FAQ
What is a Certified Arborist?
Certified Arborists are tree care professionals that have achieved a level of knowledge in the art and science of tree care through experience and by passing a rigorous test developed by some of the nation’s leading experts on tree care. Certified Arborists must participate in continuous learning to maintain their credentials. Therefore, they are more likely to be up to date on the latest techniques in arboriculture. Certified Arborists also agree to adhere to an established Code of Ethics.
Becoming an ISA Certified Arborist is a voluntary process through which individuals can measure their knowledge and competence required to provide proper tree care. ISA Certification is not government-sponsored or government-endorsed; it is administered by the International Society of Arboriculture as a way for tree care professionals to demonstrate their commitment to the profession and the industry.
Why is it important to hiring a Certified Arborist?
An arborist, by definition, is an individual trained in the art and science of planting, caring for, and maintaining individual trees. Arborists are knowledgeable about the needs of trees and are trained and equipped to provide proper care. Hiring an arborist is a decision that should not be taken lightly.
Proper tree care is an investment that can lead to substantial returns. Well-cared-for trees are attractive and can add considerable value to your property. Poorly maintained trees can be a significant liability. Pruning or removing trees, especially large trees, can be dangerous work. Tree work should be done only by those trained and equipped to work safely in trees.
What is ANSI A300 and why is it important?
ANSI A300 standards are the generally accepted industry standards for tree care practices. They are voluntary industry consensus standards developed by Tree Care Industry Association and written by a committee called the Accredited Standards Committee (ASC) A300, whose mission is to develop consensus performance standards based on current research and sound practice for writing specifications to manage trees, shrubs, and other woody plants. More generally, the ANSI A300 standards, combined with the Best Management Practices companion guides are the industry accepted rule book for tree care activities. Use of the ANSI A300 standard for writing job specifications allows an “ apples to apples” comparison when getting quotes and will help you, the consumer to know exactly what you are getting for your money. Be wary if the person providing your estimate is unfamiliar with the A300 standard.
Why should I prune my tree?
Pruning is one of the most common tree maintenance tasks we perform. Although forest trees grow quite well on their own, urban trees require a higher level of care to maintain proper form and aesthetics. Pruning must be done with an understanding of how trees respond to the removal of limbs and branches. Because each cut has the potential to change the growth of the tree, no branch should be removed without a reason. Improper pruning can create lasting damage or even shorten the tree's life.
Common reasons for pruning are to remove dead branches, to improve form, and to reduce risk. Trees may also be pruned to increase light and air penetration to the inside of the tree’s crown or to the landscape below. In most cases, mature trees are pruned as corrective or preventive measures, as routine thinning does not necessarily improve the health of a tree.
Pruning Techniques
Specific types of pruning may be necessary to maintain a mature tree in a healthy, safe, and attractive condition.
• Cleaning is the removal of dead, dying, diseased, weakly attached, and low-vigor branches from the crown of a tree.
• Thinning is selective branch removal to improve structure and to increase light penetration and air movement through the crown. Proper thinning opens the foliage of a tree, reduces weight on heavy limbs, and helps retain the tree’s natural shape.
• Raising is the trimming of the lower branches from a tree to provide clearance for buildings, vehicles and people.
• Reduction reduces the size of a tree. Reduction differs from topping of trees in that the reduction of a trees’ height is accomplished by pruning back the leaders and branch terminals to secondary branches that are large enough to assume the terminal roles (at least one-third the diameter of the cut stem). This lowers the crown of the tree while maintain the form and structural integrity of the tree.
Pruning Young Trees
Pruning young trees is very important. Using structural pruning techniques while trees are small can nip problems in the bud. Early stage pruning can get your tree growing with strong form and less chance of defects developing. The result is a tree that is less prone to damage or failure and one that requires less maintenance saving you money over the life of the tree.
When is the best time to Prune my trees?
Most routine pruning to remove weak, diseased, or dead limbs can be accomplished at any time during the year with little effect on the tree. As a rule, growth and wound closure are maximized if pruning takes place before the spring growth flush.
A few tree diseases, such as Dutch Elm Disease, can be spread when pruning wounds attract insects that harbor pathogens (disease-causing agents). Susceptible trees should not be pruned during active transmission periods. This is the reason it is illegal to prune Elms in Manitoba during the period from April 1st until July 31st.
How much does it cost to Remove/Prune a tree?
Trees are like people generally no two are exactly the same so it is hard to quantify how much your tree work will cost. There are many factors that must be considered when providing a quote. Species, Size and location of the tree(s) as well as the scope of the work to be performed all contribute to the cost of tree work. Time of year and workload of the company providing the quote can also play a role in the amount you are quoted. It is best to obtain at least 3 quotes for any tree work you are considering. Be sure the companies providing you quotes are insured and licensed (a legal requirement in Manitoba) and ideally are members of an industry association such as the International Society of Arboriculture or the Tree Care Industry Association. Members of these organizations have voluntarily adopted a code of ethics and strive to provide the highest standard of care for your trees. Poor quality tree work can have effects that last far into the future and can even turn an asset that increases your property value into a hazardous liability.
How do I tell if my tree is hazardous/dangerous?
Many property owners have concerns about trees or branches failing and causing damage to structures or injuries to people. It is helpful to bear in mind that most large trees have been growing in their locations for a great many years and are well adapted to local conditions, and weather patterns provided they haven’t been the victims of pruning practices such as topping. Trees can age and decline over time however and can also be stressed by abnormal weather events. It is a good idea to visually inspect your trees at least annually as well as after heavy storms to spot any damage or changes in the health of your trees. If you see anything that concerns you such as broken limbs or holes/cracks in the trunk contact us.
For a fee, TNT Tree can conduct a Tree Risk Assessment for clients that wish to have a formal written report on the potential hazard the tree(s) on their property presents. Please inquire for details.
What is stump grinding?
After you tree is cut down you have the option to have the stump removed as well. TNT Tree has highly specialized machines that can chip up the remaining stump below the grade surface. We can also tackle large surface roots. Stump grinding speeds up a process that would take many years to complete on its own. Stump grinding also reduces or eliminates the chance that your stump will resprout and allows you to landscape over the area where the tree was located. Once the stump is ground out our workers will remove the excess mulch and leave the site level and ready for topsoil and seed or sodding. Our machines are highly maneuverable and can easily fit through most standard size gates and into tight spaces.