The Importance of Trees on Your Property

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

Trees play a significant role in our environment, and they also have many great benefits when we have them on our property. They provide shade and a cooler atmosphere during warmer months of the seasons. Like any other plant, we have to take proper care of them, so they don’t die from unwanted circumstance.

Why Trees?

Importance and Value of Trees

Since the beginning, trees have furnished us with two of life’s essentials, food and oxygen. As we evolved, they provided additional necessities such as shelter, medicine, and tools. Today, their value continues to increase and more benefits of trees are being discovered as their role expands to satisfy the needs created by our modern lifestyles.

Community & Social Value

Trees are an important part of every community. Our streets, parks, playgrounds and backyards are lined with trees that create a peaceful, aesthetically pleasing environment. Trees increase our quality of life by bringing natural elements and wildlife habitats into urban settings. We gather under the cool shade they provide during outdoor activities with family and friends. Many neighborhoods are also the home of very old trees that serve as historic landmarks and a great source of town pride.

Using trees in cities to deflect the sunlight reduces the heat island effect caused by pavement and commercial buildings.

Ecological & Environmental Value

Trees contribute to their environment by providing oxygen, improving air quality, climate amelioration, conserving water, preserving soil, and supporting wildlife. During the process of photosynthesis, trees take in carbon dioxide and produce the oxygen we breathe. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, “One acre of forest absorbs six tons of carbon dioxide and puts out four tons of oxygen. This is enough to meet the annual needs of 18 people.” Trees, shrubs and turf also filter air by removing dust and absorbing other pollutants like carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide. After trees intercept unhealthy particles, rain washes them to the ground.

Trees control climate by moderating the effects of the sun, rain and wind. Leaves absorb and filter the sun’s radiant energy, keeping things cool in summer. Trees also preserve warmth by providing a screen from harsh wind. In addition to influencing wind speed and direction, they shield us from the downfall of rain, sleet and hail. Trees also lower the air temperature and reduce the heat intensity of the greenhouse effect by maintaining low levels of carbon dioxide.

Both above and below ground, trees are essential to the eco-systems in which they reside. Far reaching roots hold soil in place and fight erosion. Trees absorb and store rainwater which reduce runoff and sediment deposit after storms. This helps the ground water supply recharge, prevents the transport of chemicals into streams and prevents flooding. Fallen leaves make excellent compost that enriches soil.

Many animals, including elephants, koalas and giraffes eat leaves for nourishment. Flowers are eaten by monkeys, and nectar is a favorite of birds, bats and many insects. Animals also eat much of the same fruit that we enjoy This process helps disperse seeds over great distances. Of course, hundreds of living creatures call trees their home. Leaf-covered branches keep many animals, such as birds and squirrels, out of the reach of predators.

Personal & Spiritual Value

The main reason we like trees is because they are both beautiful and majestic. No two are alike. Different species display a seemingly endless variety of shapes, forms, textures and vibrant colors. Even individual trees vary their appearance throughout the course of the year as the seasons change. The strength, long lifespan and regal stature of trees give them a monument-like quality. Most of us react to the presence of trees with a pleasant, relaxed, comfortable feeling. In fact, many people plant trees as living memorials of life-changing events.

Trees help record the history of your family as they grow and develop alongside you and your kids. We often make an emotional connection with trees we plant or become personally attached to the ones that we see every day. These strong bonds are evidenced by the hundreds of groups and organizations across the country that go to great lengths to protect and save particularly large or historic trees from the dangers of modern development. How many of your childhood memories include the trees in your backyard or old neighborhood? The sentimental value of a special tree is simply immeasurable.

Practical & Commercial Value

Trees have supported and sustained life throughout our existence. They have a wide variety of practical and commercial uses. Wood was the very first fuel, and is still used for cooking and heating by about half of the world’s population. Trees provide timber for building construction, furniture manufacture, tools, sporting equipment, and thousands of household items. Wood pulp is used to make paper.

We are all aware of apples, oranges and the countless other fruits and nuts provided by trees, as well as the tasty syrup of North American sugar maples. But did you know the bark of some trees can be made into cork and is a source of chemicals and medicines? Quinine and aspirin are both made from bark extracts. The inner bark of some trees contains latex, the main ingredient of rubber. How many more uses can you name?

Property Value & Economic Value

Individual trees and shrubs have value and contribute to savings, but it is the collective influence of a well-maintained landscape that makes a real economic impact and has the greatest effect on property value. Direct economic benefits come from a savings in energy costs. Cooling costs are reduced in a tree-shaded home, and heating costs lowered when a tree serves as a windbreak. According to the USDA Forest Service, “Trees properly placed around buildings can reduce air conditioning needs by 30% and save 20-50 percent in energy used for heating.”

Property values of homes with well-maintained landscapes are up to 20% higher than others. Here are some eye-opening facts and statistics regarding the effect of healthy trees and shrubs:

• Homes with “excellent” landscaping can expect a sale price 6-7% higher than equivalent houses with “good” landscaping. Improving “average” to “good” landscaping can result in a 4-5% increase.– Clemson University
• Landscaping can bring a recovery value of 100-200% at selling time. (Kitchen remodeling brings 75-125%, bathroom remodeling 20-120%)– Money Magazine
• A mature tree can have an appraised value between $1000 and $10,000.– Council of Tree and Landscape Appraisers
• 99% of real estate appraisers concurred that landscaping enhances the sales appeal of real estate.– Trendnomics, National Gardening Association
• 98% of realtors believe that mature trees have a “strong or moderate impact” on the salability of homes listed for over $250,000 (83% believe the same for homes listed under $150,000).– American Forests, Arbor National Mortgage

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Will Ice Damage My Trees?

Written by Admin and published on https://mrtreeservices.com/.

If you were to make a list of things that could damage the trees on your property, what would be some of the chief culprits? If you’re like most people, you’d say wind, rain, critters and disease. But would you say ice?

Typically, people forget about ice when it comes to damaging trees because ice storms don’t happen that often– but when they do, you can bet some trees suffer in your neighborhood.

If and when cold rain falls and freezes as ice it will then stick to bark and branches even more easily than snow. Since ice is heavy, it can break small branches off a tree because they can’t bear the weight. When ice and wind mix, it’s even worse!

Does Ice Do Damage to Trees?

When people think about what can do damage to trees, heavy winds and rain may come to mind, or maybe even some sort of pest or disease, but not many people would think ice can do damage to their trees. The truth of the matter is, it can. In fact. ice-covered trees can be very dangerous.

While icicles are beautiful to look at, constant ice could be damaging to your trees. You get an increased amount of ice on your trees both when you have ice storms and when it snows and the temperature dips below freezing, causing snow to freeze. Ice will not only hurt a tree, but it can kill it and create problems in the surrounding area as well.

Before you examine your tree, you need to beware of a few safety concerns. First of all, if your tree is close to power lines, do not touch it. You never want to get involved if you’re talking about a possible interaction between electricity and water. You need the proper tools and expertise to deal with a tree in this kind of condition, which is why a certified arborist should be called to see if your tree can be trimmed back to remove a dangerous branch.

Additional, if there are broken branches that haven’t yet fallen, do not risk climbing the tree. While we understand you may be trying to alleviate the ice pressure from your trees, trees in this condition are unsafe, and you could end up falling and having a much bigger problem on your hands.

For lighter snow, this may seem silly, but it’s a good idea to go outside and brush even light amounts of snow off of your trees. This way, the snow won’t become ice, and you can prevent what may become an issue.

Sometimes, an ice-damaged tree is beyond repair and simply needs to be removed by a professional, but if the tree is small and the damage is minimal, there are some remedies for you to do yourself that can help bring your tree back to full strength and avoid the hassle of spending money.

Again, if there are safety concerns, spend the money just to ensure everything goes smoothly as you don’t want to risk injury. However, if the situation is safe, you can remove the broken limbs with pruning shears. Again, only perform this maneuver on smaller limbs as larger limbs can cause additional problems when felling.

It’s important to remember that broken limbs cannot be repaired, so they need to be removed. It’s best to cut them back to the next adjacent branch. Also remember to never leave a branch as a stub, because that encourages rot and decay. If you do this, the tree may ultimately die anyway, leaving all the work you did as a waste of time.

With that in mind, also be careful not to over-prune. You want to leave as many tree limbs as possible. Removing more limbs than you have to prevents the tree from being able to properly perform photosynthesis, which is necessary to sustain life.

Once pruned, the tree may look a little uneven, but don’t fret. After a few seasons, it should bounce back to it’s full, vibrant shape once again. However, if you have any concerns, contact your local arborist who will be able to provide additional direction and perform any needed trimming adjustments.

Now, we all want to save our trees in cases like this, but if the trunk is broken, it’s time for the tree to be removed. That’s when you have to call a professional to come and do work. Some trees have main leaders that extend all the way to the top of the tree, and when the trunk fails, the tree will fail too. That’s when you know it’s time to remove and replant.

If you do have to remove a tree, consider replacing it with a stronger species, such as crape myrtle, bald cypress, or live oak. If you have any questions on which tree makes sense for your environment, consider the conditions. If you simply replace the tree with the same one, then you could run into the issue once again. 

Did you know there are steps you can take to protect your trees if an ice storm is in the forecast? Small multi-leader trees can be wrapped with carpet or another type of strong cloth. Once spring arrives, you must remove the wrapping so you do not inhibit any growth. You can also invest in tree cabling and bracing, which involves the installation of flexible steel cables in the trees to reduce the stress caused by high winds, heavy snow, or substantial foliage. This isn’t something you should do on your own, as a certified arborist would have to be called in to set this up in the proper manner.

Your best bet, if ice and heavy snow is an issue where you live, is to be smart with which species of trees you have.

If you inherited trees from a previous owner and they are not the most weather resistant, then you may need to prepare to replace them sooner rather than later. Or, as mentioned above, you can contact a certified arborist to protect against tree damage. This individual can perform all of the necessary pruning or wrap your tree to protect it from Mother Nature’s wrath.

Ultimately, do not try to do anything yourself if there’s a safety risk. Instead, contact the professionals who will be able to protect your trees before a storm or perform necessary steps after one.

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Is Tree Trimming the Same as Tree Pruning?

Written by Skip Davis and published on https://www.hunker.com/.

A lot of people assume pruning and trimming are interchangeable words when it comes to trees. Interestingly, though, they are two different terms with two different meanings. For instance, they have distinct applications and functions. Meanwhile, they require different equipment– and timetables, too.

What Is Difference Between Pruning & Trimming?

Pruning and trimming are two techniques homeowners perform when taking care of their gardens. Trimming usually applies to maintaining small shrubs or hedges, while horticulturists use pruning for trees and shrubs. Both horticulture terms are used interchangeably but utilize different types of equipment and have different times for implementation. The end result of trimming and pruning are healthy and aesthetically appealing trees, shrubs and hedges.

Pruning

The idea behind pruning is to prevent loose or dead branches from harming other plants or people. Removing these branches allows the tree’s flowers and fruit to flourish. Pruning is not meant to stunt growth, but to stimulate the tree. Eliminating diseased or pest infested branches are other reasons gardeners prune their trees. Gardeners also prune if they want their tree to have a particular shape for aesthetic purposes. Two forms of pruning, pollarding and topiary, cause trees to take on unnatural forms. Pollarding is the practice of pruning annually to produce new shoots on an annual basis. Topiary is the art of shaping trees into an animal or geometric shape.

Trimming

Trimming applies to tidying up a small shrub or hedge’s appearance by removing overgrown branches. While pruning focuses on safety and a tree’s health, gardeners usually trim shrubs and hedges for aesthetic purposes. However, excessive overgrowth is harmful since it reduces the amount of moisture and light a shrub receives, so gardeners should trim a shrub at least twice per year to prevent this from happening.

Equipment

Two types of shears are available for pruning: hand shears and lopping shears. Hand shears are meant to be handled with one hand and are primarily used for removing small, easy to remove buds and leaves. Lopping shears have 1- to 2-foot long handles and are meant for cutting off thick branches. The lopping shear’s design allows gardeners to exert more force while cutting. If a branch is too thick for both shears, gardeners resort to saws for pruning. Both types of shears are viable options for trimming shrubs and hedges. A hedge trimmer is used for trimming a hedge’s branches. Electric and gas-powered hedge trimmers are available.

Frequency

The required frequency for pruning or trimming varies among plant species. Spring flowering trees need pruning during late June, immediately following the trees’ blooming cycle. Winter and spring are appropriate pruning periods for summer flowering trees, says the University of Maryland’s Cooperative Extension program. The most appropriate periods for trimming hinges on a shrub or hedge’s appearance, rather than its health or flowering cycles. According to the University of Arizona College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, gardeners should trim their hedges before excessive branch growth reaches 1 foot.

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What is the Foundation of a Healthy Tree?

Written by Admin and published on https://preservationtree.com/.

What is the foundation of a healthy tree? If you want a tree to have a healthy trunk with strong roots and branches, then the foundation for that is… regular tree pruning by a knowledgeable and experienced tree care provider. Big Foot Tree Service has plenty of tree experts who can prune the trees on your property so they’ll stay healthy and live a long time. All too often, people ignore their trees only to find that they’re unhealthy and even dying. “Preventative maintenance” can save tree owners a lot of money and headaches.

Soil: The Foundation of Healthy Trees

Soil health is the very foundation of keeping your trees and landscape healthy and flourishing. Many people apply a little synthetic fertilizer when first planting a new tree or shrub, and then never think to feed the plants (or soil) again. That is not the way to keep your landscape growing!

The soil in North Texas is not the most hospitable to begin with—alkaline, very heavy clay, with shallow topsoil. Drainage is slow and fungal diseases can run rampant when good microbes are out of balance. Many locations with new construction end up with soils that are very compacted from construction equipment, causing the soil to be void of microbes and valuable nutrients. Often contractors haul off the good soil, and leave your property with less than desirable soil. This leftover construction soil is restrictive for roots and does not foster a healthy root zone.

Urban environments are a far cry from the forests that trees evolved to live in. Instead of letting leaves decompose naturally and then add microbes slowly back to the soil, we bag them up and haul them off; depriving our soils of much needed organic matter that feeds beneficial microbes and releases nutrients.

Even with these less than desirable soil conditions, trees are crucial to a healthy urban environment. So what are you to do? Luckily, we have just the fix to keep your soil functioning properly and your trees and landscape thriving. Our SEASONS program applies a fall root zone injection of liquid compost with mycorrhizal fungi along with other healthy soil micro-organisms. This injection provides components for vigorous root growth. Organic amendments such as seaweed, fish and humates stimulate biological activity in the soil, thus mimicking the nutrient breakdown of a forest floor, and allowing nutrients to become available for uptake by your trees and landscape.

Along with the fall feeding, our SEASONS program also includes an Arborist inspection each year and a spring root-zone injection for your continued soil health.

We believe in the organic approach so we can best support a healthy environment. Bio-fertilization is an important step in keeping the soil food web functioning properly. Since most homeowners remove an important part of the web (fallen leaves), the entire microbial process slows down or stops. Synthetic products may briefly help correct problems with your landscape, but they deplete and damage the naturally occurring processes happening in the soil; thus leaving you in a constantly recurring pattern of having to apply chemicals.

Take care of your soil correctly and in turn, your soil will give to your trees and surrounding landscape.  

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How to Spot an Aphid Infestation in Large Trees

Written by Jennifer Noonan and published on https://www.bobvila.com/.

If there’s one class of insect that bothers gardeners more than any other, it has to be aphids. These tiny pests can be found worldwide and they are to plants what mosquitoes are to people – small but destructive vampires. Aphids feed on the sap of plants, which is damaging enough on its own, but to get to the sap they chew up the leaves with their efficient jaws. They also breed rapidly and won’t stop feeding until they kill the plant, at which point they migrate to the next plant and the cycle starts all over again. To a biologist aphids are actually fascinating – some species of ants farm them, for example – but to gardeners they’re a serious pest.

How To: Get Rid of Aphids

Save a shriveling garden from aphid infestation by following these tips for removal.

Are your garden plants stunted, shriveled, yellowing, or curling at the leaves, despite your best efforts to keep them alive? Check the undersides of the leaves, and you may find the culprit: large groups of aphids and/or the sticky residue they leave behind after feeding. (Or, on plants with tightly-packed leaves like those of day lilies, aphids may take root at the base of the plant instead.) These quarter-inch-long garden pests have soft pear-shaped bodies in various shades of white, black, yellow, green, brown, or red. The bane of gardeners everywhere, they feed on the plant’s sap and literally suck the life out of leaves, stems, buds, flowers, fruit, and roots.

Aphids reproduce so quickly—we’re talking several generations created in a single season—that by the time you notice the insects on your plants, you’re likely in the midst of a full-blown infestation. Thankfully, though,  homeowners can often combat the pests before major damage occurs. Here’s how to get rid of aphids and keep them from returning to wreck your plants in the future.

STEP 1: Removal

If you discover aphids your garden, follow one of these three methods to get rid of them.

Hose them down.

If you spot a few aphids on your plants, the minor infestation can be successfully banished with a strong stream of water from the hose. Run water all over the plant, making sure to target the underside of each leaf. Repeat this process every few days until you’ve successfully eliminated all aphids, which could take up to two weeks.

Spray leaves with DIY insecticidal soap.

Waging war with larger numbers of aphids? Make a homemade insecticidal soap, a low-toxicity bug control solution that will desiccate the soft bodies and kill the aphids without doing harm to your plants. Simply mix a few teaspoons of liquid dish soap with one quart of water, then spray or wipe the solution onto the leaves, stems, and buds of the plant. (Don’t forget: These bugs like to hide beneath leaves, so take care to thoroughly coat the underside of the leaves, too.) Repeat the process every two or three days for the next few weeks, until you no longer notice aphids on the plant.

Use a systemic pesticide. 

If your aphid infestation is substantial and not swayed by insecticidal soap, you may need to kill them with a systemic pesticide. Consider using a product containing Imidacloprid, which will kill aphids when ingested but won’t harm pollinators like bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies (view example Imidacloprid-containing insecticide on Amazon). Mix and apply according to the manufacturer’s directions.

STEP 2: Prevention

After eradicating aphids from your garden, take measures to prevent the pests from returning. Here are three ways to deter aphids from your plants.

Introduce beneficial bugs.

Several species of bugs—like lady beetles, lacewings, and parasitic wasps—happily munch on aphids. If you provide a habitat of flowering ground covers (especially varieties likecosmos and stonecrop that supply nectar throughout the growing season), you’ll draw them to the garden and successfully keep the aphid population in check. Homeowners can also purchase these natural predators via mail-order. If you introduce beneficial bugs to your garden, do not use a broad-spectrum pesticide—it will kill them, too!

Apply dormant oil. 

If aphids have settled on your fruit trees, apply dormant oil (a commercial oil that controls pests during the off-season) in mid- to late-winter to kill any eggs that are overwintering (view dormant oil on Amazon). Mix the dormant oil with water in a garden sprayer, according to the directions on the packaging, and apply to the leaves, stems, branches, and trunk of the tree. Reapply per the manufacturer’s directions.

Choose neighboring plants strategically. 

Oregano, chive, sage, garlic, leeks, onions, and other plants with strong scents can deter aphids. Plant these in the areas of your garden where aphids have been a problem. In addition, you can grow plants that attract aphids, like calendula and nasturtium, on the opposite side of your property; they may draw aphids away from the affected area. Companion planting is a long-term prevention measure, but it could help your aphid population diminish significantly over several seasons.

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Why Do Trees Sometimes Need to Be Felled?

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

For local authorities needing to remove a tree from a public space or for homes suffering from structural damage, tree felling may be the most suitable remedial action.

Essentially, tree felling is the action of cutting down a tree to prevent the spread of disease and improve safety in the area. If not carried out correctly, tree felling can be very dangerous – as such, this type of work must be carried out by a tree care specialist who will plan the task meticulously, taking into account any potential hazards or risks.

So, why do trees sometimes need to be felled?

Why fell trees?

Tree felling is a positive management technique which increases the health and diversity of trees and their associated wildlife within woods. It should be carried out as part of a management plan based on scientific research of the effects caused, and should be appropriate to the species concerned.

Felling trees in the name of conservation is often misunderstood. Not surprising when we consider that an estimated 19 million trees were blown down in the storms of 1987 and 1989 and more than 30 million trees have been lost to Dutch Elm disease. But felling is an essential part of woodland ecology and management. Non-indigenous trees and shrubs, for example, may need to be removed to retain the character of a woodland.

How woodland develops

In most of the UK, if all agriculture and land management ceased and nature was allowed to take over, woodland would be the end result. It is the UK’s ‘climax’ vegetation, able to renew itself indefinitely with saplings springing up into the spaces left by the death of large mature trees.

The woodland would grow, mature and change over hundreds and thousands of years reacting to climate and soil conditions. The forest canopy would be dominated by associations of relatively few large species such as oak, ash, beech, and lime (and probably sycamore). However, there would be a great diversity of flora and fauna existing within the woodland ecosystem particularly in glades and woodland edges, areas of wetland, permanent grassland and thickets.

Woodland history

Wildwood once covered most of Britain but has been modified and managed by humans since the first clearances for settlement and agriculture by Mesolithic and Neolithic man some 6,000 years ago.

For at least 2,000 years, until this century, woodlands and their products have formed a vital part of the local society and economy.

Woodland now covers 13% of the UK’s land surface, compared to a 37% average for EU countries. However, it is estimated that only 552,000ha in the UK is ancient woodland sites (around 2.3% of land area) and of this 223,000ha is planted with non-native species (referred to as planted ancient woodland sites (PAWS)) – The State of the UK’s Forests, Woods and Trees, Woodland Trust. More than a quarter of the tree cover is Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis), introduced from the west coast of North America.

Types of woodland

Woodlands can cover less than 10 hectares or more than 350,000 hectares. Most are on farmland where the landowner may not realise its commercial and conservation value. Woods have been neglected because they are no longer needed.

Primary or ancient woodland

An area of land that has been under uninterrupted woodland cover, without dramatic change to the constituent tree types. Mainly woods which have been managed by coppicing.

Secondary woodland

An area of land which has been cleared at some stage but allowed to regenerate naturally. New secondary woodland lacks a full range of native species. Old secondary woodland can have almost as diverse a range of species as ancient woodland but lacks ‘indicator’ tree and plant species such as wild service tree, small-leaved lime, woodland hawthorn (Crataegus laevigata) and oxlip which cannot colonise readily into new areas.

Plantation woodland

The modern practice of forestry has resulted in many conifer plantations usually containing single, or a very limited number of, species of the same age. All coniferous species in the UK, apart from Scots pine, yew and juniper have been introduced. However, some beech, oak and chestnut plantations from the 18th century still thrive.

Parkland and urban trees

These are sometimes the remnants of original woodland cover, existing as single mature trees and perhaps showing signs of management such as pollarding. Otherwise they tend to be new plantings, often of exotic species.

Coppicing

The traditional woodland management system of coppicing creates a structure which varies from open glade through brambles and scrub on newly exposed areas, dense thickets of competing young saplings growing around fallen tree trunks, closed shady canopies of mature forest to ancient stag-headed trees. Woods are divided into compartments and trees and shrubs are cut on a rotation based on the number of years it takes for the ‘underwood’ to reach its desired size. This gives rise to an irregular patchwork of panels of trees of different ages, offering wildlife a wide range of habitats.

Felling trees in this way does not kill a wood. Bradfield Woods in Suffolk, first recorded in 1252, though probably old even then, has been cut down at least 70 times in its history of coppice management.

In direct contrast, most plantation forestry has no variety of structure or species. It casts dense shade to suppress ground vegetation and is often clear-felled when mature. Exotic species do not regenerate and the area has to be planted again. Conifers that have been planted within old coppiced woods may have to be felled to return the wood to traditional management.

Conifer woodland structure

Thinning

Thinning is the removal of a proportion of trees in a wood. It is usually associated with commercial forestry – providing an intermediate crop and leaving more growing space for the remaining trees. Most planted forests begin with 1,000 to 2,500 trees per hectare but end up with 70 to 350.

Thinning in secondary woodlands is needed where there is little age range among the trees. Such woods often spring from colonisation of bare ground, tending to form a high dense canopy of close growing trees. Thinning will allow light in to help shrub and ground flora growth and allow the best trees to spread and mature.

Rides and glades

Only 2% of woodland in the UK is managed as coppice, so often the only open places within woods are rides and glades. They attract a completely different flora and fauna from the rest of the wood. Species are attracted by the open sunny conditions and interface or ‘edge’ between grassland and woodland.

The grassland may be a relict population of unimproved grassland – 95% of which has been lost from the surrounding countryside since the Second World War.

Butterflies are sun-loving insects and the majority breed only in very open rides and glades which provide warm and sunny microclimates. Most butterfly larvae feed on the low-growing herbs of the open ride, whilst many more moths breed on the tree and shrub species – particularly sallow and aspen – of the shrubby margins.

Shrubby margins can be attractive to several species of breeding migrant birds such as garden and willow warblers and nightingale. Low tangled vegetation is a favourite nest site of the chiffchaff. Wrens will breed if heaps of brushwood are left after cutting. Sparrowhawks will hunt up and down the rides and green woodpeckers may be attracted to feed on ants.

Rabbits are commonly found deep inside woodlands and may be dependent on grassy rides and glades as feeding sites. Bats also use rides for hunting attracted by the rich insect life.

Indigenous species

The term ‘indigenous’ refers to species that are of natural origin. Introduced, exotic, or non-indigenous trees have been brought to this country by man.

As the ice from the last glaciation retreated, about 13,000 years ago, trees moved northwards. The first to colonise our tundra were pioneering species such as birch, aspen and willow. These were followed by pine and hazel, alder and oak, lime and elm, then holly, ash, beech, hornbeam and maple. The later arrivals were either species from warmer climates or poor colonisers.

Non-indigenous species

During the 18th and 19th centuries, exotic trees, which were ‘discovered’ in the new world, were planted in many large ornamental gardens. In the 19th century hardy, fast growing species, mainly conifers, began to be planted for economic forestry.

Felling and uprooting of non-indigenous tree and shrub species in semi-natural woodlands is often necessary to retain the woodland’s character. These species generally have the habit of being able to spread quickly, dominating the understorey and ground vegetation – suppressing a more diverse native flora and regenerating seedlings.

Rhododendron

The rhododendron family is native to central Asia and has been planted in this country both for the beauty of its blossom and its value as game cover. Although rhododendron cannot tolerate lime-rich soils it seems to thrive everywhere else. The plant develops an ever-spreading thicket of tough evergreen leaves, smothering all other growth so that no field or ground layer of vegetation can survive.

Laurel

This shrub was planted for similar reasons to the rhododendron and has similar effects. The leaves decay slowly to the detriment of soil humus.

Snowberry

Snowberry fruits

Snowberry was planted for game cover. Although birds and insects do feed on the small white berries, the plant can spread quickly and shut out a more diverse flora.

Sycamore

Sycamore grows in shade, is little affected by pollution and disperses great quantities of fertile seed annually. It can be a self-sown constituent of many secondary woods and encroach ancient woodlands when they are disturbed or opened up. Indigenous plant diversity can be reduced as sycamore becomes the dominant species. It often has to be clear felled to eradicate it from sensitive sites.

However, sycamore is a valuable hardwood timber tree and is often specified in new lowland plantings. It only supports a small diversity of insect life but can be more important to feeding birds than beech, ash and hazel because of its high biomass. It will grow in exposed, upland sites where other hardwoods won’t survive.

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How Do Plants Know When Seasons Change?

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

What is your favorite season? Is it spring, when you can go on hikes and the days start to get longer? Maybe it is fall, when the summer heat has passed and the leaves are changing color. Many things change during the four seasons (spring, summer, fall, and winter), including the temperature and the amount of rain that falls. Plants and animals also change with the seasons.

When spring comes, warm temperatures and rain help plants to bloom and set insects abuzz. Plants and insects are important food items for many larger animals, so as plant and insect activity increases, so does the activity of the animals that eat plants and insects. When a lot of food is available, animals can get enough to eat, and there is enough food for their babies (also called young). Because of this, many animals have their young in the early summer, soon after plant and insect numbers begin to increase.

How Seasons Change A Tree’s Behaviour

How Winter Affects Trees

Environmental factors in winter that affect trees include:

• Storms – branches can be broken in storms, creating wounds and entry points for pathogens. 
• Snow and ice – weigh down branches, causing them to break
• Dry air – makes it difficult for trees to retain water

To protect themselves from the harsh elements, trees perform dormancy preparations before the arrival of winter. 

• Trees also produce hormones to tackle the dehydration that winter can bring. To combat frozen cells, tree cells are infused with proteins that work as a sort of ‘antifreeze’ to protect vulnerable cells. 
• Deciduous trees form a layer of scar tissue (abscission zone) amongst the leaf and the branch, which ensures protection of the tree and safe shedding of its leaves. 

How Spring Affects Trees

Environmental factors in spring that affect trees include:

• Increased sunlight – encourages trees to grow leaves so that they can make food. As the tree begins to take in sunlight, leaves and buds grow, which in turn, allows for photosynthesis.
• Ground softens and the soil retains water – roots begin to expand and lengthen in search of water to aid tree and leaf growth.

To adapt to the new environment that spring brings, trees start to take down their barriers and get ready for the growing season.

• As the trees detect the rise in temperature, buds and leaves start to grow in order to start the cycle of chlorophyll production – this process helps to repair damages from the winter too. 

How Summer Affects Trees

Environmental factors in summer that affect trees include:

• Temperature – when temperatures climb too high, the growth of a tree slows
• Pollution – in summer, levels are typically higher which can poison trees and make them vulnerable to disease

When the summer months are too hot, the tree’s ability to photosynthesise slows or stops completely during the hottest parts of the day. The tree does this to protect itself and save energy as the enzymes are unable to work efficiently in such a climate. Furthermore, precipitation and soil moisture levels are low in summer, which means the tree must conserve energy and resources to survive.

How Autumn Affects Trees

Environmental factors in autumn that affect trees include:

• Less sunlight – causing leaves to change colour and drop off. Leaves typically reflect green light rather than absorb it, which gives leaves their green colour. On deciduous trees in autumn time, the leaves start to absorb green light instead which means that the other pigments of colours can now be seen in a leaf – this is why you’ll see leaves change colour in autumn. 

Deciduous trees become dormant as leaves drop off but roots continue to grow making this a good time to plant new trees.

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What Does a Tree Inspection Involve?

Written by Admin and published on https://friendlytree.com/.

While it may seem like an unusual comparison, the importance of having your tree inspected can be likened to taking your pet to a vet when you suspect they are ill – you would only arrange for them to visit a fully qualified professional who knows the signs and symptoms to look out for, and the same is needed for the trees in your garden if their condition has deteriorated. 

As shown in our previous article, ‘How to remove a tree stump’, at Artemis we believe it is important to explain the different types of tree work, so you know exactly what they entail should you require these services. In this edition, we will be explaining what a tree inspection involves, the types of tree surveys available, and who should carry them out.

What Is a Tree Inspection? (And Why You Need One)

When it comes to living a safe and comfortable life, inspections are essential. Think about it. From buying a home to maintaining a car, inspections are a standard and widespread practice. Even restaurants, aircraft, and your own teeth require routine inspections.

While these things are extremely different, they all need regular checkups to stay safe. That’s because inspections are designed to detect existing and potential issues before they turn into bigger problems.

Your trees are no exception. Yes, that’s right: Trees need inspections, too. When performed by a professional tree expert, a tree inspection will help your trees thrive in the best way possible.

What is a Tree Inspection?

A tree inspection involves a careful examination of your trees. It’s done by arborists, like the ones at Friendly Tree.

During the inspection, your arborist will evaluate the tree’s structure and surrounding soil. They’ll also determine the tree’s overall health by inspecting its bark, branches, and more.

Why You Need Tree Inspections

A tree inspection is like a routine checkup with the doctor. It measures the most basic aspects of health, which can indicate bigger problems or risks. Specifically, a tree inspection can:

1. Diagnose Tree Infections Early

Like an annual doctor’s appointment, inspections look for signs of disease. This includes infections caused by bacteria, fungi, or insects.

A certified arborist knows precisely what to look for. They’ll consider regional diseases and pests, which can help them diagnose issues sooner rather than later.

2. Identify Structural Damage

Physical damage due to construction, storms, or incorrect tree pruning can be identified during an inspection. This is crucial for the tree’s health, as structural problems can make it difficult for the tree to take in oxygen and water.

3. Improve Safety

By identifying disease and damage, a tree inspection protects both humans and pets. A damaged tree, after all, is more likely to break or fall. This poses a hazard to residents and buildings alike.

4.Determine Watering Needs

If you’ve never consulted a tree arborist, or if you recently planted a new tree, a tree inspection will help you plan a proper watering routine.

An arborist can create a personalized watering guide based on the type of tree, its age, and upcoming seasons. Depending on your previous watering habits, this might involve more or less water, or a specific schedule.

4.Establish Soil Requirements

Likewise, a tree inspection helps you determine the best soil for your trees. Good soil is vital for healthy and happy trees. The examination can also shed light on the ideal fertilizer and mulch for your trees.

Friendly Tree Offers Comprehensive Tree Inspections in New Jersey

In a nutshell, tree inspections are essential for tree health and safety. It also doesn’t hurt that they’ll save you money in the long run, as each inspection allows you to fix issues while they’re still manageable.

After the inspection, the arborist will propose the next best steps. They can also provide guidelines for various tree care practices, such as pruning.

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Why Do Trees Needs Proper Pruning and Trimming?

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

We plant trees for their beauty and to provide shade, but they do create many other advantages. Trees can sooth and ease us and help us connect to nature around. The green color of the trees is so calming and cool that helps your eyes quickly remove from strain. By growing more and more trees, you can contribute to improving your surroundings, lower energy cost, lessen pollution, improve the appearance of your community and increase the value of your property. All they need is proper care and pruning.

Why is Tree Pruning Important?

Pruning a tree can have many benefits. The first and most important is keeping the people around it safe. A dead branch can fall from a tree at any time, endangering nearby people, buildings, and power lines. Removing dangerous limbs and maintaining a safe tree is always the best course of action. However, depending on the size of the tree and the location of the branches to be pruned, pruning itself can also be very dangerous. To ensure your own personal safety, we recommend you let an expert do any pruning you’re not absolutely comfortable and confident in doing.

Tree growth and structure

There are many reasons why pruning a tree is important. Pruning a tree can influence in what way the tree grows. With proper pruning, a tree can be made to grow into a certain configuration of limbs and branches that is more ideal for the structural integrity of the tree. Maintaining the tree’s structure helps to mitigate the risk of broken limbs and falling branches. A properly pruned tree will not have compromising branch structures and improper weight distribution that could lead to disaster later on in the tree’s life. Structural pruning can also greatly improve the general look of the tree. If aesthetics are important to you, proper pruning can make a tree grow in the desired fashion.

When to Prune

Remember, it’s important that any pruning (other than emergency branch removal) be done in late fall or winter, during the dormant season. It’s during this time that the tree is least susceptible to harm that may result from pruning. Trees are susceptible to stress just like any other creature, and removing their branches does cause damage to the tree. When the tree is dormant, however, less sap is lost and, since they are dormant as well, insects and fungus are less likely to further damage the tree. Certain species of trees require more precise timing and different approaches for proper pruning. If you’re ever in doubt, contact a certified arborist instead of risking both the tree’s safety and your own.

Less is More

It’s also important to remember not to prune too much off of a tree. Generally, you want to prune the smallest amount you possibly can that achieves the desired effect. Never prune more than ¼ of the crown of a tree, as this is where most of its leaves are located and consequently where it gets most of its energy. You run the risk of fatally damaging the tree if too much is pruned too quickly. Again, a certified arborist is your best bet if you want the job done properly and safely the first time.

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The Effects of Cutting Down Trees on the Ecosystem

Written by Admin and published on https://www.pachamama.org/.

Cutting down trees is necessary to produce wood for construction, paper and other applications, but logging and other activities that kill trees can potentially lead to negative impacts on ecosystems and the environment as a whole.

Effects of Deforestation

The United States Environmental Protection Agency defines deforestation as the “permanent removal of standing forests.” The removal, however, occurs for a variety of different reasons and has a variety of devastating consequences.

What Is Deforestation?

Deforestation is the clearing, destroying, or otherwise removal of trees through deliberate, natural, or accidental means. It can occur in any area densely populated by trees and other plant life, but the majority of it is currently happening in the Amazon rainforest.

The loss of trees and other vegetation can cause climate change, desertification, soil erosion, fewer crops, flooding, increased greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, and a host of problems for indigenous people.

Explore how protecting forests is one of the top climate solutions with our free Reversing Global Warming online course.

Deforestation occurs for a number of reasons, including farming, with 80% of deforestation resulting from extensive cattle ranching, and logging for materials and development. It has been happening for thousands of years, arguably since man began converting from hunter/gatherer to agricultural based societies, and required larger, unobstructed tracks of land to accommodate cattle, crops, and housing. It was only after the onset of the modern era that it became an epidemic.

Environmental Effects of Deforestation From Above

Loss of Habitat

One of the most dangerous and unsettling effects of deforestation is the loss of animal and plant species due to their loss of habitat. 70% of land animals and plant species live in forests. Not only does deforestation threaten species known to us, but also those unknown.

The trees of the rainforest that provide shelter for some species also provide the canopy that regulates the temperature. Deforestation results in a more drastic temperature variation from day to night, much like a desert, which could prove fatal for many inhabitants.

Increased Greenhouse Gases

In addition to the loss of habitat, the lack of trees also allows a greater amount of greenhouse gases to be released into the atmosphere. Healthy forests absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, acting as valuable carbon sinks. Deforested areas lose that ability and release more carbon.

Water in the Atmosphere

The trees also help control the level of water in the atmosphere by helping to regulate the water cycle. In deforested areas, there is less water in the air to be returned to the soil. This then causes dryer soil and the inability to grow crops.

Environmental Effects of Deforestation From Below

Soil Erosion and Flooding

Further effects of deforestation include soil erosion and coastal flooding. Trees help the land to retain water and topsoil, which provides the rich nutrients to sustain additional forest life.

Without forests, the soil erodes and washes away, causing farmers to move on and perpetuate the cycle. The barren land which is left behind in the wake of these unsustainable agricultural practices is then more susceptible to flooding, specifically in coastal regions.

Effects of Deforestation on Indigenous People

Destruction of Homelands

As large amounts of forests are cleared away, allowing exposed earth to whither and die and the habitats of innumerable species to be destroyed, the indigenous communities who live there and depend on the forest to sustain their way of life are also under threat.

The loss of forests has an immediate and direct effect on their lifestyle that we in the highly industrialized parts of the world, despite our own dependency on what the rainforest provides, will never know. The level of immediacy is exponentially greater for indigenous peoples.

The governments of nations with rainforests in their borders often attempt to evict indigenous tribes before the actual clear-cutting begins. This is one of the pre-emptive effects of deforestation.

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The Effects of Cutting Down Trees on the Ecosystem

Written by Admin and published on https://www.pachamama.org/.

Cutting down trees is necessary to produce wood for construction, paper and other applications, but logging and other activities that kill trees can potentially lead to negative impacts on ecosystems and the environment as a whole.

Effects of Deforestation

The United States Environmental Protection Agency defines deforestation as the “permanent removal of standing forests.” The removal, however, occurs for a variety of different reasons and has a variety of devastating consequences.

What Is Deforestation?

Deforestation is the clearing, destroying, or otherwise removal of trees through deliberate, natural, or accidental means. It can occur in any area densely populated by trees and other plant life, but the majority of it is currently happening in the Amazon rainforest.

The loss of trees and other vegetation can cause climate change, desertification, soil erosion, fewer crops, flooding, increased greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, and a host of problems for indigenous people.

Explore how protecting forests is one of the top climate solutions with our free Reversing Global Warming online course.

Deforestation occurs for a number of reasons, including farming, with 80% of deforestation resulting from extensive cattle ranching, and logging for materials and development. It has been happening for thousands of years, arguably since man began converting from hunter/gatherer to agricultural based societies, and required larger, unobstructed tracks of land to accommodate cattle, crops, and housing. It was only after the onset of the modern era that it became an epidemic.

Environmental Effects of Deforestation From Above

Loss of Habitat

One of the most dangerous and unsettling effects of deforestation is the loss of animal and plant species due to their loss of habitat. 70% of land animals and plant species live in forests. Not only does deforestation threaten species known to us, but also those unknown.

The trees of the rainforest that provide shelter for some species also provide the canopy that regulates the temperature. Deforestation results in a more drastic temperature variation from day to night, much like a desert, which could prove fatal for many inhabitants.

Increased Greenhouse Gases

In addition to the loss of habitat, the lack of trees also allows a greater amount of greenhouse gases to be released into the atmosphere. Healthy forests absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, acting as valuable carbon sinks. Deforested areas lose that ability and release more carbon.

Water in the Atmosphere

The trees also help control the level of water in the atmosphere by helping to regulate the water cycle. In deforested areas, there is less water in the air to be returned to the soil. This then causes dryer soil and the inability to grow crops.

Environmental Effects of Deforestation From Below

Soil Erosion and Flooding

Further effects of deforestation include soil erosion and coastal flooding. Trees help the land to retain water and topsoil, which provides the rich nutrients to sustain additional forest life.

Without forests, the soil erodes and washes away, causing farmers to move on and perpetuate the cycle. The barren land which is left behind in the wake of these unsustainable agricultural practices is then more susceptible to flooding, specifically in coastal regions.

Effects of Deforestation on Indigenous People

Destruction of Homelands

As large amounts of forests are cleared away, allowing exposed earth to whither and die and the habitats of innumerable species to be destroyed, the indigenous communities who live there and depend on the forest to sustain their way of life are also under threat.

The loss of forests has an immediate and direct effect on their lifestyle that we in the highly industrialized parts of the world, despite our own dependency on what the rainforest provides, will never know. The level of immediacy is exponentially greater for indigenous peoples.

The governments of nations with rainforests in their borders often attempt to evict indigenous tribes before the actual clear-cutting begins. This is one of the pre-emptive effects of deforestation.

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How Trees Survive and Thrive After A Fire

Written by Victoria González and published on https://www.megainteresting.com/.

Big or small, gradual or sudden, change rhythmically punctuates human life. In the natural world, change is just as intrinsic and pattern-based. Seasonal fluctuations in temperature, shifts in sun light, and natural disturbances, like fire, are all part of nature’s cycle.

How trees survive and thrive after forest fires

Uncontrolled forest fires can devastate anything in their path. Plants and trees cannot move or and run away when fire descends on their habitat, but due to the frequency of these natural and ever increasingly human influenced disasters, many species have adapted to survive.

Some plants and trees are classified as pyrophytes or ‘fire resistant’ species. Pyrophytes have developed an ability to tolerate fires, and can actually thrive in the aftermath of a blaze. 

Trees have various ways of tolerating and regrowing after fire. For some trees with extensive root systems, this can be especially beneficial as their roots can give them the capacity to ‘resprout’ after their above ground presence has been completely destroyed by fire. Resprouting trees include the strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo), the evergreen oak tree (Quercus ilex), Pistacia lentiscus or ‘Mastic’ tree and the kermes oak tree (Quercus coccifera).

Some plants in fire prone areas actually need fire, either directly or indirectly, to successfully germinate. Plants, such as Cistus produce seeds that remain buried in the ground and are capable of withstanding high temperatures. The aftermath of a fire provides an ideal opportunity for these buried seeds to germinate, as fires often create large areas of open space with plenty of light. Without competition from other plants and with new mineral resources that are generated from fire ashes, these plants are able to flourish.  

In environments where hot, fast moving fires are frequent, some species of pine tree have adapted and developed thick, hard cones that are literally glued shut with a strong resin. These “serotinous” cones can hang on a pine tree for many years, long after the seeds inside have matured. When faced with fire, the resin melts, which opens the cones, releasing seeds that are then then distributed by wind and gravity.

Despite nature’s resilience, it must not be forgotten that human behaviours are intensifying forest fire incidences. Forest fires increase carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere, contributing to the greenhouse effect and climate change. Ashes destroy much of the nutrients and erode the soil, which can cause flooding and landslides. Unnaturally severe fires can destroy forests, even those that have adapted to fire and overall regeneration of vegetation is a challenging process. As a result human intervention such as actively supporting soil restoration methods are needed to continue to protect our world’s forests.

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Trees and Your Environment

Written by Mattea Jacobs and published on https://greenpop.org/.

Many people decide to enrich their gardens by planting trees. Most of them do it for the beauty or to provide extra shade in summer months. However, there are more benefits from trees than you might think. Except for relaxing, connecting us with nature and their calming effect, trees do a lot when it comes to the environment.

If you are thinking about planting a tree around your home, keep reading to find out what trees do for our environment

10 Environmental Benefits of Planting a Tree

Many people decide to enrich their gardens by planting trees. Most of them do it for the beauty or to provide extra shade in summer months. However, there are more benefits from trees than you might think. Except for relaxing, connecting us with nature and their calming effect, trees do a lot when it comes to the environment.

If you are thinking about planting a tree around your home, keep reading to find out what trees do for our environment

1. Reducing Climate Change

If people are good at something, then it is building up excess carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Harmful CO2 contributes to climate change, the biggest current problem the world has to deal with. Trees, however, help fight it. They absorb CO2 removing it from the air and storing it while releasing oxygen. Annually, an acre of trees absorbs the amount of carbon dioxide equal to driving your car 26 000 miles. Trees are our main survival tools; only one tree can produce enough oxygen for four people.

2. Purifying Air

Have you ever felt that feeling of „cleaner air“ in the woods or by the seaside? Well, you were right because it is well known that trees do purify the air. They absorb pollutant gases such as nitrogen oxides, ozone, ammonia, sulfur dioxide. Trees also absorb odors and act as a filter as little particulates get trapped in leaves. A mature acre of trees can yearly provide oxygen for 18 people.

In the city, trees can help to cool down the streets.

3. Cooling Down the Streets

Every year we listen to the shocking global warming news. For instance, the average temperature in Los Angeles has risen by 6F in 50 years, and the average global temperature grew by 1.4 F. This happens as tree coverage declines. Removing trees and replacing them with heat absorbing asphalt roads and buildings makes cities much warmer. Trees are cooling cities by up to 10 F by providing shade and releasing water.

4. Natural Air Conditioning

Did you know that strategically placed trees around your home can significantly cut air conditioning needs? Not only will this make your wallet thicker, but it will also reduce carbon dioxide and emissions from power plants. Architects and environmentalists sat together and came up with the great solution – green roofs. Green roofs are an amazing way to incorporate vegetation to your home and provide environmental benefits for your community while saving money on cooling bills.

Indoor trees do not only have a calming effect, they also act as natural air conditioning.

5. Saving Water

Except for cooling, trees also help to save water. Because of the shade they provide, water will evaporate slowly from low vegetation. Trees need about 15 water gallons a week to survive, and they release about 200-450 gallons of water per day.

6. Preventing Water Pollution

Stormwater can be full of phosphorus pollutants and nitrogen. Without trees, stormwater flows into oceans and waters without being filtered. Trees break the rainfall and allow water to enter the earth and seep into the soil. Therefore, they prevent stormwater from polluting oceans. Except for trees, green infrastructure like green roof can help sooth effects of stormwater.

Trees can help to save water.

7. Providing Shelters for Wildlife

Trees also contribute to boosting biodiversity as they become a food source and natural habitat for wildlife. One apple tree produces about 20 fruit bushels per year which can nourish many birds, insects, and wildlife. It can be planted on a very small surface but has a fantastic environmental effect. Trees that are most planted as homes for birds, squirrels, and bees are oak and sycamore.

8. Renewable Energy Source

Nowadays, one of the biggest world problems is fossil fuels. Except for their toxic properties, they will also not be around forever. So many companies are focusing on renewable sources of energy. If harvested and treated sustainably, trees can become a great renewable source of energy. They are simple to use, have been around since the beginning of time, and with smart forest management they can become an excellent eco-friendly fuel.

An apple tree can provide shelter for insects.

9. Reinforcing Soil

Trees are one of the best partners when it comes to agriculture. They act positively in several ways: they reduce soil erosion, increase fertility and help soil obtain moisture. Fallen tree leaves lower reduce soil temperature and prevent soil from losing too much moisture. Decaying leaves that fall onto the ground turn into nutrients for tree growth and promote microorganism development.

10. Erosion Control

Rain and wind are two primary erosion forces that damage the bare soil. As they fall from heights, drops of rain gain power and momentum which is strong enough to penetrate soil once they hit the ground. On the other hand, if the land is dried out, then wind can do significant damage. Trees break droplets of rain and weaken their strength while roots hold the soil together and protect it from effects of wind.

Plant a tree, and you and your community will thrive from the benefits.

Final Thoughts

There are many environmental benefits of planting a tree. Strategically planting trees around your home can have tremendous benefits on the environment. Not only will you help restore life quality in your community, contribute to the environment and help fight climate change, but you will also set an example. Therefore, planting a beautiful tree is always a good idea!

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What is a Hazard Tree?

Written by Christian Plunkett and published on https://www.experts.com/.

Hazard trees, borderline trees, tree limit, line clearance, assessment of hazards… Trees are not only good – they can actually present serious risks for people and property! Regular, preventive risk assessment and utility vegetation maintenance is necessary to reduce the safety risks involved. Falling trees are one of the most common causes of electrical breakdowns, and especially so when the weather makes it tough to handle service interruptions. Hard wind and heavy rains, ice, and snow are all typical reasons to why trees fall over.

What is the Definition of a Hazard Tree?

As defined in the tree care industry, a “Hazard Tree” is a tree that poses a level of risk to people or property that exceeds the risk tolerance of the property owner or manger. This means that a tree that may be considered a hazard to one property owner may not be considered to be a hazard by another property owner. Thus, “hazard tree” is a somewhat subjective concept, used when making tree risk management decisions on a particular property, and is not a description of the inherent level of risk actually posed by a particular tree. In the tree care industry the term “hazard tree” is generally reserved to describe a tree that requires immediate removal, or other mitigating actions, to reduce the level of risk posed.

When a property owner asks a consulting arborist if a particular tree is a hazard, what he or she is often really asking, in tree care industry terms, is “is this a high risk tree”. The risk posed by a tree is dependent on the likelihood of a tree failure occurring, combined with the severity of the potential consequences of such a failure. Tree risk is a much less subjective concept and the level of risk posed by a tree can be defined in relatively concrete terms by having a “tree risk assessment” performed by a qualified arborist. Today a “qualified arborist” usually means an arborist who has attended specialized training, and passed an examination, to become “tree risk assessment qualified” through the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA).

In order for a tree to be considered as posing a risk it must meet two criteria. The tree, or a tree part, must be at an increased likelihood of failure, usually due to the presence of some structural defect e.g. the presence of a significant amount of decay in a portion of the tree, and there must be one or more targets present. A target may be any person or property that could potentially be damaged or injured should a failure occur. If there are no targets present there is no risk and the tree will not be considered a hazard, even if it is structurally unsound and likely to fail at any time.

If we have a tree that meets both of these conditions; it is at an increased likelihood of failure due to some defect, and there are one or more potential targets present that could potentially be affected by such a failure, then the tree will be considered to pose some level of risk and that level of risk should be evaluated.

During the risk assessment process, the following questions will be answered: what is the likelihood of the tree, or tree part failing; what is the likelihood of the failure impacting a target; how severe are the potential consequences if the failing tree or tree part does impact the target.

The likelihood of the tree experiencing a failure will depend on the magnitude of the structural defect present combined with the site conditions on which the tree is growing. For example, a tree limb possessing a large amount of internal decay is usually more likely to fail than the same size limb having a minimal amount of decay. The likelihood of failure is also influenced by the site conditions. The same limb is more likely to fail, within a specifically defined timeframe, if the tree is located on an open, windy site, than if that tree is growing in a location where it is protected from strong winds.

Assuming that this limb does fail, what is the likelihood of it impacting a target? If the limb is stretching over the roof of a house, then the likelihood of impact will be nearly 100%. If the limb is over a back country road that only sees a dozen cars pass by in any given day, the chance of the failure impacting the targets, in this case the passing vehicles, will be low. Finally, if this same limb is hanging over a bus stop where people are standing approximately 50% of the time in any 24 hour period, then the chance of the failure impacting the target would be somewhere around 50%.

If the limb fails, and it does impact the target, how severe are the likely consequences? In the case of the limb growing over a house, the damages would likely be limited to the monetary expense required to repair the roof. In the second and third examples, the limb striking a moving vehicle or a group of people, serious injuries are likely to occur and so the consequences may be considered to be significantly more severe.

These variables are all taken into account in developing a description of the total tree risk assessed. This description may take the form of a qualitative rating, such as: low, moderate, high, or extreme. Or it may be expressed on a point scale with higher numbers representing a greater risk than lower figures. Either way, the risk assessment itself does not answer our starting query “Is this a hazard tree?”. As noted in the opening paragraph, a hazard tree is one that poses a level of risk to people or property that exceeds the risk tolerance of the property owner or manager. Therefore, a conversation must take place between the arborist assessing the risk and the tree owner where the arborist explains the level of risk present and the tree owner expresses his or her risk tolerance. It is this conversation that will set the definition of a “hazard tree” for that particular property. A tree with a moderate risk rating may be considered a hazard on one property and a tree with an identical risk rating may not be considered a hazard in another.

Of course the property owner, or other individual responsible for making tree risk management decisions, should take care that their personal definition of a hazard does not stray too far from what might reasonable be considered to be a hazard by someone else. This is especially true when the risk posed by one of their trees extends to targets located beyond their property lines. When a tree failure occurs, “Act of God” or negligence, can be a fine line and that is the stuff that lawsuits are made of.

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Outside Right-of-Way Tree Risk Along Electrical Transmission Lines

Written by Admin and published on https://www.victoryelectric.net/.

Approximately 20% of the unplanned power outages you experience are caused by trees and other vegetation growing too close to power lines.

In high winds, trees and their debris can be blown onto power lines, causing the lines to short-circuit, and can also cause significant damage to our electrical equipment, resulting in power cuts.

Trees, Power Lines & Right-of-Way Safety

Maintaining Public Safety
Victory Electric’s power line right-of-way responsibilities are first, to maintain public safety and the safety of our employees, and second, to keep power flowing reliably across our electric distribution system, delivering electricity to our members.

To deliver this power, Victory Electric owns and maintains more than 3,170 miles of line. To keep these lines humming with electricity, Victory Electric line crews regularly patrol its lines to make sure the equipment is in good shape, conditions on the rights-of-way below are safe, and our crews can safely access the power lines and equipment in all kinds of weather. We identify and repair broken insulators and damaged sections of power line. We repair or replace cross arms and power poles as needed.

Our crews also look for potentially dangerous situations in the rights of way. Swimming pools, buildings, irrigation equipment, wire fences and tall trees can all be dangerous—when too close to power lines.

Fire, Electrical Hazards
Trees growing near power lines can cause a fire, as well as an electrical, hazard to anyone in contact with the tree at ground level. Trees don’t have to physically touch an energized power line to be dangerous. Electricity can arc from the power line to nearby trees given the right conditions, such as a voltage surge on the line from a nearby lightning strike. This electric current can kill anyone caught near the tree and can cause a fire.

This arcing can also cause power outages. Tree-related power outages are more than just an inconvenience. They not only disrupt service to your home or business, they also disrupt power to hospitals, emergency response centers and patients on life-support equipment.

The National Electric Safety Code specifies power lines be kept specific distances from nearby objects—including trees. The code requires greater clearances for higher voltage lines. For the same safety reasons, transmission line rights of way are wider than for local distribution lines

Clearance: How danger is Controlled
Electricity travels on power lines high above the ground. However, like water, electricity seeks the most direct path to the ground through nearby objects. Just like lightning, electric current in a power line may seek to reach the ground by jumping, or arcing, to a tall-growing tree. To avoid this, Victory Electric maintains a safe distance between its power lines and tree limbs. The higher the voltage of the power line, the more clearance required.

Clearances between power lines and other objects, including trees, must allow for line sag. During warm weather or when the line is carrying heavy electrical loads, it heats up and stretches. This makes the line longer and it sags closer to the ground or objects underneath it. Because the amount of sag varies with electrical load, weather and line composition, a safe clearance distance in winter may not provide the same safety on the warmest summer days. Thus, to maintain a safe distance between the line and anything that can conduct electricity, Victory Electric maintains a clear zone on all sides and below its power lines.

Tall growing trees or other tall objects that could fall into a power line must be removed. Heavy winds can blow branches into power lines and additional weight from snow and ice can bend or break branches, bringing them close enough to cause a flashover.

Neighborly Right-of-Way Uses
Victory Electric works with landowners and communities to allow compatible uses within its rights-of-way. Farming, grazing, open space, parks, golf courses, parking lots, bike paths and hiking trails are just some of these compatible uses.

Nevertheless, there are situations when Victory Electric must responsibly cut trees to maintain safety and reliability. We are committed to working with landowners to minimize the impacts when we must remove trees. Our policy is to continue to work with property and landowners to minimize the need to cut trees, while always emphasizing our most important “good neighbor” activity, which is maintaining a safe right of way and providing reliable electricity.

Victory Electric’s Commitment to Property and Landowners
If we must cut trees on your land, we promise to:

• Make a good faith effort to contact you before we routinely cut down trees on your property.
• In the event of an emergency situation requiring our immediate action, we’ll contact you as soon as reasonably possible.
• Make every effort to protect your property from damage.
• Either leave the logs for your use or haul them away, as you request.
• Remove and/or chip all branches and haul the chips off site, unless you want to keep the chips for use as mulch.
• Cut trees in an environmentally responsible way.

What Can You Do to Help?
Property owners should review the rules and regulations to become familiar with its provisions on member responsibilities. You can call Victory Electric if you have questions or need additional information about safe uses of your property under or near our lines.

Even though our crews regularly inspect our power lines, you can help us if you notice anything such as trees or limbs that might interfere with our power lines. You can also help stop potential power line problems before they start. If you’re planning to plant trees on your property, don’t plant them under the power lines. Shrubs, hedges and other plants must also be kept away from power poles and off power line access roads.

Dense stands of trees, shrubs or hedges make it difficult to get to power lines or electrical equipment to repair or maintain them. They may also make the difficult job of maintaining the electrical system even more hazardous to the line crews.

Tree Cutting and Power Line Safety
Always look for nearby power lines before beginning to cut down any tree. Call us before cutting down any tree that might fall into a power line.

Treat all power lines as energized. Never climb or attempt to fell a tree that has a limb caught in a power line. You may not see any visible evidence the tree is electrified or dangerous. Beware of this hidden hazard. Trees that could reach a power line should never be felled by a land owner. If a tree falls into a power line, stop at once! Stay clear and call Victory Electric.

Maintain the required clearances between any equipment and power lines. If equipment comes into contact with a power line, stop at once! Instruct the operator to stay on the equipment until help arrives. Keep others away.

If a fire starts from an electrical contact or a downed power line, contain the fire if possible, but keep all firefighting equipment and people away from the downed line. Do not use water near the downed line. Notify the local fire department and Victory Electric immediately. Stay clear of the line and treat it as energized. IN AN EMERGENCY, CALL 911.

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Types of Tree Service

Written by Admin and published on https://www.treedoctor.net.

Tree care companies come in a wide variety of sizes and skill levels, and choosing the right one for your project can be challenging. Should you go with the established, TCIA-affiliated tree care company? The Certified Arborist with a chipper and a small crew of Certified Tree Workers? The gal with the chainsaw and the pickup truck? All of these are easy to locate and easy to hire, but price isn’t the only thing that differentiates them from one another.

Different Types of Tree Care Professionals

There are many terms in use describing different types of tree care professionals and this can cause considerable confusion for a homeowner or property manager who requires a tree care provider. The information below will hopefully provide some clarity on the topic.

Arborist vs. Forester

Arborists care for individual trees while foresters manage populations of trees. For example, a forester may be responsible for managing a forest or woodlot for the production of timber or other wood products. The forester will make decisions regarding when and how to plant and harvest trees to meet their management objectives. Urban foresters manage the population of public trees in a community to maximize the benefits provided by trees, while minimizing the inherent risk posed by living in close proximity to these trees. A municipal forester would be an urban forester working for a particular town or city managing the public tree resources in that municipality. This would include trees in parks and other public green spaces, as well as street trees and trees growing in other municipal rights-of-way.

Practicing Arborists

An arborist is generally focused on caring for individual trees, often on private property. Arborists can be divided into two broad categories; Practicing Arborists and Consulting Arborists. A practicing arborist aka commercial arborist is the type of tree care provider that many people first think of when they hear the word arborist. A practicing arborist may offer such tree care services as pruning, planting, removal, pesticide application, and fertilization.

It is worth noting that the terms “arborist” and “tree expert” are not always regulated at the State or Municipal level and in New Jersey any person who chooses to work with trees may currently call themselves an “arborist” or “tree expert” and advertise their company as “XYZ Tree Expert Company.” This has led to unqualified individuals performing tree work using unsafe work practices that have resulted in injuries, as well as incorrect pruning and care techniques that have damaged or destroyed many trees in our State. New Jersey recently passed the “Tree Experts and Tree Care Operators Licensing Act” in an effort to address these issues. The Act will transform the current “NJ Certified Tree Expert” designation into a licensed credential in the near future.

ISA Certified Arborists

The International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) oversees the “ISA Certified Tree Worker,” “ISA Certified Arborist,” and “ISA Board Certified Master Arborist” credentials. An ISA Certified Tree Worker has demonstrated that he or she possess the skill and knowledge required to safely work on a tree crew performing general tree care tasks.

An ISA Certified Arborist has met certain education and skill requirements, and passed an examination, to demonstrate that he or she possesses a solid working knowledge of all aspects of arboriculture including: Planting, Pruning, Soil Management, Species Identification, Safe Work Practices, Tree Biology, Diagnosis and Treatment, Tree Protection, and Tree Risk Management.

The ISA Board Certified Master Arborist (BCMA) is the highest level of certification offered by the ISA. This credential recognizes individuals who have reached the pinnacle of their profession. In addition to passing an extensive scenario-based examination, candidates must abide by a Code of Ethics. Fewer than two percent of all ISA Certified Arborists currently hold the BCMA certification.

In addition to certification of arborists, the ISA also qualifies arborists in specific areas. For example, an arborist who is ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualified (TRAQ) has demonstrated knowledge in the standardized and systematic assessment of tree risk.

Consulting Arborists

Consulting arborists differ from practicing arborists in that they are, as their name implies, primarily consultants. Consulting arborists make tree care recommendations to improve the health and safety of trees. Many homeowners and property managers retain a consulting arborist when they require an independent expert opinion regarding tree care issues. Note that a practicing arborist may also make tree care recommendations, often as part of a “free estimate” but since the practicing arborist is often also offering to perform the recommended work, this arrangement has been viewed by some, including myself, as a potential conflict of interest.

In addition to providing general tree care recommendations, consulting arborists may offer tree value appraisals, tree risk assessments, expert witness testimony, and litigation support services for attorneys, insurance companies, homeowners, and property managers.

Consulting arborists may possess any of the ISA or State certifications that practicing arborists possess. In addition, consulting arborists may be registered by or be members of the American Society of Consulting Arborists (ASCA).

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