All work conforms to or exceeds the current ANSI A300 Standards for Tree Care Operations.

Pricing – There are two ways we go about pricing jobs

1. An estimate, which includes: Total cost of treatment to trees, elimination of all debris (except stump-grindings) and a thorough cleanup. Wood appropriate for burning can be cut into fireplace lengths or removed. This cost is fixed and will not change unless the job changes in scope.

2. Or an hourly/daily rate. We charge by the hour to do the tree work. This allows the client to prioritize which trees need the most work. Works best for our clients with larger properties or those with a lot of trees.

For do-it-yourselfers we offer lower pricing with the “cut and leave option”. Why not hire us for our knowledge and skill of pruning and removing trees. We then leave the disposal of the brush to you.

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Tree pruning

The purpose of tree pruning is to improve the structure, aesthetics, and sometimes the health of trees.

• Reducing the weight on heavy limbs  (This is often the most important treatment we can do for trees)
• Removal of dead, dying, and diseased limbs
• Clearance pruning of structures, streets, and sidewalks
• Mistletoe removal
• Tree shaping and bush hedging
• Hazard tree abatement
• Pruning over-mature trees to simulate tree retrenchment

A special note on pruning – in most instances, a correctly pruned tree should not appear to have been pruned to the casual on-looker.  All too often trees are over-pruned by inexperienced tree workers.

The effects of over-pruned trees can be the following:

• Unwanted, excessive re-growth of foliage
• Disfigured-looking trees
• Limbs can become more prone to failure
• More money spent in the near future for corrective pruning or tree removal

Health – Improved by eliminating diseased and unwanted plant parts, and it stimulates the growth of new tissues.

Structure – Eliminates limbs that may be crossing or rubbing other limbs and reduces weight on limbs that may be subject to failure due to excessive weight.

Aesthetics – Removal of dead limbs that are unattractive and shaping of the tree so that it is more eye pleasing.

Clearance pruning – Creating space between trees and structures, driveways, streets, sidewalks and other trees.

Hazard reduction – Removing tree parts that are at risk of failure that could cause damage to people or property.

Mistletoe removal – Mistletoe is a parasite that diminishes the trees health and potentially weakens the tree tissue it infects.

Tree Removal

• Tree removals are necessary for dead, dying, and diseased trees, hazardous trees, trees planted in the wrong location or trees that are unwanted.
• Trees are removed safely in all types of locations: over houses, patios, decks, pools and equipment, and sensitive landscaping.
• Estimates for removals are usually divided into:
• Removing tree to ground with disposal of all brush and cutting wood into fireplace length and a thorough cleanup. The wood is piled near the worksite.
• Removal of all wood
• Grinding of stump, if accessible by equipment

Stump Grinding

• Grind stumps of any size as long as they are accessible by our stump-grinders.
• Stumps will be ground thoroughly as deep as the machines will go (Most stumps are within top 8 inches of soil.)
• All visible surface roots will also be removed(if accessible)
• Stump grindings are not removed. It is more cost effective for our customers to hire out for the removal of the grindings and replacement with top soil. Or you can use grindings as mulch in the landscape or place in green waste containers for curbside pickup.
• Up A Tree Arborist Services is not responsible for sprinkler and pool pipes, electrical lines, etc. that are unseen or buried under or near the stump.
• If grass and/or trees are to be replanted where the stump previously was the grindings should be thoroughly removed and the hole refilled with topsoil.

Fertilization and Tree Health

Trees often need more than water and occasional pruning to remain healthy in most landscapes.   Trees are often planted in poor soils and need fertilization to help maintain  the health of their roots, stems, and leaves. Healthy trees will also have better defenses against pests. We can sample your soil so it can be tested by a lab to determine if you have good or poor nutrient availability . The soils analysis will give you a better understanding of  whether or not you need to add amendments to your soil.

Should your soil require additional nutrients we offer deep-root fertilization.  Please contact us if you are interested in having your soil tested or trees fertilized.

If your tree appears sick it may or may not be a nutrient deficiency.  There are also many insects, fungi, and bacteria that infect trees.  Please contact us for a consultation and we will see if there are any treatments available to improve its condition.

Tree Planting

Planting trees is an easy and effective way to beautify your property, provide shade in summer and wind protection in winter.

It is a common myth that anybody can plant a tree, but in reality trees have to be planted correctly or they will not thrive. Most people dig a hole way to deep which also encourages planting the tree to deep. The planting hole should be dug no deeper then the height of the rootball minus a couple inches and 3 times as wide as the rootball.  It is only backfill the hole with parent soil and to not amend it with other topsoils. Be sure to remove the nursery stake that comes with the tree and side-stake it to allow the tree movement in the wind.

We also recommend planting 5 gallon size container trees because they establish quicker and grow faster then larger trees. They are also less expensive and easier to plant. For example a 5 gallon and 15 gallon tree planted at the same time will on average be the same size in 3 years. After that, the 5 gallon tree will get larger faster then the 15 gallon tree.

There are many different species and varieties of trees available. Picking the right tree for the right spot is very important. For example, you do not want to put a tree that gets 50 feet tall right next to your house or under power-lines. When selecting a tree for a certain location be sure to understand how tall and wide that plant gets.  This will save you a lot of money and time in the future by not having to prune your trees as often, or having to take out the tree because it outgrew it’s space.

A good reference for a list of trees well suited for the Sacramento region can be found at the Sacramento Tree Foundation.

Trees to stay away from:  There are a number of trees that have been widely planted in the landscape that we would recommend people not plant.  They usually have more than one of the following problems: a higher probability of having poor structure, have weak wood compared to the weight they are supporting, their roots are damaging to hardscapes and lawns, they are weeds because their seeds germinate everywhere, and/ or they are prone to lethal insect attack.  Although there is no ‘perfect’ tree, you can simplify your landscape problems by not planting any trees on the following list.

• liquidamber
• chinese tallow
• chinese privot
• cottonwood
• pecan
• bradford pear
• evergreen pear
• silk tree or mimosa
• european white birch

If you already have some of these trees in your landscape, it may not be a bad idea to start thinking of a long-term plan of tree removal and replacement with less problematic trees. For example, it is best to remove the tree before it ruins your driveway, than have to remove the tree and replace your driveway.

Consulting

• Tree risk assessment
• Tree appraisal
• Realtors or homebuyers-get trees inspected/evaluated on a property before purchase
• Arborist consulting for diseased and stressed trees.
• Tree preservation prior to construction of structures and pools
• Tree inventory reports (also known as Arborist reports)
• Report for developers, homeowners, and business activities and/or status reports
• Consulting for people interested in best care for their trees