' code of ethics (1:57) Taking the ISA certification test (3:07) Local ISA chapters and involvement (3:59) What does the Minnesota Society of Arboricult...
Jun 13, 2024•16 min•Season 4Ep. 24
Matthew Scott, sales arborist at Davey's Raleigh office, discusses drought stress and the steps you can take to help your plants during drought season. In this episode we cover: Drought stress in North Carolina (:38) How to identify drought stress on trees (1:06) Solutions for drought stress (2:53) Can you use these solutions on existing trees? (3:36) Watering larger trees (4:36) How mulch helps trees during drought stress (6:15) Drought history in North Carolina (7:17) The long-term impact of d...
Jun 06, 2024•21 min•Season 4Ep. 23
Nate Conn, district manager at Davey's North Central Wood Products office in Lombard, Ill., discusses all things mulch and biochar, including how Davey is producing both. In this episode we cover: What is North Central Wood Products? (:44) Forms mulch comes in (1:25) How is mulch processed? (2:12) (3:04) Can you use any biomass to make mulch? (4:14) How do tress and other biomass end up looking like much? (4:49) Different types of mulch and their functions (6:16) (8:15) (9:46) Premium mulch and ...
May 30, 2024•30 min•Season 4Ep. 22
