Is My Tree Safe?

 How do I know if my tree is safe and what can I look out for?

Trees that have been inspected and properly pruned experience less failures from the increasing storms and wind shears Nashville is experiencing. If you see these signs in your tree it’s time to call an arborist to determine if your tree needs help or removal:

• Large deadwood 

• Broken and hanging limbs

• Mushrooms or Conks around the trunk or root area 

• Significant missing leaves at the end of limbs

• Hollow areas in significant portions of the tree; even when the tree leaves look fine.

• Tight seams at branch or trunk unions 

How Close is Too Close?

How close to my tree can I build a new patio, driveway, or home addition?

 Many trees intended to be saved are lost due to trucks or equipment compacting the soil around the root zone which deprives the roots of oxygen and nutrition resulting in stress and often death of the tree. Knowing the size of the root zone to protect and implementing careful tree protection during construction will help you avoid the expense and heartache of later repairing or removing trees that were located too close to construction activities.  Use this diagram to determine the root zone size and place a fence around the root zone and inform contractors of its purpose. 

Emerald Ash Borer Facts

What is this bug coming for the Ash Trees?

• Originally from Asia, the emerald ash borer (EAB) was first discovered in the Detroit area in 2002. 

• The emerald ash borer primarily lives in the midwestern and eastern United States and parts of Canada, but is spreading fast. Nashville is expected to lose nearly 10% of tree canopy to EAB over the next several years.

• Symptoms of EAB include thinning or dying of ash tree crowns, suckers at the base of the tree, splitting bark, tunneling under the bark, D-shaped exit holes and woodpecker activity.

• Treatment options exist ranging from $50 to $250 per tree based on the Ash trees size and can be applied in peak growing season of May through August.

• Plentiful information exists to help home owners understand the risks and costs with treatment and removal: http://www.emeraldashborer.info 

What Tree Should I Plant?

I’m going to plant a tree, what do you recommend?

Awesome! The best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago and the second best time is today. Here are some of my favorites which will do well today and resist the incoming pests and diseases not yet in our region but coming to us. 

Who Should I Hire to Work on My Trees?

How can I know if a tree company is giving me good advice and a fair price?

• Ask for an International Society of Arboriculture credential and ask if there are certified arborist doing the work or only doing the sales. ISA Certified Arborists are experienced professionals who have passed comprehensive exams covering all aspects of tree care.

• Get it in writing. Reputable arborists have a detailed proposal and have their clients sign a contract. Read it carefully and ask questions. 

• Consider all the factors before accepting a bid. Examine the credentials and the written specifications of the firms that submitted the bids and determine the best combination of price, work to be done, skills and professionalism. 

• Ask for their safety plan and proof of insurance including Workman’s Compensation. A company which does not have Worker’s Comp insurance for all staff is leaving you at liability for a worker’s injuries on your property. 

• Check online reviews on Google, Next Door, and Yelp.