k2-tree-service

What Is Tree Topping?

lewis@bluecrocus.ca (Lewis Vandervalk) — Mon, 06 Mar 2023 15:30:10 GMT

What Is Tree Topping?

How over-pruning can kill your Seattle trees.

Annual pruning can preserve your tree's structural integrity and encourage healthy growth when done thoughtfully.

BUT

Pruning too much or at the wrong time can kill your trees.

Hiring a certified and Seattle city-approved tree care company with an arborist on staff ensures that your trees, young and old, receive just the right amount of pruning and trimming for their needs.

Local tree pruning companies have the knowledge of how to care for all common fruit, deciduous, coniferous, palm, hedge, and shrub species in your area. They can identify any illnesses or diseases impacting their health, address them, and teach you what to look for and prevention strategies.

If you feel confident in your ability to prune your trees - and have the proper equipment - here is a handy guide to ensure that you do not over-prune your trees and cause more harm than good.

This Article Will Cover

What Is Tree Topping

How Much To Prune Your Trees

When To Prune Your Trees

What Is “Tree Topping”?

Tree “topping” or “heading” is when too much of the healthy canopy branches or top of your tree has been cut away.

It looks like this:

Tree Topping Image Courtesy of Seattle Times

The City of Seattle has prohibited this tree-killing practice in city parks and this is one of the many reasons they now require tree care companies to register with the city.

Why Is Tree Topping Bad For Trees?

At one time, cutting back the majority of foliage-producing branches severely was thought to encourage leaf and fruit production but it actually has the opposite effect.

Tree Topping:

Removes the leaf-producing branches which dramatically reduces the tree’s ability to photosynthesize and nourish itself.

Leave newly formed branches susceptible to sun scald .

Creates an easy pathway for pests and pathogens to enter the cambium of the tree.

Leaves your tree susceptible to wood rot which can lead to fatal branch failure.

Fungi spores can easily penetrate the trunk and root system killing your tree from the inside.

While some tree species may be able to recover from over-pruning, most cannot , and there are better pruning techniques that encourage healthy leaf and fruit production and structure.

Alternatives to tree heading include selective canopy pruning, spiral thinning, and other techniques safely remove sail branches, increase light penetration and air circulation, and decrease wind resistance preventing wind throw and branch failure.

How Much Should You Prune Your Trees?

As a general rule, you should never prune more than 15% of the canopy of your mature trees in a given year ( 10% for young trees).

When pruning your trees, the objective is to remove dead, diseased, dying, suckers, and branches that threaten the structural integrity of your tree.

For how to prune your trees, read our article on pruning techniques . You can also follow the guides created by the City of Seattle found here .

When Is The Best Time To Prune Your Seattle Trees?

The best time to prune your Seattle trees is during the winter.

Trees are dormant during the colder temperatures and so are the parasites, insects, and fungi!

Removing dead, diseased, and potentially hazardous branches during the winter gives your tree time to heal and encourages healthy growth , leaf, and fruit production come spring.

Summer months are a good time to remove suckers and water sprouts, look for signs of insect infestation and illness, and trim back branches that are not productive. It is easier to identify which branches are dead and diseased during the summer because they won’t produce leaves or the leaves won’t look right.

If you see signs that your tree may suffer from infestation, blight, or other diseases, have a city-approved arborist inspect your trees. If caught early enough, you may be able to save your tree and prevent the disease from spreading.

For tips on common diseases affecting Seattle trees, read our article on Common Tree Diseases To Watch Out For In Your Seattle Trees .

PRO TIP: Pruning back overgrown apple trees in the early summer (when it’s easy to identify what branches are not flowering or productive) is effective for controlling structure and form because they are focusing their energy on bearing fruit and don’t have the energy for regrowth.

Unfortunately, there are tree services that still promote and practice tree topping and over-pruning in the Seattle area. If you see someone heading trees , report it to the city immediately at 973-919-8662.

Sound Tree Care is a top-rated, licensed tree care company with a certified arborist on staff serving SeaTac, Seattle, and the surrounding communities. Approved by the City of Seattle and Burien, our tree care specialists can help you keep your trees healthy and strong with regular tree pruning, preventative maintenance, removal, and disease treatment services.

What To Do When A Seattle Winter Storm Has Damaged Your Tree | Sound Tree Care

lewis@bluecrocus.ca (Lewis Vandervalk) — Mon, 20 Feb 2023 15:30:00 GMT

What To Do When A Seattle Winter Storm Has Damaged Your Tree

How to know if you can save your damaged tree and what to do.

Winters in Seattle can wreak havoc on your trees. Strong winds, ice, freezing rain, and pacific winter storms can seriously damage your beautiful trees.

When a severe Seattle winter storm leaves your mature trees tattered and torn in its wake, do not attempt to repair the damage on your own for your safety.

Have a local arborist and trusted tree care company assess the damage once the storm has passed. They have the equipment and experience to determine if your tree can be saved and what to do. If your tree cannot be saved, they can remove it safely, so your home or business doesn’t experience any more damage.

Depending on the extent of the damage and the size of the tree, there are a few things you can do to give your it the support they need while waiting for the tree care specialists to arrive.

How To Help Your Storm-Damaged Trees

1. Brace and support any cracked branches.

If cracked branches are within reach, you can place support underneath them to hold them up and prevent them from breaking off completely.

2. Cut off any severely broken branches just above a growth nodule or just above the collar.

If your young tree has lifted out of the soil, replant it, add more soil, and create a triangular support system around it.

Read our article on bracing young trees for detailed instructions.

3. Clear the area and stanchion it off if your large trees are leaning or have fallen.

If you have trees that are leaning severely or have fallen, clear the area around them of any vehicles, structures, and rope or tape of the area around them. Keep any pets inside or tied up far away from the tree.

4. Don’t get out the chainsaw and chop down your tree unless it’s already fallen to the ground.

Call a tree care company immediately if your tree has hit your home or another structure. They have the skills and equipment to safely remove your fallen tree and clear it quickly so you can make any necessary repairs.

While it can be tempting to run out during a Seattle winter storm to save your trees, DON’T.

Wait until the storm has passed to assess and make emergency repairs to your damaged trees.

Sound Tree Care offers emergency tree services in the SeaTac and Seattle, Washington area We have extensive experience helping homeowners after a Seattle winter storm has damaged or destroyed their trees. As a city-approved tree service provider , you can rest assured that we will do whatever we can to save your trees and safely remove them if necessary.

How Can I Prepare Trees For A Seattle Winter Storm?

While we can’t always save our trees after a storm, there are some things we can do to protect young trees and shrubs from the wind, snow, and freezing rain to give them a fighting chance.

Although we can’t prevent a storm, we can prepare for one. You can find valuable tips in a 2019 Seattle Times article on preparing your trees for a winter storm and watching the weather , so you have time to make those preparations before the severe weather strikes.

Pruning Young Trees For Structure And Form In Seattle, WA

lewis@bluecrocus.ca (Lewis Vandervalk) — Mon, 06 Feb 2023 16:00:07 GMT

Pruning Young Trees For Structure And Form In Seattle, WA

Guide To Structural Pruning Of Young Trees

Did you recently plant a young tree or shrub? How you care for it in its early years is critical to its development and ability to thrive.

While proper watering, mulching, and support systems are essential in ensuring your young trees establish a robust root system and continue to grow, routine pruning is vital. Still, it should be carried out by a certified arborist or a Seattle tree care service under the advisement of an arborist because each pruning cut can permanently change the tree’s growth pattern .

Pruning your young tree for structure and form ensures it grows properly and prevents it from experiencing damaging and even dangerous limb loss later in life. Structural pruning should not be done until three to five years after planting to give your tree time to establish.

Below are some helpful tips for pruning your young trees for structure, form, and strength.

Establish Young Tree Pruning Objectives

Before beginning to prune your young tree, establish clear objectives. These objectives can include

Removing dead, dying, broken, or diseased branches

If you see diseased branches , contact your local arborist or tree service to examine your tree and determine the best way to address it.

ALWAYS prune back to or just above a growing point or the soil line (if pruning water spouts).

Establishing a strong and healthy growth form (structural pruning)
Creating clearance for vehicles and pedestrians
Thinning large, heavy branches such as sail branches to prevent breakage
Encouraging healthy fruit production

Structural Pruning Checklist

The purpose of structural pruning is to

Establish and maintain and dominant leader
Identify the lowest branch in the permanent crown and remove the ones below it (not all in one year)
Prevent branches below the crown from growing too large
Space main branches evenly along the dominant trunk
Keep all branches less than ½ the thickness of the trunk by thinning and shortening them to prevent sail branches and breakage
Suppress growth on branches with included bark (bark that grows inside that branch and puts pressure on the juncture point causing breakage)
ALWAYS make your pruning cuts outside the branch collar (the thick part at the base of the stem), and never cut flush to the tree.

You can download a visual guide to structural pruning here .

Read our article on pruning fruit trees for tips on how to prune trees.

When To Prune Young Seattle Trees

Pruning in winter: Pruning in the winter enables you to easily see the branches of your deciduous trees, identify the tree's form, and make sound decisions about what cuts to make. You can readily identify diseased, damaged, dying, and dead branches, so go ahead and prune them just above a growth point

Trees are dormant in the winter, so it’s a great time to prune your trees to encourage a burst of healthy growth in the spring. The cooler temperatures reduce the risk of exposing your young tree to diseases and insects.

When pruning flowering or fruit trees, be careful not to cut off the buds.

PRO TIP: Wait until after the winter solstice to avoid the pitfalls associated with fall pruning. Pruning in the fall leaves your young tree vulnerable to fungus spores, insects, and wildlife because pruning wounds are the slowest to close and heal during this time of year.

Pruning in summer: Summer is an ideal time to remove suckers and water spouts from your young tree’s growing root stock. Summer pruning suppresses growth which is why it’s a great time to cut away those suckers and spouts.

How Much To Prune Your Young Tree

When pruning young trees, NEVER prune more than 25% of the tree’s crown in a single year .

Pruning more than a ¼ of your young tree’s canopy is referred to as topping or heading and spells imminent death for your tree.

If you prune your young tree annually afte r its third to fifth year, there should be no need to prune more than ¼ of the crown.

A Word Pruning Young Trees Along The Street In Seattle

If you planted your young trees in the street right-of-way in front of your Seattle home or property, there are a few things you need to know.

First, the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) is responsible for maintaining SDOT-planted trees only.

The property owner's responsibility is to care for all other trees in the street right-of-way. Care includes watering in the dry season, mulching to conserve water and inhibit weed growth, and pruning to reduce conflicts with human activity and maintain the tree's health and structure.

If you plan to prune branches larger than 2" or more than 15% of the crown or canopy on a street tree , you must obtain a free tree pruning permit from SDOT . Failure to do so will result in penalties and fines.

For more information about pruning trees in the right-of-way, contact the SDOT Arborist's Office at K2treeserviceco@gmail.com or 206-684-TREE(8733).

Click here for a list of Seattle tree service companies with an SDOT Annual Permit to work on street trees.

Why Hire An Arborist To Prune Your Seattle Young Trees?

A certified arborist has the knowledge and experience to determine the best way to prune your young tree to ensure it thrives. They have a wealth of knowledge of the various tree species and can determine the best pruning techniques for your specific tree. A Seattle arborist is the best resource for helping you give your trees the best care possible.

Are you concerned about diseases or pests harming your young tree?

An arborist can diagnose the problem and address it quickly. They can also identify issues or hazards with any trees or shrubs in your yard and help you make informed decisions about how best to rectify them.

The City of Seattle requires that anyone pruning, removing, and planting trees register with the city and obtain any necessary permits before proceeding. If you choose to have a local tree service take care of your structural pruning needs, make sure they are registered with the city and have any required permits on hand to avoid penalties and fines.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

https://www.seattle.gov/trees/planting-and-care/pruning#:~:text=Select%20the%20lowest%20permanent%20branches,cut%20flush%20with%20the%20tree .

https://www.seattle.gov/trees/planting-and-care/young-tree-care

https://www.yourleaf.org/blog/jess-wilkin/sep-25-2020/importance-pruning-young-trees#:~:text=Young%20trees%20should%20be%20structurally,removed%20in%20any%20one%20year .

https://www.growingagreenerworld.com/tree-topping-what-you-dont-know-is-killing-your-trees/

Why You Need To Have A City-Approved Tree Service Taking Care Of Your Trees In Seattle, WA - Sound Tree Care

lewis@bluecrocus.ca (Lewis Vandervalk) — Mon, 23 Jan 2023 16:00:00 GMT

Why You Need To Have A City-Approved Tree Service Taking Care Of Your Trees In Seattle, WA.

As of 2023, the cities of Seattle and Burien require tree care companies to be approved by the city to provide tree care services.

Did you know that tree care companies in Seattle and Burien, Washington, must be registered and approved by the city to provide tree removal, pruning, and other tree care services?

Well, they do! And we expect to see more Seattle area communities following suit.

Ordinances and regulations to protect our Seattle area trees and communities from unnecessary tree removal are great news for reputable tree care companies and arborists who take tree care seriously and take pride in their work.

Knowing that the city has vetted the tree service you hire provides peace of mind and protects you from penalties.

As of 2023, tree care companies operating in Seattle must be registered with the city and apply for permits to prune, plant, and remove trees. Any tree services operating in Seattle without city approval face penalties, fines, and license revocation.

Why Do Tree Companies Need To Be Registered And Approved In Seattle, WA?

The reasons the City of Seattle has implemented a registration and permit process for tree services are primarily focused on protecting trees and consumers.

1. To prevent companies from removing trees solely for profit.

The city received many complaints from residents who were approached by so-called tree care companies telling them that their trees were either unhealthy or posing a risk and needed to be removed. Others told tales of exorbitant prices. Some just took them at their word and had their trees removed, while others contacted a local arborist and learned that their trees didn’t need to be removed.

2. To ensure that certified and trained professionals complete tree planting, pruning, and removal safely.

After extensive research, the city learned that many of the tree care companies operating in Seattle were not certified, didn’t have an arborist, and had no formal training. Not only did this pose a serious problem for consumers but also for the preservation and protection of Seattle trees.

3. To preserve and protect Seattle trees.

Seattle is losing its canopy at an alarming rate. In response to public and environmental concerns, the city decided to crack down on unethical tree planting, removal, and improper care by implementing stronger protections and enforcement in November 2022.

For your protection and the protection of your trees, the next time you need tree care in Seattle, make sure you use a registered and city-approved tree care company. You can find a list of Seattle registered tree care companies at https://www.seattle.gov/transportation/projects-and-programs/programs/trees-and-landscaping-program/registered-tree-service-providers .

Sound Tree Care is registered and city-approved to provide tree care services in Seattle and Burien, Washington. We have a certified arborist on staff and a team of licensed tree care specialists that strive to keep your trees healthy and thriving. We provide tree care consultations on tree planting, disease prevention and treatment, proper pruning, and tree removal.

Our tree care services have been voted the best in the Seattle area by TreeRemovalReview.com and Trees.com . We are the tree lovers you can trust with your Seattle trees.

How Long Should a Tree be Braced In Seattle, Washington - Sound Tree Care

lewis@bluecrocus.ca (Lewis Vandervalk) — Sat, 07 Jan 2023 21:57:16 GMT

How Long Should a Young Tree be Braced In Seattle, Washington

Young and newly-planted trees need a little support until they’ve become established in their new home. Generally, stakes and braces should remain in place for no longer than two years.

To test the security of your young tree, shake it vigorously every so often. If the root ball is secure, remove the bracing.

Why Do We Brace Young Trees?

Staking newly planted and young trees provide them with support while their roots establish when done correctly, BUT it is not always necessary.

Done incorrectly, staking and bracing a young tree can weaken it by not allowing it to move with the wind and develop a robust root system and trunk or by girdling the tree.

Your newly planted trees may require cabling if:

Their root systems are too small to support the tree’s stem, branches, and leaves

The stem bends easily and to the extreme when not supported.

They are exposed to severe wind with no shelter, which will cause them to be uprooted without support.

They are in an area that leaves them vulnerable to vandals and passersby who uproot or damage unprotected trees.

A tree care specialist can help you determine if your young tree needs staking and cabling and can provide it with the support system it needs.

How To Brace A Young Or Newly-Planted Tree

If you determine that your young tree needs staking and cabling to help it establish itself successfully, be sure to use broad and flexible cabling around the stem to prevent girdling or damaging the trunk.

Install the staking or guying attachments when you plant and leave them in place for one growing season .

Staking Materials

Staking and cabling materials vary depending on the size of the tree and the situation.

For trees shorter than 10 to 12 feet, 2” X 2” wooden stakes work well. Be sure the stakes are below the canopy to prevent rubbing and damage to the branches and leaves.

If high winds are an issue, use metal fence stakes around the tree.

If the tree stem is larger than 4 inches in diameter, guying anchors pounded deep into the ground and tethered are more effective than tall stakes.

Regardless of the type of staking system you use, wire, rope, or metal cable must never come into contact with the tree stem . Use smooth, broad materials with flexibility when wrapping the stem, such as

Burlap

Old bicycle inner tube

Strips of carpet

Nylon stocking

Wide canvas strapping

Tree cabling kits purchased from a reputable tree care supply company or installed by a tree care specialist or arborist

How To Stake Your Tree

When it comes to staking your tree, less is more. Generally, 1 stake should be sufficient. Place the state upwind from the prevailing summer wind. If high winds pose a threat, install 2 stakes running parallel to the prevailing winds.

Drive the stake into the ground along the outside edge of the planting hole, so it’s safely outside the root system but inside the mulching area.

NOTE: If you are guying to straighten a windblown tree, use 3 stakes placed evenly around the tree in a triangle with 1 stake upwind.

Never place guying anchors or stakes outside the planting area. They pose a tripping hazard if they are too far from the tree.

How To Cable Young Trees

If your young tree is staked, place the wide, flexible stem attachment material 1/3 to 2/3 of the way up the stem between the ground and the first branches.

For guying trees with anchors, place the stem attachment in the area just above the first set of branches on the canopy. This provides the most stability to the entire tree when it's windy.

Attach the cabling to the stakes or anchors and stem attachment loosely to allow the tree to move. Trees need to move, and the swaying during windy periods encourages root system establishment, flexible strength, and stem diameter growth.

Use a figure 8 pattern when wrapping the stem (unless using store-bought systems)

Tightly cabled trees may grow tall and straight, but their stems will stay thin and weak .

How Long Should We Keep A Young Tree Staked?

A young tree should only be staked for 6 months to 2 years maximum and tested for stability and strength after the first growing season and every season after that.

How To Tell If You Can Remove The Support System From Your Tree

Remove the stem attachments in the fall if you planted the tree in the spring or the previous fall.

Shake the tree vigorously.

If the root system still moves in the soil or the stem bends too much and easily, reattach the cabling and stem attachments loosely and leave them on for another season.

If the root system is firmly established and the stem doesn’t bend excessively, remove the stakes and allow your tree to thrive on its own.

If you are unsure whether you can remove your support system, have a tree service provide you with an evaluation.

How To Support Young Coniferous Trees

Young, newly planted coniferous trees are susceptible to wind sail when planted in areas that experience severe winds. To prevent bending, leaning, and breaking, attach the guying systems to the stems 2/3 of the way up the tree using the same methods as above.

For trees shorter than ten feet, a tripod support system is recommended.

Place three stakes evenly around the planting area perimeter and pound them deep into the ground. The stakes should be taller than the tree .

Weave the stakes through the branches and tie them together at the top above the tree.

This method provides the support young evergreens need without the risk of guys and cables damaging their branches or needles.

If you are unsure whether your newly planted trees need bracing or how to do it correctly, talk to a local arborist or tree care company you trust.

As the top-rated tree care company in the Seattle area, we are happy to provide you with the tree support system and advice you need to help your young trees flourish. We have an arborist on staff who can help you determine if your trees require bracing and can give them the support system they need.

Common Tree Diseases To Watch Out For In Your Seattle Trees

lewis@bluecrocus.ca (Lewis Vandervalk) — Tue, 06 Dec 2022 19:58:38 GMT

Common Tree Diseases To Watch Out For In Your Seattle Trees

How To Tell If Your Seattle Trees Are Infected And What To Do

The warm, wet Western Pacific coastal climate is the perfect breeding ground for fungi, bacteria, and viruses that decay wood, reduce growth, and destroy our Seattle trees.

But how can you tell if your trees are unhealthy?

As local tree care specialists, we have come to the aid of many Seattle area businesses and homeowners who have had trees fall and cause damage to their property and homes because, unbeknownst to them, their trees were suffering from a debilitating disease. We have also removed countless trees because the infection went unchecked for too long, and we could not save them.

We created this guide to the most common diseases that affect Seattle area trees and what to look for to help you identify unwell trees and get them the care they need before it’s too late.

If you see any of these symptoms (or others) in your trees, shrubs, or hedges, reach out immediately to a local tree care company with an arborist on staff. They can treat the illness and save your tree if caught soon enough. At the very least, they will help contain the spread and teach you how to protect your landscape from future infection and disease.

Most Common Tree Diseases Affecting Seattle Trees And How To Tell If Your Seattle Trees Are Affected

1. Swiss Needle Cast

Swiss Needle Cast infected coniferous tree. Photo Credit: Seattle Government

Fungus : Phaeocryptopus geaumannii

Host : Douglas-fir

Swiss Needle Cast is a common fungi disease that affects nearly all older Douglas Firs in Seattle, Washington, and the Pacific coast. Parallel rows of tiny brown-black spots on the underside of the needles can identify it.

Symptoms Of Swiss Needle Cast

Swiss Needle Cast causes the needles to die and cast or shed prematurely . While it won’t kill your Douglas-firs, it stunts growth and causes needle tip dieback , which resembles the effects of drought, and thin, yellow-brown discolored crowns.

How To Prevent Swiss Needle Cast

While you cannot cur e infected needles, you can treat trees with a fungicide to prevent their spread. To be effective, you must spray the entire tree .

NOTE: Other types of ne edle diseases and fungi causing leaf blight require different treatments. A tree care specialist or arborist well-versed in the tree diseases affecting your region can identify the cause of your tree’s premature needle or leaf death and take the proper course of action to restore the health of your trees.

2. Dwarf Mistletoe

Dwarf mistletoe growing on a coniferous tree in Seattle, WA. Photo Credit: forestpathology,org

Cause: Seed-bearing parasitic plant; Arceuthobium

Host: H emlock, Larch, Douglas-fir, True Fir, other native firs, and pine

Dwarf Mistletoe is the most dama ging forest pathogen in Western North America . It is a seed-bearing parasite plant that lives on living Western Hemlock, Douglas-fir, Larch, and True Firs, and pine trees growing in Seattle and the Pacific coast that feeds off the cambium and sapwood of tree twigs, branches, and boles. They are host-specific and affect several coniferous tree species.

Over time, Dwarf Mistletoe produces densely branched structures called witches brooms that deprive the host tree of water and nutrients and become home to wildlife and other pest s.

Symptoms Of A Dwarf Mistletoe Infection

Severe Dwarf Mistletoe infections lead to growth loss, top kill, and tree death. Aerial shoots growing on the branches of your coniferous trees are tell-tale signs of an attack.

Dwarf Mistletoe disrupts the growth regulators causing abnormally fast growth in the infected tissues of the tree, resulting in visible branch and twig swellings that look like cankers and grow more significant over time. Because its seeds explode, this parasitic plant spreads far and fast , so aggressive treatment is necessary.

If you see signs of t his parasitic plant growing on your trees, have a local arborist inspect and treat it right away.

How To Prevent Dwarf Mistletoe Disease

Due to the airborne and explosive nature of seeding, Dwarf Mistletoe is impossible to prevent . By the time you see plant growth, the mistletoe has been infecting your tree for at least 2 years .

However, a reputable Seattle tree service providing regular tree maintenance will be able to identify early signs and take action to keep this parasitic plant from growing and sprea ding.

3. Annosus Root And Butt Rot

Annosus fungal conk growing on the base of a pine tree. Photo Credit: Natural Resources Canada

Cause: Heterobasidion occidentale Heterobasidion parviporum (Heterobasidion annosum)

Host: Abies, Junipers, Cedars, Cy press, Hemlock, Pines, Firs, Sequoia

Annosus Root Disease infects all western coniferous tree species in Seattle, the Pacific Northwest. The infection begins when fungal spores attach to fresh stumps in August and spread into the stump roots. The fungus then spreads to living trees through contact between the dead tree roots and the healthy tree roots.

In addition, the flowering conks seed and spread the fungal spores to nearby trees.

Annosus Root Disease causes the roots and butt of the tree to rot and die over time. It also leaves infected trees vulnerable to fatal bark beetle infestation and windthrow .

Symptoms Of Annosus Disease

Infected trees may have thin, chlorotic ( yellowing due to lack of chlorophyll ) foliage , fading crowns, decreased height and lateral branch growth.

Small, buff-colored pustules or leathery buff-colored conks with a smooth cream-colored underside grow on the outer bark at the root collar of dead and dying trees. They start very tiny and grow up to 10 inches or larger.

Ways To Prevent Annosus Root Disease

Treating fresh tree stumps with fungicide can prevent the initial Annosus spore infection.

Talk to a local nursery or tree service for advice before applying. Many fungi cause root disease and have similar symptoms to Annosus Disease. You want to ensure you treat your stump and protect your healthy trees with the correct methods.

Avoid damaging the roots or stems of your trees through soil compaction, construction, mowing over the root zone, and severing roots.

Select trees resistant to Annosus if you live in a region with an identified infection.

Have a tree care company near you provide annual tree pruning services. They will inspect your trees and identify and treat any health issues before they cause irreparable damage.

While these are some of the most common diseases affecting our Seattle area trees, this is in no way comprehensive. Many visible symptoms can be signs of other infections we have not addressed. Other symptoms you may see on your trees or go unseen until it’s too late.

Regular inspections and tree care conducted by a local arborist or certified tree care company will help you prevent some diseases, enable you to identify early signs that your trees are unhealthy and be proactive in the treatment to help your trees thrive.

Sound Tree Care is a top-rated, licensed tree care company with a certified arborist on staff serving SeaTac, Seattle, and the surrounding communities. City-approved to care for your trees in Seattle and Burien, our tree care specialists can help you keep your trees healthy and strong with regular tree pruning, preventative maintenance, and disease treatment services. Talk to us about your trees today!

Additional Resources On Common Seattle Tree Diseases

https://www.dnr.wa.gov/InsectsAndDisease#forest-disease-information

https://www.seattle.gov/documents/Departments/SPU/11RamseyConiferDiseasesinWashington.pdf

https://foresthealth.org/

Tree Removal

lewis@bluecrocus.ca (Lewis Vandervalk) — Sun, 27 Nov 2022 15:23:09 GMT

Seattle Tree Removal

Sound Tree Care LLC is your local tree care specialist in the greater Seattle, Washington area you can rely on for safe, effective tree removal. We have a certified arborist on staff to oversee your tree removal.

Why Have Professional Tree Removal

Having your trees removed by a professional tree removal company near you ensures that your tree is removed safely, quickly, and permanently. We grind down the stump so you can install landscaping, a patio, or a hardscape without worrying about regrowth causing damage.

Tree removal requires skill, experience, and the right equipment. Sound Tree Care LLC are tree care specialists. We have a certified arborist on-site to oversee your tree removal for your peace of mind and ours.

When To Have A Tree Removed

Although view enhancement and improving your curb appeal are common reasons for tree removal, there are many reasons other than aesthetics for removing trees from your residential or commercial property. Tree removal:

Ensures adequate sunlight for your landscape
Removes the risk of damage to property from falling branches
Prevents Storm Damage
Removes Diseased, Infected, And Sick Trees
Prevents Fallen Tree Damage
Prevents Roots From Penetrating Your Foundation If The Tree Is Too Close To Your Home
Removes Deadwood And Trees That Are Failing To Thrive
Allows Other Trees And Plants To Flourish
Keeps You And Your Neighbors Safe
When Weak Trees Cannot Be Rehabilitated With Support Systems
Provides A Clear Space For Landscaping And Outdoor Living Spaces
Land Clearing For Development
Land Clearing For Site Preparation
Eliminates Wind Sail And Canopy Shade
Prevents Road Damage

Our arborist can assess your trees and determine if they need to be removed. To find out if tree removal is the right solution for you, talk to us today.

Book Your Tree Removal Service

Consider Habitat Creation As Part Of Your Tree Removal Service

Trees provide a habitat for numerous birds, animals, and pollinators. We recommend leaving the tree stump to keep your yard friendly towards wildlife. Our habitat creation services can encourage the wildlife that made your tree home to stay. We can also create a habitat snag and install bird or bat boxes to make your yard inviting to animals and pollinators so that you can observe nature’s beauty from the comfort of your home.

Ask About Our Habitat Creation Services

Washington Communities We Provide Professional Tree Trimming Services

Seattle
Bellevue
Newcastle
Mercer Island
Renton
Burien
Kent
Des Moines
Normandy Park
Federal Way
Auburn
Sammamish
Issaquah
Seatac
Tacoma

Storm Damage

lewis@bluecrocus.ca (Lewis Vandervalk) — Fri, 25 Nov 2022 14:39:39 GMT

Emergency Tree Trimming And Removal Services In Seattle, WA

High winds and severe storms can wreak havoc on your trees. When branches break or trees fall due to a Seattle area storm, you can rely on Sound Tree Care LLC for emergency tree trimming and removal services. Our tree care specialists and arborists are available 24/7 to quickly and safely take care of your damaged trees. We offer contactless services for expediency and convenience.

When high winds or stormy weather damages your trees, the falling branches and trunks put you, your neighbors, and your residential or commercial property at risk. Our emergency tree service team can quickly remove the damaged parts of your tree, fallen branches, and fallen trees from on and around your property as soon as it is safe to do so. Once the risks are addressed, our tree care specialists and arborist can assess your standing trees. If tree removal is required we can provide that. Trees that need rehabilitation can be given the structural support system needed.

How Soon Can We Take Care Of Storm Damage?

We understand how stressful having a tree fall or large branches break during a Seattle storm. You want it dealt with immediately, and so do we. However, our teams cannot take care of storm damage until it is safe to do so. High winds, lightning, heavy snow, rain, and ice storms are dangerous to work in. If we cannot attend to your urgent tree care needs because of the weather, we communicate that to you and prioritize your tree care once the storm has passed.

Our Storm Damage Services

Sound Tree Care LLC can take care of your Seattle, Washington area emergency residential and commercial tree care after a storm, including:

Emergency Tree Removal
Emergency Tree Trimming
Emergency Fallen Branch Removal
Emergency Fallen Tree Removal
Emergency Tree Debris Clearing From Structures
Emergency Tree Clearing From Roads And Highways
Emergency Tree Support System Installations

Once urgent tree care has been provided, our arborist and tree care professionals can assess the situation and make recommendations for long-term tree care.

Storm Damage Prevention

While not all storm damage can be prevented, regular tree care helps prevent the risk of trees and branches from damaging your property or risking your safety. Our annual tree care services enable us to identify potential tree hazards and address them through tree trimming, pruning, and tree removal. You can rely on Sound Tree Care LLC to keep you, your neighbors, and your property safe from tree damage during a storm. Talk to us today about our tree maintenance services.

Washington Communities We Provide Emergency Tree Care And Storm Damage Services

Seattle
Bellevue
Newcastle
Mercer Island
Renton
Burien
Kent
Des Moines
Normandy Park
Federal Way
Auburn
Sammamish
Issaquah
Seatac
Tacoma

How Can You Tell If Your Trees Need Watering? | Sound Tree Care LLC

lewis@bluecrocus.ca (Lewis Vandervalk) — Mon, 21 Nov 2022 15:30:00 GMT

How To Tell If Your Trees Need Watering

6 Signs Your Trees And Shrubs Need Watering

1. The Soil Is Dry At Your Tree’s Base

The simplest, most effective way to tell if your trees and shrubs are getting enough water is to test the soil .

For established t rees, test the root zone. For a new tree, test a soil sample at its base.

Quick Check

Using a screwdriver, push it 6 inches into the soil. If it’s hard to do, your trees need water.

Accurate Check

Dig 6 to 8 inches deep and grab a handful of the soil. The soil should be cool and moist. If it’s soaking wet or muddy, you’re over-watering.

Roll it into the ball if the s oil is drenched or sandy. If it crumbles, your tree needs more water. Poke the soil ball. If it doesn’t budge, you have clay soil.

2. Wilted, Drooping, Discolored, Dry, Curling Leaves

Inspect the leaves for signs of dehydration, such as:

Wilting
Drooping
Turning yellow
Showing fall colors prematurely
Turning brown on the edges
Curling

If your trees show any of all of these signs, they likely need watering. If the soil test indicates that your trees are receiving adequate moisture, have a local arborist or tree care company inspect your tree for pests and disease .

3. Shrinking Fruit, Leaves, Roots, Or Stems

Green leaves, fruits, stems, and roots may shrink if your tree needs watering.

4. Radial Cracks In The Trunk Of The Tree

Shrinking due to dehydration can cause radial cracks in the tree trunk.

5. Yellowing And Early Dropping Of Leaves

Leaves of Ash, linden, hickory, and black locust trees will yellow and drop when they do not get enough water.

6. Bent Or Drooping Needles

Coniferous trees like pine, spruce, and fir show signs of dehydration in the needles. Bent or drooping needles is the first sign. Eventually, the needles fade, turn brown or remain green but permanently bent.

If you identify any of these issues in your trees and shrubs, they need watering.

How To Water Your Trees And Shrubs

The best way to water your trees is by setting your hose (without a nozzle) to a drizzle, placing it at the base or between the roots in the above-ground root zone, and leaving it there 2 to 3 hours . Move it to a new location and leave it there for 2 to 3 hours. Repeat this 2 more times. The City of Seattle recommends giving your tree about 5 gallons of water per inch of tree trunk diameter .

Pro Tip: Young trees require more frequent watering than mature trees and cannot withstand drought or heavy rain as well as established trees can. For help caring for your young trees, talk to a tree care service near you.

How To Fix An Over-watered Tree Or Shrub

Excess watering can cause root rot, harmful fungi development, and long-term stress for your tree.

1. Stop watering. Don’t water your tree for a week or longer. Before you get out your garden hose, do the screwdriver test. If the soil is still moist, leave it for another week or two.

2. Fix the soil. If you have clay soil, mix compost into the soil to help it drain better.

3. Inspect for drainage issues . After it rains, check for water pooling around your tree and identify where it’s coming from. Is the water flowing downhill and collecting at the base of your tree? Does your drain spout empty too close to your tree?

If any of those issues are causing water to pool around your tree’s base, do what you can to remedy the problem. If you cannot fix the issue, you may need to move your tree or shrub to a better location.

A tree care specialist near you can help you determine whether the pooling issue can be fixed and offer recommendations for the best way to help your tree. If removing and transplanting your trees or shrubs is the best option, they can provide that tree service for you.

Mulching To Prevent Over-Watering And Dehydration

Mulch is your tree’s best friend. Applying a 2 to 3 inch layer of organic mulch around the base of your tree can absorb excess moisture to pr event root rot and protect the soil from drying out during drought.

Another Way To Tell If Your Trees Are Gettin g Enough Water

Another way to tell if your trees are getting enough water is to install a rain gauge on your property where it won’t be sheltered. Mature trees need 1 inch of water every week. If you’re not getting enough natural precipitation, you need to supplement by watering your trees.

You can also find out how much rainfall your plants are getting by following your local weather network or using data compiled by your local airport .

Sound Tree Care LLC is a tree care company serving Seatac and the greater Seattle, Washington, area with superior tree pruning, tree rehabilitation, support systems, and more. With a certified arborist on our team, we can address any concerns about your tree and provide you with the fall tree care services you need.

Support System

lewis@bluecrocus.ca (Lewis Vandervalk) — Sun, 20 Nov 2022 14:16:21 GMT

Tree Support Systems

Helping Seattle Trees Thrive With The Support They Need

Sound Tree Care LLC provides tree support systems to the greater Seattle, Washington area. We are the tree care specialists you can rely on to help your trees grow, stay healthy, and stay safe.
Our arborists can assess your trees and design the support system they need, from young tree support to weak or damaged tree rehabilitation.
Book A Tree Support Service

Save Your Trees With A Support System

Support systems strengthen trees and reduce risks. We offer dynamic Cobra support systems, brace rods, static steel cable with stoppers, 1/2" thru bolts, and custom-built guys, braces, and props. We strive to save your trees rather than remove them.

We provide support systems for:

Weak Trees
Young Trees
Newly Transplanted Trees
Damaged Trees
Trees Along Streets And Highways

Support systems help your trees withstand high winds, heavy snow, ice build-up, and Seattle storms that would otherwise lead to branch and trunk breakage. Our arborists and tree care specialists can evaluate your trees and design a support system that encourages strong vertical growth and reduces the risk to your safety during storms.

Talk To Us About Support Systems Today

Our Tree Support Systems

Tree support systems provide supplemental support to leaders, individual branches, and entire trees. Cables, braces, guys, and props limit the movement and encourage vertical growth. When a tree has a structural defect that poses a high likelihood of failure, which can cause injury or property damage, a support system can reduce this risk.

We can install support systems to vulnerable parts of your tree to prevent movement and provide strength, including:

Co-dominant Stems
Heavy Branches
Overhanging Branches
Weakly Anchored Trees (trees transplanted with an insufficient root ball)

Pruning and trimming can resolve risks associated with co-dominant stems and overhanging branches, particularly on younger trees . However, the only other alternative for weakly anchored trees is removal.

How Long Do Support Systems Last?

Tree support systems have a limited service life. Our arborist conducts periodic inspections of your tree support system. We inspect the cable tension, condition of the cable and associated hardware, its height in the tree, and the tree’s structural integrity.

Steel cables can last 20 to 40 years in an arid climate or on a slow-growing tree. Cable service life can be shorter in an area exposed to salt spray or with a rapidly growing tree.

Guy systems on newly transplanted small trees should be removed after one year unless the root system is weak. On trees up-righted after storms or large transplants, guys should remain in place for at least three years to allow the root system to reestablish itself. On mature trees, guy systems can remain permanently if required.

Have Us Inspect Your Support System Today!

What If A Support System Cannot Save My Tree?

Unfortunately, support systems cannot solve every tree strength issue. If support systems do not provide the strength and security your trees need, our tree care specialists can provide tree removal services to ensure your safety.

Get A Tree Support Evaluation Today

Washington Communities We Provide Professional Tree Trimming Services

Seattle
Bellevue
Newcastle
Mercer Island
Renton
Burien
Kent
Des Moines
Normandy Park
Federal Way
Auburn
Sammamish
Issaquah
Seatac
Tacoma

Sound Tree Care Voted Top Tree Removal Company In Seattle 2022

lewis@bluecrocus.ca (Lewis Vandervalk) — Mon, 07 Nov 2022 14:00:00 GMT

Sound Tree Care Voted Top Tree Removal Company In Seattle 2022

TreeRemovalReview.com voted Sound Tree Care the top tree service in Seattle 2022

Oops, We did it again!!

Our tree care company is honored to be recognized by TreeRemovalReview.com as Seattle's top tree removal company in 2022.

While our passion for keeping the Seattle area trees healthy and our communities safe drives us to provide outstanding tree services, it is a thrill to be recognized for our efforts by authorities like TreeRemovalReview.com and Trees.com .

What TreeRemovalReview.Com Is All About

TreeRemovalReview.com helps consumers choose the best tree service in their area by providing them with a directory of vetted tree care companies. They save you hours searching the internet and give you peace of mind knowing that when you select a company from the list they provide, you are getting the most knowledgeable and experienced tree care specialists near you.

How TreeRemovalReview.com Rates Tree Care Companies

When determining which tree care companies to include in their directory, TreeRemovalReview.com rates the tree service providers in each area based on four categories.

1. The Company’s Reputation

Tree companies must be licensed and insured. They must have proven experience in the industry and positive customer feedback.

2. Tree Services Offered

To be included, companies must offer a wide selection of tree care services, from tree trimming, pruning, tree removal, emergency tree services, and stump removal.

3. Positive Reviews

They analyze all review data and consider that information when determining whether a tree company makes it in their directory and where they rank in the list.

4. Customer Satisfaction

How happy customers are with the services they receive has considerable weight when deciding whether a tree service makes it into the directory and a company’s position on the list.

Sound Tree Care is proud to be Seattle's top tree care company in this directory.

Our tree care specialists are licensed and insured, and we have a certified arborist on staff to ensure your trees get the best care.

We offer comprehensive tree services, including tree trimming , tree pruning , hedge trimming , winterizing , fall tree care, fruit tree care, disease prevention and treatment, tree care consultations, tree removal , stump removal , habitat creation, and emergency tree services.

Whether on the ground or in the trees, we strictly adhere to all safety procedures to ensure the safety of you, your property, and our team. Our team goes above and beyond to provide you with an outstanding tree removal service.

Go to TreeRemovalReview.com t o learn more about their mission, their criteria to select the best tree services for each location, and access to other tree care resources they provide.

If you need tree care or tree removal in Seatac or Seattle, Washington, you can trust the friendly, knowledgeable tree care experts at Sound Tree Care LLC.

About TreeRemovalReview.com

TreeRemovalReview.com was founded in 2019 by Smith Johnson. After years of working in the tree removal industry, he saw a need for a website where customers could easily find and compare different companies. This website is designed to be a resource for people looking to have trees removed from their property.

Tree Care Resources

19 Things That Can Harm Your Trees

Cost Of Tree Removal In Seattle, WA

How To Prune Fruit Trees For Better Fruit Production

13 Ways To Winterize Your Seattle Landscaping - Sound Tree Care

lewis@bluecrocus.ca (Lewis Vandervalk) — Tue, 25 Oct 2022 23:57:26 GMT

13 Ways To Winterize Your Seattle Landscaping

13 Ways To Protect Your Trees And Landscaping During Winter In Seattle

As the mercury drops and cooler temperatures settle in, we prepare for life indoors. We bring out the warmer clothing and blankets, switch off the a/c, and turn up the heat.

But what about our yard? Do we need to prepare our outdoor plants for winter too?

The answer is yes. Winterizing your gardens, shrubs, and trees during late October/early November helps them withstand the thaw and freeze cycles and gives them a leg up when spring arrives.

Here are ways you can do before the first freeze to protect your outdoor plants and landscaping from the bite of the Seattle winter.

13 Things To Do to Prepare Your Yard For Winter In Seattle

1. Rake Up Leaves

Rake up fallen leaves before they get soaked by the rain, if possible. Leave the leaves around the base of your trees and in your garden and flower beds so long as they are not harboring pests or disease. Leaves provide a nutrient-rich mulch.

Shredded leaves provide a nutrient-rich soil cover, so don’t bag it up just yet. Apply a layer of crumpled leaves around your shrubs, flowers, and plants, and add the excess to your compost or bag it up.

2. Bring tropical or delicate potted plants indoors.

Winter potted plants indoors. If you cannot bring them all into your home, storing them in your garage or shed protects them from wind and frost. If delicate plants are in the ground, a cardboard box can offer enough protection from the wind and freezing.

Cover the outdoor potted plant with cardboard or a wood shelter if it is too large or heavy to move. Covering it from the ground up helps shield it from the harsh effects of old man winter.

Pro Tip : If your plants are cold, warm them up gradually to avoid shocking them.

3. Weed Gardens And Flower Beds

Fall is a great time to remove those weeds and invasive plants from your garden and yard. Dig them out, bag them, and dispose of them permanently to keep them from growing back in the spring.

Harvest any vegetables left in your garden. Kale, broccoli, cress, and other vegetables thrive in cooler temperatures and will continue to grow so long as they’re protected from frost.

It’s also a great time to thin dominant perennials and plant crocus, tulips, daffodils, and other early spring blooms. Plant those bulbs now for a burst of color in the spring!

4 Prune Shrubs And Trees

Roses, other shrubs, and deciduous trees must be pruned and prepared for the dormant period to ensure vigorous growth in the spring.

If you are unsure how to correctly prune your plants, have a professional pruning service take care of them. Incorrect or overzealous pruning can do more harm than good.

For helpful tips on how to correctly prune your trees, we put together a handy guide .

5. Spray Anti-Desiccant Onto Shrub Leaves

Apply anti-desiccant to the top and bottom of your shrub’s leaves to prevent them from drying and suffering from winter burn.

Start applying anti-desiccant in November and re-apply monthly throughout the winter when temperatures are above 40 degrees.

6. Cover Delicate Shrubs, Trees, And Plants

Follow the weather forecast and watch for frost and freezing temperatures. We don’t experience freezing temperatures here in the Pacific Northwest for long periods, but they do happen. Cover your gardens with old bed sheets, landscape fabric, newspaper, or cardboard to protect them from frost.

Read Practical Tips For Covering Plants In Winter: Do I Need To? for more information about covering your plants.

Fruit trees, woody shrubs, and young trees also benefit from protection during cold snaps. Use natural materials such as burlap, sheets, or landscaping fabric to cover your plants loosely. Apply wraps over stakes or a cage frame, so it doesn’t touch the leaves, and remove it as soon as the weather improves.

Cover new plants for the first 2 years while they get established. Trees and shrubs become more resilient over time.

When wrapping, ensure space between the fabric and your plants to prevent winter burn. If possible, use a frame to keep the covering away. Remove snow regularly.

Remember: uncover them once the threat of frost and high winds has passed, so they get enough sunlight and don’t overheat.

7. Create A Wind Barrier For Shrubs And Hedges

To create a wind barrier, hammer stakes into the ground around your shrubs and hedges, wrap burlap around them and staple them to the stakes.

Pro Tip: To protect perimeter plants from the harmful effects of road salt, install a burlap barrier wall.

8. Tie Up Shrubs To Protect Them From Snow

To prevent snow from weighing down your shrub and causing breakage, tie their branches up in Jute twine. Untie your shrubs in early spring.

For trees and shrubs that are too tall or large to bind, gently shake off the branches after each snowfall with a soft bristle broom.

9. Water Trees And Shrubs

Moist soil provides better insulation than dry and doesn’t freeze as readily. Woody trees and plants must keep functioning all winter to withstand the cold, and we can’t always count on getting enough rain. Monthly watering keeps the soil moist and your trees hydrated all winter long.

Pro Tip: Reduce the water flow to a dribble and leave your hose between roots at the base of your tree, moving locations every few hours.

10. Harvest Your Compost

After the hot summer, your compost should be sufficiently decomposed and full of nutrients your plants will love.

Spread that luscious decayed plant matter over your garden soil and around your pants. It will continue to decompose underneath your mulch, replenishing the soil and feeding your plants all winter long, so they are ready to spring into the next growing season.

With all that good stuff nourishing your garden, there should be plenty of space in your compost for the fall leaves, pruning debris, grass clippings, and holiday scraps. So go ahead and add them to the compost pile. You’ll have another batch of nutrient-rich organic matter to give your garden a boost in the spring.

11. Mulch Your Plants And Trees

The best defense against the drying and freezing effects of winter in Seattle is to mulch your gardens , shrubs, and trees. Organic mulch such as sawdust, shredded leaves, bark, and wood chips provide excellent insulation for your plants. Mulching shields the soil from the drying winds, and the heaving effects of freezing and thawing, prevent soil erosion and compaction while providing additional nutrients.

Mulch also keeps the soil cold during warm spells, which is a good thing.

Why is cold soil better than warm in the winter?

Keeping the soil cold when the temperatures are unseasonably warm ensures that your plants don’t start growing prematurely while ensuring your plants don’t have to endure stressful freezing and thawing cycles.

Apply a 2 to 3-inch layer of organic mulch to flower beds, gardens, and around the base of shrubs and trees, careful not to cover the above-ground root zone .

12. Shelter Shrubs From Falling Icicles

Shrubs and trees close to your home can be damaged by icicles and snow falling from your roof and gutters.

Constructing a sloped shield above shrubs and trees beneath your home protects them from icicles and heavy snow that falls from your roof and gutters.

13. Clean And Sharpen Your Tools

With the winterizing done, fall is an excellent time to clean and sharpen your gardening and pruning tools.

Wash off all the dirt and debris and dry them thoroughly. Remove any rust with a wire brush or sandpaper.

Sharpen shovels and hoes using a basic mill file. A whetstone works well for sharpening bladed tools. Rub the edges with a rag soaked with machine oil to seal the metal from oxidation.

Should I leave annuals and debris in my garden over the winter?

There are two schools of thought when it comes to leaving plant debris in the garden over the winter. On the one hand, some experts recommend removing annual flowers and vegetables because plant debris provides a cozy home for overwintering pests and bacteria that will wreak havoc on new growth in the spring. It also looks messy and unattractive.

Other gardening enthusiasts recommend leaving the dead plants and flowers where they lay - as long as they aren’t diseased or infested - because they provide essential nutrients.

So long as the debris isn’t diseased , leaving it in the garden offers more benefits than risks. Once you cover the detriment with a thick layer of organic mulch, your garden will look cared for, so the aesthetics won’t be a concern.

Can I use plastic to cover my plants in the winter?

No. Plastic doesn’t breathe. It traps moisture which can cause your plants to rot. Heat cannot escape when temperatures rise, causing your plants to overheat. It also acts as a cold conduit freezing any leaves it touches.

Use breathable, natural materials like cotton sheets, blankets, burlap, or landscape fabric to cover your garden beds, shrubs, and trees.

Conclusion

Taking these steps to winterize your gardens and landscaping in the fall ensures your plants will survive the Seattle winter and are primed for the next growing season.

However, not every gardening enthusiast wants to spend a chilly fall weekend winterizing their Seattle landscaping. A local professional landscaping or tree service has the knowledge and equipment to prepare your plants for winter. A professional can take care of the weeding, pruning, covering, and wrapping of your plants. They know the unique needs of the various plants and trees that grow in Seattle and can address any concerns you have.

For more garden winterizing tips, check out 10 Ways To Prepare Your Garden For Winter .

19 Things That Can Harm Your Trees - Sound Tree Care

lewis@bluecrocus.ca (Lewis Vandervalk) — Mon, 10 Oct 2022 12:30:00 GMT

19 Things That Can Harm Your Trees

Avoid these practices to ensure the health and longevity of your trees.

We love our trees and want them to thrive. But there are things we do that can harm and even kill our beautiful trees, and we don’t even realize it until it’s too late.

To help you out, we compiled the most common tree care mistakes so you can avoid them and keep your trees healthy and strong.

19 Things That Can Harm Or Kill A Tree

1. Wrapping A Clothesline Around Your Tree (Girdling)

Wrapping a clothesline (tree girdling) causes tree death. As the tree grows, the clothesline becomes embedded in the trunk and suffocates it.

Keeping your tree wrapped with anything for an extended period can damage the bark and cambium beneath the bark where girth growth occurs.

2. Tying Your Dog To Your Tree

Tying your dog to your tree may seem mundane, but it can harm your tree. Your tree’s bark is its first line of defense against pests and disease. As the rope, chain, or tether moves with your dog, it rubs the bark and damages it, exposing your tree to infestation and disease.

3. Putting Mulch Too Close To The Base Of Your Tree

Mulching around your tree keeps the soil around your tree moist and prevents weeds and other invasive plants from growing. However, applying mulch too close to the base of your tree and over the above-ground root zone can lead to harmful bark rot and make your tree vulnerable to infestations.

4. Applying Too Much Mulch

The layer of mulch should be no more than 3 inches thick. Applying too much mulch provides a haven for pests that harm your trees.

Putting fresh mulch on top of old mulch does more harm than good. The old mulch can harbor mold and disease. Adding new mulch on top provides an insulated barrier that enables it to grow and spread.

Read Fall Tree Care Tips From A Seattle Tree Care Specialist for tips on how to properly mulch your trees.

5. Over-Pruning Or Incorrect Pruning

Pruning is an essential part of healthy tree care. However, pruning too much or “topping” your trees weakens them. Excessive pruning is one of the leading causes of premature tree death.

If you prune your trees without the proper tools or using incorrect techniques, you can wound them, leaving them exposed and vulnerable to pests and diseases that can kill them.

To ensure proper pruning for your trees, we recommend leaving this vital practice to your local tree care specialist.

6. Attaching A Bird Feeder, Bat House, Ornaments, Or Other Objects To Your Trees With Nails Or Screws

While you want to encourage wildlife, attaching bird feeders, bird houses, and other objects to your tree with nails or screws is not good for your trees. The nails or screws wound the tree bark and cambium, creating an opening for pests and bacteria to penetrate the protective layers and harm the tree.

The tree does heal those wounds and grows over nails, anchors, and other fasteners, but those things unnecessarily put your tree at risk.

7. Stacking Things Around The Base Of The Tree

Piling objects and building around or over your tree's base and above-ground root zone can harm and even kill your tree by preventing the roots from vital access to water and sunlight. It also compacts the soil around the tree's base, which leads to inadequate water absorption.

The tree roots are their organ system. They are what keep your tree alive and healthy. If the roots are damaged or unable to function, the tree fails to thrive and eventually dies.

Remember that your tree's girth expands as the tree grows, so anything around the base of your tree can prevent girth growth, or the tree will grow around it, causing trunk malformation or worse.

Avoid parking, storing equipment or materials, building, or excavating over or around the tree's roots.

8. Filling tree cavities with concrete

You may think you are helping your tree by filling cavities from fallen or removed sail branches or injuries with concrete, but you are not. It’s best to leave the tree to heal itself or contact a local arborist or tree care company for help.

9. Pruning Your Trees During The Wrong Season

Pruning your trees in the wrong weather conditions can weaken your tree and leave them vulnerable to pests and disease. The best time to prune your trees in Seattle is during the spring, after flowering, and before they turn color in the fall.

10. Staking Or Guying Your Tree Too Much Or For Too Long

Using stakes, cables, and rope to support a young or weak tree (staking or guying) is standard. However, applying too much structural support can hinder the tree's ability to grow its necessary girth and support systems.

Structural support for your tree should be a temporary measure while the root system takes hold and is removed once it has established itself. Leaving stakes and guys around your tree can cause it to grow over or around them, causing girdling, bark damage, and becoming top-heavy.

11. Planting Your Tree Close To Power Lines

If you think planting a tree in the right of way is a good idea, think again. Power lines running above are hazardous once the tree has grown. Utility companies do not allow trees to touch or be near the power line for safety and will cut your tree ad hoc, or remove it at your expense, to keep that from happening.

When choosing plants and trees for your property, consider the surroundings. If you have power lines running above, plant trees and shrubs that will not grow tall enough to touch them.

12. Building Over Or Covering The Roots

As with piling things around the base of your tree, building over or covering the roots, particularly in the above-ground root zone, deprives them of water and nutrients, damages them, and kills your tree.

13. Salting Near Your Trees

Salting walkways, driveways, and parking lots in the Seattle winters keep us safe but is toxic for our trees. The salt kills the roots, seeps into the soil, and destroys them. Avoid salting near your tree or its roots.

14. Applying Herbicides Or Pesticides To Or Near Your Tree

Herbicides and pesticides keep weeds and grass from growing but also harm your tree. Apply mulch around your tree to prevent weeds and plants from invading naturally.

15. Over Watering

While trees need lots of water, you've overwatered if the soil around your tree is mud. Wet soil harbors mold, is inviting to pests, and can lead to bark and root rot.

When watering your trees, reduce the water flow from your hose to a dribble. Set the hose without a nozzle between the roots at the base of your tree and leave it there for 2 to 3 hours. Then move the hose to another spot and water for another 2 to 3 hours. Repeat that one more time.

The soil will be moist in some areas and dry in others, and that’s okay.

16. Wounding Your Tree Or Its Roots With A Lawn Mower Or Weed Wacker

Avoid mowing or using a weed wacker around the above-ground root zone of your trees. Accidentally cutting or damaging the roots can kill your tree.

17. Leaving Insect Or Disease Issues Untreated

If you suspect insect infestations or identify strange growths on the limbs or trunk of your trees, have them looked at by a local arborist or tree care service immediately. Leaving insect or disease issues untreated can lead to premature tree death. The disease and insects can also spread to other trees and plants; you don’t want that.

Catching potential insect infestations and diseases early can save your tree.

18. Planting Your Tree Too Deep Or Piling Too Much Soil Over The Roots

Your tree is at its most fragile during planting and establishment. Planting your tree too deep covers the tree's base in soil, causing bark rot and early death.

Do not place gravel at the bottom of the hole unless you have installed a drainage system. The water that pools there will rot the roots.

Avoid the urge to pile a ton of soil on top of the roots. An above-ground root zone at the tree's base is natural and necessary.

Each tree species requires different planting methods. To ensure your trees are planted properly, consult with an arborist, nursery, or tree care company near you.

19. Planting Your Trees Too Close Together Or In A Bad Spot

So many people plant trees according to their current size. They don’t learn about the type of tree, its growth patterns, or its needs.

For example, some trees require full sun for survival, so planting them in the shade will kill them.

Planting trees too close together or beside a faster-growing species will lead to one tree thriving and the rest dying.

Planting certain types of trees too close to your home or other structures can lead to safety issues for your and your home and eventually force you to remove the tree.

Before you choose trees for your property, do your research. Consult with tree care specialists who can help you select suitable trees for you and help you plant and care for them, so they thrive.

Conclusion

Avoiding these things will help your trees stay healthy and strong. If you need advice or have questions about ways to ensure the longevity and vitality of your Seattle area trees, we can help. We have an arborist on staff and a team of knowledgeable tree care specialists who will happily provide you with guidance and tree care services.

Fall Tree Care Tips From A Tree Care Specialist - Sound Tree Care

lewis@bluecrocus.ca (Lewis Vandervalk) — Tue, 20 Sep 2022 18:39:19 GMT

Fall Tree Care Tips From A Tree Care Specialist

Follow these steps to prepare your trees for the Seattle winter and optimal growth in the spring.

With the cooler fall temperatures comes vibrant color changes as our trees prepare for the extreme winter weather. While Mother Nature knows what to do, we can do a few things to ensure our trees, hedges, and shrubs have everything they need to withstand the winter and position them for healthy growth the following spring.

We compiled the ultimate fall tree care checklist to help you give your trees the TLC they need. Following the steps below will give your trees a limb up every winter and spring.

Fall Tree Care Checklist

1. Fortify The Soil To Prepare Your Tree’s Roots

Fallen leaves and other decomposing matter provide trees the nutrients and moisture they need in the forest, but not in our well-groomed urban landscape.

Apply a slow-release fertilizer in the fall. Slow-release fertilizers mimic nature by gradually and steadily providing nutrients to the tree roots. Access to nutrients all winter helps the tree grow new leaves, roots, and wood.

2. Rake Up Fallen Leaves

Fallen leaves are a haven for fungi spores. They provide a safe place to overwinter until the warm spring rains awaken them, and they grow and re-infect the tree.

Raking away and removing fallen leaves limits the chance of your tree getting infected or re-infected with a harmful disease.

Tree Planting Tip: If you plan to add trees or shrubs to your landscape, the best time to plant them is in the fall. The cooler temperatures reduce the chance that your young tree will die due to blistering sun and dry roots.

3. Freshen Up The Mulch Around Your Trees

Applying an insulating layer of mulch every fall is one of the best things you can do to keep your tree healthy and thriving. Mulch insulates the base of the tree and roots from freezing temperatures. It also helps your tree retain moisture and organic matter.

Evenly spread new shredded hardwood and leaf mulch around the tree's base each fall. Be careful not to over mulch or pile it up around the trunk of the tree.

Mulching must be done before the ground freezes to be effective.

How To Apply Mulch

Size: The best mulching goes out as far as the drip line (where the water falls from the outermost leaves) of the tree. However, mulching that far out from the base of your trees doesn’t always make sense for homeowners. If this isn’t practical, spread the mulch in a 2 to a 3-foot radius around the tree instead.

Depth: About 2-4 inches

Do not pile the mulch against the trunk of the tree. Keep it away from the trunk so that the above-ground root zone is visible to prevent harmful bark rot at the base of the tree.

To refresh the look of mulch, lightly rake the top layers of the mulch, or simply remove the old mulch and replace it with new mulch. Don’t pile new mulch layers on top of old ones.

A note on young trees : do not use fresh wood chips for mulching around young trees. New wood chips have higher acidity and can injure a young tree.

Every tree has different needs. To find out what mulch is best for your trees, consult a tree care specialist.

4. Make Sure Your Trees Are Adequately Hydrated

After the hot, dry summer, your trees need hydration before winter arrives. Even though the heat of the summer has passed, your trees can still suffer from drought stress. If you don’t water them, your trees will not receive water until the snow melts in the spring.

Fall is the time to ensure your trees get enough water to keep them hydrated through the winter.

Fall Tree Care Watering Tips:

Focus on the root zone when watering. It is pointless to spend time watering foliage, and it can promote disease.
DO NOT use a sprinkler to water your trees. Sprinklers only wet the top layer of soil and won’t give your tree roots the water they need.
Water in the morning to avoid evaporation and to help your trees cope with the day’s heat.
Water deeply and thoroughly 1 to 2 times a week.
Put your garden hose without a nozzle anywhere in the critical root zone.
Turn the hose on to a dribble and leave it there for 2-3 hours .
Move the hose to a different spot in the critical root zone and leave for 2-3 hours. Repeat this step 1-3 times each watering .

The soil should be moist but not soaking . You've over-watered if you can make a mud ball out of the earth.

If some portions of the soil are wet and some are dry, that’s perfectly fine. The key is to water slowly enough that it can seep deep into the soil and be absorbed by the roots.

Need help with Fall Tree Care?

Book a consultation or speak with one of our tree care specialists today. 973-919-8662

5. Treat The Needles Or Leaves With Anti-Desiccants

Winter's negative impacts on trees stem from moisture loss from the pores in their leaves and needles.

During the winter, leaves require more moisture to combat dry air and wind dehydrating effects. The roots cannot keep up with that demand. As a result, the leaves or needles turn brown and die. This is called winter burn or desiccation.

Applying anti-desiccants to your trees can help prevent winter burn by coating the upper and lower leaves or needles with a wax coating that locks in moisture, similar to what lotions do for our skin.

Give your trees and plants the protection they need to flourish and stay evergreen in the winter by applying an anti-desiccant every fall.

6. Treat For Borers

Borers come looking for trees that are easy to overwinter in during the fall. Making your trees uninviting to borers in the late summer and fall prevents them from entering your trees, feeding on their nutrients, and infesting them in the spring.

Borers are incredibly destructive to a wide variety of tree species. The most common borers we treat in the Seattle, WA, area include Asian Longhorn Beetles, Bronze Birch Borers, Ambrosia Beetles, and Emerald Ash Borers.

Your local tree care specialist can help you identify the borers your trees invite and apply the treatment you need to keep your trees pest-free.

7. Prune Your Trees

Dead, diseased, and damaged limbs pose safety risks for you and your property, especially during winter storms. For your tree's health and safety, make sure to prune your trees every late summer or fall.

Before the leaves fall is a great time to prune your trees. You can quickly identify deadwood, diseased, and damaged limbs and cut them away.

Read How To Prune Fruit Trees For Better Fruit Production for proper pruning tips.

8. Add Support Systems To Your Tree (If Needed)

If your trees need extra support to withstand the Seattle winter, cabling can provide them with the necessary stability.

While support systems cannot save a dead or dying tree, they can help young, oddly shaped, or injured trees withstand high winds and heavy snow.

Your local tree care company or arborist can give your trees the necessary support system. If they cannot be saved, tree removal may be recommended.

Conclusion

Following these steps, every late summer or early fall will keep your trees healthy throughout the winter and position them for optimal growth in the spring.

If you have any questions about how to prepare your trees for the Seattle winter, we are happy to provide you with a consultation and fall tree care service.

Tree Trimming At Your Rental: What You Need To Know

lewis@bluecrocus.ca (Lewis Vandervalk) — Tue, 06 Sep 2022 19:22:36 GMT

Tree Trimming Your Seattle Rental: What You Need To Know

5 Reasons Why You Should Trim The Trees On Your Rental Property

Having mature trees on the grounds of an income property improves the appearance and performance of the investment . Trees create a healthier environment that makes it easier to attract quality tenants to your property. Beautiful trees can mean charging higher rents.

But to get the full benefits of having trees on your property, the trees need to be cared for. The mere presence of trees on your property does not automatically translate to an increase in your rental value. You need to regulate their growth to get the most from your trees.

Unless you find a way to control them, falling tree leaves, overhanging tree branches, and invasive tree roots will damage your rental and the value of your property. Regular trimming is necessary to keep trees healthy and your rental property safe.

Regular trimming ensures trees don’t grow too large and endanger the surrounding structures. Trimming a tree helps its branches grow to keep their weight balanced. You can also trim a tree to shape it and improve its aesthetic appeal.

5 Reasons Why You Should Trim The Trees On Your Seattle Area Rental Property

1. For The Safety Of Your Tenants

The first and most important reason to trim trees is to prevent branches from falling and hurting people. Trees interfering with overhead power lines can also be a problem. The likelihood of these events happening increases with strong winds and heavy rain or snow. It is cheaper to trim a tree than to deal with lawsuits by tenants or strangers.

2. For The Safety Of Your Rental Property

You wouldn’t want a tree branch falling on the roof of your rental. Even if a tree does not fall, it can still pose a danger to your property. Tree branches that are close enough to touch the roof or window can cause severe damage during a storm. This is because strong winds can crash those branches against the roof or windows of your building.

3. To Maintain Curb Appeal

Trees are attractive only when trimmed and stand in well-manicured lawns. The amount of work you put into looking after the trees on your property gives potential tenants a sneak view into how much effort you invest in managing your property. Nicely trimmed trees help you make the right first impression.

Need help maintaining your trees?

Book a consultation or speak with one of our tree care specialists today. 973-919-8662

4. To preserve Your Landscape Infrastructure

Most landlords take landscaping maintenance seriously because it impacts their property's curb appeal and value. But there won’t be landscaping to maintain if you do not protect the landscape infrastructure. Damage by falling trees or tree branches can destroy the landscape infrastructure around your property.

To learn more about maintaining income properties, visit https://tsquareproperties.net/

5. Trimming Your Trees Protects Your Business

Unmanaged tree branches pose a threat to your business, as well as the health, lives, and property of your tenants. There is no need to live with the risk of lawsuits or the potential impact of falling tree branches on your insurance policy. It is good business to eliminate every threat to the success of your rental property. Having your trees professionally trimmed and maintained ensures the safety, aesthetics, and value of your investment and part of your responsibility as a property manager or landlord.

Who should be responsible for tree trimming: tenants or landlords?

Tenants and landlords often struggle to assign responsibility for tree trimming. Tenants think landlords should do it, while landlords believe that if tenants are responsible for lawn maintenance, they should also handle tree trimming. But as a landlord, you want to distinguish between tree trimming and regular landscaping maintenance.

Landscaping maintenance typically involves mowing grass, pulling weeds, and trimming bushes . These tasks are separate from seasonally cutting back the branches of large trees on the property and are the responsibility of the property owner. As a rule, you do not want to leave this responsibility to your tenants ; because of the financial and liability issues involved in tree trimming.

How Often Should You Trim Your Trees?

A lot depends on the type of trees on your property and how fast they grow. The proximity of the trees to the building is another factor; trees closer to the house need to be pruned more often. The climate in your area also plays a role; as already stated, if your rental is in a storm-prone area, you may need to trim trees more often and aggressively.

Conclusion

To sum up, while you may not necessa rily need to trim all of your trees every year, you do need to have a tree expert assess the condition of those trees at least once a year . That evaluation will let you know if you need to trim a tree and how much of its branches should be removed. This simple step can save you a lot of trouble and money.

As a certified tree care company serving the Seattle area, we have an arborist on staff and the knowledge and expertise to help you maintain the trees on your rental property. Talk to us about your tree care needs today.

Sound Tree Care, LLC Named Best In Tree Services in Seattle by Trees.com

lewis@bluecrocus.ca (Lewis Vandervalk) — Thu, 11 Aug 2022 16:56:10 GMT

Sound Tree Care Was Named Best In Tree Services In Seattle By Trees.com

Our tree service company was ranked among the most reputable gardening specialists for young trees, plants, and tree car e in Seattle, WA.

Sound Tree Care was recently recognized by Trees.com for being one of the top 40 tree care and maintenance service providers in Seattle, Washington, and we couldn’t be prouder.

Read on to learn about this award, Trees.com, and their selection process.

Trees.com Selection Process

SEATTLE, WA – Trees.com , the online authority for hydroponics, gardening advice, product reviews, DIY, and design ideas, has announced Sound Tree Care, LLC among its list of the best tree care companies in Seattle, Washington. The top companies were selected based on 25 criteria across five major categories, including availability, credentials, reputation, services, and professionalism.

Sound Tree Care, LLC, and other providers offer a wide range of tree care, landscape design, and installation services. Companies on the final list all provide a high level of professionalism with qualified staff to handle projects from the consultation phase to regular maintenance. The study also examined companies with positive client reviews and feedback.

See Us On The List Of Top 40 Tree Care Services Providers in Seattle, WA

The research team at Trees.com assessed over 130 companies across the city before choosing the top 40 tree care providers for the final list.

The guide also includes an in-depth summary of service offerings. To access the complete list of best nurseries in Seattle, visit https://www.trees.com/tree-services/seattle-wa .

It is truly an honor to be awarded this recognition for our hardworking, passionate, and dedicated team of tree care specialists.

ABOUT SOUND TREE CARE, LLC

Sound Tree Care LLC is a Seattle tree service. We perform tree removal, tree pruning, hedge trimming, emergency tree work, view creation, land clearing, and habitat creation. We have an ISA Certified Arborist on staff and are happy to share our knowledge and expertise with you.

ABOUT TREES.COM

Trees.com offers practical and inspirational ideas to help people create green spaces in any environment. The website features in-depth articles on gardening, product reviews, DIY, and design tips. With an initial focus on hydroponic gardening, the platform now explores all methods of gardening through well-researched content. Trees.com is managed and curated by gardening experts and green space enthusiasts.

To learn more, visit https://www.trees.com/ .

Tree Pruning For Fire Prevention In Seattle, WA

lewis@bluecrocus.ca (Lewis Vandervalk) — Wed, 03 Aug 2022 16:45:37 GMT

Tree Pruning For Fire Prevention

In Seattle, WA

9 Expert Tips To Reduce The Risk Of Fire With Proper Tree Care

Did you know that 80 percent of homes lost to wild land fire may have been saved if they had cleared away any brush and deadwood around the houses and created a defensible space?

Seattle summers are hot, and the risk of forest fires comes with that blistering sun. Couple that with drought and carelessness, and we experience a wildfire season on the west coast that lasts for months.

With proper tree care and regular maintenance, you can reduce the risk of fire spreading onto your property and engulfing your home.

As SeaTac and the Seattle area’s tree care specialists, we help homeowners care for their trees, shrubs, and hedges to keep their properties safe.

Here are some expert tips to help prevent a fire at your home, even if your property butts up to a forest.

9 Ways To Prevent Fire With Proper Tree Care In Seattle, WA

1. Get Rid Of The Deadwood

Prune the dead branches from your trees, hedges, and shrubs. Deadwood does not hold water and easily catches fire.

Remove all dead branches that hang over your roof or other structures. Clear away leaves, brush, needles, and other dead vegetation from your roof, gutters, and grounds.

If you have diseased or dead trees on your property, have an arborist or certified tree care company inspect them and remove them.

2. Create A 5-foot Barrier Around The Perimeter Of Your Home

Instead of putting mulch or other flammable materials around the perimeter of your house, create a 3 to 5-foot barrier using gravel or stone.

Ensure adequate space between your home and any hedges, shrubs, and trees in the 30 feet around your home to prevent your home from catching fire even if they do.

3. Keep the 30 feet around any structures clear of trees

Completely clear the land within 30 feet of your home and other structures. There should be no large trees close to or overhanging any structures. Small, well-spaced trees are okay.

4. Thin The Tree Canopy To Inhibit The Spread Of Fire

Beyond the 30-foot defensible space you created around your home, thin the trees in the next 70 feet surrounding your property.

Selectively pruning live branches thins ou t the canopy and makes the crown of the trees less dense. Tree thinning inhibits the spread of fire.

5. Tree Pruning To Prevent Fire

Trimming your trees is essential for removing deadwood and prevents trees from crowding one another, enabling fire to spread from tree to tree quickly.

Prune branches back that touch neighboring trees. Remove branches that hang over or are close to structures. There should be at least 10 feet of space between each of your trees and between your trees and your home.

If your property is on a slope, the distance between branches and structures increases as follows:

Mild to Medium Slope : 10 feet
Medium to Moderate Slope : 20 feet
Moderate to Steep Slope : 30 feet

To learn how the proper techniques for pruning trees, read our tree pruning guide.

6. Remove “Ladder Fuels.”

Prune away branches that provide a link between the ground and the tree tops. If your trees are in isolation, remove the branches to at least 6 feet from the ground. For trees near shrubs or bushes, prune branches lower than 3 times the height of the bushes and shrubs around them.

7. Rake Up And Remove Tree Debris And Dry Vegetation

Keep the area around your trees and home clear of dead leaves, brush, deadwood, pine needles, and dry vegetation. Dead and dry vegetation serves as an excellent fuel source for wildfires. Routine raking dramatically reduces the risk of fire from spreading onto your property.

8. Keep Your Grass Trimmed To 4 Inches in Height

Regularly cutting your grass to a maximum height of 4 inches limit the fuel sources a wildfire has around your home.

9. Plant Fire-Resilient Trees To Help Create A Defensible Space

Wh en choosing trees to plant on your Seattle area property, consider planting species that:

Are slow growing (require less frequent pruning)
Have high water content in their leaves (slower to ignite)
Have open branching habits (less fuel)
Produce fewer branches and leaves (again, less fuel for a fire)
Do not have resinous (oily or waxy) leaves, bark, or needles (trees with oily or waxy needles like fur, juniper, pines, and spruces are highly flammable)

A tree care specialist can help you ch oose fire-resilient trees for your property.

Following these tree care and property maintenance tips can help keep your home safe during wildfire season.

In addition to pruning, tree removal, and maintenance, a professional tree care specialist can help you select fire-resistant plants and make recommendations for fertilization, soil management, disease treatment, and pest control to ensure your trees stay healthy and strong.

Additional Fire Prevention Resources

NFPA.org provides grants to homeowners for the fire prevention tree care services we provide as part of county-wide efforts to prevent wildfires and keep citizens safe.

You can learn more and apply here. http://www.nfpa.org/Public-Education/Fire-causes-and-risks/Wildfire/Firewise-USA/Become-a-Firewise-USA-site

To learn more about Washington’s Firewise initiatives and how to protect your home and your loved ones during wildfire season,

go to https://kingcounty.gov/services/environment/water-and-land/forestry/forestfire.aspx

For more helpful tips on keeping your King County property safe, download and read King County's 2022 Wildfire Risk Reduction Strategy : https://your.kingcounty.gov/dnrp/climate/documents/king-county-wildfire-strategy-report.pdf

Sound Tree Care provides residential and commercial tree services in SeaTac and the greater Seattle area. We have a certified arborist on staff, and our tree care specialists are ISA certified. We are happy to help you create a defensible zone around your home and provide tree care services to keep your trees healthy and your home safe.

How To Trim Hedges

lewis@bluecrocus.ca (Lewis Vandervalk) — Mon, 25 Jul 2022 16:28:14 GMT

How To Guide To Trimming Your Hedges Properly

Spindly, scraggly, overgrown, imbalanced, neglected, and out of control. That’s how many of us would describe our hedges. While we may remember to water and weed our gardens and flower beds, our hedges also require TLC now and again to keep them looking their best.

While you may be avoiding trimming your hedges, fearing you will do more harm than good, or you forget to book a service, if you know the basics, you can groom your hedges confidently.

The guide will provide the tips and tools you need to keep your hedges and bushes dense, healthy, and attractive.

Quick Facts

Suitable for: All hedges

Best Time To Prune: Spring and Summer (with exceptions)

Difficulty: Fairly Simple

Best Time To Prune Hedges

New hedges need formative trimming in the winter or early spring for the first couple of years after planting.

After that, your hedges require maintenance trimming once a year for informal and twice a year for formal hedges that you want to look uniform and seamless. Some formal hedges may even require trimming three times a year, depending on the species and speed of growth.

Generally, the best time to do ma intenance hedge pruning is between spring and summer. However, you may need to delay your pruning if birds nest in your hedges to give them time to raise their young.

Talk to us to learn the best pruning times for your particular hedge.

How To Trim Your Hedge: Trimming Techniques

Hand-held pruning shears work well for smaller plants and for pruning inside branches to promote sunlight penetration and airflow. For larger hedges using hand-held shears in conjunction with an electric or fuel-powered hedge trimmer will make your life easier and speed up the process.

PRO TIP: Before you begin, make sure your pruning equipment is sharp and well-lubricated to ensure clean cuts that won’t damage your plants.

HEDGE TRIMMING SAFETY TIPS

Wear gloves and closed-toed shoes while pruning your hedges. Wear safety goggles and sturdy work gloves when using a power pruning tool.

Remove any obstacles from the area. Do not operate power trimmers above shoulder height; use stable and sturdy platforms or step ladders. Do not use electric hedge trimmers in damp conditions. To avoid accidentally cutting the cable or tripping, carry the cord over your shoulder while pruning.

Formal Vs. Informal Hedges: What’s The Difference

A formal hedge is a row of identical plants, closely clipped and uniformly pruned so they look like a single plant.

An informal hedge is a line of shrubs that are allowed to grow more naturally and have a less uniform structure.

Formal Hedge Maintenance Trimming

Even the most vigorous hedge does not need to exceed 2 feet in width. Formal hedges should be slightly tapered on each side so that the base is wider than the top to allow light to reach the bottom (aka. cutting a hedge to a batter).

Formal Hedge Trimming Tips To Ensure A Symmetrical Shape

1. To cut straight edges, use a taut horizontal string tied between two canes or stakes to act as a guide to cut the top of the hedge level. Push stakes into the ground to trim the sides vertically.

2. When shaping the top of the hedge, create a template of the arch or shape you want out of cardboard or plywood. Cut the top of your hedge using the guide while sliding it along as you prune.

3. Keep the blades of the shears parallel to the line of the hedge as you prune to ensure clean, straight lines.

4. Using a powered hedge trimmer, keep the blade parallel to the hedge and cut using a broad, sweeping action, working from the bottom upwards so that the cut foliage falls away.

5. As you trim the sides of your hedge, reach inside the bush every few feet and cut one or two branches with hand shears at a 45-degree angle just above a nub or leaflet growing in a direction you want to encourage.

Interior pruning improves airflow and sunlight penetration to prevent your plant from looking lush and green on the edges and dead inside.

6. Trim the topmost branch, or “lead shoot,” to the desired height.

Pruning An Older, Severely Overgrown Hedge

If your hedge is old and severely overgrown, apply the three-year rule to provide rejuvenation pruning. Cut up to one-third of the thickest stems down to the plant’s base to stimulate new growth. Do this the following year and the year after. The result will be a smaller, healthier shrub.

Pruning An Informal Hedge

When pruning an informal hedge, remove misplaced shoots, and cut it back to your preferred size. Use loppers or secateurs to prune to avoid damaging the leaves, especially if your shrubs are evergreen.

Final Words On Hedge Trimming

The tips in this article are general guidelines that will help you keep your bushes and hedges healthy, well-groomed, and grow into the shape you want.

Before you take the shears to your hedges or shrubs, talk to a tree care specialist or another expert to find out how to best maintain your particular plants. Depending on the age and species, your hedges may require more or less frequent pruning .

For example, evergreens require pruning in early spring. They grow slowly, which can cause them to look bare if pruned later in the season. Flowering shrubs should not be pruned until after the blooms have turned brown.

Tips To Choosing The Right Plants For Your Hedge

When choosing plants for your hedge, figure out how high and wide you want your hedge before you plant. Choose varieties with well-suited growth habits for the type of hedge you want and won't overgrow your space. Doing so will save you the frustration of keeping it under control or not achieving the look or level of privacy you desire.

If you want a more naturally shaped evergreen hedge that requires minimal pruning or maintenance, choose western arborvitae, eastern red cedar, juniper, cypress, hemlock, fastigiate white pine, and some varieties of holly.

Other informal hedge options worth considering if year-round foliage is not essential are flowering shrubs, such as forsythia, lilac, hydrangea, rose of sharon, crape myrtle, or rugosa roses.

If you want to create a natural privacy barrier , choose tall trees and a mix of coniferous and deciduous species.

Sound Tree Care LLC is a tree care company serving SeaTac and the Seattle, Washington area. We have an arborist on staff and are happy to provide you with tips and recommendations on what plants will achieve the goals you have for your hedge and how to maintain them.

If you have any questions about your hedges, shrubs, or trees, we are happy to answer them. Talk to us today.

How To Prune Fruit Trees For Better Fruit Production

lewis@bluecrocus.ca (Lewis Vandervalk) — Tue, 19 Apr 2022 19:19:42 GMT

How To Prune Fruit Trees For Better Fruit Production

The how, when, and why of pruning fruit trees old and new.

Do you have an apple tree or fruit tree that is out of control or just not producing like it used to? Are you wondering if it can be saved or should be removed? Your unruly apple trees and other fruit trees can be saved and revitalized in most cases.

In this article, you will learn some quick and simple ways to turn your apple tree into an impressive fruit producer. Breathing new life into your fruit tree rather than removing it offers other benefits. Your apple tree provides a natural habitat and essential food source to insects, vital pollinators, and wildlife.

For simplicity, this article will focus on apple trees. However, much of what you will learn about pruning and caring for apple trees applies to other fruit-producing trees and shrubs, like pear trees, citrus trees, and berry bushes.

Why Overgrown Apple Trees Are A Problem

Trees left to their own devices become overgrown. Too many branches in the canopy prevent air circulation. Those damp, dark spaces attract fruit pests and harmful diseases that injure the tree.

What’s worse is that those diseases and pests can spread to neighboring fruit trees.

The nest of branches also blocks the sun from reaching other branches. If your apple tree still produces fruit, any fruit growing on those inner hidden branches cannot ripen due to lack of sun, resulting in poor tasting fruit and an unattractive tree.

One of the best things you can do to improve the health of your apple tree and improve fruit production is to prune it correctly.

While properly pruning your apple tree is not necessarily difficult, it does require some knowledge, know-how, and the right tools. Incorrectly pruning your fruit tree can do more damage than good. So if you are unsure at all, have a local tree care specialist with experience pruning apple trees old and new prune your apple tree for you.

How To Prune Apple Trees

When pruning apple trees, you can do a few things to revive them, depending on how overgrown your tree has become and its condition.

1. Remove dead, damaged, and diseased branches

2. Improve air circulation and sun penetration by removing scaffold branches

3. Prune sail branches

4. Snip water sprouts

5. Shorten scaffold branches

OPTION 1: REMOVE DEAD, DAMAGED, AND DISEASED BRANCHES

The first step to pruning an apple tree - or any tree - is to remove the dead, damaged, and diseased branches. Dead branches won’t have any living buds, leaves, or blossoms. Damaged branches are any branches that are broken, split, or wounded. Dead and damaged branches provide entry points for pests and disease, so remove them. Lastly, diseased branches can have strange growths or bumps that don’t belong there that can even ooze. These issues can quickly spread, so remove any diseased branches you see.

OPTION 2: REMOVE SCAFFOLDING BRANCHES TO IMPROVE AIR CIRCULATION AND SUNLIGHT PENETRATION

Improving air circulation and sunlight penetration helps prevent fruit tree pests and diseases. Selectively removing some of the scaffolding branches can dramatically improve air circulation.

Scaffold branches grow from the trunk of the tree. They can be pretty significant, so removing one can make a massive difference to airflow and increase the amount of light penetrating the canopy. Ideally, you want to be able to throw a football through the apple tree without it getting caught in a tangle of branches. So look for clumped branches and remove some of the older scaffolding branches.

OPTION 3: PRUNE SAIL BRANCHES

Sail branches look like an entire tree growing from one of the older, more established side branches. These sail branches put extreme pressure on the apple tree, making it unstable and vulnerable to breakage. Removing them improves the strength and structural integrity of the fruit tree .

OPTION 4: REMOVE WATER SPROUTS

Water sprouts are branches that point to the sky . They develop to help your apple tree survive overzealous and incorrect pruning by capturing as much of the sun’s energy as possible. They do not produce fruit and drain the tree of nutrients and energy vital to fruit production. Removing water sprouts allows the tree to divert that energy to the fruiting branches of your apple tree.

The only time keeping water sprouts can be beneficial is when the apple tree is ancient, hollow, and has lost all scaffolding branches. The epicormic growth of water sprouts can help keep the tree alive until an arborist can inspect your apple tree and help you determine whether the tree can be saved or needs removal.

OPTION 5: SHORTEN SCAFFOLD BRANCHES

The final option that can improve the health of your apple tree and encourage better fruit production is to shorten scaffold branches. Scaffold branches get longer every year, becoming heavier and more unstable. Shortening long scaffold branches prevent sail branches from developing and breakage, which leaves your apple tree exposed to pests and disease.

Never prune off more than 20% of your apple tree . Generally, we recommend pruning 10% - 15% of the tree canopy. If you have an old, established, severely overgrown apple tree, prune 20% every year until you reach its optimal size for maximum health and fruit production.

How Much Can You Prune Back An Apple Tree Without Killing It?

Over-pruning can kill an apple tree. Removing too many or too much of its branches’ length deprives your tree of essential nutrients and causes undue stress. Often you cannot prune your apple tree using all five options above in a single year.

Your apple tree responds to over-pruning by vigorously growing back, creating more non-fruiting water sprouts and the same issues you had before. If you have an old, neglected, overgrown apple tree, prune no more than 20% of its canopy in a given year. Gradual pruning will transform your unruly apple tree into a beautiful, healthy, and productive tree in four years.

Young trees should be pruned very little until they are well-established. At most, prune 10% of the canopy, focusing on dead ends, suckers, and water sprouts.

When Is The Best Time To Prune Apple Trees?

Timing is crucial when pruning apple trees and other fruit-producing trees . Winter pruning can be advantageous because there are no leaves on the branches, so you can readily identify wounded and diseased branches and the tree’s structure. Unfortunately, winter pruning can lead to vigorous growth and make your old apple tree’s problems worse, not better.

Sometimes it is better to prune your apple tree in the early summer , so it doesn’t have the energy to bounce back and grow wildly. Before you decide when to prune your old or young apple tree, contact a local arborist or tree care company and have them provide you with a consultation.

Every year, carefully and strategically pruning your apple tree prevents it from becoming unruly and overgrown. It also allows you to inspect your tree and address any health issues or damage before they threaten the overall health of your tree. If you notice problems with your apple tree, have a local arborist or tree care specialist look at your apple tree.

What Is The Correct Way To Prune An Apple Tree?

Now you know what branches to prune and remove from your overgrown apple tree, how much you can prune each year, and when. But what is the correct way to prune an apple tree?

It is vital to know how to make your cuts safely and correctly, using the right tools, so you don’t damage your apple tree or yourself. Make sure your pruning tools are sharp, clean, and well-made. There are two main types of pruning cuts - thinning out and heading back.

Thinning Out Cut

A thinning-out cut removes a scaffolding branch from the tree's trunk. If you do this cut incorrectly or with inadequate tools, you can seriously damage the tree , so beware.

Be careful to remove the branch as close to the trunk as possible without removing the “collar.” The collar looks like a ring around the base of the branch. It contains cells that enable the tree to heal from the cut. So be sure to leave that collar intact.

Smaller branches can be removed using hand tools like a hand-pruner or lopper. Larger branches require a hand saw. Thick branches need to be cut using a three-step cut to prevent them from breaking or ripping the bark on the tree.

Make a cut on the bottom of the branch. Cut upwards into the branch to about halfway through the branch.
Cut downward from the top of the branch to halfway further away from the trunk than your first cut.
Make your final downward cut as close to the trunk as possible while leaving the collar intact.

The branch collar will eventually grow over the wound and help prevent pests and diseases from getting into your apple tree.

Heading Back Cut

Heading back cuts are used to shorten branches. Before you cut, determine how much you want to cut. You want to make sure that the branch remains solid and stable. Make your cut a reasonable distance from a healthy bud .

Why Should I Save My Old Apple Tree?

As you prune your old and overgrown apple tree, you will notice an improvement in fruit quality and production. Saving an old apple tree provides opportunities for grafting so you can enjoy a wider variety of apples from a single tree.

Mature apple trees are homes to birds and other wildlife and play an essential role in conserving our natural environment. Healthy apple trees provide flowers that contain nectar and pollen that birds, butterflies, and bees feed on. For all these reasons, we prioritize preserving and rejuvenating old trees over removing them, and so should you.

Conclusion

This art icle focused on pruning and rejuvenating old, overgrown apple trees, but many of the same principles apply to young apple trees and other fruit trees. Contact us to find out more about caring for young fruit trees and other fruit-producing trees and shrubs. Our arborist or fruit tree care specialists are happy to help.

Pruning your old, unruly apple tree can transform it into a healthy fruit tree that produces better fruit and more of it . Although you know how to correctly prune your apple tree, over-pruning, incorrect pruning, or not pruning at the right time can do more harm than good. We recommend having a licensed arborist from a local professional tree care company take care of your apple tree pruning and maintenance. They have extensive knowledge and experience, so you know your apple tree is in good hands.

Sound Tree Care LLC is a tree care company serving Seatac and the greater Seattle, Washington, area with superior tree pruning, tree rehabilitation, support systems, and more. With a certified arborist on our team, we can address any concerns you have about your apple tree and provide you with fruit tree pruning services to help your apple tree produce quality fruit and flourish.

Cost Of Tree Removal In Seattle, WA

lewis@bluecrocus.ca (Lewis Vandervalk) — Mon, 21 Mar 2022 06:10:51 GMT

How Much Does Tree Removal Cost In Seattle WA?

The cost of professional tree removal in Seatac and the greater Seattle area varies greatly, depending on a wide variety of factors. Factors that have the greatest impact on cost are size and number of trees being removed, health of the tree, how easy the trees are to access, what hazards need to be avoided during the removal process, additional services required such as chipping, chopping, or habitat creation, and labor.

While you can find tree removal price estimates online, they are unreliable because either they are a vast price range or the tree companies display unrealistically low prices to entice customers. The best way to find out what your tree removal services will cost is to have a local, licensed and certified tree care company who works under the advisement of an arborist, like us, assess your trees, their unique removal requirements, and provide you with a tree removal quote.

Factors That Affect Tree Removal Costs In Seattle

Height ranges vary by tree care company but typically cost of removal is based on these categories: small trees are under 30 feet, medium-sized trees range between 30 and 60 feet, and large trees are over 60 feet tall. The cost can double if clean-up is required, including brush removal, chipping, and landscaping.

Other Factors That Can Increase The Cost Of Tree Removal

Type Of Tree - Different tree species require a different approach when it comes to safe tree removal. Some trees are protected by the city and state, which means more red tape and authorization costs to get permission to remove them.

Location And Accessibility - If the tree is not accessible by a bucket truck and must be climbed to remove, or the location requires additional equipment and precautions to remove safely, that means more labor which increases the cost. Complexity and inaccessibility can increase the cost of tree removal by 25% to 50%.

PRO TIP : Trees that are close to power lines or utilities with lines weaving in and out of the branches need to be addressed by the utility company, who will often take care of tree trimming or removal for free.

Tree Health - The health and condition of the tree can affect how it is removed. If it is diseased, infested with pests, or rotting, removal can be hazardous. More time and care are required, which increases the cost.

Permits - Your Seattle tree removal costs can increase if permits are required.

Emergency - Urgent or emergency tree felling services often cost more. However, if the damaged or dead tree could cause severe damage or injury if it falls on its own, call to have it professionally removed immediately.

Number of Trees - The more trees you have removed, the higher the cost.

Additional Services - Wood chipping, splitting logs for firewood, and hauling away of limbs are additional charges that increase the cost of tree removal. If you want the stump removed, that costs extra as well. Alternatively, we encourage customers to keep the stump and create a safe, inviting natural habitat to reduce the negative impact on local wildlife tree removal causes. Habitat creation also costs extra, but the home it provides and the hours of wildlife watching are well worth it.

The most significant factors when determining the cost of tree removal in Seattle are the location and size of the of the tree, and the amount of material that we haul away.

Fallen Tree Removal Costs In Seattle WA

A fallen tree is far less hazardous and simpler to remove than a standing tree (even if it is dead). Removing a fallen tree costs considerably less than a standing tree even with hauling costs factored in.

Conclusion

With so many unknown factors when determining what your tree removal will cost, it is impossible for a tree removal company to provide you with a reliable estimate without knowing the details of your particular tree removal needs . That is why we do not provide prices in this article. A ball park tree removal estimate only does you and us a disservice that either establishes unrealistic expectations or leaves you with more questions than answers.

If you have a tree or trees on your Seattle, WA area property that you need or want removed, contact us to get a free quote. Our knowledgeable, licensed, tree care specialists can evaluate your trees, determine the best and safest method of removal, and calculate your true tree removal costs.

What Does It Cost For Tree Trimming In Seattle, WA?

lewis@bluecrocus.ca (Lewis Vandervalk) — Mon, 21 Mar 2022 06:00:32 GMT

How Much Does Tree Trimming In Seattle Cost?

2022 Tree Trimming Pricing Guide

The cost of hiring a professional tree care company in Seatac and greater Seattle, WA, to trim a single tree varies dramatically depending on size, health, type of tree, hedge, or shrub, accessibility, and extent of trimming or pruning required. While you can find pricing estimates and average costs, they are unreliable when trying to budget or determine how much it will cost to have the trees, hedges, bushes, and shrubs on your property trimmed or pruned.

With so many factors at play when it comes to tree trimming and pruning costs, the only way to find out what your tree trimming services will cost is to have a knowledgeable, licensed, and professional tree care company near you provide you with a detailed quote.

Average Tree Trimming Costs

There is no such thing as an average tree, so there is no such thing as an average cost to trim or prune a tree. In general, the taller the tree, the higher the cost to have it pruned or trimmed by a professional tree service. However, there a many factors to consider when pricing out your tree trimming service beyond tree size.

The following shows you what professional tree care companies, like ours, use to determine the cost or tree trimming and pruning.

Tree Trimming Cost Calculator

When calculating the cost of trimming or pruning your trees, there are six factors that professional tree trimmers and arborists consider.

They are:

Size - the bigger the tree, the more branches there are that need trimming and the greater the safety precautions, which means more labor and higher cost.

Location - Is the tree in a hard-to-reach spot? Near a power line? If the tree is in a location that cannot be accessed by a bucket truck, the arborist must climb the tree to trim it, increasing labor and increasing the cost.

Accessibility - If the tree trimmer needs to clear the area to trim the tree safely and climb the tree to trim it, that drives up the cost considerably. It can even double depending on the level of care your tree trimming needs to take.

PRO TIP : If the tree is near utilities or power lines, those companies will trim the tree for you for free.

Number Of Trees - If you need several trees trimmed or pruned, your Seattle tree trimming costs will increase accordingly.

Condition - If the tree has not been pruned or trimmed in a while (or ever) it requires more time and care to prune, trim, and sculpt than a tree that gets professionally trimmed and pruned annually.

Health - If the tree has disease or pests, chances are it has deteriorated, making tree trimming riskier increasing the cost. The tree care specialist will do their utmost to treat and restore your unhealthy tree. However, if unsuccessful, tree removal will be recommended.

In general, the bigger the tree, the riskier the trimming process, and the higher the cost.

Cost Of DIY Tree Trimming

You may think you can save money by trimming your trees yourself. However, if you consider the equipment costs, safety risks, and potential of doing more harm than good trimming your trees, professional tree trimming is extremely affordable.

Final Thoughts On Tree Trimming Costs

Many people think tree trimming and pruning are the same, but they are not. Tree trimming is what professionals refer to when they trim away dead branches to promote healthy growth and ensure your shrubs, and hedges are lush and full. Tree trimming r equires knowledge of the growth patterns of individual species and care to not damage the healthy sections of branches. What most people think is tree trimming is actually pruning .

Tree pruning is precise, deliberate and calculated. Tree pruning is when professional tree care specialists cut away live branches to shape your trees, hedges, and shrubs, and control growth . Pruning fruit trees increases fr uit production and ensures easy harvesting by controlling branch growth. While tree trimming can be done at a variety of times during the year, pruning can only be done at specific times of year and requires extensive knowledge of the growth patterns of individual species.

Done incorrectly, both trimming and pruning can do more harm than good and can even be fatal for the tree. Having a professional tree care company near you provide you with tree trimming and pruning services ensures the healthy growth and lasting beauty of your trees which saves you money and the heartache of premature tree removal .

Tree trimming is one of those home improvement projects that are too dangerous to DIY and should only be completed by a knowledgeable professionsl tree service near you. Read this porch article to learn why tree trimming is one of the 7 Home Repairs That Are Too Dangerous to DIY .

Sound Tree Care LLC is a professional tree care company serving Seatac, Seattle, WA, and the surrounding area. We have a certified arborist in-house who consults on every tree service. Request a free quote to determine what your Seattle area tree trimming or pruning services will cost.

BEE FIRST Care landscaping service

lewis@bluecrocus.ca (Lewis Vandervalk) — Thu, 13 Aug 2020 10:28:42 GMT

BEE FIRST Care landscaping service

Bee First Care landscaping service, is a great crew. These guys really hustle! If you need a hard working Seattle landscaping crew then look no further. Founded by two brothers, Tristian and Trayton, BEE FIRST Care has a commitment to excellence. As a local family owned business BEE FIRST Care wants to give back to the community premium yard service with environmentally friendly methods.

BEE FIRST Care, offering an environmentally friendly yard care service!

BEE FIRST Care landscaping service was established in 2019. We provide landscaping services to the greater Seattle area. Our premium service provides environmentally friendly yard care. Your yard can look great without pesticides and chemicals!

We offer our clients a wide range of services including lawn care, pruning and trimming of hedges and shrubs, land clearing, haul away, hardscape, installation of habitat such as bat and bird boxes, bird houses and bee boxes. Our goal is to provide the highest quality service using holistic methods that are beneficial for the environment.

Tree Pruning

lewis@bluecrocus.ca (Lewis Vandervalk) — Wed, 05 Aug 2020 10:35:10 GMT

Tree Pruning

Pruning will always slow tree growth which can be a great benefit for trees in small spaces. But this has a caveat, many trees respond to pruning by growing quickly! Because of this, it is important to select a knowledgeable professional. Additionally, managed trees can be safer because they have less chance of failure.

Reasons to have Tree Pruning

to invigorate growth

Pruning can invigorate a tree by reducing nutrient demand by removing excess leaves and branches. This results in the remaining branches having more nutrients and sunlight available. This is often useful for a tree that has outgrown a limited space.

to increase fruit size and production

Pruning has a tremendous impact on fruit size and production. Epicormic branches (suckers) need pruning every year on many fruit trees. Additionally, thinning to allow better light penetration and air circulation is a common and desirable goal. One tried and true method of increasing fruit size is to reduce the number of fruit in a cluster. This technique works great on apples , plum , nectarine , peach and citrus .

for risk management

Trees that pose risk to people or property can be managed to reduce and mitigate these risks. Managed trees are inspected for disease, decay and other risk factors. We can identify, address and resolve any issues. Above all, this keeps you safe!

This hollow tree was 50′ tall and leaned over a customers house!

to improve appearance

Some trees can benefit from pruning to improve their appearance. Technique such as reduction, balancing and shaping are used to create a more uniform shape. Over time, trees can grow to obstruct your view. After that, pruning can restore your view! Well kept trees look best and add value to your property.

Tree pruning to reduce shade and wind resistance

Over time tree growth can create too much shade or too large a wind sail. Pruning live growth can allow more sunlight to filter to the landscape below and decrease the tree canopy wind sail .

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Sound Tree Care Voted Top Tree Removal Company In Seattle 2022

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