Tree Service, Landscaping & Snow Removal
4291 King Rd., Bucyrus
Mon-Fri: 8 - 5, Sat 8-12
01 Dec 2022

Winter Tree Maintenance

The winter months are a great time to perform tree services. During the colder months, homeowners generally do not think about their trees, mostly because their time spent outdoors is limited, but winter is a great time to remove or prune trees because trees are dormant, and many trees can be pruned anytime of the year.

Obviously, some tree removals have to be done right away, especially if they are a safety hazard, but many removals can wait until the leaves are gone and the weather is cold.

Here are a few more reasons to have tree work performed in the winter:

  • The ground is often frozen thus minimizing yard damage
  • The leaves are not on the trees thus making the workload lighter
  • Trees are dormant

To that last point, the health of the tree is a great reason to wait until Winter to have your trees trimmed or pruned. Fresh cuts are less likely to attract insects and spread bacteria, and removing weak or damaged limbs can eliminate safety hazards in the event of a big snow or ice storm. Without leaves, the branches are easier to see so that a certified arborist can be sure to help the tree maintain its structural integrity as they are making cuts.

Winter will officially be here before we know it, so reach out to us today for a free consultation!

01 Nov 2022
landscaping clean up marion ohio

It’s Not Too Late For A Fall Cleanup

At Spencer’s Tree and Landscape Solutions, we understand that your property is a big investment and we want our customers to know that we are there for all tree service and landscaping needs, from new construction landscaping to existing landscapes that need a facelift, our professional staff helps you. Our fall clean-up service is the process of removing all leaves, branches and other debris that have accumulated over the course of the summer season.

It is important for the health of your landscaping to remove leaves from your lawn because they harbor fungal material such as spores that harm the health of plants in your landscaping. That material, if left unchecked, can also attract and harbor insects that can do damage to your trees and your lawn. Once the leaves have been removed, we can also provide weed control to jumpstart your lawn for the warmer months. Our team is here to help!

Dead limbs should be inspected by a certified arborist and removed if necessary. These limbs can do serious damage to property and landscaping, particularly as the weather gets colder and the wind picks up. If you see limbs and branches that concern you, please give us a call to come for a free consultation.

Schedule your fall landscaping cleanup with us here today!

01 Oct 2022

Leaves Are Falling All Around…

We are much obliged for a pleasant Summer stay, are we not? Now the Autumn moon lights our way as the sun goes down earlier every day, and you’re probably noticing the increasing crunch of leaves underfoot. The task of raking up leaves, bagging them, and hauling them out to the curb is just one more thing added onto an already busy Fall schedule, but it needs to be done for several reasons:

Your Lawn Will Thank You

Leaves covering the lawn might be a quintessential Fall vision, but in reality, those leaves need to be cleared away in order to allow your grass to soak up the last bits of sunlight before Winter and the nutrients that come with it. Build-up of leaves can lead to unwanted bugs and pests that can wreak havoc on the lawn’s root system, as well as disease like brown patch and snow mold, among others. It also causes thatch build-up, which is dead organic material that provides the lawn with nutrients, but too much of it can suffocate the grass.

Let The Pros Handle It

Hiring a professional landscaping company like Spencer’s Tree and Landscape Solutions to come handle your leaf removal will greatly reduce the amount of work your lawn will need in the Spring. We will get it done quickly and efficiently, and ensure that all your landscaping is in great shape for when the warmer Ohio months return. Give us a call for a free estimate for Fall leaf cleanup today!

01 Sep 2022
tree service marion ohio

Fall Is Coming: Are Your Trees Ready?

As the first day of Fall approaches, it is a great time to think about preparing your trees for the colder weather and making sure they will be in great shape for next Spring. Here are some tips for making sure your trees have the healthiest environment possible for the coming months.

Fertilization

A slow-release fertilizer can provide nutrients to the soil below your trees, as can organic mulch. These things help the roots, leaves, and wood strength, as well as maintain soil temperatures, conserve moisture, and also help against erosion. When the new mulch is kept 2-3 inches away from the trunk, it is ideal to help the tree thrive.

Clean Up

The season is not called “Fall” for nothing – when the trees start shedding their leaves, raking them up is important to keeping your grass healthy, and they can be kept in a compost bin. When properly maintained, that organic material can be used as mulch or compost to help fertilize your tree next year!

Perhaps the most important aspect of Fall tree clean up is having your trees trimmed by a certified arborist. They can remove dead, diseased, and unsafe branches and limbs from your trees to help protect your home, your patio, and yourself. If you have questions about any branches or limbs, call us for a consultation!

Finally, keep an eye out for disease and pests in and on your trees. A certified arborist can diagnose any issues and help treat them, as well as identify safety hazards and properly mitigate them.

Contact us today to have your trees inspected!

02 Aug 2022
tree service and landscaping galion ohio

Prep Your Landscaping For The End of Summer

Though it seems as though summer has just begun, time is flying by this year! As the temperatures get ready to start dropping, there are several things you can do to prep your lawn and landscaping for the Fall and Winter months.

Lawn Care

Depending on the amount of rain that has fallen during the Summer months, your lawn could look green and luscious, or it could be a bit brown and lifeless. To help maintain the health of the turf, we can provide grub control in the lawn. Grubs eat the root systems of turf which affects the whole plants ability to survive. We also fertilize to give the turf the nutrients that it needs and provide weed control which helps reduce or eliminate competition from weeds. Our expert team can help with this!

Monitoring Pests

Insects can wreak havoc on your plants and shrubs during the dry summer heat, as can squirrels, chipmunks, and rabbits. Reach out to us for recommendations on how to keep them away!

Checking for Dead Limbs

Dead branches and limbs can be treacherous to your home and landscaping if they are to fall during a thunderstorm. Have an expert come out and evaluate the hazard of the tree; specifically the location of the tree, the species of the tree, the age of the tree, the health of the tree and the structural integrity and architecture or its growth habit. You can also prune shrubs and low branches to keep them away from walkways, air conditioning units, and your house.

Have questions about how to prep your lawn and landscaping for Fall and Winter? Contact us today!

01 Jul 2022

Signs Something Is Wrong With My Tree

Did you know trees can get sick too? If you see some of the following things, it means there’s disease, pests, or other factors affecting it:

Holes in leaves

This is most commonly from insect damage, as caterpillars and beetles tend to chew through the bottom side of leaves as they move. However, fungal diseases are a more serious problem and can affect the overall health of the tree. You can tell the difference in that insect damage appears quickly, while fungal disease usually starts with a black or brown blemish, and eventually turns into a hole.

Dead or dying branches

If the tree is old, natural tree decline is bound to happen, which means a portion of its branches will decay and die. However, it can also be a sign of tree disease, as when a branch is affected by disease, the tree chokes off resources to that branch so that it will decay and break or drop off. A certified arborist can inspect the tree and possibly cut out diseased branches to keep the rest of the tree as healthy as possible.

Moldy-looking spots on leaves or bark

As mentioned above, fungal disease starts with a blemish or spot on a leaf before it spreads and causes more harm to the leaves and trunk. If you see areas like this on your tree, contact an arborist to examine the tree and properly diagnose the issue so that it can be treated effectively.

Yellowing or Brown leaves or needles

When leaves turn yellow or brown (and it’s not fall), it can mean the tree is nutrient deficient. This will stunt leaf and fruit growth, and happens because the soil lacks nitrogen and other minerals, or the soil’s pH is too low. Slow release fertilizers and compost can help the soil and subsequently, the tree.

Wilting

Heat and drought are the most common things that will wilt the tree’s leaves, but can also wilt because the soil around the tree is water-logged. Overwatered leaves will be limp and soft, while heat and drought affected leaves will be brown and dry.

If you suspect your tree is sick, give us a call to have one of our certified arborists come and take a look.

02 Jun 2022

Is Your Landscaping Summer Ready?

The weather has finally warmed up and now’s the time to enjoy the outdoors! Are your outdoor spaces the envy of the neighborhood? If the answer is no, we can help you with your landscaping!

It doesn’t even have to be anything extravagant, sometimes merely some edging and mulching beds is all that’s needed to make a huge difference. Pair that with removing those leaves you didn’t get to before the winter last Fall, taking care of fertilizing and some new grass seed, and you’re all set to entertain this summer.

Looking for a more serious overhaul of your landscaping? Start with some beautiful pavers for sidewalks and retaining walls, then add on some energy efficient lighting that will illuminate the exterior for a stunning outdoor space. Spencer’s Tree and Landscape Solutions can even add a water feature or two, and will work to stay within your budget.

If your landscaping needs some TLC, give us a call or contact us here today!

 

About Spencer’s Tree & Landscape Solutions

We are a full-service landscaping, tree service and snow removal company located in Crawford County Ohio and we serve the north central Ohio region including these major cities and the surrounding area: Bucyrus, Galion, Mansfield, Ontario, Shelby, Willard, New Washington, Upper Sandusky, Tiffin, Findlay, Fostoria, Marion, Delaware, Lewis Center and Powell Ohio.

09 May 2022
tree service mansfield ohio

Mistakes Homeowners Make When Trimming Their Own Trees

Tree trimming falls under “spring cleaning” for a lot of homeowners as the weather starts to turn nice in the spring. Rake up any remaining leaves, remove dead plants/flowers, trim up some trees that might appear overgrown, etc. That last one, however, is much trickier and involved than one might think. While tempting to think you can just do it yourself, because “how hard can it be,” right? Well, there are a lot of errors that can be made that can not only harm the tree but potentially put yourself in danger. Here are some common mistakes made when trimming your own trees:

Safety

This sounds obvious, but should be mentioned first. Tree pruning and trimming is difficult and dangerous, and while some things are clear (don’t sit on the big limb you’re cutting off, don’t rush to get the tree trimmed to try and beat a big storm coming in), there are other things that are not as clear but are just as important. This is why there is a certification for arborists – they are required to keep up to date with safety measures, in addition to knowing how to properly do the job (more on that later.) Far fewer accidents happen when the job is left to the professionals.

Poor Cutting

Did you know that cutting back a dead branch too close to the tree’s trunk can significantly damage the tree? Or if you don’t cut enough that it will not only look uneven but can invite disease, pests, and fungus? How about how much to prune? A lot of homeowners frequently will trim a lot more than is needed, which can also damage the tree. Also, are your tools sharp enough to properly do the job? We all know Abraham Lincoln was famous for saying that if he had eight hours to cut down a tree, he’d spend the first six sharpening the ax, and when you’ve tried to cut anything with a dull blade, it’s certainly understandable.

Certified arborists know how to properly cut branches and limbs, as well as how much so that your tree will remain healthy. Their skills are as sharp as the tools they use, and they’ll get the job done with themselves and you staying safe. Have trees that need trimmed? Reach out today!

 

 

06 Apr 2022

How To Know When It’s Time To Take A Tree Down

Trees are great for the landscape of your property, not only for decoration but also the shade they can provide. Unfortunately, sometimes these trees will need to be taken down due to a number of factors. They can be damaged by high winds, lightning, or a harsh winter. Here are some other signs that it’s time to remove a tree.

Go Back To The Roots

With larger trees in particular, you can see the roots protruding from the ground. In some cases this is normal, depending on the type of tree, because there are more roots that are much deeper underground, but in other cases, this can indicate that the tree is struggling to find nutrients. If one tree has roots showing but others near it do not, this is a troublesome sign.

Another indicator is holes and dips in your lawn – this can be a sign of root rot. If you see mushrooms in spots on your lawn, this is also a sign, as the decomposing roots will fuel the fungus growth.

Speaking Of Fungus…

Keep an eye out for mushrooms at the bottom of the tree as well. If you are starting to see quick grown on the trunk or along the roots, the tree is struggling to stay alive. Moss on the tree is not a problem, but other fungus indicates bigger problems.

The Main Elements

The branches, trunk, and leaves will also tell you a lot about the health of the tree. Dropping large, dead branches is a sign that your tree is struggling to stay alive, and also can be detrimental to your home if the tree is positioned close to it. If bark is falling off the trunk or sounds hollow when you knock on it, call a professional right away to have it removed. Unhealthy trees also will have fewer leaves, or will not shed dead leaves in the fall.

If you have a tree showing any of these signs, don’t wait – Spencer’s Tree and Landscape Solutions‘ certified arborists will come give an accurate assessment of your tree and treat it as necessary. Give us a call today!