A Voice for Trees...Your Partner in Tree Care

SERVICES

PRUNING

Pruning is an integral part of our tree care process. When tree and shrub pruning is properly performed, a variety of benefits are derived. Benefits include reduced risk of stem and branch breakage, improved health and appearance, view enhancement. All our pruning is in accordance to arboricultural practices as standardize by the American National Standards Institute (A300).

Pruning Objectives

There are seven standardized objectives for pruning procedures. Our arborists will find the best approach for both the tree and your objectives.
Our first priority is to establish clearly defined objectives between you, the tree owner, and the care appropriate for your tree. This means that pruning objectives will be determined by the tree species and its response to the pruning procedure.

• Reduce risk of failure
• Provide clearance
• Reduce shade and wind resistance
• Maintain health
• Influence flower or fruit production
• Improve a view
• Improve aesthetics

Pruning to Clean

Cleaning is the selective removal of dead, diseased, detached, crack and broken branches. This is specified in a diameter range, for example, “Prune to clean tree of dead branches larger than one inch in diameter.” Cleaning a tree of this material help to reduce disease and reduce risk of branch breakage.

Pruning to Thin

Thinning is the selective removal of small live branches to reduce the density of the crown or canopy of the tree. Often used as a procedure to increase sunlight penetration and air circulation. The tree remains unaffected in size and shape but provides and even distribution of foliage in the tree.

Pruning to Raise

Raising a tree’s crown usually consists of thinning or selectively removing lower branches that may be in conflict with vehicle and pedestrian clearance. Some local cities require that there be a certain amount of clearance above the street and sidewalk. Low branches may interfere with the eve of a roof or gutter.

Structural Pruning

Structural pruning is the removal of branches to influence the way a tree may grow. This procedure is mostly used on young and medium aged tress. This pruning accomplishes spacing selective branches for development and/or to reduce defects by subordinating or thinning co-dominant stems to select a more structurally sound growth pattern. Structural pruning, in essence, is training the tree to promote a stable trunk with sound branch attachment.

Two other alternate methods of pruning we use are:

Reduction Pruning

Reduction pruning is usually done to reduce risk of stem failure or the spread of a tree especially if there is a wound or defect present.
For example a tree that has grown too close to a building will need its stems or branches reduced in length; or reduce the height of a stem with know defects to limit its risk of breakage. ( Now, just because there is a wound doesn’t mean the tree needs to be removed. Please have your trees assessed. )

Pruning to Restore

Regretfully trees get damaged, whether it be by storm, topping and improper pruning or vandalism. Restoration allows the tree to regrow needed branches and those branches are trained to recreate a near original growth habit.

Timing of Pruning

Pruning dead, diseased or damaged branches can be done at any time. Pruning live branches depends on the objective and desired results. If we prune in the dormant season we lessen the chance of spreading certain tree diseases and limit pest problems. The tree also has the most amount of growing time come spring to close, or compartmentalize, pruning wounds.
If pruning is accomplished in the spring, or just after the initial flush of growth overall plant growth can be reduced. However, trees use a lot of resources to grow in the spring and pruning should be carefully administered.
Trees and shrubs that flower can be optimized with the correct time of pruning. Prune trees that flower on current seasons growth in the winter before they flower.
Trees that flower on one year old wood should be pruned just after flowering (cherry and crab apples for example).

TREE REMOVAL

Trees have a life span. After all they are organisms too and they will succumb to decline and mortality.

Before we commit to removing a tree let’s take a look at the tree and asses its condition. We offer Tree Disease Diagnosis and Tree Risk Assessment

• Does your Dogwood have a burnt looking leaf?
• What is this sticky shiny stuff on my Linden leaves?
• Has your Cedar turned orange?
• Are there funny looking mushrooms growing at the base of your Maple?
• Has there been construction near your tree’s roots?
• Why is my tree leaning?

Give us a call and we’ll do our best to assess situations like this. We feel its always best to get ahead of a situation that may cause tree stress or structural problems. Our visual assessments are free of charge to you.

It isn’t easy to remove a tree, especially a tree that we have grown fond of.

Tree removal may involve a diseased or damaged tree. It may be that there isn’t a method of pruning that will reduce the risk of defective tree structure.

It’s also true that trees get planted in the wrong location. We do believe in “the right tree in the right place” idea. It will only become problematic having a Giant Sequoia or any other large tree a couple of feet from the foundation of a home.

Tree removal is a skill that requires an accurate knowledge of tree anatomy, rigging equipment and the forces involved in while dismantling wood and branches.

If you need a tree removed, we have the skill to dismantle it safely and protect your property.

Permits for Tree Removal

Be sure to see if your city requires a permit. Here’s a few links:

Portland
www.portlandonline.com/parks/index.cfm?c=38294

West Linn
westlinnoregon.gov/parksrec/tree-ordinance

Lake Oswego (PDF)
www.ci.oswego.or.us/Plan/Trees/TREE%20REMOVAL.pdf

Beaverton
www.beavertonoregon.gov/departments/publicworks/opsmaintenance/treeremoval.aspx

PLANT HEALTH CARE

Our Plant Health Care program takes a holistic approach to evaluating and keeping all your trees and shrubs healthy and attractive. Our aim is healthy trees and shrubs using natural remedies with chemicals as a last resort.

A tree or shrub is only as good as the soil its roots grow in and the environment in which it lives. Many factors affect plants but they are generally grouped into Abiotic or Biotic disorders.
An abiotic disorder for a plant is simply nonliving, like drought, over watering, or herbicide damage.
A biotic disorder is something living that is affecting the plant, like a tissue bacteria or root fungus.

We start with an inventory of the key trees and shrubs in your landscape and their key pests and key stresses, if present. Keep in mind that some plant stress may not be fully detrimental to the plant. It just may look unsightly yet be a condition that the tree will survive.

Our diagnostic process may require a soil sample to determine if we need fertilization; soil aeration or mulching. It may mean setting traps to determine pest population. We then determine action thresholds which helps us decide when and if we will recommend treatment. The action thresholds will be based on the species of tree or shrub and the damaged being caused. Treatment may mean we need to alter an irrigation cycle, remedy soil problems, or we may need to implement an insect control program.

Your landscape trees and shrubs are a valuable component to your property. Please take care of what you have by allowing us to creating a plan to keep them healthy and attractive.

Matthews Tree Care • Office: 503.473.6067 • Mobile: 503.473.5899

PO Box 5219 Beaverton OR 97006