You’re hungry to scale your tree service business, bidding on and winning more contracts and completing more work. And you want to be sure your team is trained and capable of handling the workload safely.
Everyone tells you that your business needs a blog. But if you’re in a boring industry like tree care, it can be tough to figure out what to write about.
What is Tree Removal?
Trees add beauty and value to our properties, but there may come a time when they need to be removed. This is especially true if a tree starts to lean or if it’s dead and dying. Removing a tree can prevent damage to your property and protect the safety of your family and guests.
The process of removing a tree is called felling. Typically, a professional will cut the top off of the tree first to control its fall and then remove the rest of the branches. This can be done by hand or with a crane depending on the size of the tree.
Often, the stump of a fallen tree will remain in the ground. This can create problems for the soil in the area around it. For example, the roots can crowd out other plants and create air pockets that can lead to fungus and disease.
When hiring a tree service to remove a tree, it’s important to make sure that the work zone is large enough for their equipment. The area should be at least twice as wide as the height of the tree. It’s also a good idea to clear out any breakable items that could get in the way during the removal process.
What is Tree Pruning?
Tree pruning is a regular landscape maintenance practice that is used to remove dead, damaged or diseased branches and promote new growth. This process is a great way to keep trees looking neat and attractive. It can also help to reduce the risk of damage or injury.
When performed properly, regular pruning can increase fruiting, flowering, and overall appearance. It also reduces the risk of disease, insect infestation, and rot.
Different goals require different types of pruning. For example, reducing crown density involves removing branches from the sides of the canopy to allow more sunlight to reach the ground and surrounding plants. This can be done for aesthetic reasons or to protect the property from the effects of shade.
Other types of pruning include crown cleaning, crown raising, and crown thinning. Crown cleaning focuses on removing diseased, damaged, or loose branches, as well as branches that rub together. Crown thinning opens up the canopy to let in more sunlight, while crown lifting creates space under the branches for people or vehicles.
What is Tree Stump Removal?
Stump removal involves digging out and cutting the remaining roots of a tree that’s been cut down. It’s a more thorough solution to stumps than just burning them, and it can also prevent future problems like invasive root growth and unsafe structures near foundations, driveways, or other structures.
Stumps with sprawling or entwined roots are more difficult to remove than those that grow vertically. They can also be a safety hazard and cause damage to underground utilities or other structures. Removing a stump with roots that extend underground requires excavation equipment or special attachments on commercial grinders. This can increase the cost by 50 percent or more.
Other factors that affect prices include the geographic location of your property and labor costs. Getting multiple quotes is important and negotiating is usually possible. Ask about discounts for removing more than one stump, as well as whether or not the company carries insurance in case of damages to your yard or lawn. Also, consider what type of protective gear you’ll need to work with an ax or a mattock, such as steel-toed boots, personal protective equipment rated for chainsaw use, and a polycarbonate face shield.
What is Tree Trimming?
Trimming is a common horticulture technique that involves cutting away unwanted or excess branches to help a tree maintain its shape. When done correctly, it can help promote overall tree health and appearance, as well as reduce risks from storm damage or disease.
When pruning a tree, it’s important to make precise cuts that follow the branch’s natural shape. It’s also important to remember that every cut you make has a long-term effect on the health of your tree. If you remove too many branches from a healthy tree, it may cause irreparable damage and lead to its death.
The best time to prune a tree is during dormancy, which is typically in late fall or early spring. This helps prevent pests and diseases from settling in open wounds and encourages new growth. It’s also important to avoid removing more than 20 percent of a tree’s living limbs at one time, as this can cause major structural issues. It’s also a good idea to avoid trimming branches that are growing straight up, as this can lead to rot over time.
What is Tree Disposal?
Getting rid of the tree after Christmas is an important part of any holiday season. Whether you have a natural or an artificial tree, it is important to dispose of your tree correctly so that you don’t create a mess in your living room and also to make sure that your tree doesn’t pollute the environment.
In many cities, towns and counties, real trees are collected as curbside recycling during the first two weeks of January. They must be placed at the curb separate from trash and without lights, stands, ornamentation or plastic bags. In some areas, the trees are chipped and used as mulch in parks and community gardens.
In NYC, the Department of Sanitation hosts an annual event called Mulchfest 2023 where residents can bring their trees to a number of different locations throughout the five boroughs for chipping and recycling. In addition, TaskRabbit is offering to remove and dispose of your tree for a fee through mid-January. For more information, visit the DSNY’s Mulchfest website or call 311. If you live in an apartment building, your tree may be picked up by a private contractor that works for your building.
What is Tree Removal Safety?
Taking down a tree requires specialized equipment, safety gear, and training. Homeowners who attempt tree removal without this experience and knowledge are at risk of serious injury or even death.
Trees often grow near power lines, and if a branch or the entire tree falls on them, it can cause a severe outage and possibly even electrocution. If you suspect that a tree on your property is touching a power line, call the electric company before trying any work on it. They can send someone out to insulate or cut the lines before you start working on the tree.
Deadwood is another big hazard when it comes to tree removal. This is weakened or decayed wood that makes the tree extremely unstable. A professional arborist will be able to recognize this danger and remove it before the tree collapses. Homeowners should also make sure that they have two escape routes clear on the non-falling side of the tree in case it suddenly starts falling. They should also wear protective equipment, such as earmuffs and work boots.
What is Tree Stump Removal Safety?
A tree stump is a portion of the trunk of a tree that remains after the removal of a tree. Tree stumps can be removed in several ways including removing it using a stump grinder, digging out of the ground with a shovel, or burning. While you can attempt to remove a tree stump yourself it is a very dangerous task that should only be performed by professional and experienced tree services experts. There are thousands of injuries related to tree stump removal every year and a simple mistake can result in significant injury or even death.
Aside from being an eyesore and a safety hazard, left over stumps are also a breeding ground for pests, organisms, and fungus. Additionally, they can inhibit the growth of the surrounding plants and trees and cause rot.
When attempting to remove a tree stump yourself you must first call your local dig line to have them mark all underground utilities before beginning the process. Failure to do so can result in major damage and expensive repairs.
What is Tree Disposal Safety?
When the holidays have come and gone and it’s time to take down your tree, it is important to follow these tips:
Make sure all decorations are taken off of the tree including lights, ribbon, and tinsel.
Unplug the Christmas lights and inspect them for any that are beyond repair. Throw out any that are damaged.
Take down the tree and place it in your green waste bin (with the stand removed) or, if you live in an apartment community that does not offer curbside recycling, take your tree to a city drop-off site. Be sure to check with the city and/or county to find out where these events are held.
Never burn your tree for disposal as this poses a fire hazard. It is also against the law in many cities. Burning your tree can also lead to a costly fire insurance claim. The turpentine oil in trees releases into the air when burned and could cause house fires.
