Letter from the CEO

What a difference a few months makes! As we enter summer, it’s exciting to see our region returning to activities that were part of our lives before the pandemic, including visiting friends, going to restaurants, traveling and attending live events. While our arborists and technicians are still following all state and local protocols for safety, it is wonderful to finally be able to interact with our customers face-to-face again. 2020 will always be remembered as the year when we were all forced to stay at home (and in our backyards) for more time than we'd ever done before. We hope Almstead was able to keep your landscapes healthy and beautiful during this time.

 

The lead story in this issue of Arbor Notes — and something that I personally find very distressing — is the emergence of Beech Leaf Disease (BLD) in most of our region. This is a lethal disease for American and European beech trees for which there is no proven treatment yet. Scientists believe that the disease is caused by a foliar-feeding nematode Litylenchus crenatae. Several products with nematicidal properties are being explored and tested as potential options for management of this disease. Please read the article if you have beech trees on your property so you can learn about the symptoms of BLD as well as the management and treatment options we can provide you at this time. (If your aren’t sure whether or not you have beech trees on your property, please contact your arborist as soon as possible to identify and review.)

 

April is usually my favorite month of the year because we take part in several Arbor Day activities in all our service regions (a tradition started by my father Richard Almstead over 25 years ago). However this year again, because of Covid restrictions and safety concerns, most events were canceled but we celebrated virtually. We hope to return to our communities with tree climbing stations, plantings, sapling giveaways, information seminars, and more next year.

 

Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is another pest that is destroying trees in large numbers in our region and around the country. Fortunately, we have treatment options available now that are effective. For the past six years, together with Arborjet (a leading supplier of arborist insecticides and delivery systems) we have been injecting trees at Liberty State Park, NJ with great success. Read about what we're doing and watch a video of it. Read the article for more information on EAB as well what can be done to protect your ash trees.

 

Storm season is almost upon us and this is a good time to make sure your trees are safe. Call your branch office if you'd like us to take a look. The article on Storm Damage Prevention also offers some valuable advice on how to keep your trees healthy and safe.

 

Finally, I'd like to remind you about our Fall Lawn Care Services as detailed in this article. If you have a Lawn Care Program already with us we'll make sure your lawn is ready for next year. If you don't, it's not too late to sign up. Please call your branch office to schedule a visit from your arborist.

 

Have a wonderful summer and fall!

 

Sincerely,

 

 

 

 

Ken Almstead, CEO

- International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Certified Arborist #NY-0335

- ISA "True Professional of Arboriculture” Award (2017)

- ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ)

- Member American Society of Consulting Arborists (ASCA)

- NOFA Accredited Organic Landcare Professional

- New York and New Jersey State Certified Pesticide Applicator

- Soil Foodweb Certificate from the Sustainable Studies Institute

- Mauget Tree Injection Certified Applicator