Bartlett's Swarthmore Arborists

Fertilization is the single most important proactive measure you can take in caring for your trees this season. Soil care and fertilization in autumn dramatically improve growing conditions and provide the nutrients required for vital tree root development.

Trees under stress display key symptoms indicating a serious problem may exist. This includes wilting or loss of leaves/needles, yellowing of leaves or browning of needles, premature autumn color, early leaf drop and sappy spots on branches. Correctly identifying the underlying cause is critical to addressing tree health issues.

Summer is a time of high activity for pests as well as tree diseases caused by fungi and other organisms. Some problems may be simply aesthetic, while others can be a real threat to tree health and vitality. As such, it is important to have an arborist check your trees to determine the underlying cause.

Summer storms often cause branches or entire trees to fall. Preventative care can help you maintain your landscape while mitigating the possibility of unanticipated costs.

Given the likelihood of encountering ticks, it is important to know that controlling tick populations in your landscape is possible. The first step is assessing your landscape for common habitats like wooded areas, leaf litter and ornamental beds. Based on the assessment, treatments can specifically target at-risk areas.

Beech leaf disease, has been spreading rapidly. As implied by the name, the disease attacks beech trees, one of the most commonly found trees in our area. Caused by microscopic worms called nematodes, the first sign of infection are discolored stripes between the veins of impacted leaves. As the disease progresses, the tree will show signs of stunted growth and yellowing leaves.

Crepe Myrtle Bark Scale are tiny, sap-sucking insects that have a devastating impact on crepe myrtle trees. These pests are extremely common in our area. Preventative treatment, before damage becomes widespread, provides the most effective control to keep your crepe myrtles beautiful.

Now is the time to address tree health issues that are commonplace this time of year. Problems including browning on evergreen needles, damage to twigs and branches, cracks or splits in the bark and root issues should be identified in early spring, before serious damage occurs.

After winter ends, your trees and shrubs will be working hard to establish spring growth. A soil test in early spring can help determine the precise nutrients needed for that growth, yielding a fuller canopy and vibrant, health foliage.

Winter is the ideal time to prune many tree species. Removal of dead or diseased branches this time of year can greatly reduce the risk they pose to your home and property. Plus, pruning can improve the overall health and appearance of your trees, getting them in shape for spring.

Colder temperatures and shorter days serve as a reminder that it’s time for your trees and shrubs to have a winter check-up. Now is the time to uncover issues such as weakly attached branches, dead wood, diseases, pest infestations and other problems before they can cause serious damage in the spring.

As leaves fall from trees, the underlying architecture of the plant is revealed. This is the perfect opportunity to identify and correct visibly hazardous issues that can predispose trees to branch and tree failure such as dead wood and weakly attached limbs.

Schedule your winter pruning now to reduce the risk of falling branches and keep your trees looking their best!

Bartlett is excited to be helping Penn State map and inventory campus trees as part of the Commonwealth Arboreta Network, an initiative that supports its campuses, faculty and staff in using its living laboratories to improve tree knowledge. The project is made possible by the James and Barbara Ingram Endowment for Penn State Arboreta. Jim Ingram, Bartlett's president and COO, holds an associate's degree from Penn State – Mont Alto and a bachelor’s degree from Penn State University Park.

Now is a critical time of year to prepare your trees and shrubs for the coming summer in the Swarthmore, PA area. Healthy trees and shrubs are better able to withstand the higher temperatures and weather extremes that summer brings. Proper care in spring can help ensure the health of your landscape plants.

After winter ends, your trees and shrubs will be working hard to establish spring growth. A soil test in early spring can help determine the precise nutrients needed for that growth, yielding a fuller canopy and vibrant, health foliage.

The Bartlett Tree Research Laboratories has broken new ground to protect beech trees from beech leaf disease with novel pest management strategies.

Given the stress from higher temperatures and lack of rainfall comon in summer, it is critical to water your trees and shrubs thoroughly. Applying a 3-4" layer of mulch, inspecting for pest infestations and scheduling fall fertilization can also help maintain tree health and vigor.

Now is a critical time of year to prepare your trees and shrubs for the coming summer. Healthy trees and shrubs are better able to withstand the higher temperatures and weather extremes that summer brings. Proper care in spring can help ensure the health of your landscape plants.