Arbortech Austin Tree Service      (512) 940-0705 Austin Certified Arborists TX-0189, Austin Tree Care, Austin Tree Experts & Austin Tree Removal Irrigation The most important thing a "tree owner" can do is to water a tree properly.  This is where a sprinkler system usually messes things up.  These systems can only do justice to a tree if they are installed properly (which is rare), and constantly monitored.  They usually over-water, which causes a host of secondary problems, or they trick you into thinking the tree is getting water during dry periods, when it is not.  Let our staff evaluate your site and recommend ways to help your tree co-exist within this environment. Mulching Mulching is the "tree owners" defense against costly treatments.  Keeping a tree healthy in the first place allows the tree to take care of itself.  Outside of its natural environment, many secondary problems begin to arise.  Let our staff recommend ways you can help your trees thrive. Cavities The care of these hollow areas are misunderstood.  It is best to leave them alone.  Past attempts to fix them (not by us), has led to more decay.  These areas of decay do compromise the trees structural integrety, but usually do not have anything to do with its health.  Our abilities to cable a tree to compensate for this weakness is exceptional.  We are confident in our abilities to recommend the best option. Hypoxylon If these symptoms appear on the trunk of a Spanish Oak tree, it is time for removal.  There is no treatment.  The only way to combat this fungus is to keep the tree healthy. A tree that has become low on its reserves is very susceptible to this ubiquitous disease.  Let us recommend ways for the tree to remain healthy. Bracket Fungus Look at the trunk of the tree. If this type of shape is seen protruding from its base, call an Arborist immediately to assess the situation.  The chances of structural failure becomes more likely as time goes by. Deadwood Dead branches in our native trees occur as the tree matures. As the tree grows, some branches are naturally left behind, become useless, and are allowed to die.  The removal of this deadwood is usually for the trees appearance, but in some trees it is also a liability issue.   Keeping a tree free of deadwood is beneficial in several ways. Ball Moss Ball moss is an epiphyte that grows in the interior and lower canopies of trees.  Since it does not derive its energy from the tree, it is not a true parasite.  A vigorously growing tree usually has no problem existing with this plant attached to it.  But if a tree is not growing well, the ball moss can become a health issue as it gets thicker within the canopy.  At this point it should be removed by spraying or by picking it out, as well as addressing the health of the tree. Mistletoe Mistletoe is a parasite.  This Latin word means "tree-thief".  Picking it out every dormant season is our best defense.  There are other ways to deal with mistletoe if removal is not an option.  Call us for details. Austin tree service, Austin tree care, Austin tree experts, Austin trees, Austin tree removal, Austin tree specialists & Austin certified arborist