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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

Rachel Carson’s 1962 landmark work Silent Spring spurred a whole generation to take action against DDT pesticides. In that book, Carson showed how careless, widespread pesticide use killed insects and the species that ate them, including many songbirds. Carson also connected pesticides to many cancers. Today, millions of bees die each year. While their demise is still puzzling, many scientists believe a new class of pesticides, neonicotinoids, is driving the bee holocaust.

The Declining Health of Pollinators
Since 2006, beekeepers have reported massive bee die-offs, formally termed Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD). For the last decade, many beekeepers report losing 30% or more of their hive populations annually. The winter of 2012 was especially harmful for bees; many keepers lost 40%-50% of their hives. While a federal report found that fewer bee deaths occurred in the winter of 2013 compared to the previous winter, the overall picture for bee health is still grim.

How Declining Pollinator Health Impacts Trees and Agriculture in General
Bees are one of the globe’s top pollinators. According to the USDA, one third of all American agriculture is dependent on pollination, and certain crops are heavily dependent on bees in particular. Without bees around to pollinate, we could be facing a serious food shortage (not to mention an ugly planet).

Many trees depend on pollinators to take pollen from one blossom to another, thereby transferring genetic material. While some trees can self-pollinate, many cannot. Apples, pears, almonds, and dozens of other crops require cross-pollination to produce fruit.

During spring blooms, orchards depend on bees and other pollinators to facilitate pollen distribution, which is a precursor to fruit development. Without adequate pollination, fruit may be tiny, deformed, and sluggish to ripen, if present at all. To date, only the most pollinator-dependent crops have suffered damage due to bee shortages. In 2012, for instance, California’s almond farmers scrambled to find the 1.6 million bee colonies needed to pollinate the state’s 800,000 acres of almond orchards.

Recently, over 100 businesses sent a letter to the White House calling for the EPA to suspend neonicotinoids, a type of pesticides that more than 30 studies have linked to bee death. Neonicotinoids, or “neonics,” are the most commonly used pesticides across the globe. As research has revealed, neonics cause short- and long-term memory loss in bees; they can even cause bees to forget what food smells like. These businesses, many of which are food manufacturers, wrote to express their deep concern “about the continued and unsustainable loss of bees and other essential pollinator populations.” The letter continues to explain, “Bee losses have a ripple effect across the entire economy, and in many cases, affect our bottom line.”

Scientists are quick to highlight the fact that these bee deaths likely have multiple causes, including bee pathogens and mites. However, some etymologists have hypothesized that neonics weaken bees’ immune systems, allowing diseases to take root.

What’s Being Done about Declining Pollinator Health

Europe has already banned neonics, and some American cities are following suit. Last February, Eugene became the first city in the nation to ban the use of neonicotinoids. Spokane has also banned the pesticides. The National Fish and Wildlife Service is phasing out neonic use in its parks. Lastly, the Oregon Department of Agriculture has put temporary restrictions on the use of certain neonicotinoid chemicals. As tree lovers, we believe more awareness is required to protect pollinators across the country.

How you Can Help Protect Pollinators
—Always select the least toxic pesticide. The Portland arborists at Urban Forest Pros can help you decide on which pesticide will do the least amount of harm while still shielding your trees from pests.
—Advocate for bee health by talking to friends and family about this important topic. For instance, while chatting about a recent order for tree service, Portland homeowners can mention their love for bees, and the connections between bee health and neonic pesticides.
—Sign up for volunteer opportunities to help spread the word and to provide homes for bees. The Portland-based non-profit Xerces Society has excellent resources for concerned citizens.
–Vote for politicians who have made pollinator health a top priority.
–Plant trees that attract honeybees, such as maples, oaks, sumacs, and California laurels.
–Consider keeping bees yourself. Portland is home to dozens of bee events, non-profits, and commercial bee keeping supply companies.

To learn about which bee-attracting trees would be appropriate for your yard, give us a call. We would be delighted to provide information on which species would thrive in your location.

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

It’s a new year, and many of us are thinking about how to take better care of our families and ourselves. But what about our trees? As Portland certified arborists, and tree lovers at heart, we’re here to suggest ways to take exceptional care of your trees in 2015.

Taking Care of Your Own Trees

Whether or not you consider yourself a tree-hugger, there’s no denying that trees are beneficial additions to any property. Like all mature landscaping, trees drive up property value. According to the Council of Tree and Landscape Appraisers, a mature tree can be worth $1,000 to $10,000. Likewise, the USDA Forest service reports that property value is driven up by an average of 10% when healthy, mature trees are present. Moreover, the US Department of Agriculture has determined that a young, healthy tree provides cooling power that “equivalent to ten room-size air conditioners operating 20 hours per day.” The visual beauty of trees also helps families de-stress.

Considering how much trees do for your family, it’s natural to want to take care of them in turn. Here are a few resolutions for taking care of trees on your property in 2015.

Portland Certified Arborists on How to Care for Your Trees in 2015

1. Create an Annual Tree Care Plan. Master gardeners appreciate the importance of planning. During the soggy moths of late winter, they relish putting together a landscape plan for the entire year. Start brainstorming about which tree care tasks you will tackle during each season. Oregon State University’s Extension Service has an excellent online resource for gardening tasks to do during each month of the year.

If it’s been a while since you tackled landscaping tasks, consider a design consultation. Urban Forest Pro’s founder has an exceptional eye for design, and positive, enduring relationships with dozens of local landscaping professionals. He is happy to put his talents to work designing a stunning landscape for your yard.

2. Sign up for Professional Winter Tree Care.

While trees are dormant in the winter months, this is an important time for tree care. As we covered in last month’s blog post, winter tree care tasks include assessing for winter damage, discovering rot and other tree health problems, and checking soil quality. Our winter Portland tree service includes all of these tasks. Our certified arborists can give you a big-picture understanding of your trees’ health, so that you can arrange for their continued wellbeing throughout the year.

3. Sign up for Professional Pruning. Because poorly done pruning can harm or even kill trees, we recommend that homeowners arrange for professional tree pruning services. Our Portland tree service experts can visit your home several times throughout the year, as various species are most ready to be pruned. For instance, spring-blooming trees and shrubs should be pruned once spring blossoms have faded.

4. Plant a New Tree. A new tree will add value to your property while bringing enjoyment to the whole family. Particularly if you’ve recently lost a mature tree, 2015 is a great year for planting new trees. Our arborists are happy to provide suggestions for your yard based on soil condition, sunlight and water patterns, and characteristics of mature species. Friends of Trees is one of our favorite local non-profit organizations; they source and plant affordable trees for Portland residents. Since 1989, Friends of Trees has planted 450,000 trees in Portland, Vancouver, and Eugene.

5. Be Picky About Pesticides.
Tree pesticide sprays have been blamed for poisoning cases across Oregon. Some tree pesticide sprays have been linked to bee colony collapse. While tree health sometimes demands the use of pesticides, responsible homeowners go organic as often as possible. Call our expert arborists for insight into which pesticide will best treat your trees while causing the least amount of harm to the surrounding ecosystem.

Taking Care of Trees Across the State

We couldn’t survive without trees. They breathe out the oxygen that we breathe in. They provide shelter and dozens of resources that we use daily. And they beautify our world. This year, show Oregon’s trees some love by working toward these resolutions:

1. Take Advantage of Hoyt Arboretum.
Portlanders are fortunate to have access to a world-class arboretum within city limits. Hoyt Arboretum is spread across 189 acres in the West Hills. The arboretum offers educational classes and volunteer opportunities throughout the year. This year, make a point to take at least one class, or volunteer at least once at Hoyt Arboretum. As an example, the Saturday Crew volunteer program works to remove invasive species, maintain trails, and more.

2. Volunteer with Friends of Trees.

Friends of Trees could not do their important work without the assistance of hundreds of volunteers. You can sign up to help with tree plantings on Saturdays or Wednesdays. Alternatively, you can assist with driving or biking trees and materials on tree planting days.

3. Volunteer with the Portland Fruit Tree Project.
The Portland Fruit Tree Project harvests fruit from urban trees, and redistributes city-grown fruit to those in need. In 2013, the Portland Fruit Tree Project harvested 32,700 pounds of fruit for more than 4,112 families in need. Sound like a neat volunteer opportunity? It is. You can volunteer as a Tree Scout, finding fruit trees that are not currently being harvested. Alternatively, you can help harvest fruit, teach workshops, or assist with tree care.

4. Sign up for Oregon Wild’s 50 Hikes Challenge.
Oregon’s trees are truly phenomenal. To fully appreciate our state’s trees this year, we recommend signing up for Oregon Wild’s 50 Hikes Challenge. The goal is to hike in as many of the fifty Oregon wilderness areas listed on Oregon Wild’s website. Oregon Wild Members can earn loot for completing as few as ten hikes. Plus, you’ll have incentive to take in some amazing trees across our great state.

With these tree care resolutions on your horizon, 2015 will be a great year!

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

As Portland certified arborists, we start looking for signs of spring after the winter holidays have passed. Even in January, smack

dab in the middle of winter, you can find clues that spring is on its way. Buds on many deciduous plants are swelling, storing energy for upcoming blossoms. Witch hazel is blooming, as are some plum trees. And dry days allow gardeners to get outside and plan for the approaching growing season. January is also the perfect time to check for tree damage. Read on to learn tasks Portland homeowners can do to keep their trees healthy this month.

In January, the lack of leaves facilitates tree checkups. Checking the health of your trees during the winter is extremely important. To assess tree health, choose a dry day to walk around and examine trees from every angle. Winter conditions can lead to tree damage. Frost cracking damage can occur on the trees’ southwest side, where winter sunlight causes wide temperature swings. Early winter frosts can kill autumn growth; frost ice crystals burst cell walls at the tips of branches. Dry, cold conditions can cause winter drought, in which the tree cannot pull enough moisture from the frozen ground. Rodents desperate for food at this time of year may chew on bark or cones. And of course, branches may break in high winds, ice storms, and snow. Protecting your fruit trees is also important. Winter tree spraying in Portland is a great way to protect your fruit trees from being vulnerable to insects and diseases.

How to Protect Trees From Winter

Here’s how homeowners can protect their trees in winter, they can start with having a tree assessment done by an Urban Forest certified arborist. Also, homeowners can conduct a preliminary appraisal of tree health by walking their properties and checking for:

1. Consistent Bark texture and coloration. Bumps, growths, dark spots, sap trails, and white or yellow tinges can all signify tree sickness. Peeling bark may indicate an underlying dead layer of tissue, and is a sign that you should contact a certified arborist for assistance.
2. Decay fungus. Have you noticed circular fungi growing outward on your trees? This formation is called a conch; it is a woody mushroom that signifies that there is decay inside the tree. You may also find decay fungi growing on the ground immediately below a tree. In either case, call us. Our arborists can track down the decay and suggest appropriate responses.
3. Strong Joints. A tree joint is the place where a branch meets the trunk. Keep an eye out for cracks in the joints; weakness in joints often precipitates falling limbs. This is especially key for multiple-stem trees with more than one leader. A narrow angle of connection between adjacent branches, with a crack extending below the joint, is especially indicative of a weak joint. It’s better to take care of any joint weaknesses early, so that you still have the option to thin the tree or add a support cable (rather than cut the whole tree down because it is so unstable and likely to fall in a storm).
4. Sprouts. If a tree is in distress, it will often put out new sprouts at the trunk base, or from wounds. An arborist should be called in to detect what is stressing a sprouting tree.
5. Cracks and Splits anywhere in a tree suggest weakness. Moreover, these indentations allow moisture into the tree, which can eventually lead to rot.
6. Dead branches, which could come crashing down in high winds and otherwise stormy conditions.

Once your assessment is done, consider adding mulch as protection. Create a ring of wood chips, at a depth of 2-4 inches, extending in a two foot radius away from the base of the tree, leaving a slight mulch-free gap around the trunk. Mulch helps prevent soil compaction and root suffocation.

We do not recommend that homeowners attempt to prune trees at this time of year. While we understand your desire to clean up after storms, improper pruning can cause significant damage. As Paul Ries, Oregon Department of Forestry urban forester explains, “It’s often the case that more trees become damaged as a result of improper post-storm activities, than were damaged directly by a storm.” Correct pruning can improve tree health; incorrect pruning breeds tree disease. Contact a professional for any pruning concerns you may have. As trees are dormant in the winter month, pruning can be accomplished effectively, and with minimal damage to surrounding plants (which are also dormant).

January is also part of planting season, although most gardeners will be spending this time planning for the spring. Before tree planting, Portland residents should:

• Consider space availability. Ensure enough room for the mature tree’s crown and root system.
• Check for overhead hazards, such as utility lines. Also double check that the tree won’t be growing downward into underground obstructions.
• Note surrounding soil conditions. Different tree species will prefer sandy, clay-heavy, or well-drained soils.
• Think about Water Availability. Will there be enough water to keep the tree healthy? Think about how you will water the tree if the spot you’ve chosen doesn’t stay moist naturally.
• Select Species According to your Goals. What functions should the tree provide? Are you looking for shade, wind protection, or an enchanting scent? Your preferences will be the main factors in tree selection.

Contact the Experts of Winter Tree Care in Portland

If you’re considering planting a new tree, or you’re concerned that your tree may be sick, contact your local Portland arborists for expert advice. Look for experienced, established professionals. Oftentimes, “doorknockers,” who go from door to door peddling tree services, lack knowledge on proper tree care. Such inexperienced, unlicensed, and uninsured Portland tree services may actually cause serious damage to your trees, through “topping” and other careless pruning approaches. At Urban Forest Pro, our arborists are fully certified and insured. We know that your trees are important to you, and also checking the health of your trees during the winter. We use the best equipment and materials in order to ensure that our job is professional and reliable. At Urban Forest Pro, you can be positive that you are truly in the hands of a qualified expert. Call us today for Portland tree services.

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

Happy New Year and best of luck to you in 2015 from Urban Forest Pros! Each ISA-certified arborist within our ranks is thrilled to help create a greener urban environment. To show our gratitude to the Portland community, we wrapped up 2014 with a donation of 100 native trees to Friends of Trees. This is our way of saying thank you to our Portland tree service customers.

For those who aren’t familiar with Friends of Trees, we’d like to introduce this exceptional organization. The mission of this Portland- and Eugene-based non-profit is to bring people together to plant new trees and care for the green spaces that we all share. Friends of Trees was founded in 1989 and since them they have planted nearly a half million trees and native plants as a 501C3 nonprofit.

Through Friends of Trees’ Neighborhood Trees program, homeowners can purchase discounted trees to plant in their neighborhoods. Friends of Trees also maintains a Green Space Initiative, in which crew leaders guide volunteers at weekend planting events. The aim of these weekend planting events is to restore urban green spaces. Every Portland arborist we know lights up when Friends of Trees is mentioned. Their Portland tree planting signs are well known to Rose City residents.

The 100 native trees we donated are planted at the Collins Sanctuary. Located next to Forest Park, the Collins Sanctuary is owned by Metro and maintained by the Audubon Society of Portland. Friends of Trees as planted more than 5,600 native shrubs and trees in the sanctuary over the last five years.

Donate and Help. Once again, happy holidays from all of us at Urban Forest Pros! We wish you and yours a peaceful and productive 2015. If you are interested in learning more about Friends of Trees, or helping them with a donation of money or time, you can visit them online at FriendsOfTrees.org. You may also purchase tree planting gifts through Friends of Trees’ gift tree dedication program.

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

When to Do It & What to Do With Extra Fruit

In this article we discuss why December and January are the ideal months for fruit tree pruning. Read on for fruit tree-pruning tips, including whom to contact for tree pruning services. We also discuss a common conundrum for fruit tree owners: What to do with extra fruit.

Why Prune Fruit Trees in the Winter? Annual pruning is important for all fruit trees. Winter is the best season for pruning fruit trees, because this is when they are dormant. During the cold months, the plant is in an inactive state, storing up energy for the following growth cycle. Energy gathered from summer sunlight is stored in the tree’s roots. At the end of the branches, new buds are starting to form for the next growth and fruiting cycle. Winter is well suited for training branches to grow into the shape of your choice; removing water sprouts (branches growing straight up); and eliminating crossed branches.

DIY Fruit Tree Pruning Tips. You may have heard that tree trimming is best left to professionals. This is generally true, but as Portland tree pruning experts, we consider fruit tree pruning accessible for most homeowners.

Safety First. Of course, you should always prioritize safety first when pruning. Working at height is rife with fall hazards. Assuming you’re following safety precautions, it’s empowering to learn how to properly prune and train your fruit trees.

Here are some useful fruit tree pruning tips for those in the DIY crowd:

1. Use the Right Tools. Of course, pruning requires a set of decent pruning shears, as well as a sharpening stone to keep the blade sharp. You may also want a quality pair of two-handed loppers (AKA brush cutters), and a pruning saw. Expect to pay between $100 and $250 in total for these three items. Additionally, you might need to purchase a pruning ladder to access upper branches.
2. Understand the Basics of Pruning. Hormones dictate plant growth, so understanding the flow and cycle of these hormones is paramount to understanding how your cuts will affect plant growth down the road. With experience, you’ll get a feel for the art and science of pruning, as you anticipate how the tree reacts to your cuts. This is the expertise that our certified arborists have spent decades honing. The basics, for beginners to keep in mind, follow.

You’ll definitely want to prune away diseased and dying branches. Crossed limbs should also be removed. Next, cut away water sprouts and suckers, which grow near the base of the trunk, from the roots, or at the top of the tree. Finally, imagine throwing a cat through the tree. It may sound crazy, but this visual is a good rule of thumb to remember how much to prune away. You can also visualize where you want the tree to look like in five years, and remove branches that don’t fit that vision. Such pruning will help to open the center of the tree to improve air circulation and sunlight absorption.

Proper Portland tree pruning is all about cutting into the branch in a purposeful way. Avoid cutting into the branch collar, a swollen, wrinkled area that forms where the branch and trunk meet. This is where the tree heals from a cut. To prevent heavy branches from breaking (and inviting disease) use three cuts: 
a) Place the blade about an inch above the branch collar on the underside of the branch you wish to remove.
b) Cut all the way across the branch, cutting from the topside of the branch down, with the blade just beyond the first cut you made.
c) Finally, cut away the nub, slicing off the section remaining above the branch collar.

3. Know your limits. Even with a good pruning ladder (the three-legged variety), pruning at the top of the ladder can be scary, risky, and downright dangerous. Don’t exceed your limits. If the situation feels unsafe, than it’s probably best to call a licensed and bonded professional who carries their own insurance.

What to do with Extra Fruit. Excess fruit can be a hassle to deal with. If you simply cannot use or harvest all the fruit your tree produces, there is a solution: the Portland Fruit Tree Project. This inspirational non-profit group registers Portland nut and fruit trees, harvests their crops, and distributes the proceeds to those in need. We are happy to help the Portland Fruit Tree Project harvest thousands of pounds of fruits and nuts per year. The Portland Fruit Tree Project also hosts hands-on workshops to teach homeowners about tree care and preservation.

How Urban Forest Pro can Help. We wish you the best of luck as you learn more about winter pruning and fruit tree care in general. If you have any questions, or would like a check up for your fruit trees, we would love to help. Contact us today to schedule a visit from a one of our certified arborists.

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

Recent storms have left many Portland trees in a sad state. High winds and ice storms often break branches, opening the tree to disease. Moreover, maelstroms may knock down entire trees—as one unfortunate cyclist recently learned in downtown Portland, when a tree fell on her. In this post, we take a look at what to do if your trees have suffered storm damage. We also discuss how to spot hazard trees—those that are liable to fall in upcoming inclement weather. Finally, we talk about how to prevent damage in future storms.

Tree Damage and Storms. High winds may damage trees, especially older specimens and those with large crowns. When inspecting trees for damage after a storm, be extremely cautious. Look out for downed power lines—if you see downed wires, stay at least 30 feet away, and notify the power company. Additionally, if a branch is dangling precariously, contact an arborist. Portland ISA certified arborists have the tools and the expertise to safely remove hanging limbs. In addition to post-storm pruning, Urban Forest Pro’s arborists can provide Portland tree removal.

Trees do have a remarkable ability to heal, and some damage is inevitable. For trees with light damage, first aid measures are available. If major limbs or upward leader branches are broken, it will be harder for the tree to respond, and it may not be able to survive. If most of the branches are broken, or the upward leader limb has been severed, it will be very difficult for the tree to respond in positive way, and it will most likely require removal by Portland certified arborists.

Proper Care. The best way to prevent storm damage is to provide proper care throughout the year. Portland tree services can prune away weakened limbs that are likely to fall in a storm. Homeowners can care for their trees through consistent observation. Regularly inspect your trees and identify any dead, damaged, or diseased portions. The growth pattern should also be inspected. Is the tree top-heavy, or does it have a lot of crossing branches? If so, it may need to be thinned so that more light and air can pass through the canopy.

Signs of Hazardous Trees. It’s relatively easy to spot a hazardous tree. Here are a few warning signs to look for.

• Dead limbs should be identified and removed immediately.

• Check for leaning trees. Even without high winds, leaning trees can be a hazard to your home and family.

• You don’t want limbs too close to power lines; six feet is the suggested distance from power lines and buildings. Trust trimming near power lines to professionals. 
Our previous post has more information on how to recognize tree hazards.

Preventing Damage. Pay attention for signs of disease or excessive fungal growth. A diseased tree is more likely to fall in a storm. Additionally, if a tree has been “topped,” it may be susceptible to falling or breakage in high winds. Extremely soggy soil conditions can also have detrimental affects, so you observe this on your property, aim to figure out what is causing the soggy soil in the first place. Our technicians can help you create a healthy environment for your trees, and decrease the chance of storm damage.

Call us. If you are unsure for any reason about the health, vitality, or condition of a damaged tree, please give us a call. We would be happy to schedule a consulting visit, and you can rest assured that you will receive high-quality tree trimming or pruning service by licensed and insured professionals.

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