Frequently Asked Questions

It is important know, in advance what to expect, what methods will be used and what procedures will be followed. Some questions that may helpful are:read more =>

• Will the work be completed by a certified arborist?
• Will you climb spurless or with spurs?
• What equipment will be used to complete the job?
• If left, will the wood be left in rounds or split and stacked?
• What kind of damage if any is expected to my property? Can we lessen any expected damage?

A certified arborist is a specialist in the care of trees, shrubs, bushes, and vines.

To become an ISA Certified Arborist you must successfully complete The ISA Certification exam. This is an extensive examination that covers 10 areas of Arbour culture.

Once certified, an Arborist will hone his/her skills on one or more areas specific to Arbourculture.read more =>

A Landscaper with credentials is quite capable of pruning and maintaining smaller trees and shrubs.

An experienced Tree Service Company will have qualified staff to tackles all sizes of jobs and unlike a Landscaper, a Tree Service Company is insured for heights of over 16ft.

The heavy equipment used by Tree Service companies can be costly so there are times when it may be more cost effective to hire a Landscaper rather than a Tree Service Company.

This is a difficult question to generalize about.

Scheduling for tree pruning is not simply species specific. Pruning for view, esthetics or for health often changes the way pruning is approached.

We strongly recommend that you consult with a Certified Arborist before doing any pruning but, typically, in the mild climate of the west coast, you can prune most conifers anytime.

You should refrain from pruning when the trees are starting to flower or starting to show their leaves (leaf flush.)

Yes – A tree will be healthier and maintain better shape if regular maintenance is performed.

Hedges will stand up better in snow loads and look better without taking over a yard.

To see a list of topics on this site related to pruning
⇒ View a list of topics related to Pruning.

The same principles that apply to trees apply to hedges.

There is no “correct answer” to this question as each situation may be very different and dependent on what it is you are trying to achieve. Again, we strongly recommend that you consult with a Certified Arborist.

Generally speaking, because of the dormancy of the winter months, doing your hedges in the fall allows you the most time between cuttings.read more =>

Factors taken into consideration when deciding if transplanting is feasible or not include:

• season
• tree health
• tree size
• original and destination environmental conditions

An explanation of how each of these factors is taken into consideration is given below.read more =>

The nurseries won’t dig their trees when it is too wet or too dry so it depends on the weather, but traditionally spring and fall are the favored times to plant.

You can view a list of all related topics on this site by
⇒ Show topics related to Planting Trees

Green chips from the chippers can used for many applications in your garden.

Chips from stump grinding above grade are good clean chips that can easily be spread around the garden.

Chips from below grade are mixed with soil. A layer of organic mulch can be very beneficial to the garden.

For a list of articles on this site related to Stump Grinding see
⇒ Articles related to Stump Grinding grinding

The tires on the stump grinder are rubber, enabling the machine to go on your lawn without damaging it.

If the lawn is wet we can put down plywood to reduce the amount of impact.

For a list of articles on our site related to Stump Grinding see
=>Articles related to Stump Grinding grinding

Installing a “root barrier” is an extremely effective way to keep roots from spreading into unwanted areas.

A plastic barrier is installed underground to prevent the roots from spreading in a particular direction.

Depending on the species, trees can be pruned to manage their size.

For a list of articles on our site related to Tree Trimming see
⇒ Articles related to Tree Trimming trimming

Initially no, but as it grows it can girdle and deform the trunk and limbs.

The ivy can grow thick and mask any defects in the tree. It can also add immense canopy weight which can lead to tree and limb failures.

Here's a link to more info:
⇒ Arbor Ecology Ltd. – Ivy, friend or foe?

Cabling and bracing is a method by which a cable system is installed in the trees canopy to help prevent a failure of a large section of the tree.

It is usually used where there is a visible defect in a tree that is considered valuable and needs to be retained.

Cable systems are not a “guarantee that the tree is safe” and they do require regular inspections and maintenance.

For a list of articles on this site related to Cabling and Bracing see
⇒ Articles related to Cabling and Bracing

Yes. Most stumps are ground down to from 8" to 10" below grade but it is possible to remove deeper roots by modifying the grade around the stump.

We can discuss any specific challenges to working on the trees at your property, but generally NO, we will not damage your property while working on your trees.

We can use cranes to remove or trim trees; lifting the debris out to the road.

Wood and branches can be lowered by use of ropes and plywood can be put on lawns and sides of houses and plants to help protect the area and reduce the risk of any damage.

Disclaimer: If discussed prior to the job.

Depending on where your property is located you may need a permit to perform tree work on your property. More information is available at your municipality's website.

• District of West Vancouver http://westvancouver.ca/Level3.aspx?…
• District of North Vancouver http://www.dnv.org/article.asp?c=87
• City of North Vancouver http://www.cnv.org/…y%202003.pdf
• City of Vancouver http://vancouver.ca/…treeidxj.htm

If you have any additional questions, an Arborist can advise you before commencing any work.

If you are unsure if the tree is on your property, we recommend you consult with an Arborist before proceeding with any tree work. You can also view your property lines through your local municipality's online GIS maps.