Tree Care Tips from Arbor Masters

Arbor Masters is with you even after we’ve left your property. Get expert tree care tips from our blog to keep up your trees' beauty and value.

Close-up on a branch of a magnolia tree with white scale insects and leaving some black waxy material
How to Spot and Treat Magnolia Scale in the Cedar Rapids Area
In Iowa, magnolia scale is one of the most common and damaging insect pests on ornamental magnolias. It’s also one of the most misidentified, as homeowners often mistake the sticky residue and black-coated leaves for sap or disease before realizing thousands of small insects are feeding on their tree. Without proper magnolia scale treatment, the…
A single spindle-shaped bagworm case covered in bits of leaf and twig hangs from a thin green branch surrounded by small deciduous leaves, with a blurred field and stone wall in the background.
Bagworms on Oaks and Elms — Why Your Deciduous Trees Are at Risk in Broken Arrow and Jenks
Bagworms don't just target evergreens. Learn why your oaks, elms, and maples in Broken Arrow and Jenks are at risk — and what happens if you ignore them.
A metallic emerald green adult emerald ash borer beetle resting on a pale gray tree branch.
Emerald Ash Borer in Dallas: What to Do Right Now If You Have an Ash Tree
Emerald ash borer is killing Dallas ash trees right now. If you have an ash on your property, what you do this spring determines whether it survives.
Gloved hands pouring blue granular fertilizer onto soil at the base of a young tree.
Tree Fertilization in Polk County, IA That Actually Works
Polk County’s alkaline clay soil locks out the nutrients your trees need. Find out how professional fertilization is different, and why the timing matters.
A mature tree with an extensive network of exposed roots spreading outward from the trunk at soil level.
Why Trees in Bettendorf and North Scott County Need Deep Root Fertilization
Bettendorf and North Scott County soils vary greatly, from glacial till ridges to river corridor. Learn why deep root fertilization must match your soil.
A close-up view of a pale green leaf covered with clusters of small, reddish-brown oval-shaped soft scale insects attached along the leaf veins.
How to Identify and Treat Soft Scale Insects on Oklahoma City Trees
Sticky residue on your tree or surfaces below? It could be soft scale insects. Learn how to spot the signs and when to treat in Oklahoma City.
A grove of mature pecan trees stands bare against a sunrise sky over an open grassy field.
Pecan Trees in Fort Worth: Problems, Care & What to Watch For
Protect your Fort Worth pecan tree. Learn how local conditions impact its health, what proper care looks like, and when expert help is needed.
A lush spring garden featuring tall arborvitae and juniper evergreens lining a stone path filled with blooming pink and red roses.
Bagworms in Wichita: How to Protect Your Evergreens
Bagworms in Wichita move fast, and the treatment window is narrow. Here's what the timing looks like in Sedgwick County and why it matters for your evergreens.
An aerial view shows a Dallas neighborhood filled with mature trees in the foreground, with the downtown skyline visible in the distance under a bright blue sky.
10 Most Common Trees in North Texas and What to Watch For
Different trees need different care, and getting it wrong can cost you. Learn to identify the 10 most common trees in North Texas and what to watch for.
A large tree leans heavily to one side, its thick trunk covered in lichen and rough bark, with a visible break at the top where a major limb has snapped off.
How to Identify Tree Stress in Dallas: Signs, Causes & What to Do
Tree stress in Dallas isn’t always obvious. Learn the signs, common causes, and what to do to keep your trees healthy and avoid bigger issues.
A dead oak tree with bare, twisted branches rises above dense green vegetation, showing the stark contrast of oak wilt mortality against healthy surrounding growth.
Oak Wilt in Dallas: How to Spot It, Prevent It, and Save Your Trees
Oak wilt is still spreading across Dallas. Learn how to recognize early signs, prevent infection, and take the right steps to protect your oaks.
Pink flowering trees surrounding an upscale home with a blooming spring landscape.
Oklahoma City Spring Tree Care: Essential Tips to Protect Your Trees
Oklahoma City’s spring doesn’t last long. Here’s what to do now to protect your trees before storms, pests, and heat start taking a toll later in the season.