Trees grow, change and can reward homeowners with beautiful leaves and flowers. But they can also show their health problems with abnormal issues like yellowing leaves or trunk/branch damage.
Download TCIA’s Tree and Shrub Journal to track the changes you notice in your trees and shrubs throughout the year. Make copies and attach photos and leaves for reference.
For a sample of a completed sheet, click here.
If you notice an uncharacteristic change in your tree friends’ appearance, contact a qualified tree care expert for assistance.
Hurricane Sandy
Hurricane Sandy hit the Eastern Seaboard hard... What post-storm steps should consumers take with the trees in their landscape?
“Storm cleanup is often when many property owners crank up their first chain saw,” notes Tchukki Andersen, Board Certified Master Arborist and staff arborist for the Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA). “And oftentimes, they hurt themselves.” For homeowners thinking of handling post-storm work themselves, here’s a primer on safe tree and brush removal:
First,if a utility line is down:
Do not approach. Assume any downed line is energized.
Call the utility company immediately.
Avoid touching anything near the downed line and make sure nobody goes near the line. Contact with energized lines can result in electrocution.
Be aware that downed power lines can be hidden in brush and foliage. Play it safe; call a tree care professional.
Second, when deciding whether to try removing a tree or large branch yourself:
Consider the size and location of the tree. If the work requires you to leave the ground or if the tree is more than 20 feet tall, call a tree care professional. Do not attempt any tree work from a ladder!
Examine the shape and lean of the tree. Inspect the trunk for decay, weak spots, hanging limbs, and for any metal or concrete in or around the tree. If any of these features are present, the tree is unstable and extra precautions need to be taken before removing the tree.
Carefully inspect the tree and the surrounding area for anything – utility lines, structures, vehicles, shrubs – that might interfere with the removal of tree pieces.
Note other people in the area, particularly children. You don’t want anyone to wander near the drop zone.
Even small trees bent under tension can be extremely hazardous. Do not cut wood that is under tension (one or both ends are trapped under something).
Ask yourself, “What will happen when I cut this branch/tree?” Consider all the possibilities.
Plan an escape route from the falling tree or tree part before cutting.
Do not use a chain saw for tree removal unless you have years of experience. Even tree care pros face risk of injury using chain saws. Tree and branch removals are very unpredictable. Don’t take unnecessary chances!
If you have any doubts, bring in your local tree care professional to handle the post-storm cleanup.
Third, consider hiring a tree care professional:
For safe and efficient post-storm work, hire a tree care professional with the experience, expertise and equipment to safely take down or prune damaged trees. Additionally, tree care pros should carry liability insurance.
Also look for tree care professionals that are members of the Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA), a public and professional resource on trees and arboriculture since 1938. It has more than 2,000 member companies who recognize stringent safety and performance standards and who are required to carry liability insurance. TCIA also has the nation’s only Accreditation program that helps consumers find tree care companies that have been inspected and accredited based on: adherence to industry standards for quality and safety; maintenance of trained, professional staff; and dedication to ethics and quality in business practices.
Find a professional tree care company in your area by calling 1-800-733-2622.
Welcome to Tree Care Tips, where tree owners can find information about caring for trees and protecting their landscapes. Read about storm damage, stressors to trees, feeding, pruning, transplanting, mulching and other topics by clicking a button to the left. This site also has a free zip code search of local tree service companies for consumers.
What you don’t know can cost you money.
Watch these videos about caring for your trees:
These videos were created by the Tree Care Industry Association to educate homeowners about proper tree care and to provide some simple steps that they can take to begin protecting their investments.
Tree Board University is a unique online training will help you learn more about trees, about people, and about serving in a citizen advisory role in your city, town, or village. Learn more here.
The herbicide DuPont Imprelis, widely used by landscapers, may be causing injury to certain species of evergreen trees, particularly Norway spruce and white pines across the country. The EPA has launched an investigation.