Tag: tree trimming and pruning

Tree pruning is an important maintenance task for homeowners, for safety as well as aesthetics. Spring 2020 has brought some strong storms in Pennsylvania and Delaware, causing many trees to fall, and some have fallen on homes, cars or other structures. We have received many requests for removal of trees that have fallen during these storms.

How Regular Pruning Can Help Prevent Accidents

Many of these storm-related incidents may have been preventable with regular inspection and pruning. An arborist can determine if risk factors are present and take action to protect your trees, property and physical safety.

Damaged Branches

Branches may become damaged or die without notice by a casual observer, especially if they are high in the tree. These branches are more fragile and subject to falling in strong winds or heavy snows in winter. An arborist performing tree pruning can safely remove those branches and avoid the risk of damage from their falls.

Tree Sickness

Sometimes a tree injury can allow fungus or other disease to find their way into the tree. If left untreated for too long, they undermine the integrity of the tree and make affected branches or the entire tree vulnerable to falling.

Insect Infestation

Insects can infest the tree and get a stronghold before owners are even aware. These insects may damage and weaken the tree to the point that falling is a bigger possibility. For example, the emerald ash borer, a small metallic green beetle, attacks ash trees, leaving larvae that burrow under the bark, eating the substance in the tree that transports nutrients.

The first sign a homeowner notices may be tree canopy dieback. If untreated, small trees can die within 2 years, and large ones within 3-4 years. These weakened trees are more vulnerable to falling in strong storms and should be evaluated by a professional arborist. The insect can easily spread to other local ash trees, so residents should report the issue if an infestation occurs.

Tree Branch Density

Thick tree branches resist air flow, and regular trimming and pruning can help keep the air moving more freely. A certified arborist will perform tree pruning in such a way that the aesthetics are maintained and the tree remains healthy and strong. Making groups of trees less resistant to air flow also makes them less likely to be knocked over in strong wind situations.

Tree Damage Liability

While no one wants tree damage of any kind to occur, financial liability is a big factor for residents to consider when they have trees on their properties. When trees fall into a neighbor’s yard, onto their fences or structures, or worse, onto a person, the homeowner could be held financially responsible if they are found negligent. Having regular tree inspections, tree pruning, and other tree care, and keeping records of the services, can offer some protection in a situation where a tree has caused damage in a fall.

Call Stein Tree Service for Pennsylvania and Delaware Tree Care

Stein has been providing exceptional tree care service for residents of Pennsylvania and Delaware for over 35 years. We are passionate about trees and committed to maintaining their health and vitality. We are considered an essential business because tree care helps ensure safety in communities. Contact us today for tree pruning, tree removal, and treatment for insect infestation.

What can you do if your neighbor’s trees are encroaching on your property? We have seen cases where scenic views are blocked by neighbors’ trees, and also where large trees overhanging a homeowner’s property or fence can threaten damage to property or even to people. As tree care specialists, we have a little insight on situations like these.

In Delaware and some nearby states homeowners have the right to prune encroaching limbs and roots to the property line AS LONG AS THE TREE IS NOT HARMED in the process. Harm only means, in this case, the physical health of the tree rather than the aesthetics. If the situation ever came down to a court case the landowner would have to prove harm from the neighboring tree. Trees blocking a view is a totally different set of circumstances.

In a book called Arboriculture and the Law by Victor Merullo and Michael Valentine, cases are cited that back up this right by the courts. The tricky part in some cases where the tree owner refuses to allow pruning, is getting to the branches without climbing the tree. As a tree care service company, we like to have both parties on board if we can. Otherwise, we often have to use the bucket truck, which in some cases is tough due to the accessible area. However, we now have our spider lift which can give us access to the trees in tight areas.

As certified arborists, our job is to prune the tree in such a way that provides relief for our customer without harming the tree. Sometimes we need to compromise with the customer about how much we can take off without hurting the tree in the process.

Be a Good Neighbor with Regular Tree Care

Taking care of your trees helps with more than just aesthetics. The homeowners association in some communities will require that trees be trimmed back from the sidewalk, or that they be kept to a certain size. Even if no official rules exist, however, keeping your trees in shape is worth your effort. In the event of storms, if your tree has weak branches they may break and cause damage to your neighbor’s property, or even to a person.

No one wants any kind of harm to take place, but in some cases, you could even be held financially liable for damages. Stein urges regular trimming, pruning and inspection to ensure that problems with trees are caught and addressed before this kind of issue takes place. As an added benefit, in some cases, records of regular tree care have enabled a homeowner or institution to prove that due diligence had been observed, and allowed them to be absolved of fault.

Stein Tree Service Provides Skilled Tree Care to Pennsylvania and Delaware Residents

Stein has been a trusted tree care service provider in Pennsylvania, Delaware and Maryland for over 30 years. Trees are our business and we are passionate about proper care. We perform tree removal, tree trimming and pruning, stump grinding, and insect treatment, such as for emerald ash borer. We are certified to perform tree care in all areas that are under spotted lanternfly quarantine as well. For information or to schedule a free consultation, contact us today.