Summer 2020

Letter from the CEO

These are unprecedented times and we understand the impact Covid-19 has had on everyone. Thank you for your continued support and trust in Almstead. We are dedicated to providing our customers with the same exceptional service they have come to expect from us safely and expediently. As we adjust to new guidelines for interacting and communicating, we want to ensure that our customers are 100% satisfied. If your customer experience did not meet your expectations, please contact me or a branch manager right away.

We’re in a time of year when there is much to be done on trees, shrubs and lawns to keep them safe, healthy and beautiful. Our arborists and crews are working hard to provide these essential services in our communities (see article). Studies have shown that just being in a visually pleasing landscape can reduce stress. So, enjoy your time with your families outside and let us know if you’d like a complimentary consultation about anything on your landscape. We usually encourage a walk-through of your property with your arborist as the best routine for review. This is still possible with appropriate social distancing and other Covid-19 protocols. So if you have time, contact your local branch office to schedule an appointment. Many of our customers are taking advantage of this service so our schedules are quite full — so please give us a week or so to visit your property. Thank you for your patience.

Spring is almost over and summer is fast approaching. The relatively wet and mild conditions we've had so far are changing rapidly to hot and humid weather. This can lead to the first significant risk period for lawn diseases this year including dollar spot, pythium root rot & blight, fusarium, brown patch, rust (Puccina), and anthracnose (see image). Look for white, yellow or brown patches on the lawn, discolored or bleached grass, patches of wet, slimy or greasy looking turf, or shredded or shriveled grass. Call your Almstead arborist if you notice any of these indicators. If you haven't included fungal treatment to your lawn care program this year, please do so now so we can keep your lawn healthy and looking beautiful.

Diseases on trees and shrubs have been high as well this spring as it has been a very cool and wet one. As the summer heat arrives, it will intensify the challenges in our landscapes. These stress conditions will contribute to various outbreaks of diseases such as sycamore anthracnose, apple scab, trellis rust (pear rust), brown rot (which affects peaches and cherries) as well as excessive dieback and decline in varying species. The summer months, and into early fall, can be the optimal time to detect many of these issues and to develop the best course of action for long-term management for your trees, shrubs and lawn.

Other topics I would like to highlight in this issue are some invasive pests and diseases that are threatening the trees and forests in our region. Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is now well established everywhere -- look for bark "blonding" on your ash trees (see image). Please discuss a management plan with your arborist right away if you have ash trees. There may still be time for treatment to save your trees. Trees that are badly infected with EAB should be removed before they become unsafe. Beech leaf disease is a new disease that is affecting all cultivars of beech trees that I would like to inform you about. Boxwood blight is a fungal disease that we’ve seen on this common shrub all over our region that requires the attention of an arborist. Please call us if you suspect the presence of these or any other insects or diseases on your property.

Stay safe and have a wonderful summer with your family.

Sincerely,

Ken Almstead, CEO

International Society of Arboriculture Certified (ISA)Arborist NY0335

Member of ASCA (American Society of Consulting Arborists)

ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ)

NOFA Organic Lawn Care Professional