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RTEC Treecare

Expert Tree Care in the DC Metro Area | Call 703-573-3029 to talk to a Tree Care Expert.

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The Role of the Arborist: Understanding the Full Picture

Resources: Tree Maintenance

Arborist evaluation finds signs of root disturbance and damage to the left side of red oak. The cause? A driveway that doesn’t exist. Using site clues most others wouldn’t have noticed, our arborist pieced together the history of this tree and was able to give the homeowner some answers. 

What an Arborist Can Do for You

Site clue links to decline of tree

The role of an arborist cannot be understated. Their trained eyes, past experience, and use of clues from the site allow them to make sound recommendations to the trees on the property. 

In this case, an Arlington resident’s red oak showed signs of distress. The arborist evaluated the site but didn’t see any evidence of pests or pathogens. The arborist then noticed a curb cutout that indicated the presence of a driveway in the past. 

Upon further investigation, and thanks to satellite imagery, the arborist was able to confirm her hunch that 19 years ago there was, in fact, a driveway. While the driveway has since been removed, the red oak remains – but for how long? When construction and land disturbance like this is conducted in such close proximity to the tree’s critical root zone, there is potential for permanent damage to the tree.

Google imagery shows residence without driveway in 2020
Google imagery shows evidence with driveway in 2002

Some communities require tree preservation for things like construction projects. Be sure to check in with your local municipality to learn what they require.

Soil compaction within the trees’ root zones from foot traffic and heavy equipment is a concern when it comes to construction on properties. Our certified arborists can create a customized protection plan that best fits your tree’s needs. 

Even when closely and carefully monitored, it is almost impossible to anticipate your tree’s needs. While we cannot reverse trees’ decline, we can help them thrive while they are around. 

Are you planning a construction or renovation project that might affect your tree? Call us today to protect these trees before it’s too late!

Call us at 703.573.3029

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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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