The Log Blog
Winter Tree Care - Feeding, Mulching and Pruning
January 5, 2020
There are lots of myths when it comes to trees and “winterizing” your trees. We are lucky here in East Tennessee that, like our football team, our trees are pretty hardy and may surprise you. However, if you are compelled to do some winter yard work, keep these simple tips in mind:
1.You don’t have to “feed” your trees if you let fallen leaves lie.
If you leave your fallen foliage on the ground and don’t rake it up, the leaves will decompose and their nutrients will go back into the earth and continue to feed your tree in its natural cycle. If you don’t like the way your yard looks covered in leaves or if you are required by your HOA to remove them, that is OK too. You can feed your trees every five years or so and they will continue to thrive as if you’ve left their beloved leaves on the ground.
Below are some instructions for feeding your trees. You should note that the best time to feed your trees is at the end of the year, before December 31st, ideally. If you decide to feed your trees in the first couple weeks of January, your trees probably won’t mind a bit, or you can save the instructions until the end of this year. Again, this doesn’t have to be done every year, just once every five years unless your trees have been particularly stressed throughout the year by drought, heat, construction nearby, or old age.
Tree Feeding Instructions:
Walk out from the trunk to the end of the limbs (drip line)
Follow the drip line around the tree drilling holes 6-8 inches deep with a 1-2 inch bulb auger
Fill holes up with 6-12-12 fertilizer
Make a complete circle
Once the circle is complete, step out (not inward) 2 feet and repeat that same process (drilling holes 6-8 inches deep, filling with fertilizer)
2. You only need to mulch smaller plants.
You can place mulch around the base of your plants. Smaller plants may even need it to keep warm in the winter, but your larger trees don’t usually need mulch around them. If you decide to put mulch on the trunks of your trees, make sure you place the mulch around the tree in a donut-like fashion versus building the next great pyramid at the base of your tree. Piling too much mulch up around your tree will trick the tree into thinking that it needs to “root” there and you will get girdling roots, which restrict the movement of water and other nutrients necessary for the survival of the tree and aren’t very pretty to look at.
If you do place mulch around your smaller plants, make sure that you don’t suffocate them with too much mulch and don’t forget to remove the mulch in the spring. Mulching should serve only to keep your plants protected during severe cold.
3. Winter tree pruning is not for your “honey do” list
In the winter, trees become dormant and, to put it simply, dormant trees need nothing. They are basically the same as hibernating bears, so they don’t typically need watered, mulched, or fed if you live in East Tennessee, but when they wake up, they will be hungry for all the nutrients and sunlight they can get. And they will need a trim before they awake to make sure they can absorb those nutrients.
Winter is a great time to prune trees, but unless you know a thing or two about pruning trees, you may do more harm than good. While it is easy to spot low hanging limbs and twisted ugly branches, it’s not as easy to spot dead limbs over thriving limbs once your tree has lost its leaves. And it’s definitely not so easy to get to them if they are up high. So as you are walking around your property looking at your trees and the work you will need to do in the next couple of months, now would be a good time to make a list and give us a call to get your appointment for late winter/ early spring tree trimming and pruning. We’ve got certified arborists and knowledgeable crews that will get your trees looking their very best before the first leaf appears and then you can add something even better to your “honey do” list- like cleaning out that overstuffed garage.
Don’t wait until the last minute because those leaves will be appearing before you know it. You can reach our office at 865-690-7474 and get scheduled for a free assessment and estimate by East Tennessee’s best tree service.
And remember, at Mencer’s, we go out on a limb for you!
From Our Family To Yours….
December 23, 2019
As the new year approaches, it is a time for reflection and a time to look to the future. We, at Mencer’s would like to take a moment to thank each and every one of our customers for your continued support and our continued success in the community as your leader in tree maintenance and removal.
Mother Nature was not always on our side this year. She threw lots of weather our way that was unexpected and slowed us down a bit, but we persevered and got through it. And it was because of you, our customers.
We believe we have the best customer base in Knoxville. Some of you have been with us since my father was running the business. Some since I was in a tree with a chainsaw and my sons were in diapers. You’ve watched our whole family grow up, literally, in your front yard and we are forever grateful that you are part of our Mencer’s Tree family.
To our new customers who didn’t know what to expect, we hope we exceeded your expectations on all levels and that you are happy you chose us. We hope to continue to be your go-to tree service for many years to come.
And most importantly, to all of our customers who ended up with what seemed like an endless wait before we got to your tree trimming so we could get trees off your neighbors’ houses and get them back to their lives after all of this year’s storms, we thank you for your patience. Community is the backbone of our business and without your continued patience and support, Mencer’s Tree service would not exist. We know that you have endless choices around town these days for your tree work and we are so thankful that you continue to trust us for all your needs.
While life has a way of slowing us down and keeping us apart from the ones we love and care about at times, we are planning on making a more conscious effort to keep you up to date on all things Mencer’s and all things “trees” through our blog that we have not been great at updating. So keep an eye out for that and feel free to let us know if there is anything tree related that you’d like information on as we “branch” out. Thanks for “stick”ing with us, we know it would have been really easy for you to “leaf” us. That’s enough “sap” for now. And enough tree puns!
But seriously, it’s been a pleasure serving you this year and all the years past. Here’s to 60 more…
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year
Miles Mencer
5 Diseases That May Require Tree Service in Knoxville
May 15, 2018
You may not think you need tree service in Knoxville, but have you taken a good look at your trees lately? According to Mencer's Tree Service in Knoxville there could be hidden dangers lurking in your trees. Below are a few diseases to look for that could indicate Knoxville tree service.
Canker
Look closely at the trunks and branches on your trees. If a blunt force has damaged the tree or it has been infected with bacteria or fungi you could be dealing with Cankers. They will look like patches or dead holes on sections of your tree.
Leaf Rust
One of the most obvious signs of a sick tree is leaf rust. Leaf rust is a disease that will attack the leaves on your tree. Check for raised white spots on the backside of the leaf. This will be an early sign that you have a fungal infection.
Witches Broom
If strange clusters of twigs start appearing on the branches of your trees, you could have Witches Broom Disease. This is caused by stress, a bacterial infection, or parasites. Talk to Mencers Tree Service about Tree Service in Knoxville.
Bagworm
If you have noticed little lint like creatures near the roof of your home or on the trunks of your trees talk to Mencers Tree Service about Bagworms. Bagworms will chew up the leaves on the trees and if left untreated could cause real problems.
Fire Blight
If the leaves on your trees start looking red and dead, you could have Fire Blight. This destructive disease has the potential to kill all of the leaves on your tree if you don’t contact a Knoxville Tree Service company as soon as possible. Fire Blight causes the leaves to die at the roots eventually falling off.
Even if you don’t suspect a diseased tree, it’s always a good idea to contact Mencers Tree Service for bi-annual or annual Knoxville Tree Service. Call for an appointment today.
Call Mencer's Tree Service Knoxville for Broken Trees and Branches
May 1, 2018
Regular tree service is important. Most property owners have trees. However, despite the fact that trees need care, some home and business property owners will never contact a company for tree service until a problem occurs.
According to Mencers Tree Service, regular tree service is essential as it helps prevent accidents from happening. Trimming trees and regular tree service is important all year round.
Below are a few reasons to consider Mencers Tree Service for your commercial or residential property.
Dead Limbs and Trees will Cause an Accident without Tree Service
If you have seen damage to one or more of your trees, tree service Knoxville from Mencers is imperative. Even if the problem doesn’t look serious, a weak or broken branch could snap off causing damage or injury.
Mencers Tree Service will come to your property, inspect the trees, and offer advice. Only a qualified tree service company can tell you if the limb needs to be removed, or if the entire tree needs to be cut down.
Power Lines May Require Tree Service Knoxville
When trees get big and untidy, they can interfere with our utility lines. If your branches are reaching over and above the power lines, it’s vital that you call Mencers Tree Service for branch or tree removal. Power lines are a major safety hazard and can cause problems. Mencers Tree Service will prune the branches while taking preventive measures for future growth.
General Maintenance and Tree Service
When you schedule regular tree maintenance and service with Mencers Tree Service, you will be assured that your trees and branches are healthy. If a branch should break of the trunk fall away, you want to be sure that the problems are taken care of before permanent damage occurs.
If you would like more information regarding Tree Service Knoxville, call or click and schedule an appointment for a tree service quote with Mencers Tree Service.
Knoxville Tree Service Companies are Not All Alike
April 15, 2018
Not all Knoxville Tree Service companies are alike, and with all the competition out there, how do you know what tree service company in Knoxville is best for your needs?
According to one of the oldest and most established tree service companies in the Great Smoky Mountains in East Tennessee, working with a licensed, bonded, and insured Knoxville Tree Service should be your first priority. If you thought you could save a few dollars by hiring an uninsured Jack or All Trades, you could be up for a lot more cash should your handyman end up in the Emergency Room.
Mencer’s Tree Service has stringent safety requirements for all of its tree service technicians. All are required to pass safety testing and pass a drug test in order to provide Knoxville Tree Service to residential and commercial properties.
One of the biggest problems with an unlicensed tree service company in Knoxville is the legal issues you could face should something go wrong. Personal injury aside, you could have more to deal with should your tree trimmer pull the branch the wrong way and right on to your neighbor’s roof.
The tree service professionals from Mencer’s Tree Service in Knoxville have the training, expertise, and most importantly, the training to get the job done right. If you have been getting flyers from that new tree trimming service in town, you may want to check the reviews and find out how long they are in business. However, remember that being book smart when it comes to tree service is one thing, but having the experience to go along with it is an entirely different story.
If you would like Knoxville Tree Service, call or click and talk to a team member from Mencer’s Tree Service. Mencer’s will send a team out to your property to determine what type of service is best for your needs. Call or click today.
Tree Service Knoxville Maintenance All Year Round
March 15, 2018
Tree Service Knoxville is the best thing you can do for your landscaping this spring. Now that Mother Nature has decided to warm things up, professional tree service Knoxville from Mencer’s Tree Service, can trim or remove the trees that have been giving you problems, or are about to.
That old oak that has been on your property for forty years may have served its purpose. However, unless you have it properly diagnosed by a certified arborist from Mencer’s Tree Service, you could end up being sorry when you learn that the tree could have been saved.
Having a tree properly diagnosed before it is removed or treated is essential for the health of the tree, and your other trees. You want to make sure that there are no air-borne fungal spores that can spread from a diseased tree to a healthy tree.
When you schedule an appointment for tree service Knoxville the licensed professionals will come out to your property to assess the situation. The certified arborist from Mencer’s Tree Service will test the tree to determine if it can be saved, or if it needs to go. When you contact the professionals from the most affordable tree service Knoxville, you can depend on an honest and fair quote that will be the best solution for the tree.
Unlike some tree services in Knoxville, Mencer’s Tree Service has been around for decades helping people just like you come up with tree service solutions for your tree problems. However, Mencer’s can also keep your trees healthy with proper maintenance.
Ask Mencer’s about a monthly or bi-annual tree service Knoxville. Having a professional tree service come out and check your landscaping on a regular basis will save you time and money.
When it comes to tree service in the Great Smoky Mountains in East Tennessee, you can depend on Mencer’s Tree Service. Call or click for a no obligation quote on tree service in Knoxville and the surrounding areas today. You can’t go wrong. Call now.
Mencer’s for Knoxville Tree Service this Spring
March 1, 2018
Knoxville Tree Service can take the guesswork out of tree service and if Mother Nature took her toll on your trees this past winter, Mencer’s Tree Service can help. Mencer’s Tree Service has taken care of trees all over the Great Smoky Mountains in East Tennessee. When you contact Mencer’s Tree Service for Knoxville Tree Service, you can be assured that your vegetation will be properly cared for.
Mencer’s Tree Service in Knoxville has a licensed arborist on hand to detect any problems you may have with your trees. If you noticed a problem during an inspection at the end of winter Mencer’s Tree Service will come out and inspect the tree looking for any problems that could get worse. In most cases, the tree may just need to be treated. However, if the tree has been dying for some time, it may need to be removed.
The best Knoxville Tree Service will do their best to save your tree, or trees, however, if the tree has no hope it could cause damage to the surrounding landscaping, your home, or the house next door. When you call Mencer’s Tree Service in Knoxville, you won’t have to call anyone else for tree service.
When it comes to tree maintenance, you can count on Mencer’s Tree Service in Knoxville. Tree maintenance is an important part of good landscaping maintenance. Disease could strike at any time, with Mencer’s you will know about the damage before it gets any worse. This will enable you to nip the problem in the bud before you lose the tree.
This spring stay a step ahead of the game and call Mencer’s Tree Service for a no obligation Knoxville Tree Service quote. Winter always takes its toll, call or click and schedule your spring Knoxville Tree Service from Mencer’s Tree Service in Knoxville today.
Tree Trimming Knoxville Even in Winter
February 15, 2018
Tree trimming probably isn’t the first thing that comes to mind in the middle of winter. However, Mencer’s Tree Service recommends keeping your trees trimmed to reduce risk of damage if a powerful storm is headed your way. You may think your sturdy old pine tree can handle what Mother Nature has to offer, but if it hasn’t been trimmed in a while, you could lose the tree that your Grandfather planted all of those years ago.
Keeping your trees trimmed and maintained is something that is best left to the professionals. Mencer’s Tree Service in the Great Smoky Mountains in East Tennessee is the only company with over 70 years experience in the tree trimming business. You can depend on a fair and honest quote from Mencer’s Tree Service when you schedule a tree trimming consultation with Mencer’s Tree Service in Knoxville.
Unfortunately, not every diseased tree will make it. If Mencer’s Tree Service Knoxville determines that your tree needs to go, you can be assured that it will be removed safely with crane assisted tree removals from the most affordable Knoxville tree service in the Great Smoky Mountains in East Tennessee.
Mencer’s Tree Service will have an ISA&NH certified arborist on your site to make sure that the right decision is made when it comes to your tree. All the work from Mencer’s Tree Service in Knoxville utilized the latest standards when it comes to procedure and equipment. You can depend on Mencer’s Tree Service Knoxville to maintain the industry guidelines when it comes to tree service Knoxville.
This winter keep your trees and your property safe with tree diagnosis, tree maintenance and tree removal. Doing something about it now will prevent a bigger expense in the future, especially if your grandpa’s old pine ends up in the middle of your neighbors roof. Call or click for tree service Knoxville today.
6 Things You Should Know About Knoxville Tree Service
February 1, 2018
Knoxville Tree Service could be just what you want if your trees, brushes, and shrubs have gotten too much for you to handle on your own. However, according to Mencer’s Tree Service in the Great Smoky Mountains in East Tennessee, you should know some things before you hire just any Knoxville Tree Service.
Insurance
Insurance is essential, as with any type of service company. Not all service company policies are the same. Make sure that the Knoxville Tree Service company you hire carries proper liability. If anything should occur you want to make sure that the damage that was done to your property or your neighbors is covered.
Workers Compensation
According to Mencer’s Tree Service in Knoxville, it is imperative that you hire a tree service company in Knoxville that has worker’s comp insurance. If someone should get hurt on your property, you do not want to be held liable for the injury. While some companies may say it isn’t required for a certain amount of employees, make sure you are protected if an accident should happen.
Equipment
You must ask the Knoxville Tree Service company that you are interested in hiring about the equipment they use. Have them come out and do a quote. You want to make sure that they have everything you need. They may own a stump grinder, but that wouldn’t do you any good if you need the stump removed.
Employees
Ask about the team that works for the tree removal company in Knoxville. If their employees don’t have the necessary credentials for tree removal, you want to move to the next company on the list. An experienced tree service company can cause a lot of harm. Make sure that the tree service company that you hire is licensed as well.
Safety
The company that you hire for tree removal or tree maintenance in Knoxville must comply with the strict regulations of OSHA. You want to make sure that the employees that work for the tree service company that you hire are protected and safe.
References
Before you sign on the dotted line for a Knoxville tree service company do your due diligence. Make sure that you read reviews and ask the company for references. Look for jobs done that are similar to what you need accomplished. If the tree service company can’t supply them, call Mencer’s Tree Service.
Knoxville Tree Service for Your Neglected Spruce
January 15, 2018
Knoxville Tree Service is imperative if you have neglected that poor Spruce that has seen better days. Mencers Tree Service has the ability and the know how to give your Spruce a new outlook on life, and best of all, it won’t cost you a fortune.
Tree maintenance is vital if you want your trees and your landscaping to last the test of time. A healthy spruce can live to be a hundred years or more as long as it is looked after properly.
When you call Mencers Tree Service for Knoxville Tree Service the team will come out to your property to inspect your ill Spruce tree. The arborists from Mencers Tree Service will do everything it can to save the tree, and if it can be saved, will give you instructions on how to keep it healthy.
Of course, not all Spruce trees, or any other type of tree for that matter, can be saved. Mencers Tree Service will take everything into account before giving their recommendations regarding your Spruce tree. Your safety is first and foremost when it comes to keeping or removing a tree. However, it’s also the safety of your neighbors and your other trees that need to be considered as well. The last thing you want is for your Spruce to go down in a storm only to take out your other trees and your neighbor’s roof as well.
Although some trees may look like a hopeless cause, some just may need a good pruning to get them back on track. If your Spruce looks like it may have an insect problem, Mencers Tree Service can treat the tree to get rid of the issue. Even if a lightning strike occurs, your Spruce can still be saved with Knoxville Tree Service.
Stop procrastinating and take care of your Spruce with a good Knoxville Tree Service. Doing so today, could save it tomorrow. Call or click now.
Winter Tree Tips that You Can Count On
January 1, 2018
According to Mencer’s Tree Service, having some handy winter tree tips is important, especially when it comes to the long-term management of your landscaping. If you think it’s okay to leave your trees alone during the colder months, Mencer’s Tree Service disagrees. Below are some winter tree tips that you may want to consider.
Pruning is Important
When you prune your trees, the function and beauty of the tree will continue. When you properly prune your trees, you are reducing limb loss risk and other problems that can occur during the winter. When you prune your trees regularly, you are reducing the risk of damage should a dead limb fall on your neighbors house. If you are unable to keep your trees pruned, call or click and talk to Mencer’s Tree Service about regular tree trimming.
Why Should I Prune in Winter
After the leaves have fallen off the trees, it’s easier for you, or your arborist to see the trees structure. Make sure that your summer annuals are removed, as there will be less disruption to your landscape if there is much work to be done on larger trees. If your soil freezes, it’s best to call Mender’s Tree Service for tree pruning to reduce the possibility of an accident.
Pruning your trees in the winter can also avoid nasty diseases that are active and may have spread during the spring and summer.
Mulching in Winter? Of course!
Mulching helps your soil retain moisture while improving the structure and nutrient levels of the soil. If you are unsure about mulching, call or click and talk to Mercer’s Tree Service about mulching. It really can help your trees, shrubs, and plants.
Contact Mencer’s Tree Service in Knoxville about bracing and cabling your trees or for an inspection. After the foliage loss, an arborist will be able to spot any problems more quickly.
If you would like more information regarding winter trips for trees, call or click and talk to a team member from Mencer’s Tree Service today.
Mencer’s Tree Service To End The Disagreements
December 15, 2017
Tree service may be necessary if your neighbor’s tree is threatening your property. The threat of damage to your home shouldn’t be taken lightly. Call the professionals from Mencer’s Tree Service for expert advice when it comes to removing the tree.
If you and your neighbor are having a disagreement about the health of the tree, call the Knoxville arborist team from Mencer’s Tree Service who can come out to the property to diagnose the tree.
In some cases, all that may be needed is professional tree trimming or pruning. If the offending branches have been removed and the tree is still healthy, both you and your neighbor will be happy.
The tree-pruning experts from Mencer’s Tree Service can crown thin, remove the dead wood, and do some structural pruning giving the tree just what it needs to stay healthy. That old tree that used to be a nuisance can now provide the shade that you had always wanted from your neighbors oak tree, just not the dead branches that were threatening your home. Let the Knoxville arborists prescribe just what the tree needs to give both you and your neighbor peace of mind.
If the tree is weak, but could thrive with a custom support system, ask Mencer’s Tree Service Knoxville about cabling and bracing. If your neighbor’s tree is structurally week, the best tree service in the Great Smoky Mountains in East Tennessee can design a support system that is custom made to suit your needs.
Stop arguing with your neighbor and get your home ready for the holidays with the help of Knoxville Tree Service. Mencer’s Tree Service can provide you with everything you need to renew your friendship with your neighbor.
Call or click and talk to the team from Mencer’s Tree Service about that annoying tree on your fence line today. After all, wouldn’t you rather have a cup of coffee with Tim and Judy next door than argue over the fence? Call or click today.
Mencer’s Tree Service for Tree Removal Knoxville
November 15, 2017
If you need shrub removal or tree removal in Knoxville for the property you just purchased, call or click and talk to the team from Mencer’s Tree Service. The experts can help you clear your 50-acres so that you can down to the business of opening your new bed and breakfast.
When you work with the team from Mencer’s Tree Service, you can be assured that the trees and shrubs you have removed will be disposed of properly, unlike some of those other tree service companies in The Great Smoky Mountains in East Tennessee. Mencer’s Tree Service prides itself on the best customer service in Knoxville and beyond and will do above and beyond to help you with shrub removal and tree removal Knoxville.
If you are unsure which shrubs and trees to remove, talk to the team of experts from Mencer’s Tree Service Knoxville. You may want to reconsider removing those healthy trees and shrubs that are sitting right where you want to build. By adjusting your plans, you could keep those healthy red maples right where they are highlighting the entrance to your new venture.
Mencer’s Tree Service have the experience and the expertise to create a landscape worthy of an award with careful planning using the trees and shrubs that you already have on your property, and best of all, tree removal in Knoxville won’t cost you a fortune, in fact, Mencer’s Tree Service is more affordable than you think.
The licensed and insured Mencer’s Tree Service is ready to help you create a landscape that will fit with your plans and your vision.
If you would like more information regarding shrub or tree removal Knoxville, call or click and talk to the friendly team from Mencer’s Tree Service. Let Mencer’s turn your new business into something you can be proud of with safe and affordable tree removal Knoxville. Call or click today.
Knoxville Tree Service all Year Round
October 16, 2017
Knoxville tree service is important all year round, but especially during the fall. Mencers Tree Service Knoxville has been in the tree business since 1962, and has the experience and knowledge to get the job done. As George, or Bill Mencers, says, “No tree can stump us.”
Call Mencers if you want to get rid of that old Oak that just didn’t make it through the dry summer months. The team from Mencers will come out and assess the situation giving you the best Knoxville tree service in the Great Smoky Mountains.
If the tree is still alive, the certified arborists from Mencers Tree Service will make sure that the decision that is made is right for the tree and for you and your property. Every decision made will be the right one with arborists conforming to the latest guidelines and standards when it comes to proper tree care.
If the tree does have to come down, you can be assured it will be done safely, even if a crane is required. Every piece of equipment from Mencers Tree Service is properly maintained with fall arrest harnesses on every climber assuring his safety and the safety of those on the ground.
The family owned and operated Tree Service Knoxville Mencers Tree Service has the best customer service in East Tennessee, going above and beyond when it comes to your satisfaction. With an annual happy customer satisfaction rate of an astounding 99 percent, you can depend on Mencer to address your questions promptly and efficiently.
If you need tree service Knoxville call and talk to the team from Mencers Tree Service in Knoxville. Mencers is ready to get to, ‘The Root,” of your tree problem as quickly as possible.
Mencers Tree Service is more than competitive when it comes to pricing, and is more affordable than you think.
Call or click for tree service Knoxville today.