Posts in the ‘Tree Care/Maintenance’ Category
Palm Facts
Most palms should be pruned with the Swiss Tree Climbers also called the Swiss Bicycles/ Bands/Hoops to avoid spiking them. Spiking causes wounds and entry points for all sort of pathogens and insects which can eventually lead to the failure of the tree. Fronds should be trimmed, paper should be cleaned out, seed pods and nuts should be removed. Palms should be pruned with the fronds coming out the base of the tree at 45 degrees and no higher. Taking the fronds higher over time causes the tree to lack enough leaf surface area for proper photosynthesis (food production from light) and can cause penceling (tree tapering). In this state of loss of food production the tree can become stressed leaving it vulnerable to pathogens which combined with penciling can lead to tree failure. Coconut palms should be trimmed 2-3 times per year in residential settings and 3-4 times per year in commercial areas in relation to how quickly they grow. Check out the actual Tree Facts and Trivia ad that we have in The West Hawaii Today area of the blog.
Why Hire a Certified Arborist?
Why Hire a Certified Arborist?
An arborist is a specialist in the care of individual trees. Arborists are knowledgeable about the needs of trees and are trained and equipped to provide proper care. Hiring an arborist is a decision that should not be taken lightly. Proper tree care is an investment that can lead to substantial returns. Well-cared-for trees are attractive and can add considerable value to your property. Poorly maintained trees can be a significant liability. Pruning or removing trees, especially large trees, can be dangerous work. Tree work should be done only by those trained and equipped to work safely in trees.
The Certified Arborist credential identifies professional arborists who have a minimum of three years’ full-time experience working in the professional tree care industry and who have passed an extensive examination covering all facets of arboriculture. The Western Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) started the certification program in the 1980s. As the program rapidly proved its worth, it was taken over and expanded by the parent ISA organization. More recently, the ISA added specialty certifications of Utility Specialist, for those maintaining vegetation around electric utility wires, Municipal Specialist, for those with additional experience managing public urban trees, and the Board Certified Master Arborist, for those with extensive knowledge that comes with higher levels of education and experience.
The Certified Arborist examination has 200 questions on tree biology, tree identification and selection, tree-soil-water relations, tree nutrition and fertilization, tree planting and establishment, pruning concepts and techniques, cabling, bracing and lightning protection, problem diagnosis and management, tree preservation on construction sites, climbing and safe work practices, and tree risk assessment. Certification is valid for three years, during which time the arborist must complete 30 continuing education units (CEUs) in order to re certify. Certified Arborists earn CEUs by attending seminars, studying in college courses, or completing study in ISA published magazines and books. A study guide outlines the basic knowledge tested on the exam.
The arborist certification program has successfully improved the profession by setting minimum standards of achievement, incentives for continuing education, and an improved image from both the arborist’s and the general public’s points of view. The language used in arboriculture has become more scientific and educated, and less dependent on vague and ambiguous words like lacing and rounding-over. The more descriptive language Certified Arborists use gives purchasers of tree service a high degree of assurance that their trees will not be damaged or mutilated, and that both they and the arborist understand the effects of a particular treatment.
Proper Palm / Coconut Pruning
Before Pruning: A Hazardous Coconut palm before proper tree care.
After Pruning. A Coconut palm that has been trimmed according to arborist standards.
Roping & Rigging
Technical Roping & Rigging Situations – In certain instances large branches, limbs and logs need to be roped and lowered down in a controlled fashion. This prevents damage to your landscape and also avoids nicking up your roof, deck, fence, home, other trees and personal property. Please be cautious- other less professional companies may not be experienced at roping and rigging and could cause more damage to your property than the cost of the removal!
Click on the photos below to enlarge.
Spikeless Tree Care - Technical Roping and Rigging
We use current Arborist techniques and equipment which incorporate ropes and rigging and machinery to do trimming and pruning avoiding spiking or damaging your tree. Keeping your trees healthier and safer.
