Arbor Doctor LLC

10/12/2026

And that's just part of it!

10/12/2026

October 11, 2026 Soil Moisture, Condition Monitoring and Drought Update
Mildly Dry conditions at Cheviot, OH 3.4W.
Widespread dry and drought conditions in the western half of the US, the south, the southeast, and northern New England. (US Drought Monitor does not include rains since October 6, 2026).

Search condition monitoring reports for the entire US>>>     Interactive Condition Monitoring Static Watershed Maps   Snow Cover U.S. and Northern Hemisphere >>> US Monthly Drought Outlook US Seasonal Drought Outlook (3 month) 7 day Rainfall (melted snow) Forecast:   3-4 Week Outlook: Weekly We...

10/05/2026

October 4, 2026 Soil Moisture, Condition Monitoring and Drought Update
Near Normal conditions at Cheviot, OH 3.4W.
Widespread dry and drought conditions in the western half of the US, the south, the southeast, and New England. (US Drought Monitor does not include rains since September 29, 2026).

Condition Monitoring Report   Station Number: OH-HM-24 Station Name: Cheviot 3.4 W Report Date: 10/5/2026 Submitted: 10/04/2026 9:04 PM Scale Bar: Near Normal Description: Only 0.25 inches of rain in the past 13 days but 4.92 inches of rain since September 1. Soils are getting dry in sunny areas bu...

09/29/2026

The root crown and root flare are foundational to tree health, yet they are often buried beneath excess soil, mulch, or turf.

Through Root Crown Excavation (RCE), we use an air knife to carefully excavate soil around the base of the tree, allowing us to examine the root flare, trunk base, and root system without the same level of mechanical disturbance associated with conventional digging.

This can reveal problems such as:

• Trees planted too deeply
• Buried or obscured root flares
• Girdling and crossing roots
• Other underground root defects

We can also use air knife tilling to address compacted soil throughout the root zone. Soil can be loosened to improve aeration and create better conditions for root growth.

For appropriate trees, we recommend maintaining the treated area under mulch rather than returning it to turf, reducing competition between grass and tree roots.

Why is this foundational? Because if the root system is struggling, other Plant Health Care measures may be less effective—or ineffective altogether.

Before we treat the tree, we need to understand the roots.

09/28/2026

Insects may be small, but they play an enormous role in the ecosystems around us. They pollinate plants, feed birds and other wildlife, recycle nutrients, and help keep our landscapes functioning.

Doug Tallamy explores why supporting insect life - especially native insects - is one of the most meaningful things we can do in our own yards and landscapes.

Doug Tallamy explores the vital role insects play in our ecosystems and presents a science-based approach to restoring their populations.

09/28/2026

September 27, 2026 Soil Moisture, Condition Monitoring and Drought Update
Near Normal conditions at Cheviot, OH 3.4W.
Widespread dry and drought conditions in the western half of the US, the East Coast, Florida, the South, and much of the Mississippi Valley. Ohio is the only state with no dry or drought classification. (US Drought Monitor does not include rains since September 27, 2026).

Near Normal conditions at Cheviot, OH 3.4W. Widespread dry and drought conditions in the western half of the US, the East Coast, Florida, the South, and much of the Mississippi Valley.  Ohio is the only state with no dry or drought classification. (US Drought Monitor does not include rains since Se...

09/27/2026

Fall gives us an opportunity to look beyond this year's symptoms and ask a bigger question: What can we do now to help plants enter winter in a healthier condition?

A strong Plant Health Care program isn't simply about reacting to problems when they appear. It means observing the landscape throughout the year, understanding what caused plant stress, and making thoughtful interventions and preventions when they're warranted.

Healthy plants going into winter are better positioned for the season ahead. 🌿

09/26/2026

09/26/2026

GOLDENROD GETS THE BLAME.
RAGWEED IS THE CULPRIT.

Goldenrod (Solidago spp.): bright yellow, insect-pollinated, and an important late-season food source for pollinators. Goldenrod pollen is relatively heavy, sticky, and adapted for insect transport. Goldenrod is not primarily wind-pollinated. Its pollen must be picked up on the bodies of visiting insects and moved from flower to flower. Because it is too heavy and sticky to blow freely through the air, it is not floating around in clouds waiting to cause widespread allergy symptoms.

Ragweed (Ambrosia spp.): small green flowers, wind-pollinated, and a major source of airborne fall allergy pollen.
Every fall, goldenrod gets blamed for the sneezing and allergies that arrive with the season. But goldenrod is actually an important resource for pollinators when many summer flowers are winding down. 🌼🐝

Ohio is home to roughly 25 native species of goldenrod, providing nectar and pollen for bees, butterflies, flies, beetles, wasps, and many other insects. You'll see it blooming now in gardens, disturbed habitats, along the roadside and woodland edges.

So what's causing all the sneezing?
Ragweed!

Ragweed blooms around the same time as goldenrod, but its small, green flowers are easy to overlook. Unlike goldenrod, ragweed is wind-pollinated, releasing abundant, lightweight pollen into the air.

Goldenrod is visible. Ragweed is airborne.

Next time you see a field of goldenrod glowing yellow in the fall, don't blame it for your allergies - take a closer look at how much life it's supporting instead. 🌼

09/26/2026

In Ohio, trees and shrubs can often be planted into late fall and even early winter, as long as the soil remains workable and is not frozen or excessively wet.

As temperatures cool, many plants slow their above-ground growth while soils can remain warm enough to support continued root development. Cooler conditions also reduce the water loss and heat stress that newly planted plants experience during summer.

Why plant in fall?

🌱 More time for root establishment
Roots can continue developing before the ground freezes.

💧 Cooler, moister conditions
Fall weather can reduce transplant stress and help maintain soil moisture.

☀️ A head start on summer
A well-established root system is better positioned to support the plant when next summer's heat arrives.

🍂 Less stress on new plantings
Plants aren't trying to establish roots while simultaneously dealing with peak summer temperatures.