Get matched with top arborists in North Bend, NE

Licensing requirements for arborists, also known as tree surgeons, vary by state and municipality. Many areas require a license, which often involves specialized education and experience. Even if not mandated, it's wise to hire a licensed professional as they tend to have more experience. Beyond licensing, look for certifications from organizations like the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) or the Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA), as this indicates a higher level of expertise. Certified arborists must typically pass a comprehensive exam. Always confirm that the arborist has a business license and is fully insured to protect yourself from liability. Seeking positive recommendations from local homeowners is also a good step in finding a qualified professional.

Although the terms tree trimming and tree pruning are used interchangeably, they are very different types of tree maintenance. Tree trimming involves enhancing the appearance of your tree by removing unruly branches, providing your tree with ample sunlight and nutrients and prevents unsightly overgrowth. 

Tree pruning helps keep your trees disease-free. This process removes unhealthy growths, dead branches, and other unhealthy parts of the tree. It’s more common for deciduous and ornamental trees but not so common for evergreen trees. To determine which method you need, discuss it with a tree trimming specialist.

In most ways, palm trees are incredibly low-maintenance. They don’t need a ton of water—which is why they’re so beloved in desert regions—and they basically prune themselves. But they do need an ample supply of sunlight and to be in soil that will allow for proper drainage so that their roots don’t become waterlogged and at risk of developing illnesses.

If the plant begins to wilt, develop spots, or change color, these could all be signs that your palm tree has a disease. But a few basic treatments, like pruning and applying fungicide, will usually be more than enough to return it to perfect health.

You need to remove all branches affected by Dutch elm disease. If your tree has several affected branches, you will probably need to remove the entire tree. First, consult a pro to be sure that you’ve correctly identified it as an elm tree. Make sure the tree is properly disposed of with a plastic covering or through debarking, chipping, or burning.