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Wed, 16 May 2018 13:31:16 GMT

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When a tree is dead, it should be cut down. If you have a dead tree on your property, here are seven reasons you shouldn't leave it up.

Dead Trees Are a Liability
First and most importantly, dead trees are potential sources of danger. When a tree is dead, it's no longer as strong as it once was. Moreover, the tree becomes weaker as it decays. When the tree becomes too weak, it'll fall - and it could damage property or injure someone when it does.

If anything is damaged or anyone is hurt by a dead tree on your property that falls, you may be held responsible. In addition to feeling guilty, you may be personally named in a liability suit.

Such a risk may seem small, but there are more than 100 people killed each year by trees - and that doesn't include people who are hurt or property that is damaged.

Pests Thrive in Dead Trees
Second, dead trees are can attract pests. Insects and rodents may move into a dead tree, and you likely don't want either in a tree that's on your property. At best, pests are benign and more of an annoyance than anything else. More often, though, the pests are carpenter ants, roaches, rats, skunks, or other creatures that cause real damage.

Dead Trees Host Diseases
Third, dead trees are common hosts of tree-related diseases. The trees have lots of wood left once they're dead, but they can't fight off fungi or molds. With no defense mechanism and a plentiful source of wood, it's easy for diseases to grow.

Whether a dead tree itself becomes infected with a disease might not matter to you since the tree is already dead. Once a fungus or mold gets a foothold in a tree's wood, however, the diseases could spread to other tees in the area. Thus, not cutting down a dead tree can leave your other, healthy trees at greater risk of contracting diseases.

Dead Trees Are Unsightly
Fourth, dead trees are often eyesores. While a picture of a leafless tree against a vast landscape may be thought-provoking, few people want to see a dead tree every time they look outside. Even if this were the only benefit, not having to look at an unsightly tree would be reason enough to remove the tree.

Dead Trees Lower Property Value
Fifth, dead trees lower property value. Potential buyers won't want to pay as much for property that has a dead tree on it because:

Potential buyers don't want to look at the tree
The tree suggests that other parts of the property might be neglected
The tree is a liability risk for buyers

Often, the decrease in value will be equal to or greater than the cost of cutting down a tree.

Dead Trees Make Good Firewood
If you have a wood-burning stove, a dead tree can be a great source of firewood. As long as it's free of pests, you can cut the wood up to be used in fires. Depending on how long the tree has been dead, its wood may already be seasoned.

Slightly more ambitious, you could also use a dead tree's wood as the raw materials for a piece of furniture. If the tree had sentimental value, you may want to create a lasting table or chair from the tree's wood.

You Can Use the Space for a New Tree
Finally, cutting down an old and dead tree creates a space where a new tree can grow. Until a dead tree is removed, a new tree will struggle to grow around the dead tree's trunk and roots. If the dead tree is removed, however, a new tree will likely flourish. After all, one tree already has grown in the spot.

To have a tree cut down, contact us at Simply Trees.

Want to Build a Fence? Work on the Trees in Your Yard to Get Ready

Wed, 16 May 2018 13:29:21 GMT

Living on a property without a fence can make things a little challenging when it comes to raising a family and owning pets. You may not feel confident letting your children play outside when it is so easy for them to wander off the property. Building a fence provides an immediate solution.

Since putting in a fence is a major project, you should plan first. It is likely that you will need to make changes, such as clearing, leveling or removing trees from the yard. If you want to install a fence but you're worried about the trees in your yard, working with a with tree service professional is an ideal way to get your yard ready for fence building.

Remove Obstructing Trees

When you look at your yard and start drawing out a plan for the fencing, you may plan on building around the trees that are along the edges of the property. But, you should consider removing the trees that are in the way of a perfect setup.

The fence is a feature that will add value to your home, but so will large, beautiful trees. If you're worried about your budget and getting the most for your money, talk to professionals to determine the cost to remove each tree and then you can decide whether you want some or all of the trees removed and if a fence or the trees will add more value to your home.

Trim Hanging Branches

Another obstacle that can get in the way of building a fence is hanging branches. Some trees naturally have branches that are low to the ground. Trimming these branches is an important step before you hire a fencing company. Since local rules often limit backyard fences to 6 feet high, you will need to clear branches that are lower than that.

It is possible for branches to get in the way of the fence over time, which might require you to keep up with trimming to prevent the branches from touching the fence. Also, you want to avoid a situation in which the branches end up breaking and damaging the fence.

If you're worried about the effect of pruning on your tree's health, you could hire a tree trimming service that comes with an inspection, so that you will always feel confident about the health of your trees.

Grind Down Stumps

Removing a random tree stump on your property is not necessary, but you should get rid of the stumps that are near where you want to install a fence. This will make it easier for the fencing professionals to deliver materials to the area and to work on the fence's construction. If you want to level the fencing area, you can get help from tree experts to clear the surrounding landscape

Plan for New Trees

If you end up removing some trees, you will notice a change in your yard's look. While the addition of a fence will make a huge difference, you may miss the greenery. So, while you are getting tree trimming and removal service, you can begin to plan for growing new trees.

An essential part of the process is picking trees that grow well in the Livermore area. But, you also want to prioritize trees that are not going to cause damage to your fence. Two tree types worth considering are oak and maple because they fit both requirements. After picking the trees you want, you can plant them once you've finished building the fence.

Adding a fence to your property is something that takes a lot of planning and preparation. Contact our experts at Simply Trees to get started with working on your trees before building.

Watch Your Red Oak Trees For Signs Of These Diseases

Wed, 16 May 2018 13:26:23 GMT

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Tall, majestic red oak trees add plenty of beauty to yards in California. Sadly, red oaks are also quite susceptible to disease, so if you're lucky enough to have some of them on your property, it's important that you watch them closely. Here is a detailed look at some of the diseases most likely to affect red oaks along the west coast, along with some tips for dealing with each one.

Anthracnose

Anthracnose is a common fungal disease that infects many different garden plants, shrubs, and trees. The good news is that it is not deadly. However, it can weaken an oak tree, making it more prone to other infections, and it can also cause twig dieback that later results in bushy growth, giving your tree a less-attractive appearance.

The earliest sign of anthracnose is green-brown and black patches on the leaves--especially along the leaf margins. These patches are often uneven and oddly shaped. Some leaves may tumble to the ground in the early spring.

It's best to treat anthracnose as soon as it appears. Spray the tree with copper-based fungicides, and clean up any fallen foliage quickly so that the fungi do not breed within it and re-infect the tree.

Oak Leaf Blister

Oak leaf blister is another fungal infection that primarily infects red oak trees. It typically appears after a wet, cool spring, as the fungi that cause the disease breed well in these conditions. The primary symptom of the disease is the appearance of small, blister-like spots on the tree's leaves. These spots start off yellow and then turn brown later in the season.

Oak leaf blister will not kill your oak tree, but it does make your tree less attractive. To get rid of the disease, apply fungicides to the tree early in the spring before the buds appear. (Later-season fungicide treatments are not effective.)

Regular trimming can also help protect your red oak tree from oak leaf blister. Trees that have been properly trimmed allow for more airflow though the branches. As a result, the branches dry out faster and become less appealing to fungi.

Sudden Oak Death

This is the last disease that you want your red oak to develop. Sudden oak death, as the name suggests, causes most trees it affects to die off within a few weeks. The disease has ravaged oak forests throughout California over the past several decades.

Sudden oak death has a unique progression. First, the tree becomes infected with a fungus called P. ramorum. This fungus primarily causes spots to appear on the leaves and small wounds to appear on the twigs.

Once the fungus has weakened the tree, bark beetles start feeding on its bark, aiding in the formation of cankers--or oozing wounds in the trunk. Eventually, individual branches die, and then the whole tree succumbs to the infection.

The early signs of sudden oak death are often mistaken for those of anthracnose and other more minor tree ailments. As a result, many tree owners do not realize their tree is affected until it is either dead or near death. At this point, the best solution is to have the tree removed, as this will help prevent the fungi from spreading to other nearby trees.

Removing a tree affected by sudden oak death can present a few challenges. Branches that have been weakened by the fungus may fall or crack, creating the potential for injury. It's also important for the wood to be disposed of properly. For these reasons, it's a good idea to hire a professional, like those at Simple Trees, to remove a dead or dying oak.

Read oaks are a thing of beauty, but they are also quite prone to infection. Keep a close eye on your trees, and address any possible disease as early as possible to protect your oak tree and others nearby

How to Care for Your Trees in the Summer Heat

Tue, 15 May 2018 23:47:36 GMT

There's a heat wave. Well, it is summer. And that means caring for your tree is essential if you don't want it to dehydrate and dry up. When the mercury rises and the sun is shining all day long, you need to know what the proper methods of summer-time tree care are if you want your home's landscaping to look healthy and green. What can you do to care for your trees in the summer months? Check out these tips for making sure that your greenery stays green.

The Tree's Age

Young trees often have different water requirements than older ones. If you're planting a brand-new tree, you'll want to water it right away. For the next 5 to 10 years, you'll also need to keep the water flowing. A young tree grows at a rapid pace. This means it is expending energy. Just like how you need to keep a growing child well-fed, you need to keep a growing try well-watered. When you water your young tree, make sure that you water deeply so that the roots are wet.

Even though older trees don't need as much water as younger ones, they can't go entirely without. Continue to regularly water your middle or older aged tree regularly, especially when it's extremely dry out.

Water Balance

While you do need to provide plenty of water for your tree, you need to find the "just right" balance. Obviously not watering your tree enough can cause problems. But over-watering can also harm your trees. Thirty seconds worth of water from a garden hose (that is a steady stream from a hose with a diffuser nozzle) is typically plenty. The soil around the tree should feel moist, not soaking or muddy.

If the soil is too dry, gradually add more until it feels moist. If the water is ponding or is turning into mud, you've overwatered. While there isn't much you can do about over-watering when you do it, you can keep the amount of water you used in mind and cut it back the next time around.

Tree Type

Not all trees need the same amount of water. Ask the tree service professionals how drought-resistant or moisture-tolerant your picks are. A highly drought-resistant species such as an Arizona Cypress or a White Fir won't need as much water as a moisture-tolerant choice such as a Red maple or a River Birch.

Where to Water

Randomly throwing water near a tree might not cut it. You need a strategic plan to keep your greenery growing, healthy and happy. Concentrate your watering efforts under the tree's canopy. This lets the water soak into the soil and get to the tree’s roots. Pointing your hose up and soaking the leaves or upper branches won't do much to truly help your tree through the heat. That type of watering won't hit the soil and won't make it down to the roots. This leaves your tree at risk for drying out.

Add Mulch

Mulch adds that finished look that your yard may need. But adding mulch is much more than a simple decorating trick that landscapers use to make the yard look better. Mulching around a tree can help hold the moisture in and can even lower the soil's temperature underneath it.

Even though mulch can help your tree, especially in the summer, avoid overdoing it. Three to four inches of mulch is plenty. Also, avoid mulching all the way up to the trunk. Watering the soggy mulch that's touching the trunk may cause damage to the tree.

Are you working on a new planting project? Call Simply Trees at 9 25-321-2421 for a consultation.

Experience Matters In Tree Service

Tue, 15 May 2018 23:43:03 GMT

In an industry as potentially dangerous as tree care, you need assurance of your safety and the safety of your property from your tree service contractors. Unfortunately, we often see the terrible results of subpar companies’ ineptitude, such as damaged homes or cars, fallen power lines, and injury to the remaining trees.

Save Yourself Time, Trouble, and Money

Fly-by-night contractors tend to pop up after a major storm has caused damage to a locale, and these companies will target unsuspecting homeowners with quick-work claims or even outright lies. Avoid future problems by choosing Simply Trees for tree services!

Simply Trees’ owners have over 20 years of experience with the trees indigenous to California, plus the landscaping, soil types, and root systems common to the local area. We have seen it all, and we are a trustworthy, capable company offering professional services paired with exceptional customer service.

Give Simply Trees a call to come assess your commercial greenspace or residential property today!

The Benefits of Lot Clearing

Tue, 15 May 2018 23:31:48 GMT

Since land is a valuable investment, you want to maintain it in good shape for either your personal use or possible resale down the line. By hiring professionals to clear unwanted vegetation off your land or lot, you’ll be benefiting your property in three important ways.

Farming

If you’re looking to grow crops on your lot or plan to offer it as farmland in the future, you’ll want the soil to be clear and open so crops can flourish. Also, by getting rid of weeds and other overgrowths, you’ll eliminate rival plant life that can choke off nutrients from your crops.

Reduce Wildfire Potential

Clearing out your land is especially important if your property is in or near a forested area. Dead trees, underbrush, and even dry grass can help fuel a raging wildfire. Clearing away or mulching dead and rotting trees can greatly reduce fire potential.

Resale Value

Clearing your land to offer it as a future construction site for a home can better help you entice buyers should you decide to sell off your land.

You can also strategically remove dead trees and overgrowth while leaving healthy trees and plants in place. Any of these moves can help fetch a greater price for your land.

Giving your land the proper clearing it deserves can make your property more useful and increase its value. To learn more about the different kinds of lot removal services you can benefit from, call Simply Trees at 925-321-2421.

Three Signs That Your Tree is Dying

Tue, 15 May 2018 23:05:21 GMT

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Whether you are a homeowner with a few trees, or a commercial property manager responsible for hundreds of them, it is essential that you take steps to remove a dying plant as soon as you notice the telltale signs. Here are three quick tips on spotting the early symptoms.

Mushroom Growth

Many species of fungus will grow only on wood that is no longer living. Mushrooms known as "shelf" or "bracket" fungi tend to be decomposers, and are a sure sign of a dying tree.

Root Issues

Signs of severe root injury include leaning trees, and trees with new branches sprouting from the base of the trunk. Common causes include new construction, and uneven settling of the ground.

Lack of Leaves or Bark

Bald spots in a tree's canopy or on areas of its branches and trunk are a good signal that the plant's system is failing.

If you are concerned that one or more of the trees on your property is dying, it's essential that you take care of the problem in advance of the next round of severe weather. Fallen branches not only pose an immediate safety hazard, they can lead to power outages and serious property damage. Make sure to contact a local company specializing in tree removal as soon as you notice the warning signs. Call Simply Trees at 925-321-2421.

Tips for Protecting Your Trees This Winter

Tue, 15 May 2018 23:05:21 GMT

Preparing landscape trees for the winter freeze is an essential step in the fall gardening regiment. Proper protection will help your plants last through the winter and spring to life again when temperatures begin to rise. Use these tips for protecting your trees this winter.

Offer Water Until the Ground Freezes

When the outdoor temperatures dip and the leaves begin to fall, many gardeners mistakenly cut off water to their trees. Plenty of water should be applied to the root zone at regular intervals until the ground freezes to keep plants healthy.

Mulch

Adding a layer of bark or straw mulch can help insulate a sapling’s immature root systems. Be sure to keep any mulch 3-4 inches away from the trunk to avoid issues with rodents or rot.

Push Back Pruning

For most plants, the best time to prune is late in the dormancy period. Cutting causes a growth spurt of tender shoots. Fall pruning leaves this new growth susceptible to winter damage and should be avoided.

Deflect Sunlight

Even during a frigid January day, the sun can warm the bark of your trees and cause sunscald and splitting. To keep internal temperatures even, have the trunks painted white or wrapped with specialized tree wrap.

For more information on preparing your trees for winter or hiring a professional tree service, call Simply Trees at 925-321-2421.