Why hire an Arborist?

An arborist by definition is an individual who is trained in the art and science of planting, caring for, and maintaining individual trees. Certified Arborists are individuals who have achieved a level of knowledge and education in the art and science of tree care through, specifically designed programs, experience, and by passing a comprehensive examination developed by some of the Nation’s leading experts on tree care.

Most certified arborists have a Bachelor’s Degree in Science and have studied Urban Forestry. Urban Forestry advocates the role of trees as a critical part of the urban infrastructure. Urban Foresters plant and maintain trees, focusing on forest preservation, and continually conducting research as the industry grows.

What is Arboriculture?

Arboriculture: The art, science, and technology of tree preservation. The science of arboriculture studies how plants grow and respond to cultural practices and to their environment. The practice of arboriculture includes cultural techniques such as selection, planting, pruning, removal, training, fertilization, and pest and pathogen control.

What types of certifications are required for Certified Arborists?

For most of the country, there are individual certifications or licensing. For example, one can pass a written and field exam to become a NH certified arborist. For more info visit: New Hampshire Arborists Association

There is also the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA), which is one of the main governing bodies that help to educate and certify arborists all over the world. These certifications are based on total field experience, education, and written and field exams.

How do I schedule or request a Property Inspection?

Please feel free to call or email our office to schedule a walk together or fill out our online ‘Contact’ form. We will review the trees and shrubs on your property to help educate you on what may be causing any adverse reactions in your plants and how to properly care for all of your plant material.

• Phone: 603-440-3943
• Email: northernarboriculturedenise@gmail.com
• Online Form: Click Here

Why do trees and shrubs need to be pruned?

If every tree or shrub were planted in a nearly perfect location with the proper space for it to grow into its true form then we would need to do very little to the plant. Structure pruning is the process of training a tree or shrub to maintain a long-term healthy form. The basic concept is promoting the plant to have a structure growing upright or outward. If the plant has many crossing or rubbing branches, eventually they will lead to grafting or decay, causing canopy failure.

One of the major reasons why we prune is to keep trees and other plants within their allotted growing space. This is often known as pruning to fit the landscape. For the larger over-story trees cleaning out the declining deadwood will reduce the risk of branches dropping and promote the decaying hole to close. Maintaining building clearance is mandatory for all homeowner insurance, plus, this also helps to limit habitat access to the home. The reasons to prune a tree or shrub are nearly endless. In the end, if you are unsure as to why a branch should be cut or a tree should be pruned, then it is best to leave it to a professional to ensure the overall health of your plants.

How will I know if my plants are unhealthy?

There are many signs and symptoms to look for that can be caused by Abiotic or Biotic stressors: Abiotic stress is caused by soil, water, air, temperature, sunlight, etc. that the plants need to survive. Biotic stress is caused by other living organisms; this includes bacteria, fungi, beneficial or harmful insects, and people. You may find the results of these stressors just by looking at the leaves of your plants or the crown of your trees. Leaf deformation, early leaf dropping, thinning tree crowns, or the dropping of tree limbs are symptoms of plant decline and a certified arborist should be contacted to help determine the cause of such decline.

Do unhealthy plants have to be removed or can they be saved? (Reasons for why some may be removed and others can be saved, and how)

Depending on the severity of the problem with your tree or shrub we can suggest some options for saving the plant. Plant health care as a whole starts with continually monitoring the plants. The possible insect or disease present will determine the best method of action. If a tree has suffered damage or a large piece of the crown is broken out there are many options to prune or brace the tree back together. Many ornamentals can be uprooted due to poor rootstock from the nurseries. However, root zones can also be pruned to help promote long-term strong rooting. Temporary guying or support may be needed to help promote proper establishment.

There are many reasons to take a tree down, but before choosing to do so we strongly suggest having a certified arborist review the tree to help you determine the best outcome. In many situations, corrective pruning can save a tree for many more years to come.

However, if a tree has been planted in the wrong place or has overgrown its area, then you may want the tree removed. Decay to the main stem or large girdling roots are good reasons to take a tree down. Another strong cause of having a tree removed is if the tree has a target. As in, if the tree should fail in some way (fall down, or have a large limb rip off) what is at risk of being damaged? Your home, a parking area, a playground? In these situations where you may be unsure if other areas of your property will suffer damage if a tree should deteriorate in some way, we again suggest contacting a certified arborist to help aid in determining the best outcome for the situation.

When is a good time to plant new trees?

It is best for a tree to be planted or transplanted in their dormant seasons – Fall, Winter, and early Spring. Trees and shrubs can be moved when their foliage is fully out but this increases the chance of stress to the plant, which can lead to decline. Before purchasing new plant material look around your property, you may find overgrown planting areas. These overgrown areas can be thinned or plants can be relocated to fill a new planting area or replace a declining one. Nature also gives us many gifts through various animals dropping seedlings all over the property. Walking with a certified arborist who can ID these trees and shrubs will help you understand what plants are on your property to offer or reuse.

What is an effective and natural method for weed control?

Sheet mulching is a great concept that can be used to help deter weeds from your garden beds. Finding a local cardboard recycler is a good starting point or saving any cardboard from your household chores is also great. Remove any plastic, tape, and staples and you now have clean recycled cardboard. Once you have graded your planting area lay the cardboard down, wet it with a house if you can, then lay your top layer (mulch of some type). We suggest using local mulch you can easily get like recycled wood chips, grass clipping, hay, or straw and there are always processed wood chips from a local material center. All these examples can become your top layer to help hold down your cardboard and help hold in moisture.

Does Northern Arboriculture provide emergency services?

If you or your home is in a true emergency, please call 9-1-1 immediately. However, if a storm has come through and has damaged your plant material, but there is no immediate risk to you or others, please call any time. We will review what your emergency is, and how best to safely and efficiently address your emergency situation.

Are there any other services besides tree care and plant health services that Northern Arboriculture provides?

We at Northern Arboriculture are passionate about our work and enjoy educating the public about the trees around them. We have been asked to present at a number of different types of arboriculture seminars. The lecture topics have included, Recreational Tree Climbing, Ariel Technique Lessons, Rigging and Canopy Movement, Chainsaw Safety and Felling, ornamental pruning, and Plant ID and Disease Diagnoses.

We have also been asked to take part in Plant Walks with Master Gardener Programs, and Town Library Day Clinics and we have continued to help with the research for The University of Massachusetts Amherst Arboriculture Program. We also offer custom classes that can be designed and structured to best fit your needs either for an individual or for a group.