Month: July 2025

When Memphis summers hit full swing, your air conditioning works overtime, and so do your energy bills. The solution might be simpler than you think. Red’s Tree Service has seen how the right shade trees can act like natural air conditioners, cutting cooling costs and making outdoor spaces more bearable during those long, humid Tennessee months.

How Shade Trees Transform Your Property’s Climate

Think about the last time you walked from a sunny parking lot into the shade of a large oak or maple. That instant relief you felt goes beyond psychological comfort, and it’s science in action. Shade trees can reduce the temperature around your home by 10 to 15 degrees, creating natural microclimates that make your property more comfortable and your HVAC system’s job much easier.

Large shade trees work through a process called evapotranspiration, where they release water vapor through their leaves, creating a cooling effect similar to how sweating cools your body. This natural air conditioning benefits the immediate area under the canopy and extends to your entire property, reducing the ambient temperature around your home’s exterior walls, roof, and windows.

The Financial Impact on Your Energy Bills

The cost savings from well-positioned shade trees extend far beyond your monthly utility statement. These natural cooling systems create multiple layers of financial benefits that compound over time, making them one of the smartest investments you can make in your property.

Direct Cooling Cost Reductions

When strategically placed shade trees block direct sunlight from hitting your home’s roof and windows, your air conditioning system doesn’t have to work as hard to maintain comfortable indoor temperatures. According to energy efficiency studies, properly positioned shade trees can reduce cooling costs by 15 to 35 percent during peak summer months.

Long-term Property Value Benefits

Beyond immediate energy savings, mature shade trees increase your property value significantly. Real estate professionals consistently report that homes with established shade trees sell faster and for higher prices than comparable properties without mature landscaping. In Memphis’s competitive housing market, this advantage can translate to thousands of dollars in additional property value.

Reduced HVAC System Wear

Your air conditioning unit experiences less strain when it doesn’t have to combat excessive heat gain from direct sunlight. This reduced workload extends your system’s lifespan and decreases the frequency of costly repairs and maintenance calls.

How to Choose the Right Trees for Maximum Impact

Not all trees provide equal shade benefits, and selecting the wrong species can create more problems than solutions. You need trees that grow large enough to provide substantial coverage, have dense canopies that effectively block sunlight, and are well-suited to Memphis’s climate conditions. Consider these factors when planning your shade tree strategy:

• Mature size and growth rate – Fast-growing trees like red oaks and tulip poplars provide quicker results, while slower-growing species like live oaks offer longer-term benefits

• Canopy density – Trees with thick, full canopies block more sunlight than those with sparse foliage

• Seasonal characteristics – Deciduous trees provide summer shade while allowing winter sunlight to warm your home naturally

• Root system behavior – Some trees have aggressive root systems that can damage foundations, driveways, or underground utilities

Storm resistance – In Memphis’s weather patterns, you want trees that can withstand strong winds and ice storms

Strategic Placement Makes All the Difference

Simply planting shade trees anywhere on your property won’t deliver optimal results. The positioning of your trees determines how effectively they’ll reduce your energy costs and improve your comfort. Trees planted on the south and west sides of your home provide the most significant cooling benefits, as these areas receive the most intense afternoon sunlight.

However, placement involves more than compass directions. You must consider your home’s architectural features, existing landscaping, underground utilities, and future growth patterns. A tree planted too close to your house might eventually damage your roof or foundation, while one placed too far away won’t provide meaningful shade coverage.

Professional assessment ensures your shade trees will deliver maximum benefits without creating future problems. Tree care specialists can evaluate your property’s specific conditions, recommend appropriate species, and suggest optimal placement strategies that account for both immediate needs and long-term growth patterns.

Maintaining Your Shade Tree Investment

Getting your shade trees off to a strong start requires more attention than many homeowners realize, but the effort pays dividends for decades.

Early Care Requirements

New plantings need consistent watering during Memphis’s dry periods, especially in the first two growing seasons when root systems are establishing. Proper mulching around the base retains soil moisture and regulates temperature, while professional pruning encourages strong branch development from the beginning.

Soil Quality Considerations

Here’s something most people don’t consider: your soil quality directly affects how well your trees will cool your property. Compacted or nutrient-poor soil restricts root growth and reduces the tree’s ability to uptake water for evapotranspiration. Having your soil tested and amended before planting can mean the difference between a tree that struggles for years and one that reaches its full cooling potential quickly. Poor soil conditions can reduce a tree’s cooling effectiveness by up to 40 percent.

Ongoing Maintenance Needs

Even mature shade trees need regular health assessments to maintain their energy-saving benefits. Storm damage, disease, or pest infestations can quickly reduce canopy density, eliminating much of the cooling effect you depend on. Professional pruning maintains optimal light filtration while preventing weak branches that could fail during severe weather.

Experience Smarter Shade and Lower Bills

If you’re looking for a way to cool your home naturally this summer, the right trees can make a real difference. Red’s Tree Service in the Memphis area can help you figure out where shade makes the most impact and which trees will thrive long-term on your property.

When you’re ready to start saving on energy bills while making your yard more comfortable, contact us, and we’ll help you map out a plan that makes sense.

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

When severe storms hit, trees often bear the brunt of the damage. From fallen branches to uprooted trees, it’s important to have an experienced team on call to handle the aftermath. At Urban Forest Pro, we specialize in storm damage tree removal, and we are ready to act quickly to prevent further damage to your property.

What Happens After a Storm?

Storm damage tree removal is a critical service that requires both skill and specialized equipment. Trees that have already failed are much more unpredictable than standing trees, making their removal more dangerous. Our team uses advanced equipment, including cranes and spider lifts, to safely remove trees after a storm.

While we prefer to focus on preventative maintenance to help homeowners avoid storm damage, we understand that emergencies happen. In those cases, we are prepared to respond quickly and efficiently.

The Cost of Emergency Tree Removal

If you need emergency tree removal after a storm, be prepared for a higher cost. Typically, rush jobs double the price due to the need for specialized equipment and safety precautions. Emergency services may involve working in dangerous conditions, which requires extra caution and experience.

How We Handle Tree Removal After a Storm

We manage storm damage tree removal with precision, ensuring that all debris is cleared and any hazards are addressed immediately. Our process is streamlined to minimize disruption, but safety remains our top priority. Whether it’s removing a fallen tree from your house or clearing branches from your property, we get the job done right.

A Real-Life Example of Removing a Fallen Oak in Lake Oswego

As Portland tree removal experts, we’re highly attuned to each maelstrom that tears through the Rose City. Each gust makes us wonder how many gargantuan trees will be sent tumbling onto driveways, roadways, and roofs. Fallen trees threaten structures and pose safety hazards. While we don’t relish the sight of a beautiful tree pulled up from its roots, or broken at the trunk, we do enjoy setting things right through expert, informed tree removal. Today, we’re sharing a time-lapse video showing how we removed a large Lake Oswego oak tree that fell during a storm last March.

This tree was a grand oak. Judging from the tree’s outward appearance, it seemed healthy and strong. The owners had provided proper care. However, this particular oak had hidden root issues. A storm in mid-March sent powerful gusts through Lake Oswego, and knocked the oak down onto the home. Oaks are not especially prone to falling, but then again, large trees are always more likely to tumble during a storm. Unfortunately, the fallen tree wreaked havoc on the roof; it caused major structural damage, and a modest amount of rain seeped inside, causing water damage inside. We arrived at first light the morning after the storm. Our exceptional relationships with local crane companies allowed us to arrange for a crane to take the tree off the roof. Once the fallen oak was safely removed, the home’s roof was patched, allowing the homeowner to arrange repairs according to his own time schedule.

What to Do When Storms Damage Your Trees

There are a few preventative arboreal issues you can address prior to a serious storm. First, train yourself to recognize problem trees. Dead limbs, leaning trunks, and branches that cross paths with nearby hazards (think power lines) are indications that a tree is more likely to fall in a storm. Fungal growth signifies disease. Such vulnerable, sick trees have a higher chance of falling during storms.

If you’re unsure that a tree is safe, steer clear! Call in Portland certified arborists for further guidance.

Prevention is the best approach to prevent fallen trees, but as in the case of the oak in Lake Oswego, trees are not 100% unpredictable, and occasionally a tree that appears healthy will fall in a storm. In such cases, it’s best to contact a professional tree removal service as soon as possible.

Need Storm Damage Tree Removal? Contact Urban Forest Pro

As Portland certified arborists, we are passionate about all aspects of tree care, including cleaning up storm damage. As a full-service arborist firm, we are capable of removing any fallen tree, no matter how big, or how precariously situated. We have removed hundreds of trees over the years, for dozens of reasons (storm damage, disease, the tree is too big for the space, etc.). Safety is always our first priority. We follow ANSI-approved rigging standards to keep every branch and trunk within our control as it falls. Once the tree is down, we chip and recycle the branches and other debris; larger pieces of wood can be cut into rounds and left on your property, or removed (for an additional fee). Rarely, the felled timber may be valuable enough for resale; in those circumstances, we can help you arrange a sale to wood recyclers. The cost for tree removal varies widely according to multiple factors, including local tree removal permitting costs. Contact us today to get a consultation and determine whether the trees surrounding your home are an asset or a liability in the next storm.

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

When your tree stands bare in the middle of your yard, it’s easy to wonder—is it still alive or is it time to let it go? In New Jersey, especially after a long winter or harsh storm season, we get this question all the time. At Big Foot Tree Service, we’ve seen plenty of trees that look like they’ve given up—only to bounce back stronger than ever in spring. We’ve also seen trees that looked “just a little slow” but were, unfortunately, too far gone.

So how can you tell what’s really going on with your tree? Let’s break it down.

Dormant vs. Dead: Why It’s So Hard to Tell

Trees go dormant to survive colder seasons. It’s like a deep sleep—no leaves, no flowers, no new growth. But dead trees can look almost the same. The key is knowing what to look for beneath the surface.

Try the Bend-and-Snap Test

Grab a small twig or branch from the tree and gently bend it. If it bends without breaking and still feels moist inside, it’s probably alive. If it snaps right off and is dry or brittle, that part of the tree is likely dead. Try this test in different areas—don’t base your decision on just one branch.

What’s Under the Bark?

A quick scratch with your fingernail or a pocketknife can tell you a lot. If the layer under the bark is green and moist, your tree is still kicking. If it’s brown, dry, or grayish, you could be looking at a bigger issue. This test works best on smaller limbs and branches, not the trunk.

Look at What’s Happening (or Not Happening) Up Top

As the weather warms up, you should see small buds forming. No leaves yet? That’s okay—but no buds at all by mid- to late-spring is a red flag. If the other trees in your neighborhood are greening up and yours is doing nothing, that’s not a great sign.

Watch for Fungal Growth or Decay

Look around the base of the tree. If you spot mushrooms, soft spots, or areas that seem to be rotting, the roots might be in trouble. A dead or dying root system often leads to instability or decay in the entire tree—and unfortunately, it’s not something you can fix by pruning or watering.

Bark Tells a Story

Healthy trees might shed bark, but they usually replace it. If you see large chunks of missing bark or spots where the tree looks dry, cracked, or sunken in, those are signs of declining health. Sometimes this kind of damage starts at the trunk and spreads outward.

Still Not Sure? We’ll Take a Look

You don’t have to guess. At Big Foot Tree Service, we know trees—what’s normal, what’s not, and what needs attention right away. If you’re unsure whether your tree is just resting or needs to be removed, give us a call. We offer free estimates and honest opinions based on years of experience working with trees in Northern New Jersey.

Call Big Foot Tree Service today at 973-885-8000 to schedule a tree health check.

We’re fully licensed, insured, and certified with the State Board of Tree Experts in New Jersey. Whether you need a second opinion or emergency tree removal, we’re just one call away—and always happy to help.

 

The post How to Tell If a Tree Is Dead or Just Dormant appeared first on Big Foot Tree Service.

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