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How Much Does Tree Care Cost

Written by Rob Schneider and published on https://hipages.com.au/.

Hiring a professional to trim just one tree can cost $80 to $1,000+, with $250 to $500 being the typical price range for tree trimming. If the trimming is straightforward, you could be quoted $80 for a small tree under 25 feet tall, or $175 for a medium-sized tree 25 to 50 feet, and $300 to $1,000 for a big tree over 50 feet. Keep in mind that those prices cover a one-time service for just one tree. If you’ve got several trees around your house that need trimming, the bill will go up accordingly.

2020 How Much Does an Arborist Cost?

How much does an arborist cost? Arborists have many skills, ranging from tree consulting, tree reports to tree surgery, or removing trees from properties. Here’s what you need to know about what arborists do and how much their services will cost.

What does an arborist do?

Arborists can do almost anything related to trees. Some of the jobs arborists typically do include:

Tree consulting and tree reports

Tree removal

Stump grinding

Tree pruning

Tree surgery

Log splitting

Root management

Each of these jobs is a separate service and will come with a separate cost. For example, if you want to have a tree removed, it probably won’t include stump grinding or stump removal.

Root management includes cutting roots back or creating a barrier so a root cannot impede on a driveway or house slab. Log splitting can be done if you have a wood fireplace and want the timber for burning. Tree pruning and tree surgery are slightly different. Tree pruning can remove limbs that overhang the house or dead limbs, while tree surgery involves removing diseased limbs to keep the tree healthy.

In general, arborists charge around $70 per hour, but their hourly rate may not reflect the cost of the job. The cost will depend on other factors and the number of workers who need to be on the job. If other equipment is needed, such as a truck hoist to reach tree branches, it will cost extra. Truck hoists usually cost around $170 per hour and the hoist may be needed for longer than one hour.

How much does tree consulting and reports cost?

Tree consulting and tree reports are two services an arborist can provide. A tree consultation will give information about a variety of things:

Is the tree diseased and can the disease be cured?

Advice on what types of trees to plant.

Valuation reports tell how much a tree is worth.

Public liability and public safety reports can tell you if a tree poses a danger to the public or a neighboring property.

Root mapping can find out if a  tree’s roots pose a danger to underground pipes or a home’s foundation

Tree surveys help identify how to best maintain trees.

Tree reports can be a little different than a tree consultation, though the terms are often used interchangeably. Tree reports may be submitted to the council if you want to remove a tree from your property. Many trees in Australia are protected, but different councils protect different trees. A tree report can identify the tree and submit reasons for its removal to the council.

In general, an arborist consultation or report will cost:

$75 to $100 for one to five      trees

$25 for each additional tree

$35 for submission to council      fee

The cost may vary depending on circumstances, but these are the basic costs for a consultation or report.

How much does tree removal cost?

Tree removal will depend on a variety of factors:

The size of the tree

The condition of the tree

The location of the tree

Ease or difficulty of access

Needed safety precautions

Transportation and tipping fees

A large tree will cost more because it has to be cut from the top down. If the tree is in poor condition, extra steps will be needed to ensure safety. The location of the tree is an important factor because trees that hang over neighboring properties or over a roof will need to be cut carefully and branches cannot be allowed to fall. If a tree overhangs a roof, for instance, the branches will need to be secured so they don’t fall on the roof. If any safety precautions are needed, they will factor in the cost.

Because of the complexity of tree removal, the cost can be anywhere from $300 for a simple job to $10,000 or even more. An arborist will have to inspect the tree before they can give a quote. While $10,000 can seem excessive, it can be necessary in some cases when a large tree must be removed from the top down and branches cannot fall to the ground.

How much does stump removal cost?

Like tree removal, stump removal will depend on the size of the job, access problems, and other factors. Special stump grinding equipment is used, but an extensive root system may also require some digging. Stump removal can cost up to $800 or more depending on the project. On average, stump removalists charge around $35 per hour. A small job may only take two or three hours to complete. A larger job can take much longer and if more than one stump needs to be removed, that will factor into the cost as well. On average, stump removal costs between $350 and $800, but smaller jobs will cost less.

Keep in mind that stump removal is not usually included in the cost of tree removal. If you want both, ask for quotes for both tree removal and stump removal. It can save you money because the arborist will come with equipment for both jobs instead of having to return to do the stump removal.

Also, remember that stump grinding and root removal maybe two different jobs. Stump grinding usually involves getting rid of the exposed stump, while root removal involves taking out the whole root system. Root removal can cost more than stump grinding, but an arborist will have to inspect the tree before they can give a quote.

How much do tree pruning and tree surgery cost?

As with everything an arborist does, tree pruning and tree surgery will depend on the size of the tree. For smaller trees, they may charge an hourly rate of $35, but you will also need to pay for travel and setup time. For larger trees, the cost can be much higher, with costs between $500 and $2000. The reason for the high costs can be because the arborist will have to:

Climb the tree to remove branches

Take personal safety precautions

Remove branches without letting them drop to the ground

There may also be accessibility problems and other factors that affect the cost. If tree surgery is needed, you may also have to pay for an initial consultation.

Choosing an Arborist

Arborists do not require licensing, so you should be careful when choosing an arborist. Their job can be dangerous to the public and the arborist, so should carry public liability insurance and personal insurance. They should also hold a Certificate II or III in Horticulture (Arboriculture) and be a member of a recognized organization such as Arboriculture Australia.

The arborist should be well established in the area and have a good safety record. They may be able to supply you with references. Check their references and find out if the arborist knows what they’re doing and has a good safety record. Choose the best arborist you can find, especially if you have large trees that need pruning or removing. An expert will be able to do the job safely and efficiently. Don’t trust any job to an amateur.

*Costs and prices in this article are indicative and should only be used as a guide. They also vary locally and are subject to market forces.

Original post here https://hipages.com.au/article/how_much_does_an_arborist_cost.

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How Do They Trim Really Tall Trees?

Written by Todays Homeowner and published on https://todayshomeowner.com/.

Tall trees are magnificent structures that provide ample shade, as well as a large habitat for many varieties of animals. Like all trees, tall trees must be trimmed and pruned occasionally to keep them in optimal health, and also for safety reasons. If one of the tree’s limbs dies or becomes too heavy, it could break away from the trunk, causing injury to nearby persons and damage to property. While it is recommended that you hire a tree-trimming company to deal with extensive tree trimming for safety reasons, you can perform small pruning tasks yourself.

HOW TO TRIM LARGE TREE BRANCHES

If you’re trimming heavy tree limbs, you have to be extra careful not to damage the bark or interfere with the tree’s natural healing response. Doing it right is actually no more difficult than doing it wrong, particularly if you think ahead to how much work it would take to remove a dead tree!

Here’s how to cut large tree limbs in your yard in three simple steps.

How Trees Heal

The truth is, trees don’t actually heal as we do. When you cut off a tree branch, the tree forms a special callous tissue (like a scar) that covers over the wound to keep out disease and decay. That scarred part of the tree will be there forever, sealed off so that the rest of the tree can keep growing. It’s very important to prune trees correctly so that we don’t interfere with this process – incorrect pruning will leave the tree weak and vulnerable to disease.

In the top photo, you can see the evidence of several large pruning cuts. The bumps show well-healed pruning scars, most of them completely covered over. The “donut” shaped scar is normal, too. The callous tissue grows from the outside edges toward the center, so it’s still in the process of sealing over.

How to Cut a Tree Limb

Proper pruning of large tree limbs involves three cuts:

Cut #1, Notch Cut: Cut a small notch in the bottom of the limb, 2-3 feet away from the trunk, and about a quarter of the way through. This notch will keep the bark from splitting when you make the next cut.

Cut #2, Relief Cut: Just outside the notch, make a relief cut completely through the branch. This removes the weight of the branch, so that you can make your final cut without the branch splitting and falling.

Cut #3, Final Cut: This is the one that matters! Your final cut should be right where the branch collar (that swollen bump) transitions to smooth branch bark. Follow the slant of the branch collar. If you can’t fit your saw into the crotch at the right angle, then cut it from the bottom up.

Common Tree Trimming Mistakes

Cutting the Branch Too Short: We used to think that branches should be cut off flush with the trunk – boy, were we ever wrong! The branch collar is responsible for forming the scar tissue. If you cut into the branch collar, the tree will have a very hard time recovering. When you see rotten holes in tree trunks, or seeping wounds, you’re looking at the aftermath of cutting off the branch collar.

Leaving the Branch Too Long: The branch collar on the truck can only do its job of allowing the wound to heal if all of the branch that it has to cover over has been removed while leaving the branch collar itself intact. In the photo on the right, you can see how the branch stubs that were left too long are interfering with and actually preventing the healing process from taking place.

Failure to Make the Relief Cuts: If you fail to make the relief cuts and remove most of the weight of the limb before trimming the branch back to the trunk, you run the risk of having the branch split off. This can cause substantial damage to the trunk, as seen in the photo at right. This can make the wound on the trunk susceptible to disease and insect infestation and take much longer to heal.

Original post here https://todayshomeowner.com/how-to-trim-large-tree-branches/.

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What soil is right for my new tree?

Written by Urnabios Admin and published on https://urnabios.com/.

Proper planting is essential for healthy, vigorous growth of ornamental plants in the landscape. It assures rapid plant establishment by providing a favorable environment for the developing root system.

Planting involves more than merely digging a hole and sticking a plant in it. Giving careful consideration to the preparation of the planting site, the time of year for best plant establishment, and the handling requirements of different nursery stock will help you avoid problems later on.

Why Soil is important for Tree health

There are numerous factors that can affect your plant health, one of which is soil. It’s easy to overlook soil for tree or shrub health when planting, we become so caught up with tree care above ground that we forget what’s happening below ground is just as important. Soil for tree health is essential, especially in urban settings.

Soil guides the species of trees that can thrive in your area. Planting a tree that isn’t suitable for the area is senseless. Neglecting proper soil for your tree can be detrimental to a tree’s health, and even cost you your tree. By understanding a few soil basics, you can select trees that will thrive in your soil.

Get to know your Soil

Soil is comprised of many things: nutrients, minerals, water, liquids, air, and gases. What works for one tree won’t necessarily work for another. Each tree requires a different soil.

There are numerous soil varieties, but the most common soils are sandy, silt, clay, peaty, loamy, and chalky. Soils vary from one location to the next, but one thing they share is their visible layers or horizons. The composition of soil is identifiable by how it settles. When you don’t have healthy soil available, you can mix soils together to change the texture, creating a soil for trees that is more suitable for planting.

Sandy – rough texture and dries easily. Since the soil base is loose, it’s harder to retain moisture, making it harder for plants to access nutrients.

Silt – it is comprised of fine particles and has a smooth, slippery texture. Its tight compaction can serve as an advantage in retaining moisture and nutrients, or a problem if planted with the wrong tree.

Chalky – usually stony and lays on top of limestone or bedrock. It will require more nutrients to support plant growth.

Clay – feels lumpy and sticky when it’s very wet. It is the most tightly packed soil with little air space, making it difficult for air and moisture to penetrate the soil.

Loamy – the most ideal soil. It drains well, full of nutrients, and holds water.

Peaty – has a much higher proportion of organic matter because of the soil’s acidic nature. There are fewer nutrients, but it holds water well.

Soils can even vary on the same property. An easy way to identify your type is to fill a small jar with soil from your yard or place you want to plant your Bios Urn®, shake it, and let the soil settle overnight. The following day you should notice distinct layers. Sandy soil tends to settle at the bottom, clay at the top, and silt in the middle.

Why does soil for tree health matter?

Soil performs five essential functions; using the wrong type of soil or unhealthy soil can impede tree health by constricting roots from accessing the water and nutrients necessary. Soil helps regulate water, supports biodiversity, filters pollutants, provides physical support, and cycles nutrients. You can understand why attempting to plant a tree that requires less soil saturation may not thrive if it’s planted in silt or clay soil. Trees show signs of stress, possible signs that the soil isn’t healthy to include leaf discoloration, brittle limbs, and even stunted tree growth.

It’s also important to dig a hole deep enough for tree roots to grow. Planting in shallow soil makes tree roots more susceptible to exposure which can lead to tree stress and even toppling from wind gusts. If you have bedrock near the surface of your soil that prevents you from digging deep, consider mixing in top soil to add depth.

Soils are complex organisms, that’s why there is a whole field of study dedicated to the soil. Plant growth is directly influenced by soil conditions. That’s not to say that if your plants show these signs that it’s a result of poor soil. Several varying factors go into tree health, but soil care is a key component to growing healthy trees.

Original post here https://urnabios.com/why-soil-for-tree-health-matters/.

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How Much Do I Have To Water My New Tree?

Written by L Peter Macdonagh and published on https://www.deeproot.com/.

When you plant new trees in your yard, it very important to give the young trees excellent cultural care. Watering a newly transplanted tree is one of the most important tasks. But gardeners have questions about how best to do this: When should I water new trees?

How much to water a new tree?

Healthy trees can grow anywhere, including cities, provided they receive enough water, soil, and sunlight. Research shows that vigorous urban trees keep people healthier, cool cities in summer, warm homes in winter, help kids learn better, decrease car accident rates, raise real estate values, and decrease crime dramatically. Even with these myriad benefits, recent heat and droughts in many parts of North America (and elsewhere) raise an uncomfortable but necessary question: how do you maintain a healthy tree when there is a shortage of water?

San Antonio, TX is an interesting place to look for an answer to this question because the San Antonio Water System (SAWS) has higher current water needs than what’s available in its system. As a result, they have had to start purchasing water outside of their regional watershed, well-shed, and river-shed – and this has driven then to develop an efficient watering system that enables them to give trees what they need while minimizing the economic and environmental burden of purchasing water.

Mark Peterson, formerly of the Texas Forest Service and now with the San Antonio Water Department, was tasked with creating watering guidelines that would provide enough water for young trees to survive and grow, but not use any more water than absolutely necessary. Mark’s approach is what I’ll be sharing here.

Simple, But Not Easy

No matter how drought-tolerant, native, or local a tree species is, almost all young to trees (typically 1 to 3 years old, or up to 5 years in Type I, Type II and especially arid regions) in man-made landscapes must be watered by people during the summer to survive and become established.  The complete extent of young tree roots in the first few years after planting is limited to the soil volume that the tree was last grown in (for example, a pot or container). Mature, established trees generally require less consistent care, but during droughts, every tree must be monitored and watered adjusted accordingly.

If you are caring for young, recently planted trees, here are some good rules of thumb to follow (your mileage may vary depending on climate and tree species). Here is Mark’s watering regimen for newly planted trees.

Watering as a Science

For young trees, water the roots around the trunk (not the trunk itself, and not the area outside the root ball). I also recommend creating and maintaining a 3-foot wide, 1” to 3” (2.5 cm to 7.5 cm) deep organic (wood chip) mulch ring around the trunk for its entire life, to help maintain soil moisture.

For mature trees (>25 years), or those with a trunk more than 12″ (30 cm) in diameter, water deep and occasionally. About 10 gallons per 1 inch (2.5 cm) of trunk diameter per week (ex., a tree with 12″ DBH would receive 120 gallons) during drought. If there is unlimited water, there are records of trees absorbing 150 gallons of water in a single day.

Watering as an Art

In addition to the (human-driven) watering recommendations described above, there are environmental and design decisions that can set trees in the built environment on a more secure course for getting their irrigation needs to be met.

Select tree species that, over the long term in typical summer weather (not droughts), won’t require supplemental watering.

The urban landscape is full of small humps, bumps, and pimples that don’t serve to gather and contain water runoff. By thoughtfully altering these forms via slopes, pipes, and berms, we can turn the entire previous landscape into a tool for draining water to tree planting areas.  This would be a paradigm change for watering trees and managing stormwater worth billions of dollars, and billions of gallons of water, nationwide.

All trees need water during droughts. DeepRoot published some thoughts about this last summer that are worth re-reading. Trees that have access to larger volumes of loamy soil will be able to withstand dry periods better because of the water reserves the soil can contain (remember that sandy soils will drain quickly and require more frequent irrigation).  Evergreens need heavy watering going into the winter and need watering during winter droughts.

Sometimes annuals or bulbs can look nice planted under a tree. But the tree is paying a price in root damage (caused by planting and removing flowers) and water competition for that temporary beauty. After tree establishment, I do not plant anything under trees within 10 feet of the trunk.

Watering Tools

There are a great number of available tools for watering trees depending on your needs, budget, and other site considerations.

Passive

Slow-release watering bags (e.g. Gator Bags).

Rain leaders, or scuppers, can be directed towards tree trunks or below ground into the tree soil mass.

Flexible downspout extender can be directed towards tree trunks.

Clean 5-gallon bucket. Fill with hose and time speed of fill – this will tell you how many gallons per minute are being applied. A typical municipal     fill = 5 gallons un 2-5 minutes

Rain barrels with flexible hoses attached.

Active

Automatic irrigation can be great for watering hard-to-get-to trees and can be set to run occasionally for long periods of time using drip, bubbler, or soaker hose.

Harvest cisterns – sump pump.

It’s important, particularly with mature, established trees, to water the entirety of the soil volume, even the part under paving. If there is no automatic tree watering system (bubblers, drip), I suggest using a soil watering needle with a watering hose connected.

Timing

Effective tree watering always takes place relatively slowly. (For this reason, pop-up rotary sprinkler head systems for lawns, that only turn on for a few minutes a few to several  times a week, are not the best type of watering for trees). If you use automatic irrigation to water your trees, set them to run for much longer periods of time using drip, bubbler, or soaker hose.

Still not sure?

The above are just guidelines; you should use your own experience, common sense, and (if appropriate) input from a professional when applying these to your site. Some simple questions can help you assess how much and how frequently to water your trees. Think about the following as a place to get started:

Are the trees young and newly planted, or mature and established?

How much precipitation does the area receive? How intense and frequent are the storms?

How warm is the average daily|high temperature in the hot season?

How much soil is the trees planted in?

What type of soil are the trees planted in?

Are the trees growing in a street, median, parking lot, lawn?

What moisture conditions does the tree prefer?

How does water get into the tree opening?

If you’re wondering what trees do with all that water, on hot or windy days in the summer, a whopping 95 percent of the water that the tree consumes, when available, is turned into mist by the leaves (a process called evapotranspiration). The remaining 5 percent is used to photosynthesize to manufacture sugars for food.

Original post here https://www.deeproot.com/blog/blog-entries/how-much-should-you-water-your-tree.

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Biggest Mistakes Homeowners Make When Trimming Their Own Trees

Written by HGTV Admin and published on  https://www.hgtv.com/.

When it comes to tree maintenance, you may think that tree trimming is one of these tasks that can easily be done without the help of a professional. While it may be true that you can conquer tree trimming on your own, there are several important things to consider before beginning. Often homeowners are unaware that there is, in fact, a proper way to trim trees, resulting in some common tree trimming mistakes. Without training or extensive tree knowledge, it is important to do some research on how to properly trim your trees during your planning phase to help avoid these mistakes.

Biggest Pruning Mistakes

The myth of the “maintenance free” landscape is easily debunked when DIY landscapers realize that plants never stop growing. Pruning, if only of the rare, occasional variety, is essential for every functioning landscape. While incidents of permanent pruning damage seldom occur, there are right and wrong ways to go about the business of pruning.

Not Pruning

One major pruning mistake that flies under the radar for a long time is a failure to prune. Not pruning at all can cause its own set of problems. Look for plants that have outgrown their allotted space or become “leggy.” Some blooming plants will harbor old flower heads or seedpods that may be undesirable. Neglected plants can be reshaped, but often they will require rather extended time, and in some instances, several follow-up prunings, to grow back into a desirable shape again.

Cutting Off the Flowers

Ever wonder why your hydrangea doesn’t bloom? It could be that you pruned the buds off. This is an example of another big pruning mistake: pruning at the wrong time of year. Most spring and early summer bloomers set their flower buds on the previous year’s growth. If they are pruned too late in the summer or before bloom time in the spring, it is likely that they will not bloom well, or at all. Limit pruning of these early bloomers to a window of time within a month of the end of their bloom cycle.

Excessive Shearing

Hedges, foundation plants and topiaries are normally sheared to maintain a tightly groomed appearance. Problems can arise, however, when shearing is the only approach used to attend these plants. A thin layer of dense leaves with little thickness will leave them looking like hollow green shells. The best way to both prevent and correct this pruning mistake is with occasional thinning. Use handheld pruners or loppers to remove up to ten percent of the branches bearing the surface foliage in order to allow sunlight to penetrate deeply into the plant. Thinning will promote deep branching and greater sunlight penetration will stimulate lush, deep foliage.

Out of Shape Plants

When hedges are cut inward toward the bottom, it becomes increasingly more difficult for them to regenerate foliage at the base. Ultimately the bottom of the plant will be bare. For the consistently best look and long-term health, hedges and other groomed plants must be wider at the bottom and taper slightly toward the top. This shape will provide good sunlight exposure for the whole foliage surface, leading to good leaf production throughout.

Topping

Tree and shrub varieties should be researched before planting to ensure that they will grow to an appropriate size for their allotted space. Removing the top of a tree stimulates one or more secondary leaders that will naturally grow in the same way as the original but with weaker structure, resulting in a net negative effect. A tree that has outgrown its space should be removed. A large, well-established shrub may be “renewal” pruned in late winter or early spring. Simply cut the shrub to the ground (or within a foot or so of the ground), allowing it to regenerate from the suckers that will form in spring. Ultimately, it is best to replace too-large landscape plants with right-sized ones.

Poor Technique

Simply cutting branches off of trees and shrubs will not necessarily give the desired effect. Doing it the wrong way may result in unsightly cut ends showing for a long time, heavy production of water sprouts producing an unbalanced look, oversized scars, etc. When removing branches, always make the final cut at the top of a branch collar (the swollen area where the branch meets the main stem) or at a node (where leaves or lateral branches generate from the branch you are cutting). Conifers take a long time to regenerate new growth when cut beyond the growing tips. Hard cutbacks should be avoided if possible, but when necessary these cuts should be made where the cut will be carefully hidden within surrounding foliage. Large, heavy branches should be slightly undercut before removing to prevent the bark from tearing when the wood breaks midway through cutting.

Junky Tools

Dull blades, stiff, loose or rusty moving parts can lead to all sorts of problems from ugly, ragged cut edges to spread of disease, and possibly to injury of the user. Keep pruning tools sharp, clean, well oiled and in overall good working order. Properly repair or replace them if they become damaged. Store them in a dry location.

Attention to Detail

The difference between a well-pruned landscape and one riddled with big pruning mistakes is often a matter of detail. The effort and expense involved is comparable in the short term, and far less in the long run when good pruning practices are employed over questionable ones. Always work patiently and methodically. When in doubt, take a little time to research the specific plant or issue in question before proceeding. Remember, after it’s cut, you can’t put it back. With forethought and practice, pruning mistakes will become a thing of the past.

Original post here https://www.hgtv.com/outdoors/gardens/planting-and-maintenance/biggest-pruning-mistakes.

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Will Homeowner’s Insurance Covers Tree Removal?

Written by Alison Tobin and published on https://clearsurance.com/blog/does-homeowners-insurance-cover-tree-removal. 

Homeowners insurance typically covers tree removal if the tree falls on your house or a structure on your property, but there are certain exclusions, like earthquakes and flooding. Homeowners insurance reimburses you for losses incurred by your home and personal property if they’re damaged by a peril that’s covered in your policy. Most standard policies insure loss against perils like fire, bad storms, lightning, and malicious acts like vandalism and theft.

Another condition that’s insured by standard policies is coverage against falling objects, including fallen trees, and if a tree lands on your house, your garage, your driveway, or your trampoline, your insurer may reimburse you for the tree’s removal and property replacement or repairs. There are also instances where your home and personal property are covered, but the tree itself isn’t.

Does homeowners insurance cover tree removal?

Many homes have trees surrounding them in the yard, but there are times when you need to have a tree taken down or a tree removed that has fallen on your property. If a tree has fallen, it can lead to significant damage and expenses, but is the tree removal covered by your home insurance?

Does homeowners insurance cover tree removal?

The answer to this simple question is unfortunately quite complicated. There are instances when homeowners insurance covers tree removal, and some instances when it doesn’t. It’s always best to check your insurance policy and consult your agent or company, but here are a few general rules regarding home insurance for tree removal.

When homeowners insurance will cover tree removal

If a tree was uprooted by a rainstorm, thunderstorm, wind, hail, or snow, and landed on your house or any other fixed structure.

If a tree was destroyed by vandalism, theft, an explosion, fire, lightning, riots, aircraft, or vehicles that were not owned by you, and fell on your house, other structure, or on the lawn/any empty space on your property.

Trees destroyed during earthquakes and floods will potentially be covered only if you have earthquake insurance and flood insurance. Note: Even if a policy is taken out against a flood, check your individual policy if it has a special clause that says it will remove tree debris, and pay for damages.

If a tree in your neighbor’s yard fell into your property and damaged your house, or fell in your yard. In this case, however, your insurance company will try to claim losses from your neighbor’s homeowner’s insurance company to make up for the loss.

When homeowners insurance will not cover tree removal

If a tree was uprooted by a rainstorm, thunderstorm, wind, hail, or snow, and landed on your yard but not on your house or any other fixed structure.

If a tree fell down because of natural conditions, such as aging or rotting.

If a tree fell due to earthquakes or mudslides (standard earthquake and mudslide policies might cover this.)

A tree that has not yet fallen that you’d like to remove.

How much does homeowners insurance pay for tree removal?

If your homeowner’s insurance company will cover tree removal, the amount it will cover may depend on your company and your policy. Some insurers will pay up to 5 percent of your dwelling coverage. So if you have $250,000 of dwelling coverage, you’d be covered for up to $12,500 for tree removal.

In other instances, some home insurance companies have a tree removal limit per tree, which can range from $500 to $1,000 per tree. Keep in mind you may be subject to your homeowner’s insurance deductible before any coverage kicks in.

If you have a down tree or trees that need to be removed, it’s best to call your agent or homeowners insurance company to find out if it’s covered and how much your insurer would pay.

Note: Insurance companies expect you to perform the necessary maintenance work required to prevent accidents like the falling of a tree. So, if you notice a rotting or old tree in your yard, you should address the problem and get it removed before it falls on its own and damages your property, even if the cost of the removal isn’t covered.

Original post here https://clearsurance.com/blog/does-homeowners-insurance-cover-tree-removal.

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Can You Cut Down A Tree On Your Property?

Written by Jason Jay Fletcher and published on https://treescience.com.au/blog/are-you-allowed-to-cut-down-your-tree/.

If your neighbor or someone else cuts down, removes, or hurts a tree on your property without your permission, that person is required to compensate you (the tree owner) for your loss. If necessary, you can sue to enforce your rights. Removing a tree is usually an easy process. Tree removal professionals are called and scheduled to remove the tree, proceeding without any hassle or obstacles from local or state officials. However, there are rules and regulations in some states requiring permits or special permissions before trees are felled, either for preservation reasons or in accordance with city ordinances.

In any state, utility companies have strict policies in regards to trees and utility lines. The safest distance to plant any hedge or tree shorter than 25 feet in most states is within 20 feet of power lines. Otherwise, if you try to plant a tall tree closer to the power lines, there’s a good chance the utility company or the city will come through and either trim the tree to their specifications or remove it completely. So it’s better to plant it far away from utility lines, as to avoid any problems and keep it looking the way you want.

Are You Allowed to Cut Down Your Tree?

Do you have a tree on your property that is going to be a nuisance, or is already a hazard?

What about your neighbor’s property? Is there a tree that overhangs on to your land and causes problems?

Or are you considering buying a property that has a large tree on the land?

Before you touch the chainsaw and ‘take care of things yourself’ you need to be aware that there are rules and regulations for cutting down a tree and you should be well versed on these before you polish up your tree gear and start tearing down a tree on your property.

Whether you are considering cutting the tree down entirely or perhaps just cutting it back, there are rules in each state of Australia that you should be aware of.

In Queensland, most of the time you will need council approval from your region’s council before cutting down your tree. However, there are times when you do not require council consent to cut back a tree.

The best way to find out is to contact your local council or a professional arborist before you cut down any trees on your property.

Here is some basic info to be aware of before you start cutting down any trees.

Reasons for cutting down your trees

Everyone these days knows that trees add to a home’s surroundings, and large trees are likely to have been around well before the house.

Most of the time homeowners don’t even want to cut down a tree, but there are various reasons that may mean that this is the only option.

For example, the roots of a tree may be causing continual sewer blockages. Or perhaps the tree has the potential to be a hazardous risk to your children playing in the backyard. Maybe the roots of the tree are causing structural issues to your home.

Here are some common reasons for wanting to cut down a tree on a property:

Renovation work which requires building on the area the tree is located

Using the wood for another purpose in a heavily wooded area

The owner requires the space to grow food on the land

The owner wishes to use the area for grazing

The owner wants to cut back a tree to improve the usable space on the property

The tree is dangerous or is overhanging to adjacent property

The owner wishes to remove a tree for a set purpose such as aesthetics

Are you allowed to cut down your neighbor’s tree?

A neighbor’s tree could be affecting your property. In essence, your neighbor’s tree is regarded as affecting your property if it is likely to seriously injure anyone on your property, seriously damage your property, or unreasonably get in the way of your enjoyment of the land (such as blocking solar panels). Normal tree litter is not sufficient to get an order.

If a branch overhangs by 50cm or more and/or is less than 2.5 meters above the ground, you need to formally notify your neighbor by stating a time you require your neighbor to cut back the branch and include one written quote for the work.

If the tree branches are not cut down by that date, you can remove it yourself or have a contractor remove them, for which the neighbor is liable (up to $300).

If a branch overhangs by more than 0.5m and/or the tree is 2.5 m above the ground, if the dispute cannot be resolved by consent between you and your neighbor then you would have to apply to Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal seeking a tribunal order before cutting down the tree.

Whatever the reasons for cutting your tree down, a professional arborist can provide the right advice in support of the permit, and professionally cut down the tree.

How to be sure you can cut down a tree

Whatever the reasons for cutting your tree down, call the professionals at Treescience. Our tree consultants have the expertise and knowledge to provide the right advice in support of the permit and handle any concerns you may have about removing the tree.

Is there a rule for trees on the property line?

Generally, if a tree trunk sits on both you and your neighbor’s property, it is owned by both of you, and you are both responsible for the tree. To remove the tree, both property owners must consent. Again, these laws can differ in each state, so be sure to look up the exact law in your area.

If you both own the tree, any decisions made about the tree should be settled between you and your neighbor. If you can’t come up with a win-win solution, consider working with a mediator.

Original post here https://treescience.com.au/blog/are-you-allowed-to-cut-down-your-tree/.

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Tree Pruning Mistakes – How To Avoid

Written by Takoma Tree Experts and published on https://www.takomatree.com/blog/tree-pruning-mistakes-you-should-avoid/.

Avoiding pruning mistakes is easy when you know the proper pruning techniques and, more importantly, why you’re pruning a tree or shrub. Tree and shrub pruning are done for several reasons, such as reducing the size of the plant, opening up the canopy, removing obstructions, enhancing its shape, and removing dead or damaged growth. No matter the reason, pruning must be done correctly to ensure the tree or shrub’s health and continuing vigor.

Arborists and aesthetic pruners are trained to understand the growth patterns and physical structure of trees and shrubs. They first evaluate the plant’s overall form, then remove or modify only those branches that are a risk to plant health, a hazard for people or property, or which detract from overall form and character. As every pruning cut is a wound to the plant, one key to successful pruning is to do as little cutting as possible to achieve the desired outcome. The result is a naturally shaped, vigorous plant.

Trees will enhance your front and backyard and its therefore important that they are well maintained. Tree pruning is one of the best ways to enhance and keep your trees healthy. While pruning is considered one of the simplest jobs, it’s critical to ensure that it’s done correctly because it could result in the death of a tree. Find an arborist and let them trim your trees professionally and you can be sure that your yard will look beautiful throughout the year. In this article, we look at tree Pruning mistakes you should avoid.

Tree Pruning Mistakes You Should Avoid

Topping

Topping is also known as heading, and it’s removing large branches or trunks from the top of the trees. Topping is one of the major mistakes you can make while pruning your trees because it may deform and weaken the tree. Topping will make your tree look ugly, and it may cause it to dry. It’s best to find tree service to prune your trees because topping could also cause safety issues. Once the tree has been topped it becomes, and it could be a safety threat to your family. Instead of topping the arborist will do tree reduction to keep the tree in the right size. Tree reduction will ensure you maintain the aesthetic and the structure of the tree.

Improper Cuts

Cutting the tree to close to the main trunk will damage your trees. Cutting the tree so close to the trunk may cause the tree to have a wound that may not heal because of the branch collar which helps in healing. It’s therefore important to let the arborist do the running to avoid damaging the trees in your yard

Wrong Timing

It’s important to know when its best to prune your trees. Let the arborist trim the trees for you because they understand the best time to trim each tree. Pruning trees in the wrong season may cause the tree to dry out. Pruning trees in extreme weather may cause the tree to dry out. Avoid pruning trees when it’s extremely hot. Trimming may remove the buds that are crucial for the trees healthy growth. Find arborist services to assess the type of trees in your house and determine when its best to prune your trees.

Excess Pruning

Pruning too many branches may damage and weaken your trees. Don’t prune more than 10% off a tree because that weakens it. Removing more than 10% foliage from a tree will weaken the tree and cause it to lose the aesthetic value of a tree. Tree needs the branches for food, transfer of nutrients and support. When pruning let the expert from the tree cutting services company do it, to ensure that your tree remains healthy.

Raising the canopy High

Raising the canopy too high is known as lion tailing. Most people cut most of the lower branches to raise the canopy. That results in a  tall tree with a bare trunk and little foliage looking like a lions tail. Lion tailing will result in a tall, weak tree that could result in damage especially during winter

Tree Pruning Tips

Below are tips to follow while pruning your trees

It’s best to prune trees when they are dormant. The arborist will be able to advise you on the dormant season of the tree and when it’s the best time to prune the tree. You can ask the arborist for a tree pruning schedule.

Consider the size of the branch that you want to remove. It’s best to let the expert at the expert services prune the branches because they know the best size to prune. You don’t want your tree to be harmed.

Trim branches that are weak and narrow. Keep the branches that look strong.

When pruning, consider the ratio of the crown, and the height of the tree.

Begin pruning the tree from a young age

Keep lateral branches well-spaced especially when the tree is young

Remove branches that cross each other

Tree pruning will keep your trees healthy, and it’s imperative that it’s done properly. It’s best to let the experts from the tree cutting company Bethesda do the pruning to ensure your trees remain healthy. Make sure you follow the care tips given after pruning.

Not only do tree service professionals have the specialized tools and equipment to get the job done faster and cleaner, they also have many years of tree pruning experience to help them better anticipate what could go wrong, and modify the work plan accordingly so that it doesn’t. Gravity dictates that what goes up, must come down. Hiring a trained arborist is your most effective way of ensuring whatever does come down does so in a safe, controlled way.

Original post https://www.takomatree.com/blog/tree-pruning-mistakes-you-should-avoid/.

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Taking Care of Your Tree During Spring Time

Written by Lisa Tadewaldt and published on https://www.urbanforestprofessionals.com/blog/spring-tree-care-tips/.

As the weather begins to brighten and the trees start to blossom, it’s safe to say that we are finally in the midst of spring! As such, there’s no better time than now to get outside and prepare your garden for the spring/summer seasons so it can flourish, thrive and achieve its full potential. Whether you are a new homeowner looking to take care of the trees in your yard by yourself, or a landscaper looking for a setlist of what to do – this list will provide you with the guidance and steps that you need.

Springtime is the perfect time to start providing your trees with some extra love and attention. Because they have been essentially asleep for the past three months, as well as having had moisture and debris build upon them, it is vital that your trees are taken care of as early into spring as possible.

Spring Tree Care Tips

Spring has bounded into the Portland area! As blossoms emerge, it’s time to conduct the following basic spring tree care tasks for the long-term health of your trees. So as to give your trees a long, productive growing season, it’s best to complete these tasks early in the season, in March and early April. Let’s take a look at the most effective spring tree care projects Portland homeowners and businesses can tackle to keep trees healthy this year.

Spring Cleaning Begins at Base of the Tree

Remove twigs, leaves, and other detritus that may have accumulated beneath and around trees. Warmer weather signals the time to remove any protective plastic or coverings you may have had in place during the cold winter months. It’s a good idea to rake up any debris that collected underneath or around the tree, like old leaves or fallen fruit because this helps to protect the tree from any diseases or fungi that might be lingering.

Inspect Trees for Damage & Disease

Look for obvious signs of tree disease, including broken branches, holes, molds, and fungi. Also notice which branches do not put out blossoms or leaves—these are likely dead and ready to be pruned away, ideally by a professional Portland tree pruning service, such as Urban Forest Professionals. Winter desiccation, also known as “winter burn,” can occur when plants dry out in cold winter conditions. Winter sunscald is another challenge; it manifests as vertical cracks in tree bark. The discoloration is another clue that something may be amiss. For instance, some plants will yellow if they receive too much water.

If you have questions about damage, call an experienced arborist for sound information. Our Portland ISA-certified arborists can recommend when to remove branches, when to add supportive cables, and when it’s best to remove the whole tree, rather than risk it crashing down in the next storm.

Plant New Trees in Spring

Trees bring dozens of benefits to your home or business! They reduce noise levels, stabilize soil, and give wildlife a place to perch. Trees also increase property values while decreasing energy costs. Spring is a good time to add trees to your property, as their roots will have enough time to dig in before scorching summer temperatures hit. Of course, every tree species has its own preferences, so feel free to contact us with questions about the best time to plant a new tree.

Mulch trees and water

Next, apply some mulch. Mulching trees helps to suppress weeds and retain moisture. It’s most important when you’re dealing with young trees (less than 10 years old), but older trees can benefit as well. The layer of mulch should be two to three inches thick and a couple of feet wide. Don’t let it touch the trunk directly, though, because this gives diseases an easy point of access. Leave an inch or two clear.

Don’t water the tree until the soil thaws, or else you’ll just create runoff. Don’t let the tree dry out even when the weather is cool, though. You might have to water a few times a day. Deeply water any trees near areas where deicing materials were used. Watering it well helps to wash away the salt and minerals. Finally, adjust your sprinklers so they don’t create puddles or spray the leaves—wet foliage encourages disease.

Fertilize Trees

Fertilization can also be done in the spring months. Fertilizer is a good idea whenever soil lacks the macronutrients and micronutrients that trees need to thrive. To figure out if an established tree needs fertilization, observe its shoot growth, i.e., the growth that happens in a single year. In general, shoot growth of fewer than 2 inches indicates a fertilizer may be required. Of course, certified arborists take many other factors into account when prescribing the best fertilization approach.

Beyond soil testing, foliage color and the history of the yard should also be considered. As far as timing goes, it’s ideal to provide slow-release fertilizer prior to the tree’s springtime growth spurt. While fertilization timing varies by location, by soil conditions, and by species, a good rule of thumb is to apply fertilizer as soon as the ground is workable in the spring.

Importance of Fertilizing Portland trees in spring

Spring tree fertilization is common as most trees have their greatest need for nutrients in the spring. In Portland, this spring application usually happens in March or April as, rainy, cold weather wanes and sunny weather begins to show its face. Trees in the city need fertilization because many of the natural processes that take place to add nutrients to the soil are disrupted. Leaves and other debris are cleaned up before they can be re-incorporated into the soil. Soil is often compacted so many nutrients are washed away as urban runoff. Also, the presence of pollutants can strip nutrients from the soil or disrupt their absorption.

If your tree is having health issues, fertilization is likely an important part of getting that tree back into tip-top shape, but you need to be sure that the problem that caused the tree to be unhealthy has been resolved. A Certified Arborist can help you identify and diagnose health issues. Trees are similar to humans in that when we are sick good nutrition can go a long way to getting us back on our feet, but in some cases, additional medicine or other interventions are required to achieve and maintain our health.

We use two basic types of fertilizers for trees

Chemical: This is your basic man-made chemical fertilizer. There are several reputable brands which have developed formulations made specifically for either Deciduous or Evergreen trees, and for application in either the spring or the fall. Two of the most popular brands are Jobes and Phc for trees. Jobes is a good quality one that has an organic option and is available at most Home Depot stores. Phc is a little harder to find but has excellent proven results and is what many professional arborists use.

Natural Mix: For us this is a compost tea mixed with Mycorrhizal Fungi. This fertilizer combination is a more organic option that mimics nature. The Mycorrhizal Fungi helps with the absorption of the nutrients and, we have seen great results with their use of urban trees. This application is somewhat custom and cannot be bought off of the shelf.

Fertilization options for trees also come is several application options. Fertilizer is most cases can’t be just spread on the ground surrounding the tree. It needs to be inserted under the soil 6”-12” down into the root zone of the tree. Those application options are:

Tree Spikes: These are the most common option for a DIY fertilizer application. Tree spikes are soil form fertilizer which is formed in a spike shape which can be driven into the ground by hand (of at least in theory they can).

Deep Root Fertilization: This is a liquid fertilizer pumped into the soil using a long wand attached to a commercial pump. This method is favored by professional arborists.

Injections: Fertilizer applications can be injected directly into the tree, but this is usually only done in extreme cases or when the tree is also receiving another type of injection.

Maintaining your trees is, of course, a year-round job, but taking big steps to ensure their health in the early spring will set them up for a great year! Each season comes with its own tasks and chores, so make sure you are taking care of your trees every day, all year.

With these tips and the help of Arborist Now, your trees should be happy, healthy and thriving this season!

Original post here https://www.urbanforestprofessionals.com/blog/spring-tree-care-tips/.

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The Benefits Of Hiring A Tree Lopper

Do you have an old tree that needs to be removed? Taking good care of the trees is important to the environment and adds value to the property. The removal of a tree seems easy for the homeowners but as the tree grows and time passes it becomes a difficult task for the homeowners and it even causes the destruction of property. Tree lopping is one of the many forms of tree maintenance that’s commonly associated with arborists. This can be terribly misleading, however, because arborists are NOT tree loppers – at least not if they’re any good. That’s because tree lopping often does more harm than good, and it’s long been considered an unacceptable practice by national tree associations and groups of qualified arborists.

Tree Lopping and Its Multiple Benefits

Terminology can often confuse regular people, and tree owners are no different. For instance, you might often see a number of tree loppers flashing around without understanding what they do. Well, here is a starter course to understand everything about tree lopping:

Defining Tree Lopping and Tree Loppers

Tree Lopping is generally understood as the removal of large branches from the tree, by making vertical cuts. The term is often confused with pruning; however, there are some differences. While pruning is minute, lopping generally works on a larger scale.

Tree Loppers, as the name suggests, are people responsible for the lopping. They are usually not specialized but come with a long line of experience.

Benefits of Tree Lopping

Among a big list of the benefits of tree lopping, mentioned below are the three main benefits of it.

1) The Health of the Tree:

One common benefit of tree lopping is ensuring the health of the tree. Often branches get decayed and the whole tree stands at the risk of getting infected. Lopping does the same thing that amputation does to humans i.e. removing a part to stop the infection.

2) The Appearance of the Tree:

Another common reason behind tree lopping is maintaining its appearance. While we all love a symmetrical tree, real life is not perfect. Trees often tend to grow in strange directions, giving an overall leaning shape. Through lopping, tree loppers remove the branches leaning on one side, thus giving it a better appearance and removing the excess weight that might contribute to distorting the shape further. The same logic is applied to removing stray branches that outgrow the rest of the tree.

3) Safety:

Most tree lopping Brisbane service providers suggest that safety is by far the most common reason behind tree lopping. Branches that are dead pose the threat of dropping any time, thus injuring people and/or property. For large enough trees, falling off branches can even break power lines. Even if the branches are not dead, they might break due to many other reasons like heavy rain and storm. Availing a tree lopping service would ensure that such branches are removed before they can cause any harm.

Why hire professionals?

Service providers have the experience and skills to engage in this type of activity. Also, experts have appropriate ladders, pruning shears, rope, and other equipment that is required to carry out the job. It is very risky to cut down large trees and climb trees if you are not knowledgeable of pruning and tree cutting techniques. You should look for the best tree lopping utility in the community. Therefore, you should hire the best tree lopping specialist around to conserve time and save money.

Original post here https://tpstreelopping.com.au/tree-lopping-multiple-benefits/.

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The Difference Between Tree Removal and Tree Lopping

If you’ve got one or more trees on your property, chances are that at one point or another you’ve felt compelled to go out, armed with a saw, secateurs or an axe and do tree lopping yourself! Unfortunately, although a quick lop may be an effective way of cutting your tree back in the short-term, in the longer term it could cause all sorts of problems.  Tree pruning is a specialist skill that really is best undertaken by professionals who have the necessary skills and equipment to get the job done properly.

Tree Removal, Lopping and Prunning: They Aren’t the Same Thing!

In talking to qualified arborists you’ll often hear different terms thrown around, and you might be left thinking they all mean the same thing. Terms like tree removal, lopping and pruning may seem interchangeable, but in reality they aren’t.

Total Tree Services Senior Arborist Jamie Nairn likes to make the differences between these commonly used terms known so that home owners can discuss the right options for their circumstances

Tree Lopping – A common term that’s used by many to encompass anything to do with the maintenance or removal of a tree. In reality, lopping is hard and substantial cutting down of branches without consideration to the effect on tree stability, regrowth, or whether the action will kill the tree. Lopping involves cutting back the upper branches to expose the lower canopy and restrict the height of the tree. Professional arborists don’t usually recommend wholesale lopping as the regrowth is often weaker and that makes the tree more susceptible to storm damage. Lopping a tree back to the trunk also opens the tree to extensive decay and encourages potential termite infestation.

Pruning or thinning – A planned reduction and removal of nuisance branches to improve the appearance of the tree, promote healthy regrowth, and protect people from the potential of falling branches. Proper structured pruning and thinning has the added benefit of improving air circulation in and around the tree to reduce wind loading on the branches. During a storm it could be the difference between a few leaves on the ground versus substantial damage to homes and nearby buildings.

Tree Removal – The structured and planned removal of all branches followed by the trunk. The trunk is usually cut and removed in pieces for safety and effectiveness. Professional arborists will use commercial grade grinding equipment to remove any remaining stump and prevent termite infestations and other dangers.

Total Tree Services welcomes enquiries on tree management strategies, and can develop an appropriate plan to fit your circumstances.When engaging a professional arborist, you aren’t forced to compromise between quality and cost. Fair pricing, quality services, and with a strong safety focus is the mark of true arborist.

When working with nature, sometimes things can go wrong despite the best preparation. So, it is important that you only engage a qualified arborist with full insurance coverage that protects you and your property.

Don’t take chances with unsuitable equipment or inexperienced people claiming to be experienced at managing tree assets. If the person you call only talks about lopping, hacking or pollarding then it’s likely they aren’t a qualified, experienced and skilled arborist. Total Tree Services provide customers with peace of mind, 18 years’ experience, and value for money.

Original post here https://www.totaltreeservices.com/blog/tree-removal-lopping-and-prunning-they-aren-t-the-same-thing.

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