What We Do & Why We Do It:

Our Plant Health Care (PHC) program is designed to manage the health, structure, and appearance of trees and plants in the landscape within our client’s expectations. With a holistic approach, our Plant Health Care Technician will focus on developing and maintaining healthy trees and plants, so they become less vulnerable to problems.

When a tree is in decline it is rarely caused by a single factor. In most cases, several agents act together over more than one growing season and collectively result in decline. Our primary goal is to predict and prevent problems before they happen, because once trees reach the downward spiral of decline it is almost impossible to reverse the process.

Services we offer:

• Proper Pruning
• Proper Mulch Rings
• Soil Nutrient Management
• Integrated Pest Management – method of controlling plant pests

Pruning

Proper pruning by a professionally trained arborist or PHC Technician will enhance the beauty and improve the overall health of trees and shrubs.

Benefits of proper pruning:

• Promote and maintain health – Removing older stems and/or deadwood will encourage a plant to put energy and resources into new and healthy growth.
• Reduce the potential for disease and pests – Removing dead, damaged, or diseased branches will decrease the risk of diseases and pests entering through dead or damaged wood and spreading throughout the plant.
• Increase the number and quality of flowers and foliage – Pruning at the right time and cutting in the right places can increase the number of shoots and encourages flowering.
• Improve air circulation and allow sunlight into the inner and lower growth.
• Control the shape and size to improve aesthetic value.

Mulch Rings

Properly applying a layer of mulch around your tree provides many benefits that help with the long-term health of your trees. These benefits include soil insulation to provide a buffer from temperature extremes, conserving soil moisture, reducing weeds that compete with tree roots, prevents soil compaction, improves soil structure, encourages beneficial soil microorganisms, and reduces lawn mower damage.

Soil Nutrient Management

We apply a root growth stimulant that will boost growth and vigor by increasing plant development, activating the root system, and improving nutrient absorption. The stimulant is injected into the soil around the tree. This saturates the soil and allows the root system to absorb the compound, increasing the amount of usual nutrient uptake. Other benefits of this treatment is improved color, activation of enzymes, and reduced frost damage.

Integrated Pest Management

This is a holistic approach to managing pests in your landscape environment by assessing the pest situation, considering options, and implementing the safest and most effective method of control. Our PHC Technician will go through the diagnostic process to determine stress contributors, determine the level of tolerance, determine our clients’ expectations and goals, and design a management strategy to best fit the situation.

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Many contributing factors compromise tree health: storm damage, heat, drought, varying weather conditions, increase in pests & diseases, fungal & bacterial infections from the rain, etc. These factors contribute to the overall decline of the tree.

The root system is the “root” of the issue for many of these factors (pun intended). Anything that causes root death will eventually result in twig and branch death, as the impaired root system is unable to adequately supply water and nutrients to the entire tree canopy. Just like humans, trees need a consistent and healthy supply of nutrients.

Some conditions, such as drought or defoliation by insects, contribute to decline. They weaken the tree and allow other agents, such as pathogenic fungi or boring insects, to cause more damage than would otherwise occur in a healthy tree. Some infectious diseases, those that may spread from other plants or organisms, can be the primary cause of decline symptoms. Adverse environmental conditions may accelerate the progress of the disease. Common activities that contribute to root injury are construction, soil compaction by foot or vehicular traffic, and de-icing salt.

How to Help Your Trees Flourish

To specifically address these issues, we apply an organic tree stimulant that can boost growth and vigor by increasing plant development, activating the root system, and improving nutrient absorption. This saturates the soil and allows the root system to absorb the natural biostimulant, increasing the amount of usual nutrient uptake.

A healthy tree is more resistant to ward off pests and diseases. If you are concerned about or unsure of the health of your trees, please call Denise at (802) 464-3603 or contact us.

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We expect the Grinch to be returning shortly after Christmas again this year to chip Christmas trees. If you’d like to take advantage of this opportunity, drop your tree off between December 26th 2021 and January 9th 2022.

HERE ARE THE DETAILS:

• December 26, 2021 through January 9, 2022
• 136 Vermont Rte 100 North, Wilmington, VT 05363

Please Note: no garland, lights, decorations, or any other remnants of Christmas should be left of the tree when dropped off!

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The Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (HWA) is a small, aphid-like insect that feeds on the sap of hemlock trees. Native to Japan, it has become an invasive species in Eastern North America due to a lack of natural predators. As HWA feeds on the sap of trees it dries out the needles turning them a greyish-green color. The needles drop from the trees within a few months, leading to the death of major limbs within two years, progressing from the bottom of the tree upwards. The entire tree usually declines and dies within four to ten years.

No, that fluffy white stuff is not snow. It is actually a woolly substance that covers the insects and their egg masses.

Since the Hemlock Woolly Adelgid can cause significant damage in a short amount of time, early diagnosis and treatment is vital. We can perform an on-site assessment to determine the best course of action for your hemlock trees.

For more information, visit the VT Invasives website. https://vtinvasives.org/invasive/hemlock-woolly-adelgid

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As our team works in an essential business, performing highly skilled services that maintain the safety of the public, we are able to remain fully operational throughout this time. We are still taking calls, working in the field, managing emergency/urgent situations, and visiting your properties for consultations as needed.  We would be happy to arrange a Video Chat conference with you in place of in-person meetings.

We will let you know if anything changes, but for now, we are fully available to you during this time. Please call Denise with any questions, comments, or concerns at 802-464-3603.

Staying Strong Together,

The Black Diamond Team

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Our Conference Experience

Our son, Brendan, flew in from Los Angeles for the conference as well. He was just two months old when he attended his first TCIA event in 1998. Brendan still works in the business (now remotely) in various capacities. One of which is marketing and content creation, so to keep an eye on our Facebook page as you can expect to see a recap video coming soon!

After WMC 2018 in Maui, we committed to the process of becoming a TCIA Accredited company. “Accreditation is a third-party consumer confidence verification program…[that] helps consumers identify qualified tree care companies who conduct business in a safe, legal and ethical manner.”

Accreditation for Black Diamond

Becoming an Accredited tree care company aligns with Black Diamond’s core values of Safety, Excellence, and Integrity. We successfully completed the program in May of 2019. This year in Puerto Vallarta, we were recognized as one of several companies that have become Accredited in 2019. The Black Diamond team is proud to be one of only five companies in Vermont to achieve Accreditation.

Bill and Denise are excited to implement what they learned this year at WMC as Black Diamond continues to accomplish goals set for 2020. We look forward to building the culture of our company, enhancing your customer experience, to better serve our community.

The post Winter Management Conference Update appeared first on Black Diamond Tree Service.

1. Ethical Business Conduct
2. Formal employee Training and Certification
3. Adherence to Safety Standards
4. Customer Satisfaction

Now, these are not the only standards that the Tree Care Industry Association guarantees with their accreditation, but we think they are four that most directly relate to you and why this certification is important to clients. Black Diamond is one of only five tree care companies in the state of Vermont to have passed the rigorous review and received accreditation.

Ethical Business Conduct

It’s pretty logical that both clients and employees would love to know they are working with an ethical business. We believe every aspect of our conduct, from what happens in your trees, to the way we run business meetings, to the employees we hire, to the other businesses we choose to partner with should all be held to this highest standard. As a family business, we like to keep that level of closeness and care without losing the professionalism that we need to function ethically and efficiently.

Formal Employee Training and Certification

Would this be something you’d think to check, or simply assume all tree care businesses abide by? Unfortunately, not all tree care services are formally trained, certified, or qualified. We always take the time to advance our skills, train with respected members of the industry, and make sure we are at the top of our game when we are at the top of your trees. We invest in our team through these trainings and we think it pays off.

Adherence to Safety Standards

We always make sure our team members know that having the proper safety equipment and practices is the priority. In our industry, we are often working with high powered machinery and saws while limbs, trees, and woodchips are in motion. When a team is communicating effectively, working responsibly, and following safety protocols, it reduces the risk that can be associated with this industry. It’s more than just wearing the right gear, it’s about staying alert and taking care that limbs are directed to the ground with purpose and precision. That’s how we keep your homes, fences, and gardens safe while limbs and trees are removed.

Customer Satisfaction

This one is for you! From your very first phone call to Denise, to team members who arrive on your property, to the cleanup process when the job is done – we want you to be satisfied with every step. Having confidence that we care about your home and respect you as clients and as people is something we take very seriously. We hope you notice and feel cared for.

Celebrating TCIA Accreditation

Black Diamond Tree Service Earns Accreditation: Only Five in Vermont To summarize, this accreditation is one of the most exciting things we’ve had the honor to announce. We are so proud to wear this badge and take very seriously the need to continue providing a top level of care and professionalism. We look forward to working with you soon!

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As small business owners, they not only have to work in their business, but work on their business by always striving to improve service to their clients and more effectively empowering their team.  Their goal is to become more streamlined and efficient in operations and procedures. The speakers spoke of passion, servant leadership, consistency, goals, respect and mental toughness as being part of creating the best possible company.

The most valuable seminar for Denise was the Women in Arboriculture round table discussion.  It was so inspiring to connect with other professional women that embodied a quiet strength, humility and kindness.  These women are leading the way in this male dominated industry (who are some of the most respectful and helpful men Denise has met).  Denise networked with not only other women business owners but climbers and aspiring arborists. It was truly a very rich time for her.  

Another valuable and exciting seminar was the Accreditation seminar.  Bill and Denise have talked about becoming an Accredited company and decided that 2018 was the year.  They have begun the journey and are excited about how the Accreditation process will help Black Diamond exel.  As their colleague, Kevin Caldwell of Caldwell Tree Care stated, “Accreditation begins to validate that a company, not just an individual, has the capacity to perform arboriculture services as a whole, in a manner that follows all regulatory requirements across the board.”  

On a personal note, the Winter Management Conference was a trip of a lifetime for the Foery family.  Bill, Denise, Brendan and Ethan created wonderful memories.  Bill & Denise celebrated 20 years of marriage while in Hawaii; Brendan (who moved to Los Angeles last fall) flew over to meet them and Ethan’s dream of visiting Hawaii came true.  Maui is a magical place and they are very grateful they had to opportunity to experience it!

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EAB Workshop

Bill and Denise are currently attending seminars about a lethal pest.  They recently attended a workshop titled “Failing to Plan is Planning to Fail:  Be Prepared for Emerald Ash Borer.”  Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is a non-native beetle that has been killing ash trees in North America.  EAB feeds on all species of ash and none of Vermont’s native ash trees are resistant to the insect.  It takes 2-4 years for an infested tree to die.

EAB is expected to spread to Vermont.  With over 100 million ash trees in Vermont, the spread of EAB will have a significant impact.  No beetles have been found in the state yet but the infestations are within 50 miles of Vermont’s borders.  (The fact that none have been detected does not mean it is not already here.)  The closest known infestations are in central NH, the Massachusetts Berkshires and in New York’s Hudson Valley.  EAB has been spreading rapidly since it was first detected.  Any ash tree not treated will become a standing dead tree which is hazardous and expensive to remove.  

What can we do?  

The Black Diamond Team is actively working to bring awareness to our clients and local community in an effort to save some of the ash trees.

Is there any hope?

By treating your trees early, they can be saved.  Call us if you have ash trees on your property that you value.

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