Harnett County Center
LESSONS ABOUT TREES, 08/28/98
As I write this on Wednesday morning, Hurricane Bonnie is hours away from making landfall on the North Carolina coast. If any of the memories from Hurricane Fran had started to fade, I'm sure they have become crystal clear as we are faced with another awesome storm.
Undoubtedly, your memories of September 1996 include indelible images of trees: in the road, on houses, across powerlines, and uprooted rootballs. We can use those memories to learn some valuable lessons about trees in the home landscape.
TREE SIZE
In the nursery, that eight foot tree may look like the perfect addition to your yard. But have you considered the full grown size? Look for this information on the plant label, or call my office and we can find out for you.
Take this information into account when you're ready to dig the planting hole. If the tree will grow to fifty or eighty feet, how close should it be placed to the house or powerlines? Do you really have room for such a large tree in the landscape?
These days, many residential lots are quite small. Fortunately, there are many trees which grow to only twenty or thirty feet with striking ornamental qualities, such as attractive foliage, bark, flowers, or berries. Call my office for a list of possibilities. HAZARDOUS TREES
Do you have any tree hazards on your property? Look for dead limbs, leaning trees, rotted trunks, and large fungi growing out of the trunk.
Also consider where the tree is located. A leaning tree is not a hazard if it is growing in the middle of the forest. The same tree might be a significant hazard if it is near the driveway, house, or child's play area.
Keep in mind, however, that a complete hazard tree evaluation can only be accomplished by a "certified arborist." This is a designation provided to tree professionals by the International Society of Arboriculture.
EVALUATING TREE DAMAGE
Trees in the landscape have a concrete ecomonic value. A wooded lot is considered a real asset in the world of real estate. Thus, when you lose a tree, you have suffered a loss.
When this occurs, there may be a possibility of obtaining some relief on your income taxes. The rules are complicated, and professional advice from a certified arborist and your tax advisor is a must.
HIRING OUT TREE WORK
Sometimes it is necessary to hire someone to do major tree work. Particularly when the removal of large limbs or entire trees is required, it is wise to leave this to the professionals.
I recommend the following procedures when hiring someone for tree work. Ask neighbors and friends for recommendations. Try to get two or three estimates for the work. Check references of the person you decide to hire. Make absolutely sure that they are bonded and insured. VERIFY that they are insured by calling their insurance company. Again, certification from the International Society of Arboriculture is a plus.
Back to Plant Talk Index
