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As you looked up at the tree in your yard, you noticed something.
The branch that looked ok before, doesnt look so hot now. Maybe its closer to your roof than it was.
Or its hanging on by a leaf and could fall onto your driveway. And hit your car.
Either way, that branch has got to go. But if you do it yourself, you will likely do more harm than good.
Heres why you should hire a professional arborist.
A pound of cure
Weve all heard the saying, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
In the case of the trees in your yard, its more than just a pound.
The average oak tree can weigh thousands of pounds.
OK, so maybe only a branch will fall down.But its twenty feet above your head.
Thats plenty heavy enough to possibly do some serious damage.
Its also impossible to predict what will happen during the next storm. Those branches may hang on for another six months.
Or, it could be six minutes.
Do you want to take that chance? If not, make sure youre taking care of your trees.
Seasonal maintenance
You want the trees in your yard looking beautiful year-round.
You like watching the trees come to life in the spring. Lush, green leaves provide shade on a hot summers day.
In the fall, the oranges and reds are a perfect look when theres a nip in the air.
To keep your trees looking their best, you need to maintain them.
Some of the smaller parts, closer to the ground, you might be able to take care of yourself. But the Department of Agriculture suggests hiring a professional for anything over 2 in diameter.
And, did you know that if you trim a tree incorrectly you can inadvertently damage it?
Once a tree is damaged, its more likely to have issues and possibly even die.
Proper pruning also encourages new growth and can help trees withstand the winter better.
A professional arborist will know whats best for the size and type of trees you have.
Not just for decorative trees
Shade in the summer is good, but a fresh apple from your tree in the fall is delicious.
Proper, seasonal maintenance also applies to your fruit trees. If you prune them at the right time, it will encourage fruit production for the following year.
Preventative maintenance
Along with knowing the best and safest way to trim your trees, a professional can assess their current health.
They can recognize signs of pest damage, or conditions like Dutch elm disease.
If those cant be corrected or controlled, they can perform a safe tree removal.
How often do my trees need trimming?
Typically, once a year will be sufficient.
The Arbor Day Foundation suggests avoiding pruning your trees in the fall. Trees are slower to heal in the fall, and it may promote the spread of fungus.
And of course, youll want to contact a professional sooner if you see limbs that:
May overhang walkways
Are near power lines
Were damaged by a storm or the wind
Safety first
Trimming a tree branch isnt like cutting one of your shrubs or hedges.
There are factors to take into account like:
Where will the limb fall once its cut?
How will it affect the rest of the tree?
Is it caught up in other branches that will also fall?
A professional knows how to assess the situation properly for safe removal.
Dont let it be a shocking experience, either
Trees can also be growing near your electrical and phone lines. Or, maybe theres a storm and the branches break and hit the lines.
Either way, you want to avoid having that happen.
Keeping your trees trimmed correctly can prevent a middle-of-the-night problem. And if it does happen, your utility companys emergency line is your first call.
Downed electrical lines are a serious hazard the ground can be energized up to 35 away.
Make sure you know what to do in case this dangerous situation occurs.
Emergency removal
Sometimes, despite your best efforts, Mother Nature has a different idea.
The wind was howling and a branch was torn loose. And it landed on your roof.
Not only do you need that branch off the roof before it falls, but it needs to be done correctly.
If you decide to climb up on a ladder and yank it off the roof, now you have two risks:
Falling off the ladder
Further damaging your roof
A professional arborist can help minimize the damage by removing the limb safely and quickly.
Hiring a pro can actually save you money
You might be a pretty handy DIY kind of person.
And your budget is tight, so you try to do things yourself. But tree trimming isnt a time to cut corners, so to speak.
It requires specialty tools and experience the average homeowner doesnt have.
Things like:
Chainsaws
Rope and pulleys
Truck capable of hauling away the wood if needed
The know-how to use all these safely and effectively
DIY is great for painting and other stuff but you should hire a professional for your trees.
Insurance
Another way a certified arborist can save you money: insurance.
What if you decided to trim that tree yourselfand you drop a branch on your car?
Or worse, on your neighbors car?
A professional tree service will carry liability insurance that will provide coverage for those accidents.
Other things a professional can do for you
Pet rescue
Our family pets have become more than just animals to us. Theyre our family members.
What happens if your fur child (e.g. your cat) gets stuck in a tree?
Sure, they got up there, but sometimes, they need a little help getting down.
A professional can safely get your furry friend down in no time.
Stump grinding
Sometimes when a tree is removed, the stump is left behind.
You might want it removed so you can plant a new tree, or because its just unsightly.
A professional arborist will have the tools to remove whats below the ground, too.
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