Category: Tree and Plant Health

This past weekend, we attended the Highland Games in Enumclaw. There, amid the kilts, sporrans, and bagpipes, Martin felt right at home.

A proud member of the clan MacAulay, Martin's chosen field of work truly exemplifies his clan's motto: Dulce Periculum which means "Danger is Sweet." Climbing and removing trees--sometimes over 100' tall!--certainly is dangerous. The fact that Martin likes doing it, well, he finds it sweet!

Martin's two sons, Josiah and Michael, work alonside their father in the tree business. College grad Josiah is now working on trees full-time, and he climbs trees right along with his father. Martin's brother, Ben, owns his own tree service company in Eugene, Oregon, called Highland Tree Service through which he works on residential trees when he is not falling lumber out in the woods. Dulce Periculum!

(We do want to point out that we follow safety regulations during all our tree work. So while it is dangerous work, the Blooma Tree Experts do it safely!)

Do you live in Seattle? Or in a nearby city? Does your city require tree risk assessment before you can cut down a tree? Give us a call!

Martin Macauley, owner, qualified as an ISA Certified Tree Risk Assessor on June 4, 2010 (cert# CTRA 822).

What does it mean to be a tree risk assessor? Martin can assess the risks posed to people or structures by a tree or trees. For many cities now, this assessment is required before you can remove a sizable tree on your property.

What are the requirements to become a tree risk assessor? Martin took an intensive two-day course in Spokane, WA, and passed a two-an-a-half-hour exam (with flying colors!). Here are some of the areas of knowledge Martin learned:

• types and rates of decay
• mechanics of tree failure
• risk mitigation actions
• ribs, bulges, and fissures in bark
• root and soil issues

By continuing his education in tree health and safety, Martin provides full tree care service to his customers.

Every once in a while Martin finds something fascinating when he is climbing a tree. This day, he saw a tiny, tiny hummingbird nest with a teeny tiny egg. Sweet!

When we see the front yards, we always notice the trees. Sometimes the trees are just right--they are shaped nicely, they're healthy, and they're the right size for the house and yard. In this case, the tree is an asset.

Sometimes, though, the trees really detract from the house, really bringing down the curb appeal. Trees that are unhealthy, or badly pruned, or too big or too small, or just plain ugly are not an asset to a home. They are an eyesore.

I offer you my first photos of Seattle area houses. Are the trees an asset? Or are they an eyesore?

The following photos were taken in the same Mukilteo cul-de-sac.

House #1

Beautifully landscaped yard with a lovely variety of trees and bushes . . . except for . . .

this cherry tree by the front door. What an unattractive pruning job!

House #2

This house is quite beautiful and large. But what is the centerpiece of the yard?

What is that? An umbrella tree? I don't know, but it's far too small for the house. Plus it in unnatural, misshapen, and unhealthy. Time to remove this sad little tree and re-plant.

House #3

What do you think of these three trees? Asset? or Eyesore?

One of our blog readers asked us, "I have a crepe myrtle tree that has limbs that are dead, can my tree be saved?"

Without examing the tree in question, there are some signs you can look for in your own trees and steps you can take.

First of all, dead limbs should be removed, and removed properly. Look at our blog post on how to prune to see how (or check out the website www.TreesAreGood.com).

Second, look for signs of your tree's overall health. 

1. Look at the base of the tree and the ground around it. Are there signs of upheaval? Has the ground been disturbed lately or soil added on? Is there grass that is fighting for the same nutrients? Keep the soil undisturbed around established trees, being sure to keep the root flare intact. The only acceptable addition is mulch, and that must be kept 2 - 3 inches away from the root flare.
2. Look at the trunk. Is there splitting? Are there signs of damage (such as something hitting it)? Is there a lot of sap running down? These are more serious signs of damage that could cause the death of a tree. If a tree can't heal itself, it will die. In that case, it's best to remove the tree and plant a new one.
3. Look at the canopy. Is there a lot of deadwood? Are there signs of a fungus or insect infestation? Are the leaves healthy or are they showing signs of stress? Depending on what you see, you could either treat the problem (such as an insect infestation) or acknowledge that your tree is in its death spiral.

Finally, when in doubt, consult a professional. In that case, you want to call in an ISA certified arborist because he or she has the training and knowledge to properly assess your tree (don't fall for the "I'm a tree surgeon" line or "I'm an arborist" sales line--those mean nothing). Someone with a degree in horticulture might also be able to offer professional advice, although it's surprising how little some horticulturists know about trees specifically. They are often experts in shrubs, flowers, and ground cover, but unschooled in trees.

We hope this information helps!

Our man, Andrew Cheney, just passed his rigorous ISA Certification test--on his very first try! This is quite an accomplishment since only 6% pass it the first time.

Drew has been with Blooma Tree Experts LLC since February 2008, learning the ropes, literally! Drew had years of experience as a landscaper, so tree and shrub identification was a breeze, but he had not worked in the tree care industry before. Blooma owner Martin Macauley saw potential in Drew immediately,  and he began to encourage Drew to prepare himself for the ISA exam.

ISA Certification means that Drew is now a highly trained professional in all areas of tree care. He knows the biology of trees, he knows which diseases and pests attack trees, and he knows proper pruning techniques, among many other areas of essential tree care knowledge.

ISA Certification is valid for three years; Certified Arborists must continue their education by earning 30 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) by the end of each three-year period.

We are proud of Drew and his great accomplishment.

"I have a stand of Douglas Firs in my backyard," our client said. "I'm afraid some limbs, or even whole trees, will fall on our house this winter. Can you help?"

The Seattle area is blessed with beautiful, tall trees, isn't it? Stands of Douglas Firs, Cypresses, Redwoods, Spruces, and Cedars dot our landscape, reminding us why this is the Evergreen State. But what do you do when that lovely stand of trees is perched above your home and property? Here's some of what we do (this list is not exhaustive):

1. Assess the trees' health.
   The first step is to look at each tree and see just how healthy—or unhealthy—it is. Some of the questions we ask ourselves are:
   Are there signs of decay, such as loose bark, insect frass, or a sap stream flowing down the bark?
2. Assess the state of the limbs.
   Is there a lot of deadwood? Limbs die naturally but don't always fall right away. Often they hang on for quite awhile, just waiting for a strong wind to blow them to the ground.
   
   Are there broken limbs hanging onto other limbs? Broken branches can get caught by other branches, hanging there until they decide to come crashing down.
3. Assess the degree and direction of lean.
   What is the lean of the tree? Does it lean toward or away from structures? If it does fail, what will it hit?
4. Assess the ground around the tree.
   Has the ground been disturbed in the recent past? Construction and landscaping can cause destruction of a tree's root system and/or add material on top of the ground. This is dangerous because most of a tree's nutrients come from arteries near the surface of the ground. The surface roots also anchor the tree. Disturb them, and the tree might fall.

Once the trees have been properly assessed, we can help the homeowner make the best decision to create a safe environment. This might involve pruning, windsailing, or removing a tree. It makes sense to be proactive and address the issue BEFORE our next storm.

If you live in the Seattle area, call Martin Macauley, ISA Certified Arborist, for a free assessment: (206) 714-9835.

Rolling through downtown Seattle are two Metro buses replete with brand new 15-foot ads for Blooma Tree Experts LLC. "We wanted to try something new, something different," said Martin Macauley, the owner of Blooma. "We aimed for an ad that was clean and simple, and hopefully memorable."

The two new ads feature an actual Heritage Tree of Seattle with Martin partially hidden in the branches, hand-pruning to maintain the tree's beauty. "I wanted a real tree that we've actually worked on," said Martin, "rather than some random picture from the internet. That picture shows that the homeowner trusted us to prune his precious Heritage Tree, and that's really special to me."

The rest of the ad includes a soft green background with Blooma's motto: We Make Your Trees Living Works of Art. "Having ISA Certified Arborists in charge of each job is one of the ways we set ourselves apart from the other tree companies around," said Martin.

"Passing the ISA certification test is very difficult, very demanding," Martin continued. "Then we have to maintain it with 30 education units every three years, and that's tough to do. The ISA Certification means we are well-trained in the very latest research about tree health, tree removals, and safety. When we prune a tree, we follow all ISA guidelines, ensuring a healthy, aesthetically pleasing tree."

The tree experts at Blooma are excited about this new move for the growing company. Even Martin's grandson is keeping an eye out for the new buses, asking, "Is Grandpa going to let other people ride his bus?"

Many of our customers find themselves scratching their heads to figure out the best tree to plant in their yard. Often, they have a huge Douglas Fir or Cedar that must be removed because it has outgrown its urban setting, and they want to replace the too-large tree with one that is the right size for their yard.

Our recommendation? A Japanese Maple!

The Japanese Maples grow beautifully in the Seattle area, and there is sure to be one (or more!) that fits your garden and color scheme. Take a look at just a few of the many varieties available to us:

The 'Crimson Queen' laceleaf maple is very popular in the Seattle area. This is a slow-growing cultivar that, in 30 to 50 years, may reach 6'. Most we see around here are around 4' tall. This cultivar holds its color well into the hot weather, with burgundy most of the year and crimson in the fall. There are other cultivars that look similar but grow faster, such as the 'Tamukeyama' and 'Garnet.'

This cultivar grows to about 5' to 8' and is excellent for container growing. Leaves tend to hang down, giving a cascadiing look. Red, yellow, and gold in the fall, this is a sun-tolerant plant.

The Emperor grows to about 25' tall, at a rate of one foot per year. The stem is nearly black, with a translucent red leaf that is small and delicate, giving the tree an open, airy appearance. This beauty can tolerate hot sun and wind without wilting.

The Katsura has year-round color and good vigor. There are two different varieties: one is a dwarf shrub that grows to 5; - 6', and the other is a full-grown tree or about 25'. New growth is orange in the spring, then it becomes a golden yellow, then a rich green with lighter tones in summer, and finally a fine yellow with orange tones in the fall.

This is known as the weeping willow of Japanese maples. This tree may reach 15' - 25' in many years, and the crown may be nearly as wide. In summer, it is bright green, and in the fall it is a beautiful gold and crimson mix. The photo shows a young example; a mature tree's branches "weep" to form a curtain around the tree.

Another group of cultivars offer variegated leaves. This beni shishihenge is a smallish shrub that grows to 6' - 12'. It's not as vigorous as some others, but it is a real eyecatcher. This tree is still fairly rare, and it has various spellings. Some other, more common variegated cultivars are readily available at our local nurseries.

The Seiryu is a vigorous, vase-shaped, often multi-trunked, green laceleaf. It's a relatively fast grower, and it will reach 10' to 15' in ten years. The new growth is a light, bright, gold-green; the medium-green summer foliage is lacy and delicate; and the red and gold fall color is dramatic.

All Japanese maple photos and information come from the following website:  www.worldplants.com/mapleintro.htm

Removing a large tree is a tricky job best left to the professionals. Here is how the experts at Blooma Tree Experts LLC removed a large Port Orford Cedar that was right next to a house.

Before and After:

The large Port Orford Cedar had grown too large for its space; the final cut.

Martin cuts this large limb on his way up the tree, after removing much of its foliage. Note the rope in the upper left side of the photo. It is tied onto the limb and put on a pulley which is higher in the tree. This way, the men on the ground can direct its downward movement.
Removing a large limb requires patience, strength, and know-how.

	Martin repeats this procedure all the way up the tree to its top, using ropes and pulleys to let each limb descend slowly to a specific spot. This customer has a formal landscape that must not be damaged, along with a balcony that is in harm's way. Lowering each limb is the only way to ensure no damage to the yard and property.
Limbing a tree the safe way.

Once the tree is fully limbed, Martin works his way down from the top, removing chunks as he descends. As you can see, this becomes quite challenging as the size of the trunk increases. Note how the large piece has ropes tied on so the men below can pull it onto a safe landing site, out of the way of the customer's precious plants.

The trunk is nearly as tall as Aaron.          Definitely the largest spider we've seen.

As you can see from these photos, removing a large tree is challenging, dangerous work best left to professionals. So much can go wrong if you don't know what you're doing. That's why the Blooma Tree Experts always have an ISA certified arborist in charge on every job, ensuring the safety of our crew and the safety of our customers.