Higuera Tree Care includes many activities that help trees thrive. They include pruning and trimming to keep them healthy, removing dead or obstructive branches, and removing invasive species like vines.
Look for a service that offers ISA or TCIA industry accreditation, which indicates that it follows best practices and has trained arborists on staff. Also, ask about insurance and worker’s compensation.
Pruning is a necessary preventative garden and landscape task that can help your trees and shrubs look their best, and can improve your property’s value. Proper pruning techniques increase air flow, provide more light penetration to adjacent plants and structures, reduce hazards, and help maintain a plant’s overall health.
A tree’s needs for pruning vary according to species, maturity, and site conditions. Developing a preventive pruning program for young trees can minimize the need for major renovation pruning later in life, and can significantly reduce maintenance time and costs.
Some common pruning tasks include removing dead or dying branches, crossing or rubbing branches, removing suckers from the base of a trunk or stem, thinning a crown by reducing the number and size of leaves, and removing water sprouts growing straight up from the ground around the trunk of a tree. Pruning large or heavy limbs can be more complicated and require special training and skills to avoid damaging the tree or creating unnecessary wounds. For example, a cut made too close to the branch collar or the branch bark ridge (BBR) can cause serious injury to the tree, and a three-step process is often required when pruning these larger limbs.
It is important to observe a tree or shrub over time and use a combination of observation, knowledge, experience, and judgment to determine what it needs. When a plant is in need of pruning, it should be addressed as soon as possible to prevent the spread of disease or insect infestation and to reduce potential damage from storms.
A general rule of thumb is to remove no more than one-third of a tree’s total branch length. Some specific examples of spring flowering shrubs that should be pruned immediately after blooming include azalea, lilac, gardenia, forsythia, and mountain laurel. These shrubs bloom on wood grown during the previous year, and removing old flowers will make way for new growth and more buds to open.
Other types of pruning include raising, thinning, and topping. Raising involves removing low-hanging branches to create more head room for pedestrians, parked cars, and entryways. Topping is a more drastic form of pruning that removes most of the foliage on a branch or entire tree. It is often used when training young trees to grow in a particular shape or direction, and it is also commonly employed for safety reasons in preparation for severe weather events like tornadoes and hurricanes.
Stump Grinding
Stumps are an eyesore, and they also take up valuable space that can be used for growing new plants. In addition, they can become tripping hazards and can damage lawn-mowing equipment. They can also attract pests, develop fungal diseases, and cause soil compaction. They may even rot and create soft, sunken spots in the yard. Stump grinding is the process of using a specialized piece of equipment to grind down the stump to below ground level. This is considered a safe and effective method for stump removal by Certified Arborists.
Stump grinders have a rotating blade that cuts away at the stump, eating through the sides and underneath the surface. The stump and its roots are then reduced to a pulp that can be removed or left to decompose in the hole created. Depending on the homeowner’s preference, the remaining wood chips can be used for mulch or left in place to fill the hole.
Before grinding a tree stump, it is important to check for any underground pipes or utilities that might be located in the area. This can help prevent any costly damages or injuries during the stump grinding process. It is also a good idea to inform nearby neighbors of the work since the equipment can be noisy.
The cost of stump grinding varies depending on the size and location of the stump, as well as the amount of time it takes to remove it. Larger, more difficult-to-reach stumps will require a larger machine with more powerful motors and are generally more expensive. Similarly, stumps that are located in hardscape materials (such as concrete or pavers) can be more difficult to remove and may require special equipment.
While it is possible to rent a stump grinder and do the job yourself, hiring a professional will ensure that the task is completed safely and effectively. Using a specialized stump grinder, a company can grind the entire stump and its root system down to below ground level, preventing future growth and minimizing the chances of re-stumps. In addition, professionals will be able to handle any safety concerns or other challenges that may arise during the grinding process.
Stump grinding is a critical step in the overall tree care process. Leaving behind an unsightly and unsafe stump can be hazardous for children and pets, as it can easily be tripped over or run over with lawn mowers or other equipment. In addition, the decaying stump can emit a toxin into the surrounding soil that makes it hard for other plants to grow in the area. This is especially true for walnut trees, which secrete a toxin known as juglone that can prevent grass and other plants from growing around the base of the stump. Stump grinding can also make it easier to plant new trees in the area by removing the old roots that would otherwise compete with the growth of the new plant.
Removal
Tree removal is a serious undertaking that requires the highest levels of expertise, precision, and safety measures. Certified arborists start by conducting a thorough assessment of the tree and its surroundings, including its size, condition, and location. They then develop a strategy that will dictate the direction of the fall, the equipment needed, and the number of personnel involved.
The next step is preparing the work area by cordoning off the space, placing signs, and ensuring that there are no pedestrian or vehicular traffic paths through the area. Once the work area is secure, professionals begin to dismantle the tree using a variety of tools and equipment. Once the tree is cut up into manageable pieces, it is fed through a chipper and ground up into mulch. Larger pieces of debris are removed from the work site by hand or loaded onto a log truck for hauling offsite.
Occasionally, a tree is so damaged or in such a poor location that it must be removed entirely. This might be the case if it is threatening nearby buildings, power lines, or vehicles and has become structurally unstable due to damage or old age. It may also be the case if a diseased or dying tree is causing safety hazards and cannot be saved through pruning or other treatments.
Tree removal can also be necessary when a plant is in a crowded or overgrown location and is preventing other plants and trees from obtaining enough sunlight to thrive. In this case, removing the offending plant or trees will allow other healthy ones to flourish and maintain their natural beauty and balance.
When a tree is removed, it must be properly disposed of in accordance with local regulations. To minimize the amount of waste, Panorama Tree Care works diligently to find creative and sustainable ways to reuse the wood. This might include mulching the wood chips for landscaping purposes or donating usable lumber to local organizations that use it for home and community building projects.
Although a removal tree leaves a noticeable gap in the landscape, our experienced horticulturists and landscape designers will work closely with you to select suitable replacement plants that will blend well with the environment and complement your aesthetic preferences. We will also advise you on replanting strategies to help ensure the long-term success of your new landscape.
