Pine Tree Stump Removal: These Are the Key Things to Know

Yellow or brown needles, dead branches, leaning off-balance…all the tell-tale signs are there. Your pine tree’s dying and needs to get removed.

However, pine trees grow differently from other trees in that their roots spread out more on a horizontal plane. Normal tree roots tend to go down and deep instead. So what steps can you take to ensure this pine tree stump gets taken out of the ground and stays out?

Well, you’re in luck. We’re here to give you this guide to the key things to know about pine tree stump removal! So without further ado, let’s get started!

Grind the Pine Tree Stump Out

One of the fastest ways to reduce a pine tree stump to nothing is through stump grinding. First, make sure to clear all the dirt and rocks away from the stump until the bottom is exposed. Afterward, you can use a stump grinder to slice away at the stump until it’s in pieces.

Leaving the roots intact is fine, as without the leaves the roots have no energy to reconstitute a tree from.

Chip Away

If a stump grinder seems too heavy-duty for you, you can also try to chip away at the stump using a shovel and ax. Dig around the stump and use the ax to sever any roots you find along the way. Once enough roots are severed, you should be able to lift the stump out of the ground using the shovel or a metal rod (if you use it as a lever).

Light Em Up

Conversely, if a stump grinder seems too tame for you, you can also use fire to help reduce a stump down to size. First, you’ll want to make sizable criss-cross incisions along the top of the stump using a chainsaw or other bladed tool.

After this, pour kerosene into the cracks and light the stump on fire. The incisions help keep oxygen flowing in the fire, so it will burn longer. You can also place a barrel around the stump and fill the gap with firewood if you want to contain the fire better.

However, it’s worth noting that fire will take time to remove the stump and some manual removal will likely be needed after.

Methods to Avoid

However, some stump removal methods are too dangerous to try at home. While scientists have been able to remove stumps in controlled settings with herbicides, they present a danger to the other plants and animals in your yard. On top of that, rainwater will spread the herbicides across the ground to affect neighboring areas.

It’s also important to abstain from any stump removal methods without the proper safety equipment. Goggles and gloves are a must, as is ear protection if you’re operating something like a chainsaw.

Tree Stump No More

With these top-tier steps to ripping out any pine tree stump that stands in your way, you’re ready to get out there and clear some trees today! If you want to get even more efficient, however, reach out to us and let us know how we can help kick your pine tree stump out for good.

 

How Long Does It Take for a Tree to Grow?

Are you planting a new tree in your yard and you’re wondering how long it’ll be before it’s full-height?

Maybe you’ve already got a tree and you want to know how much bigger it’s going to get. Many people ask us, “how long does it take for a tree to grow?”, but the answer is never as simple as people want it to be. There are 60,000 tree species in the world and they all grow in different ways.

However, for practical purposes, you can look at a couple of factors to determine how the tree in your yard will grow. In this post, we’ll discuss those and tell you some signs to look out for that’ll help you indicate how big your tree is going to get.

How Long Does It Take For a Tree to Grow?

Growing a tree from seed is one of the most satisfying things to do over a long period of time. If all goes well, your tree might live for hundreds of years, but when does it actually stop growing?

That depends on two important things: the type of tree and the location it’s growing in.

Location

Let’s start with the tree’s location. If it’s growing in a warmer climate, it’s going to grow faster than in colder climates. Tree species near the equator might grow several meters per year, while those in the northern parts of Canada and Europe might only grow a meter or two per year.

So, depending on the tree, it might take 10-20 years for one growing in a sunny area to reach maturity or 30-40 years in the cold. For us in Dallas, most of our big tree species grow to between 35-80 feet in height and our sub-tropical climate means that they’ll grow on the faster end of the spectrum.

Species

If you’re planting a new tree and want it to grow quickly, make sure it’s a native species that is meant to grow in the north Texas climate. Our native species include maple, ash, willow, sycamore, cypress, oak, and laurel, among others. Each one grows at a different rate, but none are more than 80 feet tall when mature.

When you factor the maximum height in with the likely growth rate of a few meters per year, you’ll be looking at somewhere between 15-30 years for your tree to grow.

Taking Care of Your Tree

So, how long does it take for a tree to grow? It’s tough to say exactly, but it’s going to be a long, long time before a young tree reaches maturity.

If left alone, trees don’t need our help to grow, they’ve been doing it successfully since long before we were around. That being said, a city isn’t exactly a natural place for a tree to grow, so you might need to guide it along throughout its life.

At Green Pine Tree Service, our staff of highly trained arborists will help ensure the health and safety of your tree(s). Contact us for a consultation, in which we can assess the condition of your tree, show you signs of a dead tree, help you treat pests and disease, and create a plan for removing a dead tree or keeping a sick tree alive.

What to Do If Your Tree Has Frost Cracks

Every year, winter happens. That means many areas around America get covered in frost.

But what happens when you have frost cracks etched into the trunk? What are you supposed to do? Should you call an arborist for an evaluation? Or should you treat the tree yourself?

Follow this guide, and we’ll show you what to do if your tree cracks from frost.

Frost Cracks

Winter temperatures dropping below zero sometimes causes cracks in trees. Frost cracks cause a lot of damage to trees, and, sometimes, the damage is permanent.

What Causes a Frosted Tree to Crack?

Trees with frost cracks in them are often found in open areas. Found on winter days, the inner bark becomes warm by the sunlight. As the temperature drops, the bark begins shrinking.

The wood inside the tree’s trunk slowly contracts as the bark shrinks. This process causes the bark of the tree trunk to split in half — this is a frost crack.

According to the University of Michigan, scientists believe frost cracks are caused by the water moving out cells and freezing within the tree. The wood closest to the tree’s surface shrinks as it loses water.

This is common with younger trees that have thin bark.

Developed trees may suffer from frost cracks. The inside of trees reaches higher temperatures than the air around them.

A few species that are more likely to develop frost cracks include, but are not limited to:

  • Apple trees
  • Beech trees
  • Elm
  • London plane
  • Maple

Tree Scald

Some nights, the air becomes cooler, the temperature drops. As a result, the cambium layer and bark become damaged. This damage isn’t called frost cracks. It’s called tree scald.

How to Fix Frost Cracks

There’re many reasons your tree may have a crack in it. Learning how to help your cracked tree and preventing frost cracks is the first step.

If your tree already has damage within its trunk, don’t shake it. Shaking the tree will cause more damage, and there’s a chance of hurting yourself.

First, evaluate where your trees are in your yard, and identify what could damage them.

Prevention

Instead of applying fertilizer too early, wait until the leaves fall off the tree. Waiting to put fertilizer on your tree can help avoid frost cracks.

Avoid damaging the bark on the tree’s trunk while it’s still young and growing. You can damage your tree by hitting the base with your lawnmower or your car’s bumper.

Placing mulch around the young tree’s base can help your lawnmower from damaging the tree. The mulch acts as a barrier around the base.

When to Call an Expert

If your tree is too far gone, it’s time to call in an expert. A professional will assess the damaged tree and explain the next course of action.

Our Services

Frost cracks aren’t a laughing matter. Severe damage causes the infected tree to lean and fall over. If a cracked tree is left untreated, someone could get hurt.

That’s why it’s best to call an arborist to evaluate the damage if you notice a crack in one of your trees. A professional will help you learn what you need to do.

For more articles like this, visit our website and learn about our services, like tree pruning and removal.

Here’s Why You Need to Work With a Certified Arborist

When you’re dealing with trees around your home or workplace, you might be tempted to do a DIY job.

How hard is it to cut down trees anyway? You have a saw and a ladder, so what’s the problem?

Well, before you find yourself in a real mess of a situation, we want to offer some advice: hire a certified arborist to do the heavy lifting for you.

Not sure why you need an arborist? No worries, we’ll convince you. Keep reading to learn why you need to leave the trees to the professionals.

You Get Professional Advice

Arborists aren’t just there to do the job and go. They can make suggestions to give you insight into how you can take care of your tree situation in the future and what the best practices are to maintain the trees on your property.

It might be a certified arborist’s job to take care of your trees when you call them, but they also don’t want to be around for every small issue. They can advise you on what can (and should) be done at home and what should be left to the certified arborists to protect you and the trees.

You Have Options

How much do you really know about trees? When you have a tree that’s bothering you, you’re probably going to look at what limited options you know. You can cut the tree down, you can plant new trees haphazardly, or you can chop off branches with reckless abandon.

A certified arborist knows trees. They can remove unwanted trees with ease, but they can also prune the tree so that it no longer gets in your way. Do you want to get rid of the tree, or are you just trying to stop it from interfering with other things on your property?

An arborist can also give you options for preserving the life of the tree. They can reinforce trees that need extra help and clear away any debris that’s left behind.

You don’t need to limit your options to your tree knowledge.

You Feel Confident That Things Are Done Correctly

Even the most confident people among us feel nervous with a saw and a new situation. You might think that you know exactly what you’re doing, but are you confident enough to risk your property, building, or car? How do you know that branches or the entire tree won’t cause damage?

Arborists have seen it all. When you hire one, they’ll talk to you about your problem and advise solutions. They can do this because they’ve dealt with similar things before.

They’ll get the work done, and it will be done right and fast.

Certified Arborists Beat a DIY Job Every Time

Cutting down trees on your own might seem like a good idea, but you’ll end up regretting it. Certified arborists are available to help you make the right choices for the trees in your yard.

If you want the job done right, leave it to the professionals.

If you need an arborist in the Dallas or Fort Worth area, visit our site. We want to help you out!

Fitting the Local Foliage: How to Choose the Right Tree for Your Area

It’s no secret that planting the right trees in and around your home can work wonders when it comes to enhancing the appeal of your yard. Not only does it improve the appearance of your home, but it also brings a brightness to the area that was not there before.

Deciding on the best type of trees for your area can be challenging, especially when you don’t know what to look for. And that’s why we’re providing you with this tree planting guide. You’re going to find everything you need to know to ensure that you know what it takes to find the right tree.

Consider the Space

Before you plant any trees in your yard, you need to assess the space that you’ll have for the trees that will be planted. Depending on the type of tree you’ve selected, it will grow to varying heights, and you don’t want to choose a tree that will overshadow your home.

That is, unless, you’re looking for a tree that will provide you with shade from the sun you’re looking for. Considering the space will also help you decide how many trees you will need to plant to achieve the desired look.

Power Line Height

This is not something that you may have typically thought about, but the last thing you want to do is plant a tree, and later on, it affects the power lines located around your home. Not only is it going to mean that you’ve got to call the power company, but your neighbors aren’t going to be the happiest either.

Climate Temperature

There are specific types of trees that thrive better in colder climates, while some thrive in hotter climates. You need to take the time to research what kind of climate you live in before planting any trees.

Take the time to check out a plant hardiness map, which will tell you what temperature zone your state is in and the types of plants and trees that will thrive the best in your area. From there, select trees that will work the best with what you imagined while also growing and flourishing in its environment.

Soil

Depending on the type of tree you’re planting, it will have precise watering and soil specifications. Some trees will need to be watered frequently in the first year after planting and then not as much as they continue to grow.

Depending on the tree you’re going to plant, it may have specific soil requirements to ensure that it grows properly.

Tree Planting Guide: Trees Growing as High as Their Roots

We hope that this tree planting guide helped you when it comes to starting your tree planting journey. You’ve got to take the time to research the climate that you’re in and the amount of water and the type of soil that the trees you plant will need.

If you need help preserving trees currently in your yard or need someone to come and remove trees from your yard, contact Green Pine Tree Service. We’ve got the experience and client testimonials as evidence that we know what we’re doing.

Is My Tree Still Alive? Here’s How to Find Out

Trees can live up to thousands of years depending on the type. But, how do you know when your tree has given out? There are signs of a dying tree that can be saved or needs to come down right away.

If you are asking yourself, “Is my tree dead?”, read this guide on how to tell.

Leaf Growth

If you’re wondering, “Is my tree dead?”, the first thing you should look at is the growth of the leaves. Each tree will shed leaves at a certain point during the year. It is when the tree begins to shed leaves earlier than usual that you should worry.

Some trees, like evergreens, will keep their leaves the entire year. In this case, you should worry when they are losing a significant amount of leaves. This could be one of the signs your tree is dead.

Leaf Coloration

Another one of the signs your tree is dying is the difference in the color of leaves. During the year, the leaves may change colors. For example, a pine tree might begin to have brown or yellow needles.

This usually means your tree doesn’t have the ability to provide nutrients to the leaves anymore. The signs won’t be noticeable right away. It will take time to creep up, but once it has, you will know.

Unusual Surrounding Species

Trees are often homes to critters and bugs. However, as they age, they become more susceptible to destructive plants and pests. Some of these pests may not be destructive but are only attracted to the tree because it is dying.

If your tree is beginning to welcome life forms that it did not once welcome, it is probably dying. If you are wondering, “can my tree be saved?”, it would have to be moved to a new and healthier area.

Dead Branches

A dead branch is likely the easiest way to tell that your tree is dying or already dead. You can identify a dead branch by seeing if it doesn’t have leaves or if it has scattered bark.

If none of the other branches are dead, it will be easy to spot the dead one. In this case, you can save your tree by cutting off the dead branch. This will allow the tree to stop wasting nutrients.

Directional Leaning

A tree that is dying or already dead tends to lean in a certain direction. A healthy tree is easy to spot because it stays upright or in the direction of the light.

A dying tree cannot support it’s weight anymore, to they will begin to lean. It is best to cut a leaning tree down because it could fall at any moment, harming your home or people around it.

Is My Tree Dead? Explained

Questioning “is my tree dead?”, is the first step to getting something done about it. A dying tree can be saved if only some branches or leaves are changing. However, it is important to know when to let go of a tree so it does not cause any serious damage.

For tree removal services and more, contact us today.

Experts Say You Should Prune for Fall: Here’s Why

Did you know that treating your trees to a fall pruning using the proper techniques can extend their life?

Even though it might seem unimportant, trimming back dead branches and improper growth is actually an essential part of caring for your tree. But, you’ll have to act fast – after all, winter is coming!

Keep reading for our expert tips on why you should prune this fall, hiring an arborist, and more!

Disease Control

Dormancy pruning refers to trimming trees during the part of the year when they are not growing.

This practice can help you avoid leaving fresh cuts on your tree during warmer weather when insects and disease have a better chance of taking hold. And, this same logic applies to preventing the growth of bacteria, fungi, and other common pests.

By the time these common tree killers re-emerge in the spring, your tree’s cuts will be completely healed.

Winter Prep

Fall tree pruning can help it withstand harsh winter weather.

The stronger a tree, the better chances it has of surviving the winter ahead. And, removing weak and damaged limbs increases overall health, reduces the chances of cracking and breaking, and helps a tree focus its energy on enduring the winter dormant season.

Cutting back parts of your tree that are likely to break and fall can also help protect the rest of your property!

Spring Healing

Pruning trees in fall causes less stress and allows for faster recovery time. And, your trees cuts will be completely healed by the time it’s ready to start growing again after the dormant months.

Removing dead branches also lets more light in, helping your tree soak up as much nutrition as possible once springtime weather arrives. This can kick-start a new growth cycle, allowing your tree to flourish during the year ahead.

Call in the Pros

You already know why it’s important to prune your trees in fall – but why should you hire a professional arborist?

Tree pruning is more than just cutting back branches. It’s also an important opportunity to assess your tree’s overall health and help it prepare for the harsh conditions and dormant months that lie ahead.

Hiring a local expert will not only help you get fall pruning finished in time for winter, but it will also give you a chance to check in on how your tree is doing. Just remember to check out a few online reviews and testimonials, and make sure your arborist of choice is accredited with a trustworthy organization like the Better Business Bureau before making a final hiring decision.

Fall Pruning – Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late

Now that you know a bit about fall pruning for trees, you’re probably eager to get the process started. And, there’s no time to waste! Winter will be here before you know it.

Contact us today for a personalized quote for our professional tree trimming and removal services.