March 15th, 2010 by admin

The following article was taken from a release from the Tree Care Industry Assocation.

“Hazardous trees pose a danger to people and property. When storms or high winds hit, limbs – and often whole trees – fall to the ground. “Many fatal accidents and millions of dollars in property damage can be averted if homeowners heed the warning signs of a hazardous tree,” explains Tchukki Andersen, staff arborist for the Tree Care Industry Association. “By not paying attention to your trees, you are placing your property, even you life, in potential jeopardy.”

Tree defect clues – Fortunately, one can often read the clues that indicate that a tree is prone to failure. For instance, if a tree has large branches attached with tight, V-shaped forks, you should consider having those branches removed or lightened. Other warning signs of structural instability include cracks in the trunk or major limbs, hollow and decayed areas, or the presence of extensive dead wood. Mushrooms growing from the base of the tree or under its canopy may be a sign of root decay. On the other hand, just because you may not see fungus growth does not mean there is no decay.

“It pays to be highly suspicious of any tree that has had construction activities – such as trenching, addition or removal of soil, digging or heavy equipment movement – anywhere under the spread of its branches,” says Andersen. These activities can cause root death, which in turn could lead to structural instability of the tree.

The sign most people recognize is a hollw in a tree. But even a large hollow does not necessarily signify a tree has become hazardous. Nor does it mean the hollow should be filled. Filling of hollow trees, a process called “cavity filling,” was practiced by arborisits for many years. However, thanks to modern research, it has been discovered that cavity filling is not needed to support or improve the health of hollow trees.

Tree experts found that cavity filling with cement can actually damage a tree. According to Andersen, “the column of cement created in the tree by a cavity fill doesn’t move, just like a column on a building, but the tree is always moving. It sways with the wind constantly. The rubbing created by the swaying tree and the solid column of cement further damages the tree.”

Wood decay fungi that created the hollow in the first place are able to take advantage of the new injuries created by the rubbing and invade the remaining healthy tissue of the tree. If cavity filling is desired for aesthetic reasons, there are some new synthetic foams that can be sprayed into the cavity by professional arborists. These materials will bend with the sawing tree, reducing injury. However, there is really no reason to fill a cavity other than for aesthetic reasons; it doesn’t improve the tree’s health and doesn’t offer any added support. If structural support of a tree is required, a professional arborist will recommend cables, braces, tree guys or removing the tree – not cavity filling.”

Tree Pro Inc. has a fully trained staff that can assess your landscape and work with you to determine the best plan to maintain a safer landscape. Tree Pro Inc. is a member of the Tree Care Industry Association, which requires members to recognize stringent safety and performance standards and carry liability insurance. Call today to schedule a review of your trees and landscape – (859) 294-4457.

January 21st, 2010 by admin

Lexington, KY and the bluegrass region has unfortunately seen the wrath of mother nature several times in the past few years. In both February 2003 & 2009 we saw the destruction of severe ice storms. While the natural sight was nothing less than magical the effects were widespread and devestating. Trees and limbs knocked out electricity to thousands for weeks and caused widespread damage to homes, cars, and property of all kinds. Are your trees prepared for another storm of that magnitude?

If you answered no or don’t how to anser, then chances are your trees may need corrective pruning. Trees are living and growing and thus need to be analyzed and maintained regularly. Add an accumulation of ice and the branch weight can be increased up to 30 times (1). Combine the increased branch weight with a strong wind and you have ideal conditions for major damage. Falling limbs were a major cause for the massive power outages (2) and were a dangerous threat to anyone near. Properly pruned trees have a more balanced weight distribution and have a significantly less chance of damage due to snow, ice, and wind in the upcoming months. Don’t wait for a hazardous limb to fall and injure someone or damage your property. Invest in your property now and reduce costly damages and power outages in the future. Maybe you have been putting off having your trees correctively pruned due to the damage caused last year. The more damage your trees has and the longer it goes untreated, the more susceptible the tree becomes to infestations and disease. By pruning now you will also be promoting the overall health of the tree and increasing the aesthetic value of your property.

Tree Pro Inc. – Treework & Landscape, is the premier tree service in Lexington, KY offering a full line of tree and landscaping services. We have an experienced and professional staff ready to handle any and all of your tree and landscaping needs. Give us a call today and let us show you how to make your trees safe and keep them healthy.

References
1. Hauer, Wange, & Dawson. July 1993. Ice Storm Damage to Urban Trees.
Journal of Arboriculture (19)4
2. Kentucky Utilities Company. 8 April 2004. KU Celebrates Earth Day with Tree Seedling Giveaway to 15 Counties That Were
Hardest Hit by Ice Storm.
http://www.eon-us.com/newsroom/archive2004/news_040804.asp

© 2010 – Tree Pro Inc.
700 Dartmoor Court
Lexington, KY 40505
Office – (859) 294-4457
www.treeproincky.com

November 12th, 2009 by admin

Tree Pro Inc. is proud to annouce we are selling
PREMIUM top grade Frasier Fir Christmas trees. Frasier Firs have long been considered the best Christmas Tree available & it is that reason why we chose to sell ONLY Frasier Firs. These are the NICEST trees around & are being sold at HUGE DISCOUNTS! Don’t be fooled by cheaper quality trees. Our trees are directly from the mountains of North Carolina, which is the original habitat for Frasier Firs.

We have the following sizes available at DISCOUNT PRICES!!!
Size (height)         Retail Price              Our Prices                Savings Of
     30-40″                   $39.95                $ 25.00                      $14.95
       5-6 ft                   $99.95                $ 40.00                      $59.95
       6-7 ft                 $109.95                $ 50.00                      $59.95
       7-8 ft                 $139.95                $ 60.00                      $79.95
       8-9 ft                 $169.95                $ 90.00                      $79.95
     9-10 ft                 $199.95                $120.00                      $79.95
   10-11 ft                 $229.95                $150.00                      $79.95
   11-12 ft                 $259.95                $180.00                      $79.95

We have a limited quantity available. All sales are on a first come, first served basis.
We will also have collection bins for Toys for under privileged children & canned goods for families in need this holiday season.

Come get your PREMIUM QUALITY CHRISTMAS TREE and drop off donations at 1008 W. NEW CIRCLE ROAD, LEXINGTON, KY 40505. We are on the inner loop right past the Georgetown Road overpass. Stay in the right hand lane & turn in at Tire Discounters. Follow the service road up to the right & directly into our lot.:

Hours of Operation are:
Monday-Friday 12-8 PM, Saturday 8 AM – 8PM, Sunday 1-6PM

November 4th, 2009 by admin

The following article was published by the International Society of Arboriculture and can be found at
http://www.treesaregood.com/pressrelease/press/WinterTreeCare.aspx

“Winter Tree Care Tips for Homeowners

October 28th, 2009 by admin

We get a lot of people asking about when is the best time to prune their trees and actually right now is a great time to prune many different types of trees.  Late fall and throughout the winter provide a favorable time to prune many trees because the trees are dormant and allow better structure visibility and reduced chance of disease and insect spread.  Below is an excerpt from an article by the United State Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service concerning pruning trees.

“Conifers may be pruned any time of year, but pruning during the dormant season may minimize sap and resin flow from cut branches.

Hardwood trees and shrubs without showy flowers: prune in the dormant season to easily visualize the structure of the tree, to maximize wound closure in the growing season after pruning, to reduce the chance of transmitting disease, and to discourage excessive sap flow from wounds. Recent wounds and the chemical scents they emit can actually attract insects that spread tree disease. In particular, wounded elm wood is known to attract bark beetles that harbor spores of the Dutch elm disease fungus, and open wounds on oaks are known to attract beetles that spread the oak wilt fungus. Take care to prune these trees during the correct time of year to prevent spread of these fatal diseases. Contact your local tree disease specialist to find out when to prune these tree species in your area. Usually, the best time is during the late fall and winter.

Flowering trees and shrubs: these should also be pruned during the dormant season for the same reasons stated above; however, to preserve the current year’s flower crop, prune according to the following schedule:
- Trees and shrubs that flower in early spring (redbud, dogwood, etc.) should be pruned immediately after flowering (flower buds arise the year before they flush, and will form on the new growth).
- Many flowering trees are susceptible to fireblight, a bacterial disease that can be spread by pruning. These trees, including many varieties of crabapple, hawthorn, pear, mountain ash, flowering quince and pyracantha, should be pruned during the dormant season. Check with your county extension agent or a horticulturist for additional information.
- Trees and shrubs that flower in the summer or fall always should be pruned during the dormant season (flower buds will form on new twigs during the next growing season, and the flowers will flush normally).
- Dead branches: can be removed any time of the year.”

Article can be accessed at http://www.na.fs.fed.us/spfo/pubs/howtos/ht_prune/addinfo.htm.

October 20th, 2009 by admin

Tree Pro Inc. is a professional tree service and landscape company based in Lexington, KY.  Tree Pro Inc. provides a full range of both tree and landscaping services.  Check out our services page for more information.

October 20th, 2009 by admin

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