Most residents treat the terms tree trimming and pruning as one and the same. Tree service workers, though, treat them as separate albeit similar terms. The difference lies in the reason for shortening and removing branches. 

What Is Tree Pruning?

Tree pruning entails removing dead, dying, or diseased branches. Arborists do this to promote healthy growth and to prevent dead branches from collapsing under their own weight and causing massive property damage or bodily injury.

This isn’t to be confused with tree removal,  which includes the organized removal of oversized branches. Professionals recommend pruning and removal of decayed branches as they’re at risk of a sudden collapse. Our emergency tree service often removes branches that broke off because they were not pruned when needed. Continue Reading →

Do you have an existing tree resting on a slope? Are you contemplating about adding a tree, but the property rests on a hill? Is it feasible to plant a tree on a slope? Learn of the complications and the viability of maintaining trees on a slope.

The Challenges

Slopes naturally pose some issues for trees. One problem is that a slope creates a microclimate where the root has difficulty absorbing water. Essentially, water trickles off the slope before the root and soil are able to absorb the moisture.

Furthermore, trees already taxed from being on a slope have a harder time competing for nutrients with other foliage nearby. This includes plants, shrubbery, and groundcovers, all of which have shallower roots and more quickly consume the nutrients than deeper-rooted trees. Continue Reading →

Thick bark is a sign of good tree health. Should you be concerned, though, when you see bark falling off of tree? Is the tree ill? Is it shedding its “skin” much like reptiles do? We’ll discuss the reasons behind trees shedding their bark.

Why Does a Tree Lose Its Bark?

Some tree species, such as pine, maple, ash, and oak, grow from the inside out. As new bark is produced, it pushes the old bark out.

As long as you see fresh bark in place of the fallen ones, then the tree is healthy. However, a tree may be in dire health if it’s accompanied by these symptoms:

Continue Reading →

You may see white tree fuzz manifest on your tree. Some people think it’s snow, but it isn’t. The Lake Stevens area doesn’t even see a whole lot of snowfall. The fuzz is common in fir and evergreen trees and appears on the branches and pine needles. Find out what the fuzz is and if it’s cause for alarm.

Why the Tree Has a White Fuzz

Many people think the cotton-like fuzz is a type of fungus. It’s not a fungus. To the surprise of many, it’s actually an insect known as the hemlock woolly adelgid. Sadly, this isn’t one of those beneficial pollinators or bugs that eat the destructive pests. This bug is problematic, and you need to inform emergency tree service. Continue Reading →

Fun fact: trees hibernate

Trees go into hibernation the way bears do. This is known as tree dormancy. With winter here, the tree on your property is likely in dormancy right now. We’ll explain this annual process and some tree maintenance you can do to assist in the tree’s health while it’s “asleep.”

How Tree Dormancy Works

Some animals survive in the winter by being more physically active and consuming more food. Others, such as bears, skunks, and snakes, go into a season-long hibernation to conserve energy and slow their metabolism. Trees hibernate for the same reason. This explains why some trees (mainly deciduous species) shed their leaves—leaves need energy to remain green and vibrant. Continue Reading →

Do you know if a tree on your property is dead or on the verge of death? If you verified the tree is beyond salvaging, then you need to start the dead tree removal process ASAP. We’ll explain why a fast removal is required and why a dead tree is a safety risk.

Why Dead Tree Removal in Marysville Is Necessary

An adult mature oak tree weighs around 4,400 pounds. If it were to fall over, it could do significant damage to property and even cause bodily injury. It should be noted that most homeowner’s insurance doesn’t cover damage from toppled trees. Such a scenario is considered negligence on the homeowner’s end for failing to remove the tree.

It’s a fact that dead trees are more susceptible to collapsing. This is because the roots stop transporting nutrients to the trunk, vastly weakening the wood. Dead trees may give way during a storm or even collapse from being unable to support its own weight.

Continue Reading →

As a tree removal company, we’re confident that we know a thing or two about Christmas tree care. Since it’s December, we felt it appropriate to share with you some ideas on keeping the tree healthy. This ensures a robust tree that maintains its vitality all December long.

Christmas Tree Care Tips from the Experts

Fir Trees Require a LOT of Water

The tree stand’s basin should be filled with freshwater that’s replenished every 24 hours. The basin should contain one quart of water for every inch of tree diameter. You can improve the tree’s water absorption by drilling a few half-inch holes on the side of the trunk below the water level.

Some tree maintenance services suggest placing some sugar in the water. This will act as a form of artificial sap for the tree to feed on. From our experience, adding sugar doesn’t make a significant difference, though it doesn’t hurt either. Feel free to try it, though plain water works just fine. Continue Reading →

Nutrient beds are a fairly novel concept that’s getting tons of traction in the landscaping community. They are an organic method for immensely improving tree health. We like to think of nutrient beds as mulching 2.0. You’ll know why after reading this post.

Nutrient Beds Explained

Nutrient beds are an organic form of tree maintenance. The beds are comprised of mulching that closely mimics the material found in a natural forest floor. This helps trees survive by holding onto vital nutrients and improving moisture retention.

Often, when we remove a tree, we find it to be in dying health. This is partly due to malnourishment from inadequate mulching. Continue Reading →

Some homeowners like the look of moss. They believe it adds a natural and “outdoorsy” appearance to the lawn. Moss also grows on trees. Is this harmless or a liability for the tree? We’ll give our professional opinion about tree moss dangers and outline whether moss growth is a cause for concern.

Moss Impacts Tree Growth

The Pacific Northwest is quite humid, providing the ideal environment for moss proliferation. Moss in itself is rather harmless. When it grows on a tree, though, it places undue stress on the branches. Moss also absorbs water like a sponge, adding excess weight.

With the added stress, branches are more prone to snapping during heavy storms or high winds. When our emergency tree service tends to broken branches, it’s not unusual for us to find moss covering the branch surface. Continue Reading →

Trees can become ill just like people and animals. Bleeding cankers is one common disease that inflicts Pacific Northwestern trees. Every now and then, our tree removal service spots bleeding cankers on a dead or decaying tree. We inform you about the disease and how to spot the symptoms.

What Are Bleeding Cankers?

Bleeding cankers are a type of tree disease that manifests as lesions that ooze fluid through the bark. The disease is caused by a number of factors, such as bacterial and fungal growth, or tree wounds from burrowing pests or improper pruning. Chestnut trees are especially prone to bleeding cankers, with the lesion usually appearing around the trunk’s base. Willow, beech, maple, and oak trees are also vulnerable to cankers. Continue Reading →