Arborist USA

Arborist USA Professional tree doctors specializing in diagnosis, pruning, plant healthcare, and safe removals. ISA certified Arborist - Henry Friar

ISA Certified Arborists serving North Texas with science-based care to protect and extend the life of your trees. Arborist USA is a leader in the tree disease and treating sick trees in Fort worth. We are also a leader in tree removal, tree trimming and total tree health and tree care. We offer homestead and commercial tree services. Your tree will be in good hand will arborist USA.

02/10/2026

How to Keep Southern Magnolias Healthy in Fort Worth, Texas | Soil, Mulch, Freeze & Herbicide Care

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Hello Community, I’m Henry Friar, ISA Certified Arborist with Arborist USA.

In this video, I’m walking through best practices for keeping Southern Magnolias (Magnolia grandiflora) healthy in Fort Worth, Texas, based on real-world observations, ISA principles, and what we’ve seen succeed in North Texas landscapes.

Southern magnolias are tough trees, but they are very sensitive to soil conditions, root exposure, freeze stress, and chemical inputs. When these factors are managed correctly, magnolias can recover well—even after severe environmental events like the 2021 freeze.

1. Exposed Root Systems and Sun Stress

Magnolias do not tolerate exposed root systems, especially when those roots are subjected to direct western sun. Prolonged sunlight exposure causes root desiccation, which interferes with gas exchange and respiration in the root zone. Once respiration is impaired, nutrient and water uptake decline.

This issue can be corrected by applying 2–3 inches of organic mulch, keeping mulch at least 12 inches away from the root flare. Mulch moderates soil temperature, retains moisture, and protects surface roots without creating decay conditions at the trunk.

2. Freeze Recovery Without Forcing Growth

In this video, I explain how these magnolias were dramatically impacted by the 2021 freeze, yet recovered well without aggressive fertilization. The only inputs used were dried molasses and NutriRoot 2-2-3, which support soil biology and root function without pushing excessive top growth.

Avoiding high nitrogen is critical. Forcing flush growth too early or too aggressively increases stress, weakens structure, and makes the tree more vulnerable to disease and pests. Supporting the soil first allows the tree to rebuild energy reserves naturally.






02/09/2026

Freeze Damage to Agave Plants in Fort Worth, Texas | What Cold Temperatures Really Do & Proper Recovery

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Hello Community, I’m Henry Friar, ISA Certified Arborist with Arborist USA.

In this video, I’m explaining freeze damage on agave plants (Agave spp.) in Fort Worth, Texas, and why prolonged low temperatures can cause serious internal injury to these landscape plants—even though agaves are considered drought- and heat-tolerant.

Agave plants are succulent monocots that store large amounts of water in their leaves. When temperatures drop into the low teens or single digits, the water inside those cells freezes and expands, rupturing cell walls. This results in:
• Collapsed or wrinkled leaf tissue
• Browning or blackened leaf tips and margins
• Translucent, water-soaked areas that later dry out
• Damage progressing inward toward the crown and apical meristem (growing point)

In North Texas, freeze events are often sudden and prolonged, giving agaves little time to acclimate. Gravity also causes ice and meltwater to collect in the center of the rosette, increasing damage to the most critical tissue.

Even though the foliage looks severe, immediate pruning is not recommended. Freeze-damaged leaves still protect the crown from sunscald, dehydration, and secondary infection. Removing them too early can expose the apical meristem and increase the likelihood of plant failure.

At this stage, there is no chemical cure for freeze injury in agave. The only responsible recommendation is supportive care:
• Low-rate micronutrient support (such as a balanced 2-2-2 formulation)
• Avoiding high nitrogen, which forces weak growth
• Keeping water out of the crown
• Allowing time for the plant to declare recovery or failure

If the apical meristem survives, the agave may slowly regenerate new growth from the center. If the meristem was killed by freezing temperatures, the plant will eventually decline regardless of treatment.








02/06/2026

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Hello Community, I’m Henry Friar, ISA Certified Arborist with Arborist USA.

I want to encourage homeowners across DFW to start inspecting your live oaks, especially the foliage.

If you’re seeing veinal necrosis—that browning or tan discoloration that follows the leaf veins—that is not normal stress and should never be ignored. This is one of the early visual indicators associated with Oak Wilt.

Oak Wilt is a devastating vascular disease that attacks the tree’s water-conducting system. Once it becomes established, it blocks water movement, leading to rapid canopy decline and, in many cases, complete tree loss. In live oaks, the disease is especially dangerous because it can spread underground through root grafts, moving silently from tree to tree.

That’s why early detection matters.

What to look for:
• Vein-related browning on leaves
• Sudden leaf drop
• Thinning canopy
• Sections of the tree declining faster than others

If you notice these symptoms, don’t guess and don’t wait.

The best practice is to have your oaks inspected at least once a year by a TOWQ-certified, ISA Certified Arborist. Texas Oak Wilt Qualified arborists are specifically trained to identify, manage, and help prevent the spread of this disease using science-based protocols supported by Texas A&M Forest Service, ISA, and TCIA.

Oak Wilt is difficult to manage once established—but prevention and early action save trees.

If you have live oaks on your property in the DFW area, stay proactive. Your trees—and your property—depend on it.
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02/05/2026

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📍 Fort Worth, Texas

Hello Community, I’m Henry Friar, ISA Certified Arborist with Arborist USA.

Today I’m documenting a Tree Risk Assessment here in Fort Worth involving advanced internal decay that cannot be corrected or treated.

This tree is showing Ganoderma fruiting bodies, which tells us there is significant internal wood loss already present. When Ganoderma appears at the base of a tree, ISA and Texas A&M guidance are clear: the decay is advanced, not superficial.

In addition, we’re seeing internal decay columns throughout the main stem, along with secondary insect activity exploiting already compromised wood. These round cavities are not “cube rot” — they indicate white rot or mixed rot, meaning the tree has lost critical load-bearing structure.

At this stage:
• Structural integrity is compromised
• Residual wall thickness is reduced
• Failure can occur without warning

Because this tree is located in a high pedestrian and traffic area, the targets within the drop zone are high. Under ISA Tree Risk Assessment standards, this places the tree in a high-risk category with severe consequences if failure occurs.

This tree cannot be saved with pruning, treatments, or cabling. Removal is the only responsible option to protect people and property.

This is why professional diagnosis matters — not every declining tree should be “treated.” Sometimes the safest decision is removal.

















02/05/2026

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📍 Grapevine, Texas

Hello Community, I’m Henry Friar, ISA Certified Arborist with Arborist USA.

I want to clarify what we’re seeing on this maple tree and make sure the diagnosis is accurate.

These round, repeating cavities in the main stem are not classic cubical (brown) rot. Cubical rot breaks wood into square blocks internally. What we’re seeing here is advanced internal decay, most consistent with white rot or mixed rot, combined with secondary insect activity.

Here’s what that means in simple terms:

The tree already has significant internal decay. As the structural wood breaks down, it becomes soft and non-functional. That decayed tissue then attracts secondary borers, which create these round galleries and cavities. The insects are not the original cause — they are a symptom of a tree that is already failing internally.

Because this decay is occurring throughout the main stem, the tree has lost a critical amount of load-bearing wood. In a high-traffic, high-target area, this places the tree into a high-risk category under ISA Tree Risk Assessment standards.

At this stage, pruning, treatments, or cabling will not restore structural integrity. The correct and responsible recommendation is removal to protect people and property.

This is why proper diagnosis matters. Calling everything “cube rot” isn’t accurate — but recognizing advanced internal decay and acting on it is.

If you see cavities, fungi, or trunk decay on a tree near walkways or buildings, don’t ignore it.















02/05/2026

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📍 Glen Rose, Texas

Hello Community, I’m Henry Friar, ISA Certified Arborist with Arborist USA.

I want to talk about Oak Wilt here in Glen Rose, because this area sits directly in a high-risk zone for this disease.

Oak Wilt is a vascular disease caused by a fungus (Bretziella fagacearum) that attacks the tree’s water-conducting system. Once inside the tree, it blocks the movement of water through the xylem, causing rapid wilting, canopy thinning, and eventual tree death—especially in live oaks and red oaks.

Oak Wilt spreads in two main ways:
1. Sap-feeding beetles that move fungal spores from infected trees to fresh pruning wounds
2. Root graft transmission, where interconnected oak roots move the disease from tree to tree underground

In areas like Glen Rose, where oaks grow close together, root graft spread is a major concern.

The most effective preventative treatment we have is low-volume macro infusion with a systemic fungicide. This treatment moves directly into the tree’s vascular system and helps protect the xylem from fungal colonization. It does not cure infected trees, but it is highly effective for prevention and slowing disease progression when applied correctly and on schedule.

Texas A&M Forest Service and ISA guidelines recommend:
• Preventative macro infusions every 18–24 months in high-risk areas
• Avoid pruning oaks during spring beetle activity season (roughly February through June)
• Immediate sealing of any accidental wounds during this period

Once Oak Wilt is established, successful long-term mitigation is very difficult. That’s why prevention is the best practice, especially for high-value oaks near homes and structures.

If you have live oaks or red oaks on your property in Glen Rose, now is the time to be proactive—not reactive.












02/01/2026

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Read more: 👇👇👇
https://www.arboristusa.com/boxwood-freeze-damage-plant-healthcare-program-in-weatherford-tx/

📍 Weatherford, Texas

Hello Community, I’m Henry Friar, ISA Certified Arborist with Arborist USA.

I want to clear up some confusion I’m seeing after last week’s cold temperatures, especially with boxwoods here in Weatherford and across North Texas.

What you’re seeing in this video is frost damage, not a disease.

After sudden cold snaps, boxwoods commonly show bronzing, browning, or pale tan foliage on the outer tips. This occurs when cold temperatures damage leaf tissue and disrupt normal cellular function. While it can look alarming, this is environmental injury, not a fungal or bacterial issue.

The good news is that frost damage usually does not require chemical treatment.

Here’s what I recommend:

• Prune out the dead or browned foliage
• Cut back to healthy green tissue
• Sanitize pruning tools before and during trimming to prevent secondary issues
• Lightly shape the shrub to improve airflow and encourage healthy regrowth

Once the damaged tissue is removed, boxwoods typically recover and flush back naturally as temperatures stabilize.

Avoid confusing frost injury with disease and avoid unnecessary fungicide applications. In many cases, chemicals are not only unnecessary — they can slow recovery.

If you’re unsure whether you’re dealing with frost damage or a true disease issue, that’s when a professional diagnosis matters.

Most of the time, a clean prune and patience is all that’s needed.
















01/29/2026

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Granbury, Texas

Hello Community, I’m Henry Friar, ISA Certified Arborist with Arborist USA.

Granbury, Texas homeowners—in this video I’m inspecting a newly planted tree and breaking down one of the most common mistakes I see across North Texas landscapes: root flare burial caused by over-mulching, also known as the mulch volcano or telephone pole effect.

This issue is extremely common in new installations and can quietly create long-term problems if it’s not corrected early.

From a scientific standpoint, the root flare (root collar) is designed to be exposed to air. When mulch or soil is piled against the trunk, it creates hypoxic soil conditions, meaning the roots and lower trunk are deprived of oxygen. This can lead to poor root respiration, collar rot, suppressed buttress root development, and long-term structural instability.










📞 682-204-4746Granbury, TexasHello Community, I’m Henry Friar, ISA Certified Arborist with Arborist USA.Granbury, Texas ...
01/29/2026

📞 682-204-4746

Granbury, Texas

Hello Community, I’m Henry Friar, ISA Certified Arborist with Arborist USA.

Granbury, Texas homeowners—in this video I’m inspecting a newly planted tree and breaking down one of the most common mistakes I see across North Texas landscapes: root flare burial caused by over-mulching, also known as the mulch volcano or telephone pole effect.

This issue is extremely common in new installations and can quietly create long-term problems if it’s not corrected early.










01/29/2026

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📍 Granbury, Texas

Hello Community, I’m Henry Friar, ISA Certified Arborist with Arborist USA.

As we’re coming out of this winter storm, I want to give a very important reminder to homeowners with live oak trees here in Granbury and across North Texas.

Do not use high-nitrogen fertilizers in early spring.

After hard freezes, we don’t immediately know what kind of internal damage occurred inside the tree. Freeze–thaw events can create embolisms in the xylem vessels, which restrict water movement inside the tree. That damage often doesn’t show up right away.

When you push high nitrogen too early, you force fast, soft growth before the tree’s internal water transport system has fully recovered. That can actually increase stress, lead to more dieback, and make recovery worse.

The right approach right now is patience.
Let the trees leaf out naturally.
Wait until late spring or early summer to see what tissue truly survived.
Then make informed decisions based on what the tree shows you.

This is exactly what we learned from the 2021 freeze—damage is often delayed, especially in the upper canopy of live oaks.

If you’re unsure about what your trees went through, a professional evaluation can help you avoid costly mistakes.










01/24/2026

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Click here for full article:
https://www.arboristusa.com/winter-freeze-tree-damage-burleson-tx-live-oaks/

📍 Burleson, Texas

Hello Community, I’m Henry Friar, ISA Certified Arborist with Arborist USA.

With this hard freeze hitting Burleson and North Texas, I want to explain what’s actually happening inside your trees and what homeowners should be watching for.

When temperatures drop into the teens, water inside a tree’s xylem vessels can freeze. As that water freezes, it expands, stressing the vessel walls. When temperatures warm back up, the ice melts and can leave behind air pockets, known as xylem embolisms. These air pockets block water movement, just like an air bubble in a straw.

This is why we often see delayed damage, especially in live oaks and ash trees. The top of the canopy is the hardest area for water to reach once the system is damaged, so twig and branch dieback often shows up weeks or even months after a freeze.

North Texas trees are especially vulnerable because they do not acclimate gradually like trees in colder climates. Sudden temperature drops, combined with wind and moisture, increase the risk of internal damage.

One important reminder coming out of a freeze like this: do not push growth in early spring. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers and heavy pruning until late spring or early summer, when true damage is visible. Forcing growth too early can increase stress and worsen dieback.

If you notice delayed leaf-out, thinning canopies, cracked bark, or dead branch tips, it’s time for a professional evaluation.

This is exactly what we saw across North Texas after the 2021 ice storm, and it’s why patience and proper care matter.

If you’re concerned about a tree on your property in Burleson, get it assessed before small problems turn into safety issues.











682-204-4746www.arboristusa.comHave you ever wondered what these mushrooms are on your tree? They’re called Schizophyllu...
01/23/2026

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Have you ever wondered what these mushrooms are on your tree? They’re called Schizophyllum commune (split gill fungus)

Hello Community, I’m Henry Friar, ISA Certified Arborist with Arborist USA.

What you’re looking at here is not a surface fungus and it’s not harmless.

These white, shelf-like mushrooms growing up the trunk are wood-decay fungi, commonly seen on American elm trees once internal structural wood has already failed. This is the fruiting body. The real damage is happening inside the tree.

When you see fungi like this on the trunk, it means the tree’s natural defense system, known as CODIT, has been overwhelmed. Moisture, oxygen, and decaying wood are present internally, allowing fungi to break down cellulose and lignin, which are responsible for the tree’s strength.

This is why trees like this can look stable one day and fail suddenly the next.

In this case, the decay is occurring at the basal area, which is the most critical load-bearing zone of the tree. That automatically elevates this tree into a high-risk category under ISA Tree Risk Assessment standards.

This is not something pruning, cabling, or bracing can fix. Once decay fungi are fruiting externally, removal is often the only responsible option to protect people and property.

If you see mushrooms growing on your tree, don’t ignore it. Get it professionally evaluated before it becomes an emergency.











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Arborist USA is a leading provider for Tree Service in Fort Worth, TX and all of the Surrounding Dallas-Fort Worth area. We make sure to go the extra mile to insure you get the best care, satisfaction, and affordability of our tree services provided.

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If you are in need of an Arborist or Tree Service in Fort Worth, TX or surrounding areas. Call Arborist USA at (817) 880-6130 to contact our Tree Specialist in the DFW Metroplex!

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