TREE & LAWN CARE BLOG
How Much Does It Cost To Remove a Tree?
The first step to a tree removal is an ISA Certified Arborist consultation at your home. At North American Tree Service, our first priority is determining if the tree can be saved or brought back to health if it was in decline from pests, decay or damage. However, if the tree cannot be saved, or is in too risky of an area to try, you may decide tree removal is your best option.
But how much does tree removal cost?
You might think there is a standard set of pricing for tree removal, or we have a standard per tree price. But, every tree is very different and there are a lot of factors that go into pricing out a tree removal.
Size. The actual size of the tree you are removing will determine how long our crews will be on your property and will need to be measured by our Arborists while on site.
Equipment. Usually, most trees can be removed with standard equipment such as our Omme tracked lift or bucket trucks. But if neither of these pieces of equipment can reach your tree, we may have to bring larger equipment such as a crane out to the job site, which could incur a higher rate.
Location. A large determining factor of cost is the actual location of the tree. This also plays into what type of equipment we may need to bring to the job site. Tree removal is much more risky and dangerous when powerlines are involved, the tree is completely dead, or is hanging over your home or other structures. This is why it is important to have your trees regularly assessed by a certified arborist. Doing this is a preventative measure that might save you on a tree removal later on.
Ultimately, our technicians need to come out to your home and take an in person look at the trees you are concerned about in order to give a proper estimate.
If you are concerned with dead trees you may have on your property, click the link below to be connected with one of our certified arborists today!
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Is My Sprinkler System Damaging My Trees?
Irrigation systems are great for low maintenance landscaping. Essentially you just set it , forget it, and watch everything bloom. However, if these irrigation systems are not properly placed, they can cause a problem for your trees and plants.
In the strong Georgia heat, we rarely think of overwatering posing any threats to our gardens. In the heat of the summer especially, it is very important to provide a substantial amount of water to keep your trees, plants and grass thriving.
When you decide to have your sprinkler system installed its important to make sure the location is ideal. Too much water can do just as much harm as too little. Overwatering with trees can be a dangerous situation as excessive moisture provides a perfect breeding ground for pathogens and fungus to develop, essentially leading to the weakening of your trees. If you notice any fungus or mushrooms growing at the base or the trunks of your trees, call a certified Arborist as soon as possible to have your trees properly assessed for decline.
Some signs your plants/trees are getting too much water are:
root rot
bark falling off the trunk
trunk damage
saturated soils
fungus (mushrooms, etc.)
Some signs your plants/trees aren’t getting enough water are:
wilted or curling leaves
smaller leaves than normal
leaf drop
yellowing or burning of the leaves
After installation, walk around to different spots checking the soil after a run to ensure it is getting proper moisture. If the soil is heavily saturated you know your trees and plants are being overwatered and visa versa.
If you would like an ISA Certified Arborist to come assess the health of your trees, click the link below to be connected!
Call An ISA Certified Arborist Now!
Spring Landscape Checklist
With spring just around the corner, it’s important that you do a full and thorough inspection of your landscape to identify any problems before the new growing season. We are staffed with highly trained certified arborist’s who can help you to identify issues with your trees that you might not have noticed. If you would like a certified arborist in Athens to inspect your trees, use the link at the bottom of this page to be connected! Otherwise, we have developed a checklist with tips on DIY landscape/tree inspections and tips to follow for this spring.
Check for any dead branches.
This is not limited to only trees, if you have shrubs or plants in your landscape with dead branches it is essential for the new growth to prune those back. If you notice any limbs on your trees with fungal looking material, holes, or signs of pests, it’s best to contact your local certified Arborist in Athens before trying to tackle pruning that one on your own. Large dead branches can be dangerous and are best left to professionals.
Check foliage.
Have you noticed any yellowing on the new leaves this spring? Or perhaps less foliage or flowering than last year? If you have an older, more mature tree, a simple deep root fertilization in Athens might just do the trick but it is important to identify if other environmental factors are affecting your trees.
Check around the base and trunk.
When checking the base be sure to lookout for any oozing, slimy material, as this could be something as small as slime flux that is easily treatable. It is important to identify any major structural issues such as large cracks or cavities, meaning your tree might have been struck by lightening and needs to be evaluated by a certified arborist immediately. Any signs of mushrooms or other fungal matter in the soil around the trunk is a sure sign there is some root rot going on and should be addressed immediately.
Tips for ultimate spring growth
There are a few key things you can do in the meantime to ensure your trees are in their healthiest state and receiving all the nutrients possible.
Mulch your trees.
Mulching around the base of your trees can prevent erosion, retain soil moisture for those hot summer days, as well as eliminate weeds and grass. Check out our other recent blogs for information on proper mulching techniques.
Fertilize, fertilize, fertilize.
Slow release deep root fertilization can help your trees so much! Any trees over 2 years old should be fertilized in the spring by a certified technician. Call our office to set up an appointment.
Plant new trees.
Being sure dormant season is still in session, this is a great time to plant some new specimen in your landscape. We have multiple blogs on our website for tips on our most recommended tree species to plant. You can also contact our office to receive more information by one of our certified arborist on recommended species for your specific landscape or area!
Give us a call today to have a certified Arborist inspect your trees for any issues!
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Is My Lawnmower Damaging My Trees?
Sometimes it’s easier to run over a few roots with your lawnmower than it is to add more time on the weed eater after the fact. However, the mechanical damage a lawnmower or other yard equipment can do to your trees is quite serious and should be avoided.
The outer layer of your trees just underneath the bark is called the Cambium layer. The Cambium layer contains the Xylem and Phloem - the structures within the tree responsible for transporting food and water from the roots to the stems. When this is injured or damaged, it can limit the tree’s ability to properly transport these nutrients. It is most vital to protect this layer in the spring months when the tree is putting on new growth.
What can happen to my tree if I damaged it with lawn equipment?
It can open the tree up for pests and decay to enter
Poor growth and dead branches
Multiple damage wounds can cause the tree to girdle, which weakens the structure and can be deadly
How can I eliminate grass/ weeds from growing around the base?
Weed eating isn’t everyone’s favorite chore and can be taxing when the Georgia heat creeps in. So why not eliminate all the weeds and grass from around the base of your trees altogether? Applying a couple inches of mulch around the base of your trees can prevent weeds, retain soil moisture, prevent erosion and supply the tree with a healthy mix of natural material to stimulate growth.
Did you know? All of our trees are brought back to our office and recycled into premium quality landscaping mulch? Click the link below to get in touch with one of our Arborist’s or schedule a delivery of mulch to your home today!
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Should I Water My Trees In Winter?
Winter time is dormant season for your trees, meaning they will “hibernate” essentially until its time to use up all the energy for new blooms in the spring.
However, even though your trees are essentially in “protection” mode in winter, they are not immune to drought or extremely cold, dry conditions.
In fact, cold, dry conditions usually put your trees under the most significant amount of stress.
These conditions can cause a substantial amount of damage to your trees root systems, ultimately leading to the decline of your trees.
Tree die-back from these conditions usually happens over a longer period and will not show signs of decline until the next spring hits.
There is one very important rule when it comes to watering your trees in the winter.
Only water your trees when the temperature is ABOVE 40 degrees Fahrenheit and there are no signs of snow or ice close-by.
We have listed a few other helpful tips in regards to watering your trees below:
Water in the morning so the trees have time to absorb the moisture before the sun dries it out.
Water slow and deep, watering bags are a good option as long as the weather is still above 40 degrees F.
Check the soil moisture to determine your specific trees watering schedule.
Apply the water around the base and out to the edge of the trees roots, keeping in mind the root systems are typically the width of the crown of the tree.
Avoid spraying the leaves or the trunk of the trees in Statham if possible.
Mulch around the base of the tree to promote soil moisture retention and hold warmth in the winter months.
Evergreen trees need more water than hardwoods. Be sure to research your trees specific needs by area.
If you are concerned with the health of your trees in Statham, be sure to contact a certified Arborist in Statham using the link below!
Should I Grind My Stump Or Remove It?
After having your trees removed there is a large eyesore left in your yard. Stump grinding and removal have pros and cons and the decision is ultimately up to the homeowner which route they want to take.
Reasons to have your stumps ground
After the stump begins the slow decay process the stump can become a home for pests such as termites, boring insects, fungi and more. In this scenario, if you stump is in close contact with other trees or your home, it might be best to remove it.
There are a number of other reasons a homeowner might have their stumps ground such as:
Cosmetic preferences.
After the stump has rotten, sinkholes will be left behind, leaving a hazard in your yard.
Desire to plant a new specimen when the stump is still in the way.
Reasons to have your stump removed
To remove your stump from the ground completely, in our opinion is the best way to ensure the stump is completely removed and no sinkholes in Stone Mountain will arise on your property. Removing a stump in Stone Mountain can be quite costly though due to the use of excavation services. When you have a stump plucked from your yard they bring in very heavy equipment out pull it, then will need a means to dispose of it (landfill$$), then will need to come behind the removal with a bobcat to push the dirt back into the remaining hole and smooth the surface back out.
Reasons to keep your stump
Some people might prefer to keep the stump in their yard as a form of yard art. Homeowners will put planted pots around it to make it a sort of plant stand for decoration. Keeping the stump also saves money, as stump grinding services can be an upwards of $100 depending on the size.
If you need stump grinding services, please give us a call today for a free estimate!