A Naked Tree is a Happy Tree

• Avoid nailing or attaching items to trees.
• Don’t leave your trees staked too long; the guy wire may girdle the trunk.
• Tape and other wrapping materials will constrict trunk growth and possibly rot the bark.

Overwatering and Poor Drainage

• Overwatering fosters disease-causing organisms, shallow root growth and weed generation.
• Intermittent soil-drying promotes deeper root systems, inhibits harmful organisms, impedes weed growth and conserves water.
• Poor-drainage usually occurs in low-lying areas and is often aggravated by compaction from heavy traffic.

Don’t Over-treat Your Trees

• Excessive fertilization promotes succulent growth, but seedlings or rooted cuttings whose roots and stems become hard and woody soon after they are established are more resistant to disease.
• Excessive use of pesticides jeopardizes good microorganisms or may cause some pests to develop a pesticide resistance.
• Check to make certain you are using the proper pesticide and avoid using pesticides during the hottest part of the day, or in dry, windy conditions.

No Heavy Pruning

• Heavy pruning weakens trees limbs and can expose bark and inner foliage to sun-scalding damage.
• Improper pruning (hat-racking, topping or so-called lollipopping) can inflict wounds that encourage improper growth and internal decay.

Mulch Gluch
Beware, the tendency to create the mulch volcano, an accumulation of mulch layers that pile up around the trunk of your trees and can build to unhealthy depths. Deep layers of mulch can become matted and prevent air and water filtration, or prevent the evaporation of excess water and lead to root rot. Mulch piles can also pose an inviting place for insects and pests.

We recommend to go organic - wood chips, pine needles, hardwood and softwood barks, or compost mixes, to name a few. These decompose over time, rendering organic material that improves soil quality and fertility. Non-organic mixes may last longer, but they do not provide soil and nutrients benefits. Remember also, to groom your mulch blankets to a maximum depth of 2” to 4”.

No Topping!
Topping damages trees. Follow the guidelines on Pruning Technique and avoid the practice of topping, hat-racking, heading and rounding-over trees.

• Topping renders the tree a greater hazard over time.
• Topping stresses trees by removing between 50-100% of the leaf-bearing crown, where trees manufacture much of their food.
• Topping leaves a compromised tree more susceptible to insect and disease infestations.
• Topping promotes tree decay by creating wounds the tree is unable to close over.
• Topping reduces the crown cover, and exposes underlying leaves to high levels of light and heat and can sunburn the tissues beneath the bark.
• Topping strips the tree of many of its beneficial effects, such as carbon sequestration, oxygen and water filtering, suitability in the biohabitat and the increase to property values (averaging 5-15%) from healthy, attractive treescapes.

Why Hire an Arborist?
Arborists are trained, formally certified, and submit to continuing education programs in tree selection, planting, care, rehabilitation and management. Their dedication to best practices and exposure to latest techniques and technology is maintained through organizations such as the International Society of Arborists (ISA), the National Arborist Association (NAA) or the American Society of Consulting Arborists (ASCA).

Selecting the Right Arborist for the Job
When selecting an arborist: