The Roanoker Sept/October 2023 - 92

Homes
" The wood from trees
is beautiful and it has
many uses, " so if you
have to have a tree
removed, consider
repurposing what you
can of it, says Poff.
HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE
- WHAT DOES IT COVER?
" The only time homeowners
insurance kicks in is when the
tree has caused damage to
your personal property, injury to
people or worse. But don't just
assume that you're covered in
the event of a tree falling on your
home, " cautions Carrie Poff.
Because coverage can vary by
plan, she and Salb concur that it's
always best to analyze your policy
and contact your provider if you
have any questions.
mature trees require one inch of water once
every seven days. During the first or second
growing season, a new tree's watering needs
might range anywhere from four to 10 gallons
per week, " says Salb.
As they grow, it becomes more imperative
than ever that property owners do what they
can to keep their trees in good shape. There are
several ways to do this, with one of the most
essential involving a little tidying up.
" If you have shorter trees, purchasing a telescoping
pole saw and a hard hat and removing
sucker growth or smaller dead limbs is perfectly
safe, " says Poff. Another way to help keep your
trees healthy is by mulching around them in
the spring. " Just don't create a mulch volcano!
Mulch pushed up against the trunk of a tree
can cause it to rot. "
92
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2023
WHEN TO CALL
THE PROFESSIONALS
Proper diagnosis and treatment of tree diseases
as well as tree removal often require the help
of an expert, but there are some characteristics
property owners may notice that could
be indicative of a compromised tree. These
include:
* Spotted or wilted leaves
* Blotches on leaves that are white, black or
gray in color and look powdery or fuzzy
* An abundance of broken branches laying
around the base of the tree
* Abnormal bark coloration
* Holey leaves
* Patches of leaves missing on branches
* Cracks along the trunk of the tree
* Mushroom growth on the tree
Arborists are trained to spot any signs that
could mean your tree is unwell, so it never
hurts to call one out to perform a quick check
if you're unsure.
For anything involving larger trees, it's
always best to call in a reliable tree service for
help. " Too many homeowners are injured and
killed each year trying to climb them, prune
them or remove dead limbs from them. Let a
professional with training, safety gear, equipment
and knowledge examine your tree, " says
Salb.
FINDING THE RIGHT
TREE CARE SERVICE
One size certainly doesn't fit all, but there are
some basic characteristics of a reputable company
you should look for when choosing a tree
care crew.
Arguably the most important is ensuring
they have insurance and proper licensing. " If
the company you call cannot produce a COI
[Certificate of Insurance], don't go there, " says
Poff.
You should also ask how long employees at
the company have worked in the tree care service
industry, where they received their training
and any other relevant information pertaining
to their credentials.
Additionally, communicate your needs
directly to the person who will be doing the
job. " Ask to speak with the person who is actually
going to be doing the cutting, " advises Salb.
" Make sure that person knows what you're
wanting to have done, not just the person who
gave you the estimate. "
Finding the right business to help with
preventative measures that don't include tree
trimming/removal is a little simpler, says
Rose. " You just want to make sure the company
you hire has a program that includes
seasonal fertilization and insect and disease
controls. " I
TheRoanoker.com
COURTESY OF BROWN HOUND TREE SERVICE
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The Roanoker Sept/October 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of The Roanoker Sept/October 2023
