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Stein Urges Home and Business Owners To Avoid Tree Construction Damage

Written by Stein Tree on . Posted in Commercial and Municipal, Stein Tree Service Blog, Tree Care.

Planning on construction or exterior home renovation this year? Spring and early summer are prime times that residents and businesses plan major construction projects. Whether large or small, these types of projects can cause trauma to the surrounding landscape. If your property has trees that you hope to save, consult with a certified arborist for guidance on avoiding construction damage. Stein offers some basic information below.

3 Ways Construction Damages Surrounding Trees

Trees adapt as they grow to the type of climate and atmosphere that surround them. When something dramatically different occurs, they are vulnerable to trauma, which can result in weakness or even tree death.

Contact Injury

The most obvious cause of injury is what you can see: when equipment comes into contact with the tree. Cuts in the trunk, major broken branches, or even cutting of the roots can occur during construction. Wounds in the tree can lead to bacterial or fungal growth, insect infestation, or a failure in the tree’s system of distributing nutrients. An arborist will help you determine the best methods of protecting trees, and may advise that some trees will most likely be unable to be preserved. Marking the trees that are most valuable and enforcing a safe perimeter may be enough to prevent this type of damage.

Soil Compaction

backhoe-during clearing for construction - Stein Tree Service

Soil compaction is one type of trauma that many fail to consider, but that is often deadly. Trees need a certain level of porosity in the soil in order for roots to receive the proper water, air and nutrients for health. When the level is changed dramatically, such as when heavy equipment is used to clear land or carry building supplies, or even an inordinate amount of foot traffic, the tree can suffer. Another way that soil can be compacted is by adding too much soil on top of the existing soil. We normally plant trees with the proper amount of root buried, and if that level is changed too much, the tree roots can be starved of air or nutrients.

Environmental Change

As we mentioned, trees become used to their surroundings, and dependent in some ways on them. For example, if you have a forested area, the included trees depend on each other for protection from the wind and other elements. Trees may grow tall and with a slimmer canopy because they have the support of other trees that are planted in close proximity. Without the protection of those trees, singular trees that have been chosen for preservation may be unable to survive later when storms come. Your certified arborist will be able to advise you of this possibility so that you can make the best plan for the success of your project and your landscape.

Follow Up Tree Care

Once construction has been completed, home or business owners often assume the risk has passed if their trees still look healthy, but trauma received during construction can show up months or even a year later. Have your arborist inspect trees after construction to look for issues that can cause trouble later. According to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, a tree can survive if 20% or less of the roots have been damaged. If 40% has been lost, the tree will most likely fail to survive. In such a case, the tree should be removed to prevent the danger of falling later on the structure or passersby.

Your arborist can look for other issues as well, and some may be treatable. Broken branches can be carefully pruned to promote quicker healing. In addition, he/she can recommend the best practices for tree care, as optimal watering and fertilizing needs may differ after construction.

Stein Tree Service Offers Experienced Tree Care Services in Pennsylvania and Delaware

Whether you need construction site tree management to mitigate construction damage, or you need services such as tree trimming and pruning or tree removal, Stein has the experience and equipment to handle the job. We offer free consultations, so contact us today for more information.

Emergency Tree Removal Wilmington, DE tree bracing

Avoid Emergency Tree Removal in Wilmington, DE with Tree Cabling and Bracing

Written by Stein Tree on . Posted in Stein Tree Service Blog, Tree Care, Tree Removal.

tree removal Wilmington DE Split Tree

Emergency Tree Removal in Wilmington, DE is often necessary after strong storms. Some trees are in greater danger than others for storm damage and residents can appreciate the importance of keeping them healthy and strong. When working with a certified arborist to improve the overall tree and plant health of your landscaping, you may hear discussions of cabling and bracing your trees.

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american-holly Delaware state tree - Stein Tree Care Service Company

Stein Discusses Native Trees and Shrubs for Pennsylvania and Delaware

Written by Stein Tree on . Posted in Plant Health Care (PHC), Stein Tree Service Blog, Tree Care.

We have talked previously about the dangers of non-native plants and trees, and how much planting native species benefits the local ecosystem. But how do you know what the native species are? Below we list some of the native tree and shrub species for Delaware and Pennsylvania, to enable our community to more easily plan for native planting, as well as avoid some native species that can cause their own problems for homeowners, such as those prone to disease or vulnerable to pests like the emerald ash borer.

Native Trees and Shrubs for Delaware Properties

As you drive down the streets of our communities in Delaware, you see a wide variety of trees and shrubs, including evergreens that lend year-round color, and other trees that are beautiful in spring and fall. A few trees that are native to Delaware and which are particularly showy are:

  • Sassafras (Sassafras albidum), which grows up to 40’ and boasts orange/red leaves in the fall
  • Red Maple (Acer rubrum), a 40-60’beauty, sports red/orange leaves in the fall
  • Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum), which grows to a magnificent 60’ or more, exhibits yellow/orange trees in the fall
Eastern Redbud Native Trees and Shrubs- Stein Tree Service

The Pin Oak (Quercis palustris) and the White Ash tree (Fraxinus Americana) are also beautiful showy trees, but the first is prone to the fatal bacterial leaf scorch, and the ash is vulnerable to the destructive emerald ash borer. The River Birch (Betula nigra), whose bark adds interest year-round, and grows up to 40-60’ tall, but the appealing bark itself attracts the bronze birch borer.

If you enjoy evergreen trees, you might want to consider the native Eastern Redcedar (Juniperus virginiana), with its blue/gray fall coloring, or the American Holly (Ilex opaca) with its deep green leaves and red berries in the winter).

winterberry shrub - native trees and shrubs - Stein Tree

Some beautiful native shrubs that will add interest to your landscape are the Red Bud (Cercis canadensis), Witchhazel (Hamamelis virginiana) and the Winterberry (Ilex verticillata). These examples are just a few of the choices you have when considering native trees and shrubs for your Delaware landscape.

Native Trees and Shrubs for Pennsylvania Properties

Some of the same trees that are native to Delaware can also be found in Pennsylvania, as we are close neighbors.

Some particularly attractive varieties are the:

  • Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis) with its bright pink burst of color in spring
  • Smooth Sumac (Rhus glabra) is showy in the fall with brilliant red leaves.
  • Shingle Oak (Quercus imbricaria) holds its leaves late into the season and has pretty leaves in the summer.

Some evergreen native varieties, are the Black Spruce (Picea mariana), Yellow Pine (Pinus echinata), and the tall Red Pine (Pinus Rinosa).

eastern-hemlock-native trees of pennsylvania

The Northern Red Oak (Quercus rubra), which can reach 70’ in height, is impressive, but is prone to the bacterial leaf scorch, like the pin oak. Black Cherry (Prunus serotina), with its weeping branches is showy and smells good, but is often afflicted with fall webworms or tent caterpillars. The Pennsylvania state tree the Eastern Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis), is native to the area, but unfortunately, wooly adelgid, a pest native to Asia targets the tree, and without treatment, can starve the tree in 3-10 years. In its native habitat, the insect is controlled by environmental factors.
Native Pennsylvania shrubs include the fragrant Carolina Allspice (Calycanthus floridus) and the Sweet Pepperbush (Clethra alnifolia). If you are looking for something to stabilize a bank, one good choice is the Red Chokeberry (Aronia arbutifolia), which has a brilliant color in the fall.

According to the Lancaster County Planning Commission, whose site has a more extensive list of native PA trees and shrubs, Pennsylvania has more than 2,100 native plant species, so if you are looking to plant native, you have lots of choices.

Stein Tree Offers Skilled Tree Care for Residents of Pennsylvania and Delaware

Stein Tree Service’s professionals are passionate about tree care and about preserving our native environment. Our certified arborists and other tree care specialists are trained and have a great deal of experience with determining if your trees and plants are healthy. We are certified to treat for emerald ash borer in Pennsylvania, Delaware and Maryland, and we provide whatever tree care service is needed to preserve the vitality of your plants and trees, from inspection, to tree removal and stump grinding. Contact us for more information about native trees or to schedule a free tree care consultation.

Tree care by certified and insured arborist - Stein Tree Service

The Benefits of An ISA Certified – AND Insured – Arborist

Written by Stein Tree on . Posted in Stein Tree Service Blog, Tree Care, Tree Service.

Tree care involves dangerous tasks, especially for those who are inexperienced. The Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA) claimed that 153 tree care-related occupational incidents occurred in 2016, and almost half, 93, proved fatal. These incidents occurred among trained professionals, so they could certainly happen when untrained people attempt hazardous tasks. Whenever you need to have tree care services performed in your landscape, play it safe and hire someone who cares for trees as a profession, like a certified arborist.

What is an ISA Certified Arborist?

An arborist is someone who has studied and become knowledgeable about tree and plant health care. These professionals work to ensure that trees hare cared for in a manner that is environmentally sound. ISA, or the International Society of Arboriculture, provides certification after strict requirements have been met, including:

  • Passing a certification exam
  • Two years or more of full-time work experience in the field
  • Proof of proper training or education

Once an arborist is certified, you can feel confident that he/she has the knowledge and experience needed to address tree care issues. Ongoing education is required to ensure that ISA certified arborists stay abreast of current best practices and safety concerns, and new issues, like the spreading emerald ash borer infestation. In addition, ISA Certified Arborists are held to a code of ethics. This code determines how an arborist will handle issues like chemical treatments, tree diseases and unhealthy tree practices such as tree topping.

Make Sure Your Certified Arborist is Also Insured

certified arborist in West Chester Stein Tree Service

We have discussed this issue before, but the subject bears repeating. Using an uninsured tree service professional, or any contractor, to perform work on your property is dangerous to you, and to the contractor. If a worker is injured, or if damage occurs during the course of the work, the homeowner would be responsible for the costs. Those costs could include repairs for damage to your property, your neighbor’s property, or medical treatment costs for injured parties, and they could add up to thousands of dollars.

Contact Stein Tree for Skilled, Certified, and Insured Tree Care

Stein Tree has been in business for 35 years and we have seen homeowners fall victim to debts due to uninsured contractors. Our certified arborists, tree inspectors and all of our specialists are dedicated to ensuring our customers get exceptional tree care. We attend training seminars, follow safety protocols, and use the proper equipment for whatever task we are performing. For information or a free consultation about your tree care concerns, contact us today.

Stein Tree Service van_Professional tree care service company offers a competitive advantage

Why Choose Stein Tree Service for Your Tree Care?

Written by Stein Tree on . Posted in Stein Tree Service Blog, Tree Care, Tree Service.

One of the benefits of hiring a professional tree care company to handle your tree care needs is that the company will have the tools necessary to complete the job, and the expertise to use them properly. In a blog last month, we discussed Stein Tree Service’s competitive advantage. We are the oldest independently owned tree care company in Delaware, but our equipment and knowledge are state of the art.

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winter storm - Stein Tree Service

With Snowfall Looming, Stein Advises Residents to Be Prepared for Tree Damage and Storm Clean Up

Written by Stein Tree on . Posted in Stein Tree Service Blog, Storm Clean Up.

In 2017, we had two major winter storms bearing down on us, and the 2018 winter is already upon us. Though we may avoid getting snow from Bruce, residents should be prepared for winter weather. Heavy snow or ice precipitation, and windy storms could cause vulnerable trees to fall, or branches to be blown off of trees. These events present a danger to people and property. Before storm clean up becomes a necessity, residents still have time to get trees inspected, and to have any that are deemed threats, especially those overhanging structures or power lines, removed.

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