If you have a yard, particularly one with plenty of trees, an ISA Certified arborist can add tremendous value to it. An arborist will prune trees, remove dead branches or stumps, and provide care following destructive storms, all of which enhance the beauty of your yard. But arborists’ work goes beyond appearances. They’ll maintain or better the long-term health of your trees and help keep your property safe. Arborists are knowledgeable and equipped to get results you may not be able to with a landscaper or by trying to do the work yourself.
Here are five ways a certified arborist will improve your yard.
Trimming and Pruning
First, a little explanation of the terminology — trimming a tree means cutting back overgrown but healthy branches, and pruning involves removing dead, broken, or diseased limbs. Arborists provide both services.
Every cut you make to a tree’s limbs affects its growth. It’s important to make sure that the configuration of limbs and branches is ideal for the structural integrity of a tree. Otherwise, it might develop improper weight distribution, which leads to broken limbs or worse, and may require more serious corrective pruning in the future. Well-placed cuts also encourage the development of fruit or flowers and promote growth.
It’s possible to kill a tree by over-pruning or trimming, so it’s best to leave it to a professional, certified arborist.
Disease Diagnosis
Diseases like oak wilt or other fungi can quickly cause structural defects in a tree and may end up damaging it past the point of repair. But proper care can limit the harm or restore the tree to full health. An arborist will be able to tell you what disease is affecting your tree and provide treatment that allows for the best chance of long-term survival.
You should also consult a certified arborist if you think pests are damaging your trees. They can figure out what insect you’re dealing with and will know how to exterminate it. Here in Texas, spider mites, scales, and aphids are some of the most harmful and need to be removed quickly.
Tree Selection
A tree can be a great addition to a yard. Large, healthy trees look great and increase property value, and they can provide fruit or shade, depending on the variety.
If you’ve ever looked into getting a tree put into your yard, you’ve probably noticed how overwhelming the choices are. And whichever variety you do choose will be around for a while — even those with shorter lifespans, like palms, can live for almost a hundred years.
A certified arborist will test your soil to make sure you’re getting one that’s suitable for its environment and available space. Qualities like drainage, pH level, and exposure to the sun can make a real difference in the health of a tree. They’ll also tell you how to best care for your new tree, and if it’s home to any invasive plants or animals.
Emergency Services
Thunderstorms, hail, tornadoes, and hurricanes damage branches and trunks, creating situations where limbs or entire trees can fall and damage homes or cars, or become a safety hazard for people.
If a storm does cause damage, you should contact an arborist as soon as possible to get at-risk branches and other debris removed. They’ll know how to take care of the situation safely. That’s especially important if there are downed utility lines in the area.
There’s also a preventative aspect to it. Trees with dead or dying branches should ideally be cared for before a storm hits, so they don’t create any dangerous situations.
Land Clearing
If you have a landscaping or construction project in mind for your property and need an area cleared, an arborist can help. They’ll remove damaged trees, limbs, and shrubs, even if the land is hilly or rocky.
Tree stumps and roots create all kinds of issues and are difficult or impossible to remove without the proper machinery. Roots are far-reaching and create problems later on in the construction process, so it’s important to be deliberate and thorough when removing them. An arborist has the tools to grind down a stump, or if necessary, take it out, roots and all. And they can perform each of those services without causing damage to your property, which is a risk if you try to get it done yourself.
ISA Certified Arborists are your Safest Bet
Certification from the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) ensures that the person you’re working with has the years of experience and skills needed to properly care for your trees. So if you do need help, your best bet is to work with someone who has that certification. If you’re in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex, reach out to Arbor Leaf Tree Care. Our team is ISA Certified and driven by client satisfaction.
