Month: April 2015

Green spaces are aesthetically pleasing. Whether you’re looking to boost your home’s curb appeal, or hoping to bring in new customers, attractive landscaping is a must. Moreover, trees and bushes benefit the environment while also reducing heating/cooling costs. Let’s take a closer look at the advantages of luscious greenery around your home or office.

Portland Tree Service on the Myriad Benefits of Green Spaces

Multiple Environmental Benefits. From filtering groundwater to improving air quality, plants help the earth in many ways. Their roots protect water quality by reducing the amount of nitrates that leach into the soil, while also protecting our watersheds from pollutants. Think of trees and shrubs as underground filtration devices, cleaning water before it flows into local rivers and streams. Trees help to regulate temperature, reducing the need to use fossil fuels for heating and cooling buildings. Finally, plants minimize erosion by holding soil in place. This means less flooding and fewer mudslides.

Higher Property Values. Envision two identical homes, side by side. Now imagine one with shimmering, rustling trees, radiant flower beds, and enchanting shrubbery. The home next door has the same floor plan, but an overgrown, weed ridden lawn in front. Which home do you think would sell first? Humans are naturally attracted to the beauty of gardens, so it’s no surprise that landscaped homes and businesses boast increased property values. Indeed, well maintained green space can increase the value of a home by as much as 20%! That’s reason enough to arrange for our Portland tree services.

Cooler Buildings. Plants’ economic benefits don’t stop with increased property values. Surrounding your home with trees and plants also creates a more temperate indoor atmosphere. This can save quite a bit on air conditioning expenses. More green outside=more greenback inside. Urban air temperatures can soar during summer months, as asphalt and concrete soak up sun and create heat sinks. According to the EPA, by shading sidewalks and homes, trees and bushes reduce heat sinks, while also humidifying the air through evaporative cooling.

Improved air quality. Trees remove shocking amounts of pollutants from the air. Research has found that one acre of trees can remove 13 tons of gases and particles on a yearly basis. Trees “breathe in” the carbon dioxide that our cars spit out, and in exchange they provide us with fresh oxygen to breathe.

Commercial Benefits. Studies have shown that workers are more efficient when they can access and see green spaces. Employees experience higher job satisfaction when they enjoy a pleasant outdoor view. Moreover, greenery has been shown to boost civic pride while simultaneously drawing in tourists and shoppers.

This is only a sample of the plethora of benefits that green spaces offer. They also reduce cities’ septic drainage problems, by reducing the speed at which storm water drains to rivers. Here in Portland, the city is adding street-side drainage reservoirs with grasses, trees, and bushes to slow down storm water drainage and prevent sewage from overflowing into the Willamette River during major storm events.

Clearly, green spaces are smart, from economic, environmental, and even psychological perspectives. However, when aiming to achieve these benefits, it’s important to work with a professional Portland tree service or landscaping company. As Portland tree trimming experts, we recommend always working with certified arborists. Portland homeowners should be aware that property values will be decreased under subpar tree care. Avoid wasting money on landscaping and tree planting, Portland property owners—work with proven landscaping and tree care companies. To learn which zones around your business or home would best support trees and other greenery, give us a call. Our ISA-certified arborists can provide expertise on tree placement and long-term care.

This post first appeared on https://www.urbanforestprofessionals.com

The Oregon flag shows the state seal, with four Douglas-fir trees; the flag’s flip side features the only tree-chomping engineer in nature, the beaver. This symbolism says volumes about how important trees are to our state, from both aesthetic and economic perspectives. As Paul Ries, manager of the state’s Urban and Community Forestry Program puts it, “Trees are important to the quality of life here in Oregon, where we have some of the most productive forestland in the world and some of the most livable cities around.” Officially, the U.S. celebrates Arbor Day on April 24^th. But our state is so enamored of trees that the Oregon legislature has also designated an Arbor Week—the first week in April. Really, there are enough tree-loving celebrations going on in the Beaver State that we’re considering April Arbor Month! As Oregon tree care specialists, we are thrilled to see such Oregon arborphilia in full bloom.

Oregon Celebrations for Arbor Month, April 2015

Arbor Week: April 6-10^th. While America’s Arbor Day is always the last Friday in April, each state celebrates its own Arbor Day based on the region’s best time to plant trees. Florida, for instance, celebrates Arbor Day on the first Friday in January. Here in Oregon, we officially celebrate trees from April 6-10^th. The Portland Arbor Day Festival was held on April 11^th. On that day, the city honored the winners of the Bill Naito Community Trees Award. Tree information was shared, and families participated in crafts, nature stations, and tree-themed games. The previous day, the city’s urban forestry crews facilitated bucket truck rides, elevating Portlanders to a “squirrel’s eye view of downtown.”

April 10^th: Statewide Heritage Tree Dedication. The Oregon Department of Forestry’s Salem headquarters hosted a dedication and award ceremony celebrating the state’s heritage trees and those who care for them. Groves and individual heritage trees are honored as fascinating, storied specimens. There are more than 50 heritage trees across Oregon.

April 25^th: Southeast Portland Flowering Tree Tour. Portland Parks and Recreation Urban Forestry and the Sunnyside Tree Team are partnering up to provide a walking tour of spring flowering trees in southeast Portland. From 1 to 3 pm, participants will enjoy viewing local trees in full bloom. Refreshments will be provided at the meet up spot, the Belmont Library at 1038 Cesar Chavez Blvd. The tour will depart at 1:30pm.

Oregon Tree Cities. As your Portland tree care experts, we’re always rooting for increased urban canopy coverage here in the Rose City and in other Oregon towns. So, we were happy to read that 56 Oregon cities are designated as Tree City USA communities. The Tree City USA program is organized by the National Arbor Day Foundation and funded by the Oregon Department of Forestry. This year, a central Oregon burg, Stanfield, was added to the list of Oregon Tree Cities. About 3,400 cities across America qualify for this moniker, which indicates that they have a tree board/department and ordinance; spend a minimum of $2 per person on a tree program; and hold an Arbor Day celebration.

Keep the momentum of Arbor month going by arranging care for your own trees. Our arborists offer a full menu of Portland tree services, including pruning, removal, cabling, planting, and assessment. If you’re just getting started with tree care, we recommend a tree assessment, in which our Portland certified arborists visit your property and provide a spoken explanation of your trees’ condition. Available for a small fee, an assessment is a great way to get a few DIY solutions for any minor problems. And should more significant issues arise during your assessment, every member of our team is an ISA-certified arborist, so you can rest assured of their expertise. Contact us today to arrange Portland tree services.

This post first appeared on https://www.urbanforestprofessionals.com

Rose City residents may not know the difference between landscapers and arborists. They might just think of it as working with “Thorns” versus “Timbers.” However, the comparison is more complex than that and goes far beyond Providence Park!

Horticulture and arboriculture share some common ground – the care of natural surroundings. Landscapers and arborists can work together, yet the two are not interchangeable. While both work with plants, one is more specialized than the other. When looking for Portland tree services, it’s important to know the difference between landscapers and arborists, or else you could end up with lackluster service.

You can expect Landscapers to know how to care for the land, such as:

• Designing and installing landscape (natural features) or hardscape (man-made fixtures).
• Installing and maintaining lawn irrigation, and ensuring proper water drainage.
• Covering land with mulch to enrich or insulate the soil.
• Preparing, creating, and maintaining garden beds.
• Pruning shrubs to promote health.

Although landscapers are skilled at horticulture, they are ill equipped to handle complicated tree projects. Landscapers may not have the appropriate tools or training to complete arboricultural jobs correctly – or safely. Too often, a landscape contractor attempts arboriculture, only to hurt himself or damage the property.

In contrast, Arborists are “tree doctors” who specialize in tree health. They are extensively trained and properly equipped to tackle challenging tree work, such as:

• Assessing the condition of trees and how to heal disease.
• Pruning trees, in consideration of available space, tree health, and productivity.
• Removing or reducing trees correctly and safely.
• Cabling or bracing vulnerable branch unions to create structural support.
• Transplanting and replanting trees to more appropriate locations.
• Performing deep root or tree spike fertilization to provide trees with key nutrients.
• Injecting fertilizers and pest control formulas into trees.
• Grinding stumps, ensuring a tree’s remnants are is eradicated.

Safety considerations highlight the differences between landscapers and arborists. Arborists are trained to use specialized tools to climb and cut trees safely. From rigging to harnesses to aerial lift equipment, providing Portland tree services for the towering species in our area requires unique equipment—equipment that landscapers don’t have.

Liability insurance distinguishes these fields as well. Trustworthy Portland certified arborists carry extensive liability insurance to protect themselves and the homeowner; in contrast, landscapers are not typically insured for arboricultural liability. Homeowners may have to foot the bill for damage if the contractor doesn’t carry the proper insurance for Portland tree removal or other services.

City codes for the City of Portland State that homeowners must obtain permits before planting, pruning, or removing certain trees. According to the city’s new tree code, failing to acquire the correct permits could bring fees of up to $1,000 per day, per tree. To avoid fines, it’s best to work with a certified, experienced arborist. For example, Portland arborists can identify whether you have a heritage tree on your property. Heritage trees are protected by City Code; they can only be removed when officials confirm that they’re dead, dying, or dangerous—and in all cases, you’ll need Portland certified arborists to get the job done safely.

Ultimately, it’s best to see these two fields—Horticulture and Arboriculture—as separate jobs best left to their respective professionals, landscapers and arborists. Of course, some Portland arborists also offer extensive landscaping services. However, for the health of your trees and the safety of your family, it’s best to entrust tree services only to certified arborists. If you want more information on when to call an arborist or a landscaper, check out this informative presentation by a group of Tree Care Industry Association board members, and read our blog on How to Select a Certified Arborist.

This post first appeared on https://www.urbanforestprofessionals.com

Spring has bounded into the Portland area! As blossoms emerge, it’s time to conduct the following basic tasks for the health of your trees. So as to give your trees a long, productive growing season, it’s best to complete these tasks early in the season, in March and early April. Let’s take a look at the tree care projects Portland homeowners and businesses can tackle to keep trees healthy this spring.

Checklist for Spring Tree Care: Portland ISA Certified Arborists’ Recommendations

Post-Winter Cleanup.
Remove twigs, leaves, and other detritus that may have accumulated beneath and around trees. As we discuss in an earlier post on Portland Spring Tree Care Tips, warmer weather signals the time to remove any protective plastic or coverings you may have had in place during the cold winter months.

Inspect Trees for Damage & Disease.
Look for obvious signs of tree disease, including broken branches, holes, molds, and fungi. Also notice which branches do not put out blossoms or leaves—these are likely dead and ready to be pruned away, ideally by a professional Portland tree pruning service, such as Urban Forest Pros. Winter desiccation, also known as “winter burn,” can occur when plants dry out in cold winter conditions. Winter sunscald is another challenge; it manifests as vertical cracks in tree bark. Discoloration is another clue that something may be amiss. For instance, some plants will yellow if they receive too much water. If you have questions about damage, call an experienced arborist for sound information. Our Portland ISA-certified arborists can recommend when to remove branches, when to add supportive cables, and when it’s best to remove the whole tree, rather than risk it crashing down in the next storm.

Plant New Trees
Trees bring dozens of benefits to your home or business! They reduce noise levels, stabilize soil, and give wildlife a place to perch. Trees also increase property values while decreasing energy costs. Spring is a good time to add trees to your property, as their roots will have enough time to dig in before scorching summer temperatures hit. Of course, every tree species has its own preferences, so feel free to contact us with questions about the best time to plant a new tree.

Add Mulch. Mulch serves several purposes: It provides protective cooling during the hottest, driest parts of the year; it helps trees retain moisture; and it minimizes weed growth. Trees that are fewer than 10 years old should definitely be mulched, but trees of all ages benefit from mulching. Just be sure to leave a clear space right around the trunk; otherwise, damaging disease will have an easy foothold.

Water & Fertilize. Once the soil has thawed, water your trees to keep their soil moist on dry days.
Fertilization can also be done in the spring months. Fertilizer is a good idea whenever soil lacks the macronutrients and micronutrients that trees need to thrive. To figure out if an established tree needs fertilization, observe its shoot growth, i.e., the growth that happens in a single year. In general, shoot growth of less than 2 inches indicates a fertilizer may be required. Of course, certified arborists take many other factors into account when prescribing the best fertilization approach. Beyond soil testing, foliage color and the history of the yard should also be considered. As far as timing goes, it’s ideal to provide slow-release fertilizer prior to the tree’s springtime growth spurt. While fertilization timing varies by location, by soil conditions, and by species, a good rule of thumb is to apply fertilizer as soon as the ground is workable in the spring.

From Portland tree removal to pruning to fertilization, you can count on Urban Forest Pros, your Portland tree experts, for springtime tree care. Our customers love how we go the extra mile when providing tree service. Portland-ers are so pleased with our work that they’ve given us four back-to-back Angie’s List Super Service Awards, putting us in the top 5% of our field. Call us today to arrange a springtime tree assessment for your home.

This post first appeared on https://www.urbanforestprofessionals.com