Arbor Doctor February 2023 client update and latest blog postings

Can you believe we are already almost 1/6 done with 2023 and at the end of meteorological winter? Meteorological spring begins on March 1!

Our team updates

This winter we spent a great deal of time and resources on training and field visits. I have continually been impressed with the diagnostic skills of our team, including our newest team member Ali Randall. We have a great core horticultural team this year of Steve Middleton, Noah Riggs, and Ali Randall. Our Director of Operations, Camille Rechel, supports our team and our clients with excellent client services with the able assistance of Diane Smith. Their hard work helped us to wrap up all our outstanding 2022 jobs on time.

After years of working toward it, I finally completed all of the steps necessary to become a Registered Consulting Arborist® (RCA) .

The American Society of Consulting Arborists (ASCA) Registered Consulting Arborist®  and International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Board Certified Master Arborist® are the two highest levels of credentialing in the arboricultural profession. According to the American Society of Consulting Arborists, “Those attaining RCA member status have demonstrated the highest commitment to arboricultural consulting by meeting the most rigorous requirements of the green industry. The competence and integrity (required) to reach RCA status are so high that fewer than 500 individuals have attained that pinnacle since 1999. As the best of the best, RCAs are committed to providing clients with the highest quality arboricultural consulting services available.” Read more here

Winter and Drought Damage Showing Up

We have gotten several calls regarding evergreens not looking well. In some cases, they appear to be dead. Remember, we had a drought in the fall but, even more importantly, we had that brutal and sudden attack of arctic air during the holidays. Many plants, including but not limited to cherry laurel, boxwoods, azaleas, shrub hollies, English Ivy, euonymus, evergreen magnolias, blue cedars, Japanese plum yews, and taxus are showing varying degrees of browning and foliage loss.

Winter Visits revealing winter damage, drought damage, and other things

Adult lanternflies feed primarily on the non-native tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima) and this plant seems to play a significant role in the lanternfly life cycle. Native wild grape (Vitus spp.) is another preferred plant. Young lanternflies (nymphs) can feed on a wide variety of species. Examples of crops that may be at risk from spotted lanternfly are grapes, hops, stone fruits (peach, plum, etc.) and apples; also possibly at risk for some damage are maple, walnut, poplar, willow, and others. In its native range, spotted lanternfly numbers are kept in check by parasitic wasps, but outside its native range the lanternfly can spread unchecked.

The Unfortunate Arrival of the Spotted Lanternfly in Cincinnati

Inflation, Supply Chain and Postal Service Issues

The inflation, supply chain issues and labor shortages which are affecting everyone continue to affect us as well. Besides supply chain issues, things have gotten a bit better with the postal service but we are still experiencing delays. This has slowed the receipt of payments and other correspondence. If we call you regarding a late payment even though you sent it some time ago, this may be the reason. It is as frustrating for us as it is for you. We apologize for the inconvenience but it is largely out of our control.

Inflation continues at a high rate. We have been looking at our rising costs and have needed to adjust accordingly as costs have continued to rise. We have done our best to be as kind as possible but with some of the prices for materials we use increasing by over 200% there is only so much we can do.