Ladybug Arborists

During the active growing season the leaves of deciduous trees are various shades of green. This is due to the production of a pigment called chlorophyll. It’s function is to capture solar rays and to use the energy to make food from water and carbon dioxide (photosynthesis). It is turned into simple sugars and carbohydrates and then the by products are released as oxygen (lucky us). As decreasing daylight and temperature signal the onset of winter the tree begins the process of slowing down production of chlorophyll. As the level is reduced, the other chemicals become noticeable even though they are present year round. These main pigments are called cartenoids and anthocyanins. Carotenoids are present in leaves the whole year round. They produce the yellow to orange colours. (like carrots and daffodils). Anthocyanins are responsible for the colours red and purple. They are responsible for the red coloration of berries and fruit. As chlorophyll levels decreases they become more noticeable. You will also notice in the Spring when some leaves are unfolding – they can be a different color than they are later in the growing season. Anthocycanins are also affected by soil pH. Leaves with both will be more orange in the fall. Tannins make the leaves of oak trees look brown in the fall. If we experience a slow cooling down with few frost days, the colours last longer and will be more spectacular. Well irrigated trees also produce a much better fall display. The other thing that is happening as the days get shorter and temperatures drop is the tree creates an absission zone – a corky barrier between the tree and the leaves. It stops the flow of water and nutrients. Once this is done, the leaf will ‘fall’ off. Take time to drive around the City/Town. Notice all the amazing colours. You will notice some turn and drop leaves earlier in the season than others. If you want shade as long as possible you wound avoid Green Ash since they leaf out later and drop their leaves sooner than many other deciduous trees. If you spot one you like, take a photo and jot down the address. This will be your resource for tree shopping next season. Enjoy it while it lasts. #autumnleaves #lethbridgetreecare #treeselectionlethbridge

My journey to become an Arborist was not straight. I had plans to go to Art School but reality sunk in and I went to business college and studied to become a legal secretary. My first job was at the U of A as a clerk at the Law Faculty typing exams and correspondence for my pool of Law Professors. I was the only operator of the latest invention (now I am dating myself a bit) a Micom memory typewriter with floppy disks the size of dish plates. Seems to me you could only store a few pages of data on one. So as the daylight lessens I commit once again to my professional development. I will be attending two professional development events this winter to increase my understanding of my trade and to learn from experts in their discipline. Some of the best learning comes from talking to like minded professionals outside of my own market area – they are not threatened by sharing their knowledge. I can learn about trends in other communities which helps gauge when and if they will be issues here. Being self employed requires having a good understanding of all aspects of running a business not just the ability to perform the service. I am also going to be working with Greg at ActionCOACH to improve my skills as a business owner. With one year under my belt as the Ladybug Arborist, there are good lessons to be learned with someone who makes a living helping businesses improve and grow. This is one of the great benefits of winning the Chinook Entrepreneur Challenge and I am really looking forward to it to serve my clients and their trees better. #consultingarboristlethbridge #lethbridgearborist #lethbridgecertifiedarborist #lethbridgetreeservice

Maureen Sexsmith-West ISA Certified Arborist, PR4600A While investigating a volunteer plant for a client to determine if it should stay or go, I found out that this plant was part of the poppy family. If ingested in large quantities, it can be toxic to humans and dogs. Since they have three dogs, it was an important discovery. We determined that the dogs had not taken an interest in the mature plants in the past, it was not an invasive species so they will live to bloom another day. It made me think … what else poses a risk to our furry friends? I did some further research on the subject. While my own dog is not inclined to eat my flowers – he does love to pick and shell pea pods from the vine to eat the peas. While there is great entertainment value in this activity, I think I’d rather eat the peas myself. Another dog I owned, ate raspberries right off the plant when he was a puppy. Some simple barriers and regular training solved these behaviours. When helping a client some years ago with a shelter belt design, we identified that Black Walnut trees could cause serious illness in his horses. I have included a list of a few of the regional plants you should be aware of. This is not to say don’t use them in your landscape or as house plants, just be conscious of them. I have also included a website link for the ASPCA that has photographs and information on plants that can be toxic to dogs, cats and horses too. Mildly Poisonous Ivy, poinsetta, nettle and iris. Tansy (listed on the Alberta Invasive Plant List as noxious) All can cause mild to severe digestive upset. Buttercups (Ranunculus) contain juices that can severely irritate or even damage a dog’s digestive system Jack-in-the-pulpit (Arisaema atrorubens) burning and irritation of the mount/tongue. Moderate Effects Hyacinth and Daffodils Crocus, Lily of the Valley and Star of Bethlemen Dumbcane Dieffenbachia Azalea and Rhododendron Larkspur/Delphinium Foxglove (Digitalis) Plants of the Nightshade Family including tomato, potatoe, peppers, gogi berry and eggplant Castor Bean seeds Mistletoe Yew berries Hemlock Rhubarb Datura (Jimsonweed) Cherry Trees Plants and Pets Link #Uncategorized

Maureen Sexsmith-West ISA Certified Arborist, PR4600A Fall is the ideal time to ‘clean’ up your yard. The weather is great, the soil conditions are predictable and you have a head start in Spring to enjoy your yard rather than labour over it. In Alberta, there is a list of invasive plants that are classified as either prohibited or noxious. Do your part to keep these plants out of the environment. You may love the function a plant plays in your landscape but there are better, easier to maintain options. (The Alberta Invasive Plant Council has compiled a list of great on-line resource with Fact sheets, photographs, management tools and more. Click on the link to get to their home page.) Plants that spread readily can be invasive or ‘weedy’ if left untended. Trees can also fall into this category. I spend numerous hours ending ‘unplanned propagation’ for clients. They seem to magically appear overnight when in reality they have been growing there for several years. In many cases, I hand dig the entire plant since a brown treated dead baby tree still has to be removed to clean up the yard. Simply cutting them off will only result in several more stems growing from the root system. It gets more challenging and more costly when trees are left until they are several feet tall and wedged beside a fence or building or growing up in the middle of your juniper of favourite perennial. Stump grinding is often not an option – so many people resort to chemical treatments to discard the plant altogether. I also invest the time and effort to manually dig most undesirable herbaceous plants. I know my clients appreciate that I take the time to remove them rather than spray them and leave them to look at a brown weed instead of a green one. To prevent ‘undesirable vegetation’ from becoming invasive is to deal with them when they are small or to prevent seed dispersal. I have even gone so far as to prune off seeds from our green ash while still on the tree. I don’t eliminate them all but it sure cuts down on fall clean-up and the number of volunteers I need to contend with next season. All plants will reproduce. Some produce seeds, some multiple from the roots and some both. Understanding this will help you develop a management system. TIPS To keep ahead of garden plants, prune off blooms as they wilt before ripe seeds can be dispersed. Removing all or part of a perennial routinely will keep it compact, forces more blooms and a delight in your landscape. They find ingenious locations (usually behind or under other plants) so be thorough when hunting for them. Get up close and personal by lifting leaves, checking under shrubs and check likely locations along fence lines, etc. Work when the soil is moist so that you can get the entire root. Too wet or too dry you are likely to have roots break. Say “out with the annoying” so you can plant something great next season. Afterwards lay down a good layer of compost, soil pep or mulch. This will not only provide a barrier for winter they amend the soil. Pine needles and shredded leaves also work great. Eliminate exposed soil. Some weeds thrive in deficient soils – so beat them at their own game by creating organically rich, healthy soil with lots of microbial activity. If you find a plant to be problem – think twice about giving it to a friend. #albertainvasiveplants #winterizingyards #yardcarelethbridge

Maureen Sexsmith-West ISA Certified Arborist, PR4600A With trees can talk. They say “Read my leaves”. A tree can tell us “I am healthy, full of energy, and look at me grow”. These traits can be visually observed in the quality and size, colour, shape of the leaves and level of seed production. Each tree has a typical or ideal growth rate in our region. We can assess growth patterns for the current and as many as four previous years to determine changes that contribute to the condition today. We factor in things like environmental conditions and growing environment. Trees tell us “they are having a bad year” through their leaves too. Wilting, cupping and stunted leaf size are all symptoms of a tree health care issue. Many conditions are slow to present and what seemed fine before – can suddenly seem like a crisis – even though it has been progressive. We utilize our extensive diagnostic skills to identify the problem, determine the cause and therefore can recommend a program of care. How can you tell what’s wrong in the winter you ask? Twigs and trunk tell stories year round. We look for growth rate, discoloration, distortion and insect damage and insect egg laying. Each one is a piece in the plant health care puzzle. #treeinsects #lethbridgetreecare #treehealthcare #treeinspections #lethbridgetreeservice #coniferdiseases

Maureen Sexsmith-West ISA Certified Arborist, PR4600A DON’T INVITE TROUBLE We have had repeated visits from a family of raccoons in the last month in our neighbourhood. This a real sign that our urban forest is expanding providing more habitat for this destructive and intelligent mammal. Gardens are easy target at night but they will take advantage of trashcans, bird feeders and compost bins too. Raccoons will dine on virtually anything and are not deterred by a door or latch. They are very territorial and will attack pets or people if threatened. They communicate using a variety of sounds. Raccoons can also be easily identified by their tracks (five fingers and toes). The kits stay with the mother during their first summer and then in the fall go find their own winter home. If separated, the Mother can be quiet aggressive. The ideal home or den for a raccoon is a large cavity in a tree. However, in the City, raccoons will also use man-made structures if nothing else is available. Their dexterity and intelligence enable them to create a den by damaging soffits, vents, fascia or shingles to create a space if they can’t find one easily accessible. The can gain access via chimneys too. I have a client who had one in their chimney in the Spring. At the first opportunity the created a cap to prevent it from returning. They do not hibernate but will sleep for several days at a time in the winter. Raccoon Proof Your Yard First, determine why are they there? Nesting and raising young, foraging for food or just passing through. The key is change their repetitive behaviour. Inspect your home, sheds and garages for access points and secure them as needed. Avoid trapping kits inside. Make sure that chimney’s are capped and attic vents secure. Motion activated sprinklers can act as a deterrent. Typical lighting has little or no affects on their patterns. A red light that mimics a predator’s eyes in the dark may cause them to avoid an area. Monitor, Hang or secure Bird Feeders – Raccoons will tip them over to get at the seeds. Dogs instinctively will react to the presence of a raccoon. Just remember that they can carry rabies and put your pets at risk. Preventative vaccination is an inexpensive, effective means of protecting your animals from rabies. Have ALL your pets vaccinated. If you suspect your tree offers nesting habitat, contact us for possible solutions. #Uncategorized

Maureen Sexsmith-West ISA Certified Arborist, PR4600A According to the Farmer’s Almanac, the Woolly Bear Caterpillar is a weather man of sorts. Some believe that the width of the centre stripe of yellow can predict upcoming winter weather. If the black stripes on each end are longer than the middle strip, the weather will be harsh. A wide centre band is wider we can expect a milder winter. You can easily spot these banded caterpillars in late summer. I photographed this speedster during a visit to my parents in August. Getting a couple of focused images was a challenge since it was wasting no time moving along the sun room windows. The larvae put on quite a show in comparison to the dull adults. The Woolly Bear is the caterpillar stage of the Spotted Tussock Moth (Lophocampa maculata). While name would suggest it, this ‘hairy’ caterpillar is not a true tussock (Lymantriidae). The caterpillars forage until fall on deciduous leaves of the willow and maple tree but can also be found poplar, oak, alder and linden trees. They might be considered quite anti-social as it tends to be found on its own rather than in groups like tent caterpillars. Because of this, you are unlikely to see any real damage to your trees. So you can enjoy observing them without worry. They pupate away from their host plants. You can often find their cocoons made from silk and the hairs off their body close the ground. They emerge as adults in the Spring and can be seen from May to July. Scientists can’t confirm this method for forecasting since there are many variances between the group of ‘woolly bear’ caterpillars. I suppose, he has as much of a chance of being right as any weatherman. After all, they can only give us their best guess. Below is the Douglas Fir Tussock Moth found in our region. It is much more destructive – defoliating fir and spruce trees. Eggs hatch to coincide with the new growth in May-June. The damage is most obvious following the appearance of new needles. The pupate in August and emerge as adults in October-November. Since they often reproduce on the same host tree, damage can be substantial in a short period of time. Look for cocoons as a predictor for the next generation. One female can lay up to 200 eggs. #lethbridgetreecare #lethbridgetreeservice #treeinsects

Maureen Sexsmith-West ISA Certified Arborist, PR4600A As daylight lessens, I am finding time to do something other than work out of doors. I love to expand my knowledge so I can better respond to the needs of my clients, their trees and gardens. I came across this post from one of my feeds. It shares some great statistics about the benefits and value of trees. I have attached it verbatim below. In the past, a ‘tree hugger’ was a radical environmentalist. I think we have come a long way in our definition. You don’t have to tie yourself to an old growth redwood to make a difference. You just need to be someone who respects and appreciates trees. Please, just take care of what is right in your own yard. The article refers the reader to the Davey Tree Group. They don’t have an office here in Lethbridge. As Certified Arborists, let US “Benefit Your Urban Oasis”. We are here to help. Friday, August 02, 2013 GMG’s Friday Find: New Study Finds Treehuggers Had It Right All Along According to the study, trees help reduce hospital visits, the number of sick days taken and help people breathe easier. Trees remove air pollutants by collecting them on their leaves and branches, in fact, just one tree can remove 300 pounds of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere every year. Here are just a few of the benefits that trees provide: Environmental A forest acts as a giant filter that cleans the air we breathe. Trees intercept airborne particles, cooling the air and absorbing pollutants like carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide. A mature leafy tree produces as much oxygen in a season as 10 people inhale in a year. Trees can store harmful pollutants and actually change the pollutant into less harmful forms. They filter sewage and farm chemicals, reduce the effects of animal wastes, clean roadside spills and clean water runoff into streams. Trees also control soil erosion by binding the soil and their leaves break the force of wind and rain on soil. Economical Trees increase property values. Data shows that buyers are willing to spend 3-7% more on homes with ample trees vs. few or no trees. Since trees shade and cool, they reduce the need for air conditioning in the summer. Studies have shown that parts of cities without cooling shade from trees can literally be “heat islands” with temperatures as much as 12 degrees F higher than surrounding areas. Emotional Trees have a direct influence on neighborhood violence by fostering safer and more sociable environments. By providing settings that incorporate nature and trees, relationships grow stronger and violence is reduced. Neighborhoods with shady streets and parks attract people, as they are drawn to come together to interact and are more likely to become friends. Trees never stop giving and scientists know for a fact that trees improve quality of life in almost every way. Feel happier, improve curb appeal, and breathe easier by the simple, yet powerful gesture of planting a tree. If you have any questions about planting and caring for trees, talk to a certified arborist at The Davey Tree Expert Company, or use the Tree$ense app to calculate various benefits of trees, such as energy savings and storm water interception. And next time you feel the urge to hug a tree, go ahead and share a little love to the gentle giants that provide so much. ~Peggy Garden Media Group #Uncategorized

Maureen Sexsmith-West ISA Certified Arborist, PR4600A While I have been very busy finishing up birch and maple pruning before the end of August, I have noticed a trend throughout the City. Lawns are turning brown. While I appreciate that irrigation adds to your utility bill, the consequences to your trees and shrubs can be substantial and the cost associated with remedies considerably higher. Tree roots are found below the root systems of your grass and gardens. The highest percentage of absorbing roots are usually found 6-12 inches deep. If your turf is browning off, you can pretty much guarantee that your trees are being short changed and are drought stressed. Water is essential to tree health. If you do nothing else, irrigating your trees and shrubs properly will help keep your tree vigorous and less susceptible to pests and diseases. Symptoms of drought stressed trees may not show up for a season or two. Wilting is a sure sign of inadequate irrigation. Leaf scorch is also possible. It would be wise to make the effort to UP your irrigation habits from now until freeze. More watering now to offset evaporation associated with the high temperatures we have been experiencing. Taper off as we get closer to freeze up. This is especially important for coniferous (evergreens) that retain their foliage all winter long. #lethbridgetreecare #lethbridgetreeservice #lethbridgetreewatering #treehealthcare

Maureen Sexsmith-West ISA Certified Arborist, PR4600A This is a STOPDED Bulletin Alberta’s Elm Pruning Ban in effect until September 30th To help keep Alberta Dutch elm disease (DED) free, the Society to Prevent Dutch Elm Disease (STOPDED) encourages everyone to pay attention to the Provincial elm pruning ban between April 1st and September 30th. This ban period is intended to coincide with the period during which elm bark beetles are most active. Elm bark beetles, responsible for spreading the deadly DED fungus, feed on healthy elms and breed in dead and dying elm trees. If elm trees are pruned during the pruning ban period, these beetles can be attracted to the scent of the fresh wound and possibly infect your otherwise healthy elm with DED. Once an elm tree is infected with DED it will die within that year. Pruning of dead and dying elm branches is encouraged only between October 1 to March 31st. This helps to reduce beetle breeding habitat. Prompt and proper disposal of the pruned elm wood is also essential to keep the vectors and disease from spreading. To report a DED suspect elm tree or for more information, call the STOPDED hotline at 1-877-837-ELMS or check out the web site at www.stopded.org. Janet Feddes-Calpas. STOPDED Executive Director STOPDED Hotline: 1-877-837-ELMS #STOPDED #lethbridgeelmtree #lethbridgecertifiedarborist #lethbridgetreecare #lethbridgearborist #lethbridgetreeservice

Maureen Sexsmith-West ISA Certified Arborist, PR4600A Are you looking for speaker for your School or Youth Group to talk about trees? I am your girl. I have a great travelling tool box of touchy-feely stuff that makes learning fun for kids. While it would be great to do a presentation around Nataional Tree Day – anytime of year is a great time to talk trees. Teachers or PAC’s – Don’t miss out on this great opportunity NEW for Schools: One school will WIN* a $1000 Greening Grant, by registering and participating in the new National Tree Day School Challenge. All schools who register will receive an educational National Tree Day activity sheet for their students. Click here to get started! Plant a virtual tree, Organize an Event in your Own Community by following this link: http://nationaltreedaychallenge.ca/ #Uncategorized

Maureen Sexsmith-West ISA Certified Arborist PR4600A Summer is a very busy time for me. Many days are long working in the field and then there is the administrative part that keeps me busy in the evenings or on weekends. I took the ‘day off’ to tend to my own house and garden this weekend realizing that I still had reports to write and tools to service to be ready for next week. The lilacs got a tune-up so the lawn could be mowed without bodily harm. I picked fresh beans and dug a couple of potatoes to have with supper. Can someone please explain to me how one minute you see a blossom and the next you have a monster zucchini growing? Guess I will have to dig out that muffin recipe. I picked the last of raspberries and pulled the pea vines for composting. By far the best reward was reflecting on the latest batch of blooms and enjoying the busy ‘bees’ at work. While not all the pollinators were bees, some were look-a-likes and others just fascinating to watch. Of course, a closer inspection found the latest batch of aphids hiding out under the leaves of the Sunflowers. Not for long – squish! I am really enjoying the investment in a new digital camera – hope you are too. By far the Heliopsis (hee-lee-OP-sis) – False Sunflower was the biggest lure for all kinds of insects today. #beneficialinsects #ladybugarborists #lethbridgegardening #lethbridgeperennials