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Why Should You Hire a Certified Arborist in Spring, Texas?

Texas Tree CareAn arborist is an individual trained in planting, caring for and maintaining individual trees. Becoming an arborist combines the art and science of tree care. An ISA Certification is focused on knowledge of tree care and allows people the opportunity to show their level of commitment to the profession and industry.

Here are a few reasons to hire a certified arborist in Spring, Texas:

  • Appearance – The appearance of a tree is vitally important to the overall aesthetic of a home. Take into consideration the public view a tree has in your front yard. This tree can say a lot about your property, and if uncared, for may reflect badly.
  • Equity – If buyers see a poorly maintained tree it can cause worry of liability. Examples of poorly maintained trees include fallen tree branches, roots growing under the foundation, mold and insect infestation.
  • Cost – When thinking of hiring an arborist, it’s important to consider if a tree will hurt your property over time. This would include issues with mold, or insects that can enter your home. Taking a very costly chance can cause damage to your home, or even to a neighboring home.

All of these issues can cause a serious loss in equity that you could have used to add to your property. Consider hiring a certified arborist in Spring, Texas for all of your individual tree needs.

Looking for a Tree Care Provider

Are you looking to have a tree service come onto to your property to do some work? Maybe you have a tree that needs to be removed, maybe a tree that needs to be pruned off of your roof, or for more sunlight to your garden. Did you know that not all services are alike? A lot of companies will advertise as ” insured and bonded “, most consumers don’t realize that the bond part of that slogan is misleading. The average consumer thinks that because that service says that they are bonded it means that if someone or something gets hurt on their property that their interest are covered. However, that is not true. A bond is intended to cover against theft of payment, not cover a man that is in the hospital. Workers compensation and similar alternative called occupational accident insurance, is the only protection that the property owner has. If you hire a company that is “insured and bonded” chances are that they do not carry comp or the alternative. Be sure to ask for certificates of insurance for verification. If the sales rep, or company owner does not offer to have the certificates sent to you from his insurance company, chances are very high that they are not covered, therefore, neither are you. Do your homework before you hire a company, the lowest price does not equal the best value. Ask if there is a Certified Arborist on staff. That is a good sign of a quality company. Ask for the name of the certified arborist and then go to http://www.isa-arbor.com to verify that the person is truly certified. There is a link on the homepage of that site that will do that with a couple of clicks. Do not be afraid to ask for credentials or certificates to verify what somebody is saying is actually true. If he balks at giving them to you, so should you balk at hiring him.

The Benefits of Having Trees on Your Property

Tree_careTrees are an extremely important part of our lives, as they offer a level of natural beauty and safety. Somehow we feel connected to them on a deeper level. Amidst the hustle and bustle of the concrete jungle, there’s something inherently peaceful about trees, which is why they play such an integral part to our surroundings.

Here are some benefits to having trees on your home property.

Curb Appeal – There’s something naturally beautiful about trees, especially as they mature. Adding trees to your front property can boost your home’s visual appearance, and therefore improve its curb appeal. Not only do trees act as an aesthetic feature, they also help boost your property’s curb appeal, which is especially important if you ever plan to list your home for sale and attract buyers.

Shade and Sun – Deciduous trees, which lose their leaves every autumn, are the perfect type of tree to provide ample shade in the summer, while allowing sunlight exposure in the winter after all the leaves have fallen. Plant trees are in the southern and western areas of the property to boost sunlight blocking.

Privacy and Noise Reduction – Mature trees offer homeowners a certain amount of privacy from their surroundings. This is especially true if your home features evergreens which never lose their needles and retain their fullness year round. These trees are also great at naturally drowning out sounds. Things are a lot more peaceful at home with various mature trees surrounding your property.

If you’re looking for a professional tree service in Spring, Texas to help tend to your priceless trees, visit GrandifloraServices.com today!

Do You Really Have to Remove That Tree Stump?

After cutting down a tree, there will be the inevitable stump left behind. Whether or not you decide to remove it comes down to a few factors.

Esthetic Reasons – If the stump is simply unsightly for you, then by all means, have it removed. You should probably consider removing it if it’s also in the way of planting a new flower bed or tree, or if it’s a safety hazard. If it’s a nuisance to have to maneuver around when mowing the lawn, this may also be another reason to remove the stump. 

Safety Reasons – If there is decay in the stump it will invite unwanted pests, so you may want to start thinking about getting rid of it. However, these aren’t emergency scenarios that require immediate stump removal.

Another not-so-obvious reason to have the stump removed is if the roots are extending a lot further than you initially thought. This could disrupt the growth of new flowers and bushes you may have planted nearby the stump, but more importantly it could be impacting your home’s foundation or other structures.

When to Leave the Stump Alone – If underground utilities or foundation walls are too close to the stump, it’s too hazardous to try to grind up the stump or remove it yourself. You might also want to leave it alone if there are too many rocks nearby, which will increase the danger of flying debris during the grinding process.

An ISA-certified arborist can help you decide if the tree stump needs to be removed.

Tree Safety Tips for Your Commercial Property

There are many things that contribute to the curb appeal of a commercial property, Commercial Tree Care
including trees and other greenery. Maintaining these trees takes a great deal of work and maintenance. A job like this can be complex, and even unsafe, if it’s not done by a professional who understands the risks involved in caring for and removing large trees from commercial properties. Here are some safety tips to keep in mind when it comes to commercial tree maintenance.

Be Cautious of Electrical Lines

A huge concern when pruning or removing tree limbs is the presence of power lines around the tree. If a branch becomes loose and hits a power line, it can be extremely dangerous, and actually cause electrocution of the operator. A professional service will know exactly how to handle tree limb removal safely around electrical lines.

Have Plenty of Equipment Experience

The type of equipment used to remove trees and its branches is unlike that which typical homeowners use. They are much more intricate and complex, and require a certain level of experience in order to ensure that they are used properly and safely. Having experience with equipment such as chainsaws and wood chippers is absolutely crucial for safety.

Maintain Awareness throughout the Entire Process

Tree maintenance and removal is a job that requires your full attention during every phase. In order uphold the ultimate in safety, you have to stay alert and aware at all times.

At Grandiflora, we provide our commercial customers with the ultimate in commercial tree services. At all times, the safety of our team members and our clients is always our number one priority.

Is it Time to Remove Your Tree?

When is it necessary to remove a tree from your property? Trees are valuable possessions and add a great deal of beauty and value to a property, but there are times when the removal of trees becomes necessary. Tree Removal

There are a number of reasons when tree removal is a necessity, including the following scenarios:

  • The tree has died
  • The tree has been severely damaged due to a natural disaster
  • The tree has a disease that is compromising its health
  • The tree is dangerously close to power lines, structures, play areas, etc.
  • The tree is in the way of new construction
  • The tree is disrupting driveways, pathways, decks, etc.
  • The tree is becoming a nuisance with falling leaves, dripping sap, drooping branches, etc.

Sometimes the need to remove a tree isn’t so obvious. Consider the following scenarios, where making this decision could be a little obscure:

  • The tree is crowding others trees
  • There is potential interior decay of the tree trunk
  • The tree is overgrown and too big for its location
  • The tree is leaning in the wrong direction

Whatever the reason for removing your trees, it’s never recommended to take this job on yourself. It’s a dangerous job, and one that requires careful planning and the right equipment to get the task done safely and properly.

You need to employ a certified arborist with the right skills and experience in taking down different types of trees needs to tackle this job. Not only can the professionals at Grandiflora Services safely remove a tree, we also have the equipment necessary to remove branches and wood, which cause a huge mess once they make it to the ground below.

At Grandiflora, it’s understood that certain scenarios require tree removal services. Our number one concern is the safety of you and your property. With our track record, we have the means and the know-how to remove any tree safely and properly.

What, When & How To Prune Trees

TrimmingIf you are looking for the best way to trim your trees, try tree pruning. Pruning is different from tree trimming because it can alter the shape and growth of your trees branches. When you have decided to prune your trees, keep in mind the following things.

What is Pruning

Tree pruning deals with the removal of diseased or damaged branches of trees in order to keep the tree healthy. Not only will tree pruning increase the lifespan of your tree, it will enhance the shape and growth. Tree pruning is crucial to keep your tree standing tall and strong.

Tree pruning will also promote better growth and better air circulation. It is used to remove obstructing lower branches to shape trees. Tree pruning can prevent harmful destruction of sidewalks, pavements or driveways.

How to Prune

Before you prune your tree, determine what and why certain areas need to be pruned. Create your plan and then begin pruning. There are many tools you will need to prune a tree. A few tools that we recommend using are:

  • Rope Saw
  • Pole Pruner and Lopper
  • Folding Pruner
  • Portable Buck Saws

When you prune a tree, you are creating wounds. If pruning is done correctly, it can help the tree; if done incorrectly, your trees may die. Trees do not heal their wounds or grow branches where they were previously cut off. Rather than healing their wounds, they seal them, which creates a donut looking callus. No matter the size of your branch, if you do not cut it properly, it can damage the entire tree.

Pruning a tree is a three step cutting process. To make a correct prune follow these three important cuts:

Cut 1: Make a small wedge cut into the underside of the branch. Make this cut about a foot away from the base of the branch. Doing this will break the path of flow at a point and prevent a tear from running through the entire tree.

Cut 2: About a foot farther from your first cut, start from the top of the branch and cut all the way through. This will leave a long stub that will be easier to prune in the final step.

Cut 3: Parallel the end of the stub you have just created cut down the stub as close to the base as possible.

When to Prune Trees

Deciding the right time to trim or prune your trees is very important. You want your tree to be able to recover from the cut you are making. Although you want to remove the damaged or dead branches as soon as possible, there is a right and a wrong time to perform pruning. It is important to prune in the following seasons.

Winter

Winter is the most dormant season in the year. Pruning in the winter will result in massive growth during the following season. It is important to wait until the coldest part of winter has passed so that the sap can flow.

Summer

If you prune in the summer, you can direct or stunt the growth of your tree. By cutting the branches you do not want in the summer can keep them from growing back again. You can also prune in the summer to correct defective limbs. Hanging or limp limbs that are hanging too low from the weight of leaves will be stunted from growing back again.

Top Five Texas Shade Trees

Mighty oak treeWith summer fast approaching, we know that you are already looking for the best ways to beat the insane Texas heat. Summers in Texas can be unbearable, but there is a simple remedy. Plant more trees! We have compiled a list of the top five best trees to plant to get out of the burning Texas heat.

Why are shade trees important?

Shade trees cannot only give you a spot to cool off during Texas heat waves, but it can protect the integrity of your home. Strategically placing the following trees in your yard can help:

  • Protect paint
  • Cool down the internal temperature
  • Transform your yard
  • Add value to your property

As you know, Texas is hot. Here is a list of our top five favorite Texas-tough trees that are perfect for your home:

  1. Cedar Elm
    Cedar Elm, formally known as Ulmus Crassifolia, is a medium to large sized tree that forms into an oval-rounded covering. The tree can grow as tall as 70 feet high and 60 feet wide. The tree produces dark green leaves that change color and fall in late winter. The tree also produces a small fruit called Samara. This tree is perfect for the summer months because it is highly drought intolerant.
  2. Shumard Red Oak
    This beautiful red-leafed tree will not only provide you with shade, but with a gorgeous view. The tree can grow as tall as 115 feet and 59 feet wide. The large leaves change from dark green to a brown and reddish hue in the fall. Sometimes the leaves will also have a tint of yellow, giving its overall appearance the look of a sunset.

    The tree grows an open canopy with thick branches that support it. Hang a hammock or have a picnic in the massive shade this tree will produce.

  3. Chinese Pistache
    The small leafed tree that is Chinese Pistache can grow up to 65 feet tall and produce a large shaded area for your yard. This tree can handle harsh conditions, including poor quality soils and harsh winds. What makes this tree so special is the color it transforms into in the fall. The leaves turn from a dark olive green to a flaming red.
  4. Monterrey Oak
    If you are looking for a medium to large oak tree that is tolerant to Oak Wilt, look no further than the Monterrey Oak. Formally known as Mexican White Oak, this tree can grow up to 40 feet into the perfect triangle shaped canopy. This tree thrives on extra sunlight, which is why it is perfect for Texas summer months. The leaves are a bright and shiny green and transform to a soft shade of yellow in the fall.
  5. Live Oak
    Live oak trees are short and have low hanging or weeping branches. The romantic tree can create the perfect spot to nestle up to in the hot summer day to read a book or enjoy some sweet tea. Why is it called live oak? This tree stays green throughout the entire year.

Proper tree planting is key to a long and healthy life for your tree. Trees last lifetimes if they are properly maintained and planted in an area where they can thrive the most. Hire an expert for your next shade tree planting venture. Let your entire family enjoy the function and beauty of your tree for a lifetime.

Does Your Tree Need to Be Removed?

Spooky screaming treeAt Grandiflora, we love trees! We love working with people who care for their trees and want to ensure their trees’ survival. Unfortunately, there are times when it may be impossible for a tree to be saved, and for safety purposes, the tree may need to be removed. A dead tree is much more likely to fall during a storm, and it may hurt someone or damage your property. If you begin to notice the following signs, you should talk to an arborist about tree removal.

Dying Leaves and Branches

If your tree has yellowing leaves in the middle of spring, this is not a good sign. Premature yellowing is a sign that the proper nutrients are not getting to the leaves, and that means that branch is probably dead. Normally, dead branches can be trimmed, and that can be helpful for the tree’s survival. However, if there is an abnormal amount of dying branches, the tree may be dead and cannot be saved. Make sure that you know all of the signs of anunhealthy tree, because they usually signify a dying tree.

Multiple Trunks or Split Trunks

A tree that has multiple trunks or has a trunk that is split very close to the base can be very unstable. A tree such as this will often fall during the high winds of a storm. The structural shape of the tree makes it easier for it to fall during a storm. Also, the separate trunks are not as stable as one single trunk. If you have noticed that a tree has multiple trunks or may begin to growing into two trunks, talk to an arborist. There are things that an arborist can do to make the tree more stable as it grows. However, if the arborist does not think that anything can help, they may recommend that the tree should be removed.

Leaning Tree

Of course, not every tree is going to grow straight up and down. The curves and bends of trees make them unique and beautiful. However, If you have begun to notice that your tree is leaning in an unnatural way, this can be very dangerous. If your tree has begun to lean when it did not before, this is a sign that the roots may be breaking on one side and the tree can easily fall.

Often times, branches are heavier on one side of the tree and the weight is forcing the tree to lean. If you notice the leaning early, a tree maintenance team can trim excess branches from one side and then use cables to pull the tree into an upright position. However, if the tree has begun to uproot, it may be too late, and you should remove the tree before it falls to the ground.

Struck by Lightning

If you have a tree that has been struck by lightning, you may need to consider tree removal. Of course, there is always a chance that the tree can be saved. However, if you see that large streaks of bark have exploded off or that the trunk has cracked, it is highly unlikely that the tree will survive. The bark is a natural defense for the tree, so if the tree has large open wounds, disease and wood boring bugs are much more likely to attack the tree.

Of course, before you remove a tree, make sure that you have an arborist look over the tree. An arborist can help you understand if the tree could be saved. If you do come to the conclusion that the tree must be removed, make sure that you have a professional crew do the tree removal. Inexperienced teams may cause serious property damage if they remove the tree incorrectly.

Plant Trees in Memory

Autumn. Fall scene. Beautiful Autumnal park. Beauty nature scene. Autumn Trees and Leaves, foggy forHonor your friends and loved ones with the gift of a tree. A beautiful tree benefits everyone for generations to come and helps us remember those who we have lost. A tree will carry the name of those memorialized by continuing to grow and adapt with every year that passes. With thoughts of peace, caring and comfort, a tree will be a living monument to your loved one.

Trees allow you to celebrate your loved one’s life in a unique and spiritual way. The gift of a tree is enduring and symbolic, and is the perfect memorial gift. It will grow and blossom each year and become stronger over time. It gives the gift of life and helps heal both you personally and our planet as a whole. Many cities offer the opportunity to plant a tree in a public place. Memorial trees carry enduring gifts of beauty, life and hope. With every new planting, they honor a life and carry forward the names of those who have passed away.

To find out if you can plant a memorial tree, first call your city’s Parks and Recreation Department. Many cities allow trees, plaques or even benches to be placed in remembrance of a loved one. Ask them if they offer a program that allows you to do this. Some cities have a certain time period where they accept tree memorials, so it’s best to reach out to them as soon as you can. If you want to plant a tree at the cemetery where your loved one rests, you can reach out to them to see if they allow trees to be planted as memorials. If these options do not work, consider planting a tree on your own property. You can choose a memorial tree that fits best with both your yard and your loved one’s memory. When you get your tree planted, you can also design a tree plaque to place on it.

You can also look into the options of planting in a national living memorial. The Forest Service has teamed up with state governments to build tree memorials for those who have passed away. Look for a city near you to find where there is a Living Memorial project. If your loved one was affected by cancer or an illness, reach out to the proper organization to find out if they plant gardens or trees to memorialize those who have passed. Another great way to find out if a tree planting is being organized near you is to call your state branch of the Forest Service. They may be organizing a planting in a local forest, where you can join.

Planting a tree is a wonderful remembrance that adds beauty to the landscape where you plant it. With each year, it grows and develops into something strong and beautiful. It is symbolic of your loved one and is there for everyone to enjoy. Adding trees to our planet also benefits our environment and future generations.