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Aborists jobs are not limited to tree removal and the health of a tree. Tree Service companies and the arborists they employ deal with a wide range of tree services.

Tree Services can range from cabling and bracing to pruning and even to insect and disease management.

Cabling and Bracing

Cabling and braces are used to provide structural support to a tree. The cables and bracing are generally a high quality of steel able to withstand the growth of a tree and natures elements. It’s rare that this is needed, but it will save large branches from falling and causing damage during high wind storms.

Irrigation

Trees and plants have very specific needs when it comes to watering. If a tree receives to little water it can become susceptible to disease and death. If the tree receives too much water then root rot becomes a concern. Arborists can develop systems to ensure a Tree is receiving the correct amount of water.

Pruning

For mature trees pruning is required to remove dead or dying branches. This thinning out of branches strengthens the tree. For younger trees pruning is necessary to remove lower unneeded branches so they do not become a hassle latter on. This is not needed in the wild because the trees are all competing for top sunlight and therefor lose lower branches early on in life.

Insect and Disease Prevention

Certain types of insects can eat through leaves and even branches damaging your tree. Arborists are able to identify which types of insects are doing so. In addition disease through things like fungus can damage trees as well. Through advanced means arborists are able to identify tree disease and treat it properly.

Plant Identification

Arborists are master horticulturist who specialize in trees. They can identify just about any tree. If you are planning on having a new tree planted they can tell you the best ones to plant based on the regional climate and what you’re looking for out of the tree.

There are thousands of breathe-taking images of trees from around the world. Have a look at these handful of selections.

Rockaway, Oregon 

In 2009 I took a road trip to Oregon. Staying in a wonderful little coastal town called Rockaway I came across this tree in Rockaway bay. As most know the entire northwest coast of America is filled with beautiful trees and landscape, but this tree struck me most. Amazing how this brave little tree is able to survive perched in a rock surrounded by salt water.

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Is your tree dead or dying? Is it sick? Maybe your tree is just tired of being neighbors with you? Not likely, but there are some tell-tale signs of a tree in need that even the most novice of horticulturists and weekend warriors can pick out. Last weekend while laying in my hammock enjoying the Summer weather I happened to notice what appeared to be an orange-colored fungus gaining a foothold on some of the tree branches. Not wanting to lose my shade or my hammock for that matter I began researching. Here’s what I found.

Top 8 Signs Your Tree is Sick

1. Saw-dust along the base of the tree.
2. Mushroom type fungus is growing on the tree. This may look right out of a fairy tale and be pleasant to look at, but those mushrooms are steeling vital nutrients from your tree.
3. Cracks in the limbs or trunk.
4. Hollowed out or decaying areas. These may be great areas for an owl to dwell, but it comes at the expense of your tree.
5. Wilted or discolored leaves.
6. Insect damage.
7. Dead branches
8. Man-made wounds.

A tree crashing into your living room or any room for that matter would certainly be a horrifying and dangerous experience. Luckily, if done right there is LITTLE risk involved in tree removal. It’s easy to check into whether a tree service company is licensed and insured to be performing tree removal. If you are doing this yourself and are not a trained arborist then the risk of personal injury and/or property damage greatly increases. Luckily, most people realize tree removal is a job for professionals. When I had a tree removed on the side of my house years back the company and professionals they sent out left me feeling very comfortable about the process. Here are some things to look for to ensure your tree removal goes according to plan.

Commercial Arborist License

The arborist and company performing the tree removal service should be licensed through their state. An arborist is a professional who improves the condition of fruit, shade, or ornamental trees by feeding or fertilizing, or by pruning, trimming, bracing, treating cavities or other methods of improving tree conditions, or protecting trees from damage from insects or diseases or curing these conditions by spraying or any other method. All states should have some sort of exam professionals must pass.

Here is an example of state requirements.

International Society of Arboriculture 

Not all tree service companies and professionals need to be or are members of the ISA. Still if you’d like some sort of industry industry standard backing up the tree removal then you’ll want to visit the ISAs website and find a local ISA chapter in your area. The local chapter can provide you with a list of arborists in your area. You can also find a great deal of information on the profession from the ISA’s website. Check them out.

Agreeing to Tree Removal

Be sure a contract, work order, or some other legally binding contract is signed between you and the tree service company. This document should explain the following and be signed by both parties.

1. Exactly what work will be done. This should state which tree or trees is to be worked on and exactly what will be done.
2. When the work will start and when the work will end. This should include a start date/time and an end date/time.
3. What type of cleanup work will be done afterwards. Will the tree be left on your property (often done for firewood or wood chipping)? What about the branches and leaves?
4. The total dollar amount that you will be charged.

The traditional way to remove a tree stump is by using a tree stump grinder. These can be rented from businesses that specialize in stump removal. If you contract out the work the tree specialists usually have a few of these machines on hand. Using a stump grinder is an efficient way to get rid of that unsightly stump. When I had a tree removed from my house I had the tree specialists go ahead and remove the stump using a grinder.

The Natural Method

Recently my neighbors decided to have their stump removed, but they instead choose the natural method. What is the natural tree stump removal method? This method speeds up mother natures process of decomposition which can normally take decades and even centuries for the stump to disintegrate into the ground. The natural stump removal method accomplishes this by using water and fertilizer to give bacteria an extra boost. If you have time and aren’t concerned with getting the stump removed yesterday than I suggest giving this method a shot.

What You’ll Need

1. Water
2. Fertilizer (high in nitrogen)
3. Drill
4. Tarp
5. Mulch
6. Chainsaw (optional)

Wait a chainsaw? I thought you said this was natural! The chainsaw is just there to remove the top of the stump and get the wood closer to the ground. It’s optional, but will certainly speed up the process. My neighbor used the chainsaw and I’d recommend it as well.

Here’s what you’ll need to do. Using the chainsaw, get the stump as close to the ground as possible. Now using your longest and widest drill bill you’re going to drill deep into the stump. Drill down as far as you can go. You’ll want to make a few bore holes, more or less depending on the size of the stump. Now fill those holes with water and fertilizer. You’re almost done at this point, but to ensure maximum moisture we are going to soak the area immediately surrounding the stump. Then put the tarp over the stump and cover it with mulch. This will help keep the moisture in there.

You’re done! You’ve completed your tree stump removal project. Like I said, this is certainly not the fastest way to get it done, its just the natural way.

Removing a tree is a big decision. This is a pricey endeavor that can turn even pricier if not handled correctly. This is certainly not something your typical weekend warrior landscaper should undertake. Luckily there are hundreds of tree removal experts across the United States and any home or business owner should be able to find a licensed company to give them a bid. In some cases your city government can help with limb removals if it poses a risk to power lines or other utilities.

I decided on my first tree removal after purchasing my second home. The property was excellent except that an overgrown oak tree’s roots had begun threatening the foundation of my home on the eastern facing side of my house. Within a few years I worried that my homes foundation could be breached by the trees roots eventually flooding my property when rains were heavy. The tree was also very unsightly. My wife fought me a bit on it, but in the end we decided to fork out the money to a tree removal company.

After finding the best bid and reading reviews on the company we set the process in motion as tree removal specialists analysed the risk. Finally the day came and they began taking the tree down in small sections until it was nothing but a stomp. The following guides lines worked for us and they can work for you too.

1. Is the tree dead or dying? If the tree is dead or dying than its time to remove the tree. Overtime, a dead tree can become weak and pose risk to your property and your well being should it fall during a wind storm. You may want a botanist to come over and take a look at the tree to verify its in fact dead or has been stricken with an incurable infection.
2. Is the tree causing property damage. Overtime a trees roots can pose a significant risk to sidewalks, pipes, gas lines, electrical lines, or as in the case of my first tree removal a the very foundation of your home. If this is the case then its time to see the help of a tree removal specialist.
3. I am not a huge fan of this one, but there does come a time when a tree is so unsightly and so out of place that it actually can bring the value  of your home down. Eye sores matter to buyers and if your tree is an eye sore its time to bring the tree down by bringing in a specialist.