Trees are essential to humans and the environment. They provide shade during hot summer days, generate and release the oxygen we breathe, as well as increase the value of a property. These benefits are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to what trees can do for us.
However, for trees to be able to thrive and for us to benefit from them, they should be properly taken care of first. If you have trees on your property, you have a responsibility to look after them. And this is where arborists can help.
Arborists: In A Nutshell
Arborists are highly-trained specialists that provide professional services in proper tree care. They particularly specialize in arboriculture—the cultivation and management of trees, shrubs, and other woody plants. With years of studies, arborists have extensive knowledge on how to properly plant, maintain and care for trees based on their species.
Ideally, arborists are also certified by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA). Because they are specialists with formal education and proven experience, you can expect that the rates of their services are higher compared to that of tree loppers.
Tree loppers, named after the tool, offer similar services as arborists, except they aren’t certified professionals and have no formal education about tree care. They don’t have the education and training required to care for trees properly. This often results in reckless tree pruning, which can cause trees to lose their stability, and eventually become weaker and more susceptible to diseases. Check out this Arborist Vs. Tree Lopper article to learn more about their differences.
Moving on, here are the types of services commonly offered by certified arborists:
- Tree Pruning
Tree pruning is the selective removal of unwanted branches and diseased limbs from a tree. It can also help detect tree diseases in its early stages, which means they can be addressed before it spreads and become worse.
Pruning can also influence the structure and growth of trees, so it’s essential that it’s done by an expert. An improperly pruned tree can stunt a tree’s growth and cause it to become unstable and difficult to maintain.
On the other hand, proper pruning and trimming can help trees maintain their healthy structure despite their shorter and fewer branches. It may also be done to remove infected parts before they spread to
- Tree Removal
Removing a tree sometimes becomes necessary to avoid compromising the safety of your property and the people within the vicinity. If you have a weak tree in your yard, accidents may happen. First, it could fall onto a nearby structure and cause extensive damage. Second, it could fall on anyone around it—an unknowing passerby, your family member, or you. When a tree in your property causes damages or harm, as an owner, you’ll have to be liable for it.
Here are some of the indications that your tree may have to be removed:
- Compromised stability
- Deep splits in the bark
- Hollow or rotten inside
- Growth that poses an obstruction to other structures
Although trees can add value and appeal to your property, they can also cause hefty damages if not taken care of properly. This is why it’s ideal to have your trees serviced by professionals that can help you make sure they’re always in good shape, and when they’re not, proper measures can be taken to avoid accidents and other problems.
- Tree Planting
Tree planting often seems simple and easy. However, there are several factors that must be considered before planting a tree. If you’re not aware of these factors, you’ll eventually find that tree planting isn’t as easy as you may have believed it to be.
Factors like the available space, the soil condition, and the type of tree you’re planting are just some of the things you need to consider before you start planting a tree on your property. With the help of an arborist, you can be guided properly when it comes to determining the type of tree suitable for the size of your property and the type of soil it has.
- Emergency Tree Care
Emergency tree care services are most useful in urgent situations that require prompt action. The following are some of the telling signs you require emergency tree service:
- Leaning trees that may fall over
- Root decays or defects that affect the tree’s stability
- Large, dead branches that may break and fall
- Branches growing towards a power line
These are only a few of the circumstances where you need to call an arborist right away. Many other pressing situations also need these emergency tree services, like after a storm or any other unfavorable weather condition that leaves trees weakened. If your trees are in any danger or are likely to cause harm and damage to people or properties, never hesitate to call your local tree care expert for their professional tree care services.
When To Hire An Arborist
So, when exactly should you hire an arborist? The answer is simple. You can hire a tree expert whenever your tree needs care—whether it’s routine or urgent. Also, if you want to plant a specific tree in your yard but you’re not sure if it will thrive in the environment you have on your property, you should consult an arborist to find out.
Arborists can also provide you with helpful tree care tips for every season and every weather condition you may be concerned about. But more importantly, you should call an arborist if your trees show signs of potential disease or are posing safety risks or hazards.
Final Thoughts
Hiring an arborist is the best way to make sure your trees thrive without posing any safety hazards. They can give you valuable insights on how to take care of your trees to guarantee their growth. Apart from that, they can also assist in addressing tree problems from structural issues to damaging diseases, and perform emergency services like tree removal when needed.
So, whether you want to restore the health of your trees or just find out if they’re growing as they should, it’s always recommended to work with professional arborists.