Why Remove Tree Stumps?

Trees add beauty and foliage to gardens and sidewalks. Tree stumps do just the opposite. Their roots cause uneven sidewalks and cause the concrete to rise and people to trip. The roots increase in diameter over time. Paved surfaces, such as roads, driveways, and pavements can become hazardous over time.

When removing tree stumps, you have to make sure that even the roots are removed because even they are a safety hazard and, actually, are more hazardous than the stump itself. Removing tree stumps is not as easy as chopping wood.

Buy a Stump Remover

This is the easiest way to remove tree stumps. It is available at most garden and home centers and it speeds up the rotting process of the wood. It is made of potassium nitrate, which quickly contributes to the acceleration of the rotting process of the wood. This is also a safe way to kill a tree.

1. All you have to do here is to drill 12-inch holes in the tree stump, pour the granules into the holes, and fill the holes with water. It is best to keep children and pets away as you do this.

2. Then you can use an axe and break the wood. Of course, if you want labor-free removal, you can pour kerosene or fuel oil on the tree stump after you put the stump remover and set it on fire. It will burn for weeks, so make sure nothing flammable is nearby. Take very, very careful precautions when you do this, however, because it is very dangerous. It is best to be very vigilant about this as well.

However, it is Best to Leave This to Professionals…

Contact TalkLocal today and let us help you find a professional near your area for tree stump removal. We will connect you with up to three professionals in just minutes, for free.

Fire logs are utilized by numerous homeowners as highly effective wood fuel, which is longer-lasting, affordable, and easier to burn. People hoping to embrace a greener lifestyle now have the chance to purchase and utilize eco-friendlier fire logs made from renewable materials (sawdust, green animal- or plant-based waxes) producing a negligible amount of sulfur emissions and generating reduced CO emissions that are eventually absorbed by plants. In this context, many people are probably asking themselves the following question: How long should fire logs dry, and how could I possibly find the best wood fuels?

1)    Choosing the right fire logs

First of all, make sure that you find and purchase high-efficiency fire logs that are 90% combustible, natural, coming from renewable sources, and producing a minimized amount of emissions. Instead of opting for semi-dry wood, ask for dry fire logs, which don’t waste energy during their burning process.

Tree removal experts advise us to pay attention to 2 important factors impacting the calorific value (CV) of all types of fire logs: wood density and moisture content. It is recommended to opt for denser wood (hardwood) to experience financial savings, as hardwood offers you more kilowatt-hours per cubic meter than softwood. Moreover, make sure your fire logs are 100% dried. You should know that seasoned logs (dried ones) have twice the calorific value (CV) of green fire logs.

2)    How to dry your fire logs properly

Want to reduce the moisture content of your fire logs? In this case, all you need to do is chop the logs into smaller pieces and let them dry naturally during spring and summer (for at least 6 months before burning it in your stove). In theory, a longer drying time would be required (up to 2 years), but only a few homeowners follow this suggestion, as the rest of them consider it impractical.

Trees should be cut in November or December, when they are still dormant, so that fire logs could display reduced moisture content. Also, make sure you store your fire logs properly, in a dry, properly ventilated place. If you plan to buy fire logs, make sure they were seasoned at least one year ago to profit from an increased calorific value.

Still wondering how long should fire logs dry? Up to 24 months if you’re really patient, but you can definitely make the most of well-seasoned wood after only 6 or 7 months of storage, if you chop the logs into tiny, manageable pieces.

Having Tree Problems?

Do you have dead wood sitting in your yard that needs getting rid of, or would you like to turn a troublesome tree into useful fire logs? Then use TalkLocal to be connected with up to three professionals in your area who can help you.

Because it is the middle of the hurricane season, ideally you’ve already made the necessary preparations to protect your home against a storm. Part of ensuring a hurricane-proof home is taking the time to survey your yard and removing risks that could damage your home when powerful hurricane winds strike.

Prune Trees and Plants

Trim all trees and rotting or weak branches that are in contact with any part of your house. During a storm, forceful winds can make branches whip against windows and cause trees to snap and fall on the roof. You should also reduce tree or plant foliage to allow wind to blow unobstructed through the branches. This will lessen the chances of trees or plants becoming uprooted. It is best if you can schedule regular pruning so that you can alter the shape of your trees to make them more wind-resistant.

Clear Trees Away from Power Lines

Cut back trees that are close to power lines to prevent power outages that often happen during a storm due to tree limbs falling on wires. Allowing your tree to grow into a power line may get you penalized. However, never attempt to do this task on your own. Contact your electricity provider to have your tree trimmed. Usually, power companies provide tree-trimming services around their power lines.

Reduce Dangers

Make sure to remove any items in your yard that could become dangerous if caught up by strong winds during a storm, such as broken pieces of furniture, fallen branches, and old lumber. Also consider using softer gardening materials around your yard, like mulch instead of pea gravel or rock, which can also become dangerous projectiles during a storm.

Secure Loose Items

Move loose items indoors, such as umbrellas, barbecue grills, toys, potted plants, or tools. Keep scooters and bikes inside your garage. You can store your trashcans indoors or tie them together to a sturdy pole. If you have any loose house ornaments displayed outside, such as chimes, flags, and wreathes, bring them indoors.

Call a Professional

Getting your yard ready for the harshest weather is an important part of having a hurricane-proof home. Hiring professional tree-removal or tree-trimming service ensures that the job is done safely and properly. TalkLocal can connect you with three qualified contractors in minutes. Send us your request and we will search your area for the right professional to do the job. Our service is simple, fast, and free of charge.

Trees, like all plants, occasionally become infected with pathogens which cause them to become ill. Many of these pathogens can cause severe damage to once-healthy trees, sometimes killing or permanently disfiguring them in the process. However, you don’t have to stand by and watch your trees wither away. Here’s how to prevent tree diseases.

Clean Your Tools

If your tools have come into contact with soil, are coated with rust, or have been used on other plants previously, make sure to properly clean and disinfect them before using them again. Soil and residual plant sap may harbor parasites, bacteria, and viruses that can make your trees sick. Remove all debris with soap and water and soak tool blades in either isopropyl alcohol or a bleach solution. Make sure to repeat the sterilization process before working on another tree with the same tools.

Use Sharp Tools

If you’ve ever used dull pruners or shears, you’ve probably seen how the blades tend to crush the wood instead of cut it. When this happens, it’s much harder for the tree to heal, and healthy new growth is disrupted. On the other hand, using sharp tools gives a nice, clean cut that heals quickly and is less likely to be attacked by pests and pathogens.

Proper Feeding

Some tree types, especially fast-growing varieties and fruit-bearers, require huge amounts of nutrients in order to stay healthy. Like people and animals, malnourished trees are more vulnerable to not only pests, but also diseases. Therefore, it’s important to provide heavy feeders with regular fertilization. Purchase a plant food that is designed for your particular type of tree.

Bandaging Wounds

When removing large branches from trees, keep in mind that doing so creates a wound. Its delicate inner tissues are left exposed to hoards of insects, viruses, and bacteria just waiting to attack. Closing up these wounds speeds healing for the tree and makes it less likely for diseases to occur. It’s recommended that you use either spray paint or a specialized tree sealer to do this.

Need To Remove A Diseased Tree?

Lush, green, and disease-free trees are lovely things to behold, but keeping them that way takes some work. Use TalkLocal to locate a professional tree service near you that will be able to advise you on how to properly prevent diseases, or remove a diseased tree. Talk Local will connect you with the right professionals, in just minutes.

Home ownership can be a wonderful investment and can provide a sense of security to any family. Unfortunately, there can be a downside to home ownership such as maintenance and property disputes.

If you find yourself constantly cleaning up foliage that isn’t yours and saying “Hey! That neighbor’s tree is on my property!” you may be dealing with one of those downsides. Here are a few guidelines for how to proceed if you find a tree is causing you problems.

The Trunk Is On Their Property

If the entire trunk of the offending tree is on your neighbor’s property, you have a limited amount of action you can take.

You have the right to trim any limbs that overhang your property, but not to the extent of damaging the tree. Tree damage typically constitutes large fines. The best plan of action is to talk to your neighbor.

Explain the situation, and see if he or she is willing to trim the branches, remove the tree, or simply clean up the foliage that ends up in your yard. If they refuse, your only option is to trim the limbs on your side of the property line.

The Trunk Is Partially On Your Property

When trees age, they get larger around the trunk. This could cause a tree that was once totally on one side of a property line to encroach onto another property.

Typically, the law sees this tree as owned by both properties. The best plan of action is to try to work out an agreement with your neighbor. He or she may not be partial to the tree and you may be able to have it totally removed. If he or she wants to keep the tree, some areas may allow for partial removal, including the trunk.

Need To Start Cutting?

To know for sure, ask an expert. Tree removal specialists in your area will be familiar with the laws and can answer your questions when you say “My neighbor’s tree is on my property, what can I do?”. TalkLocal can find a specialist in your area at no cost to you.

Factors such as frost and decay can cause you to have a newly fallen tree to clean up. You may be wondering, therefore, where to dispose of fallen trees.  There are a variety of options to choose from, and you really just need to pick the one that works best in your area. First, however, here are some things to consider.

Permits

Shockingly, some municipalities require permits for tree removal, even if the tree was not intentionally cut. In some locations, you might be instructed to set the tree by the road during a certain time of the year. Others might require you to cut up the tree and dispose of it with other natural waste. The local laws in your area will dictate how and where to dispose of fallen trees.

Safety

Make sure there are no downed power lines or nearby rushing water. When trees fall over, they can sometimes become entangled with dangerous power lines. If you think there may be a downed power line, stay indoors and call the power company immediately.

Preparation

Regardless of your disposal method of choice, you will have to prepare the tree to some extent. Begin by cutting off the top branches in manageable pieces and work your way to the trunk until the tree is cut into small enough pieces that a person may carry them.

Methods

Burn it: Depending on your city codes or needs, you could keep the wood for firewood.

Sell it: If you don’t have need for firewood, someone else might. Some people use wood-burning stoves to heat their homes in the winter and are always looking for good wood to store.

Rent a dumpster: If your tree is too large to pick up, you may need to rent a small dumpster to have the tree hauled away in.

Hire a professional: Professional tree removal companies are equipped to prepare and haul away your tree. They may also be able to grind the tree up into mulch on site. You could use this mulch for landscaping or allow the workers to haul away the material.

Locate A Professional

If tree removal sounds like too large of a task for you to handle, call a professional. TalkLocal can find an expert in your area who will know exactly where to dispose of fallen trees. Our service is free and incredibly easy.

It isn’t always easy to tell whether a tree is dead, sick, or healthy. If the tree is dead, you need to cut it down, but if is just sick, there may be hope. Looking for the symptoms of a sick tree can be tricky. These five areas of the tree are your road signs.

When looking for symptoms of a sick tree, you want to:

Check the leaves: If it isn’t autumn and your leaves are dropping in high volume, or if they are dropping too quickly or in larger amounts than usual, the tree is likely sick. If the leaves are not dropping off, but they are discolored or shriveling up, that is also a symptom of a sick tree.

Examine the branches: If your branches are falling off, that is one of the primary symptoms of a sick tree. Of course, strong winds and storms can knock them off, but sick trees usually drop branches more than usual. They are usually bare of leaves when they drop as well. If you inspect the branches closely, you might even be able to see signs of tree rot or insect damage, which would explain the sickness in your tree.

Look at the trunk: You do not want any holes or dents in your tree trunk. Although they might make cozy homes for forest friends, they are a sure sign of a dying tree.

Check the bark: A healthy tree has healthy bark. Healthy bark is usually flexible and soft. A sick tree’s unhealthy bark may be brittle, scratchy, or even falling off. Bald spots are a symptom of a sick tree.

Don’t forget the roots: A lot of things could hurt the roots, from water to the lawn mower to your kids’ toys. If the roots are damaged, the whole tree is in danger. Check to make sure they are not flooded or scratched in any way.

You Might Require A Tree Removal Service

If all five of these symptoms of a sick tree check out, your tree might not be sick after all. It never hurts to get a professional opinion when dealing with a tree that could potentially be dangerous if it does die and fall over. TalkLocal can connect you to local professionals in your area to help you take care of your sick or dying trees.