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11 Common Tree Care Myths

Resources: Community

With so much information in the world today it is hard for homeowners to figure out what is true and what is not, especially in a complicated industry such as tree care. There are a lot of unsafe practices and wives tales out there that are outdated and dangerous to trees and the people who live in their proximity. Don’t get fooled by tree care myths; read on to protect yourself by learning these 11 Common Tree Care Myths and The Facts That Prove Them Wrong.

A Topped Tree
A Tree That Has Been Topped

1. Cutting More Of The Tree Adds More Value

Fact: There is only so much you can prune back at one time without severely impacting your tree. Removing too much at one time stresses the tree and can lead to health decline, structural defects, insect infestation, and disease infection.  The practice of removing lots of large branches and whole tops of trees is commonly referred to as “Topping”. This is an outdated and harmful practice that will lead to your tree’s death.

2. Anyone That Cuts Trees Are Arborists

Fact: There are many untrained and uncertified “tree cutters” passing themselves off as an arborist. An arborist, specifically an ISA Certified Arborist, is trained in arboriculture and utilizes the ANSI standards to properly do tree work. They have passed an extensive examination covering all facets of arboriculture and understand how best to care for your trees. By not using a Certified Arborist you risk doing more harm to your tree than good. You can find a Certified Arborist on the ISA website: http://www.isa-arbor.com/findanarborist/arboristsearch.aspx 

Beneficial Insect Ladybug3. All Insects Are Bad For Trees

Fact: Certain insects protect your trees and are good for the environment these are called Beneficial Insects. Take ladybugs for example, these insects feed on aphids and other creatures that harm your trees. There are even Beneficial Insect Release programs that use good insects to fight the bad ones instead of using chemicals. Learn more about Beneficial Insect Release.

4. Dead Branches Will Come Down On Their Own

Fact: Yes, dead branches may eventually fall on their own; however, in our highly populated area it’s very likely they will cause property damage or human injury when they do fall. Dead branches “hangers” are unsafe and should be removed as soon as possible.

5. Healthy Looking Trees Won’t Fall Down

Fact: No tree is ever 100% safe. However; trees that typically fall have root structure issues. It’s very common for trees to look healthy but still have root structure issues. This is why it’s important to get your tree examined by an Arborist every so often. They will be able to spot the signs of an unhealthy root system. Learn More About Why & When Trees Fall Down.

Does Ivy Hurt Trees

6. “Let’s Plant It Here, If We Don’t Like It We Can Move It Later”

Fact: Moving a tree can damage it, especially once the roots have been established, And planting in the wrong location can harm the tree in the future. Check how big your tree’s crown will get and make sure the roots have room to grown 2-3x that width, make sure your full grown tree will not encroach on any power lines or structures, and make sure the spot your planting in has the right soil type and light exposure for the type of tree your planting.

7. Vines Are Good For My Trees

Fact: Although many people love the look of ivy growing on trees, Ivy is a threat to your tree.  In fact, these aesthetically appealing vines can actually accelerate rot, steal nutrients from the tree, deprive the tree of sunlight, and cover up structural issues that could cause your tree to fall during a storm.

8. Tree’s Need To Be Balanced

Fact: Trees do not grow symmetrically. Trees grow towards the light and they will adjust to compensate for being uneven. A leaning tree can worry homeowners, but generally, trees that lean naturally over time are not a cause for concern. However, trees that lean suddenly can be a sign of structural issues. If your tree started leaning after a storm call an Arborist ASAP as it may fall soon. 

9. It Doesn’t Matter How The Branches Are Cut, It Will Grow Back

Fact: Tree branches need to be pruned properly to prevent damage. Limbs that are cut improperly can cause permanent and irreparable damage to your tree.

10. Water Is Good And More Water Is Better

Fact: During the drought season it is very good to water your trees; however, over watering is not good and can cause root rot. Watering once a week (deep and slow) is better than daily (fast). Learn How To Properly Water Your Tree.

11. Safety Doesn’t Matter

Fact: Arboriculture is among the top 5 most dangerous occupations in the U.S and that is for people that know what they are doing and have the right equipment. It gets even more dangerous when done by untrained homeowners. In 2015, the media covered 58 stories of homeowners sustaining serious injury while performing their own tree work; 34 of these cases were fatal. It is always best to hire a tree care company.

Even if you hire a tree care company make sure they care about safety and are properly insured.  If you hire an uninsured company with poorly trained workers you can be sued if they hurt themselves on your property.

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Google Reviews

Grey Burkhart
Grey Burkhart
March 29, 2022.
Verified
Very professional review of our requirements and an accurate estimate. Showed up on time and were finished quickly. Cleaned up all of the debris and sawdust. Great job all around.
Dennis Bruns
Dennis Bruns
March 8, 2022.
Verified
We have used RTEC Treecare for several years. They do excellent work. Their staff is extremely knowledgeable and take great care in explaining the various options available for your particular situation. I highly recommend them.
Annette Iannucci
Annette Iannucci
February 23, 2022.
Verified
We have been using RTEC for years and were very pleased with the recent tree maintenance work they did for us. As always, we got good advice from their arborist Ben,. The crew that did the work is highly skilled, and they did a great job trimming our trees. They worked safely and efficiently, in addition to leaving the yard clean after they finished the work.
Susan Crawford
Susan Crawford
January 26, 2022.
Verified
RTEC was at my house today to removed a large Magnolia that was badly damaged by the recent snow. They did a fantastic job at a very reasonable price. They arrived right on time, worked efficiently and quickly and cleaned up so well it was hard to tell anything have been disturbed. Over the past several years, I have used RTEC for all the services I checked above, and have always been very pleased with their service and professionalism. I also appreciate that they are not eager to take down trees that don't need to come down. In this case, the damage was too extensive for the tree to recover.
Kenton Morgan
Kenton Morgan
January 20, 2022.
Verified
Once again, RTEC has done a great job. The team showed up right on time and performed all the work that we agreed to. They kept us informed as to progress, coordinated with us concerning our maple, and made recommendations concerning ongoing support for our trees. At the end of the day, they thoroughly cleaned up the debris and left our yard in pristine condition. WELL DONE.
Jean Kluttz
Jean Kluttz
January 3, 2022.
Verified
Not our first time but this time was tricky removal of a large dead tree leaning on a healthy tree. Quick response for estimate, good timing to removal, all clear and healthy tree still fine.
Jerry Haggin
Jerry Haggin
December 16, 2021.
Verified
Very good work while ensuring that I was aware of status of my work order and planned completion.
Mike Iger
Mike Iger
December 16, 2021.
Verified
David Roberts
David Roberts
December 15, 2021.
Verified
We’ve used RTEC for many years for tree maintenance and can’t say enough good things about their service. We use them for tree trimming and for regular treatments to maintain our trees’ health and deal with pests and prevent disease. Their arborist Ben has been especially helpful with advice. RTEC also been especially helpful in emergency situations, once coming to cable a massive, heritage oak in our yard right before a hurricane was about to hit. Highly recommend.
Travis Larson
Travis Larson
December 10, 2021.
Verified
RTEC did an excellent job onsite of removing dead branches from our 80+ year old trees, and trimming other growth too close to our home.
Google rating score: 4.8 of 5, based on 185 reviews.

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