Wellnitz Tree Care

09/26/2026

Sweet yum yum scale! Would you give it a try? 🤣

09/25/2026

Someone must have really hated trees. This property was rough.

09/24/2026

Far too many trees are planted too deep, and the problem often begins at the nursery, where the root flare may already be buried several inches below the soil in the container or root ball. If the person planting the tree does not locate the root flare and set it at or slightly above the surrounding grade, the tree will likely remain too deep. Unfortunately, many landscapers either do not understand proper planting depth, fail to train their crews, or simply do not take the time to correct the problem. Planting too deep can suffocate roots, promote stem-girdling roots and decay, and significantly shorten the tree’s life.

Remember dead things get buried. Living things get planted.

09/24/2026

I found this Neonectria ditissima canker on a birch yesterday. This fungus infects the living tissue beneath the bark, producing a sunken, often target-shaped canker.

The fungus tends to be relatively inactive during the summer, allowing the tree to grow new tissue around the damaged area. When the fungus becomes active again in the spring or fall, it kills some of that new growth. This repeated cycle of growth and dieback creates the distinctive rings that give the canker its target-like appearance.

The fungus does not directly decay the wood, but it can kill bark and cambium, girdle branches or stems, and create an entry point for wood-decay fungi. Infected branches can sometimes be pruned during dry weather, but when the canker is on the main trunk, there is generally no practical treatment. Maintaining tree vigor through appropriate watering and the proper application of wood mulch, while avoiding unnecessary bark injuries, remains the best defense.

09/21/2026

It's science!

09/19/2026

PSA make sure you know how to set your injection systems up correctly. In this case someone did not and then can cause pretty significant damage to the trunk and root flare of the tree if the chemical pressurizes between the bark and the wood.

09/18/2026

Plant figs!

09/18/2026

09/17/2026

YEAH BABY!

09/16/2026

Tree planting is one of the most rewarding and also one of the most frustrating activities an arborist can do. It's so much fun to come back in 10 years and see a little bitty tree that you planted becoming a monster. But it's so hard to get good nursery stock even if you're buying trees from renowned nurseries. Not only were there stem girdling roots inside of the root ball on these magnolias each one of them was also potted about 4 in too deep. If you're not sure why that's a problem reference the previous post.