FAQs

Welcome to our FAQ’s page. Some of the questions and answers below have been re-printed here with permission from the International Association of Arborists. Others reflect our input as well. Canyon Quality Tree Service is a proud member of this organization and is grateful for its continuing contribution to making tree-care knowledge more widely available.Many customers have told us of how saddened they were by the loss of a beloved tree due to mistakes they made in pruning the tree. Hopefully, the questions and answers below will help you avoid such a loss.

Feel free to scroll down to the bottom of this page and submit your own questions. We would be happy to provide you with an answer.

1. Topping & Pruning" What's the difference?"
2. When to Prune
3. How much should be pruned?
4. What kind of pruning services can I expect from a tree company?
5. Will a tree company be able to tell me whether or not a tree can be saved, or will they always recommend removing a tree?
6. What should I look for when choosing a tree service company?
7. How do I avoid tree damage during construction?
8. How are trees damaged during landscaping and construction?
9. How do I identify and cure diseases affecting my trees?

1. Topping & Pruning" What's the difference?"

   Topping is the excessive and arbitrary removal of all parts of the tree above and beyond a certain height with no regard for the structure or growth pattern of the tree. Pruning is the selective removal of certain limbs based on the structure and growth pattern of the tree.

2. When to Prune

   A few tree diseases, such as oak wilt and pine pitch canker, can be spread when pruning wounds allow spores access into the tree. Susceptible trees should not be pruned during active transmission periods. Heavy pruning just after the spring growth flush should be avoided. This is when trees have just expended a great deal of energy to produce foliage and early shoot growth. Removal of a large percentage of foliage at this time can stress the tree.

3. How much should be pruned?

   The amount of live tissue that should be removed depends on the tree size, species, and age, as well as the pruning objectives. Younger trees will tolerate the removal of a higher percentage of living tissue than mature trees. An important principle to remember is that a tree can recover from several small pruning wounds faster than from one large wound.

   A common mistake is to remove too much inner foliage and small branches. It is important to maintain an even distribution of foliage along large limbs and in the lower portion of the crown. Over-thinning reduces the tree's sugar production capacity and can create tip-heavy limbs that are prone to failure.

   Mature trees should require little routine pruning. A widely accepted rule of thumb is never to remove more than 25% to 35% of a tree's leaf bearing crown. In a mature tree, pruning even that much could have negative effects. Removing even a single, large-diameter limb can create a wound that the tree may not be able to close. The older and larger a tree becomes, the less energy it has in reserve to close wounds and defend against decay or insect attack. The pruning of large, mature trees is usually limited to the removal of dead or potentially hazardous limbs.

4. What kind of pruning services can I expect from a tree company?

   You should expect knowledgeable experts who can make specific recommendations regarding the type of pruning required to maintain or improve the health, appearance, and safety of your trees, These techniques include

   •Eliminating branches that rub each other.
   •Removing limbs that interfere with wires, building facades, gutters, roofs, chimneys, windows or obstruct streets or sidewalks.
   •Removing dead or weak limbs that pose a hazard or may lead to decay.
   •Removing diseased or insect infested limbs.
   •Creating better structure to lessen wind resistance and reduce the potential from storm damage.
   •Training young trees.
   •Removing limbs damages by adverse weather conditions.
   •Thinning or removal of unnecessary branches.
   •Improving the shape or silhouette of the tree.

5. Will a tree company be able to tell me whether or not a tree can be saved, or will they always recommend removing a tree?

   Yes, your tree company will be able to help you decide whether or not a tree should be removed. Tree companies have the skills and equipment to safely and efficiently remove trees. Removal is recommended when:
   •The tree is dead or dying.
   •The tree is considered irreparably hazardous.
   •The tree is causing an obstruction that is impossible to correct through pruning.
   •The tree is crowding and causing harm to other trees.
   •The tree is to be replaced by a more suitable specimen.
   •The tree should be removed to allow for new construction.

6. What should I look for when choosing a tree service company?

   There are a variety of things to consider when choosing a tree service company:
   • Membership in professional organizations such as the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) demonstrates a willingness on the part of the tree service company to stay up to date on the latest techniques and information.
   • Ask for proof of insurance and then phone the insurance company if you are not satisfied. A reputable tree company will have personal and property damage insurance.
   • Ask for references to find out where the company has done work similar to the work you are requesting. Don't hesitate to check references or visit other worksites where the company or individual had done tree work. Remember, tree care is a substantial, long-lasting investment; you would not buy a care without a test drive!
   • Be wary of individuals who go door to door and offer bargains for performing tree work. Most successful tree companies are too busy to solicit work in this manner. Improper tree care can take many years to correct itself and in some cases never corrects itself. Are you willing to take that risk with your valuable investment?
   • Don't always accept the low bid. You should examine the credentials and the written specifications of the companies that submitted bids and determine the best combination of price work to be done, skill and professionalism to protect your substantial investment.

7. How do I avoid tree damage during construction?

   As cities and suburbs expand, wooded lands are being developed into commercial and residential sites. Homes are constructed in the midst of trees to take advantage of the aesthetic and environmental value of the wooded lots. Wooded properties can be worth as much as twenty percent more than those without trees, and people value the opportunity to live among trees.

   Unfortunately, the process involved with construction can be deadly to the nearby tree. Further, unless the damage is extreme, the trees may not die immediately, but could decline over several years. With this delay in symptom development, you may not associate the loss of the tree with the construction.

   It is possible to preserve trees on building sites if the right measures are taken. The most important step is to hire a professional tree company during the planning stage. A professional tree company can help you decide which trees can be saved, and can work with the builder to protect the trees throughout each construction phase.

8. How are trees damaged during landscaping and construction?

   Physical injury to the trunk and crown - Construction equipment can injure the aboveground portion of a tree by breaking branches, tearing the bark and wounding the trunk. These injuries are permanent, and if extensive, can be fatal to the tree.

   Cutting of roots - The digging and trenching that are necessary to construct a house and install underground utilities will likely sever a portion of the roots of many trees in the area. It is easy to appreciate the potential for damage if you understand where roots grow. the roots of a mature tree extend far from the trunk of the tree. In fact, roots typically will be found growing a distance of 1-3 times the height of the tree. The amount of damage a tree can suffer from root loss depends, in part, upon how close to the tree is cut is made. Severing one major root can cause the loss of 5-20 percent of the root system.

   Another problem that may result from root loss due to digging and trenching is that the potential for the trees to fall over is increased. the roots play a critical role in anchoring a tree. If the major support roots are cut on one side of a tree may fall or blow over.

   Soil Compaction - An ideal soil for root growth and development is about fifty percent pore space. These pores, the spaces between soil particles, are filled with water and air. The heavy equipment used in construction compacts the soil, and can dramatically reduce the amount of pore space. This not only inhibits root growth and penetration, but also decreases oxygen in the soil that is essential to the growth and function of the roots.

   Smothering roots by adding soil - Most people are surprised to learn that 90 percent of the fine roots that absorb water and minerals are in the upper 6 -12 inches of soil. Roots require space, air and water. Roots will grow best where these requirements are met, which are usually very near the soil surface. Piling soil over the root system or increasing the grade will smother the roots. It only takes a few inches of added soil to kill a sensitive, mature tree.

   Exposure to the elements - Trees in a forest situation grow as a community, protecting each other from the elements. The trees grow tall, with long, straight trunks and high canopies. Removal of neighboring tress, or opening and shared canopies of trees will expose the remaining trees to sunlight and wind. The higher levels of sunlight may cause sunscald on the trunks and branches. Also, the remaining trees will be more prone to breaking from wind or ice loading.

9. How do I identify and cure diseases affecting my trees?

   Correct diagnosis of plant disease requires a careful examination of the situation an systematic elimination of possibilities by following a few important steps.

   Accurately identify the plant. Because infectious pathogens are mostly plant-specific, this information can quickly limit the number is suspected diseases.

   Look for a pattern of abnormality. This can often provide key information regarding the cause of the problem. For example, if the affected plants are restricted to a walkway, road or fence, the disorder could be a result of wood preservatives, de-icing salts, or other harsh chemicals.

   Carefully examine the land. Factors to observe include:
   •Drainage
   •History of the property
   •Number of species affected
   •Percentage of inured plants in the area

   Poorly drained areas are ideal for the development of root rot induced by a variety of water molds. The history of the property and adjacent land may reveal many problems such as herbicides applied to agriculture lands or sanitary landfills whose gas can drift several hundred feet and damage plants.

   The number of species affected may also help to distinguish between infectious pathogens that are more plant-specific as compared to chemical or environmental factors that affect many different species. Most living pathogens take a relatively long time to spread throughout an area, so if a large percentage of plants become diseased virtually overnight, a pathogen is probably not involved.

   Examine the roots. Note their color: brown or black roots may signal problems. Brown roots often indicate dry soil conditions or the presence of toxic chemicals. Black roots usually reflect overly wet soil or the presence of root-rotting organisms.

   Check the trunk and branches. Examine the trunk thoroughly for wounds, as they provide entrances for cankers and wood-rotting organisms. Weather fire, lawnmowers, rodents, and a variety of other environmental and mechanical factors may cause such wounds. You can avoid extensive decline by removing branch stubs and pruning out cankered limbs.

   Note the position and appearance of affected leaves. Dead leaves at the top of the tree usually the result of environmental or mechanical root stress. Twisted or curled leaves may indicate viral infection, insect feeding, or exposure to herbicides. The size and color of the foliage may tell a great deal about the plants condition, so make mote of these and any other abnormalities.