Press Releases

Winter Threats to Trees, Shrubs, and Lawns  Protecting trees in winter requires understanding the unique challenges the season brings. Many trees and shrubs will be fine without any special action. But for young, newly planted, or exposed trees and shrubs, proactive care can help prevent moisture loss or root damage caused by freezing temperatures, wind, or snow.  This guide will help you protect your landscape in winter and ensure it thrives when spring finally arrives ...

Ambrosia beetle is a term used for a variety of wood-boring tree insects that target hardwood trees. Unlike most wood-boring insects, ambrosia beetles don’t eat the wood itself. Instead, they feed on a symbiotic fungus that they introduce into trees while tunneling. This fungus, often referred to as ambrosia beetle fungus, clogs the vascular system of its host tree as it grows and disrupts the flow of water and nutrients throughout the tree. Ambrosia ...

Boxwoods can be affected by a variety of insects and mites, with the boxwood psyllid (Psylla buxi), boxwood mite (Eurytetranychus buxi), and several scale insect species among the most common.  PSYLLIDS Psyllids are small sap-feeding insects that can harm shrubs like boxwoods by injecting toxins during feeding. This feeding weakens new growth, leading to leaf damage and reduced plant health. Without proactive management, psyllid infestations can cause long-term damage on affected boxwoods. MITES Mites are ...

Bacterial leaf scorch (BLS) is a chronic, insect-transmitted disease caused by the bacterium Xylella fastidiosa. This vascular disease affects a wide range of deciduous trees and shrubs, causing leaves to look burnt, a gradual decline in health, and a shortened lifespan. Once established, BLS cannot be cured. That’s why early detection and management are essential for protecting valuable trees on your landscape. Some tree species that are susceptible to BLS include oak (particularly pin ...

A newly planted tree faces its first winter with a lot to overcome. Freezing temperatures, strong winds, harsh sun, and dry air can all take a toll on a young root system that hasn’t fully developed. Without the right preparation, these stressors can lead to damage that impacts growth well into the following year. That’s why winter care isn’t just a seasonal task but an investment in your landscape’s long-term health ...

Bedford Hills, NY, October 20, 2025 – SavATree, a leading provider of professional tree, plant health care, and lawn care services, today announced the appointment of Ryan Berk as Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. Berk will also join the company’s Board of Directors. Berk brings over two decades of leadership experience in private equity-backed, multi-unit consumer service businesses across the health, wellness, fitness, and retail sectors. Most recently, he served as CEO and board member ...

In 1913, the beech was planted beside this historic Georgian Colonial 1720s mansion. This summer, SavATree had the honor of caring for one of America’s most historic trees—a magnificent copper beech nestled in the gardens of the Ropes Mansion in Salem, Massachusetts. Known to many as “Allison’s House” in the cult-favorite Halloween movie “Hocus Pocus,” the site helps draw nearly a million visitors a year to the area, most of whom unknowingly ...

The dotted paropsine leaf beetle (Paropsis atomaria or DPLB) has quietly become one of the most significant dangers to eucalyptus trees in recent years. Both adults and their larvae target the fresh, tender leaves of eucalypts. The damage is cumulative, and what begins as a thinning of foliage can, over successive seasons, escalate into significant canopy loss and even tree death.  These beetles are in the family Chrysomelidae which represent leaf feeding beetles. The adults ...

As organizations prepare property management budgets for the year ahead, thoughtful planning is essential to ensure landscapes remain safe, healthy, and visually appealing. SavATree partners with property managers, HOA boards, and facilities teams to make the budgeting process straightforward and effective. SavATree’s expert services support forward-looking planning by converting reactive maintenance into predictable, long-term investment. This helps to safeguard budgets, enhance property value, and ensure safe, well-maintained landscapes. How SavATree Helps You Plan and ...

Canker diseases are fungal or bacterial infections that cause localized dead areas on tree bark, branches, and trunks. These open wounds weaken trees, making them vulnerable to environmental stress. If left untreated, cankers can interrupt the tree’s ability to move nutrients from the leaves to the roots, leading to decline or death.  At SavATree, our ISA Certified Arborists specialize in diagnosing and treating tree diseases and cankers. We use science-backed strategies to manage infections ...

Pine trees are known for their resilience, but even the toughest evergreens can show signs of stress. When you start to notice your pine trees turning brown, it’s easy to assume the worst, but the truth is, browning can occur for a variety of reasons, not all of them serious. Understanding the difference between natural changes and early symptoms of decline is the first step toward protecting your trees and your landscape. Whether you ...

Bark beetles are destructive insects that tunnel beneath bark and can have a detrimental impact on the life and longevity of your trees.   What Are Bark Beetles and How Do They Spread? At SavATree, our ISA Certified Arborists are trained to identify infestations early and implement treatment strategies that help protect and preserve your landscape.  Bark beetles are tiny, wood-boring insects that burrow into bark to lay eggs. As larvae hatch and feed, they create ...

Welcome to your guide to hydrangea care. These magnificent shrubs bring long-lasting beauty to any landscape with their showy blooms and graceful forms. Whether you’re planting a new hydrangea or caring for one that’s been part of your landscape for years, here’s everything you need to know about these beautiful, valuable shrubs.  What Makes Hydrangeas Special?  One of the reasons people love hydrangeas is their long blooming season. Many cultivars start showing ...

Keep Your Trees Healthy and Resilient  Oak Wilt and Two-Lined Chestnut Borer (TLCB) are two of the most serious threats facing Minnesota oaks. Both can cause rapid decline and even tree death, but with proactive care, the worst-case scenarios are often preventable. Why Oak Protection Matters Oak wilt spreads rapidly through root systems and is deadly to both red oaks and white oaks (though white oaks often take longer to die). There is no effective ...

Boxwood leaf miners are small fly larvae that specifically target boxwood plants. These insects mine the inner tissue of the boxwood leaves, and although tiny, they create outsized damage.   It’s important for property owners to know the signs of boxwood leaf miner damage so they can protect their valued plants. Vigilance, early detection, and swift treatment are key to limiting damage and maintaining the health of your plants.   SavATree’s professional arborists offer custom ...

Needle cast is a fungal disease that affects a wide variety of evergreen trees. It’s often caused by several species of fungi, most commonly Rhizosphaera and Stigmina, which target the needles of conifers and gradually diminish tree health and appearance. If left unmanaged, needle cast can lead to progressive thinning, stress, and long-term decline in affected trees. This disease commonly affects species such as Colorado blue spruce, white fir, several types of pine, hemlock ...

Every tree has a story, and even when its life in the canopy ends, that story doesn’t have to be over. Across the country, cities are discovering the environmental and economic potential of urban wood reuse: the process of salvaging removed trees and transforming them into valuable products instead of sending them to landfills.  "Wood is one of the only major building materials in the U.S. that we still bury,” says Mike Galvin ...

Winter is one of the best times to prune trees, and not just in cold climates. Winter pruning sets the stage for healthier growth, stronger structure, and better performance in the seasons ahead. Why Dormant Trees Benefit from Pruning In regions with colder winters, deciduous trees go dormant, essentially pausing growth and conserving energy. During this period, dormant pruning offers multiple advantages: Better visibility: Without leaves in the way, arborists can clearly see the tree ...

Autumn is a season of transformation. Crisp air, golden afternoons, and trees turning brilliant shades of red, orange, and yellow. It’s part of what makes fall magical. But sometimes, your trees’ seasonal changes aren’t just about beauty. Your trees might be trying to tell you something, and the signs may point to stress, insects, or disease. Recognizing these signals early can make all the difference for your landscape’s health and longevity. Let ...

Autumn’s arrival signals a pivotal time for your landscape, an opportunity to bolster tree and shrub health, invigorate lawns, and get everything winter-ready. Yet depending on your region’s hardiness zone, the approach may differ. Whether you're in a Cool zone, embracing crisp early frosts, a Warm zone where autumn lingers, or a Hot zone where warmth prevails well into fall, we've created a streamlined, zone‑specific calendar to guide you. Fall ...