Carpenterworm (Prionoxystus robiniae) infestations can severely affect oak trees. They typically only attack trees that are already stressed, so good cultural management practices are the best way to avoid infestations. Carpenterworms can be identified by the abundant frass and tunnel entrances at the base of the tree.  Below are some pictures from a recent encounter with Carpenterworms on a client's heritage oak tree.

Join Merlin this fall at Santa Rosa Junior College for the Introduction to Arboriculture class! This class is ideal for anyone interested in becoming an ISA Certified Arborist or working in the landscaping industry to learn more about proper tree care. 

Classes meet Wednesday evenings at 6pm. See the SRJC catalog to learn more and enroll:

Course topics include: Principles of urban forestry, arboriculture careers, and tree care; including tree biology, tree identification, plant health care, soils, nutrition, planting, worker safety, climbing, pruning, tree risk assessment, tree care tools and equipment. This course provides the knowledge necessary to be successful in the tree care profession.  This course also prepares students for the International Society of Arboriculture's (ISA) Arborist Certification examination. 

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Merlin renested Great Horned Owl babies near a vineyard in Sonoma, CA. 
Link: ​https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLdpurNvvuo

Our website made it into the top 25 best arborist blogs! Check it out and see what other great arboricultural information is out there. So thankful to be included!!

https://blog.feedspot.com/arborist_blogs/

Merlin just renested five Great Horned Owl babies last week in Sonoma, CA. The Press Democrat newspaper came to one of the renest sites and featured us in an article! Check out the article online:
www.pressdemocrat.com/news/8315304-181/baby-great-horned-owl-that 

As trees continue to break bud and rains are finally arriving, the crew is working hard to wrap up fruit tree pruning season. It's been a busy couple months!

Merlin just returned home from a week at the ASCA (American Society of Consulting Arborists) Annual Conference on the Columbia River in Washington.  It was a great time learning about the latest science and management practices for trees with the greatest minds in the field of arboriculture.

One of the favorite speakers was Ed Gilman, whose presentation, "Tree Response to Storm Damage," highlighted how the trees respond and fare in storms.  He discussed how the architecture of a tree effects its likelihood of success and how pruning can help trees recover from fairly severe storm damage.
http://www.asca-consultants.org/mpage/AC2017home

We just released this young screech owl with the Bird Rescue Center.  It had been brought to the center for rehabilitation, but unfortunately while it was there, its home was burnt in the fires.  We found a new home for it once it was fully healthy and ready to return to the wild.  These tiny owls are only 7-10 inches tall and can be found in forested areas around Sonoma County.  Their coloration and mottled pattern makes them excellent at camouflage.

The marigolds in the cider orchard are in full bloom!  Marigolds can be used as an organic method of nematode control.  We planted several acres of bitter apples for cider this year, next to a beautiful, old Gravenstein orchard.