Tag Archives: crown root inspection

Mature Tree Care

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Mature trees bring more than just beauty to your property.  They provide shade that can reduce cooling costs and increase your overall property value.  Mature trees are a sign of longevity and endurance.  It takes decades for a tree to grow to its mature, stately height. Caring for mature trees takes knowledge and experience.  Mature trees face problems we don’t typically see in smaller trees.  With their lofty height, larger limbs, and often sprawling root systems, your most majestic trees are often most at risk.

mature tree careThe first step to ensuring the health of your mature trees is to have them inspected.  At Westchester Tree Life, we take a proactive approach and complete a careful inspection of each tree from crown to root.  We look for signs of pests, damage, and disease, as well as any indications of weakness or rot.  The inspection will tell us the extent of any necessary pruning or if the tree is at risk of falling or dropping large limbs.

Mature trees can benefit from mulching.  Mulching protects your trees roots from temperature and moisture extremes as well as damage from lawn mowers.  Plant based mulch decomposes over time, providing nutrients to the tree.  Before you pile on the mulch, it’s important to know what you’re doing.  Mulch should cover as much of the root system as possible with a depth of 2 to 4 inches.  You don’t want the mulch to pile up against the base of the tree where it can decay the bark.  Instead, leave a mulch-free area a couple of inches wide around the trunk.

mature tree care 2Other, more complex, issues are important to the health of your mature trees.  Soil composition and density affect the nutrients your tree has access to and its stability.  Drainage is another crucial element to consider.  If you aren’t sure how to determine the pH of your soil or whether or not it is too loose to securely anchor your tree in place, Westchester Tree Life can assess the soil and advise you on any needed changes.

With their larger, higher branches, mature trees pose a challenge when they need to be pruned.  Attempting to prune a large tree yourself can be dangerous for both you and any nearby structures.  Pruning mature trees requires knowledge of how trees heal; branches and limbs should be removed only when necessary.  Because of the danger involved, this type of pruning job requires special equipment and training.  You should always leave the pruning of mature trees to an expert arborist.

Pruning fruit trees by pruning shears

Sometimes, the removal of a mature tree is necessary.  Mature trees, in spite of their size, aren’t immune to disease, pests, rot, and other types of damage that can lead to falling.  A downed tree can cause extensive damage and injury.  Westchester Tree Life can not only safely remove mature trees, but can advise you on suitable replacements.

With proper care and maintenance, mature trees can add great value to your property.  Trust experts like Westchester Tree Life to keep your trees in their best condition!

Crown to Root Inspection

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We often talk about the importance of having trees inspected by a qualified arborist in order to maintain their health and safety.  But what does this inspection involved, and what does the arborist look for?  A comprehensive tree inspection means carefully examining the state of the tree from the crown all the way down to the roots.  Today, we’ll discuss what an arborist looks for and evaluates during this crucial inspection.

Let’s start with the crown, or canopy, of the tree.  First, the arborist will assess the overall vigor of the tree.  Does the tree look like it is growing well, healthy, and free of stress factors?  Or, does the tree appear weak and seem to be growing more slowly than expected?  Additionally, the size and color of the foliage are indicators of the tree’s health.  Areas of the tree with dead or discolored foliage may be cause for concern.  The arborist will also assess the crown of the tree for pests, damage, and common problems associated with that particular species of tree.  A close assessment of the crown will also evaluate the health and condition of the branches, looking for dead, cracked, or broken limbs.

root crown tree inspection 1After a close inspection of the crown, the arborist will move on to an inspection of the trunk of the tree.  The trunk can tell us a lot about the overall health of the specimen.  The appearance of the bark will be examined for color and texture and any areas of dead or missing bark will be noted.  The arborist will also look for cracks, damage, decay, mushroom and other fungal growth, oozing sap, galls, and cavities.  Any lean to the the trunk is an important characteristic as it could indicate a risk of falling during extreme weather.

Finally, the arborist will inspect the root crown and roots of the tree.  This may require a small amount of digging or removal of  debris from around the base of the tree.  Again, signs of pests, fungal growth, and damage will be noted.  Additionally, the arborist will assess the condition of the soil around the roots to make sure it isn’t too weak to securely anchor the tree.  Any cracking or lifting of the soil, which indicate shifting of the tree in high wind, will also be taken into account.

root crown tree inspection 3Once the arborist has a complete picture of the overall health and status of the tree, he or she can give you an accurate idea of any risk factors associated with the tree.  How likely is it to fall or drop large limbs?  Is it at risk from disease or pests and does it need to be pruned or otherwise serviced?  Should it be removed?  A root to crown inspection will answer all of these questions and help guide you on the needs of your trees, including what you can expect down the road!