Homeowner: Is it better to mulch the debris or
stack it for natural decay? Which way is the most Green
friendly.
CFT: It is always better to stack it for decay if you have the extra acreage or sink holes to fill on your property.
Most homeowners in metropolitan areas do have the extra required area so mulching and spreading on your
property is the next best option. The most Green friendly way it to leave it to decay on its own, second is to
mulch on site and last is to haul away.
Homeowner: What happens to debris once it is hauled off of my property?
CFT: It most cases it is mulched! Cities and Counties do usually do not have the room to leave it piled to decay
naturally or leave it to accumulate into a fire hazard. Mulching saves room by reducing green waste by 7 to 9
times in volume.
Homeowner: I heard that mulch from a fresh cut tree is bad for my yard?
CFT: Not true unless it is suspected the tree has a spreadable disease, fungus or deadly bug infestation. You
can use the mulch immediately.
Homeowner: How much mulch is too much?
CFT: For trees and shrubs you do not want to let exceed 4" in depth. Also you need to leave the base of the
tree uncovered where it meets the ground.
CFT MULCHING GREEN tip 1: After tree work is done with the option of mulching have your landscaper check to make sure the total mulch depth is not over 4 inches. An analogy we like to use is when building a house tree companies are like framing carpentors and their work will finally be covered over by the finishing carpentors who are concerned with the final details you want to see. You want your tree company to be more concerned with completing your job safety than the ascetics you or your landscaper are better at detailing.
CFT MULCHING GREEN tip 2: If you are concerned about the differences in your existing mulch and that of the tree companies then here is a solution called the Rake Back Method. Rack back your existing mulch in the area you will be adding the tree companies mulch. After they sprayed mulch in your uncovered area you can rake your mulch over top this fresh layer. You may also choose to buy additional mulch as a top cover instead of the rake back method. Be sure you do not exceed 4" in depth.
Homeowner: Is it okay to prune my trees any time of the year?
CFT: Depending on your needs pruning can be done throughout the year but most experts recommend pruning during the dormant season. Many factors must be considered before pruning trees. Tree location, health, age, size and any landscape changes are some of the most important. Postpone pruning when any of these factors present a negative situation for your tree especially mature trees. Prune immediately if you think their is a dangerous situation developing with a tree branch. Avoid at all costs removing over twenty five percent of the trees canopy and do not trim for another 3 years after a major trim that included removing over twenty five percent of the canopy. Generally, pruning should be done right after flowering in early spring for flowering trees. For other trees that loose their leaves in the winter can be pruned right after leave drop or before spring leafing.
Homeowner: How often do I need to prune my trees?
CFT: It's up to you. Trees are usually trimmed to satisfy human needs or desires such as lifting the canopy to better see a house or to keep a limb from rubbing on roof shingles. Trees do not require regular pruning unless there are broken limbs, dead limbs or some abnormality in its growth structure.
Homeowner: Does pruning help alleviate storm damage?
CFT: All pruning when done correctly will help your tree through storms. Correcting a trees balance through pruning and correctly thinning will help. Incorrect pruning, sometimes called storm proof or pre-storm pruning, will cause more damage and become the cause of the tree to fail.
Homeowner: How does pruning a tree after storm damage differ from regular pruning?
CFT: Storm pruning requires an experienced arborist who has has made pruning cuts that may not give the great pleasing shape the a tree but is best for its possible survival. There are four basic rules to storm pruning; the first is remove all dangerous limbs, make cuts that help balance a tree, make water repellent angled cuts always just before nodes, and finally cut as little as possible and watch the tree over the next several months before deciding to remove. Hauling it or not
Homeowner: Should I have all the green leaves and limbs hauled away when getting tree work on my property?
CFT: If you have a natural area on your property then have it mulched and sprayed over this area. The tree came from the ground on your property and usually weights in the tons. There is not good reason to have it hauled across the county and wasting fuel.
Homeowner: Can the wood be used for anything good? Can I get some to pay me for it? All efforts by any reputable tree company will be made to use the wood for good purposes. Limbs can be used to make mulch in your yard. Tree trunks that meet the size, kind and straightness specifications will be taken to the mill yard and mostly used a pulp in wood and paper products. Getting paid for the trees on you property is possible but can be risky. Getting paid means you switched from a Tree Service Company to a Logging Operation. There is a big difference and if you DON'T care about the looks of your property when the job you may be paid. Some companies simply take the wood for free and some will pay you. Be sure you measure the cost of repairing your property if you choose the logging route. You may end up paying a lot more that having a tree company come out.
Homeowner: How does it help if I can get logs from my trees?
CFT: It helps both your budget and it is more Green friendly when you can remove trees and have the logs picked up for log mill use. You will be given better price if your trees can be removed in 18' sections without damaging any of your structures or fences. Often times your landscape, yard size and access limitations will not allow it. You must also have good access and be willing to let medium-weight equipment cross your property. Finally getting the yourt logs to a mill means less natural forest trees will be cut.
Homeowner: Should I be concerned if a third party hauls away the debris the tree company made?
CFT: No. Assuming that you picked your tree company because you trusted them and you have a good contract there should be no trouble. Make sure you have all the phone numbers of all parties concerned and stay in contact if necessary.
Homeowner: Should I plant trees close to my house?
CFT: This depends on many factors like the size of the tree when mature, hardiness, native or import, rooting characteristics just to name a few. If planting next to or close to a structure choose trees that do not spread wide, smaller in overall height and are not know to have invasive rooting problems to foundations.
Homeowner: Can I plant a new tree near a recently cut tree stump?
CFT: Yes. There can be some complications if the previous tree had a disease that the new tree is susceptible to contracting. Some trees species produce or leave chemicals in the ground that prevent other trees species from growing. You may check with your County Extension Agent to see before making a big investment in a new tree. Stumps
Homeowner: Should I expect my tree company to remove the stumps after tree removal.
CFT: It is common that after a tree removal to stumps 4-6" above ground level. There are many independent stump removal companies that can handle these removals as well as any tree company.
Homeowner: does the tree removal include stumps if they are uprooted?
CFT: Be sure to clarify this before signing a contract. Removing the root ball can sometimes cost as much as removing the tree. Do not assume that it is included. Also when dealing with storm damage trees during a major disaster stumps may not be included or dealt with until most of the community is cleared and cleaned up.
Homeowner: Does a tree company have to have a crane or bucket truck to remove my trees?
CFT: No, in many urban environments there is no way to maneuver a cranes for all customers. Many tree companies find that they may only use their equipment 10-20 percent of the time and for it not to be cost effective. Versatile tree companies have many options and operate very efficiently without them. Cranes and bucket trucks may also cause undesirable cracks and break driveways. Often the homeowner must sign waviers releasing the tree company from cracked or broken driveway repairs.
Homeowner: When are cranes necessary?
CFT: During a major disaster or when a tree fall on a hour it is common to see the use of a cranes for safety and to help prevent further property damage. Cranes can be useful to untangling suspended trees over structures and prevent more damage to property as the tree workers disasemble the mess.