Talking Trees with Davey Tree

Eric Countryman from Davey's East Pittsburgh office discusses best practices for winterizing your landscape to help ensure it will thrive in spring and summer.

In this episode we cover:  

• How have drought conditions impacted trees on the East Coast? (:52) (1:38)
• How to winterize maple trees (2:34) (4:11)
• What material does Eric use to winterize trees? (4:54) 
• How to prepare evergreens for the winter (5:48) (6:42)
• How to water trees and plants during the winter (8:34)
• Winter tree prep tips (9:11)
• What should you do with your perennial gardens during the winter? (10:20)
• Can you plant trees during the winter? (13:05)
• Top planting mistakes people make (14:58) (16:37)
• Is it too late to fertilize your trees? (17:19)

To find your local Davey office, check out our find a local office page to search by zip code.

To learn more winter landscape prep tips, read our blogs, Tree Care Checklist: How to Keep Trees Healthy This Winter and 5 Smart Steps for a Winter-Ready Landscape.

Check out a past Talking Trees episode about winter landscape prep here, Why It's Important to Prepare Your Trees and Gardens for Winter and Should You be Watering in the Winter?

Connect with Davey Tree on social media:
Twitter: @DaveyTree
Facebook: @DaveyTree
Instagram: @daveytree
YouTube: The Davey Tree Expert Company
LinkedIn: The Davey Tree Expert Company 

Connect with Doug Oster at www.dougoster.com. 

Have topics you'd like us to cover on the podcast? Email us at [email protected]. We want to hear from you!

Click here to send Talking Trees Fan Mail!

Dan Joy, executive vice president and assistant to the president, gives a tour of Davey's Science, Employee Education and Development (SEED) Campus that will open in 2025. Dan takes us through the campus and shares information about each area, emphasizing how it will strengthen safety, training and research in the green industry. You can watch this podcast in video form to see the property come to life. Watch the YouTube video, Tour Davey's SEED Campus with Dan Joy. 

In this episode we cover:  

• An inside-scoop into the SEED planning process (2:27) (12:21)
• SEED training facilities (3:10)
• Grove of white oaks and canopy walk (6:24)
• Estimated SEED campus completion date (7:20)
• East research area (7:41)
• SEED golf course (8:51)
• Non-energized utility lines (9:40)
• Using real-world training scenarios to advance safety (11:02) 
• Davey bog (11:54)
• Tree research plantation (13:56)
• Gold LEED certification (14:59)
• Dan's feelings about the campus nearing completion (16:26) (16:56)

To find your local Davey office, check out our find a local office page to search by zip code.

Watch this tour on Davey's YouTube channel, Tour Davey's SEED Campus with Dan Joy. 

To learn more about the SEED Campus, visit our webpage, Davey.com/SEED.

Check out our past Talking Trees SEED Campus episodes here, Progress at Davey's SEED Campus and Sustainability on Davey’s SEED Campus.

Connect with Davey Tree on social media:
Twitter: @DaveyTree
Facebook: @DaveyTree
Instagram: @daveytree
YouTube: The Davey Tree Expert Company
LinkedIn: The Davey Tree Expert Company 

Connect with Doug Oster at www.dougoster.com. 

Have topics you'd like us to cover on the podcast? Email us at [email protected]. We want to hear from you!

Click here to send Talking Trees Fan Mail!

Dennis Zerwas Jr., Commercial Landscape Services (CLS) advertising and promotions manager from Mickman Brothers, a Davey company, shares the inside scoop on the company's holiday wreath-making process and how you can buy your own! 
 
In this episode we cover:  

• How did Mickman's Brothers begin making wreaths? (:43)
• Is right now a busy time for wreath-making? (1:57)
• How big are the wreaths? (3:55)
• What are some characteristics of each wreath? (5:06)
• What is Dennis' favorite wreath? (6:50) 
• How are the wreaths made? (7:27)
• How long do wreaths last? (9:07)
• Mickman holiday centerpieces and living trees (11:21)
• What is the ordering process like? (14:22) (17:27)
• How many wreaths are Mickman Brothers producing in a season? (15:52)
• How does Dennis feel about spreading holiday cheer? (16:42)

To find your local Davey office, check out our find a local office page to search by zip code.

To purchase Mickman wreaths, centerpieces, living trees and more, visit HolidayWreathShop.com. 

For more information on corporate gifting, visit the Mickman Brother's Corporate Gifting Program website.

Connect with Davey Tree on social media:
Twitter: @DaveyTree
Facebook: @DaveyTree
Instagram: @daveytree
YouTube: The Davey Tree Expert Company
LinkedIn: The Davey Tree Expert Company 

Connect with Doug Oster at www.dougoster.com. 

Have topics you'd like us to cover on the podcast? Email us at [email protected]. We want to hear from you!

Click here to send Talking Trees Fan Mail!

In this episode, Lou Meyer from Davey's mid-Atlantic region shares information about black walnut trees, including if black walnuts are edible and what specific plants you can grow under these trees.
 
In this episode we cover:  

• What are black walnut trees? (1:18)
• What is black walnut dye? (2:45)
• Do people eat black walnuts? (4:09) (6:10)
• How big do black walnut trees get? (7:25)
• Do black walnut trees have pests? (8:04)
• Are there any treatments for thousand cankers disease? (9:25)
• Can you plant something under a black walnut tree? (9:51)
• What can you grow under a black walnut tree? (14:33)
• Have educational institutions and extension agencies accepted this idea? (15:24)

To find your local Davey office, check out our find a local office page to search by zip code.

To hear more of Lou's expertise on Talking Trees, listen to his other podcast appearances, Managing Nature - Storms, Fluctuating Temperatures and Pests and How You Can Successfully Grow Trees in Containers.

Connect with Davey Tree on social media:
Twitter: @DaveyTree
Facebook: @DaveyTree
Instagram: @daveytree
YouTube: The Davey Tree Expert Company
LinkedIn: The Davey Tree Expert Company 

Connect with Doug Oster at www.dougoster.com. 

Have topics you'd like us to cover on the podcast? Email us at [email protected]. We want to hear from you!

Click here to send Talking Trees Fan Mail!

In this episode, Natascha Batchelor from Hartney Greymont, a Davey company, in Cape Cod, shares advice on what homeowners should do with their leaves when they begin to fall on their landscapes.   
 
In this episode we cover:  

• What should you do with leaves on your landscape? (1:30) (2:49) (15:24)
• What do leaves become when they are broken down? (4:03)
• What leaves are easy and difficult to deal with? (6:20)
• What leaves should you get rid of on your property? (6:54)
• Natascha's favorite trees for fall color (8:12)
• How Natascha educates clients about issues facing their landscapes (9:45)
• What is a resistograph? (11:00)
• How Natascha got into this field (12:40)
• How Natascha builds relationships with clients (12:58)
• Natascha's opinion on planting memorial trees (14:12)

To find your local Davey office, check out our find a local office page to search by zip code.

To learn more about how you can manage fallen leaves on your property, read our blogs, The Best Way To Clean Up Leaves (Even In A Large Yard), Managing Fallen Leaves In Your Yard and Compost Shredded, Dry Leaves To Get These Leaf Compost Benefits

Connect with Davey Tree on social media:
Twitter: @DaveyTree
Facebook: @DaveyTree
Instagram: @daveytree
YouTube: The Davey Tree Expert Company
LinkedIn: The Davey Tree Expert Company 

Connect with Doug Oster at www.dougoster.com. 

Have topics you'd like us to cover on the podcast? Email us at [email protected]. We want to hear from you!

Click here to send Talking Trees Fan Mail!

In this episode, Mike Cassidy from Davey's West Columbus office talks all about deer damage and how we can try to safely protect our trees. 

In this episode we cover:  

• Why are we seeing more deer? (1:06)
• Plants that deer might not eat (2:12)
• What size trees do deer typically rub on? (4:20)
• What can you do to protect trees? (4:56)
• Most eaten plants? (7:46)
• Motion sprinklers (9:32)
• Sonic deer repeller (9:58)
• Clients' frustration (11:40)
• Fishing line (14:00)
• How Mike became an arborist (14:38)

To find your local Davey office, check out our find a local office page to search by zip code.

To learn more about protecting your landscape from deer, watch our YouTube video, How To Protect Trees from Deer and Wildlife, or read our blogs, Keep Deer from Rubbing Antlers on Trees and Fix Damaged Trees and How to Protect & Repair Trees from Animals: Deer, Rabbits, Squirrels.

To learn more about trees deer may avoid, read our blog, Best Fast Growing, Deer Resistant Trees.

Connect with Davey Tree on social media:
Twitter: @DaveyTree
Facebook: @DaveyTree
Instagram: @daveytree
YouTube: The Davey Tree Expert Company
LinkedIn: The Davey Tree Expert Company 

Connect with Doug Oster at www.dougoster.com. 

Have topics you'd like us to cover on the podcast? Email us at [email protected]. We want to hear from you!

Click here to send Talking Trees Fan Mail!

In this episode, Madison Law, sales and service coordinator from Davey's South Houston office, discusses how fall fertilization and planting can help cultivate and preserve your landscape throughout the year.

In this episode we cover:  

• Why do you need to fertilize your trees? (:48)
• What is the best fertilization method for trees? (1:33) (2:10)
• When is Madison's favorite time of the year to fertilize, and how often should you fertilize your trees? (3:00)
• What fertilizers do Madison use in her job? (5:01)
• Fall planting season (5:48)
• Planting trees too deep (6:23) 
• How to identify an above-grade area to plant your trees in (7:25)
• How to properly plant container trees (8:16)
• What should healthy soil look like before planting your trees? (9:18)
• Proper mulching and composting practices (12:08)
• How can you improve soil quality before planting trees? (13:22)
• How to prevent planting the wrong trees in the wrong places (14:35) (15:44)
• What size tree should you buy before planting? (17:14)
• Are trees supposed to be staked? (18:30) (19:27)
• What trees should not be planted in the Houston area? (20:13)
• Madison's favorite part of her job (21:29)

To find your local Davey office, check out our find a local office page to search by zip code.

To learn more general and fall tree planting tips, read our blogs, When Is It Too Late to Plant a Tree in Fall? and Tree Planting Guide: 3 Methods of Planting Trees.

Connect with Davey Tree on social media:
Twitter: @DaveyTree
Facebook: @DaveyTree
Instagram: @daveytree
YouTube: The Davey Tree Expert Company
LinkedIn: The Davey Tree Expert Company 

Connect with Doug Oster at www.dougoster.com. 

Have topics you'd like us to cover on the podcast? Email us at [email protected]. We want to hear from you!

Click here to send Talking Trees Fan Mail!

In part two of this two-part episode, Zane Raudenbush, turf and herbicide specialist within the Davey Institute, shares fall lawn care tips to help homeowners maintain and prep their yards for cooler weather. 

In this episode we cover:  

• Why is it important for homeowners to take care of their lawns in the fall? (:33)
• What can homeowners first do to take care of their lawns for the fall? (1:59)
• Do homeowners use a different fertilizer in the fall? (2:58)
• Is pH important for grass? (4:57) 
• How long does it take for pH to change? (7:43)
• Reseeding and seeding lawns in the fall (8:46)
• How do you know if you have high quality seeds? (10:48) (11:38)
• What prep work should homeowners do before seeding? (13:36)
• How can you plan seed watering with weather patterns and other factors? (18:56)
• Zane's opinion on aerating (19:53)

To find your local Davey office, check out our find a local office page to search by zip code.

To learn more about fertilizing, overseeding and aeration best practices, read our blogs, Should I Fertilize My Lawn In The Fall? Yes! Here’s Why And How, and Lawn Aeration and Overseeding Aftercare.

Connect with Davey Tree on social media:
Twitter: @DaveyTree
Facebook: @DaveyTree
Instagram: @daveytree
YouTube: The Davey Tree Expert Company
LinkedIn: The Davey Tree Expert Company 

Connect with Doug Oster at www.dougoster.com. 

Have topics you'd like us to cover on the podcast? Email us at [email protected]. We want to hear from you!

Click here to send Talking Trees Fan Mail!

In part one of this two-part episode, Zane Raudenbush, turf and herbicide specialist within the Davey Institute, discusses the five common mistakes homeowners may be making with their lawns and what they can do instead.

In this episode we cover:  

• Overview of common lawn mistakes (:58)
• How summer weather has impacted lawns (1:59)
• Improper mowing techniques (2:23)
• Frequency of cutting a lawn (5:04)
• Best safety practices with lawn tools (7:26)
• Mechanical damage from ride-on lawn mowers (8:33)
• Overuse of in-ground sprinkler systems (11:18) (14:07)
• Importance of examining soil (14:51) (16:52)
• Importance of recognizing the different areas of your lawn (17:52)

To find your local Davey office, check out our find a local office page to search by zip code.

To learn more about lawn care maintenance tips, read our blog, Seasonal Guide to Lawn Care.

To learn more about soil maintenance practices, read our blog, How to Fix Oversaturated Soil. 

Connect with Davey Tree on social media:
Twitter: @DaveyTree
Facebook: @DaveyTree
Instagram: @daveytree
YouTube: The Davey Tree Expert Company
LinkedIn: The Davey Tree Expert Company 

Connect with Doug Oster at www.dougoster.com. 

Have topics you'd like us to cover on the podcast? Email us at [email protected]. We want to hear from you!

Click here to send Talking Trees Fan Mail!

Joe Berg, district manager of Davey's East Bay office, discusses the differences between two of California's most recognized species, the Sequoia and the Redwood trees. Berg also touches on how the East Bay Davey office has worked with both species.   

In this episode we cover:  

• Sequoias vs Redwoods (:40)
• How can you tell the difference between Sequoias and Redwoods? (1:48)
• Do both trees grow very tall? (2:44) (14:42)
• Would you plant either tree as a landscape tree? (3:24)
• Are people respectful of the size of both trees? (4:16)
• What to do if a Redwood is growing into another property (5:23) (6:31)
• How Davey's East Bay office works on both trees (7:30)
• Sequoia fungal disease (9:25)
• How much fertilizer is used for each tree? (10:55)
• How droughts affect each tree (12:10)
• How do droughts affect the arboricultural industry? (13:12)
• Understanding the fascination with Redwoods (15:33)
• How Joe got to his current role (16:19)
• What does Joe get out of this job? (17:49)

To find your local Davey office, check out our find a local office page to search by zip code.

To learn more about caring for redwoods, read our blog, How to Tell if a Redwood Tree is Dying (And If You Can Save It).

To learn more about tree property disputes, read our blog, Can My Neighbor Force Me to Cut Down or Trim My Trees?, or watch our YouTube video, Who Owns This Tree?

Connect with Davey Tree on social media:
Twitter: @DaveyTree
Facebook: @DaveyTree
Instagram: @daveytree
YouTube: The Davey Tree Expert Company
LinkedIn: The Davey Tree Expert Company 

Connect with Doug Oster at www.dougoster.com. 

Have topics you'd like us to cover on the podcast? Email us at [email protected]. We want to hear from you!

Click here to send Talking Trees Fan Mail!