PROCESS

A Forester for your Grove of Urban Forest

Twin Tree is, in many ways, like a traditional tree care company. The process starts out with an estimate or bid, the homeowner and I decide on a course of action, and the work is completed. The difference is in the collaboration with the homeowner aimed at improving the ecosystem as a whole. Where standard tree care and arboriculture focus on the tree, Twin Tree focuses on the forest.

When I come out, homeowners often know exactly what they want done: removing a problematic branch, planting a new tree, or trimming a fruit tree or hedge as part of routine maintenance. I'm happy to help with the plan you already have for your yard. I'll also offer a variety of options on what's possible, based on your general preferences. If a tree is being removed, there may be an opportunity for a wildlife snag: dead wood is the best thing for animal habitat. If a tree is in poor health, removing competing grass or other plants might be a great supplement to pruning out unhealthy branches. If you aren't sure what kind of plants your yard needs, I'd be happy to walk you through various options.

Services

Each yard has unique problems requiring unique solutions, but some services are most common. They include:

Pruning - The most common service I perform. Especially on young trees, pruning can be an incredibly effective way to create a sturdy structure. It can also dictate a desired characteristic such as flowering, fruiting or dense growth for hedging.

Mulching - Perhaps the most underrated and poorly applied practice of tree care. The fallen leaves and needles from a tree are often the best mulch and require minimal work. New mulch can help invigorate old trees and feed young ones.

Planting - Proper species selection and planting techniques are vital to long term health. For a new tree to thrive, site specifics, diversity, and microclimate are some of the things that need to be taken into account.

Cabling - Often the quickest and cheapest solution to a tree's structural problems. Pruning of young trees can usually mitigate the need for cabling, but in mature trees with structural defects, cabling can be very affective.

Small Removals - A healthy urban forest is a dynamic place where old trees are dying and young trees are growing. Invasive species, poorly planted trees and trees with spreadable pest problems could be candidates for removal. I'm not equipped for, nor do I recommend the removal of healthy, mature trees.

Habitat Creation - The presence of dead wood is typically the most important factor for wildlife to thrive, but is routinely removed through standard tree care practices. Leaving a wildlife snag can go a long ways towards reintroducing things like birds, bees and other forest friends.

Odd Tree Jobs - There are any number of ways to improve your yard and I'm happy to assist in some more creative projects. Need Christmas lights at the top of a tree? A tire swing, perhaps? Honestly, the weirder the better.