Hi!
Welcome to our blog. We’re excited to share expert knowledge and resources on tree
care in Southcentral Alaska.
What You Can Expect From Us
Our goal is to provide quality and reliable arboriculture information that’s
Alaska-specific. Because we know while there’s so much information out there, a lot of it
doesn’t incorporate the uniqueness of Alaska and this place we call home.
Some of the topics you can expect moving forward:
- Choosing the right tree to plant in Alaska
- Red Flags for Tree Selection
- Structural Pruning
- Mulching Dos and Don’ts
- Tree and shrub species-specific information, including identification and common
- pests
- Alaska Fruit Tree care
- Creating sanctuaries and planting to support Alaska’s pollinators and fauna
- Colorado blue spruce problems in Alaska’s climate
- and many more!
New posts will be available on the second and fourth Fridays of each month.
We’ll provide information that’s a combination of our experience and reputable research
(which will be cited). We’ll also provide access to cool and fun resources when possible.
What You Can Do Now
We know summer seems far away and it might not feel like caring for your trees is
possible, but with the heavy snowfall this winter, protecting your trees and shrubs is not
only important but necessary.
Here are some things to keep in mind:
- Snow loads are heavy! Gently tap snow off your trees and shrubs’ limbs to prevent snapping. Not only will your trees thank you, but it’ll help keep spring cleaning costs down.
- Be careful where you plow. Just like we don’t recommend burying trees in mulch, don’t bury your trees in snow! They need to come to life in the spring. Heavy snow loads can cause soil compaction, stealing oxygen from the root system and/or delaying growth in spring.
- Keep ice melt away from your trees. Excess salt in the soil causes dehydration to trees the same way it does to us. If deicing is necessary, swap out sodium chloride for calcium magnesium acetate or calcium chloride.
If you have questions or suspect damage has already been done, we’re here to help!
Call us at (907) 345-TREE (8733) or (907) 376-TREE.
About the Author
Hi there! My name is Emily Rowe. I’m a third-generation, International Society of Arboriculture Certified Arborist (PN-9814A). Born and raised in Southcentral Alaska, proper tree care in this community is my passion. I manage the Plant Health Care division of Gage Tree Service, following my time as a technician while I was in college. I studied biology with an emphasis in plant and soil science. Outside of work, you can find me learning new hobbies (the latest is knitting), attending events, and spending time with my husband, family, and friends.
I’m so grateful you’re here!
