Article provided in collaboration with Rainbow Treecare
One group of tree care professionals has come up with an innovative approach to interacting with the public. It uses its website to provide helpful tree health information and diagnostic advice and to market various treatment options.
The company is called Tree Geek, a spinoff of Rainbow Treecare, a 37-year-old Minneapolis-area firm that specializes in tree health and wellness plans along with traditional services such as tree trimming, take-down and stump removal. Tree Geek launched a website — www.thetreegeek.com — a few years ago as a resource for homeowners and do-it-yourselfers interested in learning more about trees and tree health.
“Through our website the average person can identify trees, learn about problems that might be occurring in their area and diagnose what may be affecting their trees,” says Jen Morgan, the company’s director of customer service. “And then, if needed, we can point them to a treatment solution.”
The Common Tree Problems section of the website displays comprehensive information about 57 different diseases and insects, from aphids to Zimmerman pine moth. Along with color photos that can be enlarged, it contains information about each tree disease and insect, including how it is spread; susceptible trees; symptoms; look-alikes; related/similar problems; timing; urgency; risk of spreading and treatment options. The company also includes details about its own products that apply to each problem. There is also access to how-to videos and a link to the International Society of Arboriculture website to locate certified arborists.
The Tree Geek website also has a section for lawn and landscaping companies, city foresters and municipalities. Anyone can request information by filling out a tree health diagnosis request form and sending it along with photos (if available) to the Tree Geek team of certified arborists. “We have video tutorials online to teach a person how to use our products and we also offer technical support by phone.”
Morgan points out that any treatment protocol the team recommends is based on research and provides predictable results. “If we do not believe that there is a treatment available for a tree health problem or that there is not sufficient research behind a potential protocol, we will not make a recommendation.”