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This area contains questions and answers for many Almstead services. If you require further assistance please click here to contact us or call your local office (phone information click here). Our News Archive also contains many excellent articles of interest.
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Q: What is Plant Health Care?
A)The objective of Plant Health Care (PHC) is a health and preservation program for your property. A PHC program will promote vitality, value and beauty of your landscape and—in the case of trees—safety, using the most cost-effective and environmentally sensitive practices and treatments available. Almsteads PHC approach to tree and shrub preservation is tailored specifically to your landscape’s plant material. Plant Health Care involves monitoring, using preventative treatments, and adopting a strong commitment to working closely with you, the tree owner. | |
Q: What if it rains after an application to my trees?
A) Our materials need about 20-30 minutes to dry. Rain will not affect our sprays, as a special material is included that "glues" the spray to the leaf surfaces once it dries. If it rains immediately after an application, please give our office a call to make arrangements for another application at no charge. | |
Q: Can we go out right away after you spray?
A) Once the materials have dried, you may allow your pets and children to enter the area. | |
Q: How will my trees and shrubs benefit from PHC?
A)Because ornamental trees and shrubs can quickly succumb to problems, routine monitoring and timely treatments can protect your landscape investment and reduce expenses. A monitoring visit to your landscape might reveal:
• a hidden infestation of tent caterpillars that may soon defoliate the ornamental crabapples in your front yard
• a weakly attached branch that may fail and damage the house
• improperly pruned shrubs that are not flowering as abundantly as they should.
Your Almstead Arborist and trained PHC specialist can recommend treatments and changes in maintenance practices that can eliminate these problems while maximizing the safety and aesthetic quality of your landscape. | |
Q:When will my scheduled visits take place?
To find out approximate treatment dates please refer to the Almstead client data book, designed to answer questions you may have about chemicals and treatments. (page 4) If you do not have a data book, let your arborist know and one will be sent to you immediately. | |
Q: Do I have to be home when you do the work?
A) In most cases, no. We have to be able to get onto your property and bring in equipment if necessary. A detailed report is left outIining exactly what services were performed, current existing conditions, observations, recommendations, and potential hazards. If you would like to be present while work is being performed, we will try to accommodate your schedule. It is our goal to perform tree services safely and efficiently with a minimum of inconvenience to the client. | |
Q: How safe are your materials?
A) Our materials are legally registered by the EPA for application to trees and shrubs in urban areas. The active ingredients in most of our materials are available to consumers at retail outlets. Highly trained technicians who are licensed by the state apply them. Our technicians receive continuous training on safety and plant health care issues to provide you with professionally qualified arborists caring for your trees. | |
Q: How do I cancel my contract?
A)All cancellations of service (s) must be submitted in writing at least 24 hours in advance of application. |
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Q: When will my stump be ground? As soon as the tree is removed?
No. These are two separate jobs requiring two separate crews and types of equipment. These jobs will be done on separate days.
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Q: How will you fertilize my trees and shrubs and what should I expect afterwards?
A) We use several methods to fertilize trees and shrubs. These include, Injection of a liquid fertilizer solution into the soil and root zone of the trees. Drilling of holes into the soil that is then filled with fertilizer and Injecting fertilizers into the trunk of the tree.
Your Arborist has prescribed the best means of fertilizing your trees and shrubs. If your trees are in a turf area, you may see dark green tufts of fast growing grass in the areas under and around the trees. This is caused when grass roots take in a bit of the fertilizer. The green "dots" usually disappear after a good rain and as the grass continues to grow. | |
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Q: Forest trees seem to grow so well in crowded conditions without any treatments at all. Why do my trees need to be fertilized to promote healthy growth?
Forest trees to a certain extent fertilize themselves by annually shedding leaves which decay and then enrich the soil. In urban and suburban neighbor hoods, cement prevents the leaves from fertilizing the soil or they are raked up before they have a chance to do so. Often, in modern neighborhoods construction causes adverse conditions for plant growth. Top soil is completely removed and not replaced, heavy machinery compacts fertile soil creating stressful conditions, and trees compete with grass and other plants for nutrients. Fertilization is especially important to promote health growth for landscapes in our modern day neighborhoods. | |
Q:What is mulching?
A)Mulching is one of the simplest, least expensive and most effective things you can do for your trees. Mulches are materials placed over the soil surface to maintain moisture. Mulching is extremely beneficial to trees. It can reduce water loss from soil, minimize weed competition, and improve soil structure. Properly applied, mulch gives landscapes a health dose of benefits for your trees. |
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Q:What is pruning a tree?
A)Pruning is the cutting or removing branches or parts of trees or for improving the shape or growth of trees. This is the most common tree maintenance procedure. Usually, trees are pruned preventative or as a corrective measure to remove dead branches, crowded or rubbing limbs, eliminate hazards, and increase light and air penetration. Since each cut to a tree has the potential to change the growth, it is important to educate yourself, considering no branch should be removed without any reason. | |
Q: After pruning, will the cuts be treated with anything?
A) Current research shows that it is not beneficial to treat pruning wounds with any materials. Proper pruning cuts made by our arborists will seal naturally and treatments on the wounds may actually slow this process. If certain species of oaks or elms are being pruned during the growing season, it may be necessary to treat the larger wounds to help minimize the risk of disease infection. | |
Q:Why do we prune trees?
A)Common reasons for pruning include removing dead branches, removing crowded or rubbing limbs, and eliminating hazards. Done properly, with an understanding of tree biology, pruning can maintain good tree health and structure. It can also enhance the beauty and economic value of our landscapes.
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Q:When is the best time to prune?
A)Most routine pruning to remove weak, diseased or dead limbs can be done any time during the year. Some trees, such as maples and birches, tend to "bleed" if pruned early in the spring. While this may be unsightly, it does not hurt the tree.
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Q:What is the difference between an arborist and a certified arborist?
A)Arborists are trained professionals that are knowledgeable and equipped to provide proper tree care. They are specially trained to provide a variety to services to maintain trees. ISA Certified Arborists are individuals who have achieved a level of knowledge in the art and science of tree care through at least three years of experience and have passed a comprehensive examination. They are also required to continue their education in order to maintain their certification, ensuring their knowledge is updated on the latest arboriculture techniques. Certification provides a measurable assessment of an individual’s knowledge and competence required to provide proper tree care. All Almstead Arborists are ISA Certified Arborists. |
Copyright © 2002, Almstead Tree & Shrub Care Company. Website developed and maintained by DLFwebgroup
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