Common Tree Mistakes

Although a significant portion of tree damage is directed by well-intentioned but uninformed property owners, many of these
assaults are perpetrated by self-proclaimed tree "experts." We applaud the professionals who buck this trend by educating
themselves and customers. Gently educating our clients and the public will, hopefully, save trees, improve the quality of life,
and increase property values.

1) Soil compaction and root damage. Why is this bad? Root systems need air as well as water and mineral nutrients to
thrive. When the soil around roots becomes compacted, water and air can no longer get to the roots, and mineral nutrients
such as fertilizer or decaying organic matter cannot reach them either. The tree looses these vital life giving elements, and
slowly causes it to suffer... oftentimes killing it within a few short years. Parking anywhere under a tree's canopy is too close!

2) Topping and harmful cuts. Why is this bad? Please see the extensive explanation below this list.

3) Over-thinning. Why is this bad? Tree canopies offer shade to the inner branches and main trunk, and exposing them to
excess sunlight causes sun-scald. This condition can cause the bark to split and become susceptible to insects and
pathogens. Over-thinning can also cause the stressed tree to produce unattractive and weakly attached epicormic sprouts.
The stresses inflicted may combine with other undiagnosed stress factors, and greatly weaken or kill the tree.

4) Over-watering. Why is this bad? Over-watering can lead to root problems, such as decreasing the rooting area and
establishing decay fungi. Decay can lead to the loss of buttress roots and the collapse of the entire tree. Too much water can
also weaken the soil, causing any tree to topple during strong winds. Over-watering in clay or dense soils can increase the
canopy's surface area, making it prone to storm damage.

5) Neighboring tree removals. Why is this bad? Careless, unprofessional tree removal often leads to damage of adjacent
trees. Untreated damages are common decay and insect entrance points on trees. Also, the annosus root disease is spread
via an airborne spore which lands on newly cut stumps. The disease spreads via the removed tree's root system, infecting
those of adjacent root systems, and can kill those trees. An approved fungicide needs to be applied in a timely fashion. Most
people cutting trees, even many so-called "tree professionals," are unaware of this potential calamity and do not treat stumps.

6) Planting too deep. Why is this bad? When tree are planted too deply, secondary roots grow toward the surface to
compensate. Rather than growing up and then out from the tree, some roots tend to grow up and then in or across, close to
the trunk. Sometimes they even grow around the trunk and slowly strangle it. Burying the root collar can also weaken a tree's
structure.

7) Planting the wrong tree in the wrong place. Why is this bad? The wrong tree can simply die if the soil, sun, and
temperature are not appropriate for it. The wrong tree can also block light to the main rooms of your home, depriving you of
sunshine, and encroach and shade out your garden affecting the growth of your plants. The wrong tree can also block a
beautiful view, intrude into power lines, push over your boundary wall or fence and damage your (and your neighbor's) walkay,
driveway, sewer line, or home. It is important and wise to consider how large a particular tree specie will become, and ensure
there is adequate room for it once it is mature. Future generations will thank you for this insightful planning.

8) Poor cabling and damage repair. Why is this bad? Poor cabling can have the opposite of the desired affect. It can
weaken trees, causing them to fail. If cabling is not installed properly, decay fungi can intrude into the tree through wounds,
causing long term irreparable damage to the tree's support structure. Poor damage repair causes the same condition. Poorly
conceived and installed cabling can lend a false sense of security if it was intended to hold heavy loads over homes or other
places were people gather or travel. Mountain Tree Service, Inc. strongly recommends dynamic cabling. The best dynamic
cabling products available today, and when installed by us, are warranted for ten years... TWICE as long as any other cabling
product on the market today.

9) Over fertilizing or treating. Why is this bad? Over-fertilizing a tree can increase the crown surface area and decrease the
rooting area. This type of growth on trees makes them more susceptible to storm damage and blow-over. If you are
considering fertilizing your trees, give us a call first.

10) Cambial injuries to trunk. Why is this bad? The layer just under a tree's bark is called the cambium layer. It is
responsible for all water and nutrient transfer from the roots to the canopy and back again. If the bark is damaged and
exposes the cambium layer to pests and pathogens, a number of things can occur, none of them good. Protecting trees from
vehicles and other machinery that can rip the bark from a tree is important to its health.

11) Assuming trees don't need care. Why is this bad? Some tree varieties require much more care than others, especially
when they are young. Neglecting trees can create unpleasant aethetic issues at best, and safety issues at worst. Consider the
species of trees in your yard or that you may consider planting, and consult a local arborist or Certified California Nurseryman.

Common Tree Mistakes & Blunders

Mountain
TREE SERVICE

(909) 867-5772

Tree Topping

"Topping is the most serious injury you can inflict upon your tree."
Dr. Alex Shigo, world renowned tree scientist.

Topping is the destructive practice of cutting back tree branches without regard to the
structure and health of a tree. Topping is the removal of the top portion of a leader stem to a
stub. The misguided practice of topping is also sometimes called heading, lopping, hat
racking or stubbing. Some may even try to disguise this misdeed to trees as pruning. No
matter what it is called, topping is a destructive, mutilating and senseless practice that is still
being performed by individuals unfamiliar with tree needs. Reputable tree care professionals
never offer or perform topping as a service. This does not mean there are no alternatives. If
you want or need to reduce the height of a tree, we can assist you in pruning your tree
properly. The results will be a healthier, safer, more natural looking and longer lasting tree.

1. Starvation: Topping often removes 50 to 100 percent of the leaf-bearing and photosynthesizing crown. This greatly
upsets the crown-to-root ratio and severely limits the food-making ability of the tree.

2. Shock: The canopy of leaves casts shade on the internal branches. Topping removes the shade and exposes the
internal bark to sun scald. This condition can cause the bark to split and become susceptible to insects and pathogens.
The extreme stress topping causes can kill cetain tree species. Don't be fooled: topping is NOT a valid pruning method.

3. Weak Limbs: New 'epicormic' sprouts develop at the edges of the cut branches. These small branches grow quickly
necessitating frequent pruning. They are also weakly attached and subject to damage during storm events. If the cut branch
rots, which is quite common, the sprouts will break even sooner. The result is an ugly tree and a maintenance nightmare.

4. Disease and Insects: Topped trees have large wounds that do not heal well. This leaves them vulnerable to insects and
decay. Decay is the number one cause for catastrophic failure of the tree's structure.

5. Rapid New Growth: Topping is often done to control the height and spread of a tree, but it has the opposite effect. The
resulting sprouts grow so rapidly that the tree reaches its original height in a very short time with a far denser and weaker
crown. Need to reduce the tree's size? Have us perform 'tip reduction,' the only proper way to control canopy size.

6. Ugliness: A topped tree is a disfigured tree. It will never be a vigorous tree again. The grace and character of its species
will not return. Topping results in the loss of a valuable landscape asset.

7. Tree Death: Some species tolerate topping better than others leading people with limited knowledge of trees to consider
it a valid pruning technique. Without a doubt, it is not! Ever. Period. Topping is an unacceptable pruning practice for any tree,
and often causes many species to die quickly.

8. Cost: Topping a tree requires no skill or understanding of a tree's biology. Application of the pruning skills and judgment
gained through experience and education is what you receive when you hire Mountain Tree Service. Topping may cost less
in the short run, but is not worth it in the long run... not by a mile! Reduced property value, expensive removals, and tree
replacement are among the risks along with the liability from weakened branches and additional necessary attention.

Eight Reasons Not To Top Trees.

Topping permanently ruins tree
structure. After a tree is topped,
weak epicormic sprouts emerge to
attempt, usually unsuccesfully, to
deal with the severe shock.

Did you know?
Most tree blunders are
caused by gardeners.

Want to permanently ruin your tree? Have it topped!