Palm Tree Care

One of the many types of trees that we care for in the Bay Area are palm trees.  We have been doing quite a bit of palm tree care and pruning and it is important to know a few things about Palm trees and how to best care for them.

It is important that Palm trees be pruned and cleaned.  Palms trees need to be pruned in a specific way in order to maintain their shape.  In some cases, incorrect pruning of a Palm tree could cause severe damage or even death.  This is why it is so important that a professional tree company prune your palm trees.  Pruning palm trees is done mostly to remove dead or dying fronds, and any flower or fruit stalks.

Another important aspect of palm tree pruning is the height!  We have a bucket truck for this exact purpose!  It is highly important that Palm trees trunks are not damaged, which is why using a bucket truck is the right tool for this job.  You wouldn’t hire an electrician to do the plumbing at your house, so why hire an inexperienced tree company to care for your beautiful palm trees.

Here is a great article about the proper care and pruning for your palm trees for Trees Are Good!

Having the right equipment and the right training so important when caring for the beautiful palm trees that grace our bay area landscape.  If you own a palm tree, give us a call and let us come and care for your palm tree today!

PEST ALERT!

We recently had to remove this beautiful Coast Oak due to a recently discovered pest disease.  It was determined to have Foamy Bark Canker Disease which is starting to threaten California’s Coast Live Oaks.  You can read more about Foamy Bark Canker Disease here.  This killer disease appears to be spreading from Southern California up towards the Bay Area.  

If you notice any of the following signs on your Coast Live Oaks, calls us immediately:

• any foamy looking sap seeping from the bark
• peeling bark
• reddish colored sap

Unfortunately, as of now, there is no current cure. But there are things that we can do today that will help slow the spread to any other trees you may have on your property.  We recommend:

• fertilizing
• mulching
• preventative pruning

Once we are able to diagnose what the disease or pest is we can put together a plan.  Because Foamy Bark Canker Disease is new, it is important that a certified arborist take a look at any trees you may be concerned about.

Trees are quite complex things and there are any number of pests and disease that might be affecting one tree.  Some trees attract pests and get certain types of diseases that other trees don’t have a problem with.  The Western Bark Beetle which seems to be a cause of the Foamy Bark Canker Disease, is one of several types of beetles that can infest trees.  However, it is only under the care of a highly trained arborist that trees can be correctly diagnosed and a proper treatment plan be put into place.

Much like humans, trees can be treated with different types of sprays and injections.  There are also sprays that act like a protective measure that need to be repeated yearly in order to stay active within the tress roots system.  We also make sure any removal is done as a measure of last resort.  If there is a way to treat a treat, to bring it back to life or help rid the tree of pests, we do our best to go that route.  Trees are such a vital part of our environment that any removal can be seen as detrimental.  With all the benefits that trees give us, it is in all of our best interests that trees are kept healthy.

As always, call our office to schedule your free estimate so that we can diagnose any pest or disease issues you are convened about.

The importance of education…

When you call our office to schedule an estimate, we generally ask you what you would like to have looked at so that our estimator has an idea when he visits your property.  More often than not, the estimator will take a look at the trees, let you know what needs to be done and then writes you an estimate with the work to be performed and then the cost.  Our team of estimators are certified arborists so you can be sure that they are qualified and knowledgeable about the best way to care for your trees.  One of their goals while meeting with you is to help educate you on the best way to care for your trees.  Things such as best pruning practices, tree health care and when a tree needs to be removed are all things that we hope to help you understand.

There are times however, when a customer will ask to have something done to a tree that could potentially harm the tree and in some cases kill the tree.  Things such as “topping” or cutting off other large sections of a tree for a multitude of reasons.  It could be that you would like a better view and the trees are in the way, or it could be because the tree just doesn’t look right.  A customer may feel it’s a safety issue, where they feel the tree It is a danger and massively pruning a tree is the only way to make at these times where education becomes very important.  “Topping” a tree is a very dangerous practice and ultimately can kill a tree.  (Read more about tree topping here:  Why Topping Hurts Trees.) It could also be a costly mistake over time as the price of removing a tree that has died as a result of topping, is much higher than a pruning job.  Sometimes an understanding can be reached between you and the estimator that will result in a better solution for everyone.  We hope that it leaves you better educated and more confident that Econo Tree Service is the best company for you.

One other important point is that Econo Tree Service will never sacrifice our integrity as a professional tree service company.  While it is very important that we hear and understand your needs and wants as a homeowner, it is also very important to us that we do professional quality work that we feel good about at the end of the day.  This means that we will not engage in any unsafe practices.  Our number one goal is customer satisfaction!  Hearing your needs and balancing them with the best care for your trees might be a bit tricky.  However, we hope that we can create a win-win situation leaving you feeling good about our service and us feeling good that we have made a customer for life.

Insurance?!  Why it’s important…

Tree work is dangerous business.  There’s chainsaw, chippers, tree climbing, so many things that our business requires.  There’s also protecting your property, your trees and your peace of mind.  That’s why it is so important that any professional tree company carry insurance.  There are two types of insurance a tree company should carry:

Workers Compensation Insurance – this protects our workers in case of an accident.  Of course we maintain the highest standards of safety, however there are the rare occasions where a tree worker might be injured.  This is the most expensive, but most important type of insurance.  This protects you the homeowner in the case of an injury.  In the event of any accident, of course the tree company would be responsibly, but if they are not a professional and reputable company and do not carry insurance, you the homeowner might be held responsible.

General Liability – This protects your property while we are working on your trees.  It would pay for any damage that may occur.  For instance if we were to break a window, or a tree were to fall on your property, general liability insurance is essential for any professional tree company to carry.

Automobile Coverage – This covers all of our trucks while they are out in the field.  This is important if there is a collision with one of our trucks and another driver.  As with our tree work, our drivers are all property licensed and trained in road safety.

BEWARE!!  There are tree companies out there that claim to have the proper insurance!  Just because they say they do on a card or even in print, there is  no guarantee that they do.  It is OK to ask to see proof of insurance.  If they become offended that you are asking, changes are they do not have the proper coverage!  Please ask to see a copy of our insurance.  Here is a copy of our Updated Insurance.  You may also ask to see a copy while our workers are on the job, from our Arborists or the office and we will be more than happy to email you a copy of our insurance.

Insurance not only covers us but it protects you too.  Don’t let some fly-by-night company do any tree work on your property until you see their insurance.  This will give you the peace of mind to cover both you and your property!

Questions we get asked…

Often times we get calls asking for a quote to do tree work over the phone.  As much as we’d like to help you, the bottom line is that we can’t.  There are so many factors that go into estimating tree work that is is impossible to give you a price.  Location of the tree, type of tree and size of tree are many of the factors that go into giving an estimate for tree work.  In some cases, a tree would need a specific way to be pruned or needs to be removed in a safe manner that we would not be able to tell over the phone.  There may also be issues regarding the health of the tree.  In these cases, it’s very important that a certified arborist take a look at the tree to diagnose what the problem may be and what the best course of action is.

Another call we get is asking what might be ailing your tree.  This is also something we may not be able to diagnose over the phone.  It’s similar to when you go to the mechanic and attempt to recreate the sound you car is making using only .  Rarely, have I been able to make the exact sound the car is making no matter how many times I’ve tried.  The mechanic needs to be able to actually take a look at the car to be able to tell you what needs to be fixed. Diagnosing the health of the tree is quite similar.  There are so many types of diseases or pests that could cause a tree to fall ill, that a certified arborist would need to actually see the tree.

What we’re trying to tell you is to schedule an appointment.  If it’s an appointment to meet with the arborist, or if it’s an appointment for the arborist to drive by to take a look, it’s important to be able to see the tree in person.  Call our office today to schedule an appointment, that way you are sure to get a a correct quote with the exact work you trees need to stay healthy and beautiful!

Meet our newest Office queen!

We are excited to announce a new addition to our office, Charlotte!  Charlotte comes to us from the legal world and brings with her extensive knowledge and outstanding customer service.  From the moment she sat down she has taken charge of scheduling your estimates and tree work.  If there is something she doesn’t know, she finds out right away and gets right back to you.  She is ready to jump it at any moment and goes above and beyond to make sure you get the best customer service that you have come to expect from Econo Tree Service.  Since coming on board, she has received numerous raves and even a yummy fruit basket to thank her for her work.  We are so happy that Charlotte is a part of our staff.  When she is not helping out all of our customers, she is at home with her dog Angel, who even visits the office.  When you call the office,

Why choose an arborist?

We often get asked if we have an arborist on our team here at Econo Tree Service.  The good news is we do!  Arborist are certified through the International Society of Arboriculture and have to go through several hours of training and certification in order to receive this certificate.  Arborist are in the know on cutting edge techniques, and keep appraised of the latest in all things trees.  We have seen many tree companies that do not employ arborist, and their knowledge is not as superior as those who have been certified.

Other duties of arborists are reporting writing and plant health care diagnosis.  If you are doing any construction on your property, you will be required to submit an Arborist Report.  These are comprehensive reports that outline how trees are to be protected during any construction, and what measures are to be taken before, during and after construction.  Often cities require pictures, maps and plans that show the trees affected and any other tree work that must take place before construction happens.

Some cities also require arborist letters when pruning or removing trees on private property.  This ensure that tress are not removed for unnecessary reasons.  An arborist must identify and give reasons why trees should be pruned or removed.  All of the cities on the peninsula require permits which must be filled out by a certified arborist.  These are not as detailed as arborist reports but are essential with any tree removals in our area.  If you are not certain about tree removal permits, arborist letters or reports, call our office and we will be happy to speak with you regarding your project.

Should you water your trees?

As California faces another year of drought, it becomes important to know what the best course of action is to care for your trees.  As with all plants, it is important to know what the best way to hydrate your tree is.  Some trees do well with light watering, while other trees need to be watered occasionally.  Many of the trees in our area need to be watered once a month.

Those trees are:

• Chinese Pistache
• Crape Myrtle
• Deodar Cedar
• Hackberry

These trees should be watered twice per month:

• Flowering Pears
• Incense Cedars
• London Plane trees
• Stone Fruits (Apricot, Cherry, Peach, Plum, Nectarine

These trees should be watered 3 times a month:

• Coast Redwoods
• Birch

One of the other important things to note about watering trees is that they should be watered around the canopy and not directly on the trunk.  Sprinklers, drip lines or a hose can be used effectively to water the trees.  Be extra careful not to over water your trees!  Watering should be be done deeply rather than regularly.

Another important aspect of summer tree care is fertilization. Now is the right time to fertilize as they will get the nutrients they need to stay healthy during the warm summer months.  This is a subsoil injection that goes directly to the roots of your trees to ensure the maximum results. Fertilizing your trees along with watering them will go a long way to ensuring your trees are at their best!!

Call us today so that we can get your trees fertilized for the summer months!  If in doubt, call for a free estimate and a certified arborist will help you decided the best way to care for your trees.

Last week we received a call for an emergency tree removal in Redwood City. We sent our arborist to the site and upon closer inspection it was determined that the tree was in danger of failing at anytime, which could cause severe property damage and potential harm to nearby residents. There was a major crack in the trunk of the tree and the trunk was found to be hollow, making the tree a major hazard and a candidate for immediate removal. Luckily, we were able to remove the tree 48 hours after the initial inspection. Redwood City issued an emergency permit, and we were able to take the tree down safely.

Check out this video that was taken on site during one of the larger branch removals.

Without the use of our crane, this removal would have been more difficult and more costly.  With our crane we are able to remove larger pieces of the tree making the removal efficient and safe.
As you can see, the tree was massive and required delicate work in order to keep the area safe for the workers and nearby residents.

During the removal process, a family of raccoons was found.  Aren’t these guys super cute!  The mom came back and moved each one to a safer location.  Safety is one of our top priorities, even for these little guys.

At the end of the day, the tree was safely removed and the property was cleaned up.  We make sure to leave the property better than we got there.  This job is just one example of the many ways Econo Tree Service goes above and beyond our customers expectations.

Don’t take our word for it though.  Here is a recent review that the homeowner for this removal posted on Yelp!

“Econo Tree Service really came through for us. We had a diseased Valley Oak. It was a very large tree with branches hanging over a house. They came out, estimated the job, giving us a good price. We proceeded with the job. Due to an emergency with the tree, the trunk was splitting, they were able to remove the tree 2 days after the estimate. Thus saving the house from possible damage. A family of raccoons were found in the tree, they are all safe & were not hurt by the tree removal. I watched some of the tree being cut down & it was a very professional system to remove the tree. Thank you Econo for great service. Especially Charlotte who moved mountains to get this job done. She was in contact with me through the whole removal.”

Our new office supergal Charlotte consistently goes above and beyond for each customer to ensure that each need, question or concern is met every step of the way.  When you call our office, more than likely you will be speaking with her.  Make sure to say hi when you give us a call.

No matter how big or small, Econo Tree Service will do it all.  Call our office today to get Econo Tree Service working for you!

It is a beautiful time of year in our neck of the woods.  It seems we may have seen the last of the rain and the warmer weather is upon us.  Summer is slowly creeping up on us and after the Spring growth your trees are looking lush and green.  If you tree isn’t looking as beautiful as it can look, chances are it may be ill or possibly dead, or it may need a jump start to come back to life.  If you suspect your trees aren’t as healthy looking as they should be, there are a number of ways we can treat it before removal is an option.  Tree removal is a serious decision and should only be done  as a last resort.  For example, we have had great success reviving many ill trees by fertilizing the trees, or treating them with an eco-friendly mixture that can treat for pests and any other tree disease that may be harming the tree.

Here are a few ways to tell if you tree may be dying or dead:

• If the roots of the tree are beginning to push their way through the soil, and are looking damaged, the tree may need to be inspected for illness.
• If there is any fungus growing at the base of the trunk, it could be a sign of decaying roots.
• If you notice that the tree is leaning more than it used to, it could be a sign that the tree needs to be inspected.
• If the tree is missing more than 1/3rd of the canopy or looks damaged, it needs to be inspected.
• In warmer seasons, dead limbs have no leaves or are limp.  In this case, the branches may be dead are in danger of falling.

Over the past few weeks, we have received

quite a few phone calls from our customers who have had large limbs fall from trees, or even the trunks of trees cracking and toppling over.  Thankfully, there was no major property damage, however in the past we have seen trees cause pretty significant damage.  If you notice any of the above signs of sick trees, give us a call today and we will inspect your trees for any signs of potential hazards and overall health.

Why you should hire an arborist:

We have seen quite a few fly-by-night tree companies come and damage trees in our area.  While we appreciate that they may have come and given a lower bid, it doesn’t necessarily mean that their work will live up to their promises.  One important question you might ask the next time you are receiving estimates for tree work is if they are a licensed Arborist.

An Arborist is licensed through the International Society of Arboriculture.  To earn the certified Arborist credential, you must be trained and knowledgeable in all aspects of Arboriculture.  Every three years an Arborist must either take classes that earn them educational credits or they must retake the certification exam and successfully pass.  This process ensures that the Arborist is up to date on all of the latest technology and information that can be quite useful to homeowners.

To check if a tree company has a certified Arborist, you can visit:

International Society of Arboriculture They have resources for Homeowners that can be useful when researching for your next tree work.

Our Arborist, Henry Kramer is a ISA licensed Arborist.  He has extensive knowledge is all aspects of tree care.  He can provide Arborist Letters which are often needed for the permit process in some locations, and Arborist Reports for large scale work.