Rick's Certified Arborists

Rick's Certified Arborists Insect and Disease Management For Trees & Shrubs

Early spring is a great time to take a closer look at your trees before new growth begins. 🌱Moisture levels, bark textur...
03/31/2026

Early spring is a great time to take a closer look at your trees before new growth begins. 🌱

Moisture levels, bark texture, buds, and last year’s growth patterns all help tell the story of how a tree is entering the new season. These quiet weeks offer a clear view of the bark and branches, which makes assessments easier than later in the year. A quick check now helps catch small issues before they turn into larger problems.

If you would like a spring tree health evaluation for your property, send us a message today!

03/24/2026

Borers and sapsuckers cause very different types of damage, but the symptoms can look similar at first glance.

Borers create tunnels inside the tree and leave behind sawdust-like material. Sapsuckers leave rows of small, evenly spaced holes on the bark as they feed on sap. One is an insect problem, and the other is bird activity, so the treatment approach is completely different. Understanding which one you are seeing helps determine the right next step for the tree.

If you're noticing holes on your trees and are not sure what caused them, send us a photo or video, and we can help identify the issue.

03/23/2026

Francis recently had a Southern Magnolia planted on his Audubon property and shared a few thoughts about the process. From choosing the right tree to making sure it was planted correctly, his feedback highlights why attention to detail matters. These are the kinds of projects we at Rick's Certified Arborists enjoy most.

Before spring growth begins, we take a close look at fruit trees to evaluate their overall health. 🍎A spring checkup inc...
03/17/2026

Before spring growth begins, we take a close look at fruit trees to evaluate their overall health. 🍎

A spring checkup includes inspecting buds, looking for old lesions, checking airflow through the canopy, and assessing how last year’s growth performed. These early observations help guide pruning, treatment timing, and long-term care. An inspection can set the stage for a much healthier growing season.

Do you have fruit trees or an orchard at home that you want to protect? Send us a message to schedule a spring evaluation.

The timing of spring fungal sprays has a major impact on how well they protect your trees 🌱 Applications usually begin j...
03/10/2026

The timing of spring fungal sprays has a major impact on how well they protect your trees 🌱 Applications usually begin just as buds begin to swell, long before leaves fully expand. This early timing helps shield new growth from spores that overwintered on branches. The exact window depends on the tree species, last year’s disease pressure, and how quickly temperatures warm.

Our ISA-Certified Arborists plan spray schedules around local weather patterns to make sure treatments land at the right moment.

If your trees struggled with fungal issues last year, reach out, and we can recommend the right timing for your property.

Mulching is one of the easiest ways to support tree health, as long as it is done correctly 🌿 A good mulch ring should b...
03/03/2026

Mulching is one of the easiest ways to support tree health, as long as it is done correctly 🌿 A good mulch ring should be wide, a few inches deep, and pulled back from the trunk to prevent moisture issues. Avoid “volcano mulching”, which can suffocate roots and weaken the tree over time.

If you want reassurance that your trees are mulched properly, our ISA-Certified Arborists can take a look.

Send us a photo or video, and we can help you assess it!

Hemlock Woolly Adelgid is active through the colder months, which makes winter a good time to look closely at your Hemlo...
02/17/2026

Hemlock Woolly Adelgid is active through the colder months, which makes winter a good time to look closely at your Hemlocks. The small white woolly clusters along the underside of needles are one of the clearest indicators of activity. Heavy infestations can weaken trees long before warm weather arrives, so early awareness matters.

If you are unsure what you are seeing on your Hemlock needles, send us a photo, and we can help assess it.

Spotting pests early is one of the biggest advantages you can give your trees as spring approaches. 🔍Catching scale, aph...
02/12/2026

Spotting pests early is one of the biggest advantages you can give your trees as spring approaches. 🔍

Catching scale, aphids, mites, or crawlers while populations are still small prevents the heavy feeding damage that shows up later in the season. Early detection also allows treatments to work more effectively before pests mature.

Our ISA-Certified Arborists focus on timing because early intervention sets the tone for an entire growing year. If you want help assessing early-season pest activity, send us a message!

Fungal issues often become noticeable in summer, but the most effective time to manage them is late winter and early spr...
02/05/2026

Fungal issues often become noticeable in summer, but the most effective time to manage them is late winter and early spring 🍃 Before leaves emerge, treatments can reach the areas where fungal spores overwinter. This timing helps protect new growth as it develops rather than reacting after damage appears. Preventative care is especially important for trees that struggled with fungal problems last year.

Our ISA-Certified Arborists focus on timing and conditions, so fungal issues are addressed long before they become visible.

If your trees had fungal problems last season, contact us to schedule preventative care.

Even in cold weather, several pests stay active on Pennsylvania trees ❄️🐛Scale insects overwinter on branches, mites sta...
02/03/2026

Even in cold weather, several pests stay active on Pennsylvania trees ❄️🐛

Scale insects overwinter on branches, mites stay active during warm spells, aphid eggs wait for early-season hatch, and Hemlock Woolly Adelgid continues feeding through winter.

We are curious which of these you notice most on your property this time of year. Comment below with the winter pest you see most, and our ISA-Certified Arborists can help you identify anything unusual.

Winter is the time our ISA-Certified Arborists evaluate fruit trees that are more likely to develop summer fungal issues...
01/29/2026

Winter is the time our ISA-Certified Arborists evaluate fruit trees that are more likely to develop summer fungal issues.

While symptoms often show up in mid-summer, winter inspections give us critical insight into a tree’s overall vigor and last season’s health. We closely examine bud formation, old canker sites, previous leaf scars, and the structure of Apples, Pears, and Stone Fruit varieties.

This early information allows us to plan targeted preventative spring treatments and sprays, which can significantly reduce fungal pressure before the growing season begins.

If you have fruit trees on your property, contact us to schedule a winter inspection and get ahead of summer disease issues.

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Media, PA
19063

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Tuesday 8am - 6pm
Wednesday 8am - 6pm
Thursday 8am - 6pm
Friday 8am - 6pm
Saturday 8am - 6pm

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