6 Tips on How to Care for Oak Trees

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While not as common as red maples, oak trees are native throughout the entire United States. A type of hardwood, oaks (genus Quercus) are characterized by their fruit, known as an acorn, which they produce during spring for the purpose of reproducing.

Whether your landscape currently has oaks, or if you’re planning to add them in the near future, you’ll need to care for these trees to ensure they are healthy and protected from disease.

#1) Assess Drainage

All oak trees need water, but too much could harm or even kill them. Sudden oak death, for example, is a fungal disease that can kill an otherwise healthy oak tree in as little as two or three weeks. It generally occurs in overwatered oak trees that are saturated with excess moisture.

To protect your oak trees from this fungal disease, make sure the ground is properly graded so that rainwater will drain away from the trunks.

#2) Cover Roots With Soil

If you see any of an oak tree’s roots exposed, cover it with soil. Exposed roots, while seemingly harmless, can stress an oak tree.

An exposed root may become physically damaged, thereby restricting the amount of water and nutrients absorbed by the tree. Assuming the exposed root is just a few inches above ground, however, you should be able to cover it with fresh soil.

#3) Space 5 to 6 Feet Apart

Use caution not to grow multiple oak trees too closely together. A good rule of thumb is to space oak trees about 5 to 6 feet apart. With a minimum of 5 feet of clearance, your oaks will have adequate space to grow and thrive.

#4) Prune Branches

You can keep your oak trees looking clean and tidy by pruning the branches on a regular basis. At least once a year, use gardening shears to prune overgrowth branches or branches with visible signs of disease or discoloration.

#5) Fertilize Young Oak Trees

If you have young oak trees in your landscape – oaks less than 2 years of age – consider fertilizing them to stimulate growth. When mature, oak trees will absorb enough nutrients from the natural soil.

But during the first few years of an oak tree’s life, it may need a helping hand with some high-NPK fertilizer.

#6) Watch for Pests

Finally, keep an eye out for pests. Like most other hardwoods, oak trees are vulnerable to a variety of common pests, some of which include wood-boring beetles, termites and rodents. If you allow these pests to go unchecked, they could harm or even kill your oak trees.

The Woodsman Company offers tree planting, tree pruning and shrub trimming, tree removal and stump grinding as well as a tree wellness program.

If we can help with any of your tree care needs give us a call at 512-846-2535 or 512-940-0799 or

Request a Quote / Schedule an Appointment

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How to Stop a Tree From Dripping Sap

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It’s not uncommon for certain types of trees to drip sap. The hardwood maple, for example, is known for its sweet and savory sap, which is used to make syrup and sweeteners.

The softwood pine also produces sap, though it’s more bitter and not intended for human consumption.

Whether you have a maple, pine or any tree dripping sap on your lawn, though, you might be wondering how to stop it.

Prune the Tree

In some cases, you can stop a tree from dripping sap by pruning it. Using a pair of sharp gardening shears, cut off any small branches that are dripping sap.

It’s recommended that you prune trees during the spring or fall. When done during the summer or winter, pruning may stress the tree or even kill it.

So, wait until the spring or fall to prune any trees in your landscape that are dripping sap.

Apply a Pruning Sealant

Pruning alone won’t necessarily stop a tree from dripping sap. If you simply cut off a branch that’s dripping sap, the tree will likely continue to drip sap from the area where you cut it.

There’s an easy solution for this problem, however: pruning sealant. Available at most home improvement stores, pruning sealant is used to seal wounds on trees. It’s available in both spray aerosol cans as well as brush-applied liquid.

Using either type, you can seal the parts of the tree where you’ve pruned branches. Once the pruning sealant has dried, the tree won’t be able to drip sap from the areas where you pruned it.

Apply an Insecticide

It’s also a good idea to use an insecticide on any tree that’s dripping sap.

Why is this necessary?

Well, countless pests feast on the nutrient-rich sap. And if you allow these pests to go unchecked, they’ll bore deep holes into the tree, causing it to drip even more sap.

Neem oil is an excellent, safe and all-natural insecticide that works wonders on trees. Just spray a solution of diluted neem oil over the tree, at which point it will remain protected from most common pests.

Be Patient

Aside from pruning, sealing and using an insecticide, there’s not much else that you can do to stop a tree from dripping sap. Rather, you should remain patient while waiting for the tree to stop dripping.

Assuming you’ve pruned the dripping branch or branches – and you’ve applied a pruning sealant over the newly created wounds – it should stop dripping sap eventually.

In the meantime, consider removing any outdoor furniture or accessories underneath the tree so that they aren’t exposed to the sap.

The Woodsman Company offers tree planting, tree pruning and shrub trimming, tree removal and stump grinding as well as a tree wellness program.

If we can help with any of your tree care needs give us a call at 512-846-2535 or 512-940-0799 or

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How to Keep Grass From Creeping Into Flowerbeds

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Flowerbeds are an invaluable element of your home’s curb appeal. They inject new colors into the landscape while promoting a clean and cohesive design in the process. Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon for grass to encroach into this space.

If you don’t take the necessary precautions, you may discover grass emerging from the soil into your flowerbeds. Not only does this lower the aesthetic value of your flowerbeds; it can jeopardize the health of your flowers, as the new grass will consume moisture and nutrients from the soil that would otherwise be used by your flowers.

But you can prevent grass from creeping into your flowerbeds by following a few simple tips.

Create Space Between Flowerbeds and Lawn

You need an adequate amount of space between your flowerbeds and your lawn.

If a flowerbed is directly adjacent to a lawn – meaning there’s no barrier separating them – grass will easily creep the flowerbed, allowing it to grow unchecked. Therefore, you should construct some type of barrier between your flowerbeds and lawn.

There are several ways to create space between your flowerbeds and lawn, one of which is to install a perimeter of brick pavers.

Perhaps an even easier solution, however, is to install an edging fence. Edging fencing is shorter and thicker than conventional fencing, preventing the intrusion of grass into your flowerbeds.

Mow Lawn Regularly and Bag Clippings

Of course, mowing your lawn on a regular basis will reduce the risk of grass creeping into your flowerbeds. Don’t just mulch the grass clippings back onto your lawn, though.

For maximum protection against creeping grass, bad and dispose of the clippings. Mulching the clippings back onto your lawn will result in a larger concentration of grass seeds, some of which could land in your flowerbeds and contribute to new grass.

Use Landscape Fabric

One of the most effective ways to prevent grass from creeping into flowerbeds is to use landscape fabric.

What is landscape fabric exactly?

Available for sale at most gardening stores and centers, it’s a type of rolled-out synthetic material that prevents the growth of unwanted grass, weeds and other plants by blocking out the sunlight.

You lay the landscape fabric over the soil in a flowerbed, after which you can cut holes in select areas where you want your flowers to grow. All other areas of your flowerbed will be covered in the fabric, so they won’t receive sunlight.

The Woodsman Company offers tree planting, tree pruning and shrub trimming, tree removal and stump grinding as well as a tree wellness program.

If we can help with any of your tree care needs give us a call at 512-846-2535 or 512-940-0799 or

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Why Did My Lawn Turn Yellow After Fertilizing?

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Fertilizing is an excellent way to stimulate the growth of your lawn, thereby filling empty patches with lush-green grass.

Most landscaping professionals recommend fertilizing in early or mid-spring, immediately or shortly after the last cold snap.

By fertilizing your lawn, you’ll supplement it with beneficial compounds like nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, all of which are essential for grass.

Unfortunately, though, it’s not uncommon for lawns to turn yellow after being fertilized. Even if you’re not an avid green thumb, you’re probably aware that lawns should be green and not yellow.

When you discover your lawn turning yellow, it usually indicates a problem. So, why did your lawn turn yellow after fertilizing it?

Fertilizer Burn Explained

If your lawn has turned yellow after a recent application of fertilizer, it’s likely suffering from a condition known as fertilizer burn.

Not to be confused with leaf scorch, fertilizer burn is characterized by extreme dehydration due to the presence of excessive amounts of nitrogen salts.

As previously mentioned, most fertilizers contain three main ingredients: nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. The nitrogen salts in fertilizer, however, can cause grass to dry out by inhibiting the absorption of water.

When you over-fertilize your lawn, you’ll expose it to an excessive amount of nitrogen salts. As these nitrogen salts accumulate on your lawn, they’ll soak up moisture – from both the soil as well as the grass itself. The end result is your lawn turning yellow and, if not properly remedied, dying.

How to Prevent Fertilizer Burn

To protect your lawn from fertilizer burn, you must use an appropriate amount of fertilizer.

While fertilizer requirements vary depending on the type of grass, climate and other conditions, a good rule of thumb is to use between 1 and 5 pounds for every 1,000 square feet of grass.

Using more than 5 pounds per 1,000 square feet of grass will only leave your lawn susceptible to fertilizer burn.

Another tip to protect against fertilizer burn is to choose a time-released fertilizer. Also known as controlled-release fertilizer, time-released fertilizer lives up to its namesake by releasing nutrients gradually rather than all at once.

If you discover your lawn is already suffering from fertilizer burn, don’t panic.

Assuming your lawn just recently turned yellow, you can usually restore it back to its healthy green appearance by supplying it with fresh water.

Watering your lawn will wash away some of the excess nitrogen salts while also hydrating your lawn with additional H₂O.

The Woodsman Company offers tree planting, tree pruning and shrub trimming, tree removal and stump grinding as well as a tree wellness program.

If we can help with any of your tree care needs give us a call at 512-846-2535 or 512-940-0799 or

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6 Tips to Control Chickweed in Your Lawn

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Chickweed (Stellaria media) is a common weed found in Texas and the surrounding Southern states.

While native to Europe, chickweed has since been introduced into the United States where it’s become a nuisance for countless homeowners.

A type of annual – a plant that completes its life cycle in one year – chickweed typically doesn’t stay long.

Nonetheless, it can quickly take over your lawn if you aren’t careful. So, how can you control chickweed in your lawn?

#1) Mow and Bag Grass Clippings

Mowing your lawn regularly, as well as bagging the grass clippings, will discourage chickweed from growing. When you move your mow, you’ll remove all foliage at the respective blade height of your lawnmower, including chickweed.

#2) Don’t Aerate Your Lawn

If you’re struggling control chickweed, don’t aerate your lawn. Like other annuals, chickweed reproduces by spreading a dense layer of small seeds before dying in the fall or winter months.

The problem with aerating is that it buries these seeds deep into the soil where they’re able to germinate in the warmer months of spring.

#3) Pull Before Flowering

Shortly before it flowers – around mid- to late spring – pull chickweed from the soil. Chickweed has relatively shallow roots, allowing you to easily pull it out. If you’re dealing with a lot of chickweed, you can use a handheld weed puller tool instead.

#4) Use an Herbicide

You can use an herbicide to eliminate chickweed in your lawn. Of course, the problem with using an herbicide is that it will likely affect all plants and grasses on which it’s applied.

If you’re going to use an herbicide, test it in a small area of your lawn affected by chickweed first.

Assuming it doesn’t kill your “good” plants and grasses, you can proceed to use elsewhere on invasive chickweed.

#5) Wait It Out

Chickweed will eventually go away, so another option is to simply wait it out. You can expect most chickweed to die during the first cold snap after summer. As the temperature gets cooler, chickweed will turn brown and die.

#6) Chickens Can Kill Chickweed, Too

While not an option for all homeowners, chickens are highly effective at keeping chickweed in check. If you own chickens, consider guiding them to your chickweed to see if they’ll eat it. Not only will this clear out the pesky weed from your lawn; it will nourish your chickens with essential nutrients.

The Woodsman Company offers tree planting, tree pruning and shrub trimming, tree removal and stump grinding as well as a tree wellness program.

If we can help with any of your tree care needs give us a call at 512-846-2535 or 512-940-0799 or

Request a Quote / Schedule an Appointment

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