Seasonal Tree Care
The Homeowner’s Guide to Fall Tree Health Care in Northern Virginia
Fall has a way of making us notice our trees again. Maples flash red and orange, leaves scatter across the lawn, and that oak outside
Ash trees are important components of DC-area ecosystems, and they provide a wealth of benefits for residential, commercial, and municipal properties across the area. But unfortunately, our native ashes are under threat from an invasive pest, known as the emerald ash borer (EAB).
Having already killed millions of ashes across the mid-Atlantic region, these insects cannot be ignored. Fortunately, RTEC Treecare offers several different EAB treatments, which can help protect your ash trees and allow them to thrive.
There are a number of insect species that attack trees in Falls Church and the rest of the metropolitan DC area. However, most of our native tree pests cause only limited damage and usually focus their efforts on trees that are already stressed or declining. But EAB is different; it attacks even healthy ashes, and the damage it causes is typically fatal.
But modern EAB treatments can not only protect your trees from future attacks but even help trees recover if they’re treated early enough. That’s why it’s a good reason for anyone who owns or cares for an ash tree to contact the professionals at RTEC Treecare and get the protection your trees need.
Researchers have developed and tested a few different EAB treatments over the years, but different products and application approaches work best in different scenarios. Accordingly, we’ll always schedule an on-site evaluation and consultation first and then determine the treatment approach that’s most likely to work.
A few of the potential treatments we may recommend are discussed below.
In addition to the treatments outlined above, we may also recommend supplemental treatments to further support your ash trees and give them the best chance of a full recovery. The best supplemental treatments are determined on a case-by-case basis but may include one or more of the following.
Pruning borer-infested limbs can be a helpful supportive measure for trees undergoing limited EAB attacks. Pruning can also help promote better overall tree health, improving the chances of the tree surviving.
Applying a layer of organic mulch over a tree’s root zone will help retain soil moisture, contribute organic matter to the soil, and improve the overall soil structure, making it a good option for trees stressed from EAB attacks.
Vertical mulching involves the creation of channels through the soil column and then filling them with organic mulch. This can be helpful when the soil is especially compacted and nutrient uptake limited.
To ensure that your tree is able to absorb the nutrients it needs to remain healthy and vigorous, our arborists may conduct a soil test to identify any deficiencies or pH problems.
After testing your soil, it may be advisable to amend it with a variety of additives, including organic material or fertilizers. This can help promote better overall health and give your trees a better chance of enduring EAB attacks.
Our biostimulant multi-vitamin applications include a powerful combination of beneficial sugars, bacteria, humic acid, sea kelp extract, and fungi that help support complete tree health.
Early action is vital for protecting ash trees, as they can effectively become untreatable in less than three years following the initial infestation. This, combined with the fact that symptoms of EAB infestation don’t always appear quickly, means that you’ll want to be on the lookout for any of the following signs:
Getting started is easy; you can set up a consultation via phone, email, or our online booking form linked below.
One of our ISA-certified arborists or environmental technicians will take the time to listen carefully to each question or concern.
Our crew will arrive at the scheduled time and carry out the work in a professional, safe, and respectful manner.
We’ll always share some recommendations for the ongoing support and care of your plants and trees.
Every client we serve and every ash tree we treat is an individual, which is why we always develop a tailored plan for every project. However, we’ve developed a fairly consistent process that serves as a starting point for every job we start.
It’s easy to start getting emerald ash borer treatments in the metro DC area: Simply reach out to the RTEC Treecare team via phone or email, or use our online booking form. One of our customer care representatives will help you start the process and schedule an onsite or virtual consultation.
One of our EAB specialists will evaluate your tree, answer any questions you may have, and then present a comprehensive plan for protecting your tree from these invasive insects. Additionally, you’ll be provided with an itemized estimate, detailing all the anticipated costs.
At the scheduled time, one of our technicians will arrive at your location and begin carrying out the steps outlined in the proposal. Once finished, we’ll be sure to clean the entire area and leave your property in pristine condition before taking the time to review the work with you.
We’ll never just treat your trees and leave; we care about the long-term health of your trees and property, so your RTEC Treecare representative will be sure to share some of the important follow-up steps you’ll want to have completed over the coming weeks, months, and years.
There are a number of tree-care companies operating in the Falls Church area, but it’s important to partner with a team of true arboricultural experts when faced with a problem as serious as EAB. We’ve found that the following help to distinguish RTEC Treecare from the competition and give our clients peace of mind.
RTEC Treecare is proud to have been the first company to earn accreditation from the Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA), and our staff includes several arborists who’ve been certified by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA).
No matter what kind of service we provide for our clients, from simple pruning to complex removals to EAB treatments, we always focus on safety. If we can’t complete a job safely, we won’t even start the work in the first place.
We use a variety of tools, tactics, and strategies to protect our clients’ properties while providing tree-care services. We’ll always clean up any mess we create and leave your property looking as beautiful as it did when we arrived.
From simple hand pruners to multi-ton cranes to advanced tree assessment tools, we ensure that our crews are equipped with the tools and gear needed to carry out the kind of award-winning tree care our clients expect.
RTEC Treecare has been providing professional arboricultural services across the metropolitan DC area for more than 30 years. This means we not only understand the trees in our region, but also the local environmental conditions they face.
Unlike some other tree-care companies that can be difficult to reach or leave you in the dark about the progress of your project, we return calls and emails promptly and always keep you informed every step of the way.
We maintain all of the licenses required of tree-care professionals in Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, DC, as well as comprehensive insurance coverage, so that you can be confident you’re protected if an accident occurs.
Trees don’t exist in a vacuum. They’re shaped by everything around them — from the soil beneath their roots to the insects visiting their fruit and flowers. That interconnected reality is exactly why choosing an environmentally responsible tree-care team matters.
That same perspective guides our work. We provide eco-friendly solutions that support long-term tree health while protecting the surrounding landscape. From organic biostimulant applications and soil-nurturing mulch to health-focused pruning techniques, our work is designed to strengthen trees naturally and responsibly.
We’re proud to serve a wide variety of clients, including homeowners, HOAs, commercial property managers, government agencies, and more. You can visit our Who We Serve page for a comprehensive list of clients we serve, or contact us directly to find out if we can provide the EAB treatment services you need.
Our service area includes most towns, cities, and unincorporated areas of the DC metropolitan area. You can see some of the specific communities we serve below, or visit our Areas Served page to learn more.
Still have questions about emerald ash borers and the treatment strategies available? We’ve rounded up a few of the most common questions our clients have and answered them below.
Fall has a way of making us notice our trees again. Maples flash red and orange, leaves scatter across the lawn, and that oak outside
Verticillium wilt can begin with a fungus that’s been waiting beneath your lawn for years — possibly since before you owned the property. It can
When a tree starts looking unhealthy, most people look up. They check the leaves for discoloration, scan the branches for dieback, or inspect the trunk
Feel free to leave your contact information on our online form. A consultation is always free, and it’s the first step towards finding a solution for your trees!
