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British Columbia sure gets its fair share of forest fires during the hot and dry season, burning down acres of trees throughout the province. But if you think they are the sole destructive force toward trees, then you obviously don’t know the bark beetle. These destructive pests wipe out countless trees every year, wreaking havoc in forests, cedar tree farms, backyards, and the environment. Read on to find out how to handle a bark beetle problem.

What are bark beetles?

No larger than a grain of rice, bark beetles are 3-8 mm in length. But don’t let their small size fool you. Even the largest, tallest tree in the forests is no match for a colony of bark beetles. Once these little rascals make their way into your trees or cedar tree farm, they’ll burrow, excavate galleries, reproduce, and feed until your trees are dead.

With over 600 species in Canada and the United States alone, folks on both sides of the border have their hands full trying to stop bark beetle infestations. But with warmer climate trends, these resilient pests are surviving winters, resulting in increased outbreaks and more tree damage.

What are the signs of a bark beetle infestation?

Tough to spot, these elusive insects spend most of their lifecycle embedded in the bark of your trees. And because you may never actually see a bark beetle, you’ll have to keep your eyes open for clues to an infestation. Here are some of the signs to watch out for:

• Reddish-brown needles
• Flaking and/or small holes in the bark
• Sawdust
• Brick-coloured pitch tubes (a sap-like substance) on tree trunks or branches

How can I prevent bark beetle infestations?

When it comes to keeping bark beetles at bay, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.  Keep your cedars properly pruned, fertilized, and watered, especially during the dry season.

Unfortunately, once you’ve noticed signs of a bark beetle infestation, there’s little chance of saving your tree. If bark beetles have recently made their way into your cedars, however, you might have a shot at containing the infestation. Begin by removing branches, bark, or other areas of the tree where bark beetles are present and burn all the debris to prevent pests from escaping.

If it’s too late to save your tree, have it removed as soon as possible. The last thing you want is to have bark beetles spreading to other trees on your property.  

A bark beetle outbreak is serious business, killing trees and ruining the eco-system. Taking some preventative steps now will help make your cedars less tempting to these troublesome pests later.   

For more advice on how to keep your cedars beetle-free, contact Fraser Valley Cedars today.

Nothing boosts a property’s curb appeal like lush and lovely cedars. But if they are not properly cared for, those aesthetically pleasing trees can turn into an eyesore real fast. Are your cedar trees in Seattle getting the TLC they deserve?

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So, you bought some beautiful cedar trees and now you can’t wait to get home and start enjoying all the many benefits—shade, privacy, and increased property values. The only problem is that you are not sure how to plant them. Well, fortunately, you’ve come to the right place. When it comes to everything cedar, we’ve got you covered.
Cedar planting is not difficult as long as you remember to follow these handy steps.

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When it comes to curbside appeal and privacy for your property, nothing quite compares to cedar hedging. This vibrant, thick foliage will not only add beauty and colour to your landscape year-round, but it’s also easy to maintain. To ensure your hedges look their best, here are some tips on how to care for cedar hedging in Canada from the pros at a cedar tree farm in BC.

Learn how to Choose a Location for Your Cedar Hedging?

Looking forward to enjoying your cedar hedges now and well into the future? Then you’ll need to find the best possible location for them to flourish. Cedars need the sun to grow properly, so avoid areas where your hedges will be in full shade. Also, choose a location that is relatively level, so the water doesn’t drain away from them.

Learn the How To Care for Cedar Hedges  in Canada!

It’s also important to keep cedars away from walkways, driveways, or anywhere else salt might be used to control icy conditions—salt can damage or even kill cedars.

Planting Cedar Hedging

When you are planting your cedar hedges, place them at least 18 to 20 inches apart from each other. This will allow for good air circulation, as well as help to prevent pest and disease problems down the road. Also, make sure the holes you dig are deep enough to cover the roots of your hedges. After you’ve finished planting your cedars, tightly pack soil around the bases of the shrubs.

Cedar Hedge Care Canada Fertilizer Preference

Cedars prefer moist, nutrient-rich soil to thrive. For thick, green growth, fertilize your cedar hedges three times during the growing season, using a water-soluble fertilizer that is high in nitrogen. Fertilizing your cedars in late fall with a slow-release nitrogen fertilizer will also help promote new growth in the spring.

Watering Cedar Hedging

One of the of the most important things you can do for your shrubs is to water them properly. If the weather is hot or dry, you should water your cedar hedges at least once a week, for over an hour or so. To prevent browning, keep the soil moist (but not soaked), especially when it is dry to the touch.

Pruning Cedar Hedging and Cedar Bush Trimming

The answer to beautiful, healthy cedar hedges is proper pruning. You won’t need to prune your hedges in the first year, but as they mature, you can begin trimming your cedars during the early spring, continuing throughout the summer. Prune your shrubs, using the smallest cedar as a height guide. Also, trim hedges back on both sides for shape, and remove any dead branches from the bases of the shrubs.

Whether you want to provide privacy for your yard, increase property value, or block out traffic sights and sounds, cedar hedging is a naturally beautiful addition to any home. With these handy tips and a little effort, you can enjoy your hedges for generations to come. To discuss your cedar hedging options, contact Fraser Valley Cedars today!

Did you know that a simple DIY home improvement task can change the quality of your life?  Perhaps it will enhance your senses, calm your mind, or complete a nagging job on your to-do list that you have not had a chance to complete.

Exterior yard improvement

Are the neighbours starting to question what the heck is going on in your yard with all the extra equipment or small vehicles that you own?  Maybe you are hearing about increased thefts in your area and you have been wondering about secure options to store your outdoor equipment and vehicles in a more secure environment. Mobile storage units are an effective way to improve the look of your yard by storing away light recreational vehicles , gardening equipment, or children’s toys.  By simply renting a mobile storage container for seasonal use or if you are looking for a secure permanent option then consider buying a used shipping container to secure your valuables on a permanent basis.

Peace of mind through curb appeal

A real estate agent in Abbotsford, Kristy Dusdal, offered a valuable simple DIY home improvement idea that adds curb appeal quickly. DIY landscaping efforts can quickly improve the look and feel of your property.  Hanging basket, planting flowers, or a simple DIY landscaping project with cedar hedge fencing can hide a broken fence or provide needed privacy from a neighbour.  Cedar hedging can effectively change your current view from something unpleasing to a serene ambiance and beautiful view to look at. Trees, shrubs, and flower basins provide a polished and appealing look to your property that all who come to visit can enjoy.

Preventative tasks can leave your feeling like your property is well cared for

The simple DIY task of clearing out your gutters and maintaining proper water flow away from your house will reduce the risks of water damage in your home and unsafe pooling of water around your foundation and roof. Repairing gutters on your roof will help to eliminate blocked waterways that can cause damage to your roof with pooling water in areas of your roof that are not meant to hold pools of water. This simple task will help to improve the health of your roof, improve your roof’s longevity and hopefully provide your with piece of mind protecting your property the best you can.

Repairing gutters allow water to move away from the foundation of your home and deter flooding in your basement or your homes foundation’s support. Leading water away from your home will help to reduce future water damage problems in your home. If you find cracked shingles on your roof while you are cleaning out your gutter, contact Landmark Roofing to learn more about the health of your roof.

View some simple cedar hedging ideas below that can really improve the appeal of your home.

A dead cedar can be caused by many things, one of which is root rot. Armillaria root rot has been found in many cedar trees and hedges. “Fans of white fungal mycelium can be found under the bark at the base of dead trees and in the roots. Black “strings” called rhizomorphs spread the fungus from one tree to another along the hedge.” There is no “cure” for Armillaria, and one by one your hedge can and will die if preventative measures are not taken. Once you spot this fungus you should immediately remove the diseased trees. This will help save the rest of the hedge and potentially save you money. Call us and we’ll help you with your root rotting problems! We’ll remove all the diseased ones and plant fresh, healthy cedars in their place!

As any dog owner knows, your garden and green spaces can take a lot of damage when you introduce your pet into the environment. Digging, chewing, running and going to the bathroom can do a number on your yard. You may notice your grass brown, yellows and dies from dogs urinating on it. The same problem can happen with your cedars. When your pooch lifts its leg on your trees, time after time, you will probably start to notice yellow, brown and black patches of dead branches.

Your dogs can also get in the pesky habit of chewing your branches. Urinating and excessive chewing can seriously damage your trees so keep a watchful eye on their health. Take preventative measures to keep your dog away from the trees. Dusting the base with hot pepper spice or setting up a mesh fence along the bottom can help deter your dog from causing trouble!

Unfortunately, there is a chance that your cedars may attract mice and other rodents, not unlike any other plants you have in your garden.

Rodents like to look for dry, covered places, things to chew and also things to eat, so your garden and trees can be attractive options for rodents to set up camp. If you haven’t seen the little fuzzy critters in person, a good thing to do would be to check your trees. If your trees have signs of chewing on them, then you might be in trouble. You’ll find the most chewing at the bottom of the tree near the base, but bark can be stripped off higher uptake in the branches as well. This can be a problem for your cedars as it can cause your branches to die and in worst case scenarios may kill your tree entirely. If you suspect you may have a rodent problem check your garden. Keep your outside spaces clean and don’t hang or scatter bird feed in or near your trees. Take the necessary steps to get rid of your problem, without damaging your trees or garden further.

You planted your cedars and for years they grew beautifully and kept your yard looking green, but all of a sudden they are beginning to die off and you don’t know why. If it’s not the weather, watering or fertilizer what else could it be? Bugs! Those pesky little creepy, crawlies can do more damage to your trees than you make think. Here are few that you should watch out for:

• *Cypress Tip Moth: Larvae tunnel into leaf scales on one and 2 year-old twigs in the spring. Leaves become yellow, then brown in late winter. White, spun cocoons can be found on leaf scales in early June. Western Red Cedar is not affected.
• *Mites: Overall yellowing or browning of foliage in summer may be due to desiccating winds and drought stress or to mites. A few mites are not usually a problem, but in hot, dry weather they can build up to damaging levels. A magnifying glass may be needed to see them. Apply a specific miticide for control.
• *Juniper Scale: Juniper scales attack juniper, arborvitae, cedar and cypress. Cones, twigs and needles are attacked. Heavy infestations deplete plant sap resulting in grey or yellow foliage, reduced growth over time and possible death of young trees. Black sooty mold often develops on honeydew. Scales are round to oval, white and 1.5 mm long. Direct controls against the newly-hatched crawlers in mid-June.
• *Root Weevil: Adult weevil feeding can girdle young twigs and turn foliage brown, similar to flagging. The weevils feed at night so are not usually seen. Notching of the stem will be evident below the flagged portion of the branch. Damage can occur from March to July. If there is a lot of damage, a sticky band around the trunk will prevent adult feeding. Larvae may feed on roots but do not generally damage trees once past the seedling stage.

*information from gov.bc.ca