Advice Archives - Woodpecker Tree Care Ltd.

Common Tree Planting Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Tree care starts from the very beginning. When trees are young, everything from the shape of the nursery pot to the hole it’s planted in is extremely important. The conditions in which a sapling is kept and planted inform how the tree will grow throughout its whole life. Much like raising a child, it is easier to influence a tree’s “behaviour” when it’s young rather than wait until a problem arises decades down the line. That’s why it pays to consult an expert when choosing and planting young trees. It can reduce the chances of future issues, such as tree failure, which can in turn save you from heartbreak and unanticipated expenses.

Rory stands with his hands on his hips. He is looking at a mountain ash sapling staked in the ground.

Power Dynamics: How We Handle High Voltage

The first rule of Woodpecker Tree Care is that safety is always the number one priority. This applies to everything we do, from loading gear to felling 60 foot spruces. Something that can be a hazard for a climbing arborist is high voltage lines, which trees can interfere with. Here is how we handle power lines while on the job, and the steps you may encounter if your tree is near high voltage lines.

Woodshed Wonder 05: Hook, Line, or Neither?

It’s not unusual to see laundry hanging from a line strung from a tree trunk. Your linens love it, and so does the environment, but how do trees feel about a laundry line? It depends on how it’s attached.

How to hire an arborist

Dr Ed Gilman has been a mentor to us, both through his books on structural pruning, and through seminars we’ve attended in Canada and the USA.

This excerpt from his book “An Illustrated Guide to Pruning Trees” covers some of the factors to consider when hiring an Arborist – a trained tree-care professional you can trust.

In addition to his work on structural pruning, his research on hurricane damage in trees and nursery methods for developing strong and stable roots, has been groundbreaking. Over the course of his career he’s managed to change the entire tree care industry in North America and around the world.

HOW TO HIRE AN ARBORIST
by Edward F. Gilman, University of Florida

Arborists make a career of caring for trees in urban and suburban landscapes. They work for companies commonly referred to as tree experts, tree services, tree care, arborists, tree specialists and others. Here are a few tips for selecting a company to work with your trees.