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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

Who says learning only happens indoors? Beaverton students recently took the classroom outside–and left a positive, lasting impression on their local ecosystem.

About 100 eighth-graders from Beaverton Health and Science School went to the Willow Creek Greenway to learn about Oregon’s native species and plant trees along the creek bank. They got their hands dirty getting first-hand experience on how to help their community reach long-term environmental goals. The students successfully planted some 400 willow, red twig dogwood, Douglas-fir, and Pacific ninebark trees–which will clean surrounding air and provide wildlife habitats for generations to come.

This special tree planting Portland-area field trip was part of Tualatin Hills Park and Recreation District’s outreach service program that educates students at their local parks.

It’s a simple truth: Environmental education is important. Today’s children are tomorrow’s leaders. They need to know how to take care of our natural resources to ensure the well being of future generations. But with today’s abundance of high-tech distractions, kids often turn to the TV when they could be getting in touch with nature. Getting connected with technology can disconnect us from the natural environment. Consider these troubling facts:

• On average, American children between the ages of 6 and 11 spend about 28 hours a week watching television instead of playing outside.
• Kids who consistently spend more than 4 hours per day watching television are more likely to be overweight and face health problems.
• Two out of three adult Americans failed a basic 12-question multiple-choice quiz about the environment, according to the National Environmental Education Foundation.

To cultivate healthy and responsible youth, we need to promote environmental stewardship. More than one in six Americans spend their daily life in K-12 schools, where environmental curriculum is rarely incorporated in lesson plans. That’s unfortunate, since studies show that environmental education improves children’s lives by:

• Heightening children’s imagination and enthusiasm for academics.
• Building critical thinking and relationship skills.
• Enhancing cognitive functions, such as reasoning, problem solving, and memory.
• Fostering both cooperation skills and leadership qualities.
• Inspiring learning opportunities outside the classroom.
• Helping students and teachers feel empowered about their roles in their communities.
• Encouraging children to go outside and be physically active.

If young people don’t spend time outside gaining a basic understanding of the environment, how can we expect them to take on the daunting environmental challenges on the horizon?

With service-learning programs, students can incorporate lessons about the environment into their everyday life. After removing litter from Willow Creek, we’re betting these Beaverton students are thinking twice about where they leave their trash. They might not pursue a career in the outdoors, like say, becoming certified arborists, but at least they’ll be in the right mindset to care for our planet.

Only an educated public can ensure a healthy environment. Every industry can benefit from environmental education, from teachers training tomorrow’s leaders, to scientists developing clean energy technologies, to health professionals advocating for pollution controls, to business managers understanding the impacts of their investments. Environmental education isn’t just good for the planet; it’s good for humankind. As your Portland and Beaverton tree service company, we’re thrilled to see opportunities for area youth to experience and care for the environment.

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

Do trees fascinate you? Do you jump at the chance to help others? If so, we recommend applying for the Portland Fruit Tree Project’s Harvest and Stewardship Internship. As certified arborists, Portland opportunities for learning about and protecting trees excite us. This internship is an incredible opportunity for budding arborists who want more hands-on experience working with Portland trees.

Portland Fruit Tree Project (PFTP) gathers fruit from Portland trees that would otherwise go unharvested. By organizing volunteer groups to pick fruit before it falls, PFTP prevents waste. What’s more, the group distributes the harvested fruit to people in need. Finally, this impressive Portland tree service organization presents hands-on workshops in how to care for trees and preserve their fruit.

As providers of Portland tree services, we’ve partnered with the Portland Fruit Tree Project many times over the years. Just last month, our founder Jeff Moore lead a winter fruit-pruning workshop hosted by PFTP. And every year, we help the PFTP harvest and distribute thousands of pounds of Portland fruit that would otherwise rot. To show our support for this exceptional non-profit, we’re promoting the Harvest and Stewardship Internship position.

The 2015 Harvest and Stewardship Intern Position with Portland Fruit Tree Project

Starting April 1^st and working 12-20 hours per week through September 30^th, the Harvest and Stewardship Intern will:
–Assist with the coordination of PFTP Tree Care Teams program and Tree Care Workshop series.
–Help to maintain Portland Fruit Tree Project’s Community Orchards;
–Co-Lead harvesting events;
–Coordinate harvesting program in general;
–Process new tree registrations and coordinate with registered fruit tree owners; and more.

The Harvest and Stewardship intern will work out of Portland Fruit Tree Project headquarters in NE Portland, but he or she will also travel throughout Portland for events and site visits. To learn more and apply for this opportunity, view PFTP’s description of the internship position. The internship is unpaid, but is rich with benefits, including experience in volunteer and event coordination, connections in the local agriculture and food movement, and personal pride in having helped so many people across Portland! Internship applications are due on Sunday, March 22^nd.

Don’t have 12 hours per week to spare? You can still get involved with this laudable organization. PFTP holds several events per week throughout the dryer months. From orchard work parties to tool repair workshops to educational series on food preservation, PFTP has something for everyone! Even if your schedule is packed, you can help by offering your fruit trees for harvesting.

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

A sudden cold snap last December damaged many fruit trees in Hood River, The Dalles, and northeastern Oregon. Some parts of the Mid-Columbia area saw temperatures dip below zero. Regional experts say such a damaging freeze hasn’t hit the area since 1955. Trees weren’t prepared for such cold temperatures at that time of year. In just a few days, conditions went from sixty degrees to five degrees or less. This killed many young trees and damaged spur wood. According to the East Oregonian, some growers near Milton-Freewater have already removed trees killed by the cold spell.

As Portland certified arborists, we’d like to dive into the biology behind why this cold snap caused such extensive fruit tree damage. Typical spring freezes damage blossoms. As this thorough chart from the Michigan State University extensions program shows, the extent of freeze damage depends upon bud development stage. At the swollen bud stage, for instance, sweet cherries can withstand 30 minutes of 23-degree temperature without damage. On the other end of the blossom spectrum, sweet cherries in full bloom can take 30 minutes of 29-degree weather without damage. Orchard managers are accustomed to freezing temperatures affecting blossoms themselves, and as such they know how to respond to keep fruit trees healthy and maximize blossoming.

However, last December’s frigid temperatures caused serious damage to fruit trees’ spur wood, which is the short twig on older branches that produces blossoms. Mike Omeg of Omeg orchards has found damage to 1-, 2-, and 3-year-old spur wood. The spur wood connects fruiting buds to the branch. Its connective tissue carries nutrients to the blossoms. By cutting back branch sections, orchard managers can get a visual understanding of freeze damage. Green and white tissue with no browning indicates no damage. However, Omeg and others have found that some spurs are showing browning caused by cold. Brown tissue appears after cells freeze and burst open. The brown tint is caused by sugars and other leaking cellular contents. That brown tissue is dead. Because the spur cells are so important in transporting nutrients to buds, orchard managers are concerned that their trees may not be able to bloom at all if spur damage is extensive.

Omeg recommends that orchard managers modify their pruning program to accommodate this freeze damage. First, he recommends that Hood River and Portland tree services get a sample of every orchard block. By categorizing spur and bud samples from each block of trees as healthy (all white and green tissue), damaged (some brown tissue), or dead (no visible green, almost all brown tissue), managers can make decisions about how to go forward with pruning.

If all the spurs on a branch are dead, that branch is finished. Buds will never grow there again because there is no way for the spurs to transfer nutrients. So it makes sense to cut away dead spur branches. However, this must be balanced with harvest costs. If too many branches are cut away, the orchard will have no way to stay economically viable, as there will be too few cherries to harvest and sell. Additionally, orchard managers must keep a close look out for borer insects and canker disease, which are likely to exploit weakened fruit trees. (This is also a smart thing to inquire after with your own local tree service.)

Portland, OR consumers could be seeing a reduced number of stone fruits (peaches, cherries, and plums) this spring, due to the spur wood damage from December’s cold temperatures. Apples growth could be hampered as well. Industry experts say we should expect 25% less sweet cherry production in the Mid-Columbia area. That could potentially drive up fruit prices.

To protect weakened trees from diseases, Omeg is planning a proactive approach of copper spray application. Copper is an effective spray for preventing many fruit tree diseases. However, overusing copper spray can cause a toxic build-up of copper in the soil. If you’re concerned about the health of your fruit trees, give us a call. Our professional arborists will be happy to visit your property and recommend effective solutions.

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

Driving around the Rose City, it’s easy to surmise that construction is up. According to Barry and Associates, 9,300 apartments have been built in the Portland area since 2013. And more than 20,000 more units have been proposed or are currently under construction. Any thriving urban landscape is perpetually changing, and Portland’s new edifices bode well for our city’s economic health. But how does all this construction affect city trees?

Salem residents are asking that question about parking lot construction at the Salem Hospital. Neighbors say the hospital is violating Land Use requirements for a scaled-back parking lot. Their concern stems from the hospital’s action of clearing an 8 ½ acre property, and cutting down 32 trees in the process. Protective orange netting has been placed around remaining trees, but much of the netting is placed within the trees’ drip zones and critical root zones. That means heavy equipment is rolling over the trees roots, potentially causing lasting damage.

To appreciate why this is problematic, let’s dive into a bit of arboreal biology. Picture a tree like a wine glass; the cup is the branches and leaves, while the foot of the wine glass represents the tree’s drip line—where the branches drop water into the underlying soil. Meanwhile, the tree’s roots can extend far beyond the drip line. An older tree’s critical root radius may be double that of its drip line radius.

When heavy equipment is parked or driven over critical root zones, underlying soil is compacted, and air, moisture, and nutrients are less able to reach the tree’s roots. Some species are more sensitive to root compaction than others. White pines are very sensitive to this problem, while river birches are more tolerant.

This is only one of several ways that construction work can damage trees.

Construction: Negative Impacts on Trees

• Root cutting may occur when excavators rip through the soil within a tree’s critical root radius.
• Soil compaction can stem from heavy construction equipment and supplies being piled beneath trees’ drip zones. Compacted soils pose other threats; for one thing, compacted soil cannot absorb as much water, and will be far more prone to flooding.
• Smothering roots by adding more soil can cause the tree equivalent of suffocation. Most of a tree’s nutrient absorption happens within the first foot of soil. Adding as little as an inch or two of extra soil can have a significant negative impact on tree absorption.
• Trunk and crown injuries may happen when construction equipment tears up bark or branches.
• Removal of surrounding trees may leave standing trees more vulnerable to sun, wind, and ice damage.

As Portland arborists, we know how much Portlanders love their trees! If you’re a homeowner who’s planning a remodel, have no fear. Our Portland certified arborists are happy to visit your site and provide professional recommendations on how to best protect beloved trees. When seeking to protect trees against construction, Portland tree services (including Urban Forest Pros) would recommend taking the following steps:

1. Plan with a professional arborist. Discuss suggested grade changes (which could suffocate roots), trenches (which could sever roots) and routes for construction machinery (which could compact soil).
2. Boost tree health prior to construction. The healthier that your trees are before construction stress, the more likely they are to survive remodeling work. Work with your arborist to improve soil health and fertilize as needed.
3. Require contractors to install barriers around trees that will be preserved. Team up with your arborist to ensure that these barriers are properly placed at or beyond the drip line, to protect trees’ roots. To add bite to your bark, include fines for violating tree barriers in your written construction specs. Include similar language and priorities when working with any landscaping crews once construction is complete.
4. Layer wood bark mulch over root zones that cannot be included within protective barriers. Six to twelve inches of mulch can help minimize compaction. Note: Be sure to remove mulch as soon as possible, as it can limit tree nutrient uptake if left in place too long.
5. Keep an eye on tree health during construction. Regularly visit the construction site to see that trees are doing well. Consistently water the protected root zones of your trees during construction to avoid water stress. Ongoing observation will allow you to quickly spot any damage, photograph it, and immediately notify the contractor of written agreement violations. During your visits, also check that protective barriers are still in place as originally set.
6. Arrange for post-construction assessment of tree health. After the remodeling project is complete, arrange another visit with your UFP arborist. He or she can spot any new damage and provide treatment to keep your trees healthy.

The City of Portland has legislation in place to protect trees and other landscaping during commercial construction. Homeowners can review those guidelines for additional construction recommendations. Finally, we’re always happy to provide information on protecting trees from construction—just call us!

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

Join us this Saturday for a winter fruit tree pruning workshop with Urban Forest Pro’s certified Jeff M. Hosted by Portland Fruit Tree Project (PFTP), this workshop is complimentary for homeowners who have fruit trees registered with PFTP, and just $25 for all others. It will be held in the Collins View neighborhood of Portland.

Workshop instructor Jeff M is our Head of Sales and Career Development. He began learning the tree trade as a sapling, under the tutelage of his father. Jeff kick started his first tree service firm in Colorado seventeen years ago. In 2000, he moved to the Portland area and founded Urban Forest Pro. Today, he is an ISA-certified arborist with more than 24 years of experience in all things arboriculture, including Portland tree pruning service. He trains new arborists and emphasizes the importance of education for Urban Forest Pro’s arborists and customers. Jeff is thrilled to be sharing his expertise on winter tree service!

Portland workshop participants can expect the following agenda for our workshop:

• 9:45-10:00am – Attendees arrive, create nametags, and receive an informational packet.
• 10:00am – Welcome from Portland Fruit Tree Project’s Jake Reynolds. Jake will introduce the instructor and participants. He will also provide an overview of Portland Fruit Tree Project’s offerings.
• 10:15am – 11:15am – Jeff presents in-depth information on proper winter pruning for fruit trees.
• 11:15am – 11:35am — Hands-on learning begins! Workshop attendees will put their newly acquired knowledge to work, first by taping potential cuts. The group will then review suggested cuts according to the information Jeff provided. Finally, the participants will start pruning trees.
• 12:35pm – Site clean up begins. Jeff distributes workshop surveys to participants.
• 12:50pm – Jake leads reflection circle and wrap-up.
• 1:00pm – Workshop concludes.

Those who sign up for this workshop can expect to walk away with a basic vocabulary of tree pruning terms. They’ll learn how heading cuts differ from thinning cuts, as well as why apical (terminal) buds grow more robustly than lateral buds. Water spouts, suckers, and other growth to remove will be covered in this workshop, as will the “3 Ds” of pruning (removing diseased, dead/dying, and disoriented branches first). Finally, the basic why, when, and how of fruit tree pruning will be discussed.

Anyone with fruit trees on their property would be wise to attend this workshop. For those who are unable to participate, stay tuned to this blog for pruning information, and check out the articles we’ve already posted on Portland Winter Tree Care and Why Winter Pruning is Best for Fruit Trees.

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

Homeowners who arrange for Portland tree services are often shocked by standard instructions to keep kids and pets inside, to prevent potentially hazardous chemical exposure. Why spray something on a beloved tree that could harm your family? Our Portland ISA-certified arborists wondered the same thing. After years of experience identifying tree pests and using a variety of products, our certified arborists knew that organic pest control techniques often work best for ridding Portland trees of unhealthy pests. So we’ve recently updated our pest control methods for trees. Let’s take a look at how Urban Forest Pro tackles tree pests.

Urban Forest Pro’s State of the Art Tree Pest Control Techniques

Go Organic First. Our policy is to prioritize organic pest control methods first. Not doing organic approaches tend to be more affordable, but they’re also as or more effective than standard pest sprays. We only stray from organic or natural pest control when the pests in question aren’t responding to this treatment, when our experience indicates such an outcome, or when the tree we’re reviewing is too widely infested to rely on organic approaches.

Avoid the Need to Protect Property by Avoiding Sprays. Trunk injections are favored by our certified arborists. Portland families receive immunizations through needles, and trees can too, via trunk injection. We’ve selected tree injection products that are pre-packaged, so there’s no need mix on site, and there’s no danger of spills. The problematic side effects of spraying—dragging a hose through the yard, damaging other plants; potentially coating lawn furniture and toys with spray; tainting pools; exposing family members to chemicals—are eliminated with trunk injection. Unlike traditional organic tree spraying methods, trunk injections provide a safer and more targeted alternative.

Increased Dispersal in Five Minutes, with No Drilling Damage. Trunk treatments were previously delivered via holes drilled into the trunk. Not only could this method cause permanent damage to the tree, but it also proved to be ineffective because the treatment was often placed in the wrong area, the inner rings. You see, trees’ circulatory systems move nutrients through the outer layers of tissue. If the pesticide or preventative solution is placed too deep, at the inner heartwood, it will stay there and not move throughout the tree. Advanced injection systems, such as those used by Urban Forest Pros, deliver treatment to the outer layers, where the tree’s circulation naturally distributes it throughout the organism. Even very tall trees can be treated in just five minutes with this method, and there’s often no need for repeat treatments.

Tree injections work great for conifers, palms, and more.

Regardless of which of your trees is suffering pest infestation, our knowledgeable arborists have the experience to recommend effective solutions. Call us today to arrange a visit for more information.

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