Talking Trees with Davey Tree
Your trees and landscapes require year-round care, and The Davey Tree Expert Company is here to help provide you with expert advice. Join our professional Davey arborists and gardening-expert host Doug Oster to learn all about caring for your properties. We'll talk about introduced pests, seasonal tree care, tree diseases, arborists' favorite trees, how to help your trees thrive and everything in between. Tune in every Thursday because here at the Talking Trees Podcast, we know trees are the answer.
Arborist Answers Your Questions PART 2
We sent in your questions, so in this part two episode, Davey arborist Lou Meyer answers them! To submit a question for a future episode, email us at podcasts@davey.com.
In this episode we cover:
Planting trees in wet areas (0:40)Replanting where a tree used to be (5:04)What is the best treatment for moss in your yard? (9:23)Japanese stiltgrass (13:29)Why you shouldn't plant a mulberry tree (16:48)To find your local Davey office, check out our find a local office page to search by zip code.
Connect with Davey T...
Arborist Answers Your Questions PART 1
We sent in your questions, so in this part one episode, Davey arborist Lou Meyer answers them! To submit a question for a future episode, email us at podcasts@davey.com.
In this episode we cover:
Growing trees in containers (1:03)How is biochar applied? (9:46)Chlorosis - iron sulfate or biochar? (14:42)To find your local Davey office, check out our find a local office page to search by zip code.
Connect with Davey Tree on social media:
Twitter: @DaveyTree
Facebook: @DaveyTree
Instagram: @daveytree
YouTube: The Davey Tr...
What's Growing On My Tree? - Black Knot, Galls & Other Growths
Brian Sieber, district manager of Davey's Cincinnati office, talks about different growths that could be harming your trees, such as black knot and galls.
In this episode we cover:
Black knot (1:02)Pruning infected trees (3:08)How to avoid black knot (4:08)Are healthy trees resistant to pathogens and pests? (5:09)Does cutting out black knot save the tree? (5:47)Black knot in the fall (6:39)How has the weather affected Cincinnati's season? (7:09)Galls (8:56)How to know of galls are harming your tree (10:26) Send pictures of your tree to your arborist (11:28)Pay close attention to your tree (12:55)Cool native species for...Summer Pests Bugging Your Trees & Plants
Ryan Kasak, sales arborist at Davey's Wickes/arborists, a Davey company, office, talks about a variety of summertime pests, as well as how homeowners can spot and get rid of them.
In this episode we cover:
Bagworms (00:48)Aphids (3:33)Crape myrtle trees in Rockland County, NY (5:24)Japanese beetles (6:06)Is a healthy tree not as prone to pests? (7:12)How do pests act when it's hot and dry? (8:13)Spider mites (8:46)Spotted lanternfly (11:07)How did Ryan become a sales arborist? (13:06)What can homeowners do to get rid of pests? (13:36)Lace bugs (14:53)Treatment application for large plants (15:57)How do ar...Wetlands 101: Why These Habitats Matter
Ana Burns, senior area manager at Davey Resource Group (DRG), talks all about wetlands, their ecological importance and the work that DRG is doing to preserve these natural habitats.
In this episode we cover:
What is Davey Resource Group (DRG)? (00:41)Ana's role at DRG (1:15)How is a wetland defined? (1:49)How are wetlands important to the environment? (2:54)How does DRG work with wetlands? (3:29)Sustainability and constructing around them (5:49)Cool plants that only grow in wetlands (6:50)Wetlands in the spring (8:20)The meaning behind preserving these natural areas (9:53)What does a DRG team do at a wetland? (10:52)Da...Drought-Stressed Trees: Infections, Defenses and How to Help
Jess Divin, district manager of Davey's East San Antonio office, talks about how Texas' long-term drought is impacting trees, as well as the infections that can result from drought stress and the natural defenses trees use to survive.
In this episode we cover:
Oak wilt fungal infection (00:42)How can homeowners take care of oak wilt? (3:40)Years-long Texas drought is highly affecting trees (7:37)Tree defense mechanisms during drought stress (8:20)Tree watering during a drought (11:28)Biscogniauxia fungal infection (14:13)Invest in your trees to ensure prolonged health (18:47)Root systems under drought stress (20:07)How did Jess become an ar...Tulip Poplar: The Beautiful, Fast Growing, Popular Maryland Tree
Lou Meyer, reginal business developer in Davey's Mid-Atlantic region, talks about the beautiful tulip poplar tree, including its height, classification and uses for its wood.
In this episode we cover:
Description of the tulip poplar (00:42)Where and how do they grow? (2:18)Weak wood vs. mid wood trees (5:02)Colonizer trees (6:03)Tulip poplar leaves (7:43)Tulip poplar flowers (8:52)Tulip poplar fruit (9:57)They grow to extremely tall heights (10:24)How are trees like these measured? (12:03)How do climbers face their fear of heights? (14:28)Uses for the tulip poplar's wood (16:34)Tulip poplar pests and diseases (17:14)To find your local Da...
Emerald Ash Borer: The Difference 1 Year Can Make
Scott Gardner, district manager of Davey's Burnaby office, talks about the devastating emerald ash borer infestation among the surrounding Vancouver area and how different it is one year later, as well as the predictions and precautions being taken to tackle the situation.
In this episode we cover:
Emerald ash borer spread in the metro Vancouver area (00:45)How serious is the infestation? (2:52)EAB in the eastern U.S. (5:30)What's the plan to stop the spread in the metro Vancouver area? (6:01)Injections (6:05)Tree removal (7:05)Neonicotinoid insecticides ban? (7:44)EAB infestation in the lower mainland (9:45)How does the cl...Eastern Hemlock: Pests, Benefits and the Pennsylvania State Tree
Lou Meyer, regional business developer in Davey's mid-Atlantic region, talks about the Pennsylvania state tree, the Eastern hemlock, as well as its beauty, benefits and threats it faces from the hemlock woolly adelgid.
In this episode we cover:
History of the Eastern hemlock (1:03)Horticultural oil for pest control (2:18) (5:56)What are other treatment options for these trees? (4:04)Signs of hemlock woolly adelgid (6:47)Does fertilization help Eastern hemlocks? (8:07)How weather and temperature affect these pests (8:31)Can these pests kill hemlocks? (10:08)Hemlock woolly adelgid damage treatment (10:48)The wonder and beauty of Eastern hemlocks (11:41)Are they easy to gr...All Things Soil: Types, Testing and Why it Matters
Jason Parker, district manager of Davey's Warminster office, talks about why soil is so vital for a healthy landscape, as well as which plants are best for certain types of soil and how to keep soil healthy.
In this episode we cover:
Most common types of soil in Philadelphia (1:27)Topsoil from new developments (1:58)Soil testing (3:14)How to properly plant trees in soil (5:20)Older neighborhoods usually have better soil (7:07)Should you do a soil test in a wooded area? (8:02)Different trees need different soil pH levels to grow (9:42)Based on your soil, choose your trees an...How to Prepare Trees for Summer Storms
Kyle Mack, district manager of Davey's Arborguard, a Davey company, Atlanta office, shares how to spot storm risks in your trees, as well as best practices to prevent summer storm damage.
In this episode we cover:
What to look for on a property when summer storms are coming (0:41)Fungal bodies at the bottom of your tree (2:05)Storm season in Atlanta (2:32)Get a tree checkup every six months (3:05)What arborists do to inspect a property (4:45)Don't over elevate your trees (7:33)Dead branch tips and broken limbs (9:49)Construction nearby can damage roots (10:50)How soon do people ca...Declining Trees: Why Does it Happen and How Do We Spot it?
Chelsi Abbott, technical advisor within the Davey Institute, shares what the signs of tree decline are, along with what homeowners can do to spot and prevent it.
In this episode we cover:
Why do trees decline? (1:37) Water supply is the root issue (2:44)What are the signs of tree decline? (4:02)What can we do to intervene? (6:00)The timeline of tree decline (8:02)What it's like to be a technical advisor at Davey (10:12)Fungal issues (12:37)What to do if you spot a fungal issue (14:23)Best advice for homeowners on how to avoid decline (15:52)To find your loc...
How to Care for Young Trees in the Summer
Byron Hays from Davey's Kansas City office shares advice on caring for young trees during the summer, as well as some of his favorite underused and fast-growing trees.
In this episode we cover:
Watering (0:38)Planting schedule in Kansas City (2:30)Mulching (3:56)Some of Byron's favorite trees (5:29)Soil quality (6:26)Pest and diseases (7:42)When to take stakes off a tree (8:23)Fast growing trees (8:54)Can storms affect young trees? (9:50)How Byron got into arboriculture (10:35)What it's like being a tree climber (11:07)What it's like to help clients with their trees (12:04)Pruning a young tree (13:01)Using the right tools (14:12)Invasive Species: How to Maintain a Happy, Healthy Landscape
Jacob Ryg from Davey's South St. Paul office shares a list of some invasive species, how to get rid of them and what species to plant in your garden and landscape instead.
In this episode we cover:
What makes a species invasive? (0:41)Invasive European buckthorn in South St. Paul (1:32)Did you know that garlic mustard is invasive? (6:41)Invasive species differ depending on where you are (8:26)Other kinds of invasive species (9:10)Is continual top cutting effective for getting rid of invasive species? (10:22) Replace your invasive species by planting native species (11:19)Try and stay away from pl...Plant Health Care Innovations: The Urban Defense Warrior van
Wilson Yoingco from Davey's Washington D.C. office introduces his office's Urban Defense Warrior, or a plant health care van, and how its design better delivers plant health care to urban settings.
In this episode we cover:
What is the Urban Defense Warrior van? (0:40) (2:32)What is the van used for? (1:00) (5:25)What is a plant health coordinator? (2:13)Specific jobs the van does (3:00)IPM, pesticides and fungicides (3:31)The van's fertilization process (4:59) The van's storage tanks (6:59)New technology (7:06)The benefits of having a smaller vehicle (8:18)Does the Urban Defense Warrior get used outside the city? (8:53)The power b...How to Identify Trees by Their Bark and Foliage
Rachel Broskey from Davey's Knoxville office shares advice on how to ID trees in your landscape, as well as some of her favorite trees from coast to coast and how she got into arboriculture and became a "nurse for trees."
In this episode we cover:
How arborists are trained to ID trees (0:52)How foliage plays a role in ID (2:28)Dawn redwoods (3:42)Evergreens and their needles (6:34)Rachel's favorite trees (8:01) (11:49)Redbud varieties (8:56)West vs east coast trees (10:04) Climate in Knoxville (11:12)Black gum (12:04)How Rachel became an arborist (12:45)Diagnosing trees (14:11)To find your local Davey office, che...
Davey Arborist Visit: What to Expect + When to Schedule
Matt Morgan from Davey's Sacramento office shares what homeowners should expect during a Davey arborist visit and the specific signs arborists look for to help your trees and landscape.
In this episode we cover:
Seasonal calls Davey offices receive(1:02)Matt's consult routine (1:58)Hackberry trees (3:57)Hackberry aphids (5:22)What Matt looks for during a property inspection (7:39)Winter in California (8:43)Yearly rainfall in California (9:41)Watering California trees (10:35)Looking up at the tree for signs (11:21) (13:13)Sudden limb drop (12:17)Matt's journey to Davey (13:39)Spring tree check findings (14:40)How phosphonates work (17:18)Matt's client relationships (18:08)To find your local Davey of...
Spring Lawn Pests + Lawn Species PART TWO
In part two of this two-part episode, Zane Raudenbush, turf and herbicide specialist within the Davey Institute, shares spring pests to look out for in lawns, as well as general spring lawn seeding practices.
In this episode we cover:
Spring pests & diseases in the lawn (:40)Weedy turf grass (:54)Warm season pests (1:51)Grubs (2:55)Snow mold (4:00)Red thread (5:30)How to combat spring pests & diseases (6:51) Red thread (8:06)Weedy species (9:07)Lawn care trends over the years (14:20)Different lawn species (18:22)Perennial ryegrass (19:58)Tall fescue (20:45) When to apply tall fescue (23:45)Establishing a lawn with sod (25:55)Sharp blades to cut grass (28:09)Lawn...Help Your Lawn Thrive this Spring PART ONE
In part one of this two-part episode, Zane Raudenbush, turf and herbicide specialist within the Davey Institute, shares his tips to set your lawn up for success this spring.
In this episode we cover:
Cool weather impacting spring lawn care (1:02)First thing to do in your lawn this spring (2:44)Garden weasels and biochar (4:08) (5:06)Soil temperatures (6:55)Dry, clay soil invigoration (8:24)Lawn fertilizers (11:37) (16:17)Bio stimulates fertilizers (14:21) (15:29)Soil testing (18:16)To find your local Davey office, check out our find a local office page to search by zip code.
Listen to our Talking T...
How to Make Flowering Trees Thrive + an Arborist's Favorites
Mike Holleran from Davey's Wilmington, Delaware, office discusses how to make spring-flowering trees thrive, what diseases threaten them and some of his favorites.
In this episode we cover:
Flowering tree diseases (:45) Disease resilience (2:39)Treating flowering tree diseases (4:00)Fertilizing (5:20)Inspection from an arborist (8:27)Pruning (11:51)Mike's favorite spring-flowering plants (15:21)Witch hazel (15:37)Serviceberry (17:41)Redwood and dogwood (20:35)Okame cherry (26:04)To find your local Davey office, check out our find a local office page to search by zip code.
To learn more about caring for flowering trees, read our blogs, How To Care for Flo...
White Oaks: What to Know + Its Impacts on Wildlife
Lou Meyer from Davey's mid-Atlantic region talks about all things white oak trees, including its acorn production, role in wildlife protection and significance to pop culture.
In this episode we cover:
Knowing the difference between different oak trees (:53)Growing differences between white and red oaks (2:01)Oak decline (3:29)The white oak's significance to Lou (4:19)Oak acorn production (6:22)White oak fast facts (8:45)White oaks in different parts of the United States (10:10)White oaks and wildlife (11:14)Do clients want to plant white oaks? (14:17)Storm damage impacting trees (15:57)White oaks in pop culture (17:41)To find your local Da...
How to ID and Avoid Fungus This Spring
Chrissy Balk, technical advisor with the Davey Institute, talks about fungal issues trees can experience in the spring, such as wood decay fungus and leaf diseases. Learn how to spot them as well as when they pose a threat to the tree versus when they are helpful to the tree.
In this episode we cover:
How do you know if a mushroom is good or bad? (0:51)Locations where fungus can grow (2:05)What happens if you see fungus on your tree? (4:25)Fungus growing on a wound (5:57)When should you call an arborist? (7:25)How to prevent w...Western Red Cedar: Fast Facts + How to Plant
Izzy Christmann from Davey's Portland, Oregon, office talks about the western red cedar tree, including essential planting tips, the variety of sizes it can grow into and how it interacts with weather conditions in the Pacific Northwest.
In this episode we cover:
Western red cedar fast facts (:42-2:02)Current weather in Portland, OR (2:42)What to do with trees under stress (3:52) Deep root watering best practices (4:41)Seasonal weather patterns in the Pacific Northwest (5:46)Western red cedar sizes (6:42)Mulching trees in the Pacific Northwest (7:42)Fertilizing western red cedars (8:33)Planting schedule in Oregon (9:18) What size of western red...Successful Spring Planting Tips
Aaron Hoot from Davey's Dallas office shares spring planting tips to help kick off the spring, including the best native species to plant in his region as well as fertilization and watering tips.
In this episode we cover:
How to become successful at spring tree planting (:44)Aaron's favorite native species to plant (1:25)Planting season in Dallas (3:47)Watering during droughts (5:44)Mistletoe on trees (6:55)Hackberry trees (9:14)Spring fertilization (12:13)Wrapping newly planted trees (15:37)Planting mature or younger trees (16:49)Soils used in North Texas (18:51)Cutting container tree roots (21:49)Best tree watering practices (26:07)To find your local Davey o...
Trees in Pop Culture! Movies, Comics, Songs & More
Mike Cassidy from Davey's West Columbus office shares a list of tree appearances in pop culture, such as movies, comics, songs and more, which reminds us of the huge benefit trees play in our world.
In this episode we cover:
Trees have a larger space in our mind (1:17)Trees as creatures (2:44)Lord of the Rings (3:26)Maleficent (3:47)Guardians of the Galaxy (4:50)The Wizard of Oz (5:46)The Trees by Rush (6:40)Trees as obstacles (7:43)Harry Potter (7:52)Poltergeist (8:54)The Happening (10:04)Forests as a setting (11:52)Star Wars (11:58)Tarzan (14:15) (16:26)The Ritual (15:46)Trees used as allegory (17:36)The Giving Tree (17:41)Sleepy Hollow (18:48)Pa...Spring Pruning Advice - What to Prune & What Not to Prune
Dan Hager from Hartney Greymont, a Davey company, in Concord, shares his top spring pruning tips as well as different pruning tools and common pruning mistakes homeowners make.
In this episode we cover:
Pruning consultation and goals for plants (1:17)Not everything needs to be pruned (1:50)What a homeowner can prune vs what a professional should prune (3:00)Different pruning tools (3:56)The right saw to use for pruning (4:50)Biggest pruning mistakes homeowners make (6:30)What should not be pruned in the late winter/early spring (8:18)What's the best way for someone to learn how to prune? (11:10)Educating ma...Bronze Birch Borer: What to Know + Its Impact on Trees
Tyson Geldseth from Davey's Tacoma office shares information about bronze birch borer, including its fatal impact on trees and the steps you can take to minimize its effects on your landscape.
In this episode we cover:
Bronze birch borer (:43)The severity of bronze birch borer (2:44)Is it too late to treat a tree infected by bronze birch borer? (4:12)Preventative measures for bronze birch borer (7:15)The size of birch trees in the Northwest (9:10)The expense of tree permitting and regulations in Tyson's area (10:57)The expense of cutting down older trees (12:56)Calling a certified arborist to ex...A Preview into Davey's Annual Training Program D.I.T.S.
Hear from three students attending the Davey Institute of Trees Sciences (D.I.T.S.) program, Davey’s flagship training program in biological sciences, safety, tree and plant care and management techniques. Brandon Ponciano from Davey's Dallas office, Carl Myers from Davey's Loganville, GA office and Georges Bois from Davey's Burnaby, British Columbia office share their experience in the four-week program, including their key takeaways, being away from home for 30 days and the experience bonding with other employees and tree care professionals from all over North America.
In this episode we cover:
What has Bra...Hawthorns: The Different Types + Common Diseases
Lou Meyer from Davey's mid-Atlantic region shares information about green and Washington hawthorn trees, including what diseases they are susceptible to and how you can diversify your landscape by planting them.
In this episode we cover:
To find your local Davey office, ch...
How to Plant Bare Root, B&B and Container Trees + Pros & Cons
Emily Mumford from Davey's South St. Paul office shares the scoop on bare root, balled and burlapped (B&B) and container trees, including the pros and cons of each and how to plant them effectively.
In this episode we cover:
How to Care for Young & Newly Planted Trees this Winter!
Sean Zieche from Davey's Glen Ellyn office explains what you can do to preserve newly planted and young trees this winter to help them thrive in the spring.
In this episode we cover:
Safety: Echoing Trust, Training and Performance
Jon Schmidt from Davey's safety team shares how he is emphasizing the importance of new, innovative safety measures throughout all of Davey's service lines.
In this episode we cover:
Winter Pruning: Maintain Your Trees During Cold Months
Nick Bates from Davey's Long Island office shares the importance of winter pruning and how to do so correctly and efficiently.
In this episode we cover:
To...
Winter Storm Cleanup PART 2
Michael Spaulding from Davey's Portland, OR office talks about what post winter storm tree work looks like for arborists, including how Michael and his team handled Portland's January 2024 winter storm.
In this episode we cover:
To find your local Davey office, check out our find a local office page to search by zip code.
Winter Storm Preparation PART 1
Michael Spaulding from Davey's Portland, OR office talks about what an arborist does to prepare for winter storms and what homeowners can do to help, as well as how Portland's January 2024 storm affected Davey's office, clients and trees in the area.
In this episode we cover:
Can Tree Roots Freeze? - Here's How to Protect Them
Ben Cuddeback from Davey's Northwest Detroit office shares signs that your tree's roots are being affected by freezing temperatures and how to protect them this winter, as well as what you can do in the spring to set them up for the next winter.
In this episode we cover:
Evergreen & Shrub Winter Care
David Horvath from Davey's Lake Bluff office shares how you should be caring for your evergreens and shrubs in the winter to help ensure they'll thrive once spring comes back around!
In this episode we cover:
Black Gum: Why it's Popular & the Various Names
Lou Meyer from Davey's mid-Atlantic region talks all things black gum trees, including the different names the tree goes by and the numerous benefits the species provides to a homeowner's landscape.
In this episode we cover:
To find your local Davey office, check out our find a local office page to...
How Emerald Ash Borer is Affecting Wood Waste
Gail Nozal from Davey Resource Group and Mike Dye from Davey's Twin Cities Wood Products office discuss how emerald ash borer (EAB) has caused a significant increase in wood waste in the area.
In this episode we cover:
Blue Spruce: Why it's Struggling & How to Help
Jay Judd from Davey's East Denver office shares information about the blue spruce tree, including how factors such as climate change and native pests are impacting these trees.
In this episode we cover:
To...
