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Planting Trees Tree Pest Management Tree Pruning Tree Services Tree Trimming

Prepping For Hurricanes

Getting Ready For Fall

Preparing your trees for hurricane season is an important step to minimize damage and ensure the safety of your property and surroundings. Here are some guidelines to help you prepare your trees:

Regular Pruning: Regularly prune your trees to remove dead or weak branches. This reduces the risk of these branches breaking off during strong winds. Proper pruning also helps improve the overall health and structure of the trees.

Trim Overhanging Branches: Trim branches that are close to your house, power lines, or other structures. These branches can become projectiles during a hurricane and cause significant damage.

Remove Weak or Diseased Trees: If you have trees that are already weakened or diseased, consider removing them before hurricane season. These trees are more likely to topple during high winds, posing a danger to your property and safety.

Stake Young Trees: If you have young or newly planted trees, consider staking them securely to help them withstand the strong winds. Use soft materials to prevent damaging the tree bark.

Mulching: Apply a layer of mulch around the base of your trees. Mulch helps retain moisture, improves soil structure, and prevents soil erosion during heavy rains.

Watering: Keep your trees properly hydrated leading up to hurricane season. Well-hydrated trees are more likely to withstand the stress of high winds.

Inspect and Reinforce: Inspect the health and stability of your trees. Look for signs of disease, rot, or structural issues. If you identify any problems, consult with an arborist or tree care professional. They can recommend necessary actions to strengthen or mitigate risks.

Avoid Heavy Pruning Before Storms: While pruning is important, avoid heavy pruning right before hurricane season. Pruning stimulates new growth, and the new growth may be more vulnerable to wind damage.

Secure Loose Items: Remove or secure any loose items near trees, such as garden furniture, tools, and decorative items. These objects can become projectiles and damage your trees or nearby structures.

Consult an Expert: If you’re unsure about the health or safety of your trees, consider consulting a certified arborist. They can provide expert advice on which trees might need attention and how to properly prepare them for hurricane season.

Have a Post-Storm Plan: Have a plan in place for dealing with fallen branches or trees after the storm. This could involve having the contact information of local tree removal services or knowing how to safely clear smaller debris yourself.

Remember that safety should always be your top priority. If a hurricane is approaching, follow evacuation orders and ensure the safety of yourself and your loved ones first. Trees can be replaced, but lives cannot.

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Planting Trees Tree Pest Management Tree Pruning Tree Services Tree Trimming

Is Tree Trimming Eco-Friendly

Am I Hurting The Environment?

Tree work can be considered eco-friendly if it is done with proper care and consideration for the environment. Here are a few factors to consider:

  1. Tree Preservation: If tree work involves the removal or trimming of trees, it is important to prioritize the preservation of healthy trees whenever possible. Removing trees should be a last resort and only done if they pose a risk to people or property. Trimming should be done in a way that promotes the tree’s health and maintains its natural form.

  2. Sustainable Practices: Eco-friendly tree work involves employing sustainable practices. This can include using hand tools instead of heavy machinery whenever feasible to minimize damage to the surrounding ecosystem. Additionally, using environmentally friendly practices for waste disposal, such as recycling or composting tree debris, can contribute to eco-friendliness.

  3. Native Species and Biodiversity: When planting new trees or landscaping, it is beneficial to choose native species that are well-adapted to the local environment. Native trees typically require less maintenance, support local wildlife, and help preserve biodiversity.

  4. Expertise and Certification: Hiring professional arborists who have the knowledge and expertise in tree care is important. Certified arborists are trained to assess trees, provide proper care, and make informed decisions regarding tree work. They can ensure that the work is done in an eco-friendly manner.

  5. Environmental Impact: Tree work should consider minimizing the impact on the surrounding environment. This includes protecting the soil from erosion, avoiding damage to nearby plants and wildlife habitats, and using organic alternatives to chemical pesticides or fertilizers, if necessary.

Overall, tree work can be eco-friendly when it is approached with a focus on sustainability, conservation, and the well-being of the ecosystem. It is important to hire professionals who prioritize environmental considerations and follow best practices for tree care.

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Planting Trees Tree Pest Management Tree Pruning Tree Services Tree Trimming

What Is A Tree Surgeon?

What Do You Do Exactly?

We are tree surgeons (for the most part) and that is a professional who specializes in the care and maintenance of trees. Our primary role is to ensure the health, safety and aesthetic appeal of trees. Here are some of the tasks typically performed by a tree surgeon:

Pruning: Tree surgeons prune trees to remove dead, damaged or diseased branches. We also shape the tree to enhance its appearance and promote healthy growth.

Tree Removal: When a tree poses a safety risk or is no longer viable, a tree surgeon may be called upon to safely remove it. We use specialized equipment and techniques to fell the tree and ensure that it doesn’t cause any damage to surrounding structures.

Tree Planting: Tree surgeons assist in tree planting initiatives by selecting suitable tree species for specific environments and ensuring proper planting techniques are followed.

Tree Maintenance: We provide ongoing care to trees, which may involve fertilizing, watering and protecting them from pests and diseases. We may also provide advice on tree care practices to property owners.

Tree Health Assessment: Tree surgeons assess the health of trees, looking for signs of disease, pests or structural issues. We can diagnose problems and recommend appropriate treatment or management strategies.

Tree Preservation: In urban areas or construction sites, tree surgeons play a vital role in preserving valuable trees. We develop strategies to protect trees during construction activities, such as installing root barriers and implementing pruning practices to minimize damage.

Emergency Tree Services: In the event of storms, high winds or other emergencies, tree surgeons are often called upon to assess and mitigate tree damage. We may remove fallen or hazardous limbs, stabilize damaged trees or perform emergency tree removal.

Tree surgeons require specialized knowledge and training in tree biology, pruning techniques, climbing and the safe operation of equipment such as chainsaws and wood chippers. We often work outdoors, at varying heights and may collaborate with landscape architects, property owners or local authorities to ensure the well-being of trees in their care.

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Planting Trees Tree Pest Management Tree Pruning Tree Services Tree Trimming

Tree Service Trends

Trends In Tree Services

What we see from our up-top point of view: here are some trends in the tree service industry. 

Sustainable Practices: With growing environmental awareness, tree service companies are increasingly adopting sustainable practices. This includes promoting tree preservation, advocating for replanting, using eco-friendly equipment and methods, and implementing proper waste management.

Advanced Technology: Tree service companies are incorporating advanced technology to improve efficiency and accuracy. This includes using GPS and GIS technology for precise tree identification and mapping, drones for aerial inspections, and specialized equipment for tree removal and pruning.

Safety Emphasis: Safety has always been a priority in the tree service industry, and it continues to be a prominent trend. Companies are investing in employee training and safety equipment to minimize risks and ensure compliance with safety standards.

Integrated Pest Management: As pests and diseases can adversely affect tree health, many tree service companies are implementing integrated pest management strategies. This approach focuses on preventing and controlling pests through a combination of techniques, including biological controls, cultural practices, and minimal pesticide use.

Urban Forestry and Tree Care: With increasing urbanization, there is a growing focus on urban forestry and tree care. Tree service companies are working closely with municipalities and property owners to maintain and manage trees in urban areas, including tree planting, pruning, and disease control.

Customer Education and Engagement: Tree service companies are recognizing the importance of customer education and engagement. They are providing resources and information to help customers understand the value of trees, proper tree care practices, and the benefits of professional tree services.

Collaboration and Partnerships: Collaborations between tree service companies and other industry stakeholders are on the rise. This includes partnerships with landscape architects, arborists, environmental organizations, and government agencies to collectively address tree care and preservation challenges.

Remote and Digital Services: The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the adoption of remote and digital services in various industries, including tree services. Virtual consultations, online scheduling, and digital payment options are becoming more common, providing convenience and reducing physical contact.

Sustainable Wood Utilization: Rather than disposing of trees as waste, many tree service companies are exploring sustainable wood utilization options. This includes repurposing wood for furniture, construction, and biomass energy, thereby minimizing waste and promoting circular economy principles.

Professional Certification and Accreditation: Professional certifications and accreditation programs are gaining importance in the tree service industry. Companies and arborists are seeking certification from organizations like the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) to demonstrate their expertise and commitment to best practices.

This is what we are seeing and managing? What do you see?

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Planting Trees Tree Pest Management Tree Pruning Tree Services Tree Trimming

LI Tree Pruning Ideas

Pruning To Reduce Risks

Pruning is the most common tree maintenance procedure. Although forest trees grow quite well with only nature’s pruning, landscape trees require a higher level of care to maintain their structural integrity and aesthetics. Pruning must be done with an understanding of tree biology. Improper pruning can create lasting damage or even shorten the tree’s life.

Pruning To Remove Dead Branches, To Improve Form, And To Reduce Risk.

Because each cut has the potential to change the growth of the tree, no branch should be removed without a reason. Common reasons for pruning are to remove dead branches, to improve form, and to reduce risk. Trees may also be pruned to increase light and air penetration to the inside of the tree’s crown or to the landscape below. In most cases, mature trees are pruned as corrective or preventive measures, as routine thinning does not necessarily improve the health of a tree.

Maximize Growth & Wound Closure By Pruning Before Spring Growth

Most routine pruning to remove weak, diseased, or dead limbs can be accomplished at any time during the year with little effect on the tree. As a rule, growth and wound closure are maximized if pruning takes place before the spring growth flush.
A few tree diseases, such as oak wilt, can be spread when pruning wounds provide access to pathogens (disease-causing agents). Susceptible trees should not be pruned during active transmission periods.

Pro Pruning Techniques

Specific types of pruning may be necessary to maintain a mature tree in a healthy, safe, and attractive condition.
Cleaning is the removal of dead, dying, diseased, weakly attached, and low-vigor branches from the crown of a tree.
Thinning is selective branch removal to improve structure and to increase light penetration and air movement through the crown. Proper thinning opens the foliage of a tree, reduces weight on heavy limbs, and helps retain the tree’s natural shape.
Raising removes the lower branches from a tree to provide clearance for buildings, vehicles, pedestrians, and vistas.
Reduction reduces the size of a tree, often for utility line clearance. Reducing a tree’s height or spread is best accomplished by pruning back the leaders and branch terminals to secondary branches that are large enough to assume the terminal roles (at least one-third the diameter of the cut stem). Compared to topping, reduction helps maintain the form and structural integrity of the tree.

Pruning Young Trees

Proper pruning is essential in developing a tree with a strong structure and desirable form. Trees that receive the appropriate pruning measures while they are young will require less corrective pruning as they mature.

A good structure of primary branches should be established while the tree is young. These limbs, called scaffold branches, are a mature tree’s framework. Properly trained young trees will develop a strong structure that requires less corrective pruning as they mature. For most young trees, maintain a single dominant leader growing upward. Do not prune back the tip of this leader or allow secondary branches to outgrow the main leader.

Don’t Top Trees!

Topping is perhaps the most harmful tree pruning practice known. Yet, despite more than 25 years of literature and seminars explaining its harmful effects, topping remains a common practice.
Topping is the indiscriminate cutting of tree branches to stubs or to lateral branches that are not large enough to assume the terminal role. Other names for topping include “heading,” “tipping,” “hat-racking,” and “rounding over.”

Alternatives To Topping

Sometimes a tree must be reduced in height or spread, such as for providing utility line clearance. There are recommended techniques for doing so. Small branches should be removed back to their point of origin. If a larger limb must be shortened, it should be pruned back to a lateral branch that is large enough (at least one-third the diameter of the limb being removed) to assume the terminal role. This method of branch reduction helps to preserve the natural form of the tree.

However, if large cuts are involved, the tree may not be able to close over and compartmentalize the wounds. Sometimes the best solution is to remove the tree and replace it with a species that is more appropriate for the site. Contact us to schedule a consultation on your tree care needs, and for more info on this topic.

  • Check for increased pest activity — spring is the time when pests emerge, so it is important to look out for any significant changes to your trees and shrubs.
  • Do a spring cleaning. Make sure wood chips aren’t piled on the trunks of your trees or shrubs and weed near your plants
  • Consider the tiny creatures. Wait until the average temperature is over 50° before you deadhead flowers or remove last year’s plant debris. Many beneficial insects overwinter on dead plants.
  • Look for dead or dying branches. These are easier to spot once plants start to leaf out — prune as needed.
  • Start a compost pile. If you don’t already have one, it’s easy to build a simple frame using pallets or scrap wood. Start the pile with the spring cleaning material!
  • Feed the soil! Add organic matter like compost or leaves to your soil instead of chemical inputs. Avoid traditional fertilizers.
  • Refresh and replenish wood chips.
  • Attract pollinators like birds, butterflies, and bees to your yard.
  • Install birdhouses and birdbaths. Plant native wildflowers. Make a DIY bee hotel out of scraps of wood and bamboo.
  • Begin to treat emerging insects — not all insects need to be treated, but many have a small window of time to get under control. Don’t wait to treat.
  • Call us to schedule a spring inspection of your large tree.
Categories
Planting Trees Tree Pest Management Tree Pruning Tree Services Tree Trimming

Spring Tree Maintenance Tips

Spring Yard Maintenance

Spring is officially here! At Long Island Lumberjack, spring is our most anticipated season. There are so many things happening in the world of trees including tree pruning, regrowth, pest management, mulching and soil improvement. Want to know more about what to look for in your yard? Check out our handy spring checklist to get you and your yard back on track after a long cold winter… Unsure of how to take care of your trees and shrubs once they start to bud? Here is a short checklist for spring. It is an excellent time to:

  • Check for increased pest activity — spring is the time when pests emerge, so it is important to look out for any significant changes to your trees and shrubs.
  • Do a spring cleaning. Make sure wood chips aren’t piled on the trunks of your trees or shrubs and weed near your plants
  • Consider the tiny creatures. Wait until the average temperature is over 50° before you deadhead flowers or remove last year’s plant debris. Many beneficial insects overwinter on dead plants.
  • Look for dead or dying branches. These are easier to spot once plants start to leaf out — prune as needed.
  • Start a compost pile. If you don’t already have one, it’s easy to build a simple frame using pallets or scrap wood. Start the pile with the spring cleaning material!
  • Feed the soil! Add organic matter like compost or leaves to your soil instead of chemical inputs. Avoid traditional fertilizers.
  • Refresh and replenish wood chips.
  • Attract pollinators like birds, butterflies, and bees to your yard.
  • Install birdhouses and birdbaths. Plant native wildflowers. Make a DIY bee hotel out of scraps of wood and bamboo.
  • Begin to treat emerging insects — not all insects need to be treated, but many have a small window of time to
  • get under control. Don’t wait to treat.
  • Call us to schedule a spring inspection of your large trees.
Categories
Planting Trees

Choosing The Right Size Trees For A Beautiful Landscape

Here at Long Island Lumberjack, we’re often asked whether it’s better to plant a larger tree or a smaller one, especially if you want it to make an immediate impact on your landscape. In this article, we will explain how to choose the best size tree to plant and why. Specifically, you will learn:

  • How to measure or describe tree size (there are different ways and they mean different things)
  • What size trees are available
  • How to choose the right-sized tree for your garden or property

Many homeowners, especially condo owners and those with Homeowner Associations (HOAs), face unique challenges with which trees they can or should plant. Choosing the “right” tree at the nursery can be a daunting task. Read on to learn what you need to know before picking out the perfect tree for your yard or garden.

How Big Of A Tree Should I Buy?

When you decide to plant a new tree, consider:

  • How big your tree will be in its prime (to be sure it will fit where you want to plant it); and
  • How big your tree will be when you initially plant it

Many of us think that purchasing a bigger tree is better because we’re getting more for our money. But with a tree, this isn’t always true. When you’re looking for a new garden tree, you should first be looking for anatomical quality and form, not so much size and cost. It is probable that the tree you plant will remain long after you’re gone, so it’s essential to ensure its health and structural soundness.

After that, start looking at sizes and prices. If you are on a limited budget or if you don’t know the cost of different trees of various sizes, check out a local nursery to get an idea. Better yet, call a professional for some advice. Dave here at Long Island Lumberjack is a tree specialist who can answer questions you might have regarding the size of the tree you wish to plant, as well as the price range. Remember, too, that when you purchase a tree from a nursery, you’re buying that tree’s history. That history can include years of watering, pruning, fertilizing, and transplanting, as well as its transportation from growing ground to the retail nursery.

How Are Trees Sized And What Does Caliper Mean?

When growers and nursery owners evaluate trees, it is by their trunk diameter and their height. There is no ratio that all trees must adhere to, but there is an acceptable range. The trunk and branches of the tree must support its height as it grows, so both measurements are of equal importance. “Caliper” refers to the diameter of a tree’s trunk at a certain height from its trunk base. The standard measurement for this is the diameter at breast height or DBH. DBH is an oddly general measurement that assumes everyone’s breast is exactly 4.5 feet from ground level. By setting a standard height, tree growers, lumberjacks, and anyone else working with trees can consistently evaluate them.

The third part of this measurement triangle is the root spread. A tree needs a large enough root ball to anchor it securely (and take up enough water and nutrients to sustain the tree). The larger a tree grows above ground, the larger the root ball should be. And, therefore, the larger the container it needs to be grown in.

Standard Tree Container Sizes

  1. Potted or “Containerized” Trees–Small trees or saplings come in 5-gallon black nursery pots (sometimes even smaller, depending on the type of tree). The largest container you’ll see trees sold in is 25 gallons, and that’s about the maximum size anyone can handle on their own. If you plan to plant the tree yourself, we recommend buying a containerized tree.
  2. Balled and Burlapped (B&B) Trees–Trees also come with the roots balled up and wrapped in burlap. “Balled and burlapped” (B&B) trees typically require professional installation because of their larger size and heavier weight.
  3. Boxed Trees–Bigger trees that cause a large root ball are, mostly, made available in a unique wooden box. Any three-inch caliper tree or larger, for example, will probably be in a 36″ inch box, as this box size gives enough room for the tree’s root ball development. Buying and planting a boxed tree is a job best left to a professional!

How Big A Tree Can I Buy And Plant?

You can plant trees of almost any size, but a good rule of thumb is the larger the tree, the more complicated it is to transport, plant, establish in a new garden, and maintain. This is for several reasons, including the difficulty of planting a large tree, and the stress on a tree from being transplanted. Your priorities for your new tree will determine what size it should be.

Pros & Cons Of Buying A Large Tree

Plant a large, mature tree if:

  • You want immediate impact in your garden
  • Screening a view or you need more privacy
  • You need more shade in your yard but don’t want to build a shade structure.
  • You want to match a new tree to your existing trees.

There are some downsides to buying a larger tree. For example:

  • The larger the tree, the higher the cost.
  • Bigger trees are more difficult to transport and plant.
  • You will have fewer varieties to choose from.
  • Larger trees establish more slowly

Pros & Cons Of Buying A Smaller Tree

Planting a small tree may be the best option if:

  • You have a limited budget
  • You will plant the tree in a small garden, patio, or container.
  • You want to transport and plant the tree yourself
  • You plan to plant multiple trees (you’ll get more individual small trees for the same cost as one large tree)
  • You’re looking for a specific species or cultivar

The only real downside to choosing a young or smaller tree is that you’ll have to wait awhile for it to make a meaningful impact on your landscape. But if you’re willing to wait or have a longer-term vision for your garden design, buying smaller trees can help you gain two benefits –more variety (think of mixed home orchard or a colorful range of spring-flowering trees), and more structure in your landscape design if you repeat multiples of one type of tree.

Why Planting A Smaller Tree May Be The Best Option

Particularly for condo owners, the most important element when you’re choosing which size tree to buy is its growth rate after planting.

Pro Tip: While an enormous tree will give you spectacular results from the moment it’s planted, a younger, smaller tree planted at the same time may end up surpassing it by growing taller, faster. Young trees:

  • Recover more quickly from transplant shock than an older, larger tree. This means they will increase their energy stores faster and use those resources to grow up and out.
  • Establish and extend their root systems. The larger and more extensive a root system, the more water and nutrients a tree’s roots can locate and use for growth.
  • Will grow faster, and reach a greater height and spread, faster than an older tree. Young trees quickly jump into “growing mode” after transplanting and will increase in height and crown spread faster than more mature trees.

So, while you may be impatient for a filled-in, “finished” landscape, taking a slightly longer view and considering the benefits of planting a smaller tree is worthwhile. With trees, size can matter – inversely!