Tree care services include routine pruning, disease management and other methods to improve a tree’s health. These services can also help reduce the risk of damage to your property from falling trees.

Watering is a crucial service for tree health. Mulch is an additional service that insulates the roots, protects them from lawn mower cuts and helps prevent dry soil. Click the https://www.higueratreecare.com/ to learn more.

Many tree care professionals recommend fertilizing all trees on a regular basis, claiming that it keeps them healthy. While it does encourage fast growth of twigs and leaves, it can also reduce the tree’s ability to tolerate drought and other stressors. Furthermore, excessive soil fertility is a major contributor to water pollution caused by runoff from residential and commercial landscapes.

Ideally, soil tests should be conducted before applying any type of fertilizer. This will help to determine the nutrient levels and the soil pH that is optimal for your trees. At Bartlett, we can help you establish these parameters through our patented Root Invigoration process.

Fertilizers are available in granular, liquid, and slow-release forms. Regardless of the product used, the application method is crucial to the health of your trees.

In a traditional approach, granular fertilizers are broadcast on the surface of the soil or mulch. While this may seem like a quick and cost effective solution, it can lead to concentrated pockets of chemical that are toxic to roots and foliage. These pockets can also damage the surrounding grass and soil. Additionally, if the fertilizer is not watered in immediately after application, it will eventually leach through the soil and pollute the groundwater.

Professional arborists prefer to use a deep root injection technique to apply nutrients. This directs the fertilizer below competing turfgrass roots and into the root zone of trees. We also utilize long lasting slow-release fertilizers that provide a continuous supply of nutrients throughout the growing season (Fig. 10).

It is best to fertilize in late April or early May before the trees put on new growth or in the fall before they enter dormancy. If fertilizer is applied too late in the summer, it can stimulate soft new growth that will not harden off before winter, leading to damage or death.

Pest and Disease Control

As living organisms, trees are susceptible to pest infestation and disease. Detection and treatment of these issues is essential to tree health.

Many common tree diseases and insect infestations can be prevented with proper monitoring and preventative care. Catching these issues early is vital, as most treatments are only effective within a one to two month window. Sudden oak death, emerald ash borer, tulip poplar borer and other local invasive species are just some of the common maladies that can be managed with timely inspections and preventative measures.

Depending on the type of tree or shrub and its environment, some species are more prone to certain pest problems than others. In addition, trees that are under stress due to drought or poor soil conditions are more apt to be attacked by insects and diseases.

Infestation and disease symptoms are most easily spotted through close inspection of the landscape. Often, the first sign of trouble is a swollen, discolored or dying branch or trunk. Decaying or open holes in the bark, twigs or roots are other telltale signs. An experienced arborist can identify these issues and provide the correct diagnosis.

Most people perceive insects negatively, but some species, like ground beetles, lacewing larvae, parasitic wasps and flies, and tree-hugging ants, are natural enemies of destructive insect pests. In fact, these species help to maintain the overall health and vigor of an urban forest ecosystem.

We use an integrated approach to managing insects and diseases, starting with sound cultural practices including pruning and creating optimal soil conditions for plant growth. Periodic inspections are key to detecting pest populations, and when necessary, our trained arborists will recommend reduced-risk, organic and naturally derived materials for pest suppression. This holistic approach is far more effective than using toxic chemicals, which can harm the environment and your valuable landscaping investment. In fact, our Integrated Pest Management (IPM) services are designed to reduce the need for pesticides as much as possible.

Pruning

The proper pruning of trees and shrubs can help protect them from disease, insect pests, environmental stressors, and other issues that can compromise their health. It can also reduce the need for more extensive, possibly damaging pruning later on. Pruning also helps ensure that a tree’s structure is strong and well-formed, so it can play its vital role in our local ecosystem.

Some of the main objectives of pruning are to maintain plant health, improve appearance, open vistas, repair storm damage, control size, and promote new growth. Good pruning techniques include removing dead, dying, or rotted branches; crossing or rubbing limbs; crowded limbs that restrict air movement; branches with thorns below eye level; sucker growth from rootstock; and water sprouts from limbs or trunks.

Pruning can be done on any tree or shrub to address specific aesthetic goals, such as achieving a specific shape. This can be achieved with various types of pruning cuts, such as shearing, hedging, and topiary work. It can also be used to remove invasive or diseased plants, or to clear away brush from homes, buildings, and vehicles.

Branches that hang over buildings or power lines can pose safety hazards, so it’s important to prune them regularly to keep your landscape safe for you, your children, and pets. Proper pruning can also help prevent damage to your home or property by preventing branches from falling during heavy storms or winds.

The best time to prune deciduous trees and shrubs is in the late winter or early spring. This is because this period coincides with the dormant season, when a tree is less susceptible to disease and pest infestation. Pruning during this time also allows the tree to heal more quickly from wounds or abrasions caused by the pruning process.

In addition to regular pruning, it’s important to inspect your trees and shrubs on a routine basis for any potential problems. Our professionals are trained to recognize signs of stress or injury and can recommend the appropriate course of action to correct them. For instance, if a tree has been improperly pruned or has not been professionally pruned for several years, it may require more extensive renovation pruning to redirect its growth and restore its vigor.

Removal

Tree removal is an important service for maintaining the health of your landscape. It removes unhealthy, damaged, or dead trees, which can pose a safety hazard during storms or if they fall. It also creates defensible space around properties, reducing fire hazards. And, it can prevent soil compaction and nutrient depletion, which are often caused by overcrowded trees.

During the removal process, our professionals follow rigorous safety protocols to ensure the operation is as efficient and hazard-free as possible. This includes securing permits, creating barriers around the area, notifying neighbors (if necessary), and evaluating the best method for removing the tree.

It also includes a meticulous preparation phase. During this stage, our team assesses the health of the tree, checks for pest infestation, and determines if pruning could be a safer solution than removal. It also prepares equipment and crew members, ensuring they have the right tools for the job at hand.

Removing a tree can be very dangerous, especially when the work involves cutting tall trees with chainsaws or other heavy equipment. It’s a complex task that requires planning, proper equipment, professionally trained tree crews, and the highest standards of safety and OSHA compliance.

When pruning isn’t enough, a tree may need to be removed entirely. This typically happens when a tree has severe damage or disease that can’t be mitigated through other means. It’s also sometimes required when a tree’s location is no longer suitable, like when it grows too close to structures or utility lines.

During the removal process, our professionals use a series of cuts to guide the tree’s fall in a controlled direction, minimizing potential injuries and property damage. Once the tree is down, we carefully clean the area and dispose of it responsibly. We also offer stump grinding, which eliminates tripping hazards and can be used as mulch to nourish new plants. Finally, we recycle any wood that can’t be used for other purposes, which reduces the need for new raw materials and supports sustainability.

Kenneth Mortenson