The Crain Company LLC

06/06/2022

Some interesting tree nerd knowledge.

01/17/2022

Another reason to keep your leaf litter. 🍁 🍂

If you are interested Doug Tallamy’s book, use this link to support us: https://amzn.to/3GFavlk

04/25/2021

I can help with this. Healthy happy trees are very important.

09/10/2020

Natives are so very important.

08/18/2020

They need certified arborists and a tree care plan to insure good tree health. Most of the time there are underlying causes for trees that fall over In storms.

The first step toward a healthier urban forest in Chicago is an Urban Forestry Advisory Board.

06/01/2020

We have examined a lot of conifers this spring with dead or declining foliage. Most have no signs or symptoms of plant disease, insect damage or mite damage on needles. So why the dieback? Could be drought or freeze injury; have you considered root health? On Friday, we had a very rare sample, an intact Hinoki cypress with the root ball. The foliage was mostly dead, but no cause of the problem on the foliage. I washed out the root ball and I found a nearly completely dead root system. It was negative for Phytophthora root rot. Where does that leave us? Consider: soil type, poor drainage, overwatering, planting depth and after planting care; all things that could cause root death. When you received a plant problem report that says we didn't find anything on the foliage, there will often be a suggestion, "assess root health". If you will take the time to inspect the root system, you may find the real issue. Don't forget the roots!

04/21/2020

🌲 🌳 🌲 🌳

03/20/2020

It’s the first day of Spring!! Are you seeing any buds on the trees?

Image credit: Wilder Child

02/24/2020

🌳 tree health is our speciality

Old trees with their massive limbs speak to us in unpredictable ways.

12/10/2019

I find praying mantis egg casings on white pines and spruces very commonly. They are very beneficial insects that eat aphids, leaf hoppers, mosquitos, and even beetles. If found on your indoor Christmas 🎄 tree. Please trim the branch and place outside.

11/07/2019

Many of our landscape evergreens are struggling and dying. Rather than a single plaque, a variety of factors are combining to wreak havoc lately on this valuable class of plants.

10/23/2019

Healthy soil is 🔑 for a healthy tree.

Scientists have discovered that soil microbes can make plants more resistant to an aggressive disease—opening new possibilities for sustainable food production.

09/30/2019

It's no secret that organic farmers believe in compost, but just what role compost plays in soil's ability to store carbon - and keep it out of the atmosphere, where it contributes to climate change - has been less clear.

08/26/2019

05/25/2019

Pine pollen is a potent superfood that if added to your daily routine can add tremendous balance to your hormone panel. So let's go ahead and jump in... We tend not to think of pollen, the plant powder that comes from male flowers and flower parts, as good for health. In fact, most of us proba