Tree Removal vs. Tree Trimming
technical • February 16, 2017
Should I have you take a few branches off or remove the whole tree?
This is a tough question to answer! Like the human body every tree is different. There may be general guidelines for each species of tree but the full picture has to be analyzed to make a final determination.
Let’s look at some of the questions we ask when evaluating the tree.
- Condition of the tree – Is it dropping branches? Is there cavity rot? Is there sufficient foliage? Is it suffering from die back?
- Surrounding area – Has there been significant root damage? Is the area prone to flooding?
- Age of the tree – How old is the tree? Younger trees can recover from removing multiple branches better than an older tree. They can also be shaped into mature, sound trees.
- Activity level around the tree – Is your patio under the tree? Do children play under the tree? Do you park your car under the tree? Is the tree in an area that if it fell or dropped branches it would not damage anything?
- Safety/Drama – Does this tree pose a safety danger? Will you wake up in the middle of the night to a hole in your roof? Your morning commute will be over before it starts with the tree across your car?
Our general rule of thumb is if the tree poses a danger or displays signs of posing a danger, then we recommend removal but removal is not always necessary. We may be able to structurally prune or trim the tree to lighten the load it supports, along with installing cables to provide extra support.
Call Brian Favreau, ISA Certified Arborist to discuss your tree options and recommendations today! (978) 706-1038.
1. Why create a super highway to share your five-star dwelling with local critters?
Q. Why do you always have hiring ads on Indeed, Craigslist, TCIA, Social Media, etc.?
Q: I saw your company trimming trees by the power lines. Why do you leave them so ugly?
Here in New England we are known for some harsh winter storms. Winter storms that bring in heavy snow and ice can cause damage to trees by breaking or bending branches. Larger trees with co-dominant stems are at most risk for damage from these types of storms. To avoid damage proper pruning of peripheral branches and co-dominant branches will reduce leverage of the tree therefore reducing the risk of storm damage by removing weak branch attachments. Example: Make cuts at the union of the co-dominant branches and take off small peripheral branches bringing in the crown of the tree making the branches stronger for winter storms.
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The emergency alert tones are sounding on the TV the hurricane is making a direct hit in our part of the state. The wind is howling, trees are bending, the rain is hitting the house sideways and the kids are building a fort to protect them from the disaster. Even at a young age humans prepare for things that could go wrong. But are you preparing the correct way?
Skip the rake and leave the leaves for a healthier greener yard and trees!
The dog days of summer are upon us!
As a child, we would sing: “Rain, Rain, Go Away, Come back another day!” If only we had realized how much we needed that rain! As adults, what do we do when our trees need water and Mother Nature is not providing it?
Steaks are sizzling on the grill; the children are playing tag in the yard and your Mother-in-law gets up from the table walks over to the grill and falls. Everyone runs to her aid (if she is like Mother-in-laws that I know this will be a very dramatic event.) She is laying there oohing and awing, you get her upright and seated. To your relief, the only injury is to her pride. Now you focus back to the sizzling or should I say burning steaks. You walk over to serve the charcoal steaks only to find out that everyone at the BBQ is blaming you for her fall. Huh? What? I was at the grill… If only you had been proactive this whole experience could have been avoided…. When you finish reading this I want you to walk outside and look at your trees through an Arborist’s eyes. Look up! Are there dead, broken or hanging branches? If so, they are at risk of falling and hitting your poor mother-in-law, child playing in the yard, or the precious family pet, Fido. Look down! Do you have tripping hazards? Rotting stumps, roots that stick out of the ground or branches that have previously fallen. Think back to the last time the lawn was mowed… Did it seem more like you were in a fight? Bobbing, weaving, and ducking? Trim the branches of the unruly trees, raise the canopy for clearance or grind down that root that bends your blade at least once a mowing season. Walk closer to your trees… Are there mushrooms growing on it or around the base? This is typically a sign Armillaria or root rot. Does it resemble the leaning tower of Pisa? If you answered yes, your trees need some attention before they become more of a risk.
