Q: Why should I hire an ISA Certified Arborist?

A: There are many reasons to hire an ISA Certified Arborist, but one of the most important reasons is that a Certified Arborist has demonstrated and has proven through testing that he/she has a comprehensive knowledge about tree care, including; Soil Management, Tree Biology, Tree Risk Management, Pruning, Diagnosis and Treatment of Disorders, and more. There is a good reason why most governmental and commercial contracts not only prefer, but require that the tree care professional is a Certified Arborist! You can learn more about the Arborist Certification by following this link to the ISA's website!

 

Q: What is an Ash Borer Treatment?

A: In late 2012, the Emerald Ash Borer (an invasive species native to East Asia) was detected in Western Pennsylvania for the first time. Since then it has destroyed millions of native Ash trees (Fraxinus Pennsylvanica) which have no natural resistance to these non-native Borers. Compounding this issue, the Emerald Ash Borer has very few natural predators, meaning their numbers have exploded in recent years. Emerald Ash Borer treatments are applied through a tree trunk injection system, meaning a precise amount of pesticide can be used, and none is leached off into the environment. As the tree translocates (moves the chemical up through the canopy), the Ash Borers eat the treated tissue, and die. Treatments using Mectinite (the pesticide we use at Miles Tree and Stump) have been found to be up to 87% effective, and last up to 2 years! Treatments can be done at any time of year, but early to mid Spring renders the best results.

 

Q: How do you safely remove a tree?

A: Smaller trees that are not near any structures can simply be cut from the bottom, felling them quickly. Larger trees, or smaller trees near a building or street are "pieced out." This means they are climbed by an expert tree climber, rigged (rigging is the system of ropes, pulleys, and other pieces of equipment used to control the fall of branches), and cut down one piece at a time. This process is slower, but ensures that no harm comes to your property or anyone around it. In the most dire cases (extremely large, dead, or otherwise hazardous trees) we use a large crane to "pick" pieces of the tree, and lower them safely to the ground.

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Q: Can I keep the wood?

A: Absolutely! Not only can you keep the wood (at no additional charge), we encourage it! We collect so much wood that we give it away, so keeping the wood from your tree removal or trimming can save you money!

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Q: What about tree topping?

A: We never recommend topping any trees, however, for those homeowners that would like their trees topped, or for trees that have already been topped (once a tree is topped, it typically needs to be topped every time it is trimmed in the future) we will top certain trees. Many hardwoods (Oaks, Ash, Chestnut, Walnut) cannot be topped, or they will almost certainly die. A few, such as Pear and Apple, can be topped frequently, without causing significant stress to the tree.

 

Q: After a stump removal, can a tree or 

plant regrow?

A: Most of the time, the answer is no. However some of the most hardy plant species can begin to recover, though this is very uncommon.

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Q: Are stump grindings really useful as mulch or fertilizer?

A: Stump grindings contain lots of ground up tree roots and soil. Tree roots contain a higher ratio of Symplasm (living plant tissue) to Apoplasm (non-living plant tissue, mostly found in the tree trunk) than the rest of the tree (Symplasm contains a higher percentage of the essential elements needed by trees).

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Q: How long will it take to get an estimate?

A: We try to streamline the process as much as possible. For stump removal quotes, a homeowner can send us a picture of the stump (use a quarter as a scale) and we can give an estimate within the hour! For other work such as tree trimming or removal, most quotes are given on the same day!

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Q: What is left after a stump is ground?

A: Typically, a hole of 6-10 inches deep is left (though this varies on the size of the stump), along with a pile of stump grindings. Some homeowners have us remove the grindings and bring in topsoil and grass seed.

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Q: What tree trimming services do you offer?

A: Miles Tree and Stump offers a range of tree trimming options, to suit every tree's needs. The most common of these are as follows:

 

Thinning - Thinning is typically an annual or biannual service, that removes dense growth from inside the canopy of the tree. Thinning is necessary because when the crown becomes too dense, the inner branches begin to die off due to the lack of sunlight penetration. These dead branches can become a hazard to persons and property. A dense canopy also prevents proper evaporation of water, causing rot and fungal infections inside the canopy. 

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Crown Reduction - Crown Reduction timing can vary, though most non-fruit bearing trees can benefit from the service every two to three years. A Crown Reduction serves the purpose of reducing a tree's height or "spread." A Crown Reduction can become necessary when the tree becomes dangerously tall, or begins to encroach upon structures and other trees. A tree that becomes too tall can be hazard during high winds or snowfall, as the branches lose the ability to support their own weight.

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Deadwooding (Crown Cleaning) - Deadwooding is the removal of dead limbs throughout the canopy. The necessity of Deadwooding can vary greatly, as on some species (such as Oaks) it is necessary quite frequently, when compared to others (such as Pears). Most of the time it is necessary to evaluate trees individually, though trees whose canopy overhangs high traffic areas (sidewalks, driveways, roads, decks) should be Deadwooded annually.

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Elevation - Elevation is typically an annual or biannual service, that serves to raise the height of the tree's lowest limbs. Elevation is important at different stages, depending on the maturity of the tree, though a good rule of thumb for mature hardwoods is to remove any branches hanging lower than 12 feet above the ground. On smaller trees, a general rule of thumb is 7-8 feet above ground, to prevent anyone hitting their heads on low hanging branches. Elevation also prevents fungal infections that can come from the damp ground.

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Specific Trimming - Specific Trimming can encompass many different situations. An example could be branches hanging over a pool, causing shade and dropping leaves and acorns into the pool. Another would be branches that are rubbing the side of a house, damaging the siding. While the tree may not need any other trimming, the removal of trimming back of these nuisance branches can be beneficial to the property owner.

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You can also learn more by follow this link to treesaregood.org!