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Tree and shrub removal
Few arborists would recommend removal of a tree or a shrub since preservation
is the basic principle of plant care. However, there are instances when
removal is the most viable option. The urban forest is unique in that there
are relationships with man which dictate the fate of a plant. In its natural
setting, a tree will die due to natural causes and will fall over when its
structural integrity has broken down naturally. This rarely happens in the
urban forest.
City trees and shrubs are directly affected by manmade forces such as pollution,
soil compaction, structural restrictions and vandalism. It can be said that
trees and shrubs located in an urban setting will have a much lower life
span than those in their natural setting. Removal of dead or diseased trees
and shrubs will always be a significant part of urban forestry.
There are also situations where a tree has become hazardous due to poor structure,
uprooting or dangerous proximity to structures such as homes. In these instances,
removal of the tree may be the most viable option. It may also be that a
large tree’s roots are causing structural damage to nearby structures.
Once again, removal may be the most viable option.
Tree removal is a laborious task. It is taxing both on the individual and the
equipment used. This is a significant consideration for larger trees. Their
removal requires the experience of qualified personnel to ensure a safe
and efficient job.
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Tree and shrub pruning
Pruning is necessary in tree and shrub maintenance for several reasons. Selective
pruning helps to ‘open up’ the interior of the plant to allow
air to circulate, effective drying and light penetration. Dead limbs are
removed and the tree (or shrub) has a neat, healthy appearance. Pruning
also reduces the likelihood of pest and disease infestations. A healthy
plant is less susceptible to these kinds of outbreaks.
Proper pruning will improve the overall appearance of a tree (or shrub). Quite
often the form of the tree is improved by the removal of long, weak (top
heavy) limbs. This, of course, makes the tree safer as well. The safety
of a tree is an important consideration when there are large, mature trees
on the property. Weak, structurally imperfect or crossing limbs should be
removed.
Pruning, then, is a fundamental facet of tree and shrub maintenance. Proper pruning
techniques are important. An improperly pruned plant does nothing to improve
health, form or safety. It most often does more harm than good. In larger
trees, pruning is a dangerous task as it entails working at heights and
often removing limbs in tight situations. This work should be left to trained
arborists.
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Stump removal
The stumps of removed trees can be an eyesore in the yard, whether in the front or the back. They take a long time to rot. Stump grinding machines
can grind down the largest of stumps reducing them to soil and wood chips.
This allows the planting of grass or a garden and the removal of an unsightly
protrusion. Stump grinding machines are built small enough to access the
smallest of lane ways leading to the back yard.
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Cabling and bracing
There are situations in urban forestry when trees and shrubs require external
support. It may be that heavy winds have partially uprooted a small tree
or shrub. Staking or bracing may be necessary to provide support until they
can reestablish themselves. With larger trees, there may be structural imperfections
such as weak crotches, which require cabling systems to provide added support
to the crown. In some instances, bracing rods may be required to give support
to splits. The proper use of cables and braces will provide stability, longevity,
improved form and safety.
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Fertilizing
Trees and shrubs require nutrients. Often in the urban environment, essential nutrients may be sparse and it becomes necessary to make them available
through root feeding. Root feeding delivers nourishment to the plant via
the feeder roots and simultaneously aerates the root zone by delivering
the product at high pressure and fracturing the compacted soil.
Balanced soluble fertilizers are held in suspension by capillary water and available o the plant as a slow release.
Root feeding helps to maintain plant vigor and overall health. It can even improve plant health. Undoubtedly an important consideration in urban tree care.
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Pest and disease control
Plants are susceptible to a host of pest and disease disorders which may
weaken, disfigure and quite often kill a tree or shrub. This is particularly
true in urban forests where many plants are predisposed to stress and are
weak. There are a wide variety of controls which are low in toxicity but
effective in minimizing insect infestations or pathogenic invasions. They
are usually applied as a foliar spray.
Many infestations can be controlled or prevented by employing the capillary network
of the tree. Mauget tree injections preclude the use of tree spraying as
an effective means of pest/disease control. Capsules containing insecticide
or fungicidal solutions are inserted into the tree just below the cambium
and the tree takes the fluid up and throughout its entirety by its own natural
drawing process.
There are other means of control that are very natural. They involve the use of
beneficial insects, pheremone traps, biological products and physical barriers
(which prevent crawling insects from ascending to the crown.
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Firewood
Due to the recent infestation of the Asian Long Horned Beetle,
we regret that we can no longer provide you with firewood at this time.
However we highly recommend University Firewood
for all your firewood needs.
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Property management
Properties which have a wide variety and a large number of trees and shrubs require
continued care in their maintenance. Most often, these trees and shrubs
are necessary for aesthetics, property value enhancement and even noise
attenuation. Proper and regular maintenance of these landscape plants will
ensure their continued good health and pleasing appearance. It will help
enhance the property value.
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Arborist reports and consultation
Arborist reports are available for the following:
- Private tree By-Law permit applications
- Development applications
- Tree protection plans
For whatever your arboricultural needs, a properly trained professional arborist
can best serve you. They can aid you in deciding what types of tree and
shrubs to plant for a new landscape or they can help you with your existing
mature landscape. Those properties with large mature trees will do well
to consult a certified arborist to help ensure their proper care. As well,
a properly trained arborist can diagnose problems with the trees and shrubs
and give the best advice as to a viable solution.
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