How Much Space to Leave Between Planted Trees

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When Planting, it is common to give trees 50 to 60 feet of space.

Trees are frequently planted and given enough spacing based on the spread of their mature canopy.  It is common to give trees 50 to 60 feet of space. This allows the full tree tops to develop.  To protect foundations, driveways, sidewalks, utility lines, retaining walls, drains and sewers, follow these suggested spacings:

  • Small trees: For magnolias, flowering dogwoods, or smaller conifers, as examples, you should provide 10’of space.
  • Medium- intermediate trees: For Japanese maples, birch trees, or fruit trees, as examples, you should provide 20’of space.
  • Large-trees: For flowering pears, sugar maples, Gingko or oak, as examples, you should provide 35 to 50’ of space.
  • Aggressively large trees: For silver maples poplars, or willows, as example, you should provide 100’ of space.

If you have any questions about the trees you want to plant, please call Northside Tree Professionals at 770-394-0905.

With some pre-planning for you new tree, planting them in the correct spot on your property can help you avoid potential issues when your tree is fully-grown.  When you are planting tree or multiple trees on your property, there  is much to scrutinize in the process.  Spacing is one major factor.  Here are some tips to making wise choices when planting:

  • Avoid planting most trees to close to you home, otherwise the  tree roots may tunnel  under your  home and create foundation damage the.
  • If you have a septic system in your yard, trees with substantial roots can block up the underground field lines
  •  In-ground utilities should be located before digging.  Call 811 and someone from the utility companies will come and mark you yard.  Also, be aware of any overhead utilities lines when planting your new tree.  When the tree is full grown, its branches may interfere with these lines.
  • Many trees have an average high much taller than your home when full grown.  You should leave space between you newly planted tree and you home so that the tree’s limbs won’t hang over and touch your roof.

It is great if you are planning to plant a new tree on your property. Call our Certified Arborist for professional advise.

Trees can be spaced closer together for quicker full shade and canopy cover, but they may encroach on each other’s root space in the future.  There is a frequent misconception that the roots of a tree are in some way a mirrored image of the branches in size and shape. This is not correct.  For most trees, the width of the root system is 1½ to three times the height of the tree.  Thus, a fifty foot tree could have some of its smaller feeding roots as much as 140 feet away from the trunk.

Planting trees too close to your home or your neighbor’s home can, in the future, turn out to be a costly decision.  It is better to hire an arborist to give you some advice about planting your tree (both the placement and the type of tree to plant) than to end up having the expense of removing a poorly placed tree due to either root damage to adjacent structures or the tree crowding other trees in the yard.

Please contact Northside Tree Professionals at 770-394-0905 to have one of our Certified Arborist to advise you about trees on your property.

Top Hardy Trees by Zone – Minimum Winter Temperature Zones

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Deciding what Trees to Plant in USDA Zone 7

The United States Department of Agriculture published a map in 1960 that designated eleven “minimum winter temperature” zones. With this map, people can determine what sort of plants, and particularly trees, will grow well on their property .

What Zone is Metro Atlanta?

For North GA, it was originally zoned USDA Hardiness Zone 7.  30 years later, the map was updated and zones were split with everything above Cobb County being zoned 7a. And everything south of Cobb County all the way down to Macon GA was zoned 7b.

The American Horticultural Society and USDA Team Up To Rework Zone MAP

About 10 years later, in the early 2000’s, the American Horticultural Society  and United States Department of Agriculture revised the map once again and this time much of Georgia fell into Zone 8 with north Georgia mountains remaining in Zone 7.

If you are in need of an Certified Arborist, please call Northside Tree Professionals at 770-394-0905.

The Safest Choice For Your Trees

While this revising of the hardiness zones can be confusing, the best and probably safest choice for your new tress is to refer to the USDA map from the 1960’s and choose trees labeled for Zone 7 and warmer.

What Sort Of Trees Should You Plant In Zone 7? 

View some ideas of trees known to do well in the Zone 7 : See ArborDay.org

Northside Tree Professionals offers Fertilization, Organic Soil Stimulants, Disease and Pest Control as well as a complete line of other Tree Services. Contact us at 770-394-0905

Surface Rooting – Understanding the Root Systems of Maple and Birch Trees

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Certain Maples and Birch Tree are Known to have Surface Roots.  

If you already have maple and birch trees in your yard and desire to keep them, what can you do about their surface roots? You may be asking, “What are surface roots, what causes them and what can you do about them?”

Surface Roots – What are they and what causes them?

For the vast number of tree varieties in Metro Atlanta, much of trees’ roots are usually found within the top foot of the soil around the tree.  As the roots within the first few inches of soil grow sizably, the roots will emerge through the surface of the soil.  This is called ‘Surface Rooting’.  Surface rooting occurs quite often in clay-based or compressed soils often see in urban city areas. But wherever the soil is either compacted or has begun to be washed away, surface rooting can occur.  As the roots begin to be exposed on older trees, they can cause a number of problems including making it generally difficult to maintain the yard as well as possibly becoming a tripping hazard and cracking nearby sidewalks or driveways.

If you have any concerns about the root systems of your trees, please call Northside Tree Professionals at 770-394-0905.

Surface Roots – What can be done about them?

Here are some ‘Dos and Don’ts’ for dealing with surface roots.

First, do cut any of the exposed roots. This could lead to disease or insect infestation.  It can also reduce the tree’s strength in the soil and could increase its chance of falling during a storm.  Plus, as a worst case, cutting these roots could cause dieback in the tree or even kill it completely.

Second, you can cover the area near the tree in one of these two ways.

  1. Make a 50-50 mixture of compost and topsoil.  Take your mixture and put about 2 inches at the base of the tree.  During the later part of the summer, put grass seed over this same area, using seeds that are tolerant to shade.  Instead of grass seed, you could add some other shade tolerant ground cover, such as moss. Make sure to keep this area watered.  It you see the roots are still exposed within the next several months, you can add 2 more inches of the same proportions of compost and topsoil. Be sure to add grass seed again or some other ground cover.  Four inches is the most you should ever add to the base of the tree in order to avoid smothering the roots and possibly killing the tree
  2. You could put down no more than 4 inches of wood chips (these can be delivered for free by most Tree cutting companies).  By using wood chips, not only does this help raise the level around the roots while keeping them damp, but it allows the roots to breathe.  Be careful that you only cover the roots and that you don’t heap the wood chops against the trunk of the tree.
Surface Rooting of Maples and Birch Trees

If you are planning to plant new trees in your yard, Great!  But be aware of the surface rooting issues of certain trees, such as certain Maples and Birch

When planning to plant a new tree in your yard, be aware of the future roots systems that this tree may present in your yard as it gets older.  Here are a couple of things to consider:

  • Look for trees that have deeper roots systems such as certain oaks, hickories, sycamores or walnuts. 
  • Think about planning smaller trees such as cherry trees, dogwoods, magnolias or redbuds.  Larger trees may eventually cause surface rooting that could lead to other issues on your property depending on where they are planted in relation to your lawn and structures.

Please contact Northside Tree Professionals at 770-394-0905 to have one of our Certified Arborist to advise you about trees on your property.

Stump Grinding and Stump/Root Decay

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We Make the Difficult Task of Removing Stumps Easy With Our Grinding Machines

Have you tripped once too often over a hidden stump and large roots in your yard? Or, perhaps the home you just purchased has a yard full of stumps from the preceding homeowner’s incomplete landscaping work. Northside Tree Professionals has stump grinder that will leave you nothing but mulch. Our smallest grinder only requires three feet to reach the stump; and we can grind stumps that are near fences, etc. 

Keep Up Your Property’s Value

Each time a tree is cut down on your property, there will be stump that also needs to be ground up – and it’s important that this is done soon after the tree is removed. Beyond it being a safety hazard, a stump is unsightly and can ruin the looks of your landscaping.  Plus, it is often a violation of local municipality codes.  In many cases, it can take four to five years for your tree’s root system to decay before you could do something new in your yard, such as plant another tree where the old tree was.  Don’t put it off: One phone call to Northside Tree Professional at (770) 394-0905 and you won’t have to see that old stump again.

Save Yourself Time, Energy and Money

Are you thinking of trying to remove a stump yourself? Consider all the time and possible expenses involved in renting and a bringing a stump grinder to your home.  But there is special safety gear needed to do a project like this correctly. It is likely that you are not too familiar with this type of equipment and will need to take even more time to learn how to use it.  Keep it simple: Hire us to come to your home and complete the job correctly.  In a short period of time, if you’d like, you will be able to plant a new tree where the old one was removed.  Of you can use that area in your yard for a flower garden, a grassy area or yard furniture.  Whatever you’d like, you yard will be ready after the tree stump is ground up.

If you have unsightly stumps in your yard that you need removed, please call Northside Tree Professionals at 770-394-0905.

Stump Grinding Benefits

A stump grinder is an efficient machine, able to grind all sizes and kinds of stumps efficiently and quickly Stump grinding is a superior method to removing a stump, as opposed to digging up and/or pulling out, because it can grind the stumps below ground up to a foot in depth. This means that a ground stump poses almost no deterrent for yard work in the future.  A stump grinder is an amazingly powerful tool that can effectively take out a stump of any size in just minutes.

The Cost Associated with Stump Grinding

Hiring us to grind your stumps is very time and cost-effective, especially when there are multiple stumps to remove, there is one very sizable stump, or if there is a need to grind a stump far below the surface of the ground. The number and size of stumps will mainly determine the cost of the grinding. But the topography of the land and the location in yard of the stump may also play a factor in the cost. Call us today at (770) 394-0905 for an estimate.

Not only does Northside Tree Professionals offer Stump Grinding, we offer a complete line of Tree Services. Contact us at 770-394-0905

Tree Pruning and Trimming

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Know What Sort of Tree Trimming and Pruning is Right for Your Trees

As a rule of thumb, Northside Tree Professional recommends a tree checkup every couple years for freshly developed deadwood and new growth that may need pruning or trimming. Trees are less likely to incur breakage if kept maintained. Trees that are unmaintained will naturally get heavy at the end of branches and limbs and have a greater chance of breaking and possibly causing damage. Permanent damage to the tree can occur when heavy tree branches crack and break, preventing the tree from ever growing back correctly.

We do not remove any big size limbs without a reason. To do so can result in stressing the tree because every cut has to heal which requires extra energy from the tree. A stressed tree is more liable to attract rotting organisms and insects and wood than a healthy tree that is not stressed. Northside Tree Professional cares about the trees in North Metro Atlanta and surrounding areas. When trimming or pruning trees, our workers climb ‘spikeless’ meaning we do not use climbing spikes. Climbing spikes put wounds in the tree that will have to heal and allow insects to penetrate past the bark.

If you have any concerns about the your trees’ pruning needs, please call Northside Tree Professionals at 770-394-0905.

Four Types of Tree Pruning and Trimming

When trimming or pruning a tree, it’s vital to start by evaluating which branches need to be removed from the ridge. The ridge line is called the crown and gives the tree its elegance and charm. To help prolong the life and health of a tree and prevent future tree damage, there are four main types of pruning and trimming.

1). Crown Lifting: This action comprises the removal of the lower branches that are in the tree’s crown. This is done for a number of reasons; one is to create a better look, two is to make space for overhanging limbs, and three is to aid the tree’s health by stabilizing the weight of the crown.

2). Crown Thinning:  This process is probably one the most important steps that can be done to aid in your tree’s longevity. This step is where, staring from the top of the crown and working down, thinner limbs and crowded branches are removed.

3). Crown Reduction:  This service works much like a haircut, where overgrowth is removed from all over the crown. The approach of crown reduction is simple, it involves removing the overgrown smaller branches as well as some of the bigger limbs.

4). Pollarding: This procedure is often a misused practice that is meant exclusively for young and healthy trees that are in still in their growth process. This technique is where all the limbs and branches are cut back to the knuckles. This process should not be done all at once but in intervals.

It is important to know that the tree service company hired to prune and trim your trees is an expert because trees are an asset to your property’s value and they help keep your Metro Atlanta home shaded during the warm summers here. As a professional tree trimming and tree service company, Northside Tree Professional’s team can prune and trim your trees in the North Metro Atlanta area for the best appearance while promoting your tree’s health. Our employees have the proper discipline and education and of how to prune and trim your trees without removing excessive live vegetation. We are professional tree trimmers for all of North Metro Atlanta. Please see the list of cities we serve at the bottom of this page.

Not only does Northside Tree Professionals offer Pruning and Trimming Services, we can help evaluate any tree on your property that is a concern for you. Contact us at 770-394-0905

Tree planting locations around the home and structures.

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How to Pick the Right Spot to Plant A Tree in your yard.

There are a number of components associated with planting a tree. It is critical to select the correct type of tree for the conditions of your property. You should consider these elements when planting a tree: function, sunlight, closeness to a structure and water, and the quality of the soil. 

Function

Trees enhance the presentation of your home. They can also serve as windbreaks, provide privacy and help to absorb noise. They freshen the atmosphere, provide shelter and divide a property into various use areas. But, trees are most often planted for their shading ability. If placed well, the trees will shade the home during the summer’s latter afternoon. The most important shade trees on a property are frequently located near the southwest corner of the home. Air moving through the limbs of a tree is cooled off by transpiration from the tree’s leaves.

Sunlight

It is important to consider the sun’s path all year long when considering the planting of a tree on your property. Depending on the size of a tree when it is full grown, planning for its shading ability will help determine where it should be planted. Also, the impact of the shade from other tree’s in your or your neighbor’s yard should also help determine where to plant your new tree. A full grown tree that is 40 feet tall and that has a 25 foot spreading of its limbs will cast a shadow equal to the tree’s height around 4 o’clock in the afternoon.  The sun is highest in the sky on June 21st, about 73° degrees above the horizon, and it is lowest in sky on December 21st, when it is about 26° above the horizon. In summertime, the sun travels in a northeastern to a northwestern direction and in the winter it moves from a southeaster to southwestern direction. 

If you have any concerns about where to plant you a tree, please call Northside Tree Professionals at 770-394-0905.

Structures

One factor that is often neglected when planting a tree is to consider its need for growing space.  The improper location of a planted tree can eventually result in limbs being too close to your home or other structures on your property.  Plus, the tree’s roots can have an adverse effect on you driveway or sidewalks, retailing walls or even your home’s foundation. You also could have issues with overhead or underground power lines and your plumbing.  Not only should you always contact your local utility companies, especially before digging in your front yard, you should also consider this rule of thumb. Large trees should be planted at least 20 feet or more away from your home but small trees may be planted a bit closer at 12-15 feet from a structure.

Please contact Northside Tree Professionals at 770-394-0905 to have one of our Certified Arborist to advise you about trees on your property.

Water

If your yard has a significant slope to it, trees planted at the lower areas of your yard may retain more water and drainage issues could become a real issue. This fact is good to consider when deciding on the location for planting your tree and what water its future water trees needs may be.

Planting Trees on Your Property

Soil

The soil of your new tree’s natural environment may be quite different from the composition of the soil on your property. A soil test can advise you as to what nutrients and other element you may need to make to your soil to aid you tree in healthy growth.

Not only does Northside Tree Professionals offer Pruning and Trimming Services, we can help you determine the best trees to plant on your property. Contact us at 770-394-0905

Fallen Tree Removal and Homeowners Insurance Claims

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What To Do If You Have A Fallen Tree, Including Filing Insurance Claims

As Atlanta soon enters the hurricane season (June 1 through Nov. 30), there are on average about seven hurricanes per season.  With these strong winds, often trees are seen either broken over or uprooted.  If you experience a fallen tree on your property, what should you do?  Will your insurance company pay for the damage and have the tree removed?

The answer is dependent on a number of factors:

A homeowner’s insurance policy generally will protect your home and other structures, a fence or a shed for example, against wind damage caused by a falling tree.  But what caused the tree to fall in important to understand.  If the tree was healthy, then your home homeowner’s insurance should likely pay for repairs to structure on your property as well as covering the removal of the fallen tree or branches.

However, homeowner’s insurance often will not cover a loss caused by a tree maintenance issue.  If the tree was dead and rotting before the wind storm, homeowner’s insurance likely will not cover the damage the tree caused to your property.

If you have any concerns about the health of your trees, please call Northside Tree Professionals at 770-394-0905 for a free tree evaluation.

If a fallen tree obstructs a driveway or home entrance for the disabled, your insurance may pay to remove the tree.  Otherwise, unless your policy has an endorsement covering such items, your homeowner’s insurance won’t likely cover tree removal.

What if the tree falls from my neighbor’s yard onto my property?

 If your home or other structure on your property is damaged by your neighbor’s tree, generally your homeowner’s insurance may help pay for the repairs. In Georgia, it is your responsibility to take care of the tree damage to your property.  Your insurer might pursue the neighbor’s insurer to recover the repair cost and your deductible may be reimbursed.

If you notify your neighbor in writing of a dead or bad leaning tree on their property that may impact your home, cars or buildings if it falls, then you should send a letter in writing to the neighbor stating that concern. It then becomes the neighbor’s responsibility as to the damage. Talk to your insurance agent for more detailed information.

Please contact Northside Tree Professionals at 770-394-0905 to have us remove a fallen tree on your property.

What if a tree falls in the yard and doesn’t damage any structures?  Home insurance typically doesn’t cover tree removal unless it falls on a structure. In this case you would have to pay for its removal.

Finally, any damage to your vehicle would be covered by the comprehensive section of your automobile insurance policy.

Fallen Tree Removal

Whatever the damage, remember that you will usually pay your deductible before your insurer will begin to pay for a covered loss.

If you have had storm damage from a fallen healthy tree that caused property damage, we can help.  Not only does Northside Tree Professionals offer Emergency Services, we can help you navigate the insurance claims process.  Contact us at 770-394-0905

3 Signs Your Tree Needs Immediate Attention

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Most trees are very hardy and don’t need much if any attention. However, there are some very severe issues that you should be on the lookout for that could kill or severely cripple any tree.

  1. Certain Types of Fungus Growth
    There are many types of fungus that can grow on and in trees. Some of which are not harmful to the tree but one type you should be on the lookout for is called tree bracket fungus. It’s also known as shelf fungus due to it’s characteristic trait of looking like a shelf growing out of the tree. It can come in many different colors, from white to brown. If you notice this growing out from your tree, you should contact a tree professional right away. The indication of this fungus growth means the tree’s heartwood could be diseased, which means the tree may suddenly fall.You may also notice this fungus growing on fallen trees and logs. And one such growth holds the recorded as one of the largest fungal growths.Another common fungus is called “Chicken of the woods.” This fungus in its early stages is a bright yellow orangish knobble growth on the trunk of trees. It mainly affects oak, yew, cherry and sweet chestnut anywhere from the base of the trunk up to about 15ft.
  2. Soil Mounding or Sudden Lean
    If you spot a tree suddenly leaning or a mound of soil coming up where there was not one around the base of a tree, this is an alarming warning sign. It could indicate that there is something very wrong with the tree and it may fall. A sudden lean is a good indicator the tree is dying. As the tree begins to lead a soil mound may show up, which may be your only visual indication of the tree leaning at first. Unfortunately, this can lead to needing tree removal services.
  3. Sudden Branch Fall
    It’s very common for branches to fall from heavy snow or nasty wind storms. Although, if branches are falling off without being related to a storm that can be a sign the tree is diseased and/or dying. If the branches are brittle, that is also a warning sign that something could be wrong. In either case, you should have a tree professional analyze your tree.

14 Trees You Can Actually Plant in the Fall

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With fall upon us, planting trees might be the last thing on your list.

BUT…

That might just be because you were not aware of all the trees that can be successfully planted during the fall.

So don’t let this fall stop you from continuing to spruce up your yard with some new trees.

Let’s dive into 15 of the best trees you can plant this fall.

But one word of caution before planting any trees, you may want to consult us for a tree analysis and make sure you’re following all local tree ordinances.

It should also be noted that sometimes in order to clear way and make sure roots of dead or dying trees don’t harm your new tree, you may be in need of tree removal service. We try to make that process as easy and simple as we can. So feel free to reach out to us for a free consult.

  1. Ash Tree
    Otherwise known as Fraxinus can be planted during the fall. Ash trees can usually be identified by their opposite branching as opposed to most trees which have alternating branding. Opposite branching means the leaves come off each side of the branch verses alternating as they grow off the branch.
  2. Buckeye
    There are about 6 different species of Buckeyes. These trees are often valued as ornamental trees because of their beautiful candelabra-like flower clusters.
  3. Catalpa
    Also called catawba tree. Although this tree is native to warmer climates it’s still suitable for fall planting. It’s typical habitat is the subtropical regions of North America, the Caribbean, and East Asia.
  4. Crabapple
    Crabapple tree actually refers to any species of wild apple trees. They typically bear small bitter fruit. Since the fruit is not normally eaten, most crabapple trees are bred only for their blossoms.
  5. Hackberry
    Also known as it’s species name of celtis occidentalis. Hackberry is a large deciduous tree that is native to North America. This is a good tree to plant around water to prevent erosion and minimize risk from flooding.
  6. Hawthorn
    It’s scientific name is crataegus. They grow to be about 16 to 49 feet tall and have small pome fruit with typically thorny branches. To many of the nectar-feeding insects, the flowers of the hawthorn tree are an important source of nutrition.
  7. Honey Locust
    Also known as the thorny locust, this is a deciduous tree native to central North America. Although the tree is highly adaptable to different environments, it’s typically found in the moist soil of river valleys.
  8. Elm
    Elms are flowering deciduous and semi-deciduous trees. They are typically planted as ornamental trees in parks, along streets, and gardens. Some elms can grow to great heights and age.
  9. Kentucky Coffeetree
    Once upon a time this tree was the designated tree of Kentucky. The tree has large leaves made up of smaller leaflets, as well as large woody pods. They typically grow between 60 to 75 feet in height.
  10. Linden
    The genus of this tree includes about 30 species of trees and bushes. Another name for the tree is basswood. They typically reach about 65 to 130 feet tall. Their leaves are heart-shaped and most are asymmetrical. They also bear a fruit that looks like peas that hang down from a ribbon or branch.
  11. Maple
    Their scientific name is acer. There are about 128 species of maple trees. They grow to about 33 – 148 feet tall and are known for their spectacular display of autumn leave colors. Most young maples are shade tolerant.
  12. Sycamore
    An often fast growing tree used to provide shade in the hot summer days. They can grow up to 80 feet, so are not your tree for a small yard. They can handle moist soil along a riverbank, lake or pond. And they are also known for their “helicopter” type seeds that almost fly as they are dropped by the tree.
  13. Pines
    These are evergreen, coniferous resinous trees. They can grow to 10 – 260 feet tall. Pines live a very long life. They average about 100 – 1,000 years and some can live even longer. In fact, a bristlecone pine tree (living in in an undisclosed location) is the oldest living non-clonal organism on the planet.
  14. Spruces
    The genus of this tree is Picea. Spruces are very tall trees that grow to about 60 – 200 feet. These trees also live for a very long time. In fact, one of them is the world’s oldest known living tree at 9,550 years old. They are also typically known for their needles (leaves) and cones which hang down.

The Cautions of Attempting Tree Pruning Yourself

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Why You Should Consult an Arborist for Tree Pruning

As trees start to regain their color throughout the spring season, spotting dead trees gets easier. Often times, when a homeowner sees a tree with no leaves in their yard this time of year, they’ll try to salvage the tree with a DIY pruning job. Upfront, this might seem like a money-saving effort to save a tree; however, attempting to prune a tree could be costly for anyone who is inexperienced and untrained to do so. Today, let’s explore the dangers of DIY tree pruning and why it should be left to the professionals. [Read more…]

Increasing Your Property Value with Stump Grinding

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How Stump Grinding Services Can Boost Your Property Value

Removing an unhealthy tree can sometimes put an unexpected dent in your wallet. Though it might seem inconvenient, tree removal is necessary for keeping your home safe, especially during the storm season. Because tree removal expenses can sometimes sneak up on families’ budgets, the stump grinding process is often left for a later date. No harm, no foul, right? Well, not exactly. Leaving a stump in your yard could decrease your property value, and we’re here today to talk about all the other little things that you can do to increase your property value. [Read more…]

Tree Removal Service in Alpharetta Asks, “Are You Spring Storm-Ready?”

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Prepping Your Home for a Spring Storm: Tips from a Tree Removal Service in Alpharetta

Here in Georgia, many people prepare for the spring storm season by keeping an ear out for tornado sirens with anticipation to head down to the basement or an interior room. However, the truth is there are some steps you can take ahead of time to better prepare your home for the local stormy weather. Here are few insights from Northside Tree Professionals, your tree removal service in Alpharetta experts on how you can get your home ready for this spring’s storm season.

[Read more…]

Can Your Tree Roots Withstand the Spring Storm Season?

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Mother nature has a way of filtering out weaker trees. In the winter, vulnerable branches fall under the weight of ice or snow; in the spring and summer, susceptible trees fall over due to wind and rain. In addition, fungi, parasites and damage from people and animals can also take their toll on the health of your trees. Trees are tested each season, and trees with any liabilities might not make it through the season. Of course, the crux of any problem starts at the base, which is why Northside Tree Professionals is here to examine whether your tree roots will pass or fail this spring storm season. [Read more…]

Winter Stresses on Trees & Shrubs

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Heavy snow and ice, as well as frozen soil conditions, can damage cherished trees and shrubs in residential landscapes. Even areas without major snowfall experience high winds and huge fluctuations in temperatures during winter. However, homeowners can lessen the adverse effects of winter weather with preventive maintenance.

How to avoid damage to trees

“Branches of trees can break due to the excessive weight of ice or snow,” says Tchukki Andersen, BCMA, CTSP*, and staff arborist with the Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA). “Tree strength can be improved with proper pruning to promote the formation and growth of the strongest possible branches and branch attachments. When pruning alone isn’t enough to strengthen a tree, properly installed cables and rigid braces can add support to weakened parts of a tree.”

Winter winds cause evergreens to lose moisture from their needles. Even some deciduous trees suffer from winter drying. If water is not available as moisture is drawn from living cells, permanent damage can result. The best prevention consists of planting only hardy species in areas of prolonged exposure, watering plants adequately in the fall, and mulching to insulate the soil and roots from severe cold.

On sunny days in winter, a tree’s trunk and main limbs can warm to 15 degrees higher than the air temperature. As soon as the sun’s rays stop reaching the stem when the sun sets, the tree’s temperature plummets, potentially causing injury or permanent damage to the bark. The two common types of injury from winter sun and temperature changes are sun scald and frost cracking. The effects of sun scald and frost cracking can be reduced by sound arboricultural practices to maintain overall health, and by covering the trunks of young, susceptible trees with a suitable tree wrap.

Winter is a good time to prune

“Most skilled arborists prefer pruning when trees are dormant,” says Andersen. “With no leaves on the tree, the arborist is better able to evaluate its architecture and spot dead or diseased branches. In addition, since the ground is frozen, damage to the turf underneath the tree due to falling limbs and tree care activities is negligible. This is also a good time to check trees for diseases and other damage.”

Other recommendations to improve the health of your living landscape:

  • Reduce compaction around trees to help improve water and air movement in the soil. This strengthens the tree’s root system.
  • When planting, choose hardy trees available in your area as they have better chances for survival in severe weather conditions. Choosing the best location and following proper planting procedures should be your highest priorities.
  • Only fertilize after a qualified tree care provider has assessed the tree’s health, growth, and site conditions.
  • In case of moderate storm damage, restoring the tree to its former health and beauty may take some time, but it generally can make a full recovery. Broken, hazardous limbs should be removed immediately. Pruning to remove broken stubs and restore the balance of the crown can be put off a little while, but shouldn’t be delayed more than one growing season.

Hire a Tree Care Professional:

The best advice is to hire a tree care professional with the experience, expertise, and equipment to safely take down, prune, or otherwise care for damaged trees. Search for a qualified tree care professional in your area.

* This Tree Care Tip courtesy TreeCareTips.org

Ever wonder about the history of all the lawns?

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As we begin the year 2016 many folks face strange perhaps even unique circumstances in their lives in unique circumstances.

Landscape fabric is used by many gardeners to cut down on gardening maintenance tasks. Should you install the fabric if you haven’t already? As a professional gardener, I’ve seen many gardens during my 14 year career Personally, I discourage my clients from using landscape fabric. Here’s why:

It compacts the soil. In order to truly be healthy, solid needs to be crumbly and loose. There is the type of soil where plants can spread their roots and grow without too much work. I’ve noticed that solid underneath the landscape fabric does not stay crumbly and loose. Rather, the solid becomes hard and compact. This makes digging and planting very difficult.

The weeds that do manage to get through the fabric are usually horrible enmeshed with the fabric itself. This means it’s very hard to remove the weeds. Usually, removing the weed entirely means ripping the landscape fabric.

“The will to win, the desire to succeed, the urge to reach your full potential…
these are the keys that will unlock the door to personal excellence.”
Quote Image
James Cameron – CA

Landscape fabric is expensive. In order to properly install the fabric, you need pins to hold the fabric down. This further increases the cost. In addition, it may be necessary to patch the fabric or install additional pins throughout the year.

  • Re-seeding is almost impossible
  • Plants have re-seeded themselves in your yard year after year
  • When you use landscape fabric, it’s very difficult for plants to re-seed themselves
  • In addition, bulbs can get pushed around and may not return

Garden Girl

As a gardener, I suggest that homeowners use another method to reduce garden maintenance times. Installing a thick layer of wood chips or mulch in the garden is one way to combat weeds.

Not only is this solution relatively inexpensive, but it’s attractive and will not effect the soil in a negative way.

Both of these tasks become incredibly difficult when landscaping fabric is present. Changing location and dividing plants become a time consuming chore.

This further increases the cost. In addition, it may be necessary to patch the fabric or install additional pins throughout the year. Of course, installing the fabric and putting the pins into the ground also takes a considerable amount of time.

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