Commercial Services

Why should you prune your trees?

• • Pruning for health: Removing dead and diseased branches is crucial to keep your trees healthy.
  • Pruning to Reduce Risk: Removing weak or broken branches can protect against storm damage, and the danger of fallen limbs.
  • Pruning for Appearance: Who doesn’t appreciate the beauty and form of a well-shaped tree? Aesthetic tree pruning is both art and science and adds value and attraction to a property.
  • Pruning for Visual Access: Is a large branch blocking your view of a picturesque natural element, like a mountain peak or lake? Vista pruning can solve that problem, increasing your landscapes natural beauty and value.
  • Pruning Young Trees: Research teaches us to prune new trees 5 times in the first 25 years. Developmental tree pruning helps to ensure young trees have desirable branch shape and structural integrity. This process reduces potential problems and the need for drastic pruning later which can lead to decay.

How we prune differently:

• We climb to the tips of the branches ensuring we make proper cuts and reduce the length and weight of branches prone to breakage.
• We employ structural pruning. University research backed science, that ensures your young trees get stronger and more beautiful with age.
• We don’t lion’s tail or top trees. These techniques weaken trees structurally and negatively impact their health.
• We prune with the future in mind, using every pruning cycle to improve the health and safety of the tree.

What’s involved in IPM?

• Inspection/Identifying Issues: A thorough inspection of your landscape to identify pest and disease threats and acceptable thresholds is the first step in creating an effective IPM plan.
• Preventative Measures: We create a comprehensive plan to prevent problems from developing, and to stay ahead of the pesky pests. We use a variety of techniques that include biological, cultural, and mechanical controls that are appropriate to the issue at hand.
• Targeted Treatments: These treatments are used to address existing pest or disease problems that exceed acceptable thresholds for damage to your plants. These may include winter watering, fertilization, systemic trunk injections or soil applications and foliar sprays.
• Monitoring: We repeatedly monitor your property throughout the year, identifying potential threats from pests, disease, or environmental concerns. Issues like borers, vascular diseases, too much or too little water, nutritional deficiencies, freeze damage, soil compaction and heat stress can become big problems if not addressed. We note all these issues in our tracking system and submit a written report to you on how to best address the concerns.
• Educate and Plan: We continually communicate with you about your plans for the future of your landscape and create a long-term plan. Consulting with you about any construction or landscape changes to ensure that the valuable investment in your landscape is protected and maintained.

Why is watering important?

• New Tree Establishment: Why is water so critical to new trees? Only 5-20% of roots are retained with the other 80-95% of roots left in the field during harvesting process. To say the least this puts trees under significant water stress until roots can regenerate. Water is the lifeline to getting new trees established.
• Energy & Growth: Water is used in the process of photosynthesis in which plants take carbon dioxide, water and light and make sugar and oxygen, benefitting the entire ecosystem around them.
• Transpiration: Water evaporates from leaves in the process of transpiration prompting water and nutrients up from the soil. This process brings water from the roots out to the leaves for use in photosynthesis. Water evaporation acts as a natural air conditioner for trees, like perspiring in humans. If there is insufficient water in the soil, transpiration slows, as do the other processes, and the plant will begin to exhibit signs of stress, such as curling and browning of leaves. The more stressed a tree becomes the more likely it is to be attacked by pests and disease.
• Translocation: Water is an essential compound used in translocation, the movement of nutrients from leaves to other parts of the tree. Sugars created in the leaves during photosynthesis require water to be moved throughout the plant body such as the roots, stems, fruit and flowers. Without adequate water tree health will suffer and decline.

What does a PTC watering plan look like?

• Step 1: Review the health and condition of the trees and plant material onsite.
• Step 2: Discuss the goals and outcomes desired for the property.
• Step 3: Discuss the water requirements and frequency of the applications appropriate to the plan and plant material.
• Step 4: Review weather patterns, and complete the applications through our scheduling system.

What kinds of problems can be repaired?

• Split Branches and Forks: Steel rods, cables and bolts are used to draw the branches back together.
• Tree Wounds: Wounds that are larger than 2″ can be bark traced. The old method of painting wounds has been proven ineffective and even harmful as these dressings hold in moisture and create decay. DON”T USE WOUND DRESSINGS!
• Uprooted Trees: For some trees it may be possible to straighten the tree and brace it using guy wires or cables.
• Improper planting: If your tree was planted improperly (and there’s a good chance it was), PTC can help. Using innovative airspade technology we can “unearth” and inspect the root system and correct planting issues. This may include root pruning to correct girdling roots or grade correction to allow for air and water penetration and drainage.
• Soil Compaction: When the soil underneath your trees is compacted from construction or heavy traffic, the pore space tightens, making water and gases less available. This also deteriorates the soil biology destroying soil health and causing stress and death in trees. If your soil has been compacted, techniques such as air spading can help. By using air to loosen the soil we can add live compost to correct the soil profile and provide the environment that your trees require to be healthy.

What if my tree can’t be repaired?

If our team evaluates your tree and determines that your tree cannot be saved the next step is to consider removing the tree. Once the old tree has been removed our team can consult with you about options for planting a new tree in its place.

Tree Removal Alternatives:

At Preservation Tree Care our chief goal is to preserve trees. We never recommend removing a tree unless there is no other option. The first thing we do is determine whether there is a reasonable alternative to tree removal that will allow you to keep your tree.

While proactive tree care and maintenance is the ideal way to ensure longevity, there may be some options for saving a tree you think may need removal.

• Cabling and Bracing This can provide supplemental support to structurally weak trees. This helps to prevent injuries to your trees, such as branch and union failures, and provides protection against wind and storm damage. This practice can extend the life of large feature trees and repair small trees that can recover from damage.
• HealthTreatment: These may be options, depending on the state of your tree and the problems it is suffering from.

If your tree can’t be saved, here is what you can expect during the tree removal process:

• Careful dismantling of branches: Our highly trained personnel, utilizing state-of-the-art equipment and techniques, will carefully dismantle your tree to ensure the protection of your home and property.
• Wood Chipping: Branches and limbs will be put into a wood chipper turning them into organic mulch. We generally haul these offsite, mix them with manure and recycle them into compost.
• Stump Grinding: Our team will cut your stump as low to the ground as possible. We can grind the stump upon request. Grinding the stump will allow space for sod or a new tree to be planted.
• Wood recycling: Upon request we can work with local wood mills and artisans to turn your tree into unique furniture for generations to come

Factors to Consider When Deciding What Kind of Tree To Plant:

• Right tree for the right spot: How much space do you have for this new tree? This is the most important factor when determining the right tree for your property. Many people make the mistake of planting trees too close to their home, electrical lines or other trees.  Also specific trees require specific site conditions.  Full sun, shade, protection from wind, heat or cold are all factors to consider when selecting the right tree for the right spot.
• Purpose: Are you looking for a shade or tree? A tree to provide privacy? A decorative ornamental tree? A tree to block the wind and reduce utility cost? Getting clear on what purpose you want your tree to serve will help you narrow down the choices.
• Maintenance: Not all trees are created equal. Some trees are heartier than others. Some factors that differentiate trees are:

• • Water, soil, and nutrient requirements.
  • Growth rate and pruning frequency.
  • Pest and disease susceptibility

  If you feel lost and aren’t sure where to begin, our team of certified arborists can consult with you to determine the best tree for your property.

What does it cost to plant a tree?

Many factors go into determining the cost of planting a tree.

• Size: In general, the bigger the tree the higher the cost.
• Time: How long it takes to plant the tree can affect the cost of the project.
• Crew & Equipment: The number of crew members and type of equipment needed to plant the tree will affect the cost.
• Location: The location you desire to plant the tree can play a role in the cost. If the location is difficult to access it can increase the price.

Our Guarantee

If you choose Preservation Tree Care to plant your tree we guarantee that we will plant the tree properly and warranty it for one year (some restrictions apply). During this first year we will monitor the tree to make sure that it is healthy and growing properly.

With Our Lawn Care Program You Can Expect:

• Proper Watering:We’ll keep an eye on your lawn while we’re onsite and let you know if we see areas that need attention.  The best method of watering is to apply it less frequently with more quantity(deeper) to help roots grow deeper.  This improves the health and durability of the lawn especially when summer days grow hot and dry.
• Aeration: Studies show aeration reverses the effect of soil compaction which is detrimental to your lawn’s health. Here are some examples of how aeration improves the health of your lawn
  • Increases activity in soil microorganisms a critical component of healthy lawns.
  • Increases water, nutrient, and oxygen movement into the soil.
  • Improves rooting.
  • Minimizes runoff and erosion.
• Weed Control:We use a pre-emergent in the spring and follow up with spot treatments to create a beautiful clean lawn minimizing pesticides applied to your property.
• Fertilization:We use a proprietary blend of fertilizers designed specifically for the soils we work on.  We focus on improving soil health, by adding beneficial microbes, humates and wetting agents, working in harmony with mother nature.

What Makes Us Different:

Environmentally Friendly Products: Now more than ever, homeowners and property managers are paying attention to the materials, such as lawn fertilizer, being used by their lawn and garden service providers. People are increasingly seeking natural and organic options for everything from food to landscaping materials. That’s why we focus on dealing with the underlying “root causes” of lawn health VS treating symptoms and falling into the viscous cycle of chemical treatments.

We Can Consult with You On:

• Tree Health:Do you have a tree that you suspect might be diseased? Is the new tree you just planted not thriving like you expected it to? We can evaluate and provide our suggestions.
• Tree Planting:Our team can help in the process of selecting a tree and determining the best location on your property for planting.
• Property Evaluations:We will examine your property, mark the locations of existing trees, and provide our assessment of the best landscape plan for your property.
• Fire mitigation: While living in the urban interface affords many benefits it also puts you at risk of wildland fire. And with so many opinions out there about the best way to reduce the risk of fire, how do you know you’re making the best decision to keep you and your property safe? Our experts will meet with you, assess your property and create a manageable plan to mitigate the risk of wildland fire.
• Tree Risk: Our team can assist you in determining the hazard or liability a tree may pose to your property. They can determine what course of action is necessary to mitigate that risk and help create a safe and healthy landscape for you to enjoy. Please “Meet the team” to see which arborists are ISA TRAQ Certified.

What does a fire mitigation plan look like?

At Preservation Tree Care we start with a walk through of your property. We ask questions and get clarity on what your goals for the property are. We discuss and educate you on the potential threats to these goals and how to best address them. We then present a plan, and when authorized, we mark trees for removal or pruning to ensure a safe, clear, and efficient execution.

What does a fire mitigation plan look like?

Our strategy, philosophy and methods are what set us apart. We believe you can have a beautiful, green and safe home that allows you to enjoy all the benefits of living in a forested area. We educate you on what we’re looking for and how it impacts you. We believe in preserving the land and forest, and therefore use low impact techniques like highlines, winches and lighter weight equipment to efficiently and effectively get the project done.

What should I look for when considering Fire Mitigation

Hillsides burn faster as fire travels uphill quickly.   South and southwest hillsides are drier and more prone to the threat of fire.  Pay particular attention to these areas by thinning and removing fuels appropriately.

“Chimneys”, or areas where 2 hillsides come together to create a trough.  These areas allow fire to spread more quickly.

Grasses can spread fire quickly across the ground.  Be sure to mow grasses low to minimize the speed and intensity of the spread of fire.

Ladder fuels are fallen trees, shrubs and low limbs that allow fire to spread from the ground into the canopy.  Removing shrubs and raising low limbs to 15’ is a good way to mitigate ladder fuels.

Densely treed areas present an opportunity for fire to push through the forest with greater speed and intensity.  Slow the spread of fire by creating 10’ of distance between individual canopies and 30’ between groups of trees.

Limbs Overhanging the house or structures should be raised or removed to give 15’ of clearance above

Dead and diseased trees are more susceptible to fire. Remove dead and diseased trees first when thinning the forest.