Big Trees Inc. Saves an Oak Tree for an Elementary School

SNOHOMISH, WA: Big Trees Inc., (http://bigtreesupply.com/), a tree sales and transplant company in the Seattle area, was contacted by an elementary school to help save a large oak tree that was in the way of a school renovation project.

Big Trees first evaluated the access to the tree and gave estimates of what all would be involved in handling the oak. The tree is 24 feet tall, 15 to 18 feet wide and was planted in the playground area of the school property.

It was decided that the Big John 90-inch tree spade truck would be the best method for handling the tree. The tree needed to be taken off site and stored at Big Trees’ nursery, since there was no room for the tree on the construction site during renovations. The extraction went well and the tree was tied down “piggyback” style onto the truck mounted spade. Once secured, the tree was driven back to Big Trees’ nursery and put into a storage area that kept the tree stable until the school was ready for it to go back onto their property.

Big Trees received the call that the elementary school was ready for the oak tree to go back to the property roughly one year later, Access was made for the Big John 90-inch tree spade truck to back the tree into its new planting location. The spade truck retrieved the tree from its temporary home in the nursery and delivered it back into the city where it was successfully replanted into its new location.

“The Big John 90-inch tree spade truck doesn’t fit for every tree transplanting process, but when the pieces all come together, it’s an incredible machine to watch!” said Todd Holmes, Big Trees’ Operation Manager.

Nancy Penrose is the owner of Big Trees Inc., located in Snohomish, WA in the Seattle area. The company is one of the largest tree nurseries in the Seattle area with over 120,000 trees available in over 300 varieties. They not only deliver young trees, but also mature trees in a wide range of sizes. Some types of trees available include spring flowering, deciduous, evergreen, and privacy trees. The company also does tree transplanting including large trees. More information can be found at http://www.bigtreesupply.com/blog/ or http://snohomishbigtrees.com/. Big Trees can be reached at 360-563-2700.

BigTreeSupply.com: The European Gypsy Moth

By Nancy Penrose

One of the most destructive tree pests in the State of Washington is the European gypsy moth. In its caterpillar form, it has destroyed millions of acres of foliage around the country.

The moth was brought to the United States in the 1860’s near Boston, Massachusetts to cross-breed with silk worms and escaped into the environment. It is now permanently established in 20 Eastern and Midwestern states.

Gypsy moth eggs are usually laid on tree trunks and branches. Egg clusters can contain up to 1000 or more eggs. The larvae (caterpillars) appear in the spring. Mature larvae are two to three inches long and have five pair of blue spots and six pair of red spots on their back. Adult male gypsy moths are a mottled brown and adult female moths are white.

The moth was first discovered in Washington in 1974. Since then, the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) has been aggressively eradicating gypsy moths with aerial applications of Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki (Btk), a natural soil bacteria. Treatments typically begin in April or May when the caterpillars start feeding on trees and shrubs.

Each year the WSDA conducts trapping programs to locate gypsy moth occurrences. Approximately 20,000 traps are set up around the state and checked from June through September. The traps are made of cardboard and placed on private and public property. Inside the trap is a string coated with synthetic pheromone, as substance females emit to attract males during mating. The inside of the trap is also coated with a sticky substance that catches insects.

Here’s how you can help prevent the gypsy moth from becoming permanently established in the State of Washington:

• Let the WSDA place traps on your property
• If a moth infestation is found in your area, allow the WSDA to administer treatments.

You can read more about the WSDA’s treatment program at agr.wa.gov/gypsymoth. Our big tree specialists can also answer your questions about tree pests and how to protect your foliage and big trees.

Nancy Penrose is owner of Big Trees Inc. (http://www.bigtreesupply.com), (tree nursery Snohomish, WA), one of the largest Seattle tree nurserys, specializing in large trees for sale and transplanting tree service. Learn more about tree preservation at http://bigtreesupply.com/tree-care-maintenance/ and for more tips on tree care or installation go to arboristblog.com. See our video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6vVhNW1XJI and connect with us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Big-Trees-Inc/193731105108.