Understanding Tree and Landscaping Services: 8 Signs It’s Time to Call the Experts

Proper tree care plays a crucial role in sustainable landscaping, as healthy trees not only enhance the environment but also contribute to the overall health of your landscape. 

When it comes to tree care, you may find yourself choosing between tree surgery and general landscaping services. Both tree and landscaping services offer their own benefits, making it tough to decide which one suits your needs. 

In this blog post, we’ll compare tree services and landscaping services to help you make an informed decision on what’s best for your landscape!

What’s the difference between tree and landscaping services?

There are some basic differences between tree and landscaping services. 

Landscaping services involve designing and creating outdoor spaces, often using plants and flowers. This can include installing irrigation systems, planting trees and shrubs, laying sod, and more.

Tree services include tree felling, pruning, and general tree care, such as removing diseased or damaged branches, thinning the canopy, or reducing the tree’s height through topping. Only a certified tree surgeon or arborist with expertise in tree maintenance can handle these tasks.

In simple words, tree care service involves heavy-duty tasks like removing large branches or topping trees. Landscaping, on the other hand, focuses on design and planting. So, call an arborist if you need significant work done on your trees.  In other cases, if you’re looking to enhance your yard with new plants and design elements, a landscaper is the way to go.

Tree services in depth: What do they do?

Tree and landscaping services encompass a broad range of tasks focused on maintaining the health and beauty of trees and outdoor spaces. 

Tree services, in particular, are performed by trained professionals like arborists and tree care specialists who handle essential tasks such as pruning, tree removal, and treating diseased branches. The primary aim of tree services is to ensure the safety of people and property while enhancing the overall aesthetics of the landscape.

8 tree services include:

• Thinning foliage
• Planting
• Assessing tree health
• Removing stumps
• Removing trees
• Removing trees during emergencies
• Trimming shrubs
• Clearing land

Thinning foliage

Thinning or pruning trees is a crucial part of an arborist’s work. Mastering which branches to trim for optimal tree health can take years of learning and practicing. However, with a profound understanding of the growth patterns of different tree species, identifying signs of infection and disease, and predicting growth patterns, arborists can significantly improve your yard’s appearance and health.

Planting

Arborists can also help you plant trees. This may sound simple but it can be highly beneficial. Whether you’re transplanting a large deciduous tree or starting with a small sapling, we can assess sunlight patterns and water access. This ensures that new trees receive adequate nourishment for growth and also safeguards the health of your existing plants and trees.

Assessing tree health

Tree services employ “tree surgeons,” a title that reflects their expertise in diagnosing tree health and offering strategic advice for tree longevity. These arborists can assess the health of every shrub, bush, and tree, guiding you on how to achieve your desired landscaping goals. With their quick and thorough diagnosis, these tree doctors ensure your yard’s flora thrive as intended.

Removing stumps

Cutting down a tree is relatively straightforward, but removing the stump and the entire root system presents a more challenging task. When you hire a tree service, they are equipped to completely clear away all remnants of the tree. This ensures that your grass and other plants can thrive without the hindrance of dead roots, allowing new growth to access essential nutrients unimpeded.

Removing trees

When dealing with a tall, old-growth tree nearing the end of its life, ensuring a clean and safe removal is paramount. Let fully insured and equipped arborists handle the challenging task of tree removal with utmost care and expertise.

Removing trees during emergencies

When a tree becomes a hazard to you and your surroundings due to its condition, it’s essential to contact a 24-hour emergency tree service for assistance. Trained arborists will assess the tree’s threat level and recommend appropriate solutions. Issues like hollow trunks and pest infestations, which may go unnoticed by an untrained eye as they occur inside the tree, can be identified and addressed promptly by tree services.

Trimming shrubs

While you might handle basic hedge trimming yourself, for unusual growth or invasive species affecting your shrubs and bushes, it’s best to call in an expert. A tree service company can skillfully remove dead branches and ensure your vegetation returns to proper shape. They’ll also address any interference from nearby trees, potentially pruning branches to optimize your trimming results.

Clearing land

If you need to level or clear land for purposes like building a porch, extending your house, or creating a garden, a tree services company can provide valuable assistance. This involves addressing challenges such as removing rotting root systems and ensuring a healthy, flat surface. With their expertise and specialized tools, they can ensure your cleared area serves its intended purpose effectively. 

Landscape services in depth: What do they do?

Knowing the various types of landscaping services will help you understand exactly what you need to improve your garden, then you can hire a landscaping service or do it yourself. Here are some services you should know about.

8 landscape services include:

• General bed maintenance
• Pruning/Hedging
• Spring/Fall clean-up
• Lawn protects and feed
• Start-up and shut-down irrigation system
• Lawn mowing
• Snow removal
• Mulching

General bed maintenance

This service covers weeding, trimming ground cover, removing debris and spent blooms, addressing browning leaves and branches. It’s essential for keeping your yard looking well-maintained and preserving its curb appeal all year long.

Pruning/Hedging

Pruning and hedging at the right time of year are crucial for the health and blooming of plants. A professional ensures your plants are pruned at the best time for their species. 

Pruning helps maintain shape, remove dead or diseased branches, and encourage growth. Hedging, on the other hand, involves shaping plants into neat, geometric forms. Both are essential for a well-maintained landscape.

Spring/Fall clean-up

An in-depth cleaning includes all aspects of general bed maintenance along with additional services like dividing perennials and grasses, bed edging, mulch raking, and seasonal trimming of perennials. This is akin to a “deep-clean” for your landscape, typically done one to three times a year.

Lawn protects and feed

The lawn protection and feed service involves protecting against diseases like brown patches, grubs, and fungus. It should be done at the right time of year. Weather changes can harm the turf, so you may need these services. In very humid areas, you might also need services to control moisture around the plants.

Start-up and shut-down irrigation system

Starting and shutting down irrigation systems is important for winter. Many people start using their irrigation in the spring, but if it’s not done right, water can freeze and damage plants in the winter. Fixing this damage can be costly. You can choose monthly or yearly irrigation services, but make sure the company you hire is very good at it.

Lawn mowing

Lawn mowing involves spring trimming, hedging, and blowing off stubborn surfaces. But not all landscaping services include everything. You need to identify what’s necessary before hiring to stay within your budget.

Mulching

Mulching is usually performed once or twice a year, depending on the contract. While many find mulch aesthetically appealing, it also offers several important horticultural benefits, including root insulation, weed reduction, and improved water retention.

Snow removal

You know that ice and snow can harm a house. If not cleared away during winter, snow buildup can damage your roof and gutters and weaken their structure. That’s why many lawn care companies also offer snow removal services in the winter to protect your home.

8 signs that you need tree and landscaping services

When you have trees on your property, maintaining their health is essential. But how do you know when to call for tree and landscaping services? 

Recognizing the right time to seek professional tree care can protect your safety, safeguard your property, and ensure your garden remains free from potential hazards. Regular tree and landscaping services help keep your outdoor spaces safe and beautiful, while addressing any tree-related concerns promptly.

8 signs that you should call tree and landscaping services:

• Dead or dying trees: The tree has shed all its leaves and appears completely lifeless; large sections of the trunk or branches are bare or discolored; mushrooms or other fungi are growing on the tree.
• A tree is leaning to one side: If you notice a leaning tree on your property, it’s crucial to contact a tree service promptly. Various factors can cause a tree to lean, and if left unattended, it can pose significant risks of property damage.
• Cracks or holes in the trunk: Cracks and holes in the trunk can result from various factors such as disease, insects, animals, or weather conditions that need to be diagnosed and cured soon.
• Overgrown trees: Overgrown trees can be hazardous to your home and family, so it’s essential to keep them trimmed and well-maintained.
• Diseased trees: If you spot any unusual growths on your tree, like mushrooms or unusual bumps, this could indicate disease or pest infestation. It’s crucial to address these issues promptly to prevent further damage to your tree.
• Trees with root problems: If the roots are damaged, the tree may become unstable and prone to tipping over. Additionally, impaired roots can affect the tree’s ability to absorb essential water and nutrients, leading to potential long-term harm.
• You have pest issues: Unwanted pests can cause significant damage to your outdoor space. If you have an excess of leaves or tall grasses, these areas can become a haven for bugs, which might eventually find their way onto you or your pets and seriously impact their health.
• Winter just ended: Winter can harm your yard’s plants in various ways, from road salt damaging your plant roots to icy winds drying them out.

Tips to choose the best tree and landscaping services

Choosing the right professional for home projects can be challenging. When evaluating tree and landscaping services, particularly for large tasks like tree stump removal that require heavy equipment, it’s essential to consider several key factors.

Here are some tips to help you select the best tree and landscaping services:

• Reach out to people you trust who also own homes: Discuss with them the professionals they’ve hired for tree and landscaping work. Gathering personal referrals is one of the most reliable methods to discover reputable companies or services, providing you with a solid starting point to explore your options.
• Make sure to get at least three quotes: While it might be tempting to choose the first company that offers the tree service you need, gathering multiple estimates is essential to understand your pricing options. Consulting with at least three different experts will help you make a more informed decision.
• Verify their certification: When tackling larger projects like using stump removal equipment, it’s essential to hire someone who has obtained proper certification. Certification indicates their commitment to professionalism and ensures they take their job seriously.
• Ask about their insurance coverage, equipment standards, and safety protocols: Make sure they supply essential safety gear like hard hats, eye protection, and ear protection for their team. Also, you should confirm that the company or contractor has sufficient insurance coverage. This step is crucial to shield yourself from potential liabilities in case of injuries during work on your home.

At Mile High Lifescape, we are a reputable tree and landscaping service company based in Colorado. Our skilled team of arborists provides expert tree pruning, trimming, and removal services aimed at fostering healthy growth and preserving the beauty of your trees.

Reach out to our team of experts today!

Contact us:

Address: 1427 S Federal Blvd, Denver, CO 80219

Hotline: +1 (720) 301-3335

Email: [email protected]

Reference

1. Tree Surgery vs. Landscaping: What’s the Difference? Available at: https://www.arborist-direct.co.uk/edinburgh-tree-surgeon/blog/tree-surgery-vs-landscaping-whats-the-difference/

2. A Tree Service Handles Different Responsibilities. What Do We Focus On? Available at: https://treeimagescincy.com/tree-service/

3. The Complete Guide to Emergency Tree Removal. Available at: https://www.ltrc-tree.com/tree-removal/the-complete-guide-to-emergency-tree-removal/

4. Understanding the Types of Services Offered by Landscape Maintenance Services. Available at: https://www.highprairieoutdoors.com/understanding-types-services-offered-landscape-maintenance-services/

5. What Are The Signs I Need to Call a Tree Service? Available at: https://treemdtreatments.com/6-signs-you-need-to-call-a-tree-service/

6. 5 Signs You Should Hire a Landscaping Service. Available at: https://stonesolutionsmaine.com/5-signs-you-should-hire-a-landscaping-service/

7. 7 tips for finding the right tree service company for your home. Available at:  https://jltreeservice.com/2020/05/7-tips-for-finding-the-right-tree-service-company-for-your-home/