Everybody has questions about tree care . . .
Here's some answers to questions that we often get asked. If you don't find your question answered here, send us an e-mail with your question , or just pick up the phone.
"It's the middle of summer and I just had a limb break. What's up?"
-The tree is trying to cool down so it's pulling moisture up from the soil. The limbs load up with water, get too heavy and break.
"My neighbor's tree is growing over my fence. Can I cut the limbs on my side?"
- Watch out. There is no clear law on this in spite of what you may have heard. Courts may infer that you have a "probable" right to do so, but there are many situations where it would be imprudent without first
getting your neighbor's permission. We strongly suggest that you contact the neighbor (or track them
down if they are an absentee landlord). In fact, since this issue can be so touchy (and lead to future
arguments and lawsuits) we may decline the job without the neighbor's permission.
"Tree roots are lifting my sidewalk (or driveway, etc.)"
"Where does MiMi get her hair done?"
- At Miss Mae's on Seabright."Do I need a permit?"
- Here's some phone numbers that may help:- City of Santa Cruz (Parks & Rec) - 831 420-5270- County of Santa Cruz (Aptos office) - 831 454-7576- Coastal Commission - 831 427-4877- City of San Jose - 408 535-7803- County of Santa Clara - 408 615-2200"Do I have Sudden Oak Death?"
- Probably not unless you're oozing. But your oak trees may have it. Our Certified Arborists have been certified to identify Sudden Oak Death (SOD). Call us at 831 462-8233. This can be a tricky one because there are certain precautions you must take (watch out for wood chips).
"What is Class I pruning?"
- Class I is an older arborist term that commonly refers to two types of pruning in particular. Nature First utilizes all the types listed below.
- Crown Cleaning which includes the selective removal of dead, dying, diseased, crowded, weakly- attached and low-vigor branches and water sprouts from a tree crown, and
- Crown Thinning which includes the above-noted Crown Cleaning as well as selective removal of branches to increase light penetration and air movement into the crown. Thinning reduces the wind-
sail effect of the crown and the weight of heavy limbs. It also emphasizes structural beauty.
- There are three other pruning types used by Nature First:- Crown Reduction which reduces the height and/or spread of a tree. Thinning cuts are most effective in maintaining the structural integrity and natural form of a tree.
- Crown Restoration which improves the structure and appearance of trees that have been topped or severely pruned. Proper Crown Restoration may require several prunings.
- Crown Raising which removes the lower branches of a tree to provide clearance for buildings, vehicles, pedestrians and vistas.
"Why is my tree dying?"
- We'd need to look at it, of course, but the quick answer is excessive watering, disease, or improper pruning.
"How can you tell if my tree is healthy?"
- We look for things like insects, cankers, and fungus. We also check the root crown (which is at the base of the tree) for excessive soil.
"My tree is really messy. Is there a good tree that's not messy"
- Certain evergreen trees tend to fit well in the non-messy category. Click here for some sample pics.
Copyright 2009: Nature First Tree Care, Inc: Certified Arborist. All rights reserved.
Nature First Tree Care, Inc. 5738 Soquel Drive, Soquel, CA 95073 (831) 462-8233 (408) 370-1547 Toll-free (800) 257-8902
