Q: Can I use a chainsaw to kill a tree stump?

• <div><p>You can use a chainsaw, but it won&rsquo;t remove the entire stump or root ball and is not a recommended method. It takes quite a bit of physical work to achieve and will likely dull or ruin your chainsaw. Instead, consider using salt, herbicide, light deprivation, boiling water, stump grinding, or burning to kill a tree stump. These methods allow you to kill a stump using minimal machinery and physical exertion. </p></div>

Q: Can I prune apple trees in the spring?

• <div><p>Late winter is ideal, but if you&rsquo;re pruning apple trees in the spring, prune them as early as possible in the season. You want to ensure your tree is just creeping out of dormancy and hasn&rsquo;t started pushing out new growth. If you prune your tree too late into spring, you generally won&rsquo;t see results until the following year.</p><p>That said, there&rsquo;s no pruning season for unhealthy growth. Remove dead, dying, or diseased branches as soon as you notice them, regardless of the time of year.</p></div>

Question 1

Can I use a chainsaw to kill a tree stump?

Accepted Answer

•

You can use a chainsaw, but it won’t remove the entire stump or root ball and is not a recommended method. It takes quite a bit of physical work to achieve and will likely dull or ruin your chainsaw. Instead, consider using salt, herbicide, light deprivation, boiling water, stump grinding, or burning to kill a tree stump. These methods allow you to kill a stump using minimal machinery and physical exertion.

Question 2

What is the best time of year to cut down a tree?

Accepted Answer

•

The best time to cut down a tree is during its dormant season, typically in winter or early spring, after all the leaves have fallen. Removing a tree during this period is advantageous for several reasons. Frozen ground helps secure the tree stump, protects the surrounding landscape from damage, and reduces the risk of the tree falling in an unintended direction. With the leaves gone, there is less risk of the tree's foliage getting tangled with other trees. Additionally, since this is often a slower season for tree services, you may be able to hire a professional at a lower rate. This dormant period is also the best time for tree trimming.

Question 3

How do you make a tree fall the opposite way it is leaning?

Accepted Answer

•

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.

Question 4

Does tree trimming count as landscaping?

Accepted Answer

•

Tree trimming can count as landscaping, depending on how a landscaping business describes its services. Professional tree trimmers are more specialized than landscapers and offer trimming services separately from general landscaping.

When general landscaping companies offer tree trimming, look up the details. They usually mean shaping or seasonal trimming of ornamental trees, which is different from trimming larger trees for health or safety reasons. When possible, look for a licensed expert that specializes in trees and tree health.

Question 5

Can I prune apple trees in the spring?

Accepted Answer

•

Late winter is ideal, but if you’re pruning apple trees in the spring, prune them as early as possible in the season. You want to ensure your tree is just creeping out of dormancy and hasn’t started pushing out new growth. If you prune your tree too late into spring, you generally won’t see results until the following year.

That said, there’s no pruning season for unhealthy growth. Remove dead, dying, or diseased branches as soon as you notice them, regardless of the time of year.