"I would highly recommend Arborist of America for all your tree work needs! William Byrd, owner of Arborist of America, and his crew did an exceptional job in completely removing two 100 foot trees of mine and did it in timely manner with no damages to my or the neighboring properties. William is very professional and very knowledgeable in tree work and trees in itself. I would definitely hire Arborist of America again to carry out any tree work of mine."
"The crew were on time, their work was very organized and thorough. They also trimmed other trees that needed an arborist's expertise. Each crew member did their job efficiently. We had made arrangements for a neighbor to take the wood, so the crew chipped the trimmed branches. They did a good cleanup job. We were very pleased with their work."
"This company provided excellent service. They trimmed a very overgrown hedge and removed 5 arborvitae trees that were leaning against my house. They removed all of the debris and did an excellent job. Juan checked with me to make sure that he had trimmed the hedge the way that I wanted it."
"Outstanding work! We had two large trees removed. One was a dying cedar tree at the top of a wetland area. They were able to cut and chip the tree without damage to the surround protected wetland area, and more importantly, without any limbs dropping on our neighbor’s property. They also removed a large pine tree that had grown into and over our back driveway. They fell the tree perfectly into the driveway and left no evidence that the tree had come down. Their work was so good that 2 neighbors got bids before they left the street. Great work ethic, very skilled, super friendly, and competitively priced."
"We first discussed what was best for the mature trees and i appreciated the experience of the arborist and accepted his experience and quote for the work. Communication could have been clearer about arrival time but the work and cleanup were perfect!!! I would hire them again. They area professional, friendly and very good."
"Francisco’s crew came and removed my tree. They were punctual, professional, and did a great job. I would definitely hire them again and would highly recommend the to anyone."
"We got a call back a couple of days after we called for an appointment, and left our address and the location of the tree so someone could take a look at it . They came over the next day while I wasn't home and called me with the results. They told me that the tree was indeed leaning at ground level, but if you look at it high up it was growing straight as an arrow. It had leaned over in it's youth, but righted itself properly. We had nothing to worry about, he said. He could remove it, and quoted a price, but he didn't think it was necessary. I appreciate his honesty and professionalism and wouldn't hesitate to hire him for tree work in the future."
"We purchased a home in 2011 in southwest Portland that sits on nearly an acre of land. When we moved in we thought how nice that the house was surrounded by woods (privacy and nature galore). We have since realized that this 'natural retreat' caused two primary problems: not enough land for the kids and adults to play even though we had an acre footprint, claustophia as the brush and ivy and blackberry bushes slowly closed in around us. I love the house and the land, but don't be fooled, maintaining an aestheticly pleasing landscape when your house is 'in the woods' is a tremendous challenge. What at one point can seem like a intentional, mature, focused landscape can quickly transform into an overgrown mess. We contacted Douglas and Ramos Cleanup to intitially clear one of the side yards and lay barkdust. Douglas made an immediate effort to come to the property and promptly provided a bid. The bid was reasonable and lower than one other company I contacted. My wife and I decided to hire Ramos. Perhaps the best decision we have made since moving into the house two years ago. These guys are unbelievable. They came on a Saturday exactly at the time they said. By the time they had finished, my wife and I had decided to hire Ramos to perform a much more comprehensive clearing project. The idea was create a clean and groomed mature landscape all the way around the house that would act as a buffer to the forest that remained at the perimeter of the property. They came back the next two days (working 10 hours on Sunday) with a team of 6 or 7 and literally transformed the property. When they finished, my wife and I simply walked around the land dumfounded. They not only cleared trees, massive stumps that had been swallowed by ivy, blackberry bushes, years of overgrowth; they also new exactly what to perserve. They trimmed the shrubs and trees meticulously, uncovered plants we never even new were there, and made everything look spotless. My wife immediately commented how relaxed the place now made her feel. Bingo. They gave a bid at the beginning of the project and stuck to it even though they uncovered (literally) challenges (huge old growth stumps) along the way. I don't even know how many dead and dying trees they removed, but it was a ton. They even cleared a larger area in the front of the house because they knew that was what was needed to make it all come together. I can't say enough good things about this company. Hire them without concern (and I rarely have ever said that about any company). They are the only people I will use for now on. They are professional, courteous, efficient, and knowledgable. They busted they tails to transform our property. 10 out of 10. "
"Professional, knowledgeable and did a wonderful job. We had 2 large trees removed from our property that were both near our house and they did exactly what we wanted and cleaned up really well. We will absolutely use them again when we are ready to remove other trees from the property."
After a big storm, you may not be sure if a tree was struck or not. Look for the telltale long scars, like strips or gouges in the bark of the tree, running in sometimes jagged lines down the length of the trunk. These scars will often show vulnerable living wood inside the tree. It’s also common to see scorched or wilted leaves on the side or top of the tree where lightning struck.
The ideal depth of a tree notch depends on the tree, but it should usually be between 20% and 25% of the tree’s depth. However, if the tree is leaning towards the direction of the notch, it can be cut more shallowly—at as little as 10% of the depth. When the tree is leaning away from the direction it needs to be felled, you can cut deeper, closer to 30%.
In the case that a tree is growing directly on your property line, the cost of maintaining the tree is shared and is the property of both owners in common. In this case, all decisions regarding the maintenance of the tree must be made jointly, and both parties must agree on a course of action. You will need to agree with your neighbor about the cutting of any roots before you carry it out, and your neighbor must also consult with you before doing any trimming. Coming to an agreement with your neighbor about any shared trees ahead of necessary trimming and maintenance will make this process much simpler.
It is possible to cut down a tree on your property yourself, but it is generally not recommended unless specific conditions are met. You should only consider this project if the tree is small (e.g., under 4-5 inches in diameter and short enough that you don't need a ladder to reach the branches), and you are experienced in handling a chainsaw. The tree must also be located far from any power lines, fences, homes, or other structures. Even for small trees, the work can be dangerous, and it's always advisable to have a spotter to ensure the tree falls correctly and no branches fall on you.
For any tree that is large, requires a ladder to access, or is near electrical lines or structures, you should always hire a professional. Attempting to remove a large tree yourself is extremely dangerous, poses a risk of serious injury, and could result in significant damage to your property.
Before any tree removal, it's also important to check your local and state regulations to ensure the tree is not historic or otherwise protected by your city.
For trimming trees, your best tool is a pair of pruning shears or loppers. Both options work best for branches that are under 3 inches in diameter. Trimming trees with a larger diameter may require a robust tool like a small chainsaw or a handsaw, so take into account your tree’s diameter when deciding between tools.
The Canby, OR homeowners’ guide to arboricultural services
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
How much does an arborist cost? This guide explains the cost of different services, ongoing expenses, and other factors to consider when hiring an arborist.
Tree inspections can ensure your trees stay healthy and safe, preventing costly damage. Learn how much tree inspections cost and what can affect the price.
Arborists are specialized tree care experts. This guide will help you hire an arborist with all the qualifications to give your trees the best care possible.