Our Services

Pruning

We follow the latest ANSI A300-1995 pruning specifications.

For younger trees, as well as certain small flowering and fruit trees, we concentrate on corrective pruning and thinning of live branches to improve the branch structure as well as to enhance the overall beauty of the tree. McTavish's Tree Service looks for opportunities to correct poorly attached branches, twin trunks, and other structural problems through early pruning. By addressing these issues early, we can advert more costly solutions, such as cabling or removal of large branches, which might otherwise be required later in the tree's life.

Crown cleaning before.
For most mature trees, pruning is usually limited to the removal of dead, dying or diseased branches in order to maintain and improve the heath and aesthetic appearance of the tree as well as reduce the risk of from dead or weak branches, which might otherwise fall and damage persons or property.

Crown cleaning after.
In some situations, McTavish's Tree Service will thin live branches from mature trees to improve the appearance of the tree or to improve light penetration to a yard below or to reduce branch weight. It is also common for us to prune low branches to increase the clearance of a tree over walkways or buildings. With moderation, pruning of live branches can be done without hurting the tree, and may help to reduce the potential of damage from high winds and storms by reducing the wind resistance of the tree's canopy.

While aloft in the tree, McTavish's Tree Service's arborists may spot opportunities to correct structural defects or other safety concerns which might not have been observed from the ground. For some situations, we may recommend the addition of cables and other hardware to compensate for weak branch forks, poor branch taper, prior topping of the tree, and other structural issues.

Cabling

	Has someone checked your cables lately?

Cabling is performed to provide additional support to tightly forked branches or poorly attached limbs which might otherwise break, particularly in storm events. Cables are installed approximately 2/3rds the way to the top of the limb and are made of high strength steel attached with steel lags or eyebolts. Cables are somewhat flexible and provide support without compromising the tree's ability to transfer wind energy by swaying. Cables generally last about 20 years before they are outgrown by the tree and older cables may succumb to rust and should be checked periodically, certainly whenever a tree is pruned.

Fertilization

The main nutrient used in the growth of trees in Nitrogen, and with other macro-nutrients such as Phosphorus and Potassium not usually deficient in our soils, fertilization activities usually focus on the addition of Nitrogen as a supplement or to otherwise improve tree growth. However, some trees may be faced with deficiencies in micro-nutrients, such as Iron or Magnesium, which may be corrected either through directly adding the specific nutrient or indirectly through modifying soil characteristics such as soil acidity.

Often, fertilization is considered as a corrective measure in order to save a tree which is already under stress. Instead, we advise regular fertilization as an opportunity to maintain and improve tree health over a long term. To that end, McTavish's Tree Service recommends mulching around your trees to help retain soil moisture as well as adds organic matter to the soil. We use other products to supplement fertilization through the addition of humic acid, plant growth hormones, tree-friendly fungi, and other materials that improve soil texture and overall growing conditions.

Tree Removal

	The view from up top... Lowering a section of a red maple during removal

In the event that a tree must come down, McTavish's Tree Service has the necessary skill and equipment to do remove trees safely.

Plant Heath Care

Plant Health Care is a method of managing pest problems while reducing the dependency on pesticides. The focus is on maintaining the health of the plant first, and thus reduce the potential for stress induced pest problems. Cultural practices, such as mulching, proper watering, raking infected leaves, and fertilization can help build a tree's natural resistance to disease and insects. Integrated Pest Management (IPM), a program emphasizing targeted pest control over indiscriminant pesticide spraying, is used to supplement Plant Health Care practices when necessary.

Tent Caterpillars love to snack on flowering cherries and other trees in the Rosacea family
In order to prevent pest populations reaching a point in which they damage a plant, McTavish's Tree Service offers Integrated Pest Management programs which focus on monitoring pest levels in the landscape and applying the proper control measures when needed. In some situations, this might only entail visiting a property annually for one specific pest problem. However, other properties with varied plant material may require regular visits throughout the same growing season. McTavish's Tree Service can survey your plants and help put together the right IPM/Plant Health Care program for your property.

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ISA Certified Arborist MA-0729

McTavish's Tree Service
Phone: 240-646-4677
info@mctavishtree.com