Month: October 2015

Your trees may be STARVING!  Just like humans, trees are living things.  In order for them to grow and produce, they need a proper diet.  Forest trees naturally get the nutrition they need, because of all the decomposing leaves and branches that lie on the ground around them.  But trees in urban areas (where leaves are raked, branches are picked up, and yards are manicured) lack those natural nutrients.  To feed your trees over the harsh winter months, you may need to fertilize them, and NOW is the best time to do that.  Fall fertilization, before temperatures drop to freezing, allows the roots of established trees to take nutrients from the soil and use them to promote root development and protect against disease and insects.  All the excess is stored in the roots and will be available in the spring for new growth.

However, keep in mind, not all trees are perfect candidates for regular fertilization.  It’s important to have a professional evaluate your trees’ needs. They can recommend the proper balance of nutrition that is best.  Just like overeating is not good for you, too much fertilization can be wasted and end up contaminating the soil.

Learn more:  Tree Fertilization

This post first appeared on https://pingstreeservice.com

On September 23^rd, Urban Forest Pro’s ISA certified arborists joined over 1,000 volunteers from 220 companies in donating $1 million in maintenance services for veterans’ cemeteries. With Veterans Day around the corner, we’re celebrating the difference that our Portland tree care specialists made with their volunteer work.

Saluting Branches is a program that organizes volunteer arborist services in military cemeteries across the country. By partnering with the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, Saluting Branches is able to donate about 8,000 volunteer hours in a single day to keep our country’s veterans’ cemeteries safe and beautiful. Saluting Branches’ arborist industry volunteers come together to express appreciation for those who have served our country.

According to the Bend Bulletin, there are more than 1,000 military funerals in Oregon each month. Oregon has three national Veterans’ Affairs (VA) cemeteries, maintained by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs National Cemetery Administration. The local Saluting Branches volunteer event benefited Willamette National Cemetery, located on Mt. Scott in southeast Portland.

Willamette National Cemetery boasts many mature trees. Without maintenance, those trees could be hazardous for veterans’ families. After a storm, limbs may fall and whole trees can be unstable. By volunteering their time, Urban Forest Pro’s Portland tree care specialists were able to give back in their own special way.

We are thrilled to have the opportunity to demonstrate gratitude for veterans, and for all they and their families have had to endure. Our arborists are happy to donate their time to preserve and enhance the memories of veterans by caring for trees in Willamette National Cemetery.

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

At first glance, trees may seem entirely safe. Indeed, trees often symbolize stability in ancient myths. However, trees can be unsafe in certain circumstances. As our regular readers will recognize by now, poorly cared-for trees are more likely to fall in a storm. Power lines also complicate the safety of trees. In this post, we discuss what homeowners should know about trees that are placed near power lines and who is responsible for trimming trees near power lines. We also talk about safety issues that can occur and the safety precautions that homeowners should consider. We include tips for considering the location of power lines when planting. Finally, we touch on what to do in tree/power line emergency situations.

Safety Tips for Trees and Power Lines in Portland, OR

• Wondering who is responsible for trimming trees on power lines? Utility companies are responsible for trimming and maintaining trees near power lines. They will prune around the power lines on a regular schedule. Never attempt to trim a tree that has grown into power lines. In some cases, the utility company may call for the removal of a tree that has grown too close to power lines. If you’re concerned that a tree is growing too close to a power line, call your utility company as well as our Portland-certified arborists. We would be happy to schedule an advisory visit.
• Power lines are not insulated; if you touch one it could kill you. This also includes branches that are touching a power line. When in doubt, call the electric company first. Do not touch bare wires or branches that are against the bare wire. Prevent children from climbing trees that are near power lines. Also, observe the 10-foot rule—don’t attempt to work on any tree that comes within 10 feet of a power line. Instead, call us for Portland tree services. Our arborists are thoroughly informed on how to safely prune around power lines.
• Never put a ladder against a power line.
• Any time you prune, be sure to observe basic safety guidelines. Make sure that you are working on a steady, level surface, including any ladders. Don’t try to remove large branches while working from a ladder. Instead, break up the branch into smaller chunks. If you have trouble working from a short ladder, call a pro instead. Don’t over-extend; don’t work past your comfortable height.
• Wear adequate safety protection while conducting Portland tree pruning. You should always wear eye protection. Ear protection is also needed when working with power.
• Dead or diseased limbs can be removed immediately. Don’t worry about the season. (But do mind the safety cautions listed above.)
• Keep the equipment sharp, practice making good cuts (not cutting into the branch collar), and don’t worry about sealing your pruning cuts. If pruning is done properly, trees are very good at sealing over their own injuries. Learn how to identify the branch collar, and where to make a proper cut, such as above the branch collar, but without leaving a stub. Be careful not to injure or cut through the branch collar. If you still have questions about tree trimming, Portland Fruit Tree Project offers affordable tree care workshops (which Urban Forest Pros hosts from time to time).

Considerations for Trees and Power Lines in Portland’s Urban Landscape

If you’re thinking of planting a tree one thing to consider is to never plant a tree under a high-voltage power line. Research how large your tree will be at maturity prior to tree planting. Portland’s long growing season will allow trees to thrive, so it’s important to choose the right species for the available space. Ensure that any species you plant will not grow too large and that they will not grow into nearby power lines. Here’s a short list of trees that under normal conditions are short enough to be planted under distribution power lines: Trident, Amur, Paperbark, and Tartian Maples; Flowering Dogwood, Hawthorne, Bristlecone Pine, Honeysuckle, Sumac, Juniper, Rose Acacia.

The following plants grow too tall and should never be planted under power lines: Silver or Norway Maple, Oak, Colorado Blue Spruce, White Spruce, and most pines.

Emergency Tree Trimming Around Power Lines

The number for Portland General Electric (PGE) is 503-228-6322. For Pacific Power and Light (PP&L) it is 1-888-221-7070. If you see a tree, or branch leaning on a high-voltage line, call the power company immediately at the numbers provided above. For life-threatening emergencies call 911.

If a tree falls onto a wire during or after a storm, call your electric company as well as your arborist. Here at Urban Forest Pros, we are experienced in safely removing fallen branches and trees from a variety of precarious situations. You can trust us to remove hazard trees safely while minimizing the damage to your property. Put our number in your phone so you can get a hold of us quickly following emergencies.

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