Trees are everywhere, lining streets, around parks and in our own yards. They provide many benefits, but sometimes, they pose a danger to the safety of structures or passersby. How can you tell if a tree is dangerous? Stein offers some tips on how tree inspection can determine if homeowners have any cause for concern.
As professional tree care specialists, we get this question often. Annual tree trimming and pruning does offer benefits to trees and shrubs. These benefits include the encouragement of new growth, shape retention, and safe removal of dead branches. Pennsylvania and Delaware residents often want to trim trees and shrubs early in the season so that their landscapes look their best for the season. For many trees and shrubs, early pruning, especially during dormant times, is the best practice. However, the timing to prune a flowering tree is different. Flowering trees really need to wait to be trimmed until after they complete the flowering process.
What can you do if your neighbor’s trees are encroaching on your property? We have seen cases where scenic views are blocked by neighbors’ trees, and also where large trees overhanging a homeowner’s property or fence can threaten damage to property or even to people. As tree care specialists, we have a little insight on situations like these.
In Delaware and some nearby states homeowners have the right to prune encroaching limbs and roots to the property line AS LONG AS THE TREE IS NOT HARMED in the process. Harm only means, in this case, the physical health of the tree rather than the aesthetics. If the situation ever came down to a court case the landowner would have to prove harm from the neighboring tree. Trees blocking a view is a totally different set of circumstances.
In a book called Arboriculture and the Law by Victor Merullo and Michael Valentine, cases are cited that back up this right by the courts. The tricky part in some cases where the tree owner refuses to allow pruning, is getting to the branches without climbing the tree. As a tree care service company, we like to have both parties on board if we can. Otherwise, we often have to use the bucket truck, which in some cases is tough due to the accessible area. However, we now have our spider lift which can give us access to the trees in tight areas.
As certified arborists, our job is to prune the tree in such a way that provides relief for our customer without harming the tree. Sometimes we need to compromise with the customer about how much we can take off without hurting the tree in the process.
Taking care of your trees helps with more than just aesthetics. The homeowners association in some communities will require that trees be trimmed back from the sidewalk, or that they be kept to a certain size. Even if no official rules exist, however, keeping your trees in shape is worth your effort. In the event of storms, if your tree has weak branches they may break and cause damage to your neighbor’s property, or even to a person.
No one wants any kind of harm to take place, but in some cases, you could even be held financially liable for damages. Stein urges regular trimming, pruning and inspection to ensure that problems with trees are caught and addressed before this kind of issue takes place. As an added benefit, in some cases, records of regular tree care have enabled a homeowner or institution to prove that due diligence had been observed, and allowed them to be absolved of fault.
Stein has been a trusted tree care service provider in Pennsylvania, Delaware and Maryland for over 30 years. Trees are our business and we are passionate about proper care. We perform tree removal, tree trimming and pruning, stump grinding, and insect treatment, such as for emerald ash borer. We are certified to perform tree care in all areas that are under spotted lanternfly quarantine as well. For information or to schedule a free consultation, contact us today.
Stein Tree Service’s team is passionate about trees and proper tree care, so naturally we encourage all residents to embrace Arbor Day. Arbor Day is the last Friday in April for both Delaware and Pennsylvania. In most states, this is the case, but some states choose to celebrate on a day more in keeping with the best time of year to plant trees in their areas. This year, Pennsylvania and Delaware will recognize the occasion on April 26. Local activities are also taking place on Saturday this year.
For example, on April 27, both the Montgomery Township and Springfield Township in Pennsylvania are holding celebrations and giving away free trees. At the Springfield Township event, leaders will hold a discussion about the spotted lanternfly after a tree planting ceremony.
ArborDay.org has a list of ideas for those who want to celebrate Arbor Day, including:
J. Sterling Morton, the founder of Arbor Day as a National Celebration, was quoted as saying, “Each generation takes the earth as trustees.” Certified arborists, tree aficionados, and other tree care specialists have the same view. Taking care of the trees is good for the earth, and is also good for our enjoyment and well-being. Below are some general tree care tips that will help the trees in your landscape thrive.
The team at Stein Tree Service is passionate about trees on Arbor Day, just as we are every other day of the year. We offer Pennsylvania and Delaware homeowners and businesses professional and reasonable tree care services. For a free consultation, contact us today.
Planning on construction or exterior home renovation this year? Spring and early summer are prime times that residents and businesses plan major construction projects. Whether large or small, these types of projects can cause trauma to the surrounding landscape. If your property has trees that you hope to save, consult with a certified arborist for guidance on avoiding construction damage. Stein offers some basic information below.
Trees adapt as they grow to the type of climate and atmosphere that surround them. When something dramatically different occurs, they are vulnerable to trauma, which can result in weakness or even tree death.
The most obvious cause of injury is what you can see: when equipment comes into contact with the tree. Cuts in the trunk, major broken branches, or even cutting of the roots can occur during construction. Wounds in the tree can lead to bacterial or fungal growth, insect infestation, or a failure in the tree’s system of distributing nutrients. An arborist will help you determine the best methods of protecting trees, and may advise that some trees will most likely be unable to be preserved. Marking the trees that are most valuable and enforcing a safe perimeter may be enough to prevent this type of damage.
Soil compaction is one type of trauma that many fail to consider, but that is often deadly. Trees need a certain level of porosity in the soil in order for roots to receive the proper water, air and nutrients for health. When the level is changed dramatically, such as when heavy equipment is used to clear land or carry building supplies, or even an inordinate amount of foot traffic, the tree can suffer. Another way that soil can be compacted is by adding too much soil on top of the existing soil. We normally plant trees with the proper amount of root buried, and if that level is changed too much, the tree roots can be starved of air or nutrients.
As we mentioned, trees become used to their surroundings, and dependent in some ways on them. For example, if you have a forested area, the included trees depend on each other for protection from the wind and other elements. Trees may grow tall and with a slimmer canopy because they have the support of other trees that are planted in close proximity. Without the protection of those trees, singular trees that have been chosen for preservation may be unable to survive later when storms come. Your certified arborist will be able to advise you of this possibility so that you can make the best plan for the success of your project and your landscape.
Once construction has been completed, home or business owners often assume the risk has passed if their trees still look healthy, but trauma received during construction can show up months or even a year later. Have your arborist inspect trees after construction to look for issues that can cause trouble later. According to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, a tree can survive if 20% or less of the roots have been damaged. If 40% has been lost, the tree will most likely fail to survive. In such a case, the tree should be removed to prevent the danger of falling later on the structure or passersby.
Your arborist can look for other issues as well, and some may be treatable. Broken branches can be carefully pruned to promote quicker healing. In addition, he/she can recommend the best practices for tree care, as optimal watering and fertilizing needs may differ after construction.
Whether you need construction site tree management to mitigate construction damage, or you need services such as tree trimming and pruning or tree removal, Stein has the experience and equipment to handle the job. We offer free consultations, so contact us today for more information.
Emergency Tree Removal in Wilmington, DE is often necessary after strong storms. Some trees are in greater danger than others for storm damage and residents can appreciate the importance of keeping them healthy and strong. When working with a certified arborist to improve the overall tree and plant health of your landscaping, you may hear discussions of cabling and bracing your trees.
Recently we discussed that Stein Tree Service is certified to perform tree care services in all areas that have spotted lanternfly quarantines in effect. Now, you may have seen in the news that Pennsylvania has strengthened its efforts to control and eventually eliminate the invasive pest.
We have talked previously about the dangers of non-native plants and trees, and how much planting native species benefits the local ecosystem. But how do you know what the native species are? Below we list some of the native tree and shrub species for Delaware and Pennsylvania, to enable our community to more easily plan for native planting, as well as avoid some native species that can cause their own problems for homeowners, such as those prone to disease or vulnerable to pests like the emerald ash borer.
As you drive down the streets of our communities in Delaware, you see a wide variety of trees and shrubs, including evergreens that lend year-round color, and other trees that are beautiful in spring and fall. A few trees that are native to Delaware and which are particularly showy are:
The Pin Oak (Quercis palustris) and the White Ash tree (Fraxinus Americana) are also beautiful showy trees, but the first is prone to the fatal bacterial leaf scorch, and the ash is vulnerable to the destructive emerald ash borer. The River Birch (Betula nigra), whose bark adds interest year-round, and grows up to 40-60’ tall, but the appealing bark itself attracts the bronze birch borer.
If you enjoy evergreen trees, you might want to consider the native Eastern Redcedar (Juniperus virginiana), with its blue/gray fall coloring, or the American Holly (Ilex opaca) with its deep green leaves and red berries in the winter).
Some beautiful native shrubs that will add interest to your landscape are the Red Bud (Cercis canadensis), Witchhazel (Hamamelis virginiana) and the Winterberry (Ilex verticillata). These examples are just a few of the choices you have when considering native trees and shrubs for your Delaware landscape.
Some of the same trees that are native to Delaware can also be found in Pennsylvania, as we are close neighbors.
Some particularly attractive varieties are the:
Some evergreen native varieties, are the Black Spruce (Picea mariana), Yellow Pine (Pinus echinata), and the tall Red Pine (Pinus Rinosa).
The Northern Red Oak (Quercus rubra), which can reach 70’ in height, is impressive, but is prone to the bacterial leaf scorch, like the pin oak. Black Cherry (Prunus serotina), with its weeping branches is showy and smells good, but is often afflicted with fall webworms or tent caterpillars. The Pennsylvania state tree the Eastern Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis), is native to the area, but unfortunately, wooly adelgid, a pest native to Asia targets the tree, and without treatment, can starve the tree in 3-10 years. In its native habitat, the insect is controlled by environmental factors.
Native Pennsylvania shrubs include the fragrant Carolina Allspice (Calycanthus floridus) and the Sweet Pepperbush (Clethra alnifolia). If you are looking for something to stabilize a bank, one good choice is the Red Chokeberry (Aronia arbutifolia), which has a brilliant color in the fall.
According to the Lancaster County Planning Commission, whose site has a more extensive list of native PA trees and shrubs, Pennsylvania has more than 2,100 native plant species, so if you are looking to plant native, you have lots of choices.
Stein Tree Service’s professionals are passionate about tree care and about preserving our native environment. Our certified arborists and other tree care specialists are trained and have a great deal of experience with determining if your trees and plants are healthy. We are certified to treat for emerald ash borer in Pennsylvania, Delaware and Maryland, and we provide whatever tree care service is needed to preserve the vitality of your plants and trees, from inspection, to tree removal and stump grinding. Contact us for more information about native trees or to schedule a free tree care consultation.
Wilmington, Delaware–March 3, 2019–Stein Tree Service announces that they are permitted to work in all spotted lanternfly quarantine areas of Pennsylvania and Delaware.
Tree care involves dangerous tasks, especially for those who are inexperienced. The Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA) claimed that 153 tree care-related occupational incidents occurred in 2016, and almost half, 93, proved fatal. These incidents occurred among trained professionals, so they could certainly happen when untrained people attempt hazardous tasks. Whenever you need to have tree care services performed in your landscape, play it safe and hire someone who cares for trees as a profession, like a certified arborist.
An arborist is someone who has studied and become knowledgeable about tree and plant health care. These professionals work to ensure that trees hare cared for in a manner that is environmentally sound. ISA, or the International Society of Arboriculture, provides certification after strict requirements have been met, including:
Once an arborist is certified, you can feel confident that he/she has the knowledge and experience needed to address tree care issues. Ongoing education is required to ensure that ISA certified arborists stay abreast of current best practices and safety concerns, and new issues, like the spreading emerald ash borer infestation. In addition, ISA Certified Arborists are held to a code of ethics. This code determines how an arborist will handle issues like chemical treatments, tree diseases and unhealthy tree practices such as tree topping.
We have discussed this issue before, but the subject bears repeating. Using an uninsured tree service professional, or any contractor, to perform work on your property is dangerous to you, and to the contractor. If a worker is injured, or if damage occurs during the course of the work, the homeowner would be responsible for the costs. Those costs could include repairs for damage to your property, your neighbor’s property, or medical treatment costs for injured parties, and they could add up to thousands of dollars.
Stein Tree has been in business for 35 years and we have seen homeowners fall victim to debts due to uninsured contractors. Our certified arborists, tree inspectors and all of our specialists are dedicated to ensuring our customers get exceptional tree care. We attend training seminars, follow safety protocols, and use the proper equipment for whatever task we are performing. For information or a free consultation about your tree care concerns, contact us today.