Tree Tips

No Tree Topping

Tree topping is an unacceptable pruning practice and should be avoided at all costs. It not only makes trees unsightly but also creates hazards -- topped trees are prone to breaking and are a potenital liability. When a tree's height must be reduced, please contact an arborist and follow the recommended techniques of branch clearance and reduction.

No Weed and Feed on Lawns

Weed and feed products contain many chemicals that are no only harmful to you but also your lawn and your trees. We recommend either organic or non-Atrazine, well balanced fertilizers. Instead of using weed and feed type fertilizers, we recommend pre-emergent herbicides that supress weed growth from the onset and are safe for your trees.

No Volcano Mulching

Mulch wide, not deep! Volcano mulching is a common yet harmful practice that leads to poor drainage, root rot and, at the very least, poor root growth. Deep mulching, as shown in Figure A below, stresses the tree's stem tissues and may lead to insect and disease problems. We recommend applying a thin layer of mulch around trees and maintaining a safe distance of 4 to 6 inches from the base of the tree as shown in Figure B.

Be Careful with Automatic Sprinklers

Improper sprinker head placement and overwatering causes the 2x4 effect. In short, if you put a 2x4 in the ground, eventually it will rot out. Overwatering and poor watering practices can and do lead to this phenomenon, even with with established trees in our area. Ideally, sprinkler heads should be positioned away from the tree base to effectively water beneath the tree canopy and not directly on the tree trunk.