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Here is Your Tree Trimming Guide

If you have a home, chances are that you have at least one tree on your property. Trees can provide shade, beauty, and fruit, based on the type of tree that you have. But sometimes they need to be pruned and trimmed.

It’s important to note that there are right and wrong ways to trim trees. If you do it right, you can help your tree stay healthy. If you do it wrong, it can be detrimental to your tree’s health.

Below is a guide to help you know how to correctly trim your tree.

REASONS TO PRUNE OR TRIM ONE OF YOUR TREES

There are three main reasons that you want to trim a tree – aesthetics, health or safety. Below are some explanations of why this might be a good idea.

Aesthetics – When you prune your tree, you are effectively helping to maintain the tree’s appearance and shape. But you should not try imposing a size or shape that’s unnatural on your tree. When you do a lot of pruning to your tree, it could end up damaging it severely.

Health – Sometimes you need to trim a tree to save it from a disease that it has. When you prune away affected limbs and branches, it can help your tree live when it otherwise may have died. Thinning the tree’s crown will improve its airflow, and this can be quite beneficial. If the tree’s branches are rubbing together or crossing, you should trim them so they won’t unexpectedly fall.

Safety – When your tree has broken or dead limbs or branches, you run the risk of them falling off unexpectedly, and this can pose a big safety concern. If there are branches and limbs blocking your vision while you are driving, they need to be trimmed. Branches and limbs sometimes will grow and come really close to the utility lines. If this happens, call your utility company and they’ll handle these types of issues.

GENERAL TIPS FOR TREE TRIMMING

No matter what kind of tree, there are some general things that you should remember when you are trimming your tree.

  • Do it while dormant – The best time that you can trim your tree is during the tree’s dormant season. This is a good rule to follow unless there’s a problem with the tree’s health or there’s a safety concern.
  • Check the branch’s size – Before you remove a branch, check its size. If the branch has a diameter of less than 5 centimeters, it’s okay to remove. If the branch is 5-10 centimeters, think twice. If it’s over 10 centimeters, you shouldn’t do it unless you have an excellent reason.
  • Check angles of branches – Look at the angles of the branches. Look for branches with V-shaped, weak narrow angles. The branches that have u-shaped, strong angles should be kept.
  • Do it while they’re young – Do your best to prune the branches when they’re young. They’re a lot easier when they’re young and you’ll have a lower risk of leaving scars on your tree.
  • Be careful of where you trim – Don’t trim your branches too long or too close. You shouldn’t remove the collar of the branch or leave a huge stub.

TIPS FOR PRUNING YOUR TREES

The techniques and tips below are going to help with guiding you if you plan on pruning one of your trees or you simply wish to become educated regarding the typical techniques for maintenance and care with tree trimming.

THINNING THE CROWN

If it becomes necessary to thin out the crown of a tree, there are a few things that you should remember.

  • Make sure lateral branches are kept evenly spaced, particularly when it’s a young tree.
  • Prune away the branches that are running against or crossing other branches.
  • Don’t remove more than ¼ of your tree’s living crown all at one time. If it’s necessary, take a few years to do it to keep your tree healthy.

Florida Tree is the most trusted and top rated Tree & Ground Maintenance company in the area. But don’t take our word for it, see what your neighbors are saying about us and read our reviews.

RAISING THE CROWN

So that you can give clearance for signs, pedestrians, and other things, it’s possible to raise your tree’s crown by pruning your tree carefully. Make sure that you’re maintaining live branches upon a minimum of 2/3 the height of your tree. If you are removing a lot of branches close to your tree’s bottom half, it’s possible your tree won’t be able to develop a stem that is strong.

CROWN REDUCTION

Sometimes you have to reduce your tree’s crown. Here are some tips for doing it right.

  • If it’s necessary to remove over half of your branch’s foliage, simply remove that entire branch.
  • Only reduce your tree’s crown if it’s truly necessary. Prune the lateral branches which are a minimum of 1/3 the diameter of that stem you’re removing.

TECHNIQUES FOR TREE TRIMMING

Below are a few more techniques that you can use when you are trimming a tree.

  • Before you make a cut, search for the collar of the branch. This grows out from the branch’s stem tissue at its bottom base. Search for your tree’s branch ridge. This is on its upper surface, parallel to the angle of the branch at the tree’s stem.
  • Always cut on the outside of your branch’s bark ridge, angling the cut down as well as away from its stem. Don’t’ injure the collar of the branch.
  • Use this technique for pruning living branches and dead branches.
  • If the stem’s too long, a technique called three-cut can be used. Create a notch upon the stem’s side which is facing away from that branch being retained. Then make another cut inside the branch’s crotch and above your branch’s ridge. Your third cut is going to remove that nub because it cuts through that stem, and this is parallel to your branch’s bark ridge.

CONCLUSION

Keep these tricks and techniques from this tree pruning guide in mind before taking on the task of pruning and trimming your trees. You will find that your trees are much more beautiful and healthier and that you can enjoy them a lot longer.

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Reasons That A Tree Should Be Removed

If you have trees on your property, you may wonder if one or more of your trees should be removed. Sometimes the answer can be obvious. Other times, not so much.

We’re going to discuss both the obvious and not so obvious reasons why it may be time for you to remove a tree.

OBVIOUS REASONS TO REMOVE A TREE

  • Tree has died – When your tree has died, it’s a good indication that you should remove it.
  • The tree is sick – Look at your tree’s top or its branches. Look for big dead branches and decay on its trunk.
  • Majorly damaged – If you have had a bad storm and the tree is badly damaged, it’s time for it to come down.
  • Too close – If you have a tree that’s too close to a building, a pool, a play structure or other items, it is probably a good idea to take it down since it can cause damage.
  • It’s causing a problem – If you have a tree that’s constantly dropping seeds, branches and sap, or it’s blocking your view and inhibiting growth, it may be time to remove it.
  • Root problems – When the tree’s roots are posing a big threat to your sidewalk, underground facilities, driveway or foundations, it’s time to have it removed.
  • Landscape renovations – If you are doing renovations to your landscape that could damage your tree it’s probably a good idea to remove it.

Florida Tree is the most trusted and top rated Tree & Ground Maintenance company in the area. But don’t take our word for it, see what your neighbors are saying about us and read our reviews.

NOT SO OBVIOUS REASONS TO REMOVE A TREE

  • Structural problems – If your tree has structural problems, it is an accident waiting to happen. It can pose a danger to buildings and to people.
  • Cracks – If there are cracks in the bark or in the trunk, this is another reason that you should remove a tree.
  • Too big – When a tree grows too large for the area where it is growing, it could be a danger to your house or vehicle if it falls over or if one of the branches drops off.
  • Illness or insects – If your tree has an infestation of insects or a disease that can spread to your other trees, then you want to remove the tree. Otherwise you may find that you have to remove more trees.

These are some of the reasons, both common and uncommon, that you will have to remove a tree. If a tree has problems that could make it a danger for people, your property, or other trees, it’s best to remove it.

FREE TREE TRIMMING CONSULTATION

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How To Remove Unwanted Trees From Your Property

When you have a tree that you want to remove, it’s a huge decision that shouldn’t be taken lightly.

Trees that are dying or dead ought to be removed because of aesthetic, safety, and health purposes. But there are also times when you should remove a live tree. These are when they’re interfering with buildings, utility wires, other trees, and driveways. But remember that once you remove a tree it’s going to take years for a new tree to get to where that tree was.

This guide will cover any tree of reasonable height and diameter, with diameters up to 10 inches, a height of no higher than about 20 feet. It’s also for trees that are on mostly level ground. If you’re on a shoreline or bluff property and your root system’s different, these tactics are going to be different.

If your tree is especially large, let a professional do it. The reason is that mechanical equipment and guide ropes might be needed so that they can remove the larger limbs before taken the tree down. If you’re removing your tree because it’s interfering with lines, it’s good to contact your utility company.

REMOVING A TREE

LOOK FOR OBSTACLES

Check your surrounding area for any obstacles that are nearby like a fence, another tree, cars, overhead wires and other things.

LOOK AT YOUR TREE

Examine the way that the tree’s leaning naturally. You’ll get the best fall when you’re going with the tree’s natural growth angle. Check your tree for any safety hazards like hanging or dead branches. Check its trunk for any types of wounds because this could mean your tree’s center is rotten or hollow. If this is the case you should leave it to a professional because it’s going to be harder to control how it falls or your tree could fall early and put you and others in danger.

HAVE TWO ROUTES FOR ESCAPE

Before you take your tree down, have a couple of places to go that you can use when the tree is falling. There should be one on either side of your tree, and they should lead away from the expected line of fall.

After you’ve done your preparation work, you’re ready to take the tree down. What you use to do this is going to depend on your tree’s size. If you’re removing a bigger tree, you’ll want to use a chainsaw. If it’s a smaller tree, hand saws are best. If you’re not comfortable with a chainsaw, you should bring someone to do with a person who is.

Remember that it’s going to take time to do it. It’s going to take most of your day and don’t rush when you’re doing it. When you rush, it can cause injuries since you may not be comfortable using the tool or familiar with it. Below are the steps for taking down your tree.

UNDERCUT

This will serve as an aim slot or guide for your tree. This is a notch in the shape of a v that you cut into your tree’s side the way that you prefer the tree to fall. If at all possible, make sure its 90 degrees rather than 45. This angle will give your tree more room for it to fall before the undercut’s bottom and top come together. It should be a quarter of your tree’s diameter deep. Even though a tree as round as 6 inches is able to be cut through, it’s not a good idea since it could fall on itself so it doesn’t move. Even if you push it with your hand it might not mean the tree’s going to fall in the place you want.

BACKCUT

This is made approximately 2 inches above the undercut’s hinge and on its opposite side. This will release the stresses that the tree’s back have and let it fall. Don’t make your backcut below your undercut. This will reverse the cut’s roles. Don’t cut through your undercut since you’re going to lose control of your tree then. The direction in which your tree falls is able to be controlled closely using backcuts and undercuts that are properly made. It’s important to note that any types of coniferous trees like balsam, spruce, etc are extremely sappy and sinewy and they can bind up your chainsaw, which can lead to kick back and possible injury.

Florida Tree is the most trusted and top rated Tree & Ground Maintenance company in the area. But don’t take our word for it, see what your neighbors are saying about us and read our reviews.

GET SOMEWHERE SAFE

After your tree begins to fall, turn off the chainsaw and get to the escape path you’ve chosen. You shouldn’t admire your work since a falling tree is able to bounce backward on the stump.

Once your tree’s fallen and it’s where you hoped it would be, laying on the ground, take the next steps.

LIMBING

This is removing the branches at your tree’s bottom and go towards the top, removing the branches on the tree’s opposite side while you go. This way you’re protected from the chainsaw. Don’t stand on your fallen tree’s downside if you’re standing on sloped ground. You may accidentally cut a branch holding your tree’s log and this could roll, trapping you. Make sure you haven’t trapped a smaller tree as well and created a springpole.

There is a lot of energy stored in a spring pole and they’re one of the things that cause a lot of injuries. To release a springpole, locate its apex and then cut it with your hand saw or chainsaw.

Now you have a bare log. If you’re planning to use it for firewood, you should cut it into lengths of about 2 feet each. It’s a good idea to cut into your log halfway and then roll your log over to complete your cut. This will help you avoid running your chainsaw into the dirt. Branches can be cut to the length that is ideal for disposing of them and bundled as the bylaws of your collection company dictate.

REMOVING A STUMP

Your tree’s gone and you’re left with its stump. There are a few things that you can do now. Here are some suggestions.

DIG IT UP

Use your sharp spade, pruning saw, and pick for those roots that won’t give up. This is an effective method but it’s very time consuming and hard.

CONTACT A TREE SERVICE OR ARBORIST

The price for this will depend on the stump’s placement and size.

KILL THE STUMP

Drill some holes into your stump, then pour some chemicals into those holes. The stump will die eventually and decompose.

LEAVE IT BE

Leave your stump alone and it will naturally decay. Remove any new growth before it gets to 8 inches high so that the its stored food is gradually depleted. It can take anywhere from 5 to 10 years but it’s inexpensive, chemical free and easy.

INCORPORATE YOUR STUMP

This is a great option. Hollow out your stump by drilling a bunch of holes and then chipping out its pulp. When its hollowed out, it can be filled with birdseed to make a bird feeder. You can also fill it using garden soil, then plant annual flowers or vines in it. This is eventually going to decompose but it’s going to be a nice addition to the landscape. If you’d like to keep it from decomposing, add some varnish on the stump’s inside and outside.

As you can see, it takes a lot to remove a tree. But with some help and some care, you can do it successfully and safely.

Pruning and Trimming Tree Guide

If you own your home or a business, chances are that you have at least one tree on your piece of land.

Trees give us shade, they can give us fruit based on the type of tree that you have, and they can be a joy to look at. But sometimes it becomes necessary to trim your tree. We’ll look at some reasons that people trim trees and we’ll give you some tips and techniques to do it so that you can trim and prune your trees safely.

REASONS YOU MAY WANT TO PRUNE OR TRIM A TREE

Usually when you prune or trim a tree, it’s for one of three reasons: health, safety or aesthetics

  • Health – Sometimes it’s possible to save a tree that’s infected by pruning away the limbs and branches that are affected. When you thin the tree’s crown it will improve airflow, and this can be extremely beneficial. If your tree’s branches that are rubbing together or crossing, they need to be trimmed so they don’t unexpectedly fall.
  • Safety – Broken or dead limbs and branches have the ability to fall off anytime, and this can lead to safety problems. Also, if you have a tree that is obstructing the view and making it hard to see when you’re driving, you should trim them so you can see easier. There are also times when branches and limbs get too close to your utility lines. If this happens, you should get in contact with your utility company.
  • Aesthetics – Effectively pruning your tree will help it maintain its appearance and shape. But you shouldn’t try imposing an unnatural size or shape on your tree. The amount of pruning and trimming that’s going to be needed could damage it seriously.

GENERAL TIPS FOR TRIMMING YOUR TREES

It’s a good idea to prune or trim trees when they are dormant. Even though it’s possible to prune pine trees anytime, you’re better off doing it when they’re dormant as well. The only time you shouldn’t wait is when it could be hazardous.

Make sure you’re conscious about the branch’s size you’re taking off. If it’s under five centimeters around, it’s fine to remove it. If it’s 5 to 10 centimeters, it may not be a good idea. If it’s over 10 centimeters, it should only be removed if the reason is very good.

Florida Tree is the most trusted and top rated Tree & Ground Maintenance company in the area. But don’t take our word for it, see what your neighbors are saying about us and read our reviews.

TIPS FOR TRIMMING

  • The branches that you are trimming should have narrow, V-shaped angles. Any branches that are U-shaped and strong should be left alone.
  • Lateral branches should be anywhere from ½ to ¾ of the stem’s diameter where it attaches. If not, you should let them be.
  • When you are done pruning, you should have a ratio of living crown to height of the tree of two-thirds.
  • Try pruning away the branches when they’re young. They’re a lot easier to manage then and you lower the risk of leaving really nasty scars.
  • Don’t trim branches too long or too close. You shouldn’t remove the branch’s collar or leave a big stub.

TIPS FOR TREE PRUNING

The techniques and tips that follow will help with guiding you if you plan to prune one of your trees or if you’re simply looking to become educated about the usual maintenance and care techniques for tree trimming.

CROWN THINNING

Should you need to thin your tree’s crown, remember these techniques and tips.

  • Make sure that you are evenly spacing lateral branches, especially when you are pruning a young tree.
  • Prune away any branches that are rubbing against others or crossing them.
  • Don’t remove more than a quarter of a tree’s living crown during one pruning. If this needs to be done, you should do it over several years.

CROWN RAISING

In order to give extra clearance for pedestrians along with other reasons, it’s possible to raise your tree’s crown by pruning your tree carefully. Maintain the live branches on a minimum of 2/3 the height of the tree. If you’re removing to many of the branches on its bottom half, your tree might not develop a stem that’s strong.

CROWN REDUCTION

  • If you find that you have to remove over half of a branch’s foliage, simply remove your entire branch.
  • Only reduce your tree’s crown if very necessary. Prune the lateral branches that are a minimum of 1/3 the stem’s diameter which needs removing.
  • Before you make a cut, search for its branch collar. This grows from the tree’s stem tissue at the branch’s bottom base. Look for the ridge, and this will be on its upper surface, parallel to the branch’s angle at the tree’s stem.
  • Always make sure you’re cutting outside the branch’s bark ridge and angling the cut away and down from its stem. Make sure you’re not injuring its branch collar.
  • Use this technique for pruning living and dead branches.

If you have a stem that is extra-long, the technique you should use Is the three-cut. This starts by making a notch upon the stem’s side facing away from that branch you’re retaining. The second cut’s made inside the branch’s crotch and just above its branch ridge. Then the third cut is going to remove its stub because it cuts through its stem parallel to its bark ridge.

These techniques and tricks will help you keep your tree healthy and help you to prune your trees in a way that is safe for you. Remember, if the tree’s branches are close to power lines, call your utility company. They’ll come and take care of the problem and usually for free. The last thing you want is to cause a problem or be injured.

How To Transplant Trees or Shrubs

A lot of times you love where your trees are, and you leave them there for the rest of their lives.

But sometimes you have to transplant a tree that is already established. Transplanting a mature shrub or tree can be done even though it’s not as easy as when you plant a new one. There are a few reasons why you may need to relocate a plant that is already established. Some of these reasons are:

  • Adding to your home or doing a hardscaping project which means your plant has to be moved
  • You’re moving to another address and you want to take a favorite shrub or tree
  • A foundation plant has outgrown its current space so it needs another home in order to stay healthy and flourish

ASSESSING YOUR TRANSPLANTING PROJECT

Before you transplant your tree, you have to assess the project. You first have to decide if you’ll be able to handle this type of job. It’s not going to be easy. It will require pruning the roots the season before you transplant the bush or tree, digging it up, creating a new hole for planting, moving the heavy plant that still has its root ball, positioning your plant and then filling both holes back in. You’ll also need to care for your plant after it has been transplanted. Don’t think about transplanting if you’re not going to give the plant water for a minimum of a year after it’s transplanted.

Be sure your shrub or tree is a size that is manageable. A shrub as tall as three feet and a tree that is up to an inch around (measured six inches above your soil’s level) are able to be moved without digging out the whole root ball. These kinds of plants plus the majority of plants that are between 3 and 4 years of age are able to be moved as a bare root transplant. Older or larger plants have to be dug out and then transplanted with their intact root ball.

So that your transplant is successful, you have to make sure you’re bringing as much of its root system that is possible. Generally, you want to have a minimum of 10-12 inches of the diameter of root ball for each trunk diameter. For example, if you have a tree that is 3 inches around, the root ball has to be at least 30-36 inches around.

The root ball’s depth also will increase proportionally. As many of the plant’s lateral roots should be included as is possible. Because the roots are close to the line of the soil, a plant’s root ball that’s 12-24 inches deep is going to include the necessary roots.

When you extract a root ball, it’s going to be attached to the plant and soil. This is going to weigh around 100 pounds for each square foot. So you want to make sure you’re having the necessary manpower or machinery available so that it can be moved. When you have a bigger tree, you’re going to have a harder time to transplant it on your own.

Autumn, during the latter part of winter and early in the spring are the best times that you can choose for transplanting. Your move ought to be done after the leaves have fallen during the autumn if you’re doing it in the fall. If you’re doing it in the spring, it should be done before the new buds are breaking. If you’re not sure when you should be transplanting in the area in which you live, the office for Cooperative Extension will be a good choice to turn to, or even a nursery.

If you’re moving a tree that is very large, you can use hydraulic tree spades that are mounted on a truck. Based on the machine’s size, it’s possible to transplant a tree as tall as 50 feet successfully. This has to be done by a professional, however, for safety reasons.

EVALUATING YOUR PLANT AND LOCATION

Transplanting is going to be stressful for shrubs and tree. Ensure that the plant you are transplanting will be up to this task. If your plant’s doing well where it’s currently rooted, it’s best to find a location for its new home that has the same type of characteristics. Plant the shrub or tree in the way it was already growing. It should be facing the same way that it was previously and getting the same level of sunlight each day. Mark one of its branches using a string or ribbon so that it’s simple to reorient it facing West, East, South, or North.

If your plant is not healthy, transplanting it may kill it. If you’re still set on moving your plant, figure out the issue, treat it appropriately and then postpone moving it until it’s healthy. If your plant’s not healthy, there are a few possible reasons:

  • Disease or Pests – If your shrub or tree is seriously affected or damaged by one of these reasons, you may want to replace the plant instead of transplanting it.
  • Sunlight requirements – When the problem is its environment, if it’s getting too little or too much sun, figure out the amount that it will get where you’re transplanting it.
  • Type of Soil – If your plant is not growing well, it could be because of the type of soil. Transplanting it may not fit this situation. Do a test on your soil and determine if it’s suitable for the soil conditions that exist. Adjust your soil’s pH so it’s a better fit for your plant or choose another plant that is going to do well in the soil.
  • Soil type – Poor growth may be a result of the soil and moving the plant may not remedy the situation. Perform a soil test to determine whether the plant is suitable to your existing soil conditions. Adjust the soil pH to better fit the plant or find a new plant that will thrive in your soil.

Below are a few more considerations when you are transplanting:

  • Trees that have tap roots that are long and vertical, such as pecan, walnut, some pines and oaks are hard to transplant.
  • A lot of trees growing in soil that is sandy might have a lateral root system that is wider, and tap roots that are longer than a lot of other landscape plants that grow in soil that is clay-based. This is going to mean that you’ll have more digging to do before you transplant.
  • You may think it’s a good idea to move a native plant from a wooded area to your lawn but you won’t have a lot of success. It’s better to choose a native grown in a nursery to put on your landscape.
  • You will have an easier time transplanting a deciduous plant than a conifer. A shrub will normally relocate much easier than a tree.
  • If you’re moving a plant because of a problem with space, make sure you’re giving the plant enough room in its new home.
  • Remember that after you have transplanted your plant, there is still going to be a lot of its root system left in its original spot. So you’re going to have extra work to do so that you can prepare the area for turf grass or new plantings.
  • Check the property lines, underground, and overhead utilities and right-of-way before you dig. Before starting any type of excavation, you can call 811 to help you with checking for utilities underground.

Florida Tree is the most trusted and top rated Tree & Ground Maintenance company in the area. But don’t take our word for it, see what your neighbors are saying about us and read our reviews.

  • PRUNING ROOTS BEFORE YOU TRANSPLANT

    Nutrients and water will be absorbed by the roots of the plant, but those larger roots that are closest to the trunk of the tree don’t absorb very much. The little feeder roots extending beyond your plant are the ones that do that function. Pruning the roots will stimulate those feeder roots that are close to its trunk. Those types of new roots are going to get dug up since they’re part of its root ball when you transplant. Pruning roots is a very familiar practice when it comes to growing bonsai plants. It’s also very important if you are transplanting a mature plant.

    A shrub or tree that is going to be transplanted during the fall should have its roots pruned during the spring prior to the new buds appearing. If you are transplanting a plant in the spring, the roots should be pruned the fall before leaves have dropped. These steps should be as followed:

    1. The day before you do the pruning, water your soil. This is going to soften up the ground so it’s easier to dig and will help with reducing the stress to the roots of the plant. It’s also going to help with keeping your soil clinging to the plant’s roots.
    2. Tie or wrap your plant’s lower branches to keep them up so they’re protected and they’re not in the way when you’re digging
    3. Mark your zone area that you’re going to prune. Remember that you should include 10-12 inches of your root ball’s diameter for each trunk diameter inch.
    4. Start cutting your trench with your flat spade. The face should be facing away from your plant. An edge that is sharp is going to make a cut that is cleaner and make your digging simpler. If you’re encountering roots that are large, you can use your loppers to cut them.
    5. Continue with digging your trench and cut as you’re going. You should go down approximately 2 feet so that you’re reaching as many of the lateral roots of your plant as you can. While you’re digging, separate the subsoil and top soil so that you can return it to your trench when you’re done pruning.
    6. Once you have finished trenching around your whole plant, your root pruning is done. Don’t dig beneath your plant. Replace your subsoil before replacing your topsoil.
    7. Water it thoroughly and then untie its branches.

    KEEP IN MIND

    Remember that there will be brand-new feeder roots that are going to grow from its cut ends. These feeder roots have to be included with your transplant, because this is the point of doing the root pruning. When you are transplanting, you’ll be cutting your root ball 4-6 inches from where those roots had been pruned.

    DOING YOUR TRANSPLANT

    When you’re going to do your transplant, the steps that you are going to take will be a lot like when you did the root pruning, but with some important differences.

    • Water your soil the day prior so that the ground is softer, so that you’re reducing stress to the roots of your plant and helping your root ball to stay intact.
    • Dig your new hole for planting, and make sure it’s ready before you transplant. This hole should be dug 2 to 3 times the width of your root ball, but the depth should be the same. The hole should be moistened before you install your root ball for helping to reduce shock from transplant.
    • Tie the plant’s lower branches so that they’re up and protected. They’ll also be out of the way while you’re digging.
    • Remove your topsoil gently from the root’s top near its trunk and then mark that area that you’ll be digging. So that you’re including the roots that are newly grown, mark 4-6 inches out from your trench in which you pruned your roots. Then start digging on the outside of that mark.
    • Standing in the circle you marked, start digging using your flat spade with the spade’s face turned from your plant. Keep digging around your plant. Go down deeper, shaping your root ball while you go. If you’re coming across later roots, use your loppers to cut them.
    • Once you’ve cut around your plant and you’re to the right level so you’re including its roots, start digging under its root ball.
    • Before you’ve completely cut its root ball, put a burlap sheet or a tarp inside your hole alongside the root ball. Dig beneath your ball, cutting any of the remaining roots beneath. Tilt your root ball so that it’s on the tarp to be wrapped and moved.
    • Always lift your plant from beneath rather than by its trunk.
    • You have to keep your roots moist or they’re going to die. If you’re unable to immediately install the plant into the new location right after its been dug up, you should place it in a shaded area and make sure the roots are always moist until its transplanted.
    • If you’re transplanting a large plant to another location by way of the highway, it shouldn’t be carried in a vehicle that is open. Use a van or enclosed truck, or make sure the plant is covered. The roots can be kept moist by wrapping them in burlap or wet newspaper.

    BONUS TIP

    Tarps work well for moving transplanted plants to another lawn section. If you have to move a plant somewhere that’s further or you have to store it for any amount of time, burlap is better to use. Burlap is breathable and it’s porous, so you can water your root ball anytime while you’re waiting to plant it. It will also help your soil to stay intact.

    TRANSPLANTING A PALM TREE

    A palm tree is an exception to the majority of the rules that are listed above. The new roots grow from their trunks instead of its lateral root ends like other tree. Because of this, you can transplant a big palm tree even with a little root ball. But you’ll also have to give a transplanted palm tree support bracing after its been transplanted because it doesn’t have the normal huge root ball.

    In general, a mature palm is going to transplant much better when compared with a young one. A palm also will prefer being transplanted when it’s a warm temperature. But this isn’t true for all of the different types of palms. It’s a good idea to talk to an expert, such as an arborist, before you are trying to transplant a palm tree.

    SHRUB AND TREE CARE AFTER A TRANSPLANT

    You’ve done all of the tough work. Now you want to do a couple of finishing touches as well as remember a couple of things. Here are some tips for taking care of your tree or shrub once it’s been transplanted.

    • It’s important to water after you have done a transplant, but there isn’t an exact formula that tells you the amount and how often it should happen. Factors like temperature, soil texture, tree size, and winds will make the quantity of water a target that moves. Make sure that the roots are moist but aren’t soggy. If there isn’t any natural rainfall you should plan on watering deep every 12-14 days.
    • Putting a mulch layer of 2-3 inches around your new transplant’s base is going to help with retaining moisture and moderating the temperature of the soil and that will help with promoting growth of roots. The mulch should be kept 2-3 inches from your plant’s trunk.
    • You should stake larger trees. Three stakes should be used and ensure the rope or line’s not cutting into your trees bark. It’s a good idea to slide your line through a garden hose section to give a decent cushion between the bark and line. You should also ensure that you’re driving your stakes into ground that is solid. You can remove them after a year has passed.
    • Don’t fertilize a shrub or tree that is newly transplanted. It’s stressful enough for the plant to acclimate to its new site. When you fertilize it’s going to stimulate new growth that’s unwanted. You should wait a year before you fertilize your transplanted shrub or tree.
    • Expect that your transplanted shrub or tree is going to take a few years before it recovers from you moving it. Your plant might not produce any new type of growth or have any blooms until it’s adjusted to the new home that you have given it.

    When you are going to transplant a shrub or tree, these are the steps that you should take to ensure that the transplant goes well. If you aren’t sure if you’re able to transplant it yourself, it’s always better to hire someone who can do it for you. That will help to ensure that the transplant goes well and that your tree is healthy.

    HAVE MORE QUESTIONS?

    Florida Tree and Ground is a family owned company dedicated to satisfying the needs of our customers. We have a wide range of services, and our goal is to make your life easier by doing the work that you cannot. If you have any questions regarding our company or services, contact us today, we would love to help!

How To Use A Chainsaw Safely

A chain saw is a very popular tool for people to use. But when you are using a chainsaw, it can be very dangerous, too, if you’re not using it properly.

Below are seven rules to follow when you are using a chainsaw to make sure that you’re staying safe.

  • Properly stand using a boxer stance. If you are right-handed, put your left foot a bit in front and at an angle of 45 degrees, with your right foot in back slightly. Your feet should be apart about the width of your shoulders with your knees bent. If you’re left handed, reverse it.
  • Make sure both hands are kept on the saw. Don’t ever remove your eyes from your bar while you’re cutting.
  • Plan the cut so you’ll know exactly where your saw’s bar’s going to exit your log. Remember, it’s not where you’re starting your cut that is going to count, it’s where you’re finishing it. This means you don’t want to go right through your log so it goes through to the opposite side and hits your foot or leg.

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  • Don’t let the pull of the saw catch you by surprise. When you’re cutting on the bar’s bottom, you’re going to be pulled towards log, cutting on the bar’s top is going to push you away.
  • Be aware of the nasty kickback zone. You should never dig your bar into this zone.
  • Be smart when choosing your chainsaw. Unless you have had formal training in using a chainsaw, you should buy a chain saw with reduced kickback. This is going to cut slower, but it also is going to be a lot safer.
  • Make sure you’re wearing the right type of safety gear. This includes things like protection for your eyes and ears, gloves, boots and chaps.

These are seven rules that you should use to keep yourself safe when you’re using a chain saw. Remember that you can seriously get injured while using one, so be careful and protect yourself and those around you.

HAVE MORE QUESTIONS?

Florida Tree and Ground is a family owned company dedicated to satisfying the needs of our customers. We have a wide range of services, and our goal is to make your life easier by doing the work that you cannot. If you have any questions regarding our company or services, contact us today, we would love to help!

A Guide To Pruning Fruit Trees

If you grow fruit trees, whether you grow just a couple or you have an orchard, you want to know how to take good care of them.

One way to do this is through pruning them. Below we have provided you with a guide to pruning your fruit trees to get the best yield and results.

SHAPING

A fruit tree’s natural shape isn’t always best for the maximum production of fruit. You want to start your shaping process early, in particular to balance the tree’s root system and top portion.

STIMULATION

When you cut a tree back, it will stimulate more vigorous, stronger growth from its remaining buds. After just one growing season, a tree that is pruned is going to be bigger than one that is the same age and hasn’t been pruned.

SURVIVAL

Trees need to be pruned to help them with surviving after they’ve been planted. When it’s dug, the roots of a bare-root tree were disturbed. Chances are that it’s lost a lot of its feeder roots, which the tree needs for absorbing nutrients and moisture, but it still has a full-size top. This type of imbalance often causes slow and weak tree growth.

TIPS FOR PRUNING FRUIT TREES

PRUNE YOUR TREE WHEN IT’S DORMANT

You should wait until your tree’s dormant before you pull out your shears. This is going to be easy for you and best for your tree. It’s going to be easier where your cuts should be made once the leaves are off the tree. You should prune during the later part of the fall, in winter or very early in the spring. But consider your climate, since this will change depending on where you live.

HELP YOUR TREE CREATE A VERY STRONG FRAMEWORK

Remove any injured, narrow-angle (these are the weaker branches of any type of interfering or crossing branches) , diseased, or weak branches, along with one of the branches of the forked limbs. You also should remove the upright branches and the ones that are growing towards your tree’s center. It’s important to keep the tree from becoming too crowded and thick and make sure its height stays reasonable. All of these objectives are going to promote an improvement in bearing.

Florida Tree is the most trusted and top rated Tree & Ground Maintenance company in the area. But don’t take our word for it, see what your neighbors are saying about us and read our reviews.

PRUNING TIPS FOR CERTAIN TREES

Depending on the types of trees you have, you want to use different pruning techniques. Below are tips for pruning various types of fruit trees.

APPLE, CHERRY, EUROPEAN BLUE PLUM AND PEAR TREES

These kinds of trees will do best when they’re been pruned & trained to central leader trees. This tree type is shaped like a pyramid and has a single leader limb to be the tree’s highest point. This leader’s the most recent extension of an upright, long growing trunk. This is where all of the lateral branches come from. Just like with all of the growing branches that are strong, you should head it back each year. A new leader is going to be produced by the leader’s uppermost bud. The tree’s lateral branches ought to be chosen from the shoots that grow out from the tree’s central leader. You should space those out vertically 4 to 6 inches apart, they should have growth that is less vertical and more horizontal and they should also point out in different directions from your tree’s trunk.

APRICOT, JAPANESE PLUM, NECTARINE AND PEACH TREES

These kinds of trees will do best when they’re pruned as well as trained to go into a vase shape. This kind of tree shouldn’t have a central leader. The tree’s shape will be controlled by choosing and maintaining 3-5 scaffold limbs which arise from its trunk. The limbs need to point out in various directions, originating between 18 and 36 inches from your ground.

MINIATURE APRICOT, NECTARINE AND PEACH TREES

These kinds of trees don’t require any kind of shaping cuts. However, since they’re dense growers, you’re going to have to regularly thin them while they’re dormant to remove crossing and competing limbs.

WHIPS OR UNBRANCHED TREES

You should prune back unbranched trees to between 28 and 36 inches above ground when planting. Once the tree’s new branches grow 3-5 inches, choose a shoot for the leader, then scaffold limbs.

PRUNING OFF-SEASON

Sometimes you should do pruning even when it’s not the regular time to do it. This is the case if one of the tree’s branches because of a lot of fruit or from strong wind. You need to prune it immediately. Prune back any type of ragged edges and make a cut that is smooth without leaving a stubby stump. The fast-growing sprouts are able to be removed as spotted. You don’t have to wait for regular pruning time.

These are the tips that you should remember when you are pruning your fruit trees. Pruning is essential for the health of the tree and for its fruit production.

HAVE MORE QUESTIONS?

Florida Tree and Ground is a family owned company dedicated to satisfying the needs of our customers. We have a wide range of services, and our goal is to make your life easier by doing the work that you cannot. If you have any questions regarding our company or services, contact us today, we would love to help!

Is Your Tree A Danger To You?

One of the biggest problems with trees each year is when the tree or branch falls.

This can lead to damage to your house, car or other things and it even can cause major injuries and sometimes even death. Some people are afraid of this happening and they think about having the trees removed from their property.

However, if they have healthy trees, this isn’t always a good idea. Having one big tree on the property can add lots of value to the property or it also can help you with saving money on costs to cool your home. Trees also are great for cheering you up and making you happy.

So how do you know when the time may be right for removing a tree? Below are some of the signs that your tree may need to be removed. Some of them you can see on your own and others may need a more practiced eye in order to know when it’s time for it to take it down.

It should be noted that you shouldn’t substitute this blog for talking with a professional. An arborist who has experience and certification will be able to see trouble that other people can’t. But this is a good place to start.

INSPECTING TREES BY LOOKING AT THE FOUR ZONES

To thoroughly examine your tree, look at the four zones.

  • Zone 1 – Your whole tree, seen from some distance away
  • Zone 2 – That ground beneath your tree, which includes visible roots as well as that ground surrounding them. This also includes the tree’s first 3 feet of its trunk.
  • Zone 3 – Your tree’s trunk
  • Zone 4 – Your tree’s crown. This its leaves and branches, which includes the spot where the branches are connecting to its trunk as well as each of the branches all the way to the branches’ tips.

ZONE 1: YOUR WHOLE TREE

Stand somewhere that allows you to see your entire tree all at once and take a good long look. Look at the whole thing, instead of the tree’s individual parts. These are things to look at.

  • Is your tree leaning? If it is, which way is it leaning? Has the tree been leaning for a while? Has the lean increased since yesterday, last week or last month? Is the lean towards the east? The trees that are leaning towards the east will be more vulnerable and likely to fall since the majority of winds are coming from that direction.
  • Are you able to see any large dead branches? Does the tree have lots of them or are there just a couple? Are those dead branches on the tree’s lower part? Just on one of the tree’s sides?
  • Does your tree have sections that have absolutely no leaves? Is there a sparse leaf cover? Are that tree’s leaves dropping a lot earlier when compared with other trees that are the exact same species? Do its leaves look strange?
  • Are the branches of the tree dying from the tips?

If you’ve answered yes to one or more of those questions, you may have a tree that is getting ready to fall over, dying, imbalanced or sick. You want to immediately have it evaluated by one of the certified arborists in your area. You don’t want to take a chance.

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ZONE 2: THE GROUND BENEATH YOUR TREE

This includes visible roots as well as that ground surrounding them. This also includes the tree’s first 3 feet of its trunk. There is two kinds of roots. The ones that are most visible are the large structural roots. These hold up your tree. The absorbing roots are smaller and they can’t be seen, and these are the ones that give your tree with nutrients and water from soil. Even when a tree looks vibrant and strong and has beautiful foliage, it still can have severe problems with its roots. Look at the trunk’s base along with the ground surrounding the tree’s bottom. This is where you could find the evidence that the roots have issues.

  • Pull back the ground cover, ivy or mulch and closely look at where the tree’s trunk is meeting the ground. Do you notice raised or crack soil? If so, your tree might be uprooting.
  • Are you noticing mushrooms near or on the trunk or roots of the tree? This is a big indicator of trunk or root decay. When the anchoring roots of a tree are cut, rotting or decayed, there’s a huge risk that the tree is going to fall over. If a lot of your tree’s trunk is decayed, that trunk may break or buckle.

Decay, root rot and uprooting at the tree’s base can mean situations that are very dangerous which will require you to take action immediately. Certified arborists can help you with determining whether it’s okay to leave your tree standing or if you should remove it.

Some other things you should look for when you’re inspecting Zone 2:

  • Deep holes close to the ground are going to be a very bad sign. Your tree might collapse if its trunk is missing a lot of wood near the ground.
  • Have you spotted any dead branches beneath the tree? If you have, chances are that your tree has more of them that haven’t dropped yet, particularly if it’s never been cleaned by someone who is an expert at tree care. Think twice before walking beneath your tree if you’re seeing a lot of dead branches laying beneath the tree. Arborists will also be able to spot branches you didn’t even notice.
  • Are you seeing fine or coarse sawdust at your tree’s base? If you have, chances are that there is a carpenter ant colony in the tree or it’s being attacked by small beetles called borers. If there is carpenter ants, you really have a problem since they only nest in wood that’s dead. An invasion of borers usually will kill your tree, though with some of the species if you catch them early enough and tree them you may be able to save your tree. That is why arborists are a good person to consult.
  • Cracks or raised sections – If you are seeing these in your sidewalk or driveway, this can be a huge problem. They can cause people to trip and get hurt. It’s a good idea to call an arborist so you can find out how to save the roots of the tree and still address the issue.

ZONE 3 – YOUR TREE’S TRUNK

Your tree’s trunk is what holds your tree up and supports its branches’ massive weight. You want to thoroughly inspect that area of the tree.

  • Cavities – These can often be dangerous, based on how big they are, where the cavity is found on your tree, and their depth. If there is one that is above the level of your eyes, you might want to climb up and inspect it so that you know its depth and if there is decay.
  • Splits and cracks – When you have these in the tree’s trunk, they can be really dangerous. If you are noticing a split or crack in your tree’s trunk, your whole tree can break or fall apart anytime.
  • Missing bark – If you’re noticing spots where the tree is missing bark or bark is falling off, this usually means that there is a dead part in the tree. Look for some spots on the trunk of the tree where it has no bark, where the bark is falling off, or where it’s discolored. If bark is missing it also can mean there’s a wound on the surface, a fungal attack or an infection.
  • Missing bark streak – When you see this going down your tree, it normally means that your tree’s been struck with lightning. Sometimes trees can recover after this has happened, but if your tree’s turning brown a few weeks after it happened, the tree’s died.
  • Sawdust – This is often a sign of beetles and ants attacking your tree. When ants cut into wood that is decayed, there are coarse shavings left behind. Beetles which attack pine trees, known as pine bark beetles, leave things called pitch tubes and they look like sap that is the size of marbles.
  • Multiple trunks – When your tree has more than one trunk, they sometimes split and crack at the connection of the trunks. Connections that are strong look like U’s. Connections that are weak will look like V’s. Sometimes wood layers will be added by the tree over that connection so that the crack is strengthened. Following a windstorm, examine that connection in your tree at the point where the trunks are meeting. If that connection is high up, you can use binoculars. If there’s a line that is light in color that is contrasting with the bark’s natural dark color, chances are that the crack is fresh. Your tree might be starting to split apart. This should be considered an emergency.

When you are noticing any conditions that are listed above in the tree, you should immediately get in touch with an arborist. They’ll be able to tell you whether you can leave your tree there or if it needs to be removed.

ZONE 4: YOUR TREE’S CROWN

This is going to include the branches extending from its trunk and the leaves. A very obvious and common sign that your tree is not healthy is seeing dead wood. When hardwood trees have dead branches, it’s easy to see them. If the remainder of the tree is filled with green leaves, the branches that are dead will be the ones that are bare of leaves or that have brown leaves on them. When pine branches die, the needles on it will be brown. If the branch has been dead a while there won’t be any needles at all on it.

Another sign that a branch on the tree has been dead a while is that it doesn’t have any bark on it. These types of branches are going to easily break. They need to be carefully removed so they won’t fall on something on someone. If your hardwood tree has a lot of brown leaves upon it during the winter probably is dead, except for the American beech trees since they hold onto the dead leaves til early in the spring.

Examine the tree for branches that are broken, particularly after you have had a bad storm. Sometimes you won’t even know that there are broken branches until the leaves have turned brown.

Pockets of rot or decay will sometimes be on a branch’s upper side and they aren’t visible to someone on the ground. That is why it might be essential to have an aerial inspection done by an arborist. This means that the arborist is going to climb the tree to take a closer look. This will especially be important if there’s large branches and they’re extending over your house.

SUMMARY

It’s important to be proactive. Below are some guidelines you should follow so that your family, home and yourself are protected.

  • Make sure you’re inspecting the trees regularly!
  • Immediately have trees checked if you’re seeing, or think you’re seeing, any of those warning signs that are mentioned above.
  • You should have an arborist regularly check your large trees, once every 3 years is the bare minimum
  • If you’re having extreme cycles of weather, like a lot of rainfall or drought, it’s a good idea to have your trees examined more often.
  • Examine trees following extreme weather, like really strong wind, heavy snow or ice, or a lot of rain. When you’re walking around the house, carefully examine your roof as well. Punctures in the roof due to falling branches can cause bad water damage in the home.
  • When your trees have broken, dead, weak, or cracked branches, call an arborist to have the trees pruned. This should be done at least every 3 years, or sooner if you’re noticing problems. This is going to help with keeping your trees beautiful, healthy and safe. It’s also important to remember that tree trimmers shouldn’t be climbing the tree with leg spikes!

These are the tips that you can use to help you know whether or not your tree is ready to come down. Use these tips and you’ll know when you have a healthy tree or whether it’s time to take your tree down.

HAVE MORE QUESTIONS?

Florida Tree and Ground is a family owned company dedicated to satisfying the needs of our customers. We have a wide range of services, and our goal is to make your life easier by doing the work that you cannot. If you have any questions regarding our company or services, contact us today, we would love to help!

10 Reasons To Prune Your Shrubs And Trees

Have you considered pruning your trees? You might think that it’s a good idea to do it. There are a lot of good reasons that you want to prune your trees, some of them to help protect your family and property, others to make your property look better.

Below are 10 reasons that it’s a good idea to prune your shrubs and your trees.

  • Vigor – When you prune a shoot that is growing it’s going to stimulate the production of new growth. Therefore, if you want some new growth on one of your shrubs, you should prune it a lot. Think about this kind of pruning if you have a shrub with a weak growth section like the back. When you’re pinching back some new growth using your fingers, you are pruning.
  • Shape – The plants which have grown so they’re not in balance with the plant’s growing pattern, like having awkward or stray branches and also the yard are all able to be reshaped with pruning. Shape – Plants that have grown out.
  • Restrict the Size of a Plant – This is particularly important if you’re living in a place that has restricted space. The gardeners that live in suburban or urban areas will often need to do some pruning so that shrubs and trees are kept from outgrowing their container, garden or yard. Root-pruning is another way that you can help with restricting your plants’ sizes in containers.
  • Allow More Light in – If you yard is extremely shady or you want to have more sun that’s reaching an area beneath your tree for the lawn or other plants, carefully pruning it will help with letting in additional sunshine.
  • Structural Soundness and Health – Any injured, diseased, dead or injured branches need to be taken off for the tree’s health. When branches are rubbing together they ought to be removed so that potential damage to branches is eliminated. A lot of maintaining the tree’s structural soundness will be about using pruning practices instead of things such as topping the tree. Topping trees can cause the tree to be pest susceptible and make the tree weak. It also can cause the tree to die slowly even when it’s taking a tree years for it to die.

Florida Tree is the most trusted and top rated Tree & Ground Maintenance company in the area. But don’t take our word for it, see what your neighbors are saying about us and read our reviews.

  • Create Some Special Effects – Pruning to create special effects often is seen in the more formal gardens. These are things like boxwood topiaries or apple trees that were trained to be espaliers. Coppicing or pollarding techniques for pruning also may be used.
  • Encouraging Fruit and Flowering – Pruning can help with coaxing growth spurs (which produces the fruit and the flowers) to form upon the branches of the trees. Flower buds that are strong also will be encouraged to form thanks to pruning. You can prune fruit trees lightly during the summer and this is going to encourage better circulation of air around fruit. This is going to result in fewer problems with diseases of fruit and help the fruit to ripen faster.
  • Protect Property and People – Trees that were planted close to sheds, homes, play structures and other types of buildings pose potential threats to the safety of humans if the tree should fall or a heavy branch breaks. They also can interfere with power or phone lines. Properly pruning trees can help with keeping property, people and pets safe.
  • Keep Your Evergreens Proportionate – When you prune your evergreens it can help keep them under control, particularly things like boundary hedges. An evergreen will benefit from being lightly pruned since it will keep the foliage denser and therefore it’s much more attractive.
  • Improve Appearance – The top priority of a lot of gardeners when they prune their plants is to improve the plants’ garden or yard. Removing unwanted, dead branches along with suckers will create pleasing shapes and will leave the plants looking tidy and neat. A lot of gorgeous blooming shrubs like butterfly bushes are able to create gorgeous blossoms because of great techniques when it comes to pruning.

Usually pruning will be about working with the natural growth patterns of plants as they are developing along with maintaining shrub and tree species that are mature. The only true exception is when it’s being pruned for creating special effects. Generally, successfully pruning jobs are going to leave your beautifully-shaped, healthy shrubs or fruit trees looking as if they weren’t pruned at all.

HAVE MORE QUESTIONS?

Florida Tree and Ground is a family owned company dedicated to satisfying the needs of our customers. We have a wide range of services, and our goal is to make your life easier by doing the work that you cannot. If you have any questions regarding our company or services, contact us today, we would love to help!

5 Facts About Mangrove Trees

If you have been to Florida, chances are that you have heard of mangrove trees but you may not know a lot about these types of trees. Below are five facts about mangrove trees that are both educational and interesting.

1. SPECIES OF MANGROVE

There are more than 50 mangrove species cross the world. In the US, there are three varieties – red, flack and white mangroves are in Florida. They grow along Florida’s vast shorelines and they prevent beach-line and sand erosion during hurricanes and tropical storms. They are able to live in water that’s 10x saltier when compared with the water that other plants can withstand.

2. WILDLIFE

Wildlife are provided with nesting locations, roosting sites and wildlife and bird protection. The mangroves also give marine and aquatic life with a great food source. A lot of the young fish species go into mangrove’s root system to get away from predators. Turtles also make mangrove’s roots their home, where they can find food and safety.

3. WATER FILTRATION

One of the great things about mangroves is that they can filter the water through the root system. The trees are able to easily filter the runoff before that water gets to the ocean. The roots help with trapping debris from uplands. This is what helps with protecting coral reefs and sea life, since they can be destroyed or killed by a lot of sediment. The mangrove trees also help during hurricanes and tropical storms by reducing the damage from the wind to the areas inland, taking a lot of the storm’s brunt. They’re also going to help with lessening wave action as well as preventing storm surges from getting too intense.

Florida Tree is the most trusted and top rated Tree & Ground Maintenance company in the area. But don’t take our word for it, see what your neighbors are saying about us and read our reviews.

4. ROOTS/SEED GERMINATION

Mangroves helps with ensuring their own survival by letting the seeds to start germination while they’re still attached to the tree before they’re dispersed. This will give the seed a good head start so they can survive. The trees also have roots which extend from water to go in the air. These roots let the tree get oxygen.

5. FRUIT

The aboriginal people in Australia enjoy eating the fruit of the white mangrove. The thing about the white mangrove fruit is that it’s toxic if they’re not soaked in the mud for 7 days before they’re eaten. Then the fruit is twice boiled or roasted before it’s eaten. The branches then can be burned in a campfire so that sand flies are repelled.

The next time you go to Florida and see a mangrove tree, think about these facts. Mangroves are truly a fascinating plant.

HAVE MORE QUESTIONS?

Florida Tree and Ground is a family owned company dedicated to satisfying the needs of our customers. We have a wide range of services, and our goal is to make your life easier by doing the work that you cannot. If you have any questions regarding our company or services, contact us today, we would love to help!

5 Tips For Chainsaw Maintenance

If you have a chainsaw, you know that it can be very helpful around the house. But in order to keep it in good working order, there are things that you should do to make sure that your chainsaw is ready to go when you need to use it. Below are five maintenance tips that you can use for keeping it running well.

1. CORRECT RATIO OF OIL AND FUEL

When you want to make sure that the chainsaw is ready to use, one of the most important things that you can do is to ensure that you have the right amount of oil and fuel in your chainsaw’s fuel tank. This will make sure that it’s safe for you to use.

2. BAR OIL RESERVOIR MAINTENANCE

It’s important that you are looking at the reservoir for your bar oil. This is what makes sure your chain is well lubricated and reduces that friction in between the bar and chain. Usually this will need to be filled whenever you put fuel in your chainsaw. When you make sure the reservoir is full, it’s going to extend the life of the bar, sprocket and chain. You want to use the correct seasonal bar oil, too.

3. USE THE RIGHT TENSION ON THE TRAIN

You can determine this when you lift your chain out from your track so that you can just see the bottom part of the chain’s teeth. This chain also should snap right back if you have the right amount of tension.

Florida Tree is the most trusted and top rated Tree & Ground Maintenance company in the area. But don’t take our word for it, see what your neighbors are saying about us and read our reviews.

4. MAKE THAT YOUR CHAIN IS SHARP

Your chain on the saw might become dull as time goes by. If the saw is dull and needs sharpening, there is some signs that you should look for:

  • Your chain isn’t pulling itself in when cutting wood. This means that you have to force the cutting by putting pressure on your engine.
  • When you are making vertical cuts, your chainsaw is making fine sawdust rather than coarse strands.
  • There is smoke rising up although chain lubrication is working and you have the right chain tension.
  • Your chainsaw is bouncing and rattling when you’re cutting so that it’s hard to get a precise position.

If you’re noticing any of these signs when you are using your chainsaw, your saw chain needs to be sharpened or replaced.

5. HAVE AN AIR FILTER THAT IS CLEAN

Your chainsaw’s air filter keeps debris such as dust and dirt from getting into the carburetor of your chainsaw. This can have a negative impact on the engine as well as hinder its performance when it’s not maintained properly. Make sure that you are regularly cleaning or replacing the air filter so that you have the best performance and that you are preventing costly repairs as time goes by.

These are five easy things that you can do to ensure that you have a chainsaw that’s ready to go when you need it to work. They are simple and they can help you with saving a lot of money on repairs and problems when using your chainsaw.

HAVE MORE QUESTIONS?

Florida Tree and Ground is a family owned company dedicated to satisfying the needs of our customers. We have a wide range of services, and our goal is to make your life easier by doing the work that you cannot. If you have any questions regarding our company or services, contact us today, we would love to help!

How Often Should You Mow Your Florida Lawn?

When you own a home, one thing that you want to do is to make sure you are caring for your lawn and mowing it frequently and properly. It will help your home look great, it is good for your neighborhood’s property value, and it’s nice to view and enjoy.

If you have recently moved to Florida, chances are that you want to know how often you should mow your lawn, especially if you are coming from someplace that has a totally different climate. After all, Florida is hot longer than most other states.

Just like when you are in other states, how often you should mow your lawn will depend on how the grass is growing. When you make your mowing schedule, there are a few things that you should think about:

  • Grass species
  • Time of year
  • Weather conditions

For the most part, you’re going to mow your lawn a lot less during the winter compared to the summer. You should mow your lawn so often that you aren’t moving any more than ¼ of the blade’s height removed. When you adhere to this general rule, it means you aren’t going to be putting a lot of stress on the grass. It also will leave ample leaf surface so that photosynthesis happens.

Florida Tree is the most trusted and top rated Tree & Ground Maintenance company in the area. But don’t take our word for it, see what your neighbors are saying about us and read our reviews.

If you don’t like mowing often, centipedegrass or bahiagrass should be used for the lawn. These grasses are low-maintenance and you only have to mow them for removing seed heads. One of the fastest growing types of grass is Bermudagrass, and this has to be mowed often. You want to learn about what type of grass is in your lawn before starting your schedule. If you aren’t sure what type of grass you have, you can always speak with a lawn care specialist.

Whether you’re planting a brand-new lawn or you’re restoring your landscape to the way that it used to look, you can do this by finding out what type of grass you have so that you can choose the mowing schedule that will work best. If you have any questions, it’s a good idea to speak with someone who is familiar with different types of grass and their care needs. That way you can give your grass the care that it needs. It will help your grass look healthy and green, and it will help your house and landscape look great!

4 Reasons To Regularly Mow Lawn

For a lot of people, mowing the lawn seems like a big chore that they find annoying. But the truth is that there are many benefits to mowing your lawn regularly. Below are four reasons why you should regularly cut your grass.

STRONGER GRASS

One of the best reasons to have your lawn mown regularly is because it will make it stronger. The best height is around 3” tall. When the grass gets cut, the grass shoots that are healthiest are going to flourish and the weak ones get left behind. When you are regularly cutting your lawn, you are going to have healthier grass shoots. This means that your lawn is going to be healthier and lusher as time goes by.

EVEN GROWTH

Chances are that you have seen at least one yard that’s uneven and patchy. It didn’t look that nice, did it? When grass growth is uneven, it causes this kind of problem. But when you mow regularly, it can help you avoid this issue. When you’re slicing your grass’s growth down to a uniform, short level regularly, it will improve its growth because it helps with evenly distributing and absorbing resources from the water and sun. It’s important to have consistent growth to have a gorgeous yard.

Florida Tree is the most trusted and top rated Tree & Ground Maintenance company in the area. But don’t take our word for it, see what your neighbors are saying about us and read our reviews.

MULCHING

Mulching is a very important part of keeping your lawn healthy since it will return the necessary nutrients back to the lawn after it’s been mowed. When you are mowing your lawn consistently, you can use the shorter grass blades for mulching. Returning these shorter blades to the lawn is a lot of healthier than waiting for the grass to be longer since longer blades are going to have fewer nutrients and they’re going to be weaker. The majority of mowers come with mulching features and you can mulch the lawn every time that you mow it, as long as your grass isn’t too tall.

FAST RECOVERY

There are a lot of things that your lawn faces. There are things like pests, diseases and inclement weather constantly. For your lawn to overcome these annoyances, it must be maintained well. When your lawn’s regularly mowed and maintained, it will recover a lot faster than when it’s unhealthy. When you don’t care for your lawn and don’t give it the care and love it needs, it’s going to be a lot harder for it to bounce back when it’s damaged.

It’s easy to see that it’s very important that you are mowing your lawn regularly. This can help your lawn to be attractive and healthy. One thing that you should remember doesn’t cut off more than a third of the height of the grass at once since this can damage its roots. If you are unable to cut your lawn yourself, you can always hire a lawn care company to take care of it for you. A good lawn care company will make sure that your lawn is cared for so that you can enjoy a beautiful lawn all year round.

6 Dangers of Cutting Down a Tree

If you have a tree that needs to come down, one thing that you might consider doing is removing it yourself. But this is often a terrible idea.

There are a lot of dangers that associate themselves with cutting down trees or removing them. Below are seven dangers that are worth heading when taking down a tree.

1. FALLING

When you were cutting down a tree, It’s sometimes necessary that you remove some branches first. When you’re climbing up high, one of the things that you have to worry about is falling from the height. This issue is especially true if you’re bending or you’re using a larger unwieldy tool. If you’re using a ladder, securely tie it to the tree you’re working on before you bring your tools up or you start work. If you’re working at a height that’s tall enough that you could be injured if you fell, wear a harness that you attached to a healthy, thick branch that has no signs whatsoever of cracking or rot.

2. GETTING HIT BY TRUNKS OR BRANCHES

Since you have to remove branches and the whole tree eventually, you’re going to risk getting hit by the trunk or the branches. Make sure that you have someone helping you bringing the branches down safely when they’re up high and remove all possible branches while standing on the ground. When you are falling a tree cut 1/3 into the trunk, so the cut’s parallel with the ground, and then cut it downward at an angle of 60° to meet the cut’s inward end. This technique is going to create a wedge. It is going to ensure that when it’s cut from the opposite side, the trees going to fall in the wedge’s direction.

3. ELECTROCUTION

A lot of trees are close to power lines, and this is going to put you in danger when you have to remove the tree. You should especially be careful when branches are going wild close to power lines or telephone poles. Get in contact with your power company beforehand to find out if your lines can be turned off, or they can be insulated using blankets. No matter what, you want to make sure you’re taking precaution so that you’re not accidentally touching one of the lines when you’re working since you can’t be certain that it’s turned off.

Florida Tree is the most trusted and top rated Tree & Ground Maintenance company in the area. But don’t take our word for it, see what your neighbors are saying about us and read our reviews.

4. INJURIES FROM TOOLS

Even though using a chainsaw is going to make cutting down trees a lot easier, it’s also a very dangerous tool. Make sure you’re reading the directions before using it your first time and make sure that all are in order every time before using it. Make sure you’re removing anything which could cause your chainsaw to kick back, such as rebar pieces or nails. Don’t ever cut with your chainsaw directly overhead since you won’t be able to control the movement and you don’t want the chainsaw close to your face or in a position that’s hard for you to control.

5. IMPROPER EQUIPMENT

Professionals who specialize in tree care also are trained in using the equipment like cranes, wood chippers, ropes and chainsaws for safety selling and disposing of trees. They also have the protective gear that they need to wear so that they stay safe while doing it. A lot of homeowners don’t have all this equipment that they will need, and they don’t have the expertise or experience that a professional has.

6. DECAYING WOOD

A tree that is dying or dead is often decaying from its inside out. This problem makes it very unstable. A lot of times professionals will use a crane to remove this kind of deadwood. If you believe that your tree’s starting to decay, it’s a good idea to get in touch with a professional for removing it before it suddenly collapses.

PROPERTY DAMAGE

Along with the possibility of you getting hurt from a tree falling or from a branch falling, or from you falling out of the tree, there’s always the chance that you might damage your property. If the tree falls wrong or if a branch falls uncontrollably, it could fall and cause damage to your house or a car. A professional will know how to control it so that this is rare, and they have insurance if something should happen while they are doing it.

It’s easy to see that having a professional remove your tree is a better choice than having a friend do it or doing it yourself. There are so many dangers that professionals are ready for and homeowners are not. If you have a tree that needs to come down, it’s better to have someone come out and do it for you than to take the chance of someone getting hurt or killed or damaging your property.

3 Benefits of Pruning Your Trees Prior To Hurricane Season

If you live in an area where you get a lot of hurricanes or other strong storms, one thing that you want to do is think about getting your trees pruned before the hurricane season hits.

Below are three benefits of having your trees pruned before the hurricane season.

1. THE TREE’S HEALTH WILL BE IMPROVED

Strategically pruning your tree before a hurricane hitting will help with strengthening your tree’s overall health and improve the defenses of the tree. Trees that are professionally pruned are healthier, more stable and stronger, which makes them much better equipped to withstand the strong winds that come with a hurricane.

Not only that but when a tree’s pruned long before the hurricane season starts, the tree will have enough time for the tree to recuperate from the little wounds sustained by the pruning. When you delay having your tree pruned until the hurricane hits, your tree may be weaker and vulnerable because it can’t replenish the energy resources that have been depleted by pruning.

2. IT CAN REVEAL HIDDEN PROBLEMS IN THE TREE

Another thing that pruning can do to help your tree is to reveal problems that you didn’t know about your tree. This could be things like tree stresses, which can require bracing and cabling to help the tree be stabilized. Without having the tree pruned, an owner of a commercial property or a homeowner might not know that the tree is unstable until it’s destroyed or damaged during hurricanes.

Additionally, pruning your tree also can help you find insect infestations or tree diseases which can weaken your tree and increase its likelihood to fall over when a hurricane or bad storm comes. If it’s caught in enough time, a Certified Arborist will be able to treat insect infestations and tree diseases so that your tree has a better chance to survive.

Florida Tree is the most trusted and top rated Tree & Ground Maintenance company in the area. But don’t take our word for it, see what your neighbors are saying about us and read our reviews.

3. DANGEROUS LIMBS WILL BE REMOVED

Finally, the most obvious reason to have your tree trimmed before the next hurricane is to have damaged or broken branches and limbs removed. You might see some of them, but there could be hidden breaks because they’re up high or due to the tree’s dense foliage.

Having your tree pruned professionally will remove damaged and broken tree limbs that quickly can become dangerous or deadly objects during a bad storm. Having your tree pruned professionally can greatly reduce the chance of this happening. This can help you with keeping yourself, your family, and your property safe and undamaged.

As you can see, having your trees pruned before the strong season starts is a good idea. Not only can it protect yourself, your family and your property from damage and injury, but it also can let you know when there are problems before they become too bad.

This can make a huge difference and help you to save your tree and help it stay healthy. You never know what a good pruning will find in your tree and the problems it can help you avoid.

TREE SERVICES IN CHARLOTTE & SARASOTA COUNTY

Florida Tree & Ground is the premier lawn care and landscaping company in Charlotte County, as well as Sarasota County. We provide our services to cities like, Punta Gorda, Port Charlotte, North Port, Englewood, Sarasota, and Venice, FL. Our tree services include tree trimming, pruning, tree removal, stump grinding, and more. If you live in Charlotte or Sarasota County and are looking for a tree service company, contact us today!

3 Methods For Removing A Palm Tree

If you have a palm tree, one of the things that you might need to do is to have the tree removed. There are several ways that you can do this. Below are three methods that you can use for removing a palm tree and the steps that are involved.

HAVING A COMPANY REMOVE IT

SNAP A PIC OF THE PALM TREE

A few types of varieties of palms are thought to be valuable, and it’s possible you can make some money by uprooting the tree rather than destroying it. some of the companies are going to remove your tree, buy the tree and then it will be relocated. You are going to have to get a picture of it so you’ll be able to decide what kind of tree it is.

The palm tree type is determined by a few factors – leaves, the shape of the trunk, height and various other features. Be certain they’re visible in the picture.

Two of the most common kinds are Queen Palm and Mexican Fan, so they’re not thought to be valuable.
Kentia Palm and Chilean Wine Palms might be valuable.

RESEARCH THE TREE

Look online and see if you can figure out what species your tree is. You should search online for photo guides of different varieties of palm trees, then compare the picture you took to the online pictures to decide the type of tree that you have. Then you can decide how the tree should be removed.

If you aren’t sure, nurseries that specialize in palm trees or companies that remove palm trees may be able to help with identifying the tree.

CHECK THE TREE’S LOCATION

Be sure the palm’s in a location that’s accessible. A removable service will need a lot of room for them to work. Make sure the area’s clear of furniture, debris, and vehicles. You also want to look and see if there are any power lines close to the tree that it might fall on when it’s being removed. If it’s in a smaller area, like in a yard that’s surrounded by a fence, it’s possible that it’s going to cost the service a lot to remove it, so they may not buy it.

Removing palms that are close to power lines or buildings also is dangerous, so you should hire a service that is professional. If the tree is in a tight space it’s going to be difficult to remove, so the company is going to charge more to remove it.

CHECK THE LAWS

One thing that you want to do is consult the regulations about removing taller trees. There may be laws against removing trees that are tall. This is mainly due to safety because dealing with especially large trees can pose a danger to yourself or other people. If you have a really tall palm tree, you want to have someone who is professional to remove it.

An example is that if you live in California, it’s possible that you won’t be able to cut down a palm tree that’s more than 12 feet tall yourself. A tall tree will often require a lot more tools and workers to cut, so the company will likely charge more.

Contact a removal service that’s reputable. After you’ve decided what you want to do with the palm tree, you’ll have to find a company that’s willing to do the job. Talk about the options that you have with the companies that service your area. Before you choose the company, you should always look for the name of the company on the Internet to find out their credentials. You also want to read customers’ reviews.

If you are going to sell the palm, contact a company that does tree relocation or a nursery to dig your tree up without causing it harm. If you are simply cutting it down, call a service that removes trees.

Florida Tree is the most trusted and top rated Tree & Ground Maintenance company in the area. But don’t take our word for it, see what your neighbors are saying about us and read our reviews.

REMOVING A PALM TO BE TRANSPLANTED

FIND OUT IF IT’S VALUABLE

Before you dig up your palm tree, research your tree. It’s a good idea to take its picture and search for it online. This will help you with figuring out if you have a valuable tree. Some of the varieties of palms are considered to be valuable by planting companies and growers, and it’s possible they’ll want to buy your tree.

If you have a valuable tree, or you want the tree to be moved without causing it harm, dig your tree up rather than cutting the tree down. A palm tree nursery or a tree removal company can help with identifying the value of the tree and its specifics.

ASSESS THE TREE

Figure out how the tree should be falling. Stand in the spot where you’d like your palm to fall. The spot should be away from other trees, power lines and buildings. Detect the lean by taking a look along its trunk up to its branches. View it at other types of angles if needed for figuring out its lean, along with spotting any damage signs which could alter the tree’s trajectory.

Check out the regulations in your area before starting to ensure that you’re following all of the tree removal laws.

Plan to bring your tree down the way that it leans. If that’s not possible, dig out around 24 inches out of the soil around the tree’s roots the way that you’d like your tree to go when it falls.

Ensure the fronds of the tree aren’t tangled in the power lines or other things that are going to fall when the tree falls. If there are obstacles, it’s best to bring in a professional to help.

ANCHOR YOUR TREE

Use a rope to anchor your palm tree. This will anchor it to the grass and it’s needed in case there’s a topple and damage is caused, particularly if you have a large tree. Around Anchor the palm tree to the ground with a rope. This is needed in case the tree topples and causes damage, especially if the tree is large. About a third of the way going up your tree, wrap 4 strong rope pieces around the tree’s trunk. Each rope should be stretched a minimum of 2 feet from your tree. Plant metal stakes for each rope’s end and tightly tie your rope to your stakes.

Each of the ropes should travel the same distance from your tree. Make sure each of the ropes is tightly tied.

Another way that you can secure your tree is to stand some wooden boards against your tree. Nail one end of each of the boards to your tree around one-third of the distance up its trunk, then the other end should be staked into the ground.

If your tree starts falling, clear your area immediately. Go to a spot that’s out of the range of the tree.

CHECK THE ROOTS

Now you want to create a circle. This is going to go around your tree’s base. Measure the width of the tree so that you can estimate how big your root ball is. You should expect that your tree’s root ball is going to be around two times in width as the tree is, and this can be as much as 24 inches around. This can be marked by making the circle around your tree using spray chalk.

If you have a taller tree, the roots are going to spread out. If the tree is taller than 16 feet, the root ball may be bigger than 24 inches. If you’re planning to replant or transfer the tree, it’s a good idea to make your circle 30 inches or even bigger so that you don’t damage larger roots.

DIGGING

You want to dig in from your circle’s edge. Dig around your circle’s edge, and move your dirt until you’re able to see its root balls’ bottom. There is a lot of string, small roots that won’t spread quite as far compared with other trees. After you’ve found the roots’ ends, start moving towards the trunk until you’re exposing the root ball’s top.

Even though palms will need the majority of their roots so that they can be successfully replanted, a little damage to the roots isn’t going to kill it. You can also rent a crane to dig beneath its root ball so that the tree isn’t harmed.

DEALING WITH ROOTS

Sever stubborn or long roots using your shovel. A palm is able to survive a certain amount of damage to its roots. It’s possible to prune the larger roots that are going beyond the ball. Use something like a saw, hoe or shovel for cutting through them. Place its blade on roots close to the ball, then press down so that it’s severed.

If you’re able to expose your root ball’s bottom successfully, it won’t be necessary to sever any of the roots.

DIGGING UP THE TREE

Dig under the ball in order to free your tree. Continue to dig around your tree until you’re able to see the ball’s bottom. It will be necessary to get the shovel beneath the ball so that you’re able to wedge your tree free. After the ball’s exposed, you can move your tree.

If you’re unable to reach the bottom of your root ball, cut the long roots. If your tree starts falling, quickly get out of its way just in case your supports fail.

BRINGING THE TREE DOWN

Lower your tree down. Your tree is able to be lowered after its roots have been exposed. Get some people to help you, since a palm tree is very heaven. Loosen your ropes on one of the ends, and then lower your tree slowly. Don’t stand under your tree where it’s going to fall.

If you haven’t cut many of its roots or you haven’t sawed off the trunk’s top, your tree will be able to be planted again somewhere else. You just have to have a hole that’s deep enough so that it can cover its root ball.

If you have a large tree, it will be necessary to use a crane for moving it once it’s down. Once it’s been replanted, you will have to provide aftercare, like regularly watering it, so that it will take root.

CUTTING YOUR PALM TREE DOWN

FIND OUT IT’S WORTH

You want to take a picture of it and then search for the tree online to see if it’s valuable. There are some trees that are common and that will cost more money to plant somewhere else than they would if you just remove them. If you aren’t sure what kind of palm you have, it’s good to consult an expert.

PROTECT YOURSELF

Wear a facemask and earmuffs. If you use your chainsaw improperly, it can be dangerous. You should protect your hearing by wearing ear muffs that reduce noise and put on a good hard hat that has a face mask that you can flip up so that wooden shards that are flying don’t go into your face or eyes.
You also want to wear sturdy boots, gloves, and long sleeves and pants.

PROTECT YOURSELF UP HIGH

If you have to climb the tree, use a harness. If you are going to trim the tree so that its weight is reduced, it will be necessary to climb it. A hydraulic lift or harness will be necessary for trees that are around 12 feet tall or higher. Attach your harness to your tree or something else that’s stable, such as a close building.
It’s possible to purchase the harness on the internet or at home improvement stores. If you’re uncomfortable doing it yourself, it’s a good idea to hire someone to do it.

FIGURE OUT THE TRAJECTORY OF THE TREE

Evaluate the way that your tree’s going to fall. Stand a distance from it and then look up its trunk to discern its lean. Chances are good that it’s going to fall in that direction. Be sure your tree’s clear of the power lines. You also want to make sure it’s not going to fall on vehicles or other items.
Be sure that you’re following local tree removal regulations and get in contact with a service if it’s close to things such as power lines.

If you’re unable to fall the tree the way it’s leaning, it will be necessary to make a notch that’s deeper the way that you’re wanting it to fall. Cut around one third of the way into the trunk of the tree. If your tree has holes or cracks, it might fall in the direction of those damaged spots. Make sure that you know about the spots and ensure you’re working around those spots.

CLEAR YOUR AREA

Make sure the area’s cleared before you cut your tree. You also want to ensure that there’s no one in the area before starting to work on your tree. A palm tree is really heavy and even its fronds can cause damage when they fall. Pets and children should be kept far away until your tree’s down.

You should know what’s around you. Make sure there’s an escape plan if the tree begins splintering, falling towards you or cracking.

REMOVING THE FRONDS

If you have a shorter tree, you’ll be able to remove its fronds with a ladder. Position your ladder beside the branch you’re cutting on so it won’t fall upon you. If this isn’t possible, hydraulic lifts or nearby structures can help you get above your fronds.

When you’re trimming your fronds, stand above them or next to them. Don’t stand beneath them. Ask someone to help you with watching the tree and keeping an eye out for it to start to splinter or fall in the opposite direction. The person who is holding the ladder for you might be able to do this for you. Hydraulic lifts can be rented from home improvement stores.

PRUNE THE FRONDS

You can trim your fronds using your pruning saw. Use your saw to cut through your fronds one by one. Cut each of them really close to the trunk of the tree. It’s possible to use your chainsaw, too, but fronds often are tough meaning that your blades are going to wear out quickly. You should change the blade when it’s not cutting cleanly through your tree’s branches.

Allow the branches that you have cut to fall. Ensure there’s no one beneath your tree while you’re working. If you’re unable to cut your fronds, it’s possible to cut the entire tree down. But keep in mind that the fronds are going to make your tree a lot heavier as well as affect its trajectory. The trajectory also will be affected by the wind, particularly if your tree still has fronds.

CUTTING DOWN YOUR TREE

Create a notch at the base of the tree. Use the right technique for cutting so that the tree’s trajectory is controlled. Create your triangular cut at the side where the tree should fall. In order to make this cut, use your chainsaw to diagonally slice down around one quarter of the tree’s diameter and then pull your saw from the trunk.

This cut should be made at your chest or waist level so that you don’t have a huge stump left over once the tree’s down.

If you don’t want to completely take the tree down, use your chainsaw to cut your tree from its top. Cut around 12 inches off at each time and keep going until you only have a stump.

FINISH CUTTING DOWN TREE

Cut through your tree from its opposite side. Use your chainsaw to cut right through your tree. Saw through your tree until you’ve reached the notch’s tip. Move quickly away from your tree when the cracking starts. Chances are that your tree’s going to fall in the direction of your notch cut.

It’s possible you’ll need to replace your blade more than once so that you’re able to cut through your tree completely.

REMOVE THE STUMP

One of the best ways that you can remove your stump is to get a grinder. Rent one of the power stump grinders for taking out the palm trees that are remaining. You’re going to have to go down through your stump and remove it one piece at a time. This will take quite a bit of efforts. You will need patience and just slowly whittle down your stump.

You’ll also have to dig the dirt around your stump so that the section that’s left is exposed. To make this easier, it’s a good idea to use stump killer made of potassium nitrate.

These are the three ways that you can remove a palm tree. Think about what you want to do with your tree and what kind of tree you have, then you can choose the right method for you.

3 New Years Resolutions You Should Make For Your Trees

Thinking of how you can make the new year better for your home and family? What about for your trees? The trees in your yard are a big part of your life. Below are three resolutions that you should make for the new year for the trees in your yard.

ORGANIZE YOUR LANDSCAPE

One of the best things that you can do for the new year when it comes to your trees is to organize your landscape. Look at the landscape of your house and see what needs to be done. What kind of goals do you have for the landscape? Hiring an arborist can help with inspecting the trees for disease or damage. You can also think about expanding the landscape, removing old trees, or planting some new trees.

HELP YOUR TREES GET HEALTHY

If you are looking for something that you can do to help your trees in the new year, helping them to get healthy is a good place to start. Your trees need nutrients and maintenance that is going to help them with preparing to grow through the year. A good way to start is to do dormant pruning. This will help rid the trees of their damaged branches as well as encourage their new growth. When spring time comes, you should remove the fallen twigs, garbage and leaves from the yard. This will give you space to put mulch down, which helps with maintaining the right amount of moisture in the soil and stop weeds from growing.

Florida Tree is the most trusted and top rated Tree & Ground Maintenance company in the area. But don’t take our word for it, see what your neighbors are saying about us and read our reviews.

HELP YOUR TREES DE-STRESS

You get stressed, and your trees do too. Before your trees are entering the peak season for growing, one of the best things that you can do is to apply a fertilizer that is slow-rerelease. This will help with replacing the nutrients that are lost during the winter. This is also going to help with providing resistance from stressful weather, insects and disease. For trees that are overly stressed, bracing and cabling might be needed for reducing the strain from heavy snow or high winds.

CONCLUSION

These are three things that you should resolve to do for your trees this coming year. Not only will they help your trees look their best, but they will also help them to stay healthy and continue to give you shade throughout the year. They’ll continue enriching the life of you and your family with the right care.

Benefits of Tree Pruning In Southwest Florida

Do you have trees on your Southwest Florida property? Are they growing out of control? Are you thinking about pruning your trees, but unsure of where to start?

Despite the many benefits of tree pruning, some homeowners put this off year after year. If you’re ready to take action, but still have questions about the benefits, here are a few to consider.

BENEFITS OF TREE PRUNING INCLUDE ENHANCED BEAUTY

Even the most beautiful trees can become overgrown and unbearable to manage. Through pruning, and regular maintenance, you can reduce the size of the tree, thus bringing it’s true beauty back to life.

Note: there is more than one way to prune a tree, so it’s important to consult with a professional arborist. The wrong type of pruning can cause more harm than good.

PROTECT YOUR HOME, PROPERTY, AND FAMILY

Regular pruning removes dead branches and other areas of concern. By doing this, your home, property, and family are protected from falling branches.

Also, when heavy storms move into the area, you won’t have nearly as many concerns about downed trees during a hurricane.

Florida Tree is the most trusted and top rated Tree & Ground Maintenance company in the area. But don’t take our word for it, see what your neighbors are saying about us and read our reviews.

REMOVE LOW-GROWING BRANCHES

This isn’t always a big deal, but depending on the location of the tree it can be a major hazard.

For example, if a tree is within close proximity to a walkway or driveway, it’s more likely to trip a passerby.

Additionally, by removing low-growing branches, you improve the appearance of the tree and your landscaping as a whole.

YOUR TREE PRUNING EXPERTS

At Florida Tree & Ground, we have more than 20 years experience pruning all types of trees from oaks to mangroves. We can discuss your many options, including:

  • Thinning
  • Topping
  • Reduction
  • Raising

No matter what you’re dealing with, we’re here to help. It won’t be long before you understand the many benefits of regular tree pruning in Southwest Florida!

We Offer Our Services in Southwest Florida

Punta Gorda Port Charlotte Boca Grande North Port Sarasota Englewood Venice Cape Coral Fort Myers

And Surrounding Communities in Sarasota, Charlotte & Lee Counties: Longboat Key FL, Laurel FL, Nokomis FL, Osprey FL, Plantation FL, Siesta Key FL, Charlotte Harbor FL, Charlotte Park FL, Grove City FL, Harbour Heights FL, Manasota Key FL, Cape Haze FL, Placida FL, South Gulf Cove FL, Bonita Springs FL, Sanibel FL, Fort Myers Beach FL, Estero FL, Lehigh Acres FL, Fort Myers Shores FL, Iona FL, North Fort Myers FL, San Carlos Park FL, Tanglewood FL.