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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

Starting in January 2015, most Portland tree removal projects will require a permit, in accordance with the city’s new Title 11 tree legislation.

The Title 11 Tree Plan (or the Citywide Tree Policy Review and Regulatory Improvement Project as it is formally known) was

passed in 2011, but full implementation was postponed until 2015. Title 11 set new guidelines on tree removal and pruning within Portland city limits. Previously, we have discussed timing your tree projects for completion before the new statute takes effect. We’ve also written an in-depth piece on all aspects of the Title 11 Trees rule. This post recaps important points as a friendly reminder to prepare for Title 11 now.

Here is an overview of some of the important changes that are taking place according to Title 11:

Improved Customer Service. An overall higher level of customer service is planned. New city staff members are being hired and a tree-only website is being built.

Focus on Preservation. New tree regulations focus on preservation first, especially for development projects. Developers are being asked to preserve existing trees whenever possible. Guidelines have also been revisited for Heritage Trees.

Clarity and Consolidation of City Regulations. Title 11 (Trees) and Title 33 (Land Use) will be consolidated. Coordination between these agencies will be improved.

Monitoring and Program Review. The new program will include more staff, program inspectors, and monitors that will continue to review policy and regulatory action.

Rules for Removal and Planting. What are the new rules going into effect this January, and how will the average homeowner be affected? The main change is that you will need a permit to remove any tree with a diameter of 12″ or more, and for trees that have been categorized as Heritage Trees. A fee is also required to remove these trees. These new regulations extend backyard trees, street trees, and trees that are from special overlay zones or plan districts. A permit will also be required to prune Heritage Trees.

Learning more. The city of Portland is making an effort to educate the citizens about the benefits of maintaining a healthy urban forest. The urban forest is vital to the lives to the lives of the people of Portland and to the sustainability of the city itself, as our green canopy provides both functional and aesthetic value. The city estimates that for every dollar spent on maintaining a healthy urban forest, we get three of value in return. Property owners play an important role in maintaining the urban forest and are expected to be aware of regulations. Those who do not educate themselves and follow the new guidelines may face fines.

Working with the City. Property owners can request a permit with City of Portland’s Urban Forestry department. The permit cost $35. Owners are requested to mark the tree in question with an orange ribbon, and a city arborist will be by within a week to inspect and (hopefully) approve the removal permit. In some cases, a pruning permit will be issued instead.

There are a number of circumstances that merit removal, namely dead, dying, or dangerous trees. Reasons that do not merit consideration for removal include:
–Excessive tree droppings (leaves, flowers, etc.)
–The tree is too tall and obstructs the view,
–The tree is perceived as making too much shade, and
–Excessive cost of maintenance.
Hazards that can be remedied by pruning will not be approved for removal.

Call Urban Forest Pro. While the city does try to make it easy for the average homeowner to obtain a permit, working with a professional tree service or arborist will speed up the process and is a convenient option. Our arborists will inspect your tree or trees, and apply for the proper permits. If we can’t offer tree removal services, because the tree doesn’t qualify according to new city regulations, we will let you know and suggest alternatives. You can count on us for a professional and timely response. Call us today and we will be glad to take a look at your trees.

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

It’s fall, and seasonal delights abound. Here at Urban Forest Pro, we’re making autumn stellar with wood chip donations. If you’ve ever wondered what happens to all the wood chips from our pruning and Portland tree removal services, now you know. We donate them to farms and events. For instance, Urban Forest Pro was able to provide all of the wood chips for this year’s Sauvie Island Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maze. We are also delighted that the Pumpkin Patch was able to donate these chips to a local farm, Kruger’s Farm Market, who in turn used them to help compost their plant waste materials.

The circle of life continues, and this year we are happy to contribute to this process while helping local communities at the same time. Let’s take a look at how we recycle wood chips, and how they benefit local ecosystems.

Nothing is wasted. When we remove a tree from a residential or commercial property, nothing is wasted. Usable timber is milled into lumber. Chips are used as mulch, and to combat invasive species. They also come in handy for rebuilding native habitats. Moreover, because wood chips are rich in carbon, farmers can use wood chips as a compost base for their compost. Healthy compost requires both carbon and nitrogen. We provide the carbon, in the form of wood chips, and farmers contribute plenty of leafy, nitrogen-rich greens.

Wood chips and nitrogen. It is true that wood chips and sawdust will deplete the soil of nitrogen, especially if mixed into soil that is used to grow nitrogen-hungry plants. But when the opposite occurs—when nitrogen is mixed in along with carbon—the result is a dark, loamy compost that provides many benefits to the soil and to plant health in general.

Compost happens. Compost happens, but it occurs slowly over time, especially in the cold, wet weather that we have here in Portland. It takes time for wood chips to decompose. If sawdust is used, the carbon-to-nitrogen ratio can be as high as 500 to 1. Ideally, the carbon-to-nitrogen ratio should be closer to 25 to 1. One thing farmers can do to facilitate this ratio is to include alfalfa meal. Alfalfa meal contains an almost perfect ratio of carbon to nitrogen and will help balance the soil and stabilize the composting process. Of course, if you have sawdust you can use it as material for walkways for a year while it decomposes. Alternatively, chips may be used as mulch, and then mixed into the ground after 1 to 2 years.

The Sauvie Island Pumpkin Patch Corn Maze 2014. As we mentioned at the onset, this year we were happy to contribute to the composting cycle on a commercial scale. First, we delivered chips that we had on hand from tree trimming to the Sauvie Island Pumpkin Patch. The chips were used for walkways and paths. After the Corn Maze was taken down, the chips and corn hops were collected and delivered to Kruger’s Farm Market, a local farm and market on Sauvie Island. (They also sell produce at several stands around town, including a tent you may have spotted on SE Hawthorne.) Since the chips and the corn material contained plenty of carbon, they were perfect for farmers, who had a lot of green material following the fall harvest. As of now, all that carbon and nitrogen are beginning to intermingle and break down. The result will be very valuable indeed for the farmers—and locavores!—come spring, as plants thrive.

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

Healthy trees receive regular attention from knowledgeable arborists. But how can you tell when you choose an arborist if they’re truly an expert? Pick an inexperienced arborist, and your trees could suffer. Fortunately, there are ways to distinguish the true tree gurus from mere amateurs. In the following paragraphs we discuss how homeowners can find and select skilled arborists. We highlight questions to ask when hiring a professional, suggest which credentials to look for, and offer general tips about referrals and online reviews.

Call an arborist both to benefit from his or her expertise, and to stay safe throughout tree care tasks. Many tasks associated tree and shrub maintenance can be done at ground height, without the need of a ladder. However, if you are unable to access taller branches without the use of a ladder, it is best to call a professional. Working at height requires specialized training and equipment and is risky for the average homeowner because of the large number of variables, such as power lines, chainsaw manipulation, other buildings, etc.

Hiring the wrong contractor can have grave consequences for the health of your trees. Let’s take a look at some of the questions you should be asking arborists before hiring them for a project.

Questions to Ask before you Choose an Arborist in Portland

• Can they provide up to date certification of insurance, as well as a copy of their work contract, or in Oregon, their construction contractor number?
• Do they have recent references? A quality company should be more than willing to provide up-to-date references.
• Will they give you a detailed estimate? This should include information about how long the project will take, the kind of equipment that will be used, as well as information regarding accessing the trees safely.
• What about a professional appearance? You can ask if the company uses spikes (which damages trees), offers “topping” (also harmful to trees), and if personal protection equipment (PPE) is used by all members while on a job site. Finally, ask how the workers will clean up the fallen leaves and branches that are trimmed away.

Credentials. As in all established fields, quality arborists tend to obtain industry certifications. Ask potential arborist contractors if they employ a Certified Tree Care Safety Professional (CTSP). You can also look for endorsements from the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA), and the Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA). For work that needs to be done near the electrical wires, the contractor will need to be an Approved Line-Clearance Arborist.

General tips for Selecting a Certified Arborist

Beware of scammers. Unfortunately, there are plenty of people who pose as tree care professionals, but who are undertrained and/or underinsured. Here are some tips to help you identify true tree care professionals, and steer clear of those who would do a substandard job.

• ANSI A300. Quiz the people you talk to about ANSI A300 standards for tree trimming. See if they know about this.
• Beware the use of certain terms such as “topping,” “lion’s tails,” and “hat racking.” These are often indications of an inexperienced or undereducated tree trimmer.
• Be sure to ask for credentials, verification of insurance, customer recommendations, and a detailed work proposal. If any of these items are lacking, beware!
• If you see differences in bid prices, it might be because a company is underinsured, or is under-experienced in estimating how many cuts—and therefore how much time—it will take to prune correctly. (The correct answer is about 1000; it takes about 1,000 cuts to expertly prune a tree.)
• Ask about permitting required to remove most large trees. Portland has some stringent requirements about this, as well about which trees can be removed. Be careful to double check permitting requirements, especially if your contractor insists that no permit is needed.

Additional 12 Tips for How To Choose An Arborist According to The Arbor Day Foundation

1. Do the research yourself – check your local search results or the phone directory (if you have one) – businesses with listings can indicate some degree of permanence.  Ask friends and neighbors in the area who they used and if they would recommend their work.
2. Beware of door knockers, especially after storms. Reputable companies usually don’t go door-to-door.
3. Find out if the arborist is certified through a local program or the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) – All of Urban Forest Pro’s arborists are ISA Certified! Check for licenses if required in your city.
4. Ask for certificates of insurance, including liability and workman’s compensation coverage. Verify the policy’s current status with the insurance company.
5. Request local references and assess the arborist’s experience and reputation.  Don’t rely solely on online reviews – its very easy to manipulate or gain fake reviews to “appear legit.”
6. Determine if the arborist is a member of reputable organizations.
7. Avoid rushing into bargains or paying in full in advance.
8. Get estimates from multiple arborists without expecting bid matching.
9. Look for an arborist offering a wide range of services, like pruning, fertilizing, cabling/bracing, lightning protection, and pest control.
10. A good arborist recommends tree topping only under specific circumstances, such as saving a damaged tree or for formal settings.
11. A conscientious arborist avoids using climbing spikes on trees meant to remain in the landscape.
12. Beware of arborists eager to remove a living tree; removal should be a last resort.

Your trees are valuable to you and to the urban landscape around you. Don’t take chances with unlicensed, underinsured operators who may not know what they are doing. Hire a professional arborist and rest assured that your trees will thrive under the meticulous care of those who have the know-how to do the job safely and correctly.

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

Unfortunately, certain tree myths lurk in the minds of many homeowners. Today we’re taking a look at some of the most pervasive (but completely untrue) myths about tree care.

Myth #1: Tree Topping Reduces Fall Hazard, while Improving the Health of Struggling Trees.
The Truth: Tree topping is deadly for all trees. Period. In reality, chopping off the top of a tree causes more hazard danger, since new growth is often poorly attached. Moreover, tree topping significantly reduces a tree’s ability to take in energy, making it more susceptible to disease and infestation.

Myth #2: Tree Pruning Always Causes Trees & Bushes to Grow More Vigorously.
The Truth: Tree trimming spurs local growth, but you must also consider that cutting away foliage means that the tree has less ability to photosynthesize, and therefore less capacity to take in energy for all life processes. Effective tree pruning strikes a balance between spurring new growth and maintaining leaf area. Severe/novice trimming can cause serious damage to a tree.

Myth #3: Tree Cavities Should be Filled with Concrete, for Improved Healing.
The Truth: Filling a tree hole with concrete used to be considered wise. The thinking was that filling them with concrete could strengthen weakened trees. However, we now know that this practice causes serious harm. While a filled tree moves with the wind, the concrete column inside stays immobile, causing abrasion. This increases decay and invites disease.

Myth #4: Branches will Always Grow Back, so It Doesn’t Really Matter Where You Cut Them Off.
The Truth: Limbs do not grow back in the same spot. Random, thoughtless pruning can cause permanent damage. Tree trimming is an art and a science that should be left to a professional.

Myth #5: Newly Planted Trees Should Always Be Staked.
The Truth: Staking is a species-by-species consideration. Species that need structural support to stay upright will indeed benefit from stakes. However, you can actually limit strength by staking trees that are able to stand on their own. Staking is necessary in areas of high wind, and when the tree needs help staying upright. Always remove stakes once the tree is strong and established.

Myth #6: Old, Diseased Branches will Come Down on Their Own, So We Don’t Need to Worry About It.
The Truth: Yes, unhealthy branches will eventually fall—but they are a real hazard, as one can never know which storm will cause a limb to come crashing to the ground (or onto your roof, onto your pet, onto your car, etc.). It’s smart to be concerned about the dead branches in your trees. Rather than waiting for tragedy to strike, call an expert arborist to discover whether pruning or tree removal is your best (safest) option.

This is only a handful of the dozens of tree myths in circulation today. Rather than depending on the old wives tales you hear about trees, it’s best to contact a professional arborist with your questions. Call Urban Forest Pro today if your trees look sick. Trees are complex; their care demands education and expertise. Don’t trust the rumors you hear about tree health. Contact a professional arborist for reliable, accurate information.

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