Planting Birch Trees

A white birch tree living amongst pine, spruce, oak and cedar trees adds a special touch of beauty to the landscape. The peeling bark of the birch next to the solid, firm bark of the other trees inspires artist paintings. The delicate foliage of the birch next to the large oak leaves providing a lesson in composition.

Planting a birch tree in your yard and keeping it happy and healthy however can be quite challenging. People fall in love with the tree while hiking in the woods and yearn to have one in their own yard. Unfortunately, birch trees can start to decline after just a few years if not planted under the right conditions and cared for properly.

Think about the places you have seen healthy birch trees in the forest. The soil in these locations has been cool and moist which is what birch trees need. Birch trees have very shallow root systems which makes them very sensitive to dry, hot soil. Consequently, if they are planted in hot, dry soil they do not do well. They should be planted where the soil will be shaded, cool and moist. That’s not all though. To grow well birch trees need full to partial sunshine on their leaves.

Are you wondering how you get shaded, cool and moist soil and full to partial sunshine on the leaves? Try to place them on the east and north side of your house where the building will provide afternoon shade. This way you are avoiding the southern and western exposures during the hot afternoon sun which heats up and dries out the soil. You can have other things in your environment to provide shade besides buildings like other trees. Take a look in your yard in mid to late afternoon and look for spots where the ground is shaded.

Another important consideration before planting birch is to make sure the soil is not compacted or become compacted near them. The shallow root system of birches can be easily damaged by people walking on them so plant away from traffic and apply lots of mulch.

Birch trees like slightly acidic soil but can grow well on more alkaline soils. If you don’t know the pH of your soil it is best to get a soil test. You can always add soil amendments to make it more or less alkaline. They don’t like wet soil so it is also important to make sure the soil drains well and doesn’t flood even for short periods of time. Check with your local garden center or your tree service professional for a recommendation on what type of birch tree to plant in your area.

About the Author: Andrew Johnson is the owner of Central Texas Tree Care, a leading tree service provider in Central Texas (Travis County and surrounding areas) offering services such as pruning and removals, cabling and bracing as well as arborist reports, diagnostics, pest management, fertilization and Austin tree service trusts. For more information please visit http://www.centraltexastreecare.com.

Tree Service in Austin Texas

Austin trees need special attention. They are in limited supply and Austinites are especially interested in preserving what they have. Getting your trees regularly serviced by a certified Arborist can help ensure a long healthy life. Here we will go over the benefits of each type of basic tree service available in Austin.
Pruning your trees from an early age if possible can help to avoid weak branches becoming load-bearing ones. Branches that grow very close together, or ones that branch off at a tight angle, can start to grow together. This makes for a weak branch. Eventually branches like these will sprout their own branches that are actually too heavy. High winds can easily break branches like these and pose a hazard to you, your property and your tree.
Pruning can stimulate proper tree growth. You can control the direction that your tree grows with proper shaping. You can either have a tree grow out, creating a full round shape, or upwards for a tall slender appearance. This can be important for avoiding power lines or your home. Having your trees professionally pruned can help them to become more wind resistant and also help them to more efficiently combat disease.
Cabling or Bracing can save weak trees from breakage. It can also help to train a tree to grow in a desired direction. The most common reason for cabling or bracing a tree is if there is a major weak point in the tree trunk. Most people can identify a weak point as a “Y” shape in the trunk. This is where two trunks have grown together. They can be easily split apart, but cabling them together can save the tree. Many people choose cabling over removal because saving trees in Austin is often a priority.
Tree Removal may be necessary if a tree is badly injured or diseased. Tree removal is not always necessary, so you should consult a tree expert, or Arborist, before you ever have a tree removed. Trees are usually removed if they pose a hazard to people or property.
Taking care of your trees is relatively inexpensive and can be considerably less expensive than paying for repairing the damage that they may cause. Hiring a certified Arborist can help ensure that the job is done right, with conservation in mind. Searching for quality Austin tree trimming is especially important because we need to save all of the trees that we can. Have your trees inspected and cared for by the best that tree care has to offer.

About the Author: Andrew Johnson is the owner of Central Texas Tree Care, a leading tree service provider in Central Texas (Travis County and surrounding areas) offering services such as pruning and removals, cabling and bracing as well as arborist reports, diagnostics, pest management, fertilization and Austin tree service trusts. For more information please visit http://www.centraltexastreecare.com.

You are Liable if you Hire Uninsured or Unlicensed Tree Trimmers

You may save a few dollars by hiring an uninsured or even unlicensed tree trimmer. But did you know that when you do so, you are liable for that person’s safety? It’s true. You are considered that person’s employer, even if they work for a tree trimming company. You can even be prosecuted for wrongful death if an accident occurs, and you will probably lose the case.
There have been many lawsuits like this in the past, the most recent being Ramirez vs. Nelson. In this case, a California couple hired a tree trimming company to come out and trim their tree. When Ramirez was trimming, he somehow touched a power line with his trimming pole and was electrocuted and killed. The Nelsons, the homeowners, were in the house when the accident occurred. They didn’t see it happen and they were unaware that the tree trimmer was uninsured and not licensed to do the work that he was doing.
Unfortunately, many people think that they can learn how to trim trees and make some money. They do not go through the proper channels of becoming licensed, insured and they do not get themselves extensively trained in tree trimming safety. The Nelson’s argued that they had nothing to do with the accident. The attorney said that they were the employee’s agent. They were liable because they hired someone unlicensed to trim a tree over 15 feet tall. They had only assumed that he was licensed.
The Nelson’s tried to have the lawsuit covered by Workman’s Compensation. But, because this employee worked for them for less than 52 hours, Workman’s Compensation did not apply. So, the Nelson’s were charged with wrongful death.
When look for tree trimming Austin, make sure that you thoroughly check out the one that you hire. Make sure that they have had the proper training and carry their own insurance. The most highly trained and experienced tree trimmer you can hire is a Certified Arborist. If you hire and Arborist with the right certification, then you can be sure that they have the proper training to do the job with safety in mind.
Ask to see credentials before you allow work to begin. Do not put yourself in a situation where your liability comes into question. Be safe and hire an Austin tree trimming company that is familiar with your type of trees and has had extensive training and experience with them. Be safe, not sorry.

About the Author: Andrew Johnson is the owner of Central Texas Tree Care, a leading tree service provider in Central Texas (Travis County and surrounding areas) offering services such as pruning and removals, cabling and bracing as well as arborist reports, diagnostics, pest management, fertilization and Austin tree service trusts. For more information please visit http://www.centraltexastreecare.com.

Time to Trim Cedar Trees: Austin, TX

Austin is adorned with plenty of cedar trees, much to the dismay of many allergy sufferers in the winter! But make no mistake, Austin is lucky to have so many trees. Many cities are severely lacking in trees and it affects everything from appearance, to pollution to climate. Cedar trees are part of what makes Austin one of the most beautiful places to live in Texas. Many people with cedar trees on their property may be wondering how to care for their cedar trees.
The type of cedar trees that we see in Austin grow well in the rocky soil. They thrive despite harsh temperatures and low rainfall. They tend to grow in patches, or brakes, and choke out other vegetation. This makes for some nice hiking in the Hill Country. You can stroll through shady areas without having to navigate through all sorts of other plant life. Hiking trails tend to stay clear and Austin is greatly benefited by all of the hiking areas that we have.
If you have Texas cedars on your property, you may wish to control the area that they take over so that you can have other types of trees and landscaping survive. You want to preserve your cedars while keeping plants that need a lot of water far enough away that they are not affected. It is not only a matter of watering, cedar trees also emit chemicals that inhibit growth of many other plants and trees. This may sound like a downside of owning cedar trees, but the same substances actually help repel insects and other pests from entering your yard. This could actually help to save your other trees from infestations and make your yard a safer place for your pets. Heartworms are a big problem for pets in Austin and having a little extra mosquito control is definitely a good thing.
Ground maintenance and cedar tree control are something that you need to talk to an Arborist about. Fall is generally the best time of year for the tree trimming of your cedars, although cedars can be trimmed at just about any time of year. Climate, the age of the tree and the amount of maintenance that needs to be done can all be factors that an Arborist will consider before devising a plan to keep your cedars safe and healthy.
When the allergies flare up this winter, treat the symptoms and try to remember what a commodity our cedar trees really are. Call an Arborist for tree trimming Austin services and make sure that your cedars have a long and healthy life.

About the Author: Andrew Johnson is the owner of Central Texas Tree Care, a leading tree service provider in Central Texas (Travis County and surrounding areas) offering services such as pruning and removals, cabling and bracing as well as arborist reports, diagnostics, pest management, fertilization and Austin tree service trusts. For more information please visit http://www.centraltexastreecare.com.

Tree Trimming Austin: The Importance of Pruning

Proper tree pruning can help save your trees when the winds pick up. Texas weather can change on a dime and wind storms can be unpredictable. Downed limbs can pose road hazards. They can also be dangerous for people, power lines and property. Keeping your trees pruned will make them more wind resistant, beautiful, and less susceptible to disease.

Having a professional arborist inspect and treat your trees yearly can help you to catch many diseases and fungi that can affect Texas trees. Local arborists are familiar with the signs and symptoms that each of your trees may exhibit. Early detection of such infections and fungi can help to not only save the affected tree, but the other trees in your yard. Some fungi can be spread up to a mile from an infected tree. Protect your own trees as well as those of your neighbors by having that yearly inspection.

Tree trimming in Austin is very important. Due to the conditions of the soil and the climate, it can be rare to have mature native trees. Take care of them! A professional trimmer will help keep the canopy of the tree even and uniform. Many trees have the tendency to grow to one side. This can make for an unattractive and unbalanced canopy. Limbs on one side can become too heavy and snap, making the tree more exposed to certain diseases and fungi.

If you plant your own trees, have them pruned professionally every two to three years. Some may require annual pruning. A professional tree trimmer will look for unhealthy limbs to remove. They will look for insect infestations, fungi, infections and other signs of disease. Do not assume that you can spot these symptoms yourself, as many trees show very slight or undetectable signs of diseases or fungi that they may be harboring and spreading to other trees.

A professional tree trimmer will thin out the top of the tree to allow for maximum air flow. This will help your tree to withstand those wind storms and sudden gusts that are all too familiar in Texas. Pruning will also help your tree to concentrate water and nutrients in the strongest limbs strengthening the overall structure of the tree. If you allow the tree to take its natural course, it will shed limbs that do not produce well on its own. When this happens, the tree will usually have a large wound and splintery gash that will not seal on its own. When a professional trims the branches, they will know which limbs to prune and where on the branch the cut should be made. These types of cuts should heal quickly and protect the tree from diseases.

Deciding to hire a professional for tree trimming Austin trusts is a smart idea. You will protect the strength and beauty of your trees, your property and personal safety, ensure a long healthy life for your trees and protect the other precious natural resources in your neighborhood.

About the Author: Andrew Johnson is the owner of Central Texas Tree Care, a leading Austin tree service provider in Central Texas (Travis County and surrounding areas). Central Texas Tree Care offers services such as pruning and removals, cabling and bracing as well as arborist reports, diagnostics, pest management and fertilization. For more information please visit http://www.centraltexastreecare.com.