Month: February 2018

Ping’s Tree Service Receives TCIA Accreditation

Many industries have their own system for developing and recognizing experts within the industry. Through accreditation program, seasoned experts within an industry can pass on their knowledge and certify that those who have completed the program have the skills and expertise needed. By awarding accreditation, industry groups can also communicate to the general public that graduates have mastered industry skills and demonstrated success. Ping’s has recently renewed their 3-year Residential/Commercial Accreditation with the Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA), which was formerly known as the National Arborist Association.

What Is TCIA Accreditation?

TCIA is the oldest and most well-respected tree care trade association in the country and their accreditation takes into account a company’s ethics, quality of work, and consumer confidence. Within the tree care industry, the TCIA’s accreditation program offers tree care professional the opportunity to reach a high level of proficiency and to be recognized for that.  They examine the policies and procedures of companies applying for accreditation.  According to Bob Rouse, TCIA’s chief program officer, “Accreditation is a process that helps the owner really get a handle on their business, get it organized, understand strategically how it works and where they want to take that company in the future. It shows customers that this is a model tree care company, the best in the area, and raises the bar for other tree care companies in the area.”

What Does TCIA Accreditation Tell You?

So what does that mean for you as an Indianapolis resident? In short, it gives you confidence in the Ping’s organization. Nearly every homeowner or commercial property owner has at least one tree and thus will need tree care at some point. You might notice that your trees are showing signs of distress or disease. Or you may recognize that your trees are looking straggly and in need of a trim. Sometimes icy or windy weather bring down a whole tree or a weak branch, demanding your immediate attention. Whatever your situation, you’ll want highly trained, knowledgeable tree care professionals to address your problem.  And with the TCIA accreditation, you can rest easy knowing that Ping’s is equipped to provide the best tree care in the Indianapolis area.

Ping’s offers tree care services ranging from routine maintenance to 24/7 emergency service. Last year, we also opened a landscape division, which provides lawn care, landscape, and snow removal services. It is our honor to be able to deliver services of the highest quality to residents and commercial property owners in the Indianapolis area. Call us at 317-298-8482 or schedule an estimate on our website.

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

Generally, a certified arborist is an arborist who has obtained their Certified Arborist designation from the International Society of Arboriculture, or ISA. To gain this certification, there are the following experience requirements:

• 3 years of full time experience working in the arboriculture industry OR
• 2 year degree and 2 years of experience OR
• 4 year degree and 1 year of experience

There is also a difficult computerized test that tests arborists on the basics of all aspects of the tree industry, not just those that they work in currently. Certified Arborists must maintain their certification every 3 years by either taking continuing education credits or retaking the exam.

What it means to be a certified arborist

If someone is a certified arborist it means they have shown a basic aptitude in their profession. It is in no way a guarantee that an arborist is skilled or an expert, but it does provide a general assurance that they know the basic principles in their profession and that they have a desire to follow generally accepted best practices in that profession.

To give you an idea of the skill levels involved, it is less rigorous than being a journeyman electrician but more rigorous than getting a commercial driver’s license.

Why arborist certification matters

In our opinion, any tree company you hire, the owner, the estimator (if the estimator is not the owner), and the crew leader should all be ISA certified arborists. There is really no other assurance that the arborist pruning your tree both knows what they are doing and are doing pruning that is of value to your trees.

We regularly read 5-star reviews online about the pruning performed by companies we know to be scamming customers. We also regularly see tree pruning around town where the customer would have been better off just shredding their money.

It is very difficult if not impossible for the average person to recognize poor pruning work that is damaging to the health of a tree. Your only assurance that the work was performed properly is that the estimator who wrote the work order up and the people who did the pruning proved to an outside organization that they have a basic level of professional knowledge by getting their ISA Certification.

Certified Arborist Portland, Oregon

Urban Forest Professionals provides its customer an ISA certified arborist on every crew. We are one of the only Portland tree service companies to guarantee this fact. In addition, all of the grounds crew are training to be arborists and have a desire to learn arboriculture, obtain their certification, and have a long term career as an arborists. We have found that by only hiring people who seek this work out as a long term profession with the desire to learn and grow as an arborist allows Urban Forest Professionals to provide the best quality care for our customers.

Are Landscapers Also Considered Certified Arborists?

Now that we know what an arborist certification is, you may be wondering if this profession is much different from what landscapers do. Perhaps you 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.

Landscaper job description

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.

Certified arborist job description

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.

Horticulture and Arboriculture

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

Getting Trees Ready for Spring

Just when you thought you couldn’t handle another day of brutal Indiana winter, spring is within sight! But before you put away the hats and gloves, the heavy coats and snow shovels, remember that we still have a few weeks of winter.  And that is a good thing because there are some tree care tasks that need to be done before spring is in full bloom. The window between the worst of winter weather and the bright flowers of spring can be quite short so get ready for these necessary activities.

1. Tree Inspection

While inspection seems like a rather passive and minor activity, it’s not.  To the contrary, thorough inspection can help you spot problems while they’re small and, pardon the pun, nip them in the bud.  When trees are bare, it is easier to see weak or diseased branches.

2. Tree Trimming

Before trees start to leaf out, it is also helpful to do any pruning or trimming that is needed.  Not only is it easier to see what’s going on without leaves, but is also better for the health of the tree to prune before the weather gets warmer.  In cold weather, the chances are reduced for infection or infestation of the open wounds left by pruning.

3. Tree Clean-up

As the snow begins you melt, you may begin to see a real mess around your tree.  If you placed protective wrapping on your tree for the winter, you’ll want to start by removing that.  Fallen branches should be picked up to from around the tree to make your lawn beautiful and ready to take off in spring weather.

4. Tree Planting

Once the ground thaws, spring is a perfect time to plant any trees you’d like to add to your landscape.  The earlier you can get them in the ground, the better as they will have more time to recover from the trauma of planting before they must endure the trauma of hot summer weather.

5. Tree Fertilization

Growth takes energy so you want to provide all the nutrients your trees need to grow. Fertilizers will have an optimal effect if they are applied as soon as the ground is workable.  That way, when your tree is ready for that spring growth spurt, it will have the nutrients it needs at its disposal.

6. Soil Testing and Amendment

Relatedly, this transition time is also a good time to test your soil and see what nutrients it is missing.  Soil that is lacking the necessary nutrients for healthy long-term tree growth can be amended with the proper additives.

7. Mulch Application

Tree health is closely tied to their ability to access water.  Bare or weedy soil can divert necessary water from trees. Mulch keeps water from evaporating and prevents weeds from taking root. To help retain water in the ground around trees, mulch should be properly applied.

8. Arborist Consultation

Finally, keeping trees healthy is not always a straightforward task. You may not know what your trees need or the best approach to take with them. It is often helpful to schedule a consultation with a trained arborist who can assess the situation and give recommendations for ensuring trees’ ongoing strength and vigor.

Don’t let care for your trees overwhelm you during the short period of transition from winter to spring.  Instead, let Ping’s help you out.  The experts at Ping’s offers Indianapolis tree trimming, planting, fertilizing, and other services to help you get ready for spring. Schedule today online or by calling us at 317-298-8482.

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

What causes a tree to die from the top down? A common reason for a tree to die from the top down or from its outer limbs is drought. Even with reasonable rainfall, your tree may not be getting the water it needs to thrive and survive.

When a tree begins to deteriorate from the top down, this condition is also known as dieback. Dieback is the gradual death of tree branches, foliage, and/or limbs starting at the tips (extremities) and moving inward toward the trunk. Dieback, as mentioned above may result from drought. However, there may be a variety a variety of causes contributing to the gradual death of your tree.

The following will help you to identify what is causing dieback, the options available to save the tree, and the actions you can take to prevent the tree’s death.

What Can Cause Dieback from the Top Down?

In order to identify the cause of dieback, you need to know what you are looking for. The following are common reasons and symptoms when tree health declines.

Drought – Symptoms include the wilting or discoloration of leaves, limb, twig, and branch dieback, as well as the death of roots. Trees suffering from drought are very likely to be affected by insects, disease, or both.

Soil Imbalance – Soil is composed of minerals, organic and inorganic matter, water, air, and has an acidic or alkaline pH level. When an imbalance of these levels occurs, nutrients needed for the tree’s survival may not be absorbed. This can certainly lead to dieback and death of the tree if not addressed.

A sure sign of soil trouble is the absence of worms, plant growth, and small insects. “Life” should be detected in your soil, if not your soil’s health needs attention.

Insect Infestation – Invasive insect species also cause or accelerate dieback. When trees are stressed, they produce more amounts of nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus. This in turn makes them more attractive to invasive insects that feed off them.

As an infestation grows, the tree becomes more stressed and in turn, produces more of the chemicals – attracting more insects. This process can become a self-reinforced loop, and the initial stressors now combined with the infestation will eventually lead to the death of the tree if not treated promptly.

NOTE: While trees have adapted their defenses and healing processes over the millennia, it is these same adaptations that may feed an insect infestation.

What Options Do I Have to Save My Tree?

For each of the causes listed above, there is a specific course of action to halt or even reverse it. Once the cause is identified, the following simple treatments may help to save your tree.

Drought Treatment – During dry seasons or when rainfall is scarce, give your trees a thorough watering once a week. Make sure that the soil is soaked to a depth of at least twelve inches. Mulching around your trees base will slow the evaporation process and help the soil and tree retain moisture.

Soil Imbalance Treatment – While calling in a Certified Arborist may be the best option here, you are perfectly capable of getting a soil test kit from your local nursery or home improvement store (gardening department). Use the kit to determine if there is an imbalance for the species of affected tree(s), then seek appropriate soil treatments to return the soil to a healthy composition.

Insect Infestation Treatment – Once an infestation is confirmed, insecticides, traps, and oil can be used to kill the existing insects and prevent further infestation. Read this 72tree.com/using-dormant-horticultural-oil-treat-tree-insect-infestations/ for more on using and applying oils to treat insect infestations.

It is important to note that insect infestations are typically the result of a tree already stressed or in bad health. Once the infestation has been dealt with, begin looking for other stressors that may have lead to the weakening of the tree’s health.

How Do You Save a Dying Tree?

When dieback occurs, saving your tree will involve pruning or trimming off the dead parts of the tree, and identifying the reason that the dieback occurred. Once identified, treat it. If it is an infestation that is threatening other trees and plants, you may have to make the decision to completely remove the tree to prevent further contamination and damage.

Proper Treatment and Prevention – Once you have treated the cause of your tree’s dieback, understand that you can save a dying tree by simply paying attention to it through the seasons. Your tree will show signs of stress, and once you detect it, consider it a call to action.

It is equally important to establish and follow seasonal maintenance and care. Bringing in a Certified Arborist or reputable tree service to inspect your trees and landscape will help give you the upper hand in keeping your trees healthy!

This article was first published on: http://www.72tree.com/my-tree-dying-top-down/

Homemade Maple Syrup: How-To Guide for Hoosiers

It’s easy to pick up a bottle of maple syrup at the store, but have you ever considered making your own?  Yes, it is a lot of work, but tapping your trees is a great way to get outdoors and enjoy nature’s bounty. And when you’re done, you’ll have the sweetest reward for your efforts. Of course, it can be tricky to know where to start. All you need is the right setup, a few tools, and a little patience.

How to Identify a Sugar Maple

The first step for homemade maple syrup is locating your trees. Homeowners with more mature trees might be pleasantly surprised to find that they have a sugar maple right in their backyard. Sugar maples can be recognized by their brown pointed buds, shaggy bark, and the five wide-lobed notches on their leaves. The Indiana DNR has a helpful guide to help you identify trees by their leaves.

Look to tap trees that are wider than 10 inches in diameter. If you don’t have any sugar maples available, you can also try tapping sycamores, box elders, or birch trees. They all produce sap as well, though the sugar maple will yield the most for your efforts—between 5 to 60 gallons of sap each year. It sounds like a lot, but 10 gallons are needed just to make one quart of maple syrup!

How to Tap Your Trees

The key to tapping your sugar maple tree is temperature. In order for the sugar maple sap to be good for making syrup, the daytime temperatures should reach about 40 F. In Indiana, the maple syrup season typically starts in February and wraps up in April. This is when an enzyme in the tree becomes active, transforming starch into sugar. Tap your trees during these ideal temperatures to get the best product.  Follow these instructions for tapping trees:

1. Drill a slightly angled hole upward into your tree, about 3 feet above the ground.
2. Tap a spile (the drip spout) into the hole.
3. Hang a sap bucket from the spile.
4. Wait for the sap to drain. About 1 drop per second is a good pace.
5. Collect the sap and store in a cool area.

Many of the tools needed for tree tapping can be found at your local hardware store. Or you may prefer to order them online.

How to Make Maple Syrup

Once you collect sap, it’s important to boil it off as soon as possible since sap can actually go rancid after 24 or 48 hours. Due to the large volumes of sap needed to make syrup, it may be easier to perform the initial steps outside over a fire pit. To transform sap in syrup, follow these directions:

1. Strain your sap through cheesecloth to remove any impurities.
2. Heat the sap to a strong boil so the water evaporates.
3. Bring the last few gallons indoors to finish heating on the stove.
4. Monitor the temperature with a candy thermometer—it should be ready at 219 F.
5. Pour your maple syrup into sterilized jars and enjoy!

Does making homemade maple syrup sound like a fun project? Whether this labor-intensive endeavor is for you or not, you’ll want to keep all your trees (including maple trees) in good health.  Ping’s Tree Service offers all the tree maintenance services you need to keep your trees healthy and beautiful…though you’re on your own with the syrup making!

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