Licking County sits at the border of two ancient forests, each dominated by large tree species. Oak and hickory towered in the Southeast and maple, beech, and birch trees in the Northwest. The remnants of these large forests and dozens of other species of trees, including the famous Ohio Buckeye, fill the landscape of Central Ohio.
These trees play an important role in our environment, providing all of us with clean air, shade, and a sense of natural beauty. The shade and beauty offered by healthy, mature trees can help make our spaces more desirable and can even improve property values. However, if those same trees are neglected, they can become overgrown or fall victim to diseases and parasites, which can cause them to lose their beauty and become a safety hazard.
Expert tree care from a trained arborist can make all the difference in the beauty and longevity of your trees. From tree trimming and pruning to emergency tree removal, finding a qualified, professional tree service provider near you is important to maintaining the appearance and safety of your property.
That’s where Urban Loggers comes in. Our team of trained arborists specializes in expert tree care in Granville and the surrounding communities throughout Licking County. We’re familiar with Ohio’s native and invasive species and how to provide each with the proper care.
What kind of tree service near me do I need?
Trimming & Pruning
Tree trimming and pruning are essential components of tree care that involve cutting and removing select branches or limbs to promote healthy growth.
Tree Trimming
Trimming refers to cutting back the outer parts of a plant to maintain appropriate size and shape. Trimming is a great method for preventing your trees and other plants from becoming overgrown or dominating too much of a space. Look for tree trimming services when your primary goal is an aesthetically pleasing appearance.
Tree Pruning
Pruning, on the other hand, refers to the act of removing branches or other materials with the focus of overall health of the plant. The parts of the plant removed during pruning are usually dead, diseased, or damaged in some way. Getting rid of these parts of the tree allows more space for the healthy parts of the tree to grow into. Investigate tree pruning services if you have a tree that appears to have both healthy and unhealthy branches or limbs.
Tree Removal
In some situations, a full removal of a tree may be necessary or desirable. If a tree appears dry and dead or is leaning significantly and causes you to wonder if it is safe, it might be necessary to remove that tree. Many trees die as a result of diseases or parasites, but remain standing because of their wide or deep root systems.
An unhealthy-looking tree may also be a hazard if the tree is close to your house, near power lines, or adjacent to other healthy trees you want to preserve. These cases may also become emergencies that require immediate attention, something we’ll discuss later in this blog. Search for tree felling or tree removal service near you if you’re thinking about removing a tree completely or call Urban Loggers for help.
Tree Health Care
Just like for people, preventative care is the best step you can take to ensure the health and vigor of your trees. To develop a proper health care plan for your trees, you should consult with a certified arborist, like those of us at Urban Loggers, who can routinely check the health of the trees on your property and administer any necessary care or treatments. By working with an arborist, you can identify some of these early warning signs that suffering trees can exhibit and nip them in the bud, before they become serious problems.
Changes in Leaves
You might notice some changes on the leaves of a tree under stress. Color and physical changes in leaves are usually indications of heat or cold stress, watering issues, or root stress. While these symptoms rarely indicate an illness or infection, yellowing or browning leaves, brown spots on leaves, and wilting leaves are cautionary signs that the tree might have some problems.
Dead or Damaged Branches
If you notice a growing number of twigs on the ground under or around a tree and/or limbs that look dead on the tree, your tree could be sick. Losing branches can be a sign of natural tree decline, but if you notice branches dropping from an otherwise young, healthy tree, call an arborist to evaluate the situation.
Fungus or Mushroom Growth
Fungi or mushrooms growing on the tree or at the base could be a symptom of rotting wood or rot within the root system of the tree. Various fungi can also cause a powdery appearance, spots, or color changes on the leaves.
Cankers or Sunken Bark
Areas of localized dead bark and underlying wood on branches, limbs, or the trunk are called a canker. The fungus or bacteria enter underneath the tree’s bark when damaged and cause these spots to appear.
While these abrasions are not typically treatable, there are some preventative drugs that can be used to protect an already damaged tree. However, if the root cause is a slow growing fungal disease, there is a greater chance the problem can be treated.
Insect Infestations
As spring arrives, so do the insects, many of which call your trees home. Though small, these bugs can sometimes cause major issues for trees. You might notice that parts of some leaves or even whole leaves disappear. Insect infestations may also cause the leaves of your tree to turn yellow or brown and wilt. Some insects bore into the bark and wood of the tree to live or develop inside the tree. Some of these bugs can be a minor nuisance, but some become major problems down the road.
Invasive Species
Like any branch of organic life, competition for resources is the critical battle for survival. When an invasive species takes up root in a community of native plants, it can wreak havoc on the balance of resource consumption.
This can spell a critical problem, especially on larger properties where diversity is greater and management is more difficult. An arborist will also have the knowledge to evaluate the presence of invasive species and determine risk to the overall health of the other plants on the property.
Emergency Tree Removal and Other Emergency Services
Sometimes the removal of a whole tree becomes urgent to ensure the safety of your property, your family, or even surrounding trees. When a tree dies, it often does not fall immediately and there is often no indication of when it will fall, but this doesn’t mean you should wait. When this happens, it is safest to have the tree removed professionally.
Strong storms can also cause trees to lose large limbs or even uproot and fall down completely. Dealing with a fallen tree or large limb can be difficult to deal with. Houses, cars, driveways, and sheds can be unfortunate victims in these events. Sometimes weighing tens of thousands of pounds, it takes more than just a chainsaw to clean up. In these cases, it’s best to find a reliable professional who can respond quickly to help you clean up the mess.
Commercial Services
A commercial property owner can be responsible for many of the same types of trees as a residential property owner. However, the scale of tree care needs often requires specialized knowledge and resources to effectively maintain a large property.
Since commercial properties are usually much larger than residential, the number of trees can be much greater. As a result, an arborist must consider the health of all of the trees as a whole. In addition to treating single trees, a qualified tree service company near you can also assess whether that tree poses a risk to trees and plants around it.
The Importance of Safety and Qualifications
When considering a tree service company near your property, it is crucial that you locate a certified arborist. These experienced professionals have the knowledge to accurately assess the condition of trees, identify any potential problems or risks, and make precise cuts and trims. Finally, a qualified arborist will arrive with all of the proper safety equipment for tree work, including appropriate climbing gear, protective equipment, and professional machinery.
Factors Affecting Cost of Tree Service Near You
Tree Size
The size of the tree in question is one of the biggest factors in determining cost. A large tree will require more time and specialized equipment to remove than a smaller tree. Cleanup after removing a large tree also takes more time, causing cost to increase.
Tree Service Technique/Service Type
The technique used to remove the tree can impact the cost as well. Felling, or cutting the tree down in one piece, is the most cost-effective method. However, if it is too hazardous to remove a tree by felling, the rigging method must be used to carefully remove the tree piece by piece to prevent collateral damage. If more precise trimming or pruning is required to maintain the health and beauty of the tree, the time and cost required to complete the job may climb.
Accessibility and Safety of the Service Area
A tree that is more difficult to access or located near utility lines may require more time and manpower to treat, trim, or remove completely. If it is more difficult to access with equipment like bucket trucks, the trimming or removal process may be much more difficult, which can impact the cost.
Local Permits and Regulations
Before beginning any work on the trees on your property, you should check your local laws and ordinances to be sure that you get the proper permits or licenses, if required.
For example, Columbus, OH residents need a permit to plant, trim, or remove trees in the space between the sidewalk and the road, called the tree lawn. While the city is responsible for these trees, it is up to you to decide whether or not a tree is attractive or unsightly. If you believe the tree needs a trim, you will need a permit to carry out any work. A qualified arborist should be able to help you get this permit.
Schedule a Consultation With an Arborist
Doing your own research is an important step toward keeping your trees healthy and beautiful. However, whether you need some minor pruning, extensive trimming, a full tree removal, or a comprehensive commercial property plan, our certified arborists will be able to provide you with a complete plan, whatever your needs. Call today to schedule an estimate!