Get matched with top arborists in Combined Locks, WI

If you want to take your tree-planting hobby beyond your outdoor space, here are a few great ways to do it:

• Encourage your neighbors to participate in the Arbor Day Foundation’s Tree City USA program, which has a four-step framework that helps communities grow and maintain their own tree cover.

• Support businesses that plant trees. 

• Lobby your local government to plant more trees around your community.

• Donate to a tree-planting charity.

Salt, herbicide, light deprivation, boiling water, and burning can all help dissolve a tree stump. You can also bury the tree stump in soil or mulch to help it rot naturally. Killing a tree stump prevents future regrowth, but you may also remove it by digging it out or grinding it.

The best time to transplant a tree is when it is dormant. For many trees, this means either in the fall after the leaves have dropped (around October or November) or in early spring before new growth begins (around March). The ideal timing can depend on the type of tree. Deciduous trees do well when moved in early spring or fall, while evergreens are best transplanted in early spring or late summer. For example, pine trees are best moved in early fall, but maples prefer late fall. Avoid transplanting in winter, as the frozen or hard, cold soil poses a significant risk to the roots and prevents the tree from acclimating properly.

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.