Tree Maintenance Information from Chris Orser Landscaping, Inc, of Bucks County, PA

This Month's How-To:
Tree Maintenance

With the storms and windy conditions over the past few months and the possibility of new storms on the horizon it is a good time to talk about inspecting trees for deadwood, cracked limbs, and other defects. Professionals can usually detect deadwood at all times of the year, but homeowners tend to only notice deadwood in the spring as the leaves are emerging. During a tree-care visit, we can not only perform a basic evaluation of your trees, but also do a more thorough inspection of the stem and branch structure. Here are some primary considerations we have when doing a property inspection.

Inspections: Even if damage is not apparent in your trees, they should be carefully inspected for subtle defects such as cracked branches, splits in stems and shifting of the root plate. These defects can lead to branch or even whole tree failures in future storms. We can also assess severely storm-damaged trees and develop recommendations for remedial treatments, such as crown restoration or advise as to removal.

Pruning: Broken, hanging branches and branch stubs, resulting from breakage, require removal. Proper pruning techniques are critical to avoid insect and disease infestations later in the growing season. Proper pruning techniques are also critical to ensure a structurally sound tree. Improper pruning cuts and techniques can lead to problems and, potentially, create or worsen hazards. Trees that have lost significant portions of their crown in a storm may require crown restoration. This form of pruning can begin now, but must be continued over a period of years to restructure a desirable, healthy crown. Pruning also provides valueable data about a tree's health and, many times, remedial treatments can be recommended and even performed during the pruning.

Leaning Trees: Trees less than 20 feet in height, that now lean as a result of high wind, may require staking. Larger trees usually cannot and should not be staked. These trees should be inspected thoroughly to determine if the root plate is shifting. Trees with stakes should be inspected periodically during the year to ensure that wires, ropes or cables used to support the tree do not girdle the stem.


Installation Our Process Design Imaging Hardscaping Ponds Gardens Maintenance Lawn Service Pruning Fertilizer Leaf Clean Up Snow Removal About Us Newsletters Promotions Landscaping How-To's Contact Us	This Month's How-To: Tree Maintenance With the storms and windy conditions over the past few months and the possibility of new storms on the horizon it is a good time to talk about inspecting trees for deadwood, cracked limbs, and other defects. Professionals can usually detect deadwood at all times of the year, but homeowners tend to only notice deadwood in the spring as the leaves are emerging. During a tree-care visit, we can not only perform a basic evaluation of your trees, but also do a more thorough inspection of the stem and branch structure. Here are some primary considerations we have when doing a property inspection. Inspections: Even if damage is not apparent in your trees, they should be carefully inspected for subtle defects such as cracked branches, splits in stems and shifting of the root plate. These defects can lead to branch or even whole tree failures in future storms. We can also assess severely storm-damaged trees and develop recommendations for remedial treatments, such as crown restoration or advise as to removal. Pruning: Broken, hanging branches and branch stubs, resulting from breakage, require removal. Proper pruning techniques are critical to avoid insect and disease infestations later in the growing season. Proper pruning techniques are also critical to ensure a structurally sound tree. Improper pruning cuts and techniques can lead to problems and, potentially, create or worsen hazards. Trees that have lost significant portions of their crown in a storm may require crown restoration. This form of pruning can begin now, but must be continued over a period of years to restructure a desirable, healthy crown. Pruning also provides valueable data about a tree's health and, many times, remedial treatments can be recommended and even performed during the pruning. Leaning Trees: Trees less than 20 feet in height, that now lean as a result of high wind, may require staking. Larger trees usually cannot and should not be staked. These trees should be inspected thoroughly to determine if the root plate is shifting. Trees with stakes should be inspected periodically during the year to ensure that wires, ropes or cables used to support the tree do not girdle the stem.	Plant Health Care: Plants weakened by storms may already be stressed by drought or other health problems that have persisted across the east coast over the last few years. Wounds created during a storm are more readily invaded by insect borers and disease especially if the plant was weakened by other factors. Plants should be inspected throughout the growing season for evidence of these "secondary invaders," and treatments applied as needed to prevent damage. Fertilization and other amendments, applied based on soil analysis, will aid recovery. Irrigation and proper mulching of storm-damaged trees are important when dry weather returns. Storms will always be a part of our life. Properly cared for trees and shrubs should fare better in a storm than a neglected tree. Obviously, during a violet storm, any tree is likely to have problems. The care a tree receives AFTER a storm is important in keeping the tree healthy and structurally sound.
		Garden Chores: Remove weeds Recultivate mulch Plan for fall plantings