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.
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.
If you’re a homeowner in Portland, planting a tree can be a great investment. Not only are trees beautiful, but some studies show they can actually increase the value of your home. Plus, trees are functional, too. Their root systems help hold soil in place, their branches can be home to birds, squirrels, and other wildlife, trees provide shade and privacy, and some even grow fruit you can enjoy!
But what are the best trees to plant in Portland? How do you care for the trees you plant? And what do you need to know before planting your first tree?
Keep reading to find out.
Where to Plant
Deciding where to plant a tree is just as important as the tree you decide to plant. A tree planted in the wrong place may end up dying or not growing to its full potential or it may even do damage to your home.
Safety first!
Don’t plant trees where they may interfere with overhead power lines.
Remember that trees will grow for years and years, so it might take some time until they cause a problem. There’s nothing more frustrating than investing time and money nurturing a tree and then discovering that it needs to be cut down.
Don’t forget about underground utility lines. Before planting any tree, contact the Oregon Utility Notification Center at (503) 246-6699 to find out if there are any buried lines you need to be aware of.
Protect Your Home
Improperly planted trees can be dangerous to your home. We recommend you plant any tree at least 10 feet from your home and 5 feet away from your fence or property line.
By doing so, you’ll protect your roof from falling branches, keep your gutter from filling with rotting leaves, avoid cracks in your foundation from your trees’ roots, and reduce the chance of your trees creeping over into your neighbor’s property.
Choose a Location Carefully
As a tree grows it may block natural light. Depending on your point of view, this may be a benefit or a drawback. Sometimes you want a tree that will provide more privacy, but you may not want to block out our precious Oregon sunshine.
When choosing a location, also consider the plants and trees you already have in your yard. Some trees and plants are “thirsty” and require more water than others. Too many thirsty plants and trees in your yard may require you to use more water than you’d like.
If you have questions about which trees and plants work well together, get in touch with me. I’d love to help you out.
What to Plant
Once you’ve decided where to plant a tree, you’ve got to choose what type of tree you’d like to plant. Luckily, living in Oregon there are plenty of great choices!
I recommend choosing trees to plant based not on their appearance, but their purpose. A leafy deciduous tree may look beautiful from the street, but if you hate seeing leaves on the ground, you’re going to regret planting one in your yard.
Let’s look at a few reasons why you might want to plant a tree, as well as a few of the best trees for each purpose.
Street Trees
Street trees are trees planted between your yard and your sidewalk. They provide a bit of privacy and can look great too.
In Portland, the city has strict requirements about the types of street trees you can plant. Depending on where you live in the city, you might be able to plant one of the following trees:
Alders are beautiful trees that flower each March. They grow quickly and look great!
ElmsThere are many varieties of elm trees that can be planted as street trees. They grow quickly and have really great fall colors!
Trees for Privacy
If you’re planting trees near your fence or property line for extra privacy, you’ve got a few good options. Look for trees with thick dense branches and leaves, like:
HollyHolly is a fast-growing, dense evergreen. It’s one of the most popular trees to plant when you’re looking for privacy or security.
Cedar trees grow quickly, are tolerant to drought conditions, and also resistant to most insects and other pests.
Fruit-bearing Trees
Trees that bear fruit can be fun to have in your yard! They can provide tasty and nutritious fruit for you and your family to enjoy. But harvesting the fruit can be a bit of a chore.Luckily, in Portland there’s the Portland Fruit Tree Project, a group who will take fruit from your trees and give it to people in need. What a cool idea!Some of my favorite fruit trees to plant include:
Apple TreesApples are a classic Pacific Northwest tree that can produce delicious fruit for years and years. Just look at the color on those blossoms!Cherry TreesCherry trees grow quickly and their fruit is really easy to pick!
Fig trees grow quickly and produce a lot of fruit that can be made into jams and jellies, or eaten right off the tree! Most fig trees will produce fruit twice a year, once in the summer and once again in early fall.
Shade Trees
A nice shade tree or two can protect your lawn, keep hot sun off your windows, and give a bit of privacy too.
Dogwoods provide great shade and are some of the most beautiful flowering trees, too.
Caring for Trees
Caring for trees isn’t as hard as you might think. When they’re young, they don’t need much more than mulch and water. Depending on the type of tree, your tree may need to be staked to keep it grow straight.
As trees grow, however, they are likely to need a bit more maintenance. You may need to rake their leaves or prune their branches to keep them from getting out of control. Some trees may also need to be checked for insects, fungus or disease to keep them healthy.
If you need help caring for the trees you plant in your yard, get in touch with us. At Northwest Arbor Culture we have over 30 years experience caring for trees in the Portland area.
Call us at (503) 538-8733 for a free estimate and to learn more about how we can help you and your trees!
Having a big tree in your front yard is great… most of the time. Trees look nice, increase your home’s value, and provide shade, keeping your yard cooler in the summer. When fall comes around, it’s a different story.
Raking leaves is tiring, and keeping your property leaf-free can be a process lasting several months, depending on the tree. Most people don’t look forward to it. Maybe that’s why not raking the lawn is a growing trend.
Many people say it’s actually better for your lawn to not rake leaves. Are they right?
Pros and Cons of Raking Leaves
There’s good and bad on both sides.
For most people, the biggest benefit of raking leaves is the overall improvement to the appearance of their yard. Not to mention the fun of being able to jump into a freshly raked pile.
The biggest drawback for most homeowners is that it’s a lot of work. If you have a big yard and big trees, you may have to invest a couple of hours every weekend for a few months just to stay on top of it.
Other people say leaving a layer of fallen leaves suffocates the lawn and kills the grass. There’s quite a bit of evidence to the contrary, but if you really want to do what’s best for your lawn, you probably have better options than simply leaving your leaves untouched.
What Should You Do With Your Leaves?
Whether or not you rake your leaves really depends on a variety of factors, like where you live, how much work you want to put into leaf-control, and what you want your yard to look like.
Here are a few options to consider:
Leave Them Alone
Leaving fallen leaves usually won’t damage your lawn — unless you have a LOT of leaves or you get heavy snow in the winter where you live. That might stop your lawn from getting the natural light and fresh air it needs to survive.
For most people, leaving leaves alone is a viable option.
Some neighborhood associations may want you to remove all your leaves to keep your lawn looking pristine. If that’s your situation, keep reading.
Compost Them
Did you know that even fallen leaves contain important minerals that are great for your soil and other plants? When you compost your leaves, you can get a healthier yard and find a use for all those leaves that would otherwise go to waste!
Want to try it?
Use a lawn sweeper or rake leaves into a pile somewhere out of the way, like the backyard. If you’re fine having the pile their for a while, you’re done! But if you want to encourage leaves to break down a little faster, try one of these tips:
Grind or shred your leaves.
Mix leaves with manure or another nitrogen rich material.
Turn the heap regularly — anywhere from every 3 weeks to every 3 days.
Turning leaves more often encourages them to break down faster.
Once the leaves are broken down you can use them as mulch for your lawn. It’s great for grass and other plants!
Leaf Pick Up
Many cities have programs for collecting leaves. The city will compost them for you! In Portland, where we’re located, leaf day pickups happen from early November to mid-December.
If you’re in Portland, you can participate in a leaf day pickup by checking what day the leaf truck will come through your neighborhood. You can find that out on their website when it gets closer to leaf pickup time, or call (503-865-5323) or email the city.
Before your pickup day, rake or sweep your leaves into the street 12 inches from the curb and make sure you move your car. Here are some other recommendations from the City of Portland.
Don’t live in Portland? Check your city’s official website to find out if your area has a yearly leaf pickup.
What if it’s Rainy?
Here in Portland, rain in the fall is pretty common. Unfortunately. that makes it much harder to do anything useful with your leaves. The good news is heavy rain might make your leaves naturally biodegrade faster.
Even if you do plan to eventually rake or compost them, it’s fine to leave them until they dry out a bit.
Soggy leaves can be slippery, though. So try to at least get them off paths, sidewalks, and driveways. You can try using a rake or even a shovel with a flat head like a scoop shovel or a scraper.
What About Leaf Blowing?
Leaf blowing is great for moving dry leaves off paths, driveways, and sidewalk quickly and easily. It that’s all you want to do, it might be worth investing in a leaf blower.
The thing about leaf blowers is they just move leaves around rather than getting rid of them. They’re less precise than a rake or lawn sweeper, so they’re not great for getting leaves exactly where you want them, like in a pile.
If you want to actually get rid of leaves or compost them, you’re better off with a good rake or lawn sweeper and maybe a shovel to get leaves off concrete and asphalt.
Conclusion
I hope this post helped you find the best method for dealing with your fallen leaves this year. Regular tree pruning can reduce the number of leaves you have to deal with. If you want some free pruning advice give us a call at (503) 538-8733.
Do you have other solutions for dealing with leaves in the fall? Share them in the comments!
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.
Trees are a very fascinating and strong organisms in many respects. They can withstand hurricane force winds, freezing temperatures, and even prolonged drought.
Yet a tree can be greatly affected by even the slightest change. You can read our previous post, Why Is My Tree Dying?, to learn about how overwatering, improper transplanting, and even slight changes in the soil can injure and even kill a tree.
When a tree is affected by certain ailments and is in close proximity to cars, property, and people, it can become a serious hazard.
Keep reading to learn some of the most common tree hazards to look out for, as well as what you can do to help protect yourself and your property from tree damage.
First, let’s learn what defines a hazardous tree.
What Makes a Tree Hazardous
The USDA Forest Service defines a “hazard tree” as “a tree with structural defects likely to cause failure of all or part of the tree.” But a tree does not truly become a hazard until it threatens the safety of a person, property, roadway, or location where people gather like a park, pathway, or backyard.
If a tree is located in a forest or habitat preserve, it is natural for a tree to slowly degrade and eventually fall.
It is when a tree is posing an immediate threat to people, property, or public spaces that it should be considered a ‘hazard tree’ and dealt with appropriately.
Tree Hazards To Look For
There are several common warning signs for a hazard tree. While some are easier to spot than others, it is likely that a hazard tree will show one or more of the following signs.
Dead Wood
Dead branches and sections of a tree are hazards that should be dealt with promptly. Dead wood can be dislodged by wind, animals, or just fall unexpectedly and cause extensive harm to whatever it falls upon.
When a dead branch separates from the tree but is caught in the canopy, it is often called a “widowmaker.” These are at a very high risk to fall unexpectedly on something or someone.
Dead branches should be trimmed or removed as soon as possible to prevent any damage from falling.
Cracks
Some species of trees, like Douglas Fir, develop cracks naturally. But usually when you notice cracks or split wood on your tree, it may be a sign of failing tree health.
Depending upon how large the tree and how serious the crack, cabling may be an option, or you may be forced to remove the entire tree. Especially if the crack extends deep within or completely through the trunk.
Weak Branch Unions
A weak branch connection can occur naturally or due to improper pruning. You can identify a weak union when there is bark that is growing into and between to connected branches.
This is especially hazardous if the weak union is between two main branches or is leading to cracking between the two affected branches.
Decay
Sometimes trees can experience small amounts of rot and decay and still remain healthy and strong. However, when you notice that the tree is beginning to feel spongy, crumbly, or growing a cavity, you may need to remove the tree. Other signs of tree decay are mushrooms or brackets growing on the trunk, flare, or exposed roots of a tree.
Cankers
Cankers are open sores or dead tissues on the outside of a tree. While the presence of cankers may not spell the end for your tree, if a canker grows large enough that it affects “more than half of the tree’s circumference” or is connected with a crack or cavity, you should thoroughly inspect your tree.
Root Problems
While it may be difficult to detect root problems that are located underground, there are certain activities that can be closely related with root damages in a tree.
Severing roots when installing irrigation lines or sewers can greatly decrease a tree’s stability and even lead to tree death. Paving concrete over tree roots can cut off oxygen and nutrient supply and in turn affect the tree’s roots and overall stability. Parking vehicles or equipment on tree roots can compact soil and injure roots. Also, simply changing to the soil grade more that 2-3 inches can injure tree roots.
Generally when a tree becomes unstable, you can notice mounds or bulging in the soil at the base of tree indicating the displacement of soil caused by the leaning of a tree. This is an important indicator that your tree needs corrective help or removal soon.
So what corrective actions can you take to secure or save a tree that may be at risk of failing?
Corrective Measures
Tree pruningand removing any problem sections or branches can easily eliminate the problem, especially when the rest of the tree is sound.
Move the property at risk. If the vehicle, structure, or property can be easily moved from the area in danger, you can ensure its safety without removing the tree.
Cabling or bracing a tree won’t fix the tree’s health issues, but may extend the life of a tree. Cabling a tree involves adding a steel or synthetic cable that actually wraps around a tree and its branches, securing them together and providing a failsafe in case part of that tree fails. A brace is used when a tree is split or cracking. You brace a tree by actually drilling a hole through the entire width of the affected area, inserting a steel rod, and syncing up the tree on both ends of the rod to clamp the two separate pieces together. Cabling and bracing are very complicated and difficult techniques that should only be undertaken by a trained ISA-certified arborist.
Tree removal should always be the last resort. Removing trees can be dangerous and even reduce the value of your property. Make sure that if you decide to remove your tree, you hire a certified arborist who can get the job done safely without affecting any trees or property surrounding the tree.
Have you ever had experiences of hazardous branches or trees falling on your property? Please tell us about your experience in the comments section.
It’s time for tea, and we’re not talking about chamomile.
Compost tea is a healthy drink for your plants or lawn. It can be a great way to spruce up any parts of your yard that are looking a little sad. In this guide, we reveal some of our expert compost tea tips that will make your garden healthy and your neighbors jealous.
Arborists know that adding compost to soil can increase the minerals and nutrients available to your plants. This is like plant food – it helps your plants grow big and strong. Compost also contains bacteria and fungi that help protect plants from disease and infection.
But compost can be arduous to spread. Sometimes what seems like a large amount can be surprisingly little – not enough to give your plants the nutrients they need.
That’s where ‘compost tea’ comes into the mix.
Making compost tea is simple. The process is very similar to making actual tea. You can spread it over large areas, covering plants with microorganisms that fight the spread of plant diseases and improve the health of your plants.
What is ‘Compost Tea’?
“Compost tea is a liquid extract of compost that contains plant growth compounds and beneficial microorganisms.”
Agriculturists have used liquid extracts and fertilizers for hundreds of years. Solid compost is a great source of beneficial nutrients, but you can only mix it with the soil. This forces the plant to create its own ‘protective barrier’ of microorganisms on its foliage.
Compost is also difficult to spread over large areas. For the homeowner wanting to fertilize their lawn or trees, it isn’t always the best choice.
Compost tea is the solution to these problems. It allows agriculturists to take the best parts from compost and put them in liquid form. You can easily spray that liquid over an entire plant or lawn.
Generally speaking, there are two types of compost tea: aerated and non-aerated. While we want you to become a compost tea expert, we’re going to take baby steps.
Making aerated compost tea gets complicated (and expensive). For the sake of learning, this post will focus on the simplest method of making compost tea.
Making Farmer’s Tea (Non-aerated Compost Tea)
The process of making Farmer’s Tea resembles that of brewing actual tea. Like the name implies, you make non-aerated compost tea by ‘steeping’ or soaking compost in water.
While your compost is soaking, you’ll need to stir and agitate it by hand. This introduces air into the mixture, allowing colonies of good bacteria, fungi, and yeast to grow in the liquid.
Once the water is saturated with beneficial nutrients and fermented with microorganisms, you want to strain it into a spraying device and apply it to your plants.
That’s an overview of the whole process – start to finish. Now we’ll cover each step in more detail.
Materials Needed
You can pick up all these materials at your local nursery or garden shop.
Two 5 gallon buckets
Water source (not chlorinated) *
Ready-to-use compost (organic and not entirely manure-based) **
Stick or tool for stirring
Burlap sack or a large knit cloth bag
Handheld spray bottle or garden sprayer for application
* Do not use chlorinated water. It will kill the organisms in your tea and contaminate your plants.
** The most important ingredient in your compost tea is the compost. Quality compost contains thriving colonies of microorganisms and helpful plant nutrients. If you start with quality compost, you’ll make a quali-TEA. That is, a quality tea.
Avoid using animal manure compost. These composts don’t contain the same amount of microbial colonies as organic compost. It can also contain E-Coli and other harmful human pathogens.
Step 1
Make sure that your equipment is clean and free of contaminants like pesticides and chemicals. These can kill helpful microorganisms and contaminate your plants.
Step 2
Fill your bucket about half full of compost.
Step 3
Pour water on top of the compost until the bucket is nearly full to the top with water.
Step 4
Let your compost soak in the bucket for at least one day. Some people like to brew their tea for an entire month, but one to eight days is a sufficient amount of time.
You should agitate the mixture with your stirring tool at least twice a day. Stirring introduces oxygen into your liquid and helps bring nutrients into solution. The more often you stir your fermenting tea, the quicker and stronger the beneficial microorganism colonies should grow in your tea.
Note: If you are brewing your tea on a hot day, make sure that you are stirring more often (once an hour). You also want to keep your mixture out of direct sunlight and harmful UV rays.
Step 5
Once your tea has been brewed you should strain the particles out of the solution. For this part of the process, you’ll use your burlap sack or any type of large knit cheesecloth-like material.
Pour the mixture through the cloth into the second 5 gallon bucket. You can reuse the separated compost particles as a soil amender, or throw them into a compost pile.
Using Your Compost Tea
Now that you have successfully brewed and strained your batch of compost tea, you should be left with a particle free, amber colored liquid. If your liquid is very dark, it may be too concentrated and can be diluted by adding extra water until a lighter color is achieved.
Fill your clean handheld spray bottle or garden sprayer with compost tea and water. A general guide to tea dilution is as follows:
For house plants use a 1:1 (tea to water ratio)
For larger areas like lawns or trees use a 1:3 (tea to water ratio)
As you begin applying your protective brew teaming with microorganisms to your plants observe the health of the plant to guide how much tea you spray. Sick plants will generally need larger amounts of tea than healthy plants.
When Should You Spray? And How Much?
Whenever you see signs of disease or undernourishment these are good indicators that your plants may need a dose of compost tea.
Undernourished plants may have yellowing leaves, stunted growth and smaller than normal flowers or fruits. Signs of a fungal disease include wilting foliage, failure to flower or bear fruit, and discolored leaves. Pest problems and other diseases produce many of these symptoms as well.
To use your compost tea, you can spray it on plant foliage (leaves), spray or soak the soil around a plant, or even treat seedlings by dipping their roots into compost tea before planting them.
Medium houseplants require about 2 cups of tea each treatment. For lawns apply tea once or twice a month during growing season, just before or just after regular watering. One gallon of compost tea mixture covers about 1,000 square feet.
If you are seeing signs of disease or undernourishment spray at least once a month, or as often as every other week. If you have healthy plants, spraying once or twice a season can still be beneficial.
Note: Do not spray your plants in direct sunlight or excessive heat. UV rays and extreme temperatures can damage your compost tea.
You may not see immediate changes in your plant health, but be patient. It takes some time for the beneficial microorganisms to grow and proliferate around and on the plant.
Storing Compost Tea
You can only keep and use compost tea for several days after decanting from the original brew.
Compost tea does not keep well for long periods of time because the living microorganisms in the solution will quickly ‘eat’ all of the available food and eventually die. By storing compost tea properly, you can help it stay ‘good’ for several days after decanting.
Store compost tea away from direct sunlight and harmful UV rays. Also, make sure to keep your tea away from extreme temperatures (between 60-90 degrees F).
Do not store your brew in a closed container. Natural biological and chemical reactions can create pressure and cause a sealed container to burst.
Cautions With Compost Tea
Do not apply compost tea to any vegetable within 3 weeks of the planned harvest date. Compost tea can contain some human pathogens and should not be ingested or introduced into the body.
Also, not fully matured compost can contain E. coli. Make sure your compost is fully broken down to help ensure that no unwanted pathogens are introduced into your compost tea.
Creating quality, fully matured compost is a very complex subject that we will explore in a different post. Until then, here is a link to making quality compost.
Beautiful Blooms & Green Gardens
Now that you know how to brew amazing compost tea and properly spray your struggling plants, all you have left to do is sit back and enjoy the fruits of your labor.
Soon you will have jealous neighbors complimenting your gardening prowess and begging for your growing secrets.
Have you ever made compost tea before? We’d love to hear about your personal tea recipes and success stories in the comments section.
“What If My Tree Falls On My Neighbor’s House?”
“What If My Tree Falls On My Neighbor’s House?”
Did you know that even fallen leaves contain important minerals that are great for your soil and other plants? When you compost your leaves, you can get a healthier yard and find a use for all those leaves that would otherwise go to waste! 
Here in Portland, rain in the fall is pretty common. Unfortunately. that makes it much harder to do anything useful with your leaves. The good news is heavy rain might make your leaves naturally biodegrade faster. 
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, 
What Makes a Tree Hazardous
Cracks
Decay
Cankers
Cabling or bracing a tree won’t fix the tree’s health issues, but may extend the life of a tree. Cabling a tree involves adding a steel or synthetic cable that actually wraps around a tree and its branches, securing them together and providing a failsafe in case part of that tree fails. A brace is used when a tree is split or cracking. You brace a tree by actually drilling a hole through the entire width of the affected area, inserting a steel rod, and syncing up the tree on both ends of the rod to clamp the two separate pieces together. Cabling and bracing are very complicated and difficult techniques that should only be undertaken by a trained ISA-certified arborist.
little sad. In this guide, we reveal some of our expert compost tea tips that will make your garden healthy and your neighbors jealous.
Compost is also difficult to spread over large areas. For the homeowner wanting to fertilize their lawn or trees, it isn’t always the best choice.
Undernourished plants may have yellowing leaves, stunted growth and smaller than normal flowers or fruits. Signs of a fungal disease include wilting foliage, failure to flower or bear fruit, and discolored leaves. Pest problems and other diseases produce many of these symptoms as well.
Do not apply compost tea to any vegetable within 3 weeks of the planned harvest date. Compost tea can contain some human pathogens and should not be ingested or introduced into the body.
