Tree Care Management

Although forest trees seem to grow quite well with only nature’s pruning, the conditions for the health and growth of trees in a forest are typically far superior than those in our urban or suburban backyards. We are also more concerned for our own safety and sometimes for the appearance of our trees in our backyards.

Whatever the reason for pruning a tree, the practice should be done with an understanding of how the tree responds to each cut. Improper pruning can cause damage that will last for the duration of the tree’s existence. Poor pruning can even hasten the decline or death or our trees.

Each of Truetimber’s employees has been trained in proper pruning technique. The cutting is done in a way that meets the industry standard (ANSI A300 Pruning Standard), and the movement of the arborist within the canopy of the tree is done in a way that minimizes the impact of the process.

But when there is no clear and present danger, the decision to remove a tree can be quite complicated.
Often our clients find that a tree that once looked nice living in close proximity to their house becomes overbearing as it grows and ages. Certain trees have very aggressive root systems that can seek out cracks in hardscapes or foundations and cause damage there. In some cases, animals or insects burrowing into the supporting trunk of a tree may point toward structural weaknesses. Sometimes, achieving a desired aesthetic (more light, better spacing, etc.) requires the removal of perfectly healthy trees.

Stumps are “removed” by grinding the stump into a pile of dirt and wood chips, usually to a depth of 6-8 inches under the existing land grade. Stump pricing varies with stump size, number of stumps and ease of access to stump.

The dirt/woodchip combination can be used as fill dirt or weed control in wooded or natural areas, and most of our clients find a use for it somewhere on their property. Stump grindings are not usually recommended for use around pH sensitive plants.  If there is no suitable use for them on your property, we recommend using a landscape or lawn company to haul away the excess debris.

After years of struggling to determine the most responsible way to use chemicals in the landscape for plant health, we’ve decided at Truetimber to make a big change. Moving forward, we’ve suspended our traditional spray-based Integrated Plant Health Care program and are instead focusing on a more holistic, soil-based approach to plant health that better reflects our values on sustainability and customer service.