The average person knows very little about Included Bark. In fact even the professional tree person sees it every day but does not think to much about it until it becomes a problem. Lets examine this included bark so that when we see it, we can do something that can litigate the problem before it becomes one.  You see Included bark is to put it simply two stems of the tree that grow beside each other. As these two stems grow and get bigger, they start rubbing up against each other and pretty soon are pressed up against each other and start pushing against each other until the pressure gets to great and one of them split.
       There are a lot of ways to fix this problem without taking the tree down. One way is to start Removing one of  the stems from the top down. You can do this over a period of time and this way the tree is not thrown into a state of shock. This is the way we do it here at Beechnut tree service . We start from the top and take about one third of the top out of one side of the tree most time that is the smaller of the two leads. Then a few months later we take it down half way and so on until we are able to very carefully cut it down close to the trunk being careful not to cut the other trunk. Some people prefer to get it out in one shot.
         The important thing is to spot this problem and  remove one side of this tree before it splits and causes damage to your home or something else. I don't know how many times I've went out to a estimate where this has happened only to hear the homeowner say "I don't know why it broke or split it looked green and real healthy" And I tell them that yes the tree was healthy but it also had a bad structure and that it the reason it has split. It is always easier to correct this problem when the tree is small but it can still be fixed when it is a large tree. It just takes a little longer for the tree to heal and adapt. If you would like to know more about this problem with tree's contact us at 727-967-8733 Beechnut tree service. We will be happy to advise you on the steps you can take to prevent this type of thing happening to you or some one near you. Remember that not every tree with included bark is going to split. But a lot of them do and do you want to take that chance?  I wouldn't! There are many tree services out there that will tell you that the tree should be removed. We aren't one of them We will only tell you that as a last resort. We try to trim trees properly and so that it will benefit the trees health and not just wack it down. Sometimes all it takes is a little patience and a love for nature. Thank you for listening and I hope this little bit of advice and knowledge will help you make the best decision for your trees.


 

  There is a competition around this time every year. It is known in the tree world and in numerous countries as Legend of the Geezer competition . It was started in 2003 by a friend of mine named Bruce Smith. Bruce at that time was the President of the Florida chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture. He was based out of Sarasota Fl. I was and still am based here in New Port Richey, just a few miles north of him. Any way he came up with the idea i believe after Me and my girlfriend at the time were competing in the 2003 Florida ISA tree climbing competition. We were the oldest Man and Woman competing and i think we impressed a lot of the other competitors any way we had a good time. So the Geezers Competition is where Older Ladies and Gentleman Climb tree's in a competition that is meant for much younger people. Beechnut tree service is a proud competitor and a volunteer at this Competition The Picture above is me in the 2013 Comp. Beechnut tree service is and will always give to this worthy cause that has blossomed into a international event that helps bring people and trees together for the better good of both species. If you would like any information on this event don't hesitate to contact me 727-967-8733 or maybe you would just like to learn to climb trees safely feel free to ask us about our Tree Climbing Classes here in New Port Richey starting next spring.

 Proper pruning techniques

So what are some better p0runing techniques when it comes to Palms? 
First. Only completely dead fronds should be removed. While yellow leaves may be unsightly, They are an indication of something going on. These leaves should be left on as they are still helping to support the palm through mobile nutrients, such as potassium (K)

 A healthy palm tree should actually have a 360 degree canopy of leaves. 
However , often they are over pruned due to nutrient deficiency symptoms. 
Never remove any leaves above the horizon of Three to Nine ( on a clock)

One other thing to consider when pruning palms are the flowers and fruit. It is fine to leave the fruit or to prune it out of the palm if you do not want your yard littered with the fruit . 

In closing I know you think that Hurricane cutting will help you not to have to trim so often but it is just the opposite. The more fronds you take off the faster the tree will grow to try to replace the fronds it has just lost. it is a vicious cycle that will end up making your tree so tall that no one will be able to trim it . And if you happen to live in one of these gated community's where they come around and tell you that you have to have your palms Overpruned You tell them that Beechnut tree service says you only should trim the dead ones and the fruit.   

    Having been in the tree care business now for over 20 yrs and having trimmed thousands of palm trees here in Florida, I have seen just about every type of Palm Disease, Deficiency, insect, and pruning techniques that can affect your palm. 
      The number one thing you can do for your palm trees is to not overprune them, or what is called in the industry as Hurricane pruning. Palm trees need a certain amount of fronds or leaves to keep the palm tree healthy. When you Over prune or take off more fronds then necessary, In time this will cause the palm to start having deficiencies and not only that but the tree will start having rapid growth to try to replace the fronds that it has lost due to improper pruning. This is a vicious cycle that will cause the health of the palm to decline over a period of time .             
        Beechnut Tree Care uses proper pruning methods prescribed by The University of Florida when pruning palms.  
          
          Another misconception about Palms is that they must have fertilizer on a regular basis. Though Palms do like fertilizer and it does seem to help in the health and vigor of the palm it is not really necessary unless you believe that your palm has a deficiency. Then it is a good idea to call Beechnut tree and have a Certified Arborist come out to look at it so that the best methods of treatment can be applied. 

                                              Bugs and Insects : 
       There are many different types of bugs and insects that affect palms. If your trees are infected then you might want to call Beechnut tree for a plan of action against these little critters.  
           One of the bugs I see a lot of here in Central Florida That is affecting Sago Palms really bad is what is called Asian Scale , it is also affecting other types like Pigmy Date palms and Others. It is a little white bug that will latch on to the underside of the palm frond it almost looks like white powder. These bugs can be combatted by using Dawn dishwashing soap and water . for more info on this bug contact me and I will explain the process. 
            There are other little bugs that affect Palms, there are leaf skeletonizers that suck on the juices of the leaf or frond and cause parts of the frond to turn brown. 
            There are a lot of bugs that use the palm also for shelter or to make nests in the Palm, So if you see bugs or ants or bees or squirrels in your Palms don't get alarmed, " They are not hurting the palm by being there"  
            There are a number of funguses and bacteria that affect palms. Some Bacteria and Fungus causing what looks like a mushrooms at the base of the Palm. This fungus called Ganoderma can greatly affect the health of Palms.  
                  There is also a bacteria that is affecting The Phoenix class of Palm trees Throughout Central Florida right now like the Date Palms and others Called (TPPD) This is a bacteria caused by Phytoplasma and is sometimes called Lethal Bronzing.

                     In Closing i would like to note that it is Important to properly prune your palms and not to allow yourself to be fooled into believing that if you get your palms stripped up or Hurricane cut, That it is not only bad for your palms but it is unsightly and will cause rapid growth in the tree to which you will have to trim them faster then you normally would.  Call Beechnut Tree Care today for your free evaluation of your palms and trust that we will give you the correct information and will not sell you something that you do not need and always keep your palm trees health our number one priority.