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Olson Tree Care Olson Tree Care is Iowa’s top consulting Tree Care Arborist. ISA Certified Arborist (WE-12363A) Tree

14.5 INCHES OF RAIN. YOUR TREES FELT IT TOO.We just experienced its second-wettest September on record — 14.5 inches of ...
10/05/2026

14.5 INCHES OF RAIN.

YOUR TREES FELT IT TOO.

We just experienced its second-wettest September on record — 14.5 inches of rain! That much moisture creates conditions for leaf-spotting fungi and other tree diseases, and many trees we are seeing are entering fall after a stressful growing season.

Before winter arrives, it’s time to help your trees and prepare them for 2027.

WHAT CAN STILL BE DONE?

Growth Regulation
One of my favorite tools for valuable or high stressed trees. Growth regulation slows excessive shoot growth and improves chlorophyll, water relations and root-to-shoot allocation—helping the tree put more resources toward roots, stored energy and stress tolerance instead of simply producing more top growth.

Insect Protection
Where appropriate, systemic treatments can protect trees from damaging insects before substantial injury occurs. Preventing repeated insect damage is an important part of long-term Plant Health Care and protecting valuable mature trees. Treatments in fall carry over to 2027 and at times 2028.

Disease Management
After record rainfall and prolonged leaf wetness, fungal disease pressure has been significant. Many disease treatments are best performed now so protection is already in place before next spring’s infection cycle begins.

DON’T WAIT UNTIL YOUR TREE LOOKS SICK.

Trees in the urban environment deal with compacted soils, restricted roots, heat, drought, excessive moisture, insects and disease.

Plant Health Care is about staying ahead of those problems—not trying to rescue the tree after decline has already begun.

Not every tree needs treatment. Give me a call and I’ll evaluate the tree, its condition and the problem before we move forward.

LAST CALL FOR 2026 TREE TREATMENTS

Click here for an update from Olson Tree Care!

This is what summer is looking like at OCS.Below are a couple of the transformation projects we’ve been busy with…In thi...
07/16/2026

This is what summer is looking like at OCS.

Below are a couple of the transformation projects we’ve been busy with…

In this first project, we added an outdoor living space with a floating fire pit.

In this second project, we quickly transformed one clients entry from drab to desirable.

For these projects we offered:

✔ Design and project planning

✔ Excavation and grading

✔ Watershed and drainage improvements

✔ Base preparation and compaction

✔ Large paver patio installation

✔ Fire pit foundation

✔ Fire pit construction

✔ Topsoil installation

✔ Sod installation

✔ Landscape edging

✔ Rock installation

✔ Privacy screening

✔ Tree and shrub installation

✔ Final finish grading

And more.

If you’re wanting your own transformation, or would like to see a finished OCS project, let me know and I’ll be in touch soon!

Sincerely,
Chris Olson

PS. Here’s one more renovation in action…

Click here for an update from Olson Tree Care!

An Early Start To The Year!Greeting's! We are in a sweet spot for a multitude of activities that can be engaged in, not ...
02/24/2026

An Early Start To The Year!

Greeting's! We are in a sweet spot for a multitude of activities that can be engaged in, not only ensuring the best results, but the fewest side effects. Many don't know that we've already begun logging Growing Degree Days with these elevated temps - the earliest I remember in the last 10 years.

Soil Temperature Woke Everything Up!

Soil temperatures reached 50°F — a key biological threshold — meaning plants and soil organisms have already begun waking up.

With that, here are some things we can do now:

1: Last-Minute Pruning
End-of-winter provides temperatures low enough to suppress pests and pathogens while allowing maximum time for wound response.

2: Soil Conditioning
This comes in many forms — from curbing late-winter stress on evergreens with humectant-based products to soil amendments like gypsum that can improve infiltration rates for the coming year.

3: Seeding
Right now is an ideal time for both grass and wildflower seed. Freeze-thaw cycles help pull seed into the soil naturally.

Tired of looking at that old power box out back? A native wildflower seed mix and simple border improves aesthetics affordably.

4. Evergreen Injections
Maintaining evergreens has become increasingly difficult with the rise of damaging organisms in Iowa. Mid-season injections have reduced effectiveness, whereas early-season treatments allow for better distribution within plant tissues.

5. Fertilization
With soil temperatures creeping upward, a light fertilizer application prior to full green-up can encourage turf root activity and help your yard look its best this spring.

The same holds true for trees. Evergreens respond well right now and can regain color, while deciduous trees typically benefit from lighter or slow-release nutrition to prepare them for spring growth.

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Remember, a 60-degree day can pull buds out of seasonal hardening, increasing moisture loss even before leaves appear — one way winter stress shows up later in spring.

⸻

Hope this finds you well and you’ve had a great winter. Look forward to seeing you this year!

Sincerely,
Chris

Click here for an update from Olson Tree Care!

Address

2800 University Avenue, Suite 245
West Des Moines, IA
50266

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

+15152016242

Website

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