Frequently Asked Questions About Tree Maintenance
Q: Do you provide FREE estimates/Consultations
A: Yes, T's Tree Service offers FREE estimates by appointment.

Q: What is the best time of year to prune my trees?
A: This is dependent on the species and location of the tree, and many other factors. Fall tends to be a popular time for tree-pruning. To determine the best time for your trees, please call to set up a personal appointment.

Q: How do I get rid of mistletoe?
A: Mistletoes are parasitic plants with a root-like system embedded in their host to extract food and water. The good news is that mistletoes are obligate parasites, which mean they survive only in living tissue. Pruning an infected branch kills the mistletoe on that branch. The bad news is that you cannot eliminate mistletoe from a tree unless all infected limbs are removed. If a tree were completely infected, you'd kill the tree if you removed all infected limbs. Often times there are less drastic measures you can take in order to enjoy your trees and tolerate mistletoe because mistletoes spread slowly and it takes many infections and years to kill a tree. There are two main types of mistletoes, true mistletoes and dwarf mistletoes, and each requires a different strategy for control. If you have an infected oak, maple or other hardwood or a juniper or cypress, you are dealing with a "true" mistletoe species. Birds feed on the berry-like fruits of these mistletoes and can widely disperse the seeds. These mistletoes have green leafy shoots, so they produce most of their own food and cause little damage to the host unless most of the tree is infected. These mistletoes however, do draw a lot of water from their hosts and can seriously desiccate the host during a drought unless you water adequately at these times. One form of control is pruning branches where infections are light. Another is planting replacement trees that are not host for the mistletoe, because many types of mistletoe infect only one type of tree. Chemical controls with sprays or injections have limited value. In the meantime, get a pair of binoculars and enjoy the birds visiting your trees. If you have an infected pine tree or some other conifer besides juniper or cypress, your trees are infected with a dwarf mistletoe. These seeds are explosively discharged, so dispersal is near the site of the original infection. If only a few limbs are infected, you can prune infected branches to improve tree health and reduce spread. If you have a lot of infected limbs in a tree or a lot of infected trees on your property, you may want to focus on removing the most heavily infected trees and/or pruning the most heavily infected limbs. The latter can increase the life expectancy of some trees.
Information gathered from the Mistletoe Center - Flagstaff Rocky Mountain Research Station

Q: What is a Certified Arborist?
A: An arborist is an individual trained in the art and science of planting, caring for, and maintaining individual trees. Certification provides a means to asses an individual's knowledge and competence required to provide proper tree care. Although certification is not a measure of standards of practice, it can attest to the tree knowledge of an individual. Certified arborists are individuals who have achieved a level of knowledge in the art and science of tree care through experience and passing a comprehensive examination developed by some of the nation's leading experts on tree care and includes proficiency in the following areas:
  • Nutrition/Fertilization
  • Installation/Establishment
  • Tree Biology
  • Diagnosis/Treatment
  • ID/Selection
  • Safety/Climbing
  • Pruning
  • Soil/Water Relations
  • Cabling/Bracing
Certified arborists must also continue their education to maintain their certification. Therefore, they should be up-to-date on the latest techniques in arboriculture.
Information is from the International Society of Arboriculture