Elm borers are wood-boring beetles that can infest and cause significant damage to elm trees. The larvae tunnel into the tree, creating galleries and disrupting the flow of nutrients and water. Over time, this can lead to the decline or death of the tree. Of course, prevention and treatment for elm borers is included in a Plant Health Care subscription...

What, you might ask, is frass? In layperson terms, it’s excrement left by insects. For the purposes of our summer newsletter, let’s call it like it is. It’s the “little brown dots” that rain down on porches, patios, sidewalks and driveways. It comes courtesy of the orange-striped oakworms that infest oak trees primarily from July through September. You’ll know it...

Bagworms can cause significant damage to your trees if left uncontrolled. In the Charlotte area, bagworms affect arborvitae, cedars, leyland cypress, junipers, and pine trees. So if you’re finding bagworms on arborvitae, or any of your other trees, we have some bagworm treatment suggestions. Of course, bagworm treatment and prevention services are included in a Plant Health Care subscription from...

At Arborscapes, what excites our arborists most about the job is caring for the canopy of our city. And there have been few threats to that canopy as urgent as the recent introduction of the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB). The EAB, which landed in North America from China in 2015, is bad business. If not stopped, it can claim 99.9...

Considering the business we’re in, I can’t think of a better word to describe the cool, new initiative whose goal is to help Arborscapes be the best that it can be. “Cross Pollination.” In a sense, this is about planting seeds. We have built relationships with other tree care companies for years. The idea is see how our peers get...

Springtime azaleas are something almost everyone looks forward to. Bright, colorful and beautiful azaleas can thrive in the Charlotte area and give a vibrant look to any landscape. But azaleas in full sun inherently get lace bugs. These insects feed on the undersides of azalea leaves, causing damage that can reduce the plant’s overall health and aesthetic appeal. Adult lace...

Spider mites are tiny arachnids that feed on plant cells, causing stippling, discoloration, and even leaf drop in severe cases. Boxwood spider mites can be particularly problematic for boxwood shrubs. Of course, prevention and treatment for boxwood spider mites is included in a Plant Health Care subscription from Arborscapes. (As are myriad other pests and diseases) If you would like...

Holly scale, a type of armored scale, is a small insect that attaches itself to holly plants and feeds on the plant’s sap. Over time, this can weaken the plant, cause yellowing of leaves, and even lead to premature leaf drop. There are several variations that affect holly plants, azaleas, camellia, and other ornamentals. These are often referred to as...

When my phone rings this time of year, I can predict what many callers are going to say: “My plants aren’t looking good.” We’ll take a look. The diagnosis is often the same. “It’s winter burn.” Here in the Carolinas, early Spring can bring a wildly fluctuating swing in temperatures, 70s during the day, 20s for several nights running. That’s...

For the beauty of your trees and the safety of people and property down below, early Spring is a great time to prune that dead wood. Early Spring is when certified arborists can best inspect the tree before new buds begin to sprout. That makes it easier for them to determine what’s dead, dying, damaged, infested or diseased and needs...

Spring is the time everyone starts thinking about landscaping and giving their yard a fresh new look. Charlotte area homeowners have several things you can do to get your yard in top shape for the warm weather ahead. In this article, we’ll explore some tips for landscaping your yard: Plan and research: Before you start any landscaping project, it’s important...

At Arborscapes, we want to see the entire Charlotte area have the healthiest trees possible. While we offer an entire suite of tree services and plant health care, we also realize that plenty of homeowners enjoy some (safe) DIY yardwork. We get lots of questions about taking care of trees, and we wanted to share some of the most common...

As arborists, we have seen many tree diseases and pests, but one of the most persistent and destructive is the black knot fungus. This fungus attacks a wide range of tree species, but is particularly harmful to wild and cultivated cherries, plums, and apricots. The black knot fungus infects the branches, twigs and sometimes the trunk of trees, and can...

Since becoming our Tree Care Operations Manager and a self-confessed tree hugger, I’ve found an awesome analogy when talking about the importance of pruning trees when they are young. Trees are like children. Provide them with good shape and structure early and they’ll grow up sturdy and strong. We’re talking hardwood trees – maples, oaks and the like. Whether planted...

Juniper blight, particularly Phomopsis blight and Kabatina blight, are fungal diseases that affect junipers, causing branch dieback and foliage browning. Managing these blights requires an integrated approach. Of course, prevention and treatment for juniper needle blight is included in a Plant Health Care subscription from Arborscapes. (As are myriad other pests and diseases) If you would like to become a...

We want to tell you about a project we tackled just before Christmas 2022. We share this story because it could be relevant to you. A tree can appear healthy on the outside and yet be structurally unstable. For safety’s sake, it’s critical that you determine if a tree is in trouble no matter how robust it looks. For 15...

Why is my boxwood dying? Unfortunately this is a question we hear all too often. But there is good news. Boxwood leafminers are one of the most serious pests of boxwoods. These small flies lay their eggs between the layers of boxwood leaves. As the larvae grow, they feed on the leaf tissue, creating blister-like mines. Infested leaves may turn...

Crape myrtle bark scale (CMBS) is an invasive pest that affects crape myrtles. Infestations result in a black sooty mold due to the honeydew excreted by these tiny insects, causing the trees to look unsightly. Often this gross covering will extend to your patio furniture, hardscapes, and other outdoor items. We find CMBS present on boxwoods in our area as...