The Pacific Northwest, including the Portland area, is home to some of the biggest and most beautiful trees around! But unfortunately, the area is also prone to severe weather, including heavy winds, ice storms, and months and months of drizzly rain. The combination of extreme weather and large trees can lead to big problems.
In today’s post, we’ll explain what you should do if a tree falls on your Portland home.
Let’s get started.
1. Be Safe & Contact Emergency Services
If a tree falls on your home, your first priority is to protect yourself and your family. Remember that your house can be repaired and your property can be replaced. But the safety and health of your loved ones is priceless.
So if a tree falls on your house, make sure everyone is safe. If anyone needs medical attention, don’t hesitate to call 911. If the tree brought down power lines as it fell, if you see fire or smell smoke, call the fire department right away! You’ll be glad you did.
2. Turn Off The Power & Gas In Your Home
If there’s no immediate danger and you know how to; turn off the power and gas in your home. It’s a precautionary measure that could stop a fire from starting if the tree damaged a gas line as it fell.
3. Call The Electric Company
Many times, when a large tree falls, it damages power lines which can cause an outage in your area. You should call the power company to alert them of any damage to power lines or power outages caused by the downed tree.
For reference here are contact numbers for Portland area utility companies:
You can call and report downed power lines, power outages, and unsafe conditions.
4. Contact Your Home Insurance Agent
Once everyone is safe and the authorities have been notified, call your home insurance agent. They can help you decide what steps to take next and can help you understand what might or might not be covered by your homeowner’s policy.
An insurance assessor will likely come out to your home to inspect the damage before processing your claim. In some cases, you may be able to email pictures of the damage to your insurance agent to speed up the process.
5. Get The Tree Removed & Other Trees Inspected
Next, you’ll need to have the tree removed by a trusted and experienced large tree removal company, like the team here at Northwest Arbor Culture. We’re happy to come out to your home and offer you a free, no-obligation estimate. We can remove large trees and can even grind up and haul away the stump that’s still in the ground.
In most cases, you’ll also want to have other trees on your property inspected as well. The saying “lightning doesn’t strike twice” doesn’t apply to falling trees! Changing soil conditions, tree diseases, and other factors can cause multiple trees to be more likely to fall in your yard. You’ll also want to pay close attention to any trees that might be near your property line and that might fall on your neighbor’s home or yard.
Do not try to remove the tree yourself. Fallen trees are dangerous– especially if they are leaning on your house. Trees can weigh THOUSANDS of pounds and the root ball can act as a counterweight, causing the trunk of the tree to spring back if it is cut free.
For your safety, leave this job to an experienced, certified, licensed, and insured professional.
6. Roof Inspection & Repair
After the tree has been removed, you’ll need to find a trusted local roofing contractor to inspect and repair your roof. Depending on the extent of the damage, a partial roof replacement might be required– and might even be covered by your homeowner’s insurance policy.
Even if there isn’t visible roof damage, your roof should still be inspected. There may be damage under the shingles that could lead to roof leaks later on down the road.
7. Home & Foundation Inspection
Finally, you’ll want to have your home and foundation inspected– especially if you see cracks or splits in the foundation. When a tree falls, the extremely large root ball moves as well. This movement can cause damage to the foundation that you might not notice right away. But over time, this can damage the structure of your house or allow moisture and leaks.
A thorough home inspection can identify problems like these and can help you rest a little easier.
Answers To Your Questions
“What If My Neighbor’s Tree Falls On My House?”
Generally speaking, when it comes to insurance, your policy pays for damage to your property, no matter whose tree it was. In other words, if a tree falls on your house, contact your insurance company.
“What If My Tree Falls On My Neighbor’s House?”
It’s likely that you will only be liable if you were negligent about the condition of the tree. You can protect yourself by having the trees on your property inspected, trimmed, and if necessary, removed.
“What If a Tree Falls On A Shared Fence or Property Line?”
The best case scenario is that you get along well with your neighbors and can split the cost of removing the tree and repairing the fence! Both parties involved can contact their insurance companies and let them decide how to handle things.
“How Can I Tell If A Tree Might Fall?”
Dead trees are most at risk for falling. Disease, severe weather, and other factors can also increase the likelihood that a tree will fall. But only the assistance and trained eye of an experienced tree care professional can help you understand whether a tree is likely to come crashing down.
“I’m About To Buy A House. Are The Current Owners Liable For The Trees?”
If you’re thinking about buying a home in the Portland area, please take the time to have the trees inspected before you make the biggest purchase of your life! A pre-purchase tree inspection can save you thousands down the road– not to mention a lot of headaches.
Do You Need Help With A Tree On Your Property?
If you’re worried that a tree on your property might fall and damage your home, contact Northwest Arbor Culture today. We can inspect your trees and offer our expert advice based on decades of experience as Certified Arborists.
Trees provide shade, help freshen the air, and even add value to your property. We all want our trees to stay strong and healthy, but what should you do if you think one of your trees might be dead?
Dead trees don’t just look unattractive, they can actually pose a safety risk. Dead trees are more fragile. They drop branches easily and may even fall completely if not taken care of properly.
Today, I’ll show you how to tell if your tree is dead, and what you can do to keep your home, property, and family safe.
What Causes Trees to Die?
Trees live hundreds of years, right?
Many of them can, but damage and diseases can unfortunately kill a tree prematurely. In an ideal world, you’d notice the warning signs early on.
When a tree is dying, the cause of the problem usually starts underground with the roots and soil. Luckily, you can often see signs of tree death and disease above ground.
Here are some of the most common reasons why trees die:
Too Much or Too Little Water
Making sure your tree gets enough water is especially important when it’s young. Too little water can dry a tree out, while too much can drown it.
How much water your tree needs depends on the type of tree you have and where you live. The Arbor Day Foundation has some helpful tips for how much to water your tree at each stage of its growth.
Contact your local certified arborist if you have more questions about how to water your tree.
Changes in the Soil Grade
Changes in the soil level around your tree can affect how much water and nutrients the tree can absorb. That’s because trees’ primary feeding roots are usually located in the top six inches of soil. Changing the soil grade by even just a few inches can create a problem.
If you’re thinking of adding soil to your yard, be careful. Avoid adding too much near your tree if you can.
Root Damage
Trees need their roots to absorb nutrients and even remain standing. Big trees have strong, sturdy roots, but even those roots can be damaged.
If you have frequently driven over or parked on a tree’s roots, there’s a chance they were damaged.
Not only can the weight of a car damage roots, but all that weight also compacts the soil beneath it, making it harder for the tree to get the water, oxygen, and other nutrients it needs from the soil.
Pouring concrete, laying asphalt, or paving over tree roots can cause similar problems. If tree roots don’t have room to grow, or something is preventing them from feed from the soil, you may have a problem.
Improper Planting or Transplanting
Young trees are especially sensitive, so planting and transplanting them can be risky. A couple common mistakes are:
Digging a too shallow or too deep hole
Packing the soil down too hard after planting
Both can smother the tree and prevent proper root growth.
Tip: Any time you plant or transplant a tree, be careful of the root ball (the tangle of roots at the bottom of a young tree). If there is burlap or twine tied around the roots, remove it carefully. Then, gently loosen and separate the root ball just enough to help the roots spread out before you place the tree in the ground.
The warning signs will be slightly different depending on what type of tree you’re dealing with. Usually, though, you’ll be able to tell if there’s something wrong.
What should you look for?
Falling Leaves or Needles
A tree that is dying or dead often loses its leaves or needles very quickly and suddenly. Or it has no foliage whatsoever, even during a time of year when it should.
Changing Colors
Unexplained discoloration of the foliage is another common sign of stress or disease — usually one of the first ones you’ll notice.
Brown, multi-colored needles are a common sign of sickness in conifer trees.
Cracks and Splits
Big cracks or splits in the structure of the tree can be a sign that the tree is dead, especially if other warning signs are also present or if the crack is in the trunk.
Changing Bark
A strange or different bark texture can also spell trouble. Tree bark is often a good indicator of the tree’s overall health. If bark is missing, loose, dry, or brittle, be concerned. When branches lose their bark, it means those branches are most likely dead.
Infections and Infestations
Animals and fungi often start taking over dead trees too. Fungus usually only grows on decaying wood, so keep an eye out for mushrooms!
Insects like carpenter ants and beetles often set up camp in dead wood too. Look for rows of small holes in the wood or places where wood has clearly been eaten away:
A weak or spongy trunk can be a sign that a tree is rotting from the inside. If you notice this, call your local certified arborist right away. Rotting in the trunk is a sign that your tree may no longer be stable. You’ll want to get it taken care of before branches start falling, or worse, the whole tree comes down.
What Can I Do if My Tree Is Dead?
If your tree is dead, your best option is to have a professional come and remove it safely. If it’s a large or precariously positioned tree, you’ll want to do this as soon as possible.
If your tree is simply old, sick, or just unstable, you may have other options besides tree removal, such as cabling and bracing. Depending on the cause and extent of the damage, you might be able to salvage your tree or at least increase its life.
No matter what state your tree is in, an arborist, like us at Northwest Arbor Culture, can help you determine the best course of action for keeping your home safe and beautiful.
If it turns out your tree needs to be removed, we can help. We’ll even get rid of the stump for you! With over 30 years of landscaping experience, we can also help you decide what to do with the empty space or help you reconfigure your entire yard if you like!
If you’re worried about one of your trees, don’t wait until it’s too late.
Last month, I showed you the best trees to plant if you live in the Portland area. Today, I’ll tell you why planting trees is so important and how you and your community can benefit! For example, did you know that planting trees can actually make you healthier? Believe it or not, it’s true!
But that’s not the only benefit of planting trees in your yard. Keep reading to find out 6 more great reasons to plant trees in Portland.
Because Trees Are Beautiful!
Trees are like one-of-a-kind works of art that you can help create.
No two trees are alike. Some are tall and thin, others short and full of leafy branches. Some turn gorgeous vibrant colors in the fall, others are a beautiful green all year round, and some even bloom beautiful flowers in the spring!
Trees are full of interesting shapes, textures, and even sounds! There’s really nothing else like them.
If you plant a tree in your yard, you’ll get to pick exactly what you’d like to see, and you’ll be able to enjoy it for years to come.
People who live in areas with more trees tend to have lower blood-pressure and have improved overall psychological and emotional health. Kathleen Wolf, a researcher at the University of Washington in Seattle, even says that people with ADHD are calmer and more relaxed when they live near trees!
Helping the Environment
Remove Pollution
Unfortunately even green, eco-conscious areas like the Pacific Northwest suffer from air pollution. Sulfur dioxide, ozone, nitrogen oxides, and other chemicals are all released from cars, trucks, and other sources of pollution.
Believe it or not, trees can actually catch and prevent these pollutants from making their way into your lungs! This can help reduce the symptoms of asthma and other respiratory illnesses.
If you’re an allergy sufferer, there’s good news for you, too! The Portland area and surrounding Willamette Valley frequently have the highest pollen counts in the country. Luckily, in addition to absorbing man-made pollutants, large, leafy trees can keep pollen, dust, and other natural allergens out of your home and out of your nose and lungs! You’ll breathe easier with trees in your yard!
Provide Home to Local Wildlife
In addition to helping you feel better, there are other environmental reasons to plant trees in Portland. Trees make great homes for birds, squirrels, and other animals. Trees also provide a food source for these animals in the forms of nuts, fruits, and insects that call the trees home, too.
Birds and insects that nest in trees can also help pollinate nearby flowers and plants. This helps to build a natural, healthy ecosystem for all plants and animals in the area! By planting a tree, you’re doing your part to preserve our natural plants and wildlife.
Conserve Water & Minimize Erosion
Did you know that 100 trees can catch 250,000 gallons of water every year?
Without trees and their complex system of sponge-like roots, rainwater soaks directly into the ground, causing erosion, and potentially dangerous landslides. Trees and their roots soak up rain, and release it slowly, minimizing the risk of damaging erosion.
Provide Privacy
When you live in a city like Portland, or even in a densely populated suburb, it can be hard to find a quiet, private place to call your own– even in your own yard! That’s where trees can help. Their branches, leaves, and trunks can make your yard and home feel more private. They block out city noise and traffic sounds, and keep nosy neighbors at bay, too!
In the Portland area, trees like holly, bamboo, and cedars are great trees to plant for privacy. They grow quickly and densely and don’t require much maintenance. They also have a small footprint, meaning they grow straight up, don’t spread out too much, and stay right where you want them to grow!
Conserve Energy & Save Money
Many Portland-area homes don’t have air-conditioning. We’ve had some real hot days these past few summers and it can be hard to keep cool!
Once again, trees to the rescue! Shade trees like maples and dogwoods have large leafy branches that absorb sunlight and heat, reducing heat gains by up to 80%! This keeps your house cooler and can reduce your cooling bill, if you do have air conditioning!
Increase Your Property Value
According to a recent study, homes with well-maintained yards and trees tend to sell faster and fetch a higher price! One thing to keep in mind, however, is that the study focused on yards with mature trees. That means you should start landscaping and planting trees now, because it might take several years for a young tree to mature.
Why do trees improve property value? It’s not entirely clear, but experts think it’s a combination of all the benefits trees provide, from privacy to beauty and everything else in between. Even if home buyers don’t realize it, subconsciously they’re attracted to homes with beautiful trees and they’re willing to pay for it!
Build Community
An ancient proverb says, “A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in.”
That’s really something when you think about it. In my opinion it’s the best reason to plant a tree. Even though you may benefit from the tree in your lifetime, your children and their children will get to enjoy that same tree’s shade, fruit, and beauty for generations to come.
Plus, if you live in Portland and plant a fruit tree, like an apple or fig tree, you can even contact the Portland Fruit Tree Project. They’ll come out and pick the fruit from your tree and provide it to people in need! What a great mission and one that’s easy to support. All you have to do is plant a tree!
When’s the Best Time to Plant a Tree?
People often ask me about the best time to plant a tree. My answer?
The best time to plant a tree is 5 years ago. The second-best time is today. By planting a tree today, you’re taking the first step towards reaping all the benefits of planting a tree that I talked about today. Planting a tree is an investment, and the sooner you invest, the sooner you’ll start seeing returns!
If you’re interested in planting a tree, contact me. I’m a certified arborist and can help you plant the perfect tree in your yard. Call (503) 538-8733 today and ask for a free consultation.
Oregon is known for its abundance of trees, but do you know Oregon’s state tree? Who owns our forests? Which trees are native to Oregon?
Get ready for some tree trivia as well as some important tree safety advice for winter! I’ll even give you some tips for planting trees that grow well in Oregon.
A History of Oregon’s Forest
Ever since Lewis and Clark reached the mouth of the Columbia River in 1805, people have poured into Oregon, drawn by its forests and natural beauty. And it’s still happening today. Believe it or not, Oregon is the most popular moving destination in the country.
The influx of people over time meant more cities, highways, and infrastructure. Oregon also developed a huge timber industry, which is still going strong today. Despite all that, Oregon still has almost 92% of the forests that covered the state in 1850. Not bad!
That’s not a coincidence though. Private landowners cooperate with both federal and state governments to preserve Oregon forests. Among other strategies, that includes replanting, restrictions on clearcutting, and avoiding and managing occasional forest fires.
Oregon’s Famous Trees
Oregon has a few famous trees to its name. How much do you know about the state’s most quintessentially Oregonian celebrities?
Oregon’s State Tree
Our state tree is the Douglas fir, an evergreen tree with pine needles and cones. The tree is named after botanist-explorer, David Douglas, who described it as “one of the most striking and truly graceful objects in nature.” Now that’s a glowing review!
Oregon’s Largest Tree
There is some debate about which tree is truly Oregon’s largest. It used to be a 206-foot-tall Sitka Spruce along the coast near Seaside, Oregon. In December 2007, a wind storm snapped the 700-year-old tree in half. You can still visit the 17-foot diameter trunk, though.
Here’s where the controversy starts. Officially, the largest tree is now a 329-foot-tall Douglas fir in Coos County (pictured below), but non-profit tree workers say they’ve found an even bigger Arcadia Cedar just outside of Cannon Beach.
The Octopus Tree
Without a doubt, one of Oregon’s weirdest-looking trees is a different giant Sitka spruce in Cape Meares, Oregon. Its nickname, the Octopus Tree, isn’t hard to figure out. The tree’s multiple trunks grow out of its base like giant tentacles.
The tree has historical significance too. Experts believe it was once a gathering site for Native American tribes in Tillamook, and place of reverence where elders made decisions and shamans performed ceremonies.
Who Owns Oregon’s Forests?
The majority of Oregon’s forested land belongs to the federal government, but not all of it. Here’s the breakdown:
60% – federal government
35% – private ownership
3% – the State of Oregon
1% – tribe lands
1% – other public ownerships
Oregon Tree Safety
In general, trees make Oregon healthier and safer by purifying the air and casting shade from the sun. Trees don’t come without risks though. Western Oregon in particular often has heavy rains and strong winds (like the ones that ultimately knocked down the Sitka Spruce near Seaside). In years like this one, we also get extremely dry summers, which puts us at risk for forest fires.
Preventing Forest Fires
Fires are a natural part of a forest’s cycle, but most of Oregon’s fires are human-caused, and therefore preventable. Some of the biggest culprits are cigarettes, gas leaking from cars, and fireworks too close to forested areas. Campfires are a big one too. According to OregonForests.org, there are several steps you can take to make sure your campfire is safe:
Keep your fire at a manageable size.
Never leave a campfire unattended.
Always have a large bucket of water nearby.
Let the wood burn completely to ash.
Dowse your campfire with water until the steaming and hissing stops.
Cover all embers, not just the red ones.
Stir to make sure everything is wet and cold to the touch. Let it sit for at least 10 minutes.
Check again for any remaining hot spots. Dowse with more water if needed.
Use dirt when there is no water available. Mix enough dirt into the embers until everything is cool but do not bury the fire.
Try this next time you go camping to be extra safe.
Protect Yourself From Falling Trees
When wind, rain, and heavy snow hits, weaker trees are at risk of falling. Look for tree branches near your house or power lines, and get them pruned or trimmed.
The number one thing you can do to make sure none of your trees fall on people or property is to get them inspected before harsh winter weather arrives. We’re always happy to swing by and give you some free expert advice about your trees.
What Trees Grow Best in Oregon?
Did you know fall is one of the best times to plant new trees? If you’re looking for a tree that will flourish in Oregon and won’t require an unnecessary amount of maintenance, planting a tree that’s native to Oregon is a good bet.
Many dogwoods, maples, and evergreens are perfectly suited to the Pacific Northwestern climate.
For more detailed information on what to plant and how, check out these tips from the Portland Nursery. Or see this longer list of native Oregon plants
Questions?
Still have questions about Oregon’s forests, which trees to plant, or how to keep your property safe this winter?
Call us anytime at 503-538-8733 for free, no-pressure advice.
Hurried cities, fast trains, responsibilities that never end. It’s no surprise many of us are stressed. What might surprise you is that something as simple as spending time in a forest can reduce stress, lower your blood pressure, and even help you sleep. Even just a five-minute walk through the trees can make a difference.
I wish I could bring the forest to you, but sadly I can’t. So I’ll give you the next best thing: a virtual tour through six of the most tranquil and soothing trees in the world.
Before we get started, here’s some calming music to listen to as you read.
This desert beauty is commonly called the Joshua tree, but its actual name is the yucca brevifolia. It thrives in the Mojave Desert and produces gorgeous creamy white flowers in the spring.
Your eyes aren’t deceiving you. A sleeping Buddha rests in this 50-year-old fig tree in Wat Mahatat, Ayutthaya historical park. You might be wondering what Buddha’s head is doing in the tree, but the truth is, no one knows exactly how he got there. Some people think the tree simply grew around his head, and he has stayed there ever since.
As if you needed another excuse to take a trip to the French countryside.
These colors were on display in France during fall months. The wooden bridge, orange leaves, and looming fog make this scene almost creepy — but no less beautiful.
The winter of 2011 brought a huge snowstorm to Shanghai. It stopped hundreds of buses, flights, and construction sites all over the city. The result was this beautiful white stillness.
Are you feeling relaxed yet?
5. Los Angeles, CA, USA
Let’s journey back to the USA to appreciate the glory that is this lanky palm tree in the California sunset.
Most people don’t know that the palm tree’s true name is arecaceae. Palm trees are resilient and versatile — they can live anywhere from rainforests to deserts.
Imagine sitting on the bench beneath this giant tree, listening to the sound of the water. What could be more tranquil?
Seattle, like our home in Portland, has no shortage of native trees. Many of them lose their leaves in the winter; others don’t.
Conclusion
I hope you’ve enjoyed this journey through the world’s virtual forests. Don’t forget to take a break every now and then to appreciate one in person. If you’re like most people, a stroll through a green, park-like setting is more likely to calm your mind than a walk through city streets.
Even wild hunters, like this majestic spotted leopard, can’t help but relax around trees.
Is that song still playing? Our tour is almost over. Just for fun, which tree was your favorite? Weigh in on this poll and see if others agreed with you.
How do you use nature to help you relax? Have a favorite outdoor spot? Tell us in the comments?
Trees are beautiful and purify the air we breathe, but they can also be breathtaking, funny, and just plain weird. Get ready to see infrared trees and trees with faces, 1,000-year-old trees and trees from the future. Let’s take a trip around the world to look at 10 crazy tree photos from four different continents!
1. Great Banyan Tree – India
This looks like a forest, but believe it or not, it’s just one tree. In 1925 the central trunk had to be removed due to rot, but the rest of the tree is still alive and well. It lives in a botanical garden near Kolkata, India.
This one is crazy not because of the tree itself, but because of the strange items that adorn it. (Um… that’s a lot of shoes.) This tree in Amboy, California collapsed back in 2010, but that didn’t stop people from adding their footwear to its branches. It has more shoes than ever! It was one of at least 76 shoe trees in America where people stashed old shoes.
This giant tree has so far managed to coexist with the Ta Prohm temple ruins in Cambodia, which were originally built as a Buddhist monastery and university somewhere around the 12th and 13th centuries. People have nicknamed this species the “spung” tree — its technical name, Tetrameles nudiflora, is a bit tricky.
These trees are common in southern Asia, but most people agree that this one is by far the craziest! Check out this video of a similar spung tree nearby.
This is the only one that’s not technically a photo. It’s an artist’s rendering of what a real life tree of 40 fruit might look like in 10 years. What’s a tree of 40 fruit? Artist Sam Van Aken created 18 of them with tree grafting. The name comes from the fact that each one can produce 40 different kinds of fruit. It started as an art project. Now it’s a conservation and education method.
These bizarre but beautiful Hawaiian palm trees probably look completely normal in real life. This is infrared photography, which means the photo reveals infrared light, light that lies just beyond the visible spectrum. So we can get a glimpse of the light we can’t see with the naked eye. (Learn more about infrared photography here.)
A photo posted by Alba Julià Vázquez (@albiii17) on
I can’t tell you what kind of tree we’re looking at, but this is certainly a crazy tree photo. Spending the night in a hanging tent sounds fun, but don’t try this at home. If you want to spend some quality time up in your tree, check out this post on building a treehouse.
You can find this this giant carving at Stanley Park in Vancouver, B.C. An artist carved the striking face into the trunk of this giant tree stump in the mid 1900s.
The Two Spirits Sculpture (a.k.a. the “God Head”) is hidden in the park’s forest — many people search and can’t even find it!
Native to Madagascar, baobab trees have a long, bulbous trunk with little leaves and branches that look sprout-like in comparison. They can live over 1,000 years.
This particular type is called a Grandidier’s baobab, or simply a giant baobab, because it’s the largest species of baobab tree.
Have you ever seen a tree growing out of the side of a cliff face before? This one is the well-known Ying Ke, or Welcome pine.
It lives in Huangshan (Chinese for “Yellow Mountains”), an area famous for its sunsets, strangely shaped granite peaks, hot springs, and many other beautiful natural features.
You might be wondering if this is real, but ask a Moroccan, and they’ll tell you that some goats are actually master tree climbers. Argan trees like this one drop their fruit in July. These goats love argan fruit, so they often head up there to grab some before it falls.
The world is full of crazy trees. We just scratched the surface in this post, but I hope you enjoyed the trip. Which tree was your favorite?
The simplest definition of arboriculture is tree care. This post will answer “What is arboriculture?” in more detail, explain how it’s different from forestry and landscaping, and explain what certified arborists do.
People like Chris and I who plant and prune trees are arborists. But not all arborists trim trees. And definitely not all tree services use certified arborists. More on that below too.
Arboriculture Definition
Arboriculture means growing, tending, studying, or removing individual trees and shrubs. (It also encompasses woody plants and vines.) Here are a few different aspects of arboriculture:
Choosing and trimming ornamental shrubs for a homeowner
Studying different tree hybrids
Researching the best grafting methods
Identifying a leaf or plant for someone
Helping someone figure out if their tree is diseased and how to save it
As you can see, arboriculture is both a theory and practice. You could be a professor of arboriculture and spend most of your time doing research. There’s nothing wrong with that. At Northwest Arbor-Culture, Inc., we like getting our hands dirty and helping people care for their trees.
Arboriculture vs. Forestry or Landscaping
How is arboriculture different from forestry? Good question. Forestry is about the health of groups of trees (a forest!), while arboriculture focuses on individual trees. You know the saying, “They can’t see the forest for the trees”? It’s usually an insult. Someone missed the big picture by focusing too much on little details. Well, arborists do that on purpose!
Arboriculture sometimes overlaps with landscaping, but they have distinctions too. Landscaping is mainly about the appearance of a yard. Landscapers change trees and plants to fit an aesthetic goal. It’s a bit surface-level. Arboriculture prioritizes the health of trees and plants over beauty, although ideally they’d go hand-in-hand. A good arboriculturist in Portland would encourage you to plant native plants in your backyard (rather than a palm tree, for example).
The International Society of Arboriculture
The International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) is the mothership. It’s been around for almost a century. The organization exists to promote trees and help people maintain and enjoy them. The ISA is a great resource for tree information. It also certifies arborists.
On our site, we proudly say we’re ISA-certified arborists, but what does that mean? Several things:
We have a high level of tree care knowledge and skills.
We’ve passed a detailed, thorough ISA exam on 10 different topics, including tree biology, pruning, disease diagnosis and treatment, risk management, soil, and more.
We have advanced, ongoing training in arboriculture — the certification requires continued professional development.
We have at least three years’ full-time experience working in arboriculture and/or arboriculture education.
We adhere to the ISA code of ethics.
Hiring a certified arborist means someone knows more than how to handle pruning shears. As ISA-certified arborists, we know more — and have more experience — than someone who just entered the biz. Instead of focusing on short-term, aesthetic solutions like tree topping, which you should avoid, we care about trees’ long-term health. We aren’t going to just snip a few branches and call it good. We want you to enjoy healthy, beautiful trees for decades through careful selection, placement, and maintenance.
Hire an ISA-Certified Arborist
Do you need help figuring out if your tree is dying? Is it growing too close to your house or power lines? Want to add some shrubbery to your yard, or simply get rid of a stump? Call us at 503-538-8733, email us, or use our contact form. We do no-obligation consultations so you know your best option.
Trees have a ton of benefits: clean air, beauty, fruit, and shade, to name a few. But did you know they can also prevent flooding? It’s true! “The typical medium-sized tree can intercept as much as 2,380 gallons of rainfall per year,” the USDA says.
To understand how, let’s look at why flooding happens. Without trees, rain runs off soil and into rivers and streams, raising the water level. Trees help keep soil in place, and their roots soak up water. (This is called reducing erosion and anchoring topsoil.)
Even trees’ leaves help prevent flooding. When raindrops bounce off them, the water doesn’t hit the ground as hard. “Gentler rain causes less erosion,” explains the Why Files.
The Trouble with Deforestation
We need paper. It’s just a fact. Life would be pretty sad without books, envelopes, dollars, coffee filters, board games, or photographs. But clear-cutting forests, aka deforestation, makes flooding worse. The Why Files explains again: “In terms of flooding, the unimpeded raindrop impact on bare ground leads to heavy erosion and quick runoff.” Without trees to soak up water, lessen rain’s impact, and hold soil in place, rain runs faster off land.
Clear-cutting trees has another side effect. Since the soil isn’t anchored in place by tree roots, it gets carried downstream by heavy rainfall. And the dirt and mud washes into rivers and streams, which means riverbeds get clogged and can carry less water. That makes flooding worse.
Welsh researchers at the Centre for Ecology & Hydrology noticed this and partnered with farmers to reduce runoff. As reported in The Guardian:
[Farmers] noticed during rainstorms their newly planted woodland seemed capable of absorbing vast quantities of water while grazed land let rain pour down hillsides. So they invited the scientists to study the land.
“We measured rain that was being absorbed by grazing land and by woodland, and found the latter was 60 times more effective at taking up water than soil on land grazed by animals,” said [Dr. Zoe] Carroll [of the Center for Ecology & Hydrology]. “We expected to find a difference, but not one of this magnitude.”
Pretty cool, right?
Urban Flooding
Trees don’t just prevent flooding in the forest or countryside. Trees play a big role in lessening damage from flooding in cities as well. Think about it: Concrete doesn’t do much to stop or soak up rain. Water runs across the top of pavement, not into it. Trees and soil, on the other hand, can act as a sponge.
Rainwater which lands on trees either evaporates to the air or drips down to the ground below, where it can soak into the soil. Surface water from nearby areas can also flow into the permeable area around the trees, which further increases the amount of water that can soak away and reduces demand on stormwater drains.
In fact, in a 2013 research study, scientists found that trees soaked up twice as much rain as asphalt, reducing runoff by about 60%.
So does just any tree help prevent flooding, or are certain ones better than others? I’m glad you asked. Depending on the tree’s location, you may want to plant different types. For instance, bald cypress or water tupelo trees have a high tolerance for water, so you can plant them at the bottom of a basin. (Houston is doing just that.) Other types of trees are more sensitive to being in standing water for long periods of time. Such conditions can kill the roots and eventually the entire tree.
In general, you want to plant native trees. One writer suggests the following:
Silver maple
California laurel
Blackgum
Sandbar willow
Here in the Pacific Northwest, planting broad-leaf evergreen trees is wise. Deciduous trees — those that lose their leaves in the winter — do less to intercept rainfall, since their leaves are gone.
The benefits of trees don’t stop at slowing water flow. Trees also clean the water and improve its quality. When trees soak up water through their roots, they can keep toxins and pollutants from going into drinking water by releasing them as a gas through their leaves.
Planting trees gives you a ton of benefits, from cleaner air and water to less flooding. Contact us at Northwest Arbor-Culture, Inc. if you want to talk with a certified arborist about getting some trees planted!
Tree grafting is kind of the tree equivalent of an organ transplant. It’s attaching a small, budding branch (called the “cultivar”) from one healthy tree onto the trunk (technically the “stock” or “rootstock”) of a different tree. Tree grafting usually happens in winter while the tree is dormant. That way it has time to heal and absorb its new branch.
Sometimes tree grafting is as simple as one branch replacing another. But sometimes a cultivar is added in addition to existing branches. Sometimes two small branches are attached to an existing one. In that case, the branch that thrives stays, and the other one is removed. Below I’ll talk about why arborists graft trees and a few different techniques.
How Are Branches Grafted?
Tree grafting involves making strategic cuts. You can do it a few different ways. Here’s a quick overview of four grafting techniques:
Bud grafting: This involves making a T-shaped cut in the bark of one tree, peeling back the bark a little bit, and putting the cultivar inside. Then you tape or tie the new piece in place and wait for it to heal.
Bud grafting. Source: University of Missouri
Whip grafting: This method attaches two branches that are the same size to form a single branch. You cut them both at the same angle with a little groove, so they fit together exactly. Then you wrap grafting tape or something similar around the attached area to secure it.
Whip grafting. Source: North Dakota State University
Bark inlay grafting: If the branch is too big for whip grafting, bark grafting is appropriate. In this technique, you cut off a branch and make two or three small notches in it. Then you attach two or three smaller branches in those notches. You nail the cultivars in place and use something like grafting wax to seal everything.
Bark inlay grafting. Source: Texas A&M
Veneer grafting: With veneer grafting, you cut a small flap in the rootstock, so it creates almost like a tiny pocket. Then you insert the cultivar in the flap after cutting it off at an angle. Once again, you wrap the new branch in place with grafting tape or something else.
Veneer grafting. Source: Texas A&M
Why Graft Trees?
There are numerous reasons for tree grafting. First of all, it saves time. It can take 5-10 years for a fruit tree to bear fruit. Meanwhile, you just want to make an apple pie or some pear preserves, right? So you graft the branch of a fruit tree onto the stock of a different tree. In a couple short years, you get fruit!
Sometimes tree grafting is purely aesthetic. One artist in New York City is trying to grow a tree with 40 different kinds of fruit. His initial goal was just to make a colorful tree, but then he realized how little fruit diversity there is in the U.S. As he told NPR: “[The project] really became about preserving some of these antique and heirloom varieties.”
Arborists also graft trees if the desired tree is not very hardy or not a perfect fit for the climate. They may start with a hardy tree and then graft on a more sensitive tree or one with poor roots. Or if one type of tree is vulnerable to a disease in the soil, you can graft it onto a less vulnerable, stronger tree.
Get Advice on Tree Grafting
Wondering if tree grafting is possible with your fruit trees? We’d be happy to come take a look and give you some free advice. Get in touch with the certified arborists at Northwest Arbor-Culture, Inc. today!
“What If My Tree Falls On My Neighbor’s House?”
“What If My Tree Falls On My Neighbor’s House?”
Making sure your tree gets enough water is especially important when it’s young. Too little water can dry a tree out, while too much can drown it.
Trees need their roots to absorb nutrients and even remain standing. Big trees have strong, sturdy roots, but even those roots can be damaged. 
Changing Colors
Ever since Lewis and Clark reached the mouth of the Columbia River in 1805, 
Oregon’s Largest Tree
Without a doubt, one of Oregon’s weirdest-looking trees is a different giant Sitka spruce in Cape Meares, Oregon. Its nickname, 
is tree care. This post will answer “What is arboriculture?” in more detail, explain how it’s different from forestry and landscaping, and explain what certified arborists do.
How is arboriculture different from forestry? Good question. Forestry is about the health of groups of trees (a forest!), while arboriculture focuses on individual trees. You know the saying, “They can’t see the forest for the trees”? It’s usually an insult. Someone missed the big picture by focusing too much on little details. Well, arborists do that on purpose!
