Services
01.
Tree Pruning
Pruning of trees should always be done with a purpose in mind. The purposes for pruning are varied. Some pruning is done to change or train a plants growing pattern or to restrict growth. Other forms of pruning may be required to maintain or improve plant health or the quality of flowers , fruit and foliage.
The appropriate amount of pruning of live tissue from a tree will depend on the size, species and age of a tree as well as the pruning objective.
The certified arborists at Trillium Tree Experts can inspect your trees, discuss your pruning objectives, offer pruning recommendations and arrange to provide proper service for your trees.
Proper pruning is essential in developing a tree with a strong structure and desirable form. Trees that receive the appropriate pruning measures while they are young will require little corrective pruning when they mature.
When pruning a young tree it is important to note that each cut has the potential to change the growth of that tree. Proper knowledge and pruning technique is essential, poor pruning can cause damage that will last for the life of the tree or even shorten the life of the tree.
As stated previously pruning should always be done with a purpose. The various reasons you may consider pruning a mature tree include the following:
Crown Cleaning
The removal of dead, dying, diseased, crowded, weakly attached and low vigor branches from the trees crown.
Crown Thinning
The selective removal of branches to increases light penetration and air movement throughout the crown. Thinning opens the foliage of a tree, reduces weight on heavy limbs and helps to retain the trees natural shape.
Crown Raising
The removal of the lower branches from a tree in order to provide clearance for buildings, vehicles, pedestrians and vistas.
Crown Reduction
Reduces the size of a tree. This type of pruning may be necessary to reduce the height or spread of a tree and is best accomplished by pruning back leaders or branches to lateral branches that are large enough to assume the terminal role. When properly done crown reduction will help to maintain the form and structural integrity of a tree.
02.
Tree Removal
Trillium Tree Experts Ltd. is company dedicated to tree preservation; however, there are times when tree removal is necessary.
Our trained arborists have the knowledge necessary to recognize when a tree should be removed rather than preserved or maintained.
Reasons we may recommend that trees be removed include:
- dead or dying
- considered irreparably hazardous
- causing an obstruction that is impossible to correct through pruning
- crowding and causing harm to other trees
- to be replaced by a more suitable specimen
- located in an area where new construction requires removal
When it is determined that a tree has to be removed our removal technicians have the necessary skills and equipment required to perform the task in a safe and efficient manner.
The City of Ottawa’s updated Tree Protection By-law took effect January 1, 2021, which further enhances tree protection measures. Tree Information Reports (TIR) are now required for removal of distinctive trees,
- Trees larger then 30cm diameter located inside the Greenbelt (urban)
- Trees larger then 50cm diameter located outside the Greenbelt (suburban)
When Trillium Tree Experts is contracted to remove a distinctive tree, we will prepare and submit the TIR on your behalf.
Infill development projects, changes have also been made to tree protection on these sites. Trillium Tree Experts works with developer’s preparing Tree Information Reports required by the city.
Tree stumps can be unsightly as well as a nuisance. If stump grinding or removal is required we have the necessary equipment for that task and can access stumps in most backyards. When removing or grinding a tree stump we offer the following options:
- stump grinding only
- stump grinding with cleanup
- stump grinding with cleanup and reinstatement
Important notice: grinding of stumps is considered to be a cosmetic or an aesthetic application. When grinding stumps all areas of the tree stump and roots above the soil surface will be ground down below grade. However, a large portion of the stump and root system will remain below the soil surface. Therefore, if your intention is to plant a new tree nearby you may have to address roots or consider moving the tree to a more suitable location.
03.
Hedge & Shrub Pruning
The most commonly planted hedges in the Ottawa region are cedar. Cedars are a desirable plant because they provide privacy and maintain colour all year round. Cedar hedges are often used to define property lines and used instead of fencing. However cedars and other hedges do require annual maintenance. If cedar hedges are not pruned on a regular schedule there are a number of problems which can and will occur:
- Will become unruly and eventually overtake living space in your yard. (space you will not recapture without damaging the hedge).
- Grow wider and taller in a way that makes future maintenance difficult and costly.
- Eventually thin out which takes away from privacy.
- More susceptible to damage from the weight of ice and snow.
We know when, how and why to prune.
Hedge pruning is one of the services that we can provide for you. We have the proper tools and equipment and knowledge required to perform this task. Many of the hedges we will prune this season are hedges we have maintained since the company began in 1990. On some properties the homeowners have changed and the new owners have hired Trillium Tree Experts to continue maintaining their property.
There are a variety of other hedges that do well in our region as well. Some homeowners prefer a deciduous hedge and there are many varieties in our region, Privet, Caragana, and Arctic Willow to name a few. Each of the varieties out there has their own desirable qualities. Some are planted for their foliar colour. Some may be planted for their flower or there fruit. These deciduous hedges are all different but what they do share in common is they require maintenance.
04.
Fertilization & Mulching
Practice treatments such as fertilizing and mulching will reduce a trees susceptibility to attack from many insect and diseases.
An ounce of prevention = a pound of cure
It is important to note that although fertilization and mulching provide countless benefits to the urban landscape. Improper application or over fertilization and mulching can have an equally negative effect on the landscape.
A certified arborist from Trillium Tree Experts can determine fertilization and mulching requirements for your property by inspecting the landscape and discussing your maintenance objectives.
Trees growing in the forest tend to grow in soils that are rich in layers of humus which is repeatedly enriched by the decomposition of plant and animal residues. The decay of plant material such as leaves tend to be high in nutrients which when broken down become an available source of nutrient for trees in the forest. However, in the urban and suburban environment these layers of humus no longer exist. They have typically been striped or altered during the development and construction of new homes and subdivisions. Soils in these areas tend to be compacted, poorly aerated and poorly drained.
Properly selected fertilizers administered by mechanical means have the ability to improve soil structure while replenishing nutrient and micronutrients to the soil. These nutrients are essential for improving root and top growth for trees and other plant material within the urban landscape.
Mulch is a material placed over the soil surface. There are many benefits to using mulch. By mulching we can reduce water loss from the soil while improving soil structure. Mulching can even suppress weeds and prevent weed eater and lawn mower damage to tree trunks. Depending on the types of mulch being used mulch can improve soil fertility and even dress up the landscape. Mulching is probably the most beneficial application available for improving and maintaining the health of trees in the urban landscape.
05.
Pest Management
Insects and disease problems can threaten tree health. It is important to identify specific symptoms of damage within your landscape and understand their causes. Only after accurate diagnosis can you determine the most beneficial or appropriate tree options.
Stress of plant material is most often influenced by water, light, nutrients and air circulation. Too much or too little of any of those can weaken a plant allowing that plant to become more susceptible to attack from insects and disease.
Being proactive and following proper ‘plant health care’ practices will go a long way in the effort to prevent insect and disease problems. Trees in the urban landscape are faced with many more stress factors than those growing in a natural landscape. It is important to monitor the landscape and be on the lookout for symptoms of stress. An accurate analysis of symptoms is necessary to determine the correct course of action to correct a problem. That is where we can help.
Being proactive and following proper ‘plant health care’ practices will go a long way in the effort to prevent insect and disease problems.
When diagnosing a problem in trees and landscape plantings a Trillium Tree Experts arborist will typically identify the plant then look for patterns of abnormality. Often times it is necessary to compare that plant to others within the surrounding landscape. This may even include plantings on an adjacent property. History of the landscape or specific plantings can help in diagnosis. It is important to note the position and appearance of effected foliage. For example, dead leaves at the top of a tree or in the extremities often indicate environmental stress or root damage. Another example, twisted or curled leaves can suggest viral infection or insect feeding.
Many varieties of insects can cause injury and damage to trees and shrubs. Some are defoliators, some are sap suckers and some are borers. These examples all cause different types of damage. Often times that damage is a secondary concern or may be the symptom of a greater problem. There are only 3 conditions required for a disease to develop:
- presence of a pathogen
- plant susceptibility to that pathogen
- environment suitable for disease development
If you see any signs of insect or disease or suspect a problem within a your landscape contact Trillium Tree Experts, our representatives can help to identify the problem and offer solution.
Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is an invasive species of insect that has found its way to Ottawa. It is a small beetle that has done an incredible amount of damage to our urban forest in a relatively short time span. The beetle only attacks ash trees and is not selective in terms of a trees size or vigour. Approximately 30% of Ottawa’s natural forest canopies are ash. Until recently landscape architects, designers and urban foresters commonly planted ash due to that trees ability to adapt to local climates and soil structure. Now with the introduction of EAB all ash trees are at risk and our landscape is going to change.
06.
Emergency
Proactive care of your trees is the best defence against storm damage. The Ottawa region is a harsh climate for trees and it is impossible to prevent all storm related tree damage. If you have trees that have been damaged by a storm, our experts can safely correct dangerous conditions and take action to maximize the health of your tree.
Damage to trees can have a lasting impact on your property and the surrounding landscape. High winds have the potential to tear trees apart and when combined with heavy rains and soils may become loose, causing trees to uproot and topple over. Lightning can cause the tree wood to splinter and bark to explode. Another common occurrence in our region is damage caused by the weight of ice and snow. When the forces of nature attack our trees the damage can be catastrophic.
An ounce of prevention= a pound of cure
Assess tree damage and know that if at least 50% of tree branches remain unbroken and a trees trunk remains sound that tree has a good chance of surviving. Take safety precautions consider there are potential hazards around trees. Hazards such as downed powerlines, direct or indirect contact can cause serious injury or even death.
Broken or hanging limbs can fall causing harm to people or property. Limbs under pressure can break causing heavy trees to shift. There are many hazards and a lot can go wrong.
Stay safe – have emergency work done by the trained professionals at Trillium Tree Experts.
Be proactive. Have the trained professionals at Trillium Tree Experts inspect your trees with an eye towards prevention. We can offer preventative care for young trees by pruning trees to improve form. We can identify and address branch, trunk and root defects, potential disease problems and offer corrective services.
Preventative services for mature trees may include corrective pruning for trees that have been improperly cared for in the past. Some less experienced tree service companies may have topped trees or ‘liontail pruned.’ Those types of pruning errors need to be corrected. Where necessary our professionals can recommend and install cables or rods to provide physical support of stems and branches. These supports will improve a trees strength and stability.
At Trillium tree Experts we have created a tree hazard checklist. The checklist is a good resource for home owner and property managers.
- Are there large branches?
- Are there detached or hanging branches?
- Do trees have cavaties or rotten wood along the trunk or in major branches?
- Are there mushrooms present or near the tree?
- Are there cracks or splits in the trunk or where branches attach?
- Have branches fallen from trees?
- Have adjacent trees fallen over or died?
- Has the trunk developed a strong lean?
- Do major branches arise from one point on the trunk?
- Has there been root damage caused by soil leveling, installing of walkways or the digging of trenches?
- Has the site recently been changed by construction, raising the soil level, or installing lawns?
- Have leaves permanently developed an unusual size or colour?
- Have neighbouring trees been removed?
- Have trees been topped or heavily pruned?
If any of the listed conditions are present we can offer solutions which will make your trees and landscape safer. If you wish, a certified arborist from Trillium Tree Experts can inspect specific trees for you and provide a tree hazard evaluation. Contact us for an assessment.
What People Say
FAST EMERGENCY SERVICE!
Thanks for the rapid emergency service to get the tree off the road, and thanks for such a thorough cleanup. Please drop by next time you’re in the area for some other work discussion.
DOUG B. IN BLACKBURN HAMLET
JOB EXTREMELY WELL DONE!
Thank you for a job extremely well done. Not only was your team very polite but VERY professional.