It’s Spring! Funny. I knew it was coming but it kind of snuck up on me. Cold, windy days and then a day or two of nice temperatures and we have buds, flowers, and leaves. I think spring snuck up on the trees, too. I saw my first fruit tree with flowers mid-February. Plum trees bloomed 2 weeks early. I have no idea what these strange weather patterns are going to do to our bug population. I’m hanging on to my saddle horn because I think it is going to be a crazy ride.
Spring is the worst time in our business to go through major transition, but we must. Our current website provider wanted to use their own number so they could track the calls instead of using the number Baca’s Trees has used for 4 decades. That hasn’t worked out very well. Their proprietary phone number loops and drops calls on a very regular basis. Thankfully, about 2/3 of our customers are repeat customers who know our number. In case you have forgotten, it is 505-899-6666. We are in the process of changing that website provider, but it will take a little time. Further, we have 3 new office people starting with us. Again, this is a terrible time, but we must do it. Thank you in advance for your patience.
I’m busy! Too busy! This time of year, I fall behind on returning calls and answering emails. The only way for me to catch up is to work all day and night or to take fewer appointments. The best way to have fewer appointments is to raise the price of a 15-minute consultation. The current price in the Albuquerque area is $35 plus tax. There is not another consulting Arborist in Albuquerque who charges less than $100 per 15-minute appointment.
Effective April 1st, the price for my consultation time for new clients I see in person is going to be as follows:
Albuquerque, Corrales, near Rio Rancho – $50.
Far Rio Rancho/Bernalillo/Placitas/Cedar Crest/Tijeras/Bosque Farms/Los Lunas – $100.
Belen/ Edgewood – $150
Santa Fe – $200
Tax will be added based on your area. These prices are for a 15-minute appointment. If you need more time, there will be additional charges.
These fees are just for diagnostic consultations with Camille.
I hope you understand-it’s a lot of travel time and there is only so much time in a day.
Appointments for Corkey, Robert, and Dennis are no charge since they write proposals for trimming, removals, etc.
Consultation fees are waived for our regular customers.
No consultation fees for email consultations (pictures).
In the real news …
We are currently treating for Pinon Needle Scale and will do so through March.
We are planting and will continue until the temperatures get into the 90’s.
Borer treatment is best done in March and April. The earlier the better.
While weeds are small, pull them or use vinegar to burn them.
Vinegar is not harmful to the environment and is effective on smaller weeds. You can find a recipe online.
Use a spotlight with an old-fashioned 100-watt bulb to stave off freeze on your fruit trees.
Fertilizing trees and shrubs is best done March, April and May.
Step up the watering. Nature is not doing her part.
If you are concerned with orange-brown tips on your Juniper, so am I. It is pollen, not a fungus, and I’m allergic. The thought makes me itch.
Thank you for reading!
Camille the Arborista