Common problems in our area
Emerald ash borer has killed most untreated ash in Simcoe County; dead ash become brittle quickly and should be removed before they fail. Oak wilt is now in Ontario, which is why we avoid pruning oaks April through July. Tar spot on Norway maples looks alarming but is cosmetic. Spruce needle cast and cytospora canker thin out mature spruce from the bottom up. Root rot from compaction or grade changes is the quiet killer of big old maples.
Cabling and bracing
A tree with a split trunk or a weak V-shaped union does not always need to come down. High-strength cables installed in the upper crown, and sometimes threaded rods through the union, let the two halves support each other. It is far cheaper than removal and keeps a mature tree in your yard. Cables need inspection every few years, which we schedule for you.
Protecting trees during construction
Most trees killed by construction die two to five years later from root damage nobody noticed. Before an addition, pool or driveway, we mark protection zones, advise on grade changes and root pruning, and coordinate with your contractor. It is a small step that saves the trees you bought the property for.
