Category: Tree Health

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.

One thing we Seattleites have plenty of is water. Many of the homes in this area have stunning water views--or would have stunning water views if the trees and bushes didn't grow so rapidly (another by-product of having so much water!).

The Blooma tree service men are often called upon to help homeowners re-gain the water view that caused them to love their homes in the first place. The two photos shown here illustrate how dramatic a difference we can make with some judicious pruning, called crown reduction. This home is in Ballard (a neighborhood in Seattle, Washington).

BEFORE:

AFTER:

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?

We get out, we walk around, and sometimes we are saddened by what we see. Here is a photo of a prime example of poor pruning. Let me explain.

As you can see, this tree is still alive--or at least part of it is. The pink blooms are lovely, but we can't appreciate their beauty because of the ugly stumps. We're not sure what the goal was with this pruning job, but each of those cuts left a stump. None of those stumps will callus over and heal, thus keeping the tree stressed and inviting fungi and pests.

In addition, the canopy has been obliterated, leaving a lopsided tree. This is very unattractive. The amount of the canopy removed is too much for the tree to bear, and it will now descend into its death spiral.

In this case, the best suggestion is to remove the tree entirely and plant a new one. This tree diminishes the value of the house and the aesthetics of the street. Put the tree out of its misery and begin again. Next time, though, call in a professional to prune your tree!

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.

So you've got a tree stump in your yard. Grind it? Or leave it? Here are three reasons to get it gone:

#1. Aesthetics!                  Fun but tacky.

Tree stumps are, at best, unattractive. At worst, they detract from your yard and property value. We've all seen people try to turn them into stands, placing a bird bath basin on top or perhaps a sculpture, but that really doesn't disguise the fact that it's a tree stump. It's much more beautiful to remove the stump and replace it with a beautiful shrub, tree, or flowers.

#2 Tree Shoots!

Some trees just keep sending up shoots, even after the tree itself has been removed. These shoots or suckers grow out of the stump, ending in an unsightly mess. If you didn't want the tree there in the first place, you aren't going to like scrawny suckers.

#3. Destructive Bugs!                       Carpenter Ants

It's just a short walk from a stump to your foundation. Stumps attract carpenter ants and termites. These hungry insects can move quickly to your house and move in. Most carpenters we know always remove stumps in their yards--they've seen the damage of these insects firsthand. In addition, wasps and bees like stumps. These insects will not destroy your house, of course, but you may not want to invite them into your yard!

Stump grinding is the answer to these problems. A stump grinder wielded by a professional can reduce your ugly stump into a nice pile of mulch, perfect for your garden. If there are large roots that have disrupted your lawn or raised the sidewalk, those can be "chased down" with a stump grinder, too. We've yet to run into a customer unhappy with their stump gone!

Call Blooma Tree Experts LLC for a price on stump grinding: (206) 714-9835

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.