Sometimes it seems they’re out to get us. The same trees that shade our homes, add value to our neighborhoods and freshen our air regularly wreak havoc on our lives. Storms bring them crashing down on houses and power lines. They cost small fortunes when they’re planted, trimmed and, eventually, cut down. When they’re healthy, they choke us with their pollen. We ignore trees at our peril. Here are some acorns of wisdom that might help to keep the relationship cordial.
A big branch snapped off in a storm. Do I need to hire someone to saw it
off cleanly?
Yes. A ragged break “matters incredibly,” says Chris Klimas, mid-Atlantic operations manager for Davey Tree. A clean break allows the plant to wall-off the wound. And a professional arborist can advise on whether other help is needed, such as installation of steel support cables, to save the tree.
If I hire someone to evaluate my trees, won’t they just sell me an expensive tree-removal job?
If you hire a guy with a chain saw who knocks on the door following a storm, sawing is about all you can expect. (“We call those butchers,” says Klimas of Davey Tree. “I am an arborist.”) A certified arborist is supposed to consult on ways to preserve trees — and to evaluate whether the effort is worthwhile given the health and value of the tree. Some communities have arborists on staff, or you can search for one through the American Society of Consulting Arborists at asca-consultants.org. Some arborists will do an initial consultation at no charge, or they may charge $100 to $150 per hour.
If a tree belonging to my homeowners association is a threat to my home, who has to take care of it?
Call your HOA immediately, says Debra H. Lewin, senior director of CAI Press, the publishing arm of the Community Associations Institute. “Most associations will recognize the potential liability and take action as soon as possible,” Lewin says. “The problem that arises, unfortunately, is defining ‘threat.’ Is the tree about to collapse on the roof? Or is it merely dropping all its leaves on the roof and causing additional expense for the homeowner who has to clean out the gutters frequently?”
How far away from the house
should I keep trees?
Casey Trees, a nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding the tree canopy over the District, says trees should be planted at least 10 feet from a building. Also, they should be three feet from sidewalks, driveways, patios or fences.
Sometimes big trees simply topple over. Is there a way to predict that?
Yes, says Mike Galvin, deputy director of Casey Trees. Make sure the “root plate” is flat, not tipping above the soil in any direction. You can also hold a carpenter’s level vertically beside the trunk to see if the tree is listing in any direction. Sustained periods of above-average rainfall can create the perfect conditions for such trees to fall.
Do I need to water trees?
A tree needs 25 gallons of water a week to grow and remain healthy, according to Casey Trees. You can get that from 11
/
2 inches of rainfall or by turning the hose on low for half an hour at the base of the tree. Starting May 1 through the summer months, Casey Trees publishes watering alerts based on local weather conditions on its Web site, caseytrees.org.
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