Michigan Tree Facts

According to the official Michigan government website (www.michigan.gov), Michigan is home to “more than 100 species of trees” and has a 3.8 million acre state forest system, the largest in the United States.” 

Tree City USA

Many Michigan communities have additionally been classified as a “Tree City USA”.  In fact, in 2011, 121 Michigan cities were recognized as Tree City USA communities.  The Tree City USA program is sponsored by the National Arbor Day Foundation in cooperation with the National Association of State Foresters and the USDA Forest Service. To become a Tree City USA, a community must satisfy four requirements: (1) a tree board, commission or department, (2) a tree ordinance which establishes policies for tree planting, maintenance and removal, (3) a community forestry program, and (4) an Arbor Day observance and proclamation.

Celebrating Arbor Day

There are many different ways to celebrate Arbor Day.  First and foremost, you could plant a tree.  You could help your local community organize an Arbor Day Event.  Perhaps you have the opportunity on this day to visit a local, state or national park.  You could spend some time with your kids or grandkids taking a walk through a local park and photographing your favorite trees.

How do you plan to spend Arbor Day in Michigan?

Tree damage may come in several different varieties – frequently classified as branch wounds, trunk wounds and root wounds.

Storm Damage Repair

Fortunately, small trees or those with minimal damage can usually be restored by pruning the dead, dying or damaged limbs.  Larger trees, however, may require the expertise of trained professionals.  Trees with severe tree bark damage, or trunk damage, may need to be removed.

It’s also important to treat root wounds.  Injured roots can weaken the foundation of trees.  Unfortunately, this too may require tree removal. 

Remember, for minor storm damage tree repair, simple pruning may be all that’s necessary to remove branches or tree bark damage.  Call in a professional, however, for those more difficult jobs or for a free consultation to understand the full extent of the damage and the steps necessary for clean-up and tree repair and/or removal.

When more sustained damage occurs on your property, it is important to possess the right equipment and experience to safely remove dangerous trees which fall on homes, cars and other structures.

Certified Arborist

Please give us a call at Arbor Tree Service.  We are here to assist you when storms do occur.  We are available around the clock to help minimize and clean-up the damage.  With a certified arborist on staff, we will come out and assess the storm damage to your trees and explain the best way to repair the tree if it is salvageable.
 

Proper pruning, nevertheless, yields beneficial results.  When done with the proper technique, pruning will improve the appearance, health, and longevity of your landscape.  Pruning will also help to:

• "Train" the plant
• Maintain overall plant health, development and appearance by allowing the plant to be in direct sunlight
• Improve the quality of flowers, fruit, foliage and stems
• Restrict growth

Like any form of landscaping, a strategy should be developed before embarking on the pruning process.  Cuts should be minimized and the ‘growth habit’ of a plant should be fully understood before cuts are made. 

For trees, the most effective time to prune is when the tree is dormant – late fall to early spring.  Since the tree is not active during this dormant time, removing limbs and branches will be least stressful. 

There are various pruning techniques for different plants. You wouldn’t use the same technique with a shrub as you would with a broad-leafed evergreen.  Remember to consult a landscaping professional like Arbor Tree Services if you are in doubt about the pruning process.  We will be glad to help.

Once a tree has been removed and a stump is left behind, it will likely result in an unsightly and inconvenient addition to your landscaping. One of the easiest and most efficient ways to get rid of the stump is to grind it down using a stump grinder.

If a stump is too large, it may have to be trimmed down before the stump grinder is applied to the remaining stump.  This can be done with a chain saw.

Stump Grinders

Some people attempt to grind the stump themselves by renting a stump grinder for the day.  This is a popular option.  However, it must  be noted that a stump grinder is difficult to operate without proper training.

Others pay a landscaping company to do the work for them.  Here at Arbor Tree Service, we have several different stump grinding machines.  We have self propelled portable stumpers for fenced in areas such as back yards.  We also have "pull behind" grinders for easy access to front yards, and LARGE stump grinders for land and lot clearings.

Most stumps are ground to 6 inches below the soil line.  When done properly you should be able to plant where the stump once was.

Servicing Oakland County – Including Rochester Hills, Bloomfield & Birmingham

Located in Attica, Michigan, Arbor Tree provides residential and commercial tree service for customers throughout Oakland County, Michigan.  With certified arborists on staff, Arbor Tree offers university-trained certified arborists and horticulturists to inspect and diagnose the condition of your trees and shrubs and propose a program specifically for your needs. 

Services

Arbor Tree Service specializes in tree removals, tree pruning, stump grinding, storm damage repair, cable and bracing, root zone fertilizing, lot and land clearing, and insect and disease management.  Arbor Tree Service is both licensed and insured and offers 24-hour emergency storm damage repair service.

2011 Year-in-Review

Michigan Winter Tree Care (November, 2011)

As Michiganders know all too well, winter (and Michigan winters in particular) brings with it cold temperatures, icy winds and snow.  These elements create substantial stress on your trees.  Therefore, it is imperative to give your trees some extra TLC in the winter – and by doing so, you will be rewarded with healthier trees come spring.

Prepare your Trees, Shrubs & Bushes for the Michigan Winter (October, 2011)

With the hustle-and-bustle of the holidays quickly approaching, our team at Arbor Tree Services wanted to share winter preparation best practices that will result in the continued health of your trees, shrubs and bushes during the cold, blustery winter.

Tree Care – Don’t Forget About Watering in the Fall (September, 2011)

Because your plants and trees likely represent substantial investments in your landscaping budget, it is crucial to take the necessary steps to protect these investments from the winter elements.   Not surprisingly, it all begins with watering in the fall.  Such a simple strategy will go a long way in protecting your trees and shrubs from the scorching winter sun and wind.
 

Water your Trees

Although not as intuitive as summer droughts, winter can, nevertheless, be every bit as dry as the summer, despite the cold temperatures.  As such, your trees will require watering – even in the winter.  If temperatures allow, an occasional winter watering for young trees can go a long way in preserving their overall health.  However, be sure to water only when the soil and trees are cool, but not frozen.

Mulch to Preserve Moisture

Put composted, organic material (mulch) under your tree in the fall or early winter to help preserve moisture, increase available nutrients and reduce the effect of extreme temperatures. A thin layer of compost will act like a blanket and will give tree roots a little extra winter protection.

Wrap Trees – Particularly Newly Planted Trees

Sun scald and wind damage can be prevented by wrapping the tree trunk with a commercial tree wrap, plastic tree guards, or any other light-colored material. The wrap will reflect the sun and keep the bark at a more constant temperature.  Put the wrap on in the fall and remove it in the spring after the last frost. Newly planted trees should be wrapped for at least two winters and thin-barked trees for up to five winters or more.

These are but a sampling of the practical tips to keep your trees healthy during the winter.  As they say, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”  If you have any questions about how best to keep your trees healthy during the winter, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Generally speaking, most trees, shrubs and bushes on residential and commercial property require regular maintenance in order to minimize any potential winter weather damage.  Storms, gusting winds and temperature fluctuations during a typical Michigan winter can all wreak havoc on our most treasured assets – our outdoor landscaping. 

Although we cannot change the weather, there are, indeed, simple things that we can do to minimize the impact of the winter weather.  Some best practices include:

• Although it is not strictly a winter preparation tip, it is always a good idea to maintain good tree upkeep throughout the year.  Strong healthy trees will always have an easier time with the winter elements than weak and damaged ones.
• Remember to prune only after your trees have entered dormancy — after the risk of new growth.
• Apply a good fall fertilizer that promotes root growth over leaf growth.
• Shield new plants from the winter elements with mounds of compost, or wrap them in leaf-filled burlap.
• Wrap rose bushes securely with burlap and fill with straw.
• Create pole and burlap shelters for delicate shrubbery.
• Spread a 2- or 3-inch layer of mulch around tree bases, not touching the trunk.
• Consider spraying plants that are sensitive to water damage with a desiccant.
• Leave evergreen shrubs and trees just as they are.

Each of these strategies will help protect your trees, shrubs and bushes from the impending winter weather.  Although you can't change the weather, you can minimize its effects.

Because your plants and trees likely represent substantial investments in your landscaping budget, it is crucial to take the necessary steps to protect these investments from the winter elements. 

Not surprisingly, it all begins with watering in the fall.  Such a simple strategy will go a long way in protecting your trees and shrubs from the scorching winter sun and wind. 

Although it may be tempting to “forget about” your trees and shrubs when the gardening season winds down, it is nevertheless critical to keep your trees, shrubs and woody plants thoroughly watered – to the tune of approximately one inch of water per week.  This is especially true of newly planted trees and shrubs and all evergreens.

Because evergreens do not lose their leaves during the winter months – and because they continue to transpire through the cold months — they need an adequate storage of moisture.  Without this moisture, “dehydration” can result in browning or burning of foliage.

So that your trees and shrubs remain the picture of health in the spring, it is imperative that you take the necessary steps in the fall to prepare for the winter months – and it all starts with watering!!  For additional information, please consult a certified arborist.  At Arbor Tree, we are certified and would be happy to answer any questions you may have. 

When is the Best Time to Trim & Prune Trees?

At Arbor Tree Service, our team is frequently asked, “when is the best time to prune and trim back trees?” 

For trees, the most effective time is when the tree is dormant – late fall to early spring.

Since the tree is not active during this dormant time, removing limbs and branches will be least stressful. 

It is also easier to see the overarching structure of the tree when the leaves have completely fallen – thereby making it easier to identify potential “problem” areas like rubbing branches, cracked or broken limbs and competing leader branches.  During this dormant period, the tree will also have more time to “heal” before the growing season begins.

Another advantage to trimming and pruning during this dormant period is that insect and disease organisms are not active during this time – thereby reducing the risk of infection or pest infestation.

When is the Worst Time to Trim & Prune Trees?

The worst time to prune trees is late spring and early summer when the leaves are expanding and the tree is growing.

For additional information, please consult a certified arborist.  At Arbor Tree, we are certified and would be happy to answer any questions you may have.  Tree pruning, if done correctly, will improve the appearance, health, and longevity of your landscape.  Happy pruning!