Our Tree Care Philosophy

Trees are the largest, tallest, and oldest living things on the planet. They are the most significant part of a landscape. Trees clean the air, provide shade, noise dampening and other benefits beyond simply adding intrinsic beauty to our surroundings. We feel that it is important to protect the health of both the individual tree and the tree community, or the Urban Forest. An understanding of tree biology is the basis for proper tree care. At TreeSource, Inc. we endeavor to prune in a manner that promotes longevity in our client's trees. Our best compliment is when our clients tell us that their trees do not look like they were pruned.

Some basic truths about trees:

Trees do not heal.

When a tree is wounded, from a major stem fracture to a for sale sign nailed to the trunk of a tree, the wound is permanent. Proper tree care minimizes the wounding of trees.

Trees are compartmented organisms.

When trees receive wounds or damage they “wall off” or compartmentalize the wound to prevent decay from spreading. This is the process that allows for cavities in trees.

Trees are continually growing.

Generating as opposed to re-generating, is the theme for trees. Trees generate new cells over the top of previous growth. Trees manufacture their food through their leaves and other surfaces that contain chlorophyll. Because trees are constantly generating new parts, old parts are shed when they can no longer provide more energy than they use.

Environmental Sustainability

Each year, more oil is spilled onto the ground from chainsaws, than was spilled in the Exxon Valdez oil spill in 1988. We use Biodiesel in our truck and chipper and vegetable based lubricants in our chainsaws. As time has progressed, our philosophy on business has changed our focus towards preserving as much of our urban forest as possible. This has resulted in a change in our scope of work. We hold it our responsibility to act as stewards of the environment. Homes are bought and sold in less than a decade. Often the first thing people do when moving into a new home is to cut down trees. We try to educate people as to the benefits we all receive from trees. Not just the ones growing in our own yards, but our neighbors trees, too. We are very proud to state that only a small percentage of our income is from the removal of trees. There are many alternatives to removing trees. One of our specialties is the creation of habitat from dead trees.

A Word on Tree Climbing

Properly done, there is no better way to prune a tree, than from within the canopy. A skilled tree climber can access the ends of branches and the tips of spreading trees in order to make small diameter pruning cuts. It is a beautiful thing to see a tree climber comfortably sitting in a rope and harness, with both hands free to work. At no time should a tree climber be in a position where he or she could fall out of a tree.

Safety

Arborists have the most dangerous profession in North America. During the 15 years from 1991 until 2005 there were over 980 documented fatalities in our industry. True professionals are aware of our industries deplorable safety record and the reasons behind the statistics. TreeSource, Inc. is a safe company that highly values both the life of trees and the lives of our employees.