Blog | First Choice Tree Service

Keep An Eye On Your Pine Trees

Aug 8, 2019

One of the effects of the extended drought experienced in the Southwest region, including Nevada, is the introduction of the Mediterranean Bark Beetle to our area. The bark beetle attacks mostly coniferous trees, such as pines trees weakened by years of drought. One of the first signs of infestation is the fading or browning of the trees foliage. Upon closer inspection, you can actually see pitch tubes caused from boring in the bark by this pest.

The pictures above show the destruction the bark beetle caused in a 10 year span. Las Vegas has a large pine population and has felt the presence of this pest. Many of the valley’s pine trees are in declined or have died due to bark beetle infestation. The good news is your pine trees can be treated for this pest. Call to schedule an appointment with one of our certified arborists if you suspect you pine trees might be infested.

Do Your Trees Have Canker Disease?

Aug 1, 2019

This tree has canker disease. Sooty canker is a tree disease that afflicts trees in warm, dry climates, such as Las Vegas. This incurable fungal disease causes lesions in the bark of trees, mostly in the branches but can also be present in the trunk. Tree sap forms into hard balls that will stretch the bark causing it to burst. Once the bark bursts, the tree is exposed and is vulnerable to other pest infestations and diseases. Other signs of Canker disease are:

Brown leaves
Wilted leaves
Smaller than normal leaves
Appearance of “soot” on the branches
Cracking or peeling bark

Improper pruning techniques can also leave your trees at risk to attract the disease. Prevention is the best course of treatment. Proper tree care, such as regular pruning, fertilization and adequate watering will keep your trees healthy and is less likely to attract these types of diseases. If your trees exhibit any of these warning signs or do not look their healthiest, contact our office to have one of certified arborist assess the health of your trees.

Don’t Mix the Apples and Oranges!

Jul 25, 2019

We often receive requests for proposals from community managers of local homeowner’s associations (HOA), however the scopes of work included are not well articulated. A scope of work is a clearly defined outline of specific project goals, guidelines, tasks, costs, and deadlines for the performing party to achieve the end-product the community manager, HOA is looking for.

When a scope of work is not clearly defined, you typically will receive a mixed basket of proposals with things that were never asked for, leaving board members of HOAs to make decisions on proposals that are not “apples to apples.” Below are actual scopes that didn’t include additional scope information and/or that are not clearly defined.

Typical, vague, incomplete scopes of work received from HOA community managers:

Trim all trees on the property;
Clear all trees from the buildings;
Need a bid to remove trees and trim;
Trim palms.

TIPS FOR SCOPE WRITING

Break it up – don’t scope in what you don’t know, the contractor won’t know either.
Keep it simple – make it easy to understand.
Make assumptions – act like this is their first time proposing, even if they already know.
Put into context – explain what you’re doing.
Be specific – set clear boundaries and guidelines with specific benchmarks that you want them to hit. For example: how many feet of clearance from the building, grind 12 inches below the surface, trim 20 percent of all the foliage, etc.
List the standards – the contractor should know the standards of the bidding such as “ANSI A300 Pruning standards” and that it will be enforced.
Qualify your vendor – ask for copies of their insurance, certifications and safety program to be submitted with their proposals. Without these documents the HOA is ultimately accepting all the risk.

By – Eddie Rodriguez

Make sure that you’re getting apples to apples bids. This will allow for less confusion, smoother project completion, and allows your chosen vendor to meet your expectations.

Start Thinking About Palm Tree Skinning Now!

Jul 18, 2019

First Choice Tree Service offers aesthetic palm services, such as, palm skinning, diamond cutting and sculpting. Not only does skinning make your palms look more attractive, it can also prevent scorpions, spiders and other insects from inhabiting the fronds of your trees. Diamond cutting and sculpting can leave your trees looking like a work of art, including that beautiful “pineapple” look. Palm tree cosmetic services is something we highly recommend that you leave to the professionals. Even though the optimal time for this service isn’t until spring, it’s never too early to meet with our arborists about palm skinning and other palm services. If your palms are not looking their best, call us to schedule your appointment today!

Call Our Office Today!
(702) 564-1998

Lawn Fungus? Problem Solved!

Jul 11, 2019

Ever notice brown patches on your otherwise beautiful green lawn? Your lawn may have “Lawn Fungus”. Lawn Fungus can be caused by over watering, humidity, drought, pest waste, and/or substandard lawn care. And with monsoon season upon us, your grass is more susceptible to fungus.

Here are some tips to help prevent fungus from infecting your lawn:
• Water early in the day, allowing the daytime to dry your grass
• Sharpen and disinfect your mower blades, ragged grass blades are more susceptible to fungus
• Remove no more than 1/3 of the grass height, this weakens or stresses your grass
• Don’t under or over fertilize; both can increase the risk of the disease
• If already infected, you made need to apply a topical fungicide to your lawn
• Brown Patch, Dollar Spot and Fairy Ring are common in Las Vegas

First Choice Tree Service has licensed Plant Health Care Techs that can apply a fungicide treatment to bring your lawn back to its full beauty. Give us a call today at 702-564-1998 to schedule your appointment.

Pssst… Now is also the time to treat for grubs that are feasting on the roots of trees, plants and turf!

First Choice Tree Service Holds Aerial Rescue Training Workshop

Jun 7, 2019

Todd Kramer, nationally renowned safety expert instructed the workshop

On May 10th, 2019, we hosted an Aerial Rescue Training Workshop with a grant received from ASTI (Arborist Safety Training Institute). Over 100 Certified Arborists, Certified Treecare Safety Professionals and tree care workers from all over the nation, and members of local fire and rescue agencies participated to learn life saving techniques in tree aerial rescue.

Certified Treecare Safety Professional and ISA Certified Arborist, Todd Kramer, of Kramer Tree Specialists, Inc., instructed the workshop. Todd Kramer has been teaching aerial rescue and emergency response courses for more than 15 years throughout the United States.

Tree care professionals face many hazards, some can be fatal. We at First Choice Tree Service understand the great importance of and invest much of our resources in safety by conducting safety meetings, training and workshops regularly to ensure the safety of our most important assets, our employees and clients. Special thanks to Todd Kramer for offering tree care professionals and first responders specialized training in learning the best and safest ways to work together in this type of rescue.