MY SHRUB DOESN’T LOOK HEALTHY. WHAT CAN BE WRONG WITH IT?

First of all, if your shrub doesn’t seem to be healthy, it most likely isn’t! Your shrubs add beauty to your residence and increase your property value tremendously; therefore, you should never delay in contacting an experienced tree and plant service company immediately!

Have a professional ISA certified arborist inspect your shrubs and analyze your outdoor environment to determine the exact cause for the shrub’s decline. There are a variety of causes for a shrub’s health to decline. Improper growing conditions, infestation by insect pests and tree and shrub diseases are all possible reasons why your shrub is looking sick.

WHAT IMPROPER GROWING CONDITIONS CAN AFFECT MY SHRUB’S HEALTH?

Listed below are some of the most common reasons why shrubs will begin to decline in health.  Homeowners are often unaware that these conditions can ultimately destroy their shrubs.  Don’t you make that same mistake!  Never delay in contacting the best arborist in Arlington, Texas!

1. OVERCROWDING OF SHRUBS & PLANTS

Don’t make this common mistake!  Shrubs add beauty to your outdoor environment; however, don’t forget that they grow larger!  As your shrubs grow, their roots become entangled and no longer have sufficient space to thrive and flourish.  The shrub’s foliage won’t receive the air circulation that it needs and fungal diseases can arise.

2. COMPACTED SOIL

Are your shrubs in places where there’s a lot of activity?  Have you had construction projects to enhance your outdoor grounds?  When soil is compacted, the root systems of your shrubs are stifled.  The roots won’t be able to achieve the depth and size that they need to survive.

3. IMPROPER WATERING

This is a common mistake that homeowners make!  Some methods used to water shrubs, such as sprinklers, can cause excessive moisture on the leaves and habitat grounds and invite fungal diseases.  Don’t do what many people do when their trees or shrubs are looking poorly.  Watering them, even more, will only cause them to become even more sickly!  Always consult with an arbor care professional!

3. EXTREME TEMPERATURES OR SUNLIGHT

We all know that the weather here in Grapevine, Texas is unpredictable!  Extreme fluctuations in temperature can cause your shrubs to delay leafing out in spring.  Hot sun beating down on them can cause the foliage to shrivel, burn and die.  It is always best to consult with an arbor care expert when your trees and shrubs have been subjected to extreme temperature changes and suffered stress.

WHAT INSECT PESTS DAMAGE SHRUBS?

Unfortunately, the two insect pests mentioned below are extremely prevalent in the Grapevine area.  Our arbor care experts and ISA certified arborist encounter and battle these nuisances frequently; therefore, when you first begin to suspect that your shrubs have been infested with aphids or spider mites, contact the best arborist in Grapevine immediately!

1. APHIDS

These sap-siphoning pests reproduce at an alarming rate during the warm, spring season.  At a quick glance, they seem to be tiny green bumps on leaves and stems.  Aphids will quickly overtake your entire outdoor grounds if their infestation isn’t addressed immediately.  To guard your outdoor environment, it is imperative that you contact a tree, shrub and plant expert at an experienced tree company.  The structural integrity of your shrubs will be examined, as aphids are attracted to trees, shrubs, and plants that have suffered wounds and damages.

2. SPIDER MITES

Even though they’re barely visible to the naked eye, spider mites are one of the most common, destructive insect pests and can rapidly overtake your outdoor grounds.  Severe infestation can ultimately result in the death of your shrub; therefore, it is extremely important to contact a tree and plant care specialist!  The experienced plant pathologist will quickly perform a diagnostic evaluation.  The best arborist in Grapevine will recommend the proper and fastest way to eliminate these unsightly pests and ensure that your outdoor environment and shrubs remain healthy and beautiful!  

ARE THERE SERIOUS DISEASES THAT CAN DAMAGE OR KILL MY SHRUBS?

Definitely!  The three stated here are exceptionally common throughout Grapevine, Texas and the surrounding cities.  If you suspect that your trees or shrubs have been infected with these diseases, contact a tree and plant health care specialist immediately!

1. POWDERY MILDEW

In the beginning stages, your shrubs and plants will exhibit white dusty spots.  This rapid-spreading fungal disease will quickly overtake your entire landscape and your shrubs and plants will look as if they’ve been sprinkled with flour!  When you notice this, don’t delay in enlisting the expertise of an arbor care professional!

2. MOSAIC DISEASE

Although the visual symptoms can vary, the mosaic disease commonly causes streaks and irregular spotting on your shrub’s leaves.  The foliage will have lighter veins and often curl, pucker and appear stunted.

3. FIRE BLIGHT

Attacking both trees and shrubs, symptoms manifest as soon as the shrub begins its active growth.  Infected branches will ooze and flowering buds will turn brown and die.  New twig growth will shrivel, often turn blackish in color and may curl at the tips.

WHAT SHOULD I DO ABOUT MY SICK SHRUB AND HOW CAN I KEEP MY SHRUBS HEALTHY?

It’s always best to take a proactive approach rather than waiting until your small problem becomes a large one!  Early treatment is essential!  The following are strong suggestions to ensure that your shrubs, trees, and plants always remain beautiful, healthy and make you proud.

1. CONTACT AN EXPERIENCED TREE & PLANT COMPANY

When you’re unsure as to the health of your shrubs and trees, always contact an experienced tree and plant company and request an evaluation.  The ISA certified arborist will evaluate and assess the condition of your shrubs and will determine the care and treatment that’s necessary.

2. REGULAR PRUNING

Overcrowded branches in your shrubs will prevent adequate sunlight from reaching the shrub and inhibit sufficient airflow.  Regularly-scheduled pruning by a tree and shrub pruning service expert will correct these issues and help in maintaining the vitality and health of your shrubs.

3. REMOVE SERIOUSLY INFESTED OR DISEASED SHRUBS

If the ISA certified arborist determines that your shrub is infested with insect pests or is severely diseased, the shrub should be immediately removed to prevent the infestation and disease from spreading to your healthy trees, shrubs, and plants.  Always have this service done by an experienced arbor care company.

4. CONTROLLED WATERING

Sprinklers often leave too much moisture on habitat grounds and foliage.  This invites destructive fungal diseases.  Controlled watering by soil drenching or soaker hoses, as overseen and directed by arbor care professionals, will ensure that your shrubs receive the correct amount of water and that diseases don’t occur.  

5. CONTINUAL TREE & PLANT HEALTH CARE MAINTENANCE PLAN

The best way to guarantee that your trees, shrubs, and plants remain healthy is to enlist the services of a professional arbor care company.  They will customize the perfect maintenance and care plan just for you and your needs and will ensure that your outdoor grounds always remain healthy, strong and beautiful.

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