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July 27, 2022

10 Tree Trimming Tips You Should Start Following Today

Tree maintenance can make or break your home. A 2021 study found that trees add more than $31.5 billion to the value of homes every year.

Unfortunately, tree trimming is about more than removing a few branches. You need to take several steps in order to maintain your tree. You can take the first step by educating yourself about tree trimming tips.

What does good tree trimming look like? How should you trim a branch on your tree? What branches should you remove right away?

Answer these questions and you can keep your trees healthy for years to come. Here are 10 essential tree trimming tips.

1. Develop a Tree Trimming Goal

Tree trimming can help you in several ways. It can make property maintenance easier, as it removes branches and leaves you have to clean. It can also make your tree shorter or decrease the amount of shade underneath your tree.

Adjust tree trimming tips to fit your goal. If you’re looking to maintain your property better, you want to remove branches that shed a lot of leaves. If you want to make your tree shorter, you should target the top branches.

2. Look at Your Tree

Before you start trimming, you should evaluate your tree. Do a walk around it and take a look at the trunk, leaves, and branches.

Imagine in your head what your tree should look like when you are done. You should also take photographs of any branches that have been damaged by pests. Warning signs of pest damage include misshapen leaves and mildew on the bark.

3. Identify the Skeleton

The skeleton of the tree is made of the major branches that allow your tree to grow and remain upright. Take a look at where your major branches are and steer clear of them. Cutting into your skeleton can cause your tree to become infected or fall over.

4. Be Strategic With Your Timing

If you prune a branch in the summer, you will slow its growth down. If you prune in the winter, a new branch has plenty of time to grow, and you may have larger branches than normal.

Think about your goal again and decide when a good time to trim your tree is. When in doubt, you should try trimming during the fall or winter, as there are fewer pests around your tree.

5. Make Cuts on Undersides

You can use whatever trimming tools you want to trim your branches. Trimmers generally work best, but you can use a handsaw as long as the branch falls away from you.

Place your tool against the underside of the branch you want to cut. Make a cut that goes a few inches into the branch, but not all the way through.

Your cut should be a few inches away from the stem collar, which is the bark your branch protrudes from. Do not cut the collar, as you risk leaving the skeleton of the tree exposed to the elements and pests.

6. Cut Away From the Trunk

Once you’ve made your cut on the underside, you can make another cut. This cut should be further away from the trunk so you do not touch the stem collar at all.

You can cut all the way through and allow the branch to fall to the ground. You will leave a small stub in place, which will protect the tree and keep it from being infected.

7. Prioritize Obstructing Branches

You should remove any branch that obstructs your power line, overhead cables, and walkway. You should also remove a branch that can fall on your house or patio.

You don’t have to remove the entire branch if you don’t want to. You can trim a few inches off the branch, or you can ask a tree or garden service company to prune the branch.

8. Thin Out the Thick Areas

Thick areas of branches can pose problems for your tree. A thick area can shift the center of balance, causing your tree to fall over during a storm. It can also block sunlight and water, making it hard for the roots underneath the branches to grow.

You should remove branches from areas that are too thick. In particular, you should target branches that are growing inward, as they can impact the skeleton.

9. Prune Diseased Branches

Signs of diseased branches include yellow leaves, wilting branches, and spots on the bark. You must remove diseased branches right away. They may spread bacteria or fungus to other parts of the tree, causing the entire tree to die.

If your tree has died, you should ask someone to remove the entire tree. Signs of a dying tree include a lack of leaves and brittle bark. It can fall over at any time, and it can be a home for pests and wild animals.

10. Assess Your Tree Trimming

After you’re done trimming your tree, you should do a final inspection. You can focus on any dead or encroaching branches you left in place, but you should also assess how your tree now looks. Many trees have naturally round canopies, so you may want to remove a few branches to make your tree seem smoother.

Start Tree Trimming Today

Tree trimming is easier said than done. You need to look at your tree and avoid harming the skeleton in any way. You should look for diseased branches and trim them right away.

Make your initial incisions on the undersides of your branches. You can then cut away from the trunk, leaving a stub behind. Assess whether you have the shade and height you want on your tree and trim it again in the winter.

If your tree has died or you need help, turn to professionals. Arbor-Tech Tree Service serves the Plano area. Contact us today.

July 12, 2022

What Is a Reasonable Price for Tree Trimming?

There’s a reason why there are close to a million landscaping positions found in the United States. Many people rely on these professionals to keep their outdoor property looking great.

If you have a tree in your yard starting to get out of hand with its growth, then it’s time to trim it.

But, what can you expect to pay when you hire a tree trimming service? If you want to know the answer to this question, then you’re in the right place.

In this article, we’ll be going over some averages, as well as factors that affect the final price of the tree trimming. That way, you can get at least a rough estimate of how much it will cost to trim the trees on your property.

What’s the Average Price for Tree Trimming?

Sadly, there is no one-size-fits-all answer to this tree trimming fees question. That’s because the price of a tree trimming service depends on a variety of different factors.

Ultimately, it boils down to how straightforward the job is. If the tree is easy to access and there’s nothing wrong with it (more on that later), then you can expect to pay in the lower price range.

This tends to be between $80 to $300 per tree. However, if the tree is a lot of work, or it requires specialized equipment to access it, then you’re going to be paying more.

These larger jobs can cost $1,000 or more per tree. However, keep in mind that these are just averages. If you want a specific price, then you should a tree trimming company and ask them for an estimate.

Factors That Affect the Price of Tree Trimming

In this section, we’ll be going over the things that can make tree removal more or less expensive. Also, keep in mind that we’re discussing tree trimmings here, not tree pruning.

If you want to learn more about the difference between these two things, then you can check out our article here.

The Size of the Tree

It should come as no surprise that the size of the tree is the number one factor when determining the price of a tree service. The larger the tree is the more branches it has that need trimming.

That translates to more hours on the job. In addition, large trees can also require specialized equipment to deal with them.

Smaller trees, on the other hand, can usually be knocked out in a few hours which makes them much more affordable to deal with.

The Location of the Tree

The next factor is where the tree is located. Most tree trimming companies will always have a bucket truck that they can use to reach tall trees. But, it’s not always possible to use these trucks.

For example, the truck can’t be used if the tree isn’t accessible by road. The same goes if the tree is right next to power lines or your house. Why?

Because tree branches can’t be thrown when near these two things. So, they need to be carefully lowered down. In these situations, the trimming tree will likely need to climb the tree to work more carefully.

If a company is climbing the tree instead of using the bucket truck, then you can expect the price to be a lot more costly.

You also need to think about transportation costs for the company. If you live out in the country, the trimming professional might need to drive a far way out to meet you. This can result in a higher price as well.

The Number of Trees

Like the height of the tree, the number of trees should also be a pretty noticeable price increase. If you need multiple trees trimmed, then a simple job can turn into an all-day affair.

In some cases, it can even turn into a multiple-day job. That’s why we always recommend telling the company how many trees you need trimming over the phone.

It will help them decide how many resources they need for the job ahead.

The Tree’s Health

It might be hard to understand how a tree’s health can impact the price of trimming. The answer is that certain health factors can affect the stability of the tree.

If it gets unhealthy enough, then there’s a risk of it collapsing while the workers are there. In these situations, they will need to cable the tree which can make the whole job more expensive.

One common thing that can affect trees’ health is diseases or illnesses infecting them. However, you should also keep your eye out for fungi that can eat away at the base of a tree.

Be on the lookout for cracks caused by lighting and other weather-related damage. Not only can this affect the structural integrity of the tree, but it can also provide easy access for parasites.

Any Potential Pests In the Tree

Some insects and animals can live in the tree without causing problems. Others burrow into the tree causing illness to spread. Some of the common pests in these categories include:

Ants
Termites
Woodpecks
Other pests that might be local to your area

Like the tree health, this can affect the cost because additional resources will be required to stabilize the tree.

However, if you care about the long-term health of the tree, then you should contact a pest control company as soon as possible.

Need a Tree Trimming? Contact Arbor-Tech Tree Service

We hope this article helped you answer the question, What’s a reasonable price for tree trimming? As you can see, there’s no easy answer to this question.

It depends on various things, from the height to the tree’s health. However, the most important thing is to find a tree trimming service that treats you fairly.

And, if you live near the Southlake and Frisco areas of Texas, then you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better option than Arbor-Tech Tree Service. So, if you’re ready to give your trees the care they deserve, contact us today.

June 14, 2022

Storm Cleanup and Tree Removal: What to Know

As summer storms loom on the horizon, we’re reminded of the damage these storms can do. But did you know that damaged trees can help measure a tornado’s wind speed?

After a tornado, scientists measure how trees have fallen. Considering the species, age, and health of the trees, the scientists can compile this data and then get an estimated wind speed.

Severe weather is a threat to trees. But when those trees fall, in whole or in part, they can cause more damage than the storm itself.

Keep reading if you’re faced with storm cleanup after a severe weather event. We’ll talk about ways to clear your property after a storm and how regular tree maintenance can minimize damage before it happens.

Preventative Tree Care

Regularly scheduled tree inspections by a professional arborist should be on every homeowner’s list. An arborist can identify disease and insect infestation and treat these issues before they become a bigger problem.

Your arborist can also study your trees and determine which direction branches are growing. If branches are headed toward power lines, your roof, or your driveway, they need trimming. Leaving these branches to grow on their own can lead to costly damage, even in the absence of a storm.

You’ll also need to consider Texas tree laws. You can be held liable if any part of your tree falls and injures a person or damages another’s property. You should also be mindful of trees along your property line.

The experts at Arbor Tech can give you more information about tree laws and let you know if any of your trees might pose a legal problem.

Cutting back wayward branches isn’t just to give your trees a beautiful shape. You can also prevent potential injury and costly damage by keeping your trees trimmed and healthy.

Storm Cleanup

Texas storms can be vicious, and trees often bear the brunt of the damage. The integrity of power lines during and after a storm is critical.

If one of your trees falls on a power line, call your electric company or 911 right away. Do not attempt to move the tree or touch the power line.

After the severe weather has passed and power lines are secure, it’s time to call for storm cleanup. Tree clean up service near me can handle the job.

If you’re lucky, you may only need the removal of broken tree branches and clean-up service. But sometimes storms can damage a tree beyond repair. In cases like these, your tree expert must entirely remove the trees. This is when a skilled arborist is necessary for cleanup service.

If your tree can’t be saved, it will be tied off and cut, so it falls in a safe location. Then the felled tree will be cut into more manageable sections. Lastly, the tree stump needs to be handled.

Tree Removal

Professional arborists should assess your trees if you’re planning tree removal and lot clearing for new construction. Your arborist and your builder can work together to keep existing trees while ensuring they won’t interfere with construction or cause damage in the future.

Trees add value to your home and property, so it’s in your best interest to save as many trees as possible when you’re building. However, sometimes trees just don’t fit within the scope of your construction plans.

You’ll also need to consider the impact trees will have on the effectiveness of solar panels. If your trees are blocking the sunlight, they’ll need removal. Otherwise, you may not achieve peak performance from your solar setup.

Sometimes trees need to be removed due to advanced disease or age. Diseased trees can be especially problematic because the infection can quickly spread to other trees. Your tree care expert can assess the situation and let you know if removal is the solution.

In some cases, tree removal requires a permit. There may be exceptions based on the type of tree and the size of the lot, but it’s best to search for tree removal near me. Arbor Tech can help you navigate the permit process to ensure your tree removal goes smoothly.

Dealing With Tree Stumps

There are two ways to handle a tree stump. The stump can be cut to ground level, or stump grinding might be the solution. Many tree experts prefer stump grinding because it removes almost all of the tree remnants.

Be sure that you make your arborist aware of any sprinkler or gas lines running through your yard. The last thing you want after a storm is more damage.

And if there’s a silver lining to this storm cleanup cloud, it’s that you can turn your downed tree into firewood and the wood chips from the stump into mulch. Your tree may no longer be standing, but you can still make use of it.

After the Storm

Once the storm cleanup process is finished, you may wonder what to do next. Luckily, the experts at Arbor Tech can help.

They can help you choose new trees and advise on tree species that are hardy and more resistant to disease and insects. Plus, they will ensure that your new trees are not too close to power lines, your roof, and your solar panels.

Your yard might not look the same as it did before the storm, but it might look even better with help from Arbor Tech.

Contact the Experts for Storm Cleanup

Texas weather always has the potential to damage trees. Storm cleanup is just a phone call away if this happens to you.

Contact the experts at Arbor Tech for tree care you can count on all year long.

May 25, 2022

Tree Pruning Do’s and Don’ts

Why is tree pruning essential for yard maintenance? Pruning is important for trees because it removes diseased or dead branches, improves the structural integrity of the tree, and can even encourage new growth in your tree.

However, pruning your tree incorrectly can cause many problems with your tree and may even kill your tree over time. If you are ready to tackle your tree pruning project, it is essential that you learn the proper methods.

Do you want to learn more about the do’s and don’ts of pruning a tree? Keep reading this guide for everything you should do and everything you should avoid with tree pruning.

Important Tree Pruning Tips

There are many things that you need to do to have a healthy, well-structured tree. While it may be best to hire a professional tree pruning service, there are many things that you can do yourself to prune your tree.

Here are some of the most important things you should do when pruning your trees!

Do Use the Right Tools

One of the most important tips to follow when you are trimming your trees is to use the right tree pruning tools. You need to have a sharp pruner or saw that is able to make clean cuts on your tree.

You may also need different sizes of pruning tools. These include hand shears, lopper shears, and even pole pruners.

You also need to invest in the right safety gear to protect yourself. You may have falling branches and other dangers, so protective gear will prevent unnecessary injuries. These include thick work gloves, safety goggles, and a hard hat.

Do Remove Weak or Unproductive Growth

Next, you must remove any growth that is weak or unproductive. This includes growth that is diseased or dying, as these can spread to other areas of your tree.

You should also remove things known as suckers, which are vertical growths that come from the base of the tree.

Do Cut in the Right Places

Learning to cut your tree in the right places is the key to good pruning. If you trim wherever you want to, you may not be able to shape the tree. A good rule of thumb to follow is to always cut back a branch or twig that is pointed in the direction in which you want your tree to grow in the future.

This way, you will have healthy and controlled growth on your trees in the future.

You also need to avoid cutting the branches too close to the tree trunk. If you do this, you can make it easier for diseases and pests to damage your tree trunk and kill the tree. Instead, make the cuts faster away from the trunk while avoiding leaving a stub.

If you are ever unsure of whether or not you should cut a branch, you should wait! You can always cut a branch later, but you can never bring back a branch that you already cut.

Do Consult a Trained Arborist

Finally, you should consider consulting a trained arborist to help you with your tree pruning service. While pruning your own trees may be able to save you a bit of money, an arborist is a worthwhile investment.

They will properly prune your trees and will ensure that they grow properly for years to come!

Tree Pruning Tips to Avoid

While there are many things that you can do to improve your tree growth, there are other mistakes that you can make which can impact your tree health.

Learning more about these mistakes will make it easier to avoid them when you are pruning trees. Here are some of the top things to avoid when pruning a tree.

Don’t Prune Without a Good Reason

One of the first rules to follow when pruning is to never prune without a good reason. If you don’t have a real reason to prune your trees, it increases the chance that you could make a mistake.

Only prune when you are trying to improve the structure of your tree, removing dead or broken branches, or removing branches that are dangerous or obstruct a walkway.

Don’t Remove Too Much Foliage

Next, you should avoid removing too much foliage when you are pruning during a growing season. Typically, you should remove 25% or less of the foliage on your tree.

If you prune your trees too much, it can cause a lot of stress for your tree. Over pruning may even cause your tree to die.

Don’t Prune in Dangerous Situations

You should also never take on jobs that can be dangerous or are potential safety hazards. There are some pruning jobs that require a certified arborist if they are to be done correctly and safely.

For example, you should not try to do a pruning job that requires you to use a chain saw or climb up a ladder. You should also never climb the tree with climbing spikes when you are pruning.

Finally, you should never prune within 10 feet of a utility conductor. Instead, you can hire a professional to do this safely.

Don’t Prune a Newly Planted Tree

Finally, you should not prune a newly planted tree during its first year of growth.

The only exception to this rule is if you are removing dead or broken branches from your tree. You should never prune a new tree to promote growth or to change the shape or structure of the tree.

Instead, you should only prune your trees after they have been planted for two or three years. This will allow your tree to recover from the stress of being planted.

Need Help With a Tree Pruning Service?

Tree pruning is an essential part of tree maintenance that will help your trees grow correctly and improve their health. However, the wrong types of pruning can cause worse problems for your tree. By following each of these do’s and don’ts when pruning, you can protect your trees!

Do you need help pruning fruit trees or other trees in your yard? Arbor-Tech Tree Service can help! We provide tree trimming, tree removal, and more.

April 28, 2022

What Is the Difference Between Tree Trimming and Pruning?

Did you know that the average temperature in cities can be up to ten degrees warmer than the area surrounding them? In our hot Texas summers, that figure is no joke—which is where your backyard trees come in.

Trees can help keep our homes cooler in the worst of the scorching heat, but that’s only true as long as we take steps to ensure their survival! It may sound counterintuitive, but cutting back branches with tree trimming and pruning can actually help our trees in the long term.

Of course, these two terms are often confused, especially because they refer to such similar practices. However, it’s worth noting that the main purposes of trimming and pruning are completely different, and there are also a few nuanced distinctions to keep in mind. Here’s what you should know about these common tree services.

What Is the Main Purpose of Tree Trimming and Pruning?

Before we get into a few in-depth differences, let’s clear the air on the main distinctions between tree trimming and pruning.

The purpose of tree trimming is to improve the overall appearance of a tree or shrub. Trimming may be necessary when you want to create an even and pleasing shape in your yard, or when you’re cutting a precise design into an ornamental tree. In addition, trimming can be helpful when you need to cut back overgrown branches that are too close to your windows, roof, power lines, or other essential structures.

The purpose of tree pruning, on the other hand, is to ensure the health of the tree itself. Instead of focusing on aesthetics, pruning can help promote stronger growth in the future, or it can remove dead, dying, or diseased branches that might affect the longevity of the tree. In addition, pruning can take care of branches whose placement might affect the tree’s health, such as by thinning out overgrown branches to ensure that the tree is getting enough sunlight.

What Kinds of Tools Are Necessary?

Trimming trees and shrubs is often easy, depending on their size. All you’ll need, in most cases, are simple tools like trimmers or loppers. These tools allow you to cut off smaller twigs and branches, though you may need a hand saw for larger trees.

When pruning trees, you can often use the same tools you’d use with tree trimming, especially if you’re only doing light pruning. However, pole pruners and chainsaws can also be helpful if you’re working on a larger tree.

How Often Do You Need to Trim or Prune Your Trees?

The frequency of tree trimming and pruning will vary based on the species and maturity of your tree. However, there are a few basic recommendations that you’ll need to follow in most cases.

We often recommend trimming your trees around twice a year, with one session occurring after the trees have blossomed in the spring.

When pruning, we recommend pruning once a year based on your tree’s flowering cycle. For most trees, the best time to prune is in late winter, after the risk of below-freezing temperatures has passed.

Who Should Trim or Prune Trees?

If you have the equipment for trimming or pruning at home, can you tackle the job on your own? The answer will depend on the type of job and the tree in question.

Trimming Trees

If you’re trimming for aesthetic purposes only, tree trimming is a fun task you can do on your own for smaller, more manageable trees. This practice is easy enough for most homeowners to try, provided you have the time, energy, and attention to detail! However, it’s worth noting that trimming too much of the tree—or trimming the wrong vital branches—can affect the overall health of the plant.

For larger trees, or for cases in which you’re trimming a wildly overgrown tree, this practice can be more of a hazard for non-specialists. You should always get expert help when trimming large or dangling branches, or branches too close to your home or power lines.

Pruning Trees

When it comes to pruning a tree, it’s often best to leave the job to an expert.

It’s true that pruning smaller trees is something homeowners may be able to do at home, especially gardeners who make a hobby of working with ornamental trees or fruit trees.

However, it’s a good idea to assess the need for a professional arborist before you pull out your pruning shears, especially for larger trees.

It can be difficult for homeowners to spot the natural growth patterns of their trees and to make the right choices for the long-term stability of the tree. In addition, it’s important to keep the risk to your health and property in mind. Falling tree limbs can cause injury if you aren’t careful, and the wrong cut might send a limb down onto your property or your neighbor’s property by accident!

Having a tree expert tackle this task on your behalf ensures that pruning will focus on the tree’s future health.

Let Our Team Take Care of Your Tree

Both tree trimming and pruning are crucial ways to take care of your tree, but it’s important to understand how each task works. Whether you’re trimming back twigs on a smaller tree or lopping off the branches of a mature one, each cut plays a significant role in the overall health of the plant.

To make sure that each cut is considered with expert care, reach out to our team of experts! We offer tree trimming and pruning services throughout the North Texas area, and we’re happy to take care of any trees on your property. Contact us for a quote today!