Taking Care of Your Trees

Whether in our urban forest or in your home’s backyard, ETC’s full service Tree Care company can help preserve and improve your green canopy.  Our International Society of Arboriculture certified arborists will help you decide the best plan for your treasured trees.  They will provide cost estimates for immediate services such as pruning to clear your roof, remove low limbs for street and drive clearance, and general pruning for tree health.  Then will stick with you to insure your trees receive the care they need to thrive.

For commercial properties, ETC can provide tree inventories and health assessments, then work with you to create an efficient management plan to protect your green assets.

Primary Services:

Pruning:  There are many reasons to have your tree(s) pruned that are necessary and/or desirable.  Common reasons for pruning trees are: to remove dead branches, to remove crowded or crossing limbs that may create future structural problems, to improve tree structure, to eliminate hazards and maintain safety, and to enhance vigor.2

For more information, see Tree Pruning.

Fertilization:  All trees need essential minerals and nutrients to grow and remain healthy. In the forest, these nutrients are provided by decomposing leaves and wood. In an urban community however, we routinely remove this debris, robbing our trees of the essential products they require to produce food.  At Etter Tree Care we recommend an annual fertilization plan with BioPak Plus.  BioPak Plus is an organic fertilizer that is injected into the soil under pressure.  This deep root fertilization technique is the best method for installing fertilizer into the root zone of the tree.  The aeration that occurs in the process helps counter compaction and adds oxygen to the soil.  In addition, the water that carries fertilizer into the soil is very beneficial during drought conditions.1  See Fertilization for more info.

Pest & Disease Management:  Our Arborists are trained in diagnosis and treatment of tree pest and diseases. They are required to attend regular training on the latest dignosis and treatment methods available. Remember that early detection and treatment can sometimes mean the survival of the tree!


Specialty Care Services:

Air Spading:  In today’s urban forest, use of the air spade is often necessary because a tree has been planted too deep or an existing tree becomes buried due to grade changes or development.

In either case the soil must be removed from around the base of the tree because a healthy root flare is the first and most important step in proper tree care.

 

stump before grinding

Tree & Stump Removal: For many reasons, sometimes it is necessary to remove a tree. If you need a tree removed or think you might need a tree removed, give Etter Tree Care a call!

Once a tree has been removed a stump is left behind. The stump can remain and will eventually decompose or equipment can be used to remove the stump and surface roots. Clients often prefer to have the stump removed to allow their lawns to grow and cover the scarred area, and to prevent possible hazards. See a demonstration of stump removal by grinding here.

Cabling:  Cabling involves the installation of hardware in a tree to help support weak branches or crotches. Cabling can prevent tree and property damage when installed early on, or it can sometimes be used to repair splits if applied immediately after the damage has occurred.

Root System Vent Installation:  In our urban concrete paved cities trees have been given little consideration.  Not only are trees roots severed in the construction process but once asphalt or concrete are in place access to oxygen is limited.

The purpose of tree vents is to provide air, water, and fertilizing ports in the root area of trees that have paving over their root areas.  Their primary value is to vent toxic gases to the surface and to allow oxygen to enter the soil under the paving.  Their secondary value is for water and fertilization.3


1 Tree and Shrub Fertilization handout from Etter Tree Care
2 Arborists’ Certification Study Guide, International Society of Arboriculture, 1993 (Ch.8, page 8.2)
3 Tree Vent handout from Etter Tree Care

Phone:  (210) 654-8733    Email:  ettertreecare@gmail.com