Helping you care for the Trees

That love you

As more of our native forest lands are converted to other uses, such as crop lands, pastures, mini-malls and subdivisions, we have come to rely on our “urban forest” for the functions that our native forests once supplied. These functions include oxygen production, moderating temperatures in our cities, providing wildlife habitat and reducing stress.

Our urban forests, however, are subject to many stresses and conditions that our native forests never had to put up with. Poor soil conditions, pollution, construction damage and vandalism are just a few of the factors that challenge trees around human habitation.

By practicing proper tree care, arborists can help to reduce the effects of these stressors on our trees, thereby lengthening their lives, reducing the hazards, increasing their beauty and helping trees and people to live together.

In our effort to maintain the tree canopy in our urban and suburban ecosystem, Treecology offers pruning, cabling, removal and replacement, pre-construction consulting, tree selection and planting, and hazard tree assessment.

Pruning

Improper or excessive pruning can leave a tree less aesthetically pleasing, more hazardous or less healthy than when you started.

Cabling

Cabling is the process of connecting two or more branches or limbs together to protect one of them from failure.

Removal & Replacement

Treecology offers help in choosing, preparing and planting your replacement tree at a reduced rate.

Tree Selection & Planting

Trees can have problems if they aren’t in the right environment and once they get their roots down, they can be a pain to move.

As we are always looking for ways to “branch out” in to other tree related areas of endevour, please let us know if you have any needs. We are currently expanding our knowledge into tree structures and tree climbing instruction.

Pruning

Before we give you the keys to the car by telling you what to prune, a little education is in order on how to make a proper pruning cut. As every pruning cut is a wound to the tree, care must be taken to minimize damage caused by pruning cuts and to minimize their number and size. The proper pruning cuts, made in the right places and at the right time of year can keep your tree beautiful and safe.

Tree Health Problems

With the rise of global commerce and transportation, we have seen a tremendous rise in the number of foreign diseases and insects for which our native and widely used ornamental trees have limited defenses. In addition, these trees have to fend off the problems that they have been dealing with in an increasingly more difficult environment. Pollution, poor soil conditions, improper care are some of the conditions or abiotic (not living) stressors that decrease a tree’s vigor and make it susceptible to the other bugs and diseases in the environment.

Outward symptoms of tree distress can be categorized into three types: insects, diseases and abiotic. By observing patterns of symptoms on the tree, one can determine what type of problem the tree is having and how bad it is for the general health of the tree. It is also important to keep an eye out for foreign invaders that are not yet in our area. Tree pathology is very much like detective work in that one must be very observant and put together clues from many areas to make a determination of the problem.

tree Selection

With a little planning and foresight, the tree you plant today can be the specimen of tomorrow. Proper tree selection can make the difference between an outstanding tree that will increase the value of your property, reduce your heating costs or provide visual appeal and one that will be a nuisance, shade the house too much, “drop stuff,” or need constant maintenance and care.

Performing a site evaluation will enlighten you to what your tree’s home will be, long after you are not around. Evaluations include soil conditions, hardiness zone, light availability, ground cover, air pollution, etc. These factors must be combined with your goals for the tree. Do you want shade, flower, a physical barrier? Do you want a tree that will be fast growing? Do you mind raking leaves? Quality arborists, nurseries and landscapers will be able to walk you through this process if it becomes to involved for you.

So here are some concepts that will allow your tree planting selection to succeed.
Evergreen trees will provide year round shading and wind protection. Deciduous trees will shade in the summer while allowing winter sun to penetrate to warm your house.
How long will it take the tree to get to its mature size? Many fast growing trees have inherently weak wood and branch attachments. These may not be good trees for close to the house. A white oak has incredibly strong wood, but will take several human generations to reach its mature height.
Many tree species have numerous cultivars (cultivated varieties), which have different growth forms, colors, flowering or fruiting tendencies, etc. Red maple (Acer rubra) cultivars range from broad canopies (Autumn Flame, 55’ height by 45’ width) to columnar canopies (Armstrong , 70’ by 15’). Some tree species, such as Japanese maples (Acer palmatum), have so many cultivars that there are nurseries and books devoted exclusively to them. Some cultivars are resistant to common diseases or insects. Some are more tolerant of clay or sandy, acid or alkaline soils. Research the cultivar and find a nursery that can say with certainty that this tree is the cultivar that you want.

Seeds, needles, fruit, leaves, branches. Trees have all of these things and more. Unless you are ready to deal with the sound of rolling thunder as nuts drop in the wind and a hard yet squishy mess in your yard, the majestic and stately black walnut may not be for you. While the deodara cedar is a hearty and impressive conifer, don’t try to maintain a lawn under its baughs. And by all means, don’t plant poplars near the house. They like to drop branches.

Is the mature height of the tree going to interfere with overhead powerlines? Will the mature width of the tree be rubbing up against your house? Your neighbor’s house? Will it tower over or crowd out other trees or shrubs?
Trees need soil, water, light and air in the right combinations to stay healthy. Too much sunlight can cause many small, attractive, flowering trees to become stressed and succumb to pests and diseases. Whereas, planting an apple tree in the afternoon shade may put a damper on apple development. Lawns generally have higher water requirements then many trees can handle, so selecting one that can deal with moist feet will be crucial to its long-term survival.

Tree Permit Info

Most municipalities in the Portland Metro area have city codes regulating trees. Homeowners are responsible for knowing the requirements regarding tree pruning or removal on their property. The links below can get you started, and we can help with getting any necessary permits completed and submitted.