In the event of an emergency, regardless of the time, day or night, someone is available to answer your call. After being notified of your emergency we will respond as quickly as possible.

• Removal of dead, dying, diseased, interfering and obstructive limbs is the best method of maintaining tree health and appearance.
• Pruning increases air circulation and effectively helps to prevent disease and insect problems above the soil line.
• Pruning decreases wind resistance and reduces the risk of mechanical stress leading to structural failure.
• Corrective and developmental pruning can eliminate structural problems before they happen.
• Pruning provides a safer and more enjoyable living and working environment for people as well as protecting personal property.

      Please let us know if you would like us to evaluate your tree maintenance needs.

      Crown Reduction is the recommended procedure as opposed to "topping" when reducing the size of a tree for many reasons. Good pruning practices rarely remove more than 1/4 of the trees crown, which in turn does not seriously interfere with the ability of a tree's leafy crown to manufacture food. Topping type cuts remove much of the crown, upsetting a mature tree's well-developed root-to-shoot ratio, severely hampering its food-making capability.

    A tree's crown is like an umbrella that shields much of the tree from the direct rays of the sun. By suddenly removing this protection, the remaining bark tissue becomes so overly exposed that sunscald may result. There may also be a dramatic effect on neighboring trees and shrubs. If these thrive in shade and the shade is removed, poor health or death may result.

   The large stubs of a topped tree have a difficult time forming callus. The terminal location of these cuts, as well as their large diameter, prevents the tree's chemically based natural defense system from doing its job. The stubs are highly vulnerable to insect invasion and the spores of decay causing fungi. If decay is already present in the limb, opening the limb will speed the spread of disease.

     Although limbs may sprout after larger limbs are severely cut back, they are weaker in structure (due to rapid stem elongation) than those which develop normally. If decay develops,...which usually does, at the severed end of a topped limb, the weight of the sprouts and the angle at which they develop to one another makes a bad situation even worse.

     The goal of topping, which was once commonly practiced, was to control the height and spread of a tree. Actually, it has just the opposit effect. The resulting sprouts (often called water sprouts) are far more numerous than normal new growth. Additionally, they elongate so rapidly that the tree will return to its original height before expected and with a far greater density. Some species of trees are less tolerant to topping than others. Beech trees for example, do not readily sprout back out after any type of pruning, thus possibly leading to its decline and eventual death if it was to be topped. A topped tree is nothing short of a disfigured tree, hence the term "hat racking". Even when these limbs sprout back out, they will never regain the grace and structural character of its species. Your landscape and the community are robbed of a valuable asset.

     To a worker with a saw, topping a tree is much easier than applying the skill and judgment needed for proper pruning. Therefore, topping may cost less in the short run. However, the true costs of topping are hidden. These include: the risk of liability from weakened branches, increased future maintenance, reduced property value, the loss of other trees and shrubs if they succumb to the change in light conditions, the expense of removal and replacement if the tree dies.

     Buyer beware... for the companies that promote and practice topping, are also usually those that will have their treeworker climb your  trees  with  climbing  spikes. These practices will result in unnecessary injury to your trees and run the risk of transmitting disease in the process.  Neither practice is an industry accepted standard, and should not be allowed.

     In a natural forest environment, trees grow close together. They compete for sunlight, yet they share the stress of nature's fury. One tree standing along in an urban setting gets all of the sunlight, but it also gets all of the wind, rain, snow and ice loads. This, possibly causing your most valued trees to suffer mechanical stress and structural failure.

     Some species of trees have inherently weak branch attachments which may lead to splitting of the crotch. When limbs break, they may destroy something of value, injure someone or may simply ruin the appearance of your tree. The action normally taken to prevent this is a technique called Cabling or Rigid Bracing, where both actions are designed to add structural support to naturally occurring weaknesses.

     Rigid Bracing is the use of steel rods to repair or prevent weak crotches from splitting. Cabling or flexible bracing on the other hand is the use of galvanized cable, securing two or more branches so as to prevent the branches from breaking while still maintaining a natural appearance. Cabling like rigid bracing is a permanent installation that ARBOR TREE CARE, Inc. can properly install, adding many years of aesthetic and economic value to your property.

    The easiest tree problems to correct, are those that can be prevented. Like people, trees are happiest and healthiest when their basic needs are met. Enter--the forester, arborist and landscape planner.

   As CERTIFIED ARBORISTS we can properly advise you on what corrective or preventative measures should be taken. Planning ahead will reduce the potential damage your trees may suffer as a result of a storm situation.

BUILDING SITES                                                                                           

     On a cleared lot, choosing the variety of plant material best suited for the desired function, as well as proper landscape design and installation will maximize survival. On wooded lots, plant material selected to remain in the landscape must be protected prior to clearing. Owner, Contractor and Certified Arborist are essential partners if tree survival is to be realized.

     Just like people, healthy plants resist illness. It all begins with the soil. In urban environments, trees suffer from stress resulting from restricted root zones, damaged root systems, pollution and poor soil conditions. Soil biology, water, air and nutrients are often unbalanced due to construction and cultural practices.

     Soil layers are turned upside down with topsoil often removed. Soil structure is destroyed by construction. Naturally occurring microorganisms are eliminated.

    ARBOR TREE CARE, Inc. has a proven soil injection system to help your trees overcome urban stress.