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.

The post Plant Health Care appeared first on Black Diamond Tree Service.

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.

The post Are the trees in your yard healthy & thriving? appeared first on Black Diamond Tree Service.

Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is an invasive pest from Asia that has killed tens of millions of ash trees throughout the United States since it was first discovered in Michigan in 2002. EAB was first detected in Vermont in 2018 and has been spreading through the state ever since. Through a combination of natural spread and human activity, EAB is now found throughout the United States and Canada.

Signs & Symptoms

• Adult beetles emerge in late May/early June
• Bark splitting 
• S-shaped tunnels beneath the outer bark
• D-shaped exit holes 1/8″ wide on bark surface
• Woodpecker flecking
• Crown dieback
• Leafy offshoots on the lower trunk

Life Cycle

Solution

Despite the challenges presented by EAB there are steps you can take to protect your ash trees. Black Diamond uses the most advanced products on the market to provide treatment options that are safe for you and the environment. The sooner a tree is treated, the more likely it will survive. Preventative treatment before the tree has visible signs and symptoms is most effective.

You may be unsure if your ash trees are healthy. If so, contact Denise to schedule an appointment to perform an on-site assessment.

Call (802) 464-3603 or contact us.

For continued up to date information visit VT Invasives.

This is a map of the infested area. View this map in more detail here.

The post What is Emerald Ash Borer? appeared first on Black Diamond Tree Service.

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

The post The Threat of Hemlock Woolly Adelgid appeared first on Black Diamond Tree Service.

Tis the Season of Free Christmas Tree Chipping

While we are still enjoying the magic of the season, we know all things will eventually come to an end. When it’s time to remove the garland and lights, we’ll be ready to take that Christmas tree off your hands!

Since 1994 Black Diamond has offered this as a service to our community. From December 26-January 10 all you have to do is drop off your bare tree to Route 100 at River Bend Farm Market – Wilmington, VT.

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

No Grinches Here

We promise, we have tons of jolly cheer in our hearts this season, we just happen to be ready to chip that tree when the time is right!

The post O Christmas Tree, Get Chipped for Free appeared first on Black Diamond Tree Service.

The post Beauty of Vermont: Enhancing Your Home appeared first on Black Diamond Tree Service.

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.

Our team of top-notch tree care professionals deserves a little bit of extra attention this month. As November is a season for giving thanks, we want to share what a difference each of these people make in our lives, our client’s lives, and our business. Plus, let’s have a little fun and get to know them a bit better.

The Founder of Black Diamond Tree Service

Bill grew up in Wilmington, VT and spent his early years climbing trees and building tree houses, complete with electricity. He got into rock climbing in Colorado in the 90’s and quickly became a master in any environment of great height. In 1991 a snowstorm, which was declared a national disaster, hit Rochester, NY (Bill’s place of birth) and he began clearing the damage with his cousin Gary in the aftermath. Three years later he moved back to Wilmington to start BDTS with a vision to bring a professional tree service to the town he grew up in.

Next to the safety of his team, excellence is Bill’s first priority — the unspoken motto he instills in his team by example is that there is always something to be done and it is to be done at its very best. Bill is the co-owner, founder, and lead climber of Black Diamond Tree Service and has expanded into a variety of special and unique roles. (Who would have expected that we once rescued a lost drone from a tree?)

The Sales, Customer Service, and Operations Team

Denise and Hannah have worked together in the business for almost 2 decades. With their attention to detail and love for doing a wide variety of tasks, you may see them in the field or in the office. Hannah’s passion is plant health care and Denise enjoys maintaining strong relationships with clients that ensure they have confidence in our work and team. Denise is a Certified Treecare Safety Professional.

Residential Tree Care Crew

Jason and Aaron are the ultimate dynamic duo and have an unmatched synergy after 5 years working together. They both bring unique skills to the table that allow them to work well together, keep each other safe, and accomplish every task efficiently. They embody our core values of safety, integrity, excellence, efficiency and consistently exceed expectations.

Thank You to the Team

We can never say thank you often enough to the people who have invested in this team and company. Black Diamond Tree Service could only be as good as the people on the ground and we are honored to have the best of the best. Bill, thank you for guiding us with your strength, dedication, and high level of excellence. You allow people to strive to be their best in such a positive way. Denise and Hannah, thank you for holding every inch of this place together with your organization and hearts of gold. Jason and Aaron, you continue to amaze us every day as you become a stronger team with each job you accomplish.

One last thank you goes out to the clients, the community, and the partners who continue to allow us to make this region a healthier place. Our passion is to care for the trees that Vermont is known for, allowing natural beauty to thrive. Thank you for choosing us to keep your homes safe, your trees healthy, and your views more beautiful than ever. We owe it all to you.

The post Black Diamond Tree Service: Meet the Team appeared first on Black Diamond Tree Service.

Not all trees and regions change color at the same time, but if the leaves on a specific tree are changing color and falling long before others around it, there could be an issue. We’ll be able to inspect for potential damage, insect infestation, diseases, or other warning signs.

Why it Matters

“Premature color change can be an indication that a tree isn’t vigorous enough to withstand insects and disease organisms that may attack it, not to mention the usual changes that occur when the weather turns cold,” says Tchukki Andersen, BCMA, CTSP* and staff arborist with the Tree Care Industry Association. “Occasionally, only one or two limbs of the tree will show premature fall color. This could be a sign of a disease at work, though only the infected limbs are weakened.”

The more common situation is for the entire tree to exhibit premature fall coloration, a phenomenon usually linked to root-related stress. “Trees respond to these stresses by trying to curtail their above-ground growth,” adds Andersen.

Leaves Know Best

Leaves can be thought of as small factories containing raw materials, products and by-products, all in chemical form and some with color. As the leaf is “abandoned” by the tree, the green chlorophyll – the dominant chemical found in most leaves – is broken down and “recycled,” leaving behind other-colored chemicals. Supply lines to the leaves also become clogged, affecting which chemicals are left in the leaf: If the major chemical remaining in the abandoned leaf is red, the leaf turns red; if it’s yellow, the leaf turns yellow, and so on.

“The yearly variation in color intensity is due to fluctuating weather conditions, which can affect the balance of chemicals and their composition in the leaves,” Andersen says. Differing amounts of rainfall, sunlight, temperature, humidity and other factors may have an effect on how bright and how long the “leaf-peeping” season will be in any given year.

What to do

Take a look at the entire tree. See if there are visible signs of damage to the roots, trunk and/or branches. Just because colors are coming early, that doesn’t mean your tree is doomed or it needs to be removed.

As professional arborists, we can assess your tree and landscape and work with you to determine the best course of action, if necessary. We may also recommend treatments, including planting new trees, correcting soil deficiencies, increasing water and nutrients, monitoring for pests or providing pest management.

Give Us a Call

As with anything dealing with the trees on your property, never hesitate to give us a call. It’s easy to view trees as long-lasting, strong, indestructible plants and while in many cases that’s true, they are also vulnerable to a variety of changing conditions. It’s important to monitor trees, limbs, and leaves to be sure your property is always healthy, safe, and beautiful.

The post Early Fall Color Could be a Sign of Tree Distress 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!

The post Black Diamond Tree Service Earns Accreditation: Only Five in Vermont appeared first on Black Diamond Tree Service.