Arborist:101

Proper pruning is vital for the development of a tree with a strong structure and desirable form. A tree which receives the appropriate pruning technique when it is a juvenile will require little corrective pruning as it matures. Improper pruning practice could cause damage that lasts the life of a tree. Trees do not heal the way people do. When a tree is wounded, it must grow over and compartmentalize the wound, this wound will stay contained within the tree forever. Each cut has the potential to change the growth of a tree and leave it susceptible to disease, breakage and insects. It is important to note, we must prune with a purpose; to remove dead or diseased wood, provide clearance or improve the structure of a tree. Selecting what and where to prune involves an understanding of basic tree biology, proper tools, and a talented eye. Our Certified Arborists know where to make the proper cut, so your trees remain healthy.

Keeping the soil moist is essential, however, oversaturation can have adverse effects. Water trees at least once a week, or more frequently during hot summer days. A good “rule of thumb” is; when the soil is dry below the surface of the mulch or below the soil surface, it is time to water. Water trees around the drip line (edge) of the tree canopy, not at the base of the trunk, as feeder roots absorb the water and carry it up into the canopy. In turn, over-watering causes leaves to turn yellow, wilt and eventually fall off. Continue the watering schedule until mid-fall, tapering off for lower temperatures that require less frequent watering.

A green lawn can provide many of the same ecological benefits as trees, which is good. We have to pay a bit of extra attention when grass and trees live together. It is essential we make efforts for trees and lawns to grow compatible, it is important to keep in mind that mechanical tools like lawn mowers and weed trimmers are necessary components to lawn care. Improper use of these types of tools around the trunk of trees can cause badly damaged trunks leading to possible disease, insect infestation and general weakness of the tree system, at worst death of a tree is a possibility. Providing distance between the grass and the trunk is a good idea to prevent damage to tree trunks. Creating tree wells with an application of natural mulch not only looks attractive but is also beneficial to prevent damage while maintaining moisture for longer.

It might look appealing to the eye, however, planting flowers and plant material too close to the trunk area of a tree deprives fine feeder roots close to the surface of essential nutrients and moisture. Very rarely do you see any kind of plant material growing around a trunk of a tree in a forest. It is wise to alternatively apply a layer of mulch around the trunk area. Ensure that the mulch is 2 inches away from the trunk to prevent trunk rot.

It is important to pay attention to the trunk and lower branches of your trees. Depending on where you live, your yard is vulnerable to Mice, Voles, Rabbits, Squirrels, Deer and others. They could be marking their territory or looking for food; especially in the winter months, mice for example will burrow under the snow close to a tree and chew the bark, which in turn causes damage to the trunk. Deer will eat young shoots and Rabbits gnaw or nibble on bark. Come spring the tree is forced to compartmentalize that area to protect the rest of the tree from decay, insects etc.

Insect Pests and disease can threaten tree health. Some Pests are beneficial to trees, but many are not. Identifying the symptom early is the first step in understanding the cause. Stress can play a large part in plant health, there are basic elements that influence the health of a tree and are vital; such as sufficient water, light and proper balance of nutrients. If there is too much or too little of these environmental conditions present, plant stress may occur. When you notice a change or abnormality in your trees’ appearance, a careful examination should begin to identify the concern. By doing regular inspections of trees at least once per year, you can reduce or prevent the severity of future insects, diseases or environmental problems.

Many varieties cultivated for their small to medium size apples. They are used primarily to make preserves and apple jelly. Various clusters of flowers in white, pink and red. Ornamental Crab Apples and Flowering Crab Apples are desirable for their large blossoms in spring and contrasting foliage of some varieties. These trees produce small, ornamental fruit which stay on the branches through the winter.

FALLGOLD BLACK ASH

Tolerates a wide range of soil conditions, fast narrow growing habit. Easily managed tree. 12-15m height/9-11m spread

GREEN ASH

Hardy drought tolerant tree, used on the prairies, great shade tree. 15-18m in height/ 10m spread.

MANCHURIAN ASH

Tolerates drought or excess moisture, upright growth pattern with a full dense canopy. 12-15m height/ 6-7m spread

PATMORE GREEN ASH

Fast growing and hardy tree for Calgary and surrounding area. Leafs out early and drops leaves later than other Ash varieties. 15-18m height/10-12m spread

WHITE ASH / BILTMORE ASH / MOUNTAIN ASH

Resists heat, grows rapidly and is adaptable to a wide range of soil and climate conditions. The autumn foliage is spectacular and the tree is widely used for shade in parks and large landscapes. The tree is famous for one of its basic wood products, the baseball bat. 30m height

ASPEN / TREMBLING POPLAR

Bark is smooth at first, greenish-white, becoming rough and dark grey with age, terminal bud is sharp and pointed, all buds are dark brown. Leaf-stems flattened causing fluttering in wind. Widespread throughout Alberta. Up to 30m in height.

SWEDISH COLUMNAR ASPEN

Compact, columnar habit, great as an accent tree or privacy screen. Highly recommended for the prairies. Best if planted in groups.

When it comes to tree planting services in Calgary, an arborist with experience in local tree species is the best place to start. At ARC Arbor, we always recommend to our customers that proper planting of a tree is very essential for its safe, healthy growth. Our arborists will buy trees from local nurseries to make sure that they have been exposed to the climate before planting. We take pride in serving the tree planting needs of both residential and commercial clients in the community.

If you’re confused between what tree to plant and where, consult us at ARC Arbor. Our arborists will work with you closely to discuss your needs and provide you with reliable solutions. We have the expertise to plant trees at the right time and in the right place based on your zone. We will always consider the local soil, climate and landscape, and other conditions that can affect the successful growth of your trees.

Trees that are damaged or unhealthy can be hazardous. Here are the main reasons to remove them from your property:

To protect people: Dead branches can fall and cause serious or fatal injuries. By removing trees with fragile, brittle and damaged limbs, you will help to ensure that yourself and others are safe.

To protect structures: If a tree grows too close to a house, building or other structure, it can damage it. Leaning trees can also cause property damage should the trunk weaken.

To protect infrastructure: Aggressive tree roots can worsen damage to leaking pipes or grow into them and cause clogs, damage driveways and cause other property damage. In some cases, removing the tree is the best way to deal with the issue.

Bylaws: You may also need to remove trees that don’t comply with local bylaws, such as those that pose a risk to pedestrians or that encroach on public spaces and make circulation difficult.

In general, trees that pose a hazard should be removed. Our arborists can help you identify at-risk trees. However, there are a number of things that should prompt you to schedule a tree assessment. This includes signs of the following:

Disease: Dieback in the crown, deep cracks, discoloured and misshapen leaves, fungi and crumbly wood are all signs of an infection. Pests. If you see numerous small holes in the trunk or the tree is unusually popular with woodpeckers, it may be infested with pests. Poor growth. A tree that isn’t growing well should be evaluated, especially if it’s foliage is discoloured or sparse.

Root problems: While hard to spot, root issues will often cause fungi to grow near the tree’s base. Heaving soil is another indicator that the tree should be examined by a professional. Shallow roots are often a problem too.

A decayed or hollow trunk: Deep cracks, splits, large wounds and dead branches can all indicate that a tree is decaying. This makes it vulnerable to weather damage and much more likely to fall. Hollow trees are similarly hazardous.

Structural damage: A tree that suddenly leans to one side has likely suffered some structural damage and could be dangerous.

Epicormic shoots. These small sprouts appear at the base of the tree and indicate serious stress. The tree should be evaluated.

In addition, trees that are under powerlines can sometimes become a problem and may need to be removed. The same is true of trees that encroach too closely on homes and other types of buildings. Large trees should be at least 20 feet away from all structures. Also, you may also want to remove trees that produce a lot of debris or are otherwise hard to maintain.

Tree removal is dangerous and requires expert knowledge and special equipment. Instead of putting yourself at risk, count on our licensed and insured arborists. We’ll remove the tree without causing any damage and even get rid of the stump.

Our arborists provide expert tree removal services in Calgary and the surrounding areas. To determine if your tree needs to be removed, contact us today. ARC Arbor is here to help Reliable tree removal services & stump grinding in Calgary and Area It’s often a good idea to remove trees that are sick, damaged or otherwise hazardous. However, disposing of the stump is just as important. Fortunately, ARC Arbor provides stump grinding services in Calgary and surrounding area.

As the term suggests, stump grinding involves using a grinder to cut down tree stumps to below ground level. This can sometimes involve excavating the stump so that the grinder can remove enough of it. The stump can be ground down to as much as 6 to 8 inches below soil level. Our skilled arborists can also grind down any large roots surrounding the stump.

All that remains after stump grinding are the tree’s roots and some amount of sawdust. The roots will decompose over time and mix with the soil, as will the sawdust. If you want to, you can use the chipped wood as mulch. Our team can apply it to the trees and shrubs on your property once they’re done grinding the stump.

THE PROS

Stump grinding has many advantages over other methods of stump removal. Some of the most important ones include:

It’s affordable. Stump grinding will almost always be more affordable than stump removal. Exceptions include cases where the stump is extremely large or is located in a place where using a stump grinder is awkward or difficult. Stump grinding also becomes pricier when there are multiple stumps to deal with at one time.

It’s safe. While using a stump grinder requires training, the process is still much less hazardous than a complete excavation of the stump and its roots. It’s also much safer than using do-it-yourself chemical products, which leave behind residues that can be hazardous to children and pets.

It’s quick. Grinding a stump down can take as little as 15 minutes. In extreme cases, it’s a matter of a couple of hours. It’s easy. While operating the grinder safely requires training and expertise, the process is much simpler and has fewer steps than removing the stump entirely.

It won’t destroy your yard. Pulling out the stump and its roots will leave a huge hole in your yard that will eventually need to be filled. Chemical removal options are also likely to affect more than the stump. In contrast, grinding leaves your yard level and free of harmful chemical residue.

THE CONS

In some cases, stump grinding may not be the best option. While rare, such instances do come up. They include times when there’s:

A replanting planned. Stump grinding doesn’t really allow for replanting. If you plan on replacing the tree, you might be better off removing the stump entirely.

If the tree was infected with, honey fungus for instance, then removing the stump entirely may be a better option. At the very least, all the sawdust produced when grinding the stump should be removed. Root issues. If continued root growth is unacceptable, removing the stump entirely is sometimes a better option.