WHAT FACTORS INFLUENCE TREE REMOVAL COSTS?

• Canopy density
• Trunk girth
• Tree or palm species
• Proximity of the tree to dump truck and chipper’s location
• Ease or difficulty of the terrain
• Number of trees
• Proximity to structures, fencing, or sensitive landscaping
• Proximity to hazards, such as electrical lines
• Emergency work that requires immediate action, especially during the company’s off-hours

HOW MUCH DO TREE REMOVALS COST?

Provided are price ranges depending on the tree’s height, however, the range is wide due to the preceding factors that influence the final cost.

• 30 ft or less = $100 – $500 per tree
• 30 ft – 60 ft = $200 – $1,500
• Over 60 ft = $1,500 or more per tree

OPTIONAL STUMP REMOVAL

Tree removal jobs involve the removal of everything from the base of the trunk and upwards.  On some jobs, the stump and roots are left to save on cost, but in most cases, they are removed to completely finish the project and prevent regrowth.  For this reason, we always recommend having the  stump removed along with the rest of the tree removal, but tree removals can be costly, so we understand when a client chooses to delay the stump removal for a later date.

As with any tree project, the cost for stump grinding varies greatly from as low as $50 for a simple, small stump to over $1,000 for larger stumps which are located on difficult terrain, such as a steep, hard-to-access slope.

EMERGENCY TREE REMOVAL

Unfortunately, some trees can be very unpredictable.  Even the most non-threatening tree can suddenly fall — sometimes resulting in a devastating aftermath.  Due the sudden and urgent nature of emergency tree removals, the cost for these jobs tend to be higher than your average tree removal job.  Changes need to quickly be made to our company schedule, crews need to be redirected or even regrouped in the middle of the night, and our tree specialists get to work as soon as possible to clear out the fallen trunks and limbs.

The following factors influence the final cost of an emergency tree removal.

• Urgency of the job
• Size of the fallen tree and material
• Odd working hours, such in the middle of the night or holiday
• Difficulty and sensitivity of tree location, such as fallen trees on power lines or through homes

IN NEED OF A TREE REMOVAL?

Contact LC Tree Service today for your free consultation!

The post COST OF TREE REMOVAL SERVICES first appeared on San Diego Tree Trimmers – LC Tree Service.
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Maintaining a garden is a labour of love. But sometimes the time and effort involved can be challenging to keep up. That’s why many homeowners today look for ways to make gardening easier. Low maintenance solutions like automatic sprinklers and composting systems are just the beginning.

One of the most challenging tasks for maintaining a garden involves weed removal. Weeds can be difficult to find and remove. Even when you least expect it, there could be seeds from weeds spreading around your garden beds. These seeds could be laying dormant until conditions are right for them to start thriving in your backyard.

Weeds are often the cause of many frustrations and issues in the garden. To help you manage weeds and keep them under control, let’s explore one of the most effective methods for stopping them—adding mulch to your garden beds.

Why mulch is a great option for weed control

When you apply mulch to your garden beds you are giving your soil a protective layer. A layer of mulch effectively blocks out the sunlight and prevents it from hitting your garden’s soil. Keep this in mind as we go through how weeds end up in your garden.

Weeds tend to spread when their seeds drop and get deposited into the soil. They can quickly multiply and spread throughout your garden in no time when growing conditions are favourable for them. Luckily, one of the most essential ingredients that help the seeds of a weed grow is nourishment from the sun.

So if you effectively block out sunlight hitting your soil, you take away a major food source for the seeds of the weeds to grow. Photosynthesis can longer occur which helps give weeds the nourishment they need to grow.

How mulch can help other plants thrive

One of the major benefits of laying down mulch is the protection it provides for the rest of the plants in your garden beds. During hot and dry seasons, mulch can help retain moisture in your soil. So long after your garden beds have been watered, the mulch will retain water and keep the soil moist.

This moist environment underneath your mulch will continue to help your plants thrive in more ways than one. Mulch can also help regulate temperature. In colder climates, the mulch is also effective at retaining heat. This form of temperature control contributes to a warm environment that helps your plants thrive well before Spring kicks in.

By now you’re probably wondering why mulch doesn’t hamper the growth of your other plants if that’s what it does to weeds. The truth is, you have to have well-established plant seedlings in place before laying down mulch. This ensures your seedlings sit above the mulch so they can still absorb nutrients and energy from the sun via photosynthesis.

Mulching on a budget

Your gardening budget can definitely help you narrow down your options for garden mulch. If you don’t want to fork out money for it, there are several free options you can rely on. If you regularly prune your garden you may already have a collection of twigs and small branches lying around. These can be perfect options for your garden mulch.

Fallen leaves from the trees in your yard are also a great option. But depending on the type of leaves you choose they may compost a lot faster than your standard mulch. Other free options to consider are sawdust or wood chips leftover from any work you’ve done in the garage. If you own a big lawn at home you may also appreciate that grass clippings from lawn mowing can also be used for mulch.

Choosing the best mulch for your needs

Choosing the best mulch to stop weeds in your garden really depends on your maintenance needs and what you’re trying to grow in your individual garden beds. Ideally, you want a mulch that can block out light from your soil. That’s the most important thing to consider when choosing the best mulch to stop weeds.

The free options we mentioned earlier like leaves and grass clippings are great but they can decompose a lot faster than other varieties. Wooden chips and mulch are popular options for several reasons. They don’t decompose quickly. They can last for months or well over a year before they start to deteriorate. One of the disadvantages of wooden mulch and chips is that because they don’t break down as fast, they won’t enrich your soil and provide your plants with nutrients.

A great solution we’ve found is using a combination of compatible mulch like leaves, grass, and hay with wooden mulch laid on top of it. This option gives you the best of both mulches. You’ll get the nutrients from the breakdown of leaves and other organic matter combined with the long-lasting surface protection of wooden mulch.

Get your next batch of garden mulch from Daryl’s tree care

Do you have a few trees that need to be removed from your garden? If so, we’ve got some great news for you. These trees can be turned into mulch that you can use directly in your garden. As part of our tree removal service, we offer mulching. So the branches, tree stump and log from your tree can be placed straight into our wood chipper where it’s turned into wooden mulch.

Even if you’re not getting any tree removed, we can still supply and deliver tree mulch straight to your yard. But you will have to be patient. Our wooden mulch only becomes available for jobs that require trees to be processed through a wood chipper.

So contact us today and we’ll gladly let you know when the next load of wooden mulch will be available for you to buy. Leading up to the day when we process a tree, we’ll let you know and arrange a day and time for your mulch delivery.

The post What is the best mulch to stop weeds? appeared first on Daryl's Tree Care And Surgery.

7 Signs You Need to Call a Tree Surgeon!

What if it was already too late for your favourite tree?

A good tree surgeon can help you take care of your trees and make sure that your garden looks amazing. Unfortunately, many homeowners do not know they need to call a professional until it is way too late.

To protect your trees, you need to properly understand the warning signs. Keep reading to discover the seven signs that it is time to call a tree surgeon!

1. Dead Branches

If you are wondering whether you need to call a tree surgeon or not, then you are probably driven by a simple question. How, exactly, can you tell if one of your trees is dying?

One of the biggest warning signs of a dying tree is dead branches. A dead or dying branch will typically have a different colour than a healthy tree or branch. And it may have difficulty holding its shape.

If you are still not sure, there is a quick way to check. Pluck a small stick from the tree or a branch and then break it in two. Healthy branches will be hard to break and will have green on the inside.

2. Damage to the Roots

Another major warning sign that a tree is in danger is when there is damage to the roots. While it is true that you cannot see most of a tree’s roots, there are still a few tell-tale surface signs that let you know whether the roots are damaged.

By far, the biggest sign of root damage is when you see wilting on the tree. This is evidence that the tree is not getting enough nutrients to keep it healthy. It means that for some reason, the roots are no longer able to get what they need from the ground.

When you see wilting, it is worth calling a reliable tree surgeon. They can help to inspect for root damage and, if needed, assist with safely removing the tree.

3. Leaning Tree

A leaning tree can be another sign that the tree is dying. However, some degree of lean is perfectly natural. But if a tree is leaning much more than usual, or seems to be leaning more than 15 degrees, then you might have a problem.

Leaning trees are typically another sign of damage to your roots. And, more importantly, a leaning tree may be in danger of falling over and causing serious damage to your home or other property.

At some point, the tree may be damaged beyond repair. Be sure to call a reliable tree surgeon to see if the tree can be salvaged or needs to be removed.

4. Overgrown Branches

Earlier, we discussed how dead branches are a tell-tale sign of a dead or dying tree. Another major sign to watch out for is overgrown branches.

This usually occurs when trees are planted too close to one another. Over time, the branches grow over each other. This can cause friction that leads to rot, and then the rot may place both trees in danger.

Even if the rot does not get these trees, the overgrown branches may start to affect how much water and sunlight the trees get. You are best off at this point calling a tree surgeon and seeing if they can save the trees with professional pruning or take other measures as needed.

5. Few Leaves

Some of the warning signs on this list are milder than others. For example, a tree that seems to be lacking leaves is a major sign that you should take seriously. At the same time, you can usually fix this problem easily enough without losing the entire tree.

At times, a lack of leaves may simply be due to the weather. Changes in temperature or abundant rain may affect how many leaves you see on the tree. Other times, this could be a sign that hidden pests or even diseases are causing damage to your tree.

The season also matters. A lack of leaves is expected around Fall or Winter. But if you are seeing this in Spring or Summer, then the tree is likely experiencing problems and will need to be inspected by a professional tree surgeon.

6. Large Crown

It seems like common sense that you may need to cut a tree down if it gets too big. But do you know how to recognize when the tree has reached such a state?

The most reliable indicator is the size of the tree crown. If you do not already know, the crown is the top part of the tree (counting things like trunk, branches, and leaves).

How can you know if the crown is getting too big? If the tree is starting to block sunlight in areas that it previously had not (such as your garden), then it may be getting a bit too big for your yard. At this point, it is time to call a tree surgeon about pruning options or removal.

7. Roots Affecting Pipes or Home

We previously discussed how damaged roots are a good indicator that you need to call a tree surgeon. But another root issue is more obvious: when roots are digging into your pipes or even into your home!

This is quite natural. In its quest to seek out nutrients, the tree has sent its roots into your pipes and your home.

The good news is that you can deal with these roots without killing the tree. But it is going to take a skilled tree surgeon to preserve the tree and also keep your home safe.

Calling a Tree Surgeon: What’s Next?

Now you know the different warning signs to call a tree surgeon. But do you know which surgeon you can rely on?

We specialize in tree surgery as well as pruning, felling, planting, and so much more. To see what we can do for you and your trees, contact us today!

Article was written by Conner D.

Article Source: https://www.graftingardeners.co.uk/call-a-tree-surgeon/

Killing Your Trees.

Did you know that most trees live up 50-100 years on average? The famous red cedar from Alaska can live up to 3,500 years under the right environmental circumstances.

But how to care for trees in your backyard? What can you do and what you should not do to protect your beloved trees? This article discusses a few things that you should avoid when it comes to caring for your trees, so keep reading.

Killing Your Trees: 1. Putting Mulch Too Close to the Tree

Adding mulch to the base of the tree is the right thing to do, whether you have a young or mature tree. However, make sure that the mulch is not too close to the tree trunk because this might cause suffocation.

Expert gardeners recommend adding mulch approximately 6 inches away from the tree trunk. At the same time, you should keep the mulch about one foot away from the trunk of a mature tree. This ensures proper ventilation and prevents the tree trunk from suffocating during hot summer days.

Killing Your Trees: 2. Tying the Dog to Your Tree

Many homeowners have dogs in their yard. Most of these dogs live in dog houses, but sometimes you might see a dog owner tying his pet to a tree. This is done for various reasons and it might appear to be a harmless thing to do.

However, dogs will rarely just sit there and do nothing for hours on end. A dog will eventually pull and tug at the tree. In this case, the dog can cause significant damage to the tree bark. Remember that the tree bark is one of the most important defence mechanisms of a tree.

Even minor damage to the tree bark can predispose your shrub to attacks from pests. Therefore, make sure that you do not tie your dog to a tree and your dog will probably be happier too. This piece of advice is true regardless of the type or age of your tree.

Killing Your Trees: 3. Putting Concrete in Tree Cavities

This is another bad habit that could damage the health and wellbeing of your tree. In some cases, trees might develop cavities, and this can predispose them to diseases and pests. Some homeowners think that it is a good idea to pour concrete in tree cavities to fill them up and protect the tree.

This is bad because most trees will heal themselves if you give them enough time. Adding concrete is like introducing a foreign substance into your body. It can cause problems and there is no easy way to ever remove the concrete from the tree cavities in the future.

If your tree develops cavities, just make sure that you protect it against pests or wildlife animals that might cause it harm. Young trees especially will heal themselves and fill up these cavities in a few weeks under the right conditions.

4. Hammering Nails or Screws to the Tree

Homeowners might do this for various reasons. For example, some of them might try to hang bird feeders from a tree. Others pick a large tree and attempt to build a large treehouse to entertain their kids.

Although these are not bad things to do, adding nails or screws to a tree can seriously damage its health. It is like having a metal piece in your body. The nails might cut through vital areas of your tree, disrupting the flow of nutrients, slowing down the growth of a tree, and predisposing it to diseases.

Even if you try to go for smaller nails, the situation is the same. Any foreign object or substance forced inside a tree will affect its health. If you want to hang bird feeders, hang them on a sturdy branch without using nails or screws.

5. Planting Trees Around Power Lines

Electricity companies never liked the combination of power lines and trees. You never know when a storm can push the branches of a tree into the power lines and cause serious damage. On top of that, an entire street might remain without electricity and this can cause a lot of frustration and anger.

Ideally, you should keep power lines in mind when planting trees. Avoid putting a tree under an important electricity hub and try to guess how tall a tree might grow when it is fully matured. If you already have trees that are dangerously close to power lines, consider trimming their branches.

Not only branches can get entangled on power lines, but wildlife animals residing in trees can also cause problems. Adventurous squirrels can easily jump from a tree on a power line and get fried. They might cause a blackout at the same time as well.

6. Adding Salt Near the Tree

It is a common practice to add salt on the streets in winter times. This prevents skidding and slipping, especially when it snows too much, and the temperatures drop suddenly. However, salt close to your trees can be a real problem in the spring.

Keep in mind that salty soil does not allow the growth of plants, grass, and trees. A soil that has absorbed salt is virtually toxic for every organic matter. If you plan to add salt to your driveways and walkways, make sure that you avoid adding it too close to the roots of your trees.

If your local authorities are adding salt to the streets as a preventative measure, try to cover the areas surrounding your trees with a piece of cloth. This should prevent most of the salt from getting into the soil and jeopardize the wellbeing of your beloved trees.

Taking Care of Your Trees Can Raise Property Value

Yes, you read it right. Your trees are unbelievably valuable for your property and well-maintained ones can increase the value of your house. That is because they provide shade on hot summer days, improve air quality, and also add to your home’s curb appeal.

These are just a few tips on how to properly care for your trees and avoid significant damage in the long run. Make sure that you check out the other articles on our blog to learn more about different types of trees, how to care for them, and how to prolong their lifespan.

Article was written by Conner D.

Article Source: https://www.graftingardeners.co.uk/killing-your-trees/

Tree emergencies and how to deal with them.

Storms can affect trees in different ways. The effect is influenced by lots of factors including wind direction and speed, rain duration and intensity, location, health and age.

Trees are great at adapting to a change in conditions but this is a slow process that takes decades; they can’t adapt to a single change in weather due to a storm, of course.

Tree emergencies due to storms can take many forms. Storm damage is often different from the damage caused by floods. Of course, both can happen simultaneously.

Tree Emergencies Caused by Storms with Flooding

Lots of places around the world have natural floods annually. The shrubs and trees native to these parts have been able to adapt to prolonged periods with their roots submerged.

There are problems if non-native species are introduced in these areas because they have not adapted to being submerged in water since their native areas do not experience flooding.

When the soil is waterlogged, there is a decline in its ability to sustain life. This happens because the available air in the soil is swapped for water. This means that the roots do not have access to essential oxygen supplies.

This means that damage can happen in as little as three hours. Being submerged in water kills the tree’s fine root hairs. This means the tree’s water-absorbing ability is seriously affected. It cannot take up nutrients and water until the water level falls.

When a tree is deprived of oxygen, there is a build-up of gases that lead to the larger tree roots dying. This can affect the tree’s stability.

What’s more, flooding causes the soil’s structure to deteriorate. Particles of clay lose their stickiness, which reduces the soil’s aptitude to grip onto the roots. This means that trees are more likely to fail at the root plate level.

Floodwater also affects the pH of soils. This means that the levels of nutrients and minerals could be affected.

All in all, when soils are flooded, there is both a long-term and immediate effect on tree longevity and health. The longer the flood persists, the worse the problem.

Flood Stress Seen in Trees

Tree flood stress is not always visible immediately. It manifests itself in a variety of ways, including:

• A reduction in the size of leaves for new growth
• Yellowing of leaves (chlorosis)
• Epicormic branch and stem growths
• Crown dieback
• Lack of new leaves in spring or defoliation
• Early change of colour in autumn as well as early falling leaves
• Prolific mast or seed crop the year after the flood

Care for Flood-Stressed Trees

Caring for a tree after floods impacts on its survival chances as well as the tree quality that remains.

Here are some steps to help:

• Remove any build-up of sand or silt so that the soil is back to its normal level. Make sure you also look to cover any roots that have been exposed. This should be done with topsoil.
• Incorporate organic or composted material like mulch into the topsoil to improve its structure. Make sure you do not damage any roots. Professional tree surgeons will use something called an ‘air spade’ for this task.
• A layer of mulch or other organic, composted material will help the soil to retain its moisture. Try not to add anything like fertiliser because it uses a lot of the tree’s energy.
• Watch out for colonisation. Stressed trees often have trouble fighting off secondary organisms like insects, fungi, and bacteria.

Storms with no Flooding

When there is no flooding, the main issue with storms is the wind. Trees are susceptible to storm damage when the force of the wind exceeds the tree’s structural strength. This type of storm damage is very obvious; you will often see large parts of the tree snapped or even a whole tree uprooted.

Some storm conditions might cause less obvious damage. Limbs and stems can have fractures while remaining intact. Trees also might be uprooted partially but don’t fall over. There might be broken branches that haven’t fallen.

If the storm involved lightning, you might notice large wounds in the tree’s bark. Lightning strikes can also result in the tree’s destruction. Once subjected to a lightning strike, there is not much that can be done to help a tree.

Luckily, it is rare to see such major storm damage and proactive, expert tree management means you can reduce the risks.

Why be Proactive?

Proactive tree work is cost-effective since you can protect your trees with the highest risk and greatest value. Tree work can be scheduled and planned and will avoid those emergency call-outs (and their cost) if there is storm damage.

Unfortunately, with climate change, we are likely to see lots more unsettled and stormy weather. If we want trees to survive well, we need to make sure they’re inspected frequently and well managed.

It’s a good idea to seek comprehensive tree assessments with experienced tree surgeons and tree consultants. They will be able to advise tree owners and help them keep their trees safe as well as healthy.

According to statistics by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), there are around 5 or 6 people killed each year in the UK due to falling branches or trees. Around 3 of these occur in a public space.

Of course, this makes the risk of being killed or struck by a tree extremely low; these numbers mean the risk is about 1 in 10 million. Despite the low level of risk, we need to consider how the public perceive the level of risk, especially if there has been a recent incident. Thus, tree owners should take great care in ensuring they look after their large trees.

Final Thoughts

While typical weather events can help to strengthen trees, excess forces or waterlogging from storms can cause problems. With consistent conditions, trees can adapt and initiate developmental changes to compensate for changing weather patterns.

Thanks to their biological engineering, they can adjust to loading, if the conditions are typical. When storms, floods, ice, or snow occur, the trees might not fare well. Extreme forces cause damage, injuries and even tree death. You can protect your trees with regular tree care by expert tree surgeons.

Article was written by Louise W.

Article Source: https://www.graftingardeners.co.uk/tree-emergencies/

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Today is Squirrel Appreciation Day! Squirrels are easy to love for their cunning personalities and cuteness, but they can just as easily become a nuisance when they turn to your trees for nutrition and habitat. Nevertheless, squirrels play an important role in our ecosystem and we can learn to coexist in harmony! ​

“A whole appreciation day, just for me?”

Bark stripping

Stripped bark from squirrels.

EATING TREE BUDS

The tender buds of a growing tree limb are a tasty treat for squirrels, but it can stunt the growth a tree and cause disfigurement. Generally speaking, this type of damage is only a nuisance and control is generally not needed. ​

tree trimming to protect young squirrels

In the United States, it’s best to trim your trees between November and January to avoid nesting seasons. Of course, if the tree trimming must take place during nesting, our arborists are careful not to disturb nests. Plenty of foliage should be left around the nests for their protection from predators and the elements. ​ Keeping squirrels out of your house Are squirrels finding their way into your home? They can easily jump up to 10 feet from a tree onto your roof and find their way into attics, crawl spaces and chimneys to seek warmth and protection. Let your arborist know if your objective is to prevent this from happening and your tree can be trimmed to clear the house by more than 10 feet. Of course, our best advice is to find where the squirrels are entering and secure the openings. ​

Baby squirrels (“kittens”) rescued from a tree.

Jaime making a new friend on a job site.

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OMAHA TREE CARE COMPANY BECOMES SECOND IN NEBRASKA TO EARN ACCREDITATION Program helps consumers find high-quality tree care companies   Arbor Aesthetics Tree Service, a residential tree care company located in Omaha, Nebraska has been accredited under a new Tree Care Company Accreditation program administered by the Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA) and built on the threefold foundation of ethics, quality, and consumer confidence.   The new program represents the only business practices and compliance audit process in the tree care industry. Under the process, businesses undergo extensive review of professional practices aimed at safeguarding consumers.  The review includes: ​ ► best business practices ► ethical business conduct ► formal training and certification of employees ► compliance with industry standards ► consumer satisfaction ► adherence to safety standards ► insurance coverage   TCIA Accreditation means Arbor Aesthetics adheres to all the accreditation standards and has undergone a rigorous application process.  TCIA verified this by conducting an on-site audit of Arbor Aesthetics.   TCIA Accreditation for Arbor Aesthetics is in effect for a period of three years, with renewal check-ups required every year.  The annual renewal ensures that the required number of certified arborists are still on staff, that the company is still properly insured and that the company has a good safety and consumer satisfaction rating.  The company is re-accredited every three years.   According to TCIA president Mark Garvin, “TCIA Accreditation provides consumers a way to find tree care companies that are trustworthy in their business and tree care practices.  Our TCIA Accreditation program is the only one of its kind in America and will give consumers peace of mind.”   The process of becoming accredited is no easy task, according to Amy Grewe, President. “The process is incredibly thorough. They left no stone unturned,” states Grewe. “Jeff and I are pleased that in our 15th year in business, we have finally been recognized as one of the best tree care companies around, joining only one other accredited company in Nebraska.   Garvin echoes that sentiment. “Arbor Aesthetics has made a commitment to excellence in all facets of its business. I applaud their efforts.”

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