Is Tree Removal Safe & Necessary?
When it comes to taking care of trees, tree removal is a really critical task that is best left to Certified Tree Experts. This is because of the potential risks involved if handled by non-professional.

It would be a great mistake to assume that tree removal is all about getting a saw and getting down to it yourself. There is a lot of things about the nature of a tree that only Certified Tree Experts would know. Attempting tree removal on your own is not safe.
Tree removal in itself is not always necessary. As a matter of fact, tree removal is recommended as a last resort, when it has become certain that there is no other way around it. To know whether tree removal is needed, you need to talk to certified tree experts.

What Are the Common Risks Attached to Tree Removal?
Some of the common risks attached to tree removal include:

Tree Fall
This is the ultimate end of tree removal. You want to get the tree down. However, poor judgment might make the tree fall in the wrong direction. If you are not a professional, you can easily mess up the cutting. One of the problems here is that, once the tree starts going down, there is virtually nothing you could do about it. A wrong move could destroy your house, power lines, or even people.

Power Lines
Removing a tree beside power lines isn’t just risky for you, but also for the whole neighborhood. You can easily get electrocuted by live wires. Hoping that the black coating on the power lines could prevent this is a dangerous myth. Beyond this, you can also knock the whole neighborhood into darkness.

Lack of Professional Equipment
Tree removal goes beyond sawing a tree. There are a whole lot of equipment, like the chain saws, cranes, ropes and wood chipper, that professionals have been trained to use safely in such situations. Beyond the cutting, appropriate protective gear are also highly recommended to protect the whole body. Having anything less than these would amount to unnecessarily exposing yourself to avoidable risks.

Risk Of Collapse
This is particularly more risky when the tree in question is old, decaying and dying. Unless you are a professional, you cannot accurately predict the state of the tree and when it might collapse. Things can go all wrong when tree removal is approached without this knowledge.’

However, when Certified Tree Experts are brought in, you can expect a safe tree removal. Based of training and experience, they understand the best practices and know how to avoid property-wrecking and life-threatening pitfalls.

When Is Tree Removal Necessary And Recommended?
While tree removal is reserved as a last resort, there are a number of reasons and situations in which tree removal is recommended. In fact, the earlier this is detected, the better. These situations are listed below:

The tree is unhealthy and dying.
The trunk is showing some signs of decay
The tree is dead.
The tree is getting too big and growing too close to properties and structures. Also check if the roots are becoming bothersome.
The tree is leaning dangerously towards properties, structures and children’s play area. This is a dangerous situation that has to be attended to immediately.
A storm damaged the tree beyond repair.
The tree is in the way of a planned construction or renovation. If the tree would pose danger to the project or vice versa, consider removing the tree immediately.
The leaves, seeds, sap and branches dropped by the trees are becoming a bother.
The tree is diseased or infested by pests.
The tree is inhibiting the healthy growth of your lawn.
You are feeling choked and need more space.

What Are the Steps and Process for Successful Tree Removal?
For a successful tree removal, there are a number of major steps that have to be taken. Missing any of them could make the difference in the result of the tree removal. These steps are:

Prepare the Site
To have a flawless tree removal process, make sure the removal site is ready and free from obstacles. You might have to inform people in advance about the tree removal, especially if it is close to a road frequented by people in the neighborhood.
Place a sign around to make people aware. See if there are structures that could be moved out of the way, because of when the tree is coming down. See how wide the expanse of land around the tree is. This would help you determine the best way to cut the tree and the appropriate direction the tree should fall in.

Carefully Study of the Tree
Pay close attention to the direction the tree leans towards naturally. In the case of a leaning, this would be the best direction for the tree to fall on. Clear the path around the tree to give yourself enough space to clear out of its way. Also check for any sign of decay. Decay can make the tree collapse easily, thereby affecting the direction of the fall.
You have to have one or two escape routes. You have to be prepared for anything, and assume what your next step would be in the fraction of a second of realizing that the falling isn’t going as planned.

Prune the Tree
The next step is to cut off any branch that might get in your way when sawing the tree. You also have to cut out any branches that might fall or be unhealthy to remain on the tree. Make sure that no branch would cause any damage to lives and properties.

Get Appropriate Equipment
Now, get the equipment appropriate for the tree removal. Trees differ in size and nature. These factors will determine the equipment you need. While a handsaw might caught down a small tree, you would need a chainsaw for a bigger tree. While a rope and a saw might work fine for short trees, taller trees would require a crane.
You have to make sure that the equipment is appropriate for the particular task. Also make sure to get your professional safety gear on. Your safety is just as important as, if not more important than, the task ahead. Get your head to toe safeguarded.

Start Undercut
Now, go to the direction you want the tree to fall on and make a V-shape cut at around 70 to 90 degree angle at the bottom of that side of the tree. Make sure the undercut is around a quarter of that tree’s diameter deep. The undercut is also known as the notch cut.

Start the Backcut
Now, move to the opposite of the tree, place the saw about 2 inches above the undercut, close to the corner of the angle of the notch, and make a clean cut through the tree. This is to release the stress on the back of the tree trunk for an easy felling. The backcut is also known as the felling cut.

Get Out Of The Way
After a while of sawing through the tree, you should start seeing signs of the tree giving way. Get out of there as fast as you can and scream “Timber”, so that others are alerted about the impending fall.

Cut And Clear
Now, you can easily cut the branches and log into multiple pieces so as to make it easier to haul them off the sight. If you want, you can also completely remove the tree stump or transform it into an outdoor décor. The choice is yours.

Why Is Tree Pruning Important?
Even though tree removal doesn’t come regularly, tree pruning is a highly recommended routine. There are so many important reasons why you should prune your trees. Below are some of them:

Human And Property Safety
The most important reason why you should prune your tree is to protect lives and properties. There are many hazards that can be prevented when low hanging branches are pruned. When you also notice any growth form that that could be subject to storm damage, it can pose a threat to humans, especially if they are near a sidewalk or driveway.

Insect And Decay Prevention
Dead and diseased branches usually give room for insect and decay organisms to invade the tree, thereby causing permanent damage to the tree. It is recommended to remove these branches immediately.

Tree Structure Maintenance
There are always erratic branches whose growths compromise the natural structural integrity of the tree. This is why a lot of trees are misshaped. This also helps prevent broken limbs as a result of these branches crossing and rubbing against one another.
When such branches are removed early, you can easily have the tree back in its natural form.

Disease Prevention
When the canopy of a tree is too dense, it allows a lot of disease problems. This is because it prevents air and sunlight from sufficiently reaching every part of the tree. To prevent this, make sure to thin the canopy regularly.

Prevention Of Unhealthy Competition
To make sure that the tree is properly nourished, it is necessary to have some suckers and sprouts removed. If this is not done, the wood could become weak. This is also similar to why co-dominant branches can’t be left alone.
Sometimes, two branches grow straight up to the top of the tree. This would cause splitting of branches and tearing of wood when they are hit by heavy winds. Therefore, it is necessary to cut off the weaker one to allow the other to become the dominant branch.

Growth Stimulation Or Restriction
Pruning can help stimulate growth in the sparse areas of the tree. It can also help improve air circulation. It is also important in restricting the growth and height of the tree from becoming too troublesome.

What Time of Year Should a Tree be Pruned?
If there is a case of emergency, like when a dead or diseased branch has to be removed, the tree should be pruned immediately. This is because it can’t wait. Every other pruning procedure can wait till the perfect time.
The perfect time of the year to prune a tree is during the winter. This is during the dormant season. Don’t prune your tree earlier than late fall or later than early spring. Do it before the trees start opening their buds. Ideally, stick to the winter season. This is when the tree is less susceptible to any harm that may occur because of the pruning procedure.
However, make sure to stay off any extreme weather condition. Don’t prune during the hot season or when the winter is harshest. Understand that pruning might be a bit stressful for the trees. So, it is important to treat them with care.
During the dormant stage, trees bleed less sap. Even certain trees that bleed around this time, like maple and dogwood, shouldn’t be harmed. They are also less likely to be attacked by insects and fungus at this period. Trees differ, so it is always advisable to contact a professional, so that you can know the perfect time for your trees.
View Frontier Tree & Turf Additional FAQ

How Do Very Large Trees Get Cut Down?
Cutting large trees require a few other equipment and precautions than when cutting smaller trees. Of course, this is not a job for handsaws. You’ll need a powerful chainsaw. This time, you will also need one or two wedges.
Wedges are great for preventing the tree from leaning back against the saw. It is quite useful, and even more so for larger trees. After making the undercut, come to the other side and start the backcut. After cutting for a while, you can now pound in the wedges.
Don’t try cutting it all the way through. Doing that could cause great harm. For example, large trees might fall and bounce back in your direction. To prevent this, leave a hinge between the backcut and the corner of the undercut. This width of the hinge should be about 10% of the diameter of the tree.
The moment you see the tree leaning, remove the saw and hurriedly get out of there. Make sure to keep your eyes on the tree, in case it changes direction. You don’t want to run right towards the direction it is falling in.
The most important thing here is to leave the task to professionals. It is way too risky for someone who is not properly trained. The risk, in this case, is not worth the reward for you. Call certified tree experts.

How Long Does It Take to Remove a Tree?
A lot of factors come to play when it comes to tree removal. The first is the tree. Thicker trees would ideally take longer to cut than thinner trees. Shorter trees wouldn’t take as long as longer trees. Trees with lots of large branches would take longer to cut than straight trees with little branches. Some trees are also stronger than some others.
The equipment in use would also determine how long the cut would take. Chain saws would cut faster than a handsaw, and a machine harvester will do a better job than both. A crane would make it easier to cut high branches, as compared to using ladders.
The crew involved also plays a role. A crew of 5 members would ideally get the job done faster than a one-man crew, if they both have access to the same equipment and have the same level of expertise.
Ultimately, the time required would vary. It could take just a couple of hours or go for up to half a day. Different factors would affect the delivery.

How Do You Keep Trees Healthy and Alive?
Just like any other creature, your trees require care and nurture if you want to keep them healthy and alive. Most people just expect the trees to tend for themselves, but it doesn’t work that way. A beautiful tree requires great care, just as humans do.
Here are a few things to do if you want to keep your trees healthy and alive:

Plant The Right Trees
This might sound strange, but not all trees do well on all lands. Make sure that the trees you are planting can do well in your climate and your soil conditions. If this is not gotten right, you might have to spend too much on maintenance.
When trees suited to an environment are planted, they would do much better, since they are in their natural habitat.

Know What Your Trees Need
Different trees thrive in different conditions. So, make sure you conduct extensive research on them. Find out the right amount of water they need and whatever they are sensitive to. This would help guide how you take care of it.

Don’t Leave The Stakes In For Too Long
Early on after planting a tree, you might have to support the trunk with stakes. However, you can’t keep the stakes in forever. Immediately you see that the tree can stand on its own, remove the stake. This would allow the tree to develop a strong trunk that can withstand the wind as it grows.

Keep The Roots Safe
Prevent heavy equipment and automobile from climbing over the roots of the tree. They compress the soil and shut out air, thereby compromising the safety of the roots.

Feed The Tree Appropriately
Make sure you provide as much water as the tree needs. Everyone knows they need to water young trees but, as they grow, most people just move on. However, it is important to water even the big trees, especially during a drought. Make sure that the tree is watered deeply, so that it could penetrate the roots well.
About fertilizers, you can apply them to young trees occasionally. While bigger trees wouldn’t need it, malnourished trees would. Find out what nutrient they lack and apply the compound to them.

Prune Properly
We already discussed why pruning is so important to trees. For a tree to stay healthier longer, it is necessary to prune it every year.

Keep Pests Away
There are pests that could seriously weaken and damage your trees, if allowed a chance. Some of these pests are caterpillars and Japanese beetles. Contact a licensed tree care expert to help you with them. Prevention is always better than cure.

Can Insects Damage and Kill Your Trees?
While insects look so small, there are many of them that can damage and kill your trees. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, 35 million hectares of forest are damaged by tree-killing insects each year! These insects mean business, and you should, too.

What are Challenges of Tree Removal Residential Home vs Commercial Property?
Some of the challenges of tree removal in a residential home are the structures. The homes can be a big problem, as compared to the forest. In a forest, you most likely won’t have to worry about the tree hitting homes, cars, or power lines. With homes, there are chances of this, especially when handled by those who are not professionals.
Commercial properties also have similar problem. However, there are more problems like congestion. Commercial properties are usually so dense, with little space between them. There are always lots of cars and people, and it is hard to clear the area. These situations pose different level of challenges.

Who is a Licensed Tree Care Expert?
A Licensed Tree Expert (LTE) is a person who has been trained, tested and proven to be an expert in diagnosing, preventing and treating tree problems or diseases. These are guided by high ethical and moral standards that help them practice tree care safely.
Licensed Tree Experts are trained to perform tree expert services like tree removal, tree pruning and repairing, stump grinding or removal, brush cutting or removal, tree establishment, tree removal, fertilization, lightning protection, cabling and bracing, and any other form of tree maintenance.

What are Common Tree Insects in New Jersey?
There are many tree insects to look out for in New Jersey if you want to keep your tree safe. When they are spotted, swing into action immediately. Some of these insects are:
• Emerald ash borer
• Southern pine beetles
• Asian Longhorned Beetle
• Gypsy moth caterpillar
• Hemlock woolly adelgid
• Eastern pine looper
• Scarlet oak sawfly

What Kinds of Tree Health Issues Are Common in New Jersey?
Apart from insects, there are also a number of tree health issues that you would find in New Jersey. Some can be quite devastating if not attended to in time.
• Bacterial leaf scorch
• Gouty oak gall
• Oak wilt
• Armillaria root rot
• Verticilliium wilt
• Beech bark disease
• Needle cast
• Seiridium cranker
• Anthracnose

When Should I Fertilize My Lawn?
The first thing to know before fertilizing your lawn is the New Jersey State laws regarding applying fertilizers to lawns. These laws prohibit applying fertilizers between November 15 and March 1. This is because of the dormancy of the grasses and the low temperature of the soil at this period.
Beyond that, we can now decide the perfect time to fertilize your lawn. If you only apply fertilizers once a year, apply it in the late summer or early fall. Early fall is the most perfect time to do this.
This will help the grasses during the winter and to store energy towards the spring. By spring, the nutrients would have fully kicked in, thereby helping the grass grow with ease.

Do I Have to Prepare My Lawn For Fertilization?
Preparing your lawn for fertilization is essential if you want to get real results. One of the reasons why some people don’t get the desired results is because they think it is all about spraying the compounds. A lot of planning should be done. Here are a few tips to consider:
• Understand your grass, and know the best nutrients for it. Not all grasses need the same kind of nutrients. Find out what is best for your particular lawn.
• Conduct a pH test on the soil to know the right acidity or alkalinity level your fertilizer has to be in.
• Measure your lawn to know how much fertilizer you would need.
• Make your purchase based on the best fertilizer for your lawn.
• Choose your preferred type of fertilizer between the liquid and the granular fertilizer.
• Mow your lawn before applying the fertilizer.
• If you are planning on aerating your soil, do so just before fertilizing. This would open up the soil and expose the root zone of your grass plants, allowing water and fertilizer to soak in well.
• Thoroughly water your lawn 1 or 2 days before applying your fertilizer. After the grass dries, you can now apply the fertilizer, before following that with a lighter watering to wash the fertilizer off the grass and into the soil.
• Watering is essential, but too much is bad. So, make sure you observe the weather reports in advance. Don’t fertilize your lawn just before a heavy downpour, as this will wash the fertilizer off your lawn.

Is Lawn Seeding Necessary?
Overseeding your lawn is an important process that must be done regularly. Lawn seeding is not a matter of luxury, but necessity if you want to keep the lawn healthy and fresh. Here are a few reasons why it is so important:
• It helps keep the grass fresh. An average grass lives for around a month or two. So, it is important to overseed so that your lawn can keep looking fresh.
• It helps keep the lawn thick and beautiful. No one wants a lawn with scanty grasses.
• It helps prevent weeds. When lawns are properly overseeded, there is little room for weeds to take.
• It helps to keep nutrients locked in.
• It helps to reduce erosion.

How Long Does it Take Grass to Grow?
It all comes down to the germination period of the grass. There are grasses that germinate as early as 5 days while there are others that could take as long as 30 days. The kind of grass you decide to plant would have a lot to do with how long it would grow.
Also the temperature would have a lot to do with the growth. Some grasses prefer warmer temperature, while others prefer cooler temperature. Watering is also an important factor.
Please, note that germination is simply the process of the seed becoming a plant. By this time, it would have surfaced. However, it is still young and not fully grown.

Will My Grass Become Healthier and Greener?
Absolutely! Even if your grass is not doing so well right now, it can bounce back with proper care. Understand that even if your grasses are brown, that does not necessarily mean it is dead. With the right moisture, food, air and a bunch of other lawn care procedures, you can have your lawn healthier and greener than ever. If you need help, just call a professional.