Preparing Your Trees For Winter This Fall

Winter is just around the corner. While you and your family may be ready for the frigid temperatures and whirling snowstorms, it’s safe to say your trees are probably not. Before this year’s snowmageddon, head outside and complete this checklist to make sure your trees are well-equipped to brave the upcoming winter months.

Home and trees during the fall season
  1. Cleanup. The first thing you’ll want to do to prepare your trees for winter is some general clean up duties. Inspect your yard for fallen branches and remove them (or hire someone to remove them if they’re too large). Next, look for tree branches that hang over your home or areas where people frequent. Snow will accumulate on these limbs during the winter causing them to break and fall, which can mean bad news for your roof, cars, etc. If the branch is of considerable size or you’re worried about it, it’s best to remove it before it causes larger issues. Lastly, prune your trees to remove dead or dying branches. This reduces the risk of disease and will give your trees the strength they need to survive the winter.
  2. Fertilize. Trees lose much of their vital nutrients in the summer due to the hot, drying conditions. It’s important to apply a slow-release fertilizer to your trees during the fall in order to replenish those lost nutrients and provide them with enough food to survive the winter. The fertilizer will also help trees fight insects, disease, and damaging weather.
  3. Water heavily. Similar to fertilizing, fall is the time to provide your trees with a hefty amount of hydration. Give your trees extra water during the fall because winters can actually be as drying as summers.
  4. Mulch. Applying mulch around your trees is a good way for them to retain moisture during the winter. Mulch acts as both a sponge that holds water as well as a barrier to the outside elements. Be mindful to keep at least six inches of space between tree bark and where you lay the mulch to prevent fungus from growing on the trunk itself.
  5. Plant new trees. It may seem counterproductive to plant new trees in the autumn months, but it’s actually one of the most successful times to do it. During the fall, there’s no extreme heat and less drought, which gives newly planted trees the ability to form a strong root system before winter dormancy.
  6. Wrap. After the first freeze of the year (which usually occurs during late October or early November), wrap your trees using commercial tree wrap. The wrap acts as a barrier around your trees to prevent winter burn (a condition involving extreme drying) and other damaging winter effects. To learn more about how to wrap your trees, click here.

Many of us aren’t big fans of the winter season, but it doesn’t have to be because of the damage it does to our trees. Follow these tips to protect your trees and landscaping this winter and contact Dudley’s Dew Right for all your professional tree service needs!

Post-Storm Tree Cleanup

Tree in countryside during stormy weather

Although spring is considered storm season, Nebraska is no stranger to experiencing severe weather all the way into the autumn months. There’s nothing worse than waking up after a stormy night to find your garbage can in your neighbor’s yard, wooden panels missing from your fence, and of course, your beloved trees split and disheveled. Your first reaction may be to get everything cleaned up and back to the way it was looking before the storm, but taking the wrong actions can result in losing trees that could have otherwise been saved. Follow these steps for the most thorough tree repair and replenishment after a storm:

Look around and assess the area. Safety should always be your number one priority. Scan the area for downed power, utility, telephone, and cable lines, and be aware that even fence wires can hold an electrical charge when there are fallen power lines nearby. If you notice any large hanging tree branches or broken limbs, call a professional instead of handling it yourself.

Remove broken branches still attached to trees. It’s a good idea to remove the remains of any smaller broken or separated branches that are still hanging on to your trees (this is known as pruning). Removing these broken branches after a storm will minimize the risk of decay agents entering the tree’s wounds. Smaller branches should be removed at the joint where they connect to larger ones, but be careful not to accidentally remove any wood that is alive and healthy.

Repair/remove torn bark. Trees have an incredible ability to repair themselves, so don’t panic if you notice damage to the bark of your tree. However, jagged wounds in the bark disrupt the tree’s ability to transport nutrients, so it’s important to clean-cut, or remove the damaged areas by cutting it away, the bark. Only remove what is absolutely necessary and don’t use a sealant over the top of the wound.

Know when it can’t be saved. Even though some can recover from even severe damage, sometimes the tree cannot be saved. If the tree is leaning over your home, driveway, or other areas where people walk, it must be cut down. If the tree is hanging over a power line or other source of electric energy, it needs to be cut down immediately and by a professional. A tree that has sustained significant root damage will need to come down as well, but you may not be able to tell right away. A few months after the storm, you can use a pitchfork to check to make sure the tree’s larger roots are alive beyond the first foot or two of their length. Healthy roots are brown/gray with hard, whitish centers, while dying roots are soft.

The most important tip we can give you about post-storm tree aid is that you shouldn’t try to do it all yourself, especially if you have little tree care experience. Your trees may have experienced hidden damage that you are unaware of and the use of power tools can be dangerous for big jobs. For a second opinion or assistance with tree repair/cleanup, contact your tree experts at Dudley’s Dew Right Services!

Dudley’s Dew Right Express Mulch Blower System

In our last blog, we went over the many benefits mulch can add to your landscape. At Dudley’s, we utilize mulching technology that is unique to our company. Behold, the Dudley’s Dew Right Express Mulch Blower Truck!

Mulch Blower

The traditional technique of putting down mulch involves hauling the product in the bed of a truck to the job site, shoveling it from the truck into wheelbarrows, wheeling the wheelbarrows across a landscape, and then dumping and placing the product. It’s a labor-intensive process that frankly takes much longer than it needs to. Not only that, it leaves the mulch clumpy and uneven on the ground, and holds potential to damage existing landscaping in the process.

Dudley’s Dew Right Services uses a state of the art mulch blower system, which eliminates several steps in the traditional mulching process. Our system allows our crews to finish jobs faster and ultimately save you money. The mulch blower system also allows for a cleaner, more consistent, even application than traditional mulching, which will keep your soil healthier and your landscape tidier in the end.

Dudley’s Dew Right Services also provides high-quality mulch that you won’t find at the store or from our competitors. We use the trees that we remove to make our own mulch- it’s put through a grinder, naturally aged, and then dyed to create a quality, one-of-a-kind product. Available colors include black, coffee brown, natural, dark brown, and red, but if you have another color in mind, we’ll happily customize a color to meet your landscape needs.

Our mulch is an all-natural, nitrogen-rich product that provides soil with the nutrients it needs to thrive. To read about the other benefits mulch provides, check out our previous blog here.


Gone are the days (and money…and time) of mulching your landscape with a pair of gloves and a wheelbarrow. Dudley’s Dew Right Express Mulch Blower System is a convenient, money-saving way to improve the quality of your soil and give your landscape the flare it needs. Dudley’s offers free estimates with no obligation, so contact us today!

Benefits of Using Mulch in Your Landscaping

Mulch

“Mulching” is the act of placing protective (usually decomposing, organic) materials on top of bare soil and around plants, and it’s one of the best things you can do for your yard, garden, or landscape. It seems the benefits of using mulch are endless, but we’ll focus on the big ones:

  • Inhibits weed growth and germination. Weeds are not only unsightly, they hog nutrients, water, and sunlight from the plants that you actually intend to grow. Adding mulch to your landscape keeps weeds from receiving the sunlight they need to survive. Mulch creates a physical barrier that most weeds do not have enough energy to sprout through.
  • Retains moisture. Mulch acts as a sponge- it stores water for the soil beneath it to use when necessary. Again, mulch acts as a physical barrier for soil as well, which limits evaporation and keeps soil hydrated in hot, dry conditions. Mulch can keep you from having to water your landscaping as much, which keeps your wallet and the environment happy!
  • Protects from temperatures fluctuations. During the winter, a layer of mulch protects plant roots from frost-heaving, in which plants are literally pushed out of the ground by the natural expansion and contraction of the soil as it cools off and heats up. During the summer, mulch keeps plant roots from becoming overheated and damaged.
  • Prevents soil erosion. Mulch not only keeps soil hydrated, it protects it in times of excess precipitation. A barrier of mulch lessens the brunt of heavy rainfall and keeps soil from washing away.
  • Controls pests. Certain types of mulch contain various elements that can actually deter pests from your landscape. As organic mulches break down, they improve the chemistry of the soil which encourages the numbers of helpful bacteria, fungi, and insects. These helpful organisms help to fight off other harmful, destructive organisms. Additionally, some types of mulch, like cedar and cypress, contain natural oils and chemicals that deter bugs.
  • Encourages earthworms. As you can see, mulch can dramatically improve the quality of the soil beneath it. Earthworms are attracted to good, healthy soil, and every gardener knows that earthworms do wonders for a landscape through nutrient cycling.
  • Improves the look of your landscape. Lastly, adding mulch to your garden or landscape can drastically improve the way it looks. Filling in empty spaces with mulch will give your space a more complete, attractive appearance. Not only that, mulch is simple to care for and will never compete with other plants or landscape features.

Whether your soil needs some TLC or you’re just looking to enhance the look of your outdoor space, mulch is a great addition to any landscape. For expert mulch services that won’t disturb your landscape, contact Dudley’s Dew Right Services here!

7 Ways to Save Water in Landscaping

You worked hard (or paid a lot of money) to create the beautiful landscape that surrounds your home, so it only makes sense that you want to maintain it. Many people think that the only way to keep their yard green is to water it constantly. However, overwatering can be detrimental to the health of your landscape by causing shallow roots, weed growth, fungus, and disease. Even more, it’s environmentally wasteful and can become costly. Check out these tips for maintaining a lush yard with less water (and a pleasant surprise when you open your water bill!)

Save Water in Landscaping
  1. Water in the morning. Less evaporation occurs in the morning, so it’s best to set your sprinklers to finish their cycle before 8 am. There is less wind and heat earlier in the day, which allows your landscape to utilize fully the water it receives.
  2. Use mulch. Adding mulch to your landscape is an easy way to save on water (and it can be visually complementary to flowers and plants). Mulch acts as a sponge to hold and retain water, making it available to the surrounding soil when necessary.
  3. Pay attention to the weather. This seems obvious, but many people forget that they should be adjusting their watering frequencies with changing weather. You should be watering the most during July and August and less in the preceding and proceeding months. During periods of precipitation, turn automatic systems off.
  4. Make necessary adjustments and repairs. Observe the pattern of your sprinkler system and if you notice excess water being sprayed on sidewalks, streets, patios, etc., move your sprinklers or reset them to ensure the landscape itself is receiving most of the water. If you feel like something is wrong with your sprinkler system, have it checked out as soon as possible. A leak in an automatic system could waste hundreds of gallons of water or even cause structural damage to your home.
  5. Water heavily, but less often. If you’re watering every day, consider watering every other day or every few days, but increase the time the sprinklers run on these days. This reduces evaporation and allows water to seep further down into the soil, giving roots the moisture they need.
  6. Use a trigger sprayer when hand-watering. Attaching a trigger sprayer allows you to only disperse water from a hose when you need to. This saves water from being wasted when you’re doing anything other than watering your landscape (moving areas, taking a break, etc.). Trigger sprayers are an especially good investment because they serve dual purposes, like washing cars and other cleaning projects.
  7. Install smart sprinkler technology. New technology monitors the weather and condition of your soil and then automatically turns your sprinkler system on when necessary. Smart sprinkler systems, while sometimes pricey, allow you to effortlessly minimize the amount of water used to take care of your landscaping.

Even though it’s been an exceptionally hot summer, you may still be overwatering your exterior landscape. Follow our tips to reduce the amount of water you’re using while keeping the environment, your yard, and your bank account happy!

EAB Reaches Nebraska

Emerald Ash Borer

Back in May, we warned you that it was just a matter of time before the Emerald Ash Borer, the destructive beetle that will wipe out the state’s ash tree population, arrived in Nebraska. The invasive pests didn’t waste any time− on June 6, 2016, EAB was discovered during a site inspection of Omaha’s Pulaski Park. On June 17th, the Nebraska Department of Agriculture confirmed that the beetle had been found in a tree on private property in Greenwood (Cass County). Nebraska is the 27th state to confirm the presence of the Emerald Ash Borer, alongside neighboring states of Iowa, Kansas, Colorado, and Missouri.

The Emerald Ash Borer attacks the inner bark of all ash species, disrupting the flow of nutrients and eventually killing the tree entirely. Signs of infestation include thinning or weak branches, bark splitting, and D-shaped exit holes in the base of the tree.

Since late June, Douglas, Sarpy, Cass, Washington, and Dodge counties have been under quarantine in regards to EAB. This means that nurseries are unable to transport ash trees outside of the quarantine area and the movement of firewood is being regulated in order to prevent the human-assisted spread of the beetles.

Okay, so EAB is in Nebraska. What do I do now? First, know that only ash trees within a 15-mile radius of a known infestation should be treated. A chemical called imidacloprid (found at certain hardware/gardening stores) can be used to effectively treat small trees. For larger trees, however, treatment must be performed by tree care professionals through trunk injections and other special chemicals. If you live within 15 miles of a known infestation or your ash trees are exhibiting signs of EAB, it’s best to call the experts and have them do a full inspection.

As of now, there’s no reason to consider cutting down healthy ash trees (as long as they aren’t within 15 miles of a known infestation). This could quickly change in the future, however, as EAB makes its way to other areas in Nebraska. Because EAB is now present in our state, it’s not recommended to plant any new ash trees at this time.

Worried about EAB in your trees? Give Dudley’s Dew-Right Services a call for an EAB inspection, and treatment/removal if necessary. In the meantime, burn firewood only in the same county that it was purchased in and pay attention to the health of your ash trees. For any questions or concerns regarding the Emerald Ash Borer, contact us here!

Source: https://www.1011now.com/content/news/Second-time-emerald-ash-borer-found-in-Nebraska-383458881.html

Making the Most Out of Small Outdoor Spaces

Outdoor Spaces

Being a city dweller means enjoying an abundance of entertainment, culture, opportunities, and more. Unfortunately, a spacious yard is generally not part of the package. Having a small outdoor living space doesn’t mean the space you do have has to go unused, however. With a little creativity, you can transform a small yard into a space that is comfortable, functional, and something to be proud of. Check out these tips for turning a spacially-challenged exterior space into an outdoor sanctuary.

Embrace the sunshine. Keep your yard open and bright by capitalizing on natural sunshine. Avoid bulky pieces of overhead furniture like awnings or large umbrellas, as they will enclose your space and make it seem even smaller.

Create a focal point. Consider adding a water feature or sculpture to your yard as a focal piece. Eyes will naturally gravitate toward a focal point and take attention away from the size of the yard. Some experts recommend placing a statement piece in the center of a small yard, which draws the eye inward and pushes everything else outward, making the space appear larger.

Build winding or diagonal paths. Pathways will add visual interest to any yard, but they are especially beneficial to small spaces. Diagonal lines make your yard appear bigger by elongating the area.

Utilize vertical space. When you can build out, build up. Use hanging or column planters and fixtures to decorate your yard. This will add charisma to your space without taking up precious square footage.

Use multifunctional pieces. When shopping for outdoor furnishings, look for pieces that serve dual or more purposes. Tables that can also be used as seating, benches that open for storage, etc. Because furniture takes up the most space in your yard, it’s helpful to minimize the number of large items in your space.

Keep it simple. A small yard can easily become overpowered or feel cramped if there’s too much going on. Stick to designs that are sleek and minimal, and avoid cluttering your space with unnecessary items. Consider size, scale, and perspective when planning.

A small yard doesn’t have to mean small landscape design. With the right tools and knowledge, your space can become everything you want and need from a yard. Consult with Dudley’s Dew Right to enhance your space, small or large, into the perfect outdoor living area.

Tree Removal Safety Tips

Tree Removal

Imagine cutting down a tree all on your own. You’ve got your equipment, your neighbor is over to help out, and you’re ready to go. However, it ends up being a painstaking process that takes hours to complete. You didn’t see the time commitment coming, but you’re near the finish line and you’re ready to watch it fall to its demise. The tree is on its last leg, and at any instant will fall into the area you planned, causing no damage. Perfect execution!

But then it looks like it’s going the opposite direction, toward your gracious neighbor’s home.

Uh oh.

The damage will be not only expensive, but stressful. And the worst part is, at this point, it’s too late. It is impossible to stop or change the direction of that tree.

This is only one of many examples that show why tree removal can be scary. Common techniques and practices lead to hundreds of injuries and deaths each year. When approaching a home project that involves intricacy and danger, the best option is always to hire a professional. Nevertheless, do your due diligence and research whatever project you are embarking on.

Survey your surroundings

Analyze the area around the tree. Are there multiple houses? Cars parked on the street? A busy intersection? Most importantly, are there power lines? Any power line within 10 feet of the tree must be removed. A licensed professional is required to remove those power lines before taking down the tree to ensure the safety of all those in the area.

Study the tree prior to removal

Some trees are big, some are small. Some have huge branches, some have small twigs. Each tree must be treated on a case by case basis, as each presents unique challenges. If you or someone else must climb the tree, check the branches to make sure they will support the weight of a person. You might be dealing with a larger than average tree that will need to be dismantled into smaller pieces. That means finding a designated or appropriate spot to do so.

Think like a meteorologist

No matter how much planning ahead you do, there is one variable that can ruin any day. Weather. It is very wise to keep an eye on the weather forecast in the days or weeks leading up to removing a tree. Obviously, there’s always a degree of uncertainty, but staying on top of the weather may save you from potential roadblocks in the future.

Use common sense

Safety gloves, safety goggles, harnesses, and hard hats for all involved in the removal process are essential to your safety. Any equipment, such as chainsaws and even commercial equipment like cranes and lifts, need to be regularly maintained and tested, prior to removal. The last thing you want is a malfunctioning chainsaw while hanging from a tree by a harness. While safety gear is crucial, awareness is parallel in importance. Pay careful attention to surroundings, people moving in and out of the area, and those helping in the removal itself.

I could preach on and on about every safety precaution that should be taken in the tree removal process. You might heed my warning, but some will undoubtedly ignore this advice altogether. So, I leave you with the final and most imperative guideline that will GUARANTEE your tree is safely taken to the ground:

Hire a professional tree removal service.

Anticipating the Ash Tree Epidemic

Ash trees dominate the Nebraska landscape㆒ there are an estimated 54 million across the state. Many trees struggle to thrive in the midwest region due to climate extremes, but ash trees are one of the few exceptions. Researchers believe, however, that an infestation of invasive pests known as Emerald Ash Borers is inevitable and will wipe out a significant portion of Nebraska’s tree cover. So what exactly is the Emerald Ash Borer? How can they be identified? And what does this mean for Nebraska?

The Emerald Ash Borer is an exotic beetle first discovered in the United States near Detroit in 2002. The adult beetles feed on ash foliage which causes only slight damage. However, the larvae feed on the inner bark of ash trees, disrupting the tree’s ability to transport nutrients and water and eventually kill it entirely. The pests are a shiny, metallic green color and about ½ inch long. They feed on only ash trees and travel across the country through chopped firewood. Currently, these ash borers have been discovered in more than half of the 50 states.

Emerald Ash Borer

A tree infested with EAB will exhibit several symptoms including canopy thinning, branch dieback, vertical bark splitting, zigzag tunnels below the bark, and D-shaped exit holes ⅛ inch across. Woodpeckers like to feed on Emerald Ash Borer larvae, so damage and stress to bark are also common.

Other than causing an environmental hazard, an Emerald Ash Borer infestation could have some serious implications for Nebraska’s economy. Experts have predicted that an infestation could cost residents, businesses, and state and local governments as much as $960 million in tree removal, disposal, and replacement collectively. Generally, an ash tree takes 4 to 5 years to show symptoms of an EAB infestation, and usually by this time, it’s too late for treatment. Based on the experiences of other states who already have EAB, it can be expected that nearly 100% of infected ash trees will be dead within 15 years of the insect’s arrival. Once the trees are gone, they will likely not grow back, and if they do, Emerald Ash Borers will destroy new populations in their early stages.

As of April 2016, there have been no reported EAB detections in Nebraska, but the insects have emerged in several surrounding states like Colorado, Kansas, Iowa, and Missouri. Nebraska homeowners are being urged to treat their ash trees with preventative pesticides or even voluntarily remove them from their yards before the problem evolves. The experts are certain that the Emerald Ash Borer is on its way to Nebraska and it’s really a matter of when, not if. If you have ash trees in your yard or landscape, make yourself aware of this problem and take precaution㆒ it’ll save you money in the long run.

Sources:

https://www.emeraldashborer.info/
https://www.usda.gov/

5 Trees That Will Grow ‘Fruitfully’ In Nebraska

When people think of Nebraska, they immediately think one thing: corn. Though we do love corn, even us Nebraska residents may not realize that there are several fruit-bearing trees that can thrive in the harsh, unpredictable midwest climate. Check out these trees that’ll fill your kitchen with fresh produce and grow successfully in the backyards of the Good Life!

  • Pears. Pear trees will grow successfully in Nebraska so long as they don’t get infected with a disease called fireblight that will shrivel the fruit and destroy the plant. However, pear species such Moonglow, Luscious, Harrow Sweet, and Magness are resistant to fireblight, making them a very viable option. Pear trees grow best when they are cross-pollinated and three or more trees are planted together.
  • Plums. Plum trees will do well in the Nebraska climate, especially if European varieties are planted rather than Japanese varieties. Like pears, plums should be cross-pollinated. Plum trees in Nebraska, however, are susceptible to black knot disease, which can be a serious problem and very difficult to control.
  • Berries. Some berry trees are actually native to Nebraska, including buffaloberries and elderberries. Blueberries can be grown in our climate, but with slightly more effort than other fruits. Blueberry trees must be planted in areas where they will receive full sunlight for most of the day and away from other trees, so not to compete for nutrients. Mulberry trees are another option that provide sweet fruit for both humans and animals to consume.
  • Apricots. Apricots can be difficult because they bloom very early in the spring, which makes spring frosts a potential issue. However, apricot trees are a very reliable source of windbreak and are self-pollinating, meaning you only need one plant to produce fruit. Occasionally, brown rot disease may become an issue, but usually the fruit from these trees will grow healthy and without problems.
  • Apples. Apples are the most popular backyard tree in Nebraska. There are several varieties to choose from that will thrive in Nebraska’s climate, many of which are resistant to apple scab and cedar apple rust diseases. To ensure success, plant trees that differ in family but bloom at the same time next to each other.

Planting fruit trees can not only reduce your grocery bill but also provide your yard with alluring landscape features. Dudley’s Dew Right is experienced in planting and pruning fruit trees to ensure your plants produce healthy, luscious fruits year after year!