Tag Archives: Tree Cutter Springfield MO

Tree Planting – How To Care For Your New Tree

HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR NEW TREE:

Water the tree, slowly, and deeply. It’s best to let water trickle very slowly onto the tree roots, so it doesn’t create a puddle. Let a hose drip at the lowest setting for an hour, or use a 5-gallon bucket with small nail holes in the bottom. Make sure the soil is moist, but not saturated. Once a week is plenty in the winter, but you may have to water more in the summer or periods of drought.
Keep the tree pit or tree lawn tidy. Ongoing: remove weeds, grass, and debris from the base of the tree. Annually: Gently loosen the soil to allow more water and oxygen to penetrate through the top three inches of soil. This is where most of the tree’s root hairs are and how the tree absorbs water and nutrients.
Mulch your tree. Newly planted trees need to be mulched. If it washes or blows away, add mulch. Cover the tree planting area with a couple inches of mulch, as wide as the outer dripline, if possible. Remember not to pile mulch against the trunk; expose the trunk root flare. This prevents moisture and insects from accumulating around the bark.
Keep dogs and cats from relieving themselves in the tree pit, if possible. Dog and cat urine and feces are very alkaline and can harm roots.
DON’T feed your newly planted tree or fertilize during a drought. Forcing a water-stressed tree to grow will only cause further stress. Also, granular chemical fertilizer is a salt that could dehydrate the tree.
DON’T prune heavily except to remove dead, diseased, or damaged branches. Removing more than one third of healthy branches will substantially weaken the tree. Never “top” your tree!
Protect the tree. You may want to install tree pit guards, bollards, or other obstacles to keep your tree from being damaged by car doors, bicycles, dogs, etc. Trunk wounds can invite disease and weaken the tree.

Now that you know how to care for your new tree, you’ll be able to enjoy your tree for years to come! If you are having difficulty with your new tree, please give us a call at 417-863-6214 to set up an estimate. We would be more than happy to help you take proper care of your trees! We are a tree service, after all. To view a full list of our services, please visit https://allabouttrees.com/tree-services-tree-trimmers-springfield-mo/

For even more information on how to care for your new tree, please visit https://www.arborday.org/trees/tips/

Tree Planting Around Utilities

Tree planting season is upon us and planning before planting can ensure our trees here in Springfield, MO will thrive for years to come. While we have been busy making our tree planting list, we thought we would help remind our customers of how important it is to plant the right tree in the right place. Basic knowledge of proper tree care helps individual tree owners understand the quality of care necessary for the health of their trees. The following article, from a treesaregood.org brochure, provides great tips for tree planting around utilities.

To view the PDF in its entirety: http://treesaregood.org/treecare/resources/Avoiding_Conflicts.pdf

Avoiding Tree Planting & Utility Conflicts

Many factors should be considered prior to planting. Here are some helpful hints for tree planting around utilities.

Determining where to plant a tree is a decision that should not be taken lightly. Many factors should be considered prior to planting. When planning what type of tree to plant, remember to look up and look down to determine where the tree will be located in relation to overhead and underground utility lines.

Often, we take utility services for granted, because they have become a part of our daily lives. To ensure us the benefits of reliable, uninterrupted service, distribution systems are required to bring utilities into our homes. These services arrive at our homes through overhead or underground lines.
Overhead lines carry electricity, data, and communications. Underground utility lines may also carry those mentioned, plus water, sewer, and natural gas.
The location of these lines should have a direct impact on your tree and planting site selection. The ultimate mature height and spread of a tree must fit within the available growing space beneath and alongside the lines. Just as important, the soil area must be large enough to accommodate the particular rooting habits and an ultimate trunk diameter of the tree. Proper tree and site selection can provide trouble-free beauty and pleasure for years to come.

Overhead Lines
Overhead utility lines are easy to spot, yet often overlooked. Although these lines look harmless enough, they can be extremely dangerous. Planting tall-growing trees under or near these lines eventually require your utility provider to prune them to maintain safe clearance from the wires. This pruning may result in the tree having an unnatural appearance. Periodic pruning can also lead to a shortened life span for the tree. Trees that must be pruned away from power lines are under greater stress and are more susceptible to insects and disease. Small, immature trees planted today that have the potential to grow into overhead lines can become problem trees in the future.
Tall-growing trees near overhead lines can cause service interruptions when trees contact wires. Children or adults climbing in these trees can be severely injured or even killed if they come in contact with the wires. Proper selection and placement of trees in and around overhead utilities can eliminate potential public safety hazards, reduce expenses for utilities and their customers, and improve landscape appearance.

Underground Lines
Trees consist of much more than what you see above ground. Many times, the root area below ground is larger than the branch spread. Many of the utility services provided today run below ground. Tree roots and underground lines often coexist without problems.
However, trees planted near underground lines could have their roots damaged if the lines are dug up for repair.
The greatest danger to underground lines occurs during planting. Before you plant, make sure that you are aware of the location of any underground utilities. To be certain that you do not accidentally dig into any lines and risk serious injury or a costly service interruption, call your utility company or utility locator service first. Never assume that these utility lines are buried deeper than you plan to dig. In some cases, utility lines are very close to the surface. Locating underground utilities before digging is often required by law.

Tall Zones
Trees that grow 60 feet (20 meters) or taller can be used in the area marked “Tall Zone.” Plant large trees at least 35 feet (11 meters) away from the house for proper root development and to minimize damage to the building(s). These large-growing trees can be planted on streets without overhead restrictions if planting space is sufficient. Street planting sites should be greater than 8 feet (3 meters) and allow for a large root system, trunk diameter, and trunk flare.
Large trees are also recommended for parks, meadows, or other open areas where their large size, both above and below ground, will not be restricted, cause damage, or become a liability.

Medium Zones
Medium-sized trees that grow up to 40 feet (12 meters) tall are often used to frame or soften the appearance of structures or create a park-like setting. Appropriate soil spaces are wide planting areas or medians [4 to 8 feet (1 to 3 meters) wide], large planting squares [8 feet (3 meters) square or greater], and other open areas of similar size or larger.

Low Zones
This zone extends 15 feet (4.5 meters) on either side of the wires. Trees with a mature height of fewer than 20 feet (6 meters)
may be planted anywhere within this zone, including street tree plantings under utility lines. Such trees are also recommended
where soil volumes are too limited to support tall or medium zone trees.

Some Further Suggestions
Plant evergreen trees in the path of prevailing winter winds to serve as windbreaks. Plantings should be approximately 50 feet (15 meters)
or more from the house.
Plant deciduous trees (those that drop their leaves in the fall) to maximize shading in the summer. In winter, the bare canopies will allow
sunlight to reach the house.

Right Tree–Right Place
Planning before planting can help ensure that the right tree is planted in the right place. Proper tree selection and placement enhance your property value and prevent costly maintenance trimming and damage to your home. For further information on planting and helpful tips
on tree selection, refer to ISA’s brochures on tree selection and new tree planting. If you have any more questions, please contact your local
ISA Certified Arborist or tree care professional, utility company, local nursery, or county extension office.

Developed by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA), a non-profit organization supporting tree care research around the world and dedicated to the care and preservation of shade and ornamental trees.

For further information, contact: ISA, P.O. Box 3129, Champaign, IL 61826-3129, USA.

E-mail inquiries: [email protected]

Works Cited:

“Avoiding Tree & Utility Conflicts.” Trees Are Good. Web. 14 Nov. 2016.
http://treesaregood.org/treecare/resources/Avoiding_Conflicts.pdf

While you are planning your tree planting, why don’t you consider planting native Missouri trees! Click here to view a list of wonderful Missouri trees to make your yard look beautiful.

Our Most Valuable Asset

We were recently asked what our most valuable asset is as a tree service company. This was meant to be a trick question. Our mind first went to our physical assets: trucks and equipment. But we knew that wasn’t the right answer. Our next thought was our reputation, that we have worked hard and fought for, for so many years. But that wasn’t the right answer, either.

The biggest asset in our tree service company, and many other successful companies, is our people. Our team. Our work family.

We are proud to have nine Certified Arborists in our company. Men and women who love trees and really care about making the best decisions for our customers’ trees. We are proud to spend many of our weekends together as a work family, going to tree climbing competitions, or just hanging out at the river.

When All About Trees is caring for your part of Springfield’s urban forest, we hope you will take the time to meet our most valuable asset.

To view a list of our certified arborists on staff, please visit https://allabouttrees.com/about-arborist-springfield-mo/certified-arborists-springfield-mo/

Leave us a review! http://goo.gl/9trWh6

To schedule an estimate, please give the office a call at 417-863-6214. If you miss us, please leave us a detailed voicemail message with your name, address, phone number, email, and tree concerns. We will get back to you as soon as possible.

Avoid Removing Healthy Trees

One of the most frustrating things that we see in the tree business is when we hear about trees that have been declared “rotten” by someone who does not know what they are talking about. Even worse is when it is proclaimed to be a hazard by a tree removal guy with a vested interest in selling a job. Removing healthy trees does a disservice to your yard and your pocketbook.

We’ve seen our competitors cut down some of the nicest young pin oaks in the area. Pin oaks often develop with very round canopies, sort of an “O” shape, although they should be more of an upright “A” shape for most of their life. We’ve seen trees with a strong central leader, or main trunk, with branches that were clearly branches, as opposed to multiple competing scaffolds and stems just as large as the main trunk. Trees that were 70 feet tall with a two foot thick trunk with a very pronounced flare at the interface between the ground and the tree. In other words, trees that are very nicely structured and very healthy.

To make matters worse, the companies that are removing these perfectly healthy trees are nowhere near compliant with current safety standards. Even the most basic things like wearing hard hats. One time, we finally decided to stop by after the fact to ask the homeowner about their former tree. And we found out that their landscaper and the tree guy they recommended declared the tree to be possibly rotten, because one of them saw an ant walking around on the tree last year. The mere presence of an ant is in no way indicative of a rotten tree. Also, the tree owner liked the tree. She almost called them to cancel the job the night before. It’s too bad she didn’t. The trunk was perfectly sound. No decay, or rot to be seen.

It’s OK though, the job was done really cheap. Although it was still money that the homeowner would probably had rather kept.

The moral to the story is that it pays in so many ways to call a consulting arborist before having work done on your tree. In this case the savings would have amounted to hundreds of dollars and the tree could have been preserved.

Real Customer Service at All About Trees

Where has the customer service gone in tree service nowadays?

Watch the video below on our customer service abilities.

We have noticed a common theme when we have answered the phones in our office. In today’s world of technology and instant email responses, we have found that customers are excited to actually talk to real people. Not just a computer or voicemail system.

Now we are a busy company and sometimes both of the lines in our office are busy, but the difference with our company is that if you leave us a voicemail, you’ll actually hear back from us in a timely manner. And, in addition, you will always be greeted with a friendly voice. That is real customer service.

Our tree service company looks forward to talking to you about your trees and will schedule one of our real live certified arborists to come and meet with you face to face. You can view a list of our certified arborists at the following page: https://allabouttrees.com/about-arborist-springfield-mo/certified-arborists-springfield-mo/

However, All About Trees is flexible. If you want someone to swing by and look at your trees and email you an estimate, we can do that. We can even print you a physical copy of your estimate in our truck if you wish. If you want us to make recommendations for the most appropriate plan of action for your trees, we would love to do that.

Let All About Trees show you our brand of great service as we care for Springfield’s Urban Forest, one tree at a time.

Is Tree Removal Right For You?

The decision surrounding tree removal can be a difficult one. Sometimes a tree can be saved, but unfortunately other times it needs to be removed. This can depend on a number of factors, including but not limited to tree vitality, tree location in the yard, possible damage to the tree, and/or tree type. Here at All About Trees, we pride ourselves on being able to accurately help the customer make an informed decision for their trees.

Crane assisted silver maple removal

Watch the video for more information on tree removal.

Transcript for video:

When is it time to cut down a tree? If you know Noel, then you know he hates to be the undertaker when it comes to cutting down trees.

Yet, you also know that he hates to see someone waste time and money on a tree that’s become more of a liability than an asset.

The biggest reason we have tree removal is that it’s the wrong tree in the wrong place. Every week we are called to remove what could have been a marvelous tree, except it was planted too close to the house, or the power lines or the driveway or other structures.

So let’s always think about the future when we talk about your trees and address the questions that matter in the long run.

“Will this tree work in this spot?”

“Will it be likely to cause damage to my property?”

“Can we direct the growth away from the house now while it’s young or would we be better off to just remove it and plant the tree that really belongs here?”

Answering these questions before prescribing tree work will lead us to a healthier, safer, and more beautiful urban forest.

[End of Transcript]

If you are interested in removing a Bradford pear from your yard, you can learn more here.

Trees Can Grow Around Obstacles

Trees Grow Around Objects

You need to be careful about where you decide to plant a tree. As it grows, it can even grow around obstacles over time. Thankfully, however, a tree cannot crack a house foundation unless a crack was already present.

Trees are often planted close to fences and other solid objects. This will be fine for many years until the tree trunk gets increasingly larger. Because a tree can’t move its roots other than by growing new ones, it has no choice but to grow around solid objects. And a tree cannot avoid adding more wood to its stem; it needs to do so to grow taller and older. The trees’ cell division and growth are always ongoing, similar to nearly every organism on Earth. Plant tissue can flow around, engulf and bind to foreign objects, with an end result that is quite strong. Trees on unstable slopes can even curve in order to continue growing straight and optimize access to sunlight.

It is essentially stress avoidance as the plant grows in directions that avoid deficits of moisture or light, temperature extremes, going around mechanical obstructions, and areas of low porosity. Trees will take the path of least resistance available to them. The tree roots are covered in small hairs that are able to detect whether or not a tree can continue growing in a direction. According to ScienceDaily, “A protein at the tip of root hairs called RHD2 produces free radicals that stimulate the uptake of calcium from the soil. Calcium then stimulates the activity of RHD2, producing more free radicals and further uptake of calcium. When an obstacle blocks the hair’s path, the cycle is broken and growth starts in another location and direction.” In this way, tree roots are able to detect obstacles and maneuver around them.

tree growing around golf ball

The wrong species in the wrong place can damage human-built structures by forcing them aside, rather than moving around them.

We occasionally come across some unusual items when performing a tree service for one of our customers. The power of nature over time is pretty incredible.

bicycle in tree

References:

Norwich BioScience Institutes. “How Roots Find A Route Around Obstacles In The Soil.” ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 3 March 2008. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080228143543.htm>.