Tree Pest & Disease Management by Certified Arborists
Pests and diseases are some of the most common threats to tree health. And often, you won’t notice a problem until the damage is already done.
At Spruce It Up Garden Centre, our certified arborists specialize in early detection, treatment, and prevention of tree pests and diseases.
Common Symptoms of Tree Disease & Pests Infestation
-
Leaves with spots, holes, or unusual colors
-
Sticky residue or visible insects on leaves and bark
-
Unusual growths or oozing sap
-
Peeling bark or open wounds
-
Wilting or drooping branches
-
Sudden thinning of the canopy
If anything looks unusual or you’re just not sure, it’s better to check sooner than later.
Our Prune It Up Team In Action!
Request a FREE Estimate!
Testimonials
Julia Wong
First time with pruning - but an excellent experience with Tom and his crew. They arrived early, went through the process, addressed concerns and provided education on the approach to pruning and tree care. Upon completion he went through the work to ensure it matched expectation. The entire team - from quotation, scheduling, completion, and follow up - consistently professional, friendly and supportive. Highly recommend. Would call them back again.
Dorothy Rice
Amazing! Very happy with Prune It Up. The entire crew was excellent & extremely professional. I had 6 mature trees pruned. One being a huge Elm (the pride of my yard). Tom and his crew were knowledgeable, safe and skilled. I will recommend Prune it up to my friends, family and clients I will definitely call Mark at Prune It Up when I require service again in the future. Fair, honest price, organized, efficient. All around great experience.
Rozalyn Allan
I've tried several companies thru the years to prune some large spruce trees in our backyard. Was never really happy with the job until I hired Spruce It Up. Very polite and friendly crew showed up. Did a great job pruning the trees and cleaning up the mess afterwards I've now used them 3 times, and have always been pleased with their work.
Bob Moir
Spruce It Up did a great job pruning our elm tree. The crew was here for about 4 hours as the tree is approximately 60’ high and unreachable with a bucket arm. All the branches, leaves, etc. were completely cleaned up and removed and the tree and the yard look great. Thanks to the whole crew!
Celia Brasso-Wakefield
We needed lots of work on our old homestead, cutting down old cottonwoods, pruning back maple trees and cleaning up spruces. Mark was very knowledgeable when he came out to look at things, and then Tom and his crew were fantastic! They were here for three days and did a great job - very thorough, cleaned things up beautifully and were friendly, respectful and professional. Highly recommend Prune It Up!
Kelly Bee
Highly recommend using Spruce It Up. Communication was clear, quote was detailed and included photos, booking an appointment was easy, and the team arrived at the scheduled time. I am very happy with the pruning and shaping of the trees. I was uncertain how much pruning could be done, and wanted to make sure the trees thrived while still removing as much as possible to reshape. I was given great advice and the team did a great job. My dogs enjoyed a little visit at the end of the work and my yard was totally cleared of all tree debris at the end of the work. Can’t say enough. Thank you!
Julia Wong
First time with pruning - but an excellent experience with Tom and his crew. They arrived early, went through the process, addressed concerns and provided education on the approach to pruning and tree care. Upon completion he went through the work to ensure it matched expectation. The entire team - from quotation, scheduling, completion, and follow up - consistently professional, friendly and supportive. Highly recommend. Would call them back again.
Dorothy Rice
Amazing! Very happy with Prune It Up. The entire crew was excellent & extremely professional. I had 6 mature trees pruned. One being a huge Elm (the pride of my yard). Tom and his crew were knowledgeable, safe and skilled. I will recommend Prune it up to my friends, family and clients I will definitely call Mark at Prune It Up when I require service again in the future. Fair, honest price, organized, efficient. All around great experience.
Rozalyn Allan
I've tried several companies thru the years to prune some large spruce trees in our backyard. Was never really happy with the job until I hired Spruce It Up. Very polite and friendly crew showed up. Did a great job pruning the trees and cleaning up the mess afterwards I've now used them 3 times, and have always been pleased with their work.
Bob Moir
Spruce It Up did a great job pruning our elm tree. The crew was here for about 4 hours as the tree is approximately 60’ high and unreachable with a bucket arm. All the branches, leaves, etc. were completely cleaned up and removed and the tree and the yard look great. Thanks to the whole crew!
Celia Brasso-Wakefield
We needed lots of work on our old homestead, cutting down old cottonwoods, pruning back maple trees and cleaning up spruces. Mark was very knowledgeable when he came out to look at things, and then Tom and his crew were fantastic! They were here for three days and did a great job - very thorough, cleaned things up beautifully and were friendly, respectful and professional. Highly recommend Prune It Up!
Kelly Bee
Highly recommend using Spruce It Up. Communication was clear, quote was detailed and included photos, booking an appointment was easy, and the team arrived at the scheduled time. I am very happy with the pruning and shaping of the trees. I was uncertain how much pruning could be done, and wanted to make sure the trees thrived while still removing as much as possible to reshape. I was given great advice and the team did a great job. My dogs enjoyed a little visit at the end of the work and my yard was totally cleared of all tree debris at the end of the work. Can’t say enough. Thank you!
Julia Wong
First time with pruning - but an excellent experience with Tom and his crew. They arrived early, went through the process, addressed concerns and provided education on the approach to pruning and tree care. Upon completion he went through the work to ensure it matched expectation. The entire team - from quotation, scheduling, completion, and follow up - consistently professional, friendly and supportive. Highly recommend. Would call them back again.
Your Questions, Answered
What is the best fertilizer for houseplants?
Balanced Fertilizer (All-Purpose) Is best for any kind of houseplant that you just want to boost. Examples: Fertilizers labeled with equal N-P-K ratios, such as 10-10-10 or 20-20-20. We also sell our own liquid fertilizer Rage It Up which is a strong boost to the plant’s overall growth (0-0-6). Using a fertilizer that provides a balanced mix will allow for the whole plant to use the extra nutrients. You use nitrogen (for foliage), phosphorus (for roots and flowers), and potassium (overall health).
How do you treat fungus gnats?
Fungus gnats are small flying insects that often infest indoor plants, thriving in moist soil. They can be annoying and harmful to plants, as their larvae feed on organic matter and roots.
- Reduce Watering: Fungus gnats thrive in consistently moist soil. Allow the top 1-2 inches of soil to dry out between waterings, as this discourages egg-laying.
- Improve Drainage: Ensure pots have proper drainage and avoid letting plants sit in water. Purchase a Mosquito Dunk which is a beneficial bacterium that when watered into your soil will help break down the larvae within your soil to prevent a new group from hatching. To use them, soak a dunk in water overnight, then remove it and use the water to water your plants. The dunk can be reused. The bacteria will infect and kill any larvae in the soil. Repeat this process every time you water your plants for at least a few months.
What are the best pet safe houseplants?
The best indoor plants for you and your pets are rubber plants, peperomia, pilea, ponytail palms, polka dot plants, spider plants, calatheas, and Boston ferns. These amazing foliage plants all consist of different colours and textures to allow your home to be vibrant and keep your pets happy and safe. Tips for pet owners when buying new plants:
- Placement: Keep plants on high shelves or hang them to reduce the chance of pets nibbling.
- Toxic Lookalikes: Always verify the exact species of a plant, as some varieties might look similar but could be harmful.
- Monitor Behavior: If your pet shows signs of discomfort or illness after interacting with a plant, consult your vet immediately.
What are the 5 best sun loving houseplants?
Succulents (e.g., Echeveria, Jade Plant, Aloe Vera) Light needs: Full, bright sunlight. Care tips: Allow the soil to dry completely between waterings. They’re drought-tolerant and perfect for sunny windowsills.
Croton (Codiaeum variegatum) Light needs: Bright, direct sunlight to maintain vibrant leaf colors. Care tip: Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged and ensure good humidity levels.
Fiddle Leaf Fig (Ficus lyrata) Light needs: Bright, indirect to direct sunlight. Care tip: Rotate the plant regularly for even growth and water when the top inch of soil is dry.
Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia reginae) Light needs: Prefers bright, direct sunlight for optimal growth and flowering. Care tip: Water regularly, keeping the soil moist but not soggy. High humidity benefits this plant.
Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica) Light needs: Thrives in bright, indirect sunlight but can tolerate some direct sunlight. Care tip: Allow the soil to dry slightly between waterings and clean the leaves occasionally to enhance photosynthesis.
What are the 5 best low light houseplants?
Snake Plant (Sansevieria) Why it's great: Extremely hardy and tolerant of low light, this plant is known for its upright, sword-like leaves. Care tip: Water sparingly and allow the soil to dry out between waterings.
Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) Why it's great: Pothos plants have trailing vines and heart-shaped leaves that come in various colors. They adapt well to different light levels. Care tip: Keep the soil lightly moist, but don’t let it become soggy.
ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) Why it's great: This plant is nearly indestructible and thrives in low light conditions. Care tip: Water only when the soil is completely dry. It’s drought-tolerant and requires minimal care.
Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum) Why it's great: With its glossy green leaves and occasional white blooms, the peace lily is both beautiful and forgiving. Care tip: Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. It can handle low light but blooms better in moderate light.
Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior) Why it's great: Known for its resilience, this plant can survive in low light and with minimal attention. Care tip: Allow the top inch of soil to dry out before watering. It's slow growing but very hardy.
The best ways to control aphids?
There are many options here. You can use Insecticidal soap, just ensure to wash off once the insecticide dries off. End All, Pure Spray Green, Bug X, and Killsol. Our first choice would be Pure Spray green. Three applications over three weeks work as aphids are born pregnant.
How to help control yellow dog spots in your lawn?
Dog Spot Prevent. You spread it on your lawn in conjunction with our Green It Up lawn fertilizer. Just use a regular fertilizer spreader. For the best results, you should do an application in early spring, then late June and one more time in September. You can use it anytime as well.
How to treat Cinch bugs?
We have Chinch bug nematodes that work great. Beneficial nematodes attack insects by boring or biting into them, injecting deadly bacteria and then sucking out the cell contents. You can also rake the area good and apply Pure Spray Green.
What zone is Calgary?
Plant Hardiness Zone 3 according to the Canadian system. This means it has a relatively short growing season and experiences cold winters with temperatures that can drop as low as -40°C (-40°F). When planting, gardeners in Calgary often select hardy perennials, shrubs, and trees that can tolerate these conditions. For vegetables and annuals, you can extend the growing season using techniques like raised beds, greenhouses, or row covers. If you have specific plants in mind, let us know, and we can help determine if they'll thrive in Zone 3!
What is the difference between an Annual and a Perennial?
Annual Plants
- Life Cycle: Complete their entire life cycle - from seed germination to flowering, setting seed, and dying - in a single growing season.
- Replanting: Must be replanted each year if you want them in your garden again.
- Examples: Marigolds, petunias, wheat, corn, and zinnias.
Perennial Plants
- Life Cycle: Live for more than two years. They typically grow and bloom over spring and summer, die back in autumn and winter, and regrow from their root system the following season.
- Replanting: Do not need to be replanted yearly; they come back naturally each growing season.
- Examples: Lavender, hostas, daisies, peonies, and asparagus.
Some plants, known as biennials, fall in between these two categories and complete their life cycle in two years.