Understand the problems

Consultation and Diagnosis

Consultations offer the property owner a better understanding of the issues that may be influencing the health of their trees in Great Falls and the surrounding area. Identifying your trees and shrubs allow us to predict insects and diseases that may affect their health, helping us recommend an Integrated Pest Management Program (IPM) that is correct for you. Early detection of a pathogen and insects is one of the easiest ways to reduce the chance of a tree succumbing to a disease or pest. It also allows us to address any poor cultural practices that could be detrimental to the trees. We offer our services in Fairfield, Choteau, Fort Benton, Conrad, Shelby, and the Sun River Valley.

Early detection and preventative plant health care are two key components of any plant health program.

Protect your foliage

Insect & Disease Management

Insect and disease applications can keep insect populations reduced and minimize and or protect your trees and shrubs from diseases. Every area in the country, including Great Falls, has specific insects and diseases that affect the particular types of trees common in North Central Montana. Foliar sprays, systemic micro-injections, and horticultural oil applications are used depending on the insect or pathogen. We can also suggest cultural practices that might lessen your need to use these applications.

Keep your trees healthy

Tree Nutrition/Fertilzation

Great Falls, Montana is famous for its forest of urban trees as well as its diversity of soil types. In a majority of situations, trees may be growing in soils that do not contain sufficient amounts of needed elements. These elements are required for growth and development. A property owner can increase growth and reduce a tree’s susceptibility to diseases and pests by having their trees fertilized. Young trees, especially those that are in the two to three-year range, benefit tremendously from applications. Nitro Green applies fertilizer in a variety of methods. A majority of trees are fertilized with a deep root application. The fertilizer is injected into the soil around the drip edge. The injections are a few inches beneath the sod, where a majority of the feeder roots are located. We also have microinjection applications that are inserted into the base of the tree. Finally, we have foliar applications that are applied directly to the canopy; this application is great for trees that seem to become chlorotic as the season progresses.
Deep root fertilization promotes tree health by improving the soil around the tree base by reducing soil compaction and providing key soil aeration. Soil aeration enhances a tree’s ability to absorb oxygen, water, healthy bacterial organisms, and other essential nutrients within the root system, which allows for greater root function and overall tree health. This specialized fertilization stabilizes the tree’s root system and makes the surrounding soil around it healthier for root nutrition and expansion.

The vast areas of concrete and grass immediately surrounding our trees in our urban environments will hinder their ability to regularly absorb water, oxygen, and other nutrients, often compromising tree health. In more natural areas, the decomposed leaves and organic materials of nearby brush and other plants would normally feed a tree. However, in our developed areas, we must supplement the tree’s nutrient system through deep root fertilization since concrete areas limit a tree’s root system development, and grass near the trees will utilize the same nutrients, oxygen, and water needed by the trees.

Deep root fertilization gives trees the opportunity to not only survive but also flourish in our urban environment. Even some of the smaller towns surrounding Great Falls have “urban” trees. We offer our services in Fairfield, Choteau, Fort Benton, Conrad, Shelby, and the Sun River Valley.

Add value to your trees

Corrective Pruning

Proper pruning is essential in developing a tree with a strong structure and desirable form. Trees that receive the appropriate pruning measures while they are young will require little corrective pruning when they mature. It will improve fruit production, redirect growth, increase vigor and help to repair existing damage, and decrease the chance of limb/tree failure in the future. Proper pruning adds value to your trees, while neglectful or inappropriate pruning lessens the value and can lead to premature death and overall decline. Another thing to keep in mind when pruning trees in North Central is that the ideal season to prune may differ depending upon the individual type of tree.

Effective pest management

Integrated Pest Management Program

What is IPM? Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is an effective and environmentally sensitive approach to pest management that relies on a combination of common-sense practices. IPM programs use current, comprehensive information on the life cycles of pests and their interaction with the environment. This information, in combination with available pest control methods, is used to manage pest damage by the most economical means, and with the least possible hazard to people, property, and the environment.

The program is a proactive approach to plant health care. A technician will visit your property five times during the growing season to evaluate and treat your trees if treatment is required. Services may vary from landscape to landscape; but most consist of dormant oil applications in the spring or fall, spray applications for insects and diseases, foliar fertilizer during summer, and a fall deep root fertilizer. A number of these applications can be organic if the property owner requests them. We offer our services in Fairfield, Choteau, Fort Benton, Conrad, Shelby, and the Sun River Valley.