Get matched with top tree service pros in Yermo, CA

While trees can grow in the curb strip between the sidewalk and the street, this placement often poses the problem of interfering with overhead power lines. It’s best to consult your local utility provider and tree planting service before transplanting a tree that might grow into power lines. Also, you should never work within 20 feet of a live power line to avoid the risk of electric shock. Tree branches should never touch nearby power lines, so it’s essential to ensure your tree isn’t in danger of growing too close to them.

For safety reasons, leaning trees are best removed by a professional, as they may often tear away from the hinge, causing you to lose control over where the tree falls. If you choose to cut down a tree leaning slightly, avoid cutting off root protrusions before you start. Make your hinge a little longer than usual by cutting it deeper (up to 30% of the diameter) and applying a wedge into the felling cut on the side the tree is leaning. Stand away from the direction the tree leans while making your felling cut.

Some trees, such as silver maples, birches, sycamores, and scotch pines, shed their bark naturally. If your tree is not one that does this, it might have fallen prey to pests, fungi, or diseases. It could also simply be suffering from an extreme weather change, such as a snowstorm or heat wave. If you’re still stumped, consulting with a pro can help you diagnose your tree’s specific problem.

No, you don’t need a pruning seal for trees post-trim. Pruning seals (applied to the cut ends of branches) are widely sold but they aren’t designed for every tree and in many cases can cause more harm. Trees have their own healing processes after pruning, so the best thing you can do is supply them with plenty of water and add some dormant-style fertilizer.

Pruning seals are primarily recommended for very vulnerable species like elm trees in areas where dangerous tree diseases like Dutch elm disease are spreading. In these cases, a sealant’s protection outweighs its downsides.