Caring for Trees

Water

Each tree needs 25 gallons of water each week or 1.5 inches of rain

You can prevent water runoff:

• Including a 25 gallon slow-release watering bag to your maintenance routine. Fill it up once per week.

• Put a bucket at the bottom of your tree that is can hold 5 gallons of water. Make sure the bucket has holes and fill 5 times per week.

• Power on a house for a half an hour and place at the bottom of the tree. Turn the water on low to not overflow the tree.

Keep Lawn Equipment Away From Trees

• Line a trunk guard at the bottom of the tree to keep the water and nutrients inside. This will protect animals and rodents from getting in as well.

Pruning

• Tools – Make sure to use clean, sanitized tools. Make sure that they are not dull before use.

Timing

• It’s better to get rid of damaged or diseased trees at the soonest time possible. Do not wait too long

• Pruning should be done from December to mid-March, because it’s best during dormant season. You can better see the trees structure when the leaves have fallen

• Trees that flower in the Spring should be pruned after flowering. Other trees that flower, to prevent spread of plant disease, should be pruned in dormant season

Soil

• Nutrient deficiencies will affect the quality of the soil, so be sure to purchase top quality soil. Soil that is rich in organic matter is the best because it is free of toxins and pesticides that may slow plant growth.
• Soil quality will affect your landscape. Healthy soil will filter through any pollution to your plans, and give nutrients to your trees
• Health soil will appear to be darker in color since it is dense with organic matter
• It should contain: plant and animal activity, worms, and fungi.

In case your tree still fails after all of these tips for the upcoming summer season, let us know so we can help! We will carefully inspect your tree and if needed, we can remove it. We have specially trained staff who have 5 or more years of experience with handling trees. For tree removal in Hamden CT, contact us at  (203) 466-2400 to receive a free quote!

Tips for Tree Trimming Safety

Tree trimming can require very advanced equipment and high climbing. Aerial lifts may be required to reach high branches, along with power tools like trimmers and chainsaws. If you are not trained to do this correctly, you can be at risk for electrocution or falls. It is important if you are not an experienced tree climber to contact someone who is qualified in Tree Removal in Durham CT.

1. Protective Gear - Always wear gloves when trimming trees and branches. Wear leather lineman’s gloves, which are the protection from this type of job. Wear special glasses to protect your eyes from dust, insects, wood particles, etc. Use ear protection from the loud power tools - earplugs would be a good option. Be mindful of fall protection, and don’t forget to wear slip-free shoes.
2. Carefully Assess Before Performing the Job - Since every tree job in different, it is important to assess any dangers. Check local weather conditions, sharpen tools, put fall protection into place, inspect equipment, secure your ladder, and perform any other safety methods before starting the job.
3. Mark Off the Area you Are Working On - Use bright caution tape or cones around the tree you are working on. If your work goes into the road, then wear bright clothing so cars passing by can see you.
4. Working with a Partner -  It’s important for safety reasons to have someone inspect out any safety issues around the area you are working on. If you are climbing a ladder, someone should be on the ground to stabilize the ladder for you.
5. No Conductive Tools Near Powerlines - Don't’ use any tools or equipment that can conduct electricity and start a fire. Ladders, pole trimmers, and various other tools will conduct electricity, so be sure to research the correct tools to use. Any power lines that are down still have electricity, which can still be deadly if you get too close.
6. Keep Distance From Power Lines - Do not get very close to power lines. Do not get to close unless you have to, and do not turn off power to the lines unless you are trained. Always contact the utility company if your job requires you to get close to any power lines.
7. Check That Your Tree Is Stable Before You Climb - If your trees have cracks or weakness in them, then it is not safe to climb. A tree lift would be necessary when the tree is too weak.  Do not use weak or dead branches for supporting your weight. When climbing, have someone stay on the ground for safety, and use separate tree limbs for your hands and feet when climbing.

When a Tree Should be Removed

 

Do not hesitate when you see something strange going on with your tree. There are many reasons trees may need to be removed from your property from old age to disease. Trees that are too old become a risk to you and your family’s safety. In this case, the best option is to have your tree removed rather than endanger your household.


Some of the signs to look for to call in someone to evaluate your trees are:


Examining For Any Leaning  Trees

Some trees lean naturally, but if this happens to be new with your tree, than your tree can be very unstable. Any tree that is leaning is usually means that it is in danger of dying or is already dead. Contacting us or Tree removal in Hamden CT may be your best option!


Inspect the Tree Trunk

Any cracks or cavities in the trunk can destabilize the structure. Trees should be examined to see if they are structurally sound; this does not necessarily mean they have to be removed. A cavity may be small enough for the tree to handle, or it may be too large for the tree to hold up on its own.

Inspect the Roots

You can get a lot of information on the health of your tree by inspecting its roots. When the roots are damaged or decaying, the tree will not have a good structure to stand on. This means that your tree may have lost its structural support, and can potentially fall. If the base of the tree has space between the tree and the ground, that is also a sign that your tree’s structure is compromised. This can cause tree lean and cause tree damage.

Have a Canopy Inspection Done

A canopy inspection needs to be done by a professional. This will find the hidden and most dangerous branches on the tree. There may be little to no signs that a branch is broken or dead until after the break. Any branch that has bark missing or dead leaves usually means the branch is not being held up by the tree. These are the branches that need to be removed immediately for safety reasons.

How to Prep Your Trees for Summer Storms

Inspect Your Yard

Summer is an important time to keep up with the health and wellness of your trees. One of the first things to do is inspect your landscape for any signs of disease or issues with insects. A visual test is the most basic test. By looking at your tree, does anything strange pop out at you like growing fungus, open wounds or soft spots? Large cracks in wood will make the tree unstable in high winds. Any of these conditions can make a tree more likely to fall and damage your property.

Pruning

Pruning your trees is important for the growth and maintenance of your trees. Some of the healthiest trees come from just keeping up with pruning. By pruning diseased, dead or unsafe branches, you can help maintain the structure of your tree with healthy growth over the years.

Removing or Stabilizing Weak Limbs

You can cable or brace weak limbs that you are unable to remove. Ultimately you will want to remove weak limbs so they do not damage anything surrounding the tree. Cabling will make the tree branches stronger, and prevent from limbs suffering further weakening and damaging and ultimately fall. If your tree falls, you should contact us for tree removal in Wallingford CT.

Mulching

The root of the tree is also important to protect since it holds up the structure of the tree. Having a circle of mulch surrounding the base of the tree will help to prevent lawn mowing equipment from getting too close to the tree. The equipment can hit the roots and cause major damage to the tree. By keeping space for mulch, this will allow for the flow of nutrients and water to drain through the soil.

Tree Damage in the Summer

Many people worry about damage to trees in the winter, but the Summer is when trees are the most damaged from storms and disease. The structural damage to trees in the summer from different fungus, insects and storms are even more concerning than the ice damage caused in the winter. It’s always good to have your trees checked over to make sure they are in proper condition and health.

Many types of trees during the summer are unfortunately affected by the different weather elements during the summer. Birch trees are the most common trees to have stress from the different conditions. During the summer, beetles called Bronze Birch Borer feed below the bark of the tree - where it’s rich in nutrients. They usually attack trees under stress, but most aged birch trees are all under some level of stress. These beetles can be eliminated with insecticides to ensure your tree remains in proper health.

July is a common month to start seeing crab apple trees become diseased and lose their leaves prematurely. This is due to Apple Scrab, a fungus that attacks the tree. By the time people notice the trees losing leaves, it may be too late to control the condition. This will not kill the tree, but will damage and reduce the value of the tree. Trees become infected often in early spring, so be sure to take preventative measures before it’s too late.

Another disease that will affect trees during the summer is the Dutch Elm Disease which is a fungus that will attack the tree which cause brown streaking in the wood and leaves to turn from yellow to brown.Fungicides injected into the trunk of the tree will prevent the tree from becoming diseased.

It is important to take preventative measures this summer in order to keep your trees in top shape. If your trees become diseased, proper removal may be necessary with a licensed tree removal service in Hamden CT. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us at (203)466-2400.