Need a recommendation for tree work in N.C

[mauldinoutdoor]

Anyone know someone to recommend in Morganton, N.C.? Sister in law needs pruning and I don't want her to end up with hacked up trees. Thanks in advance

 

[ATH]

Start at www.treesaregood.com

One possible backdoor strategy: Have her say "I want my trees topped" when she calls for estimates. If they don't bat an eye at the statement, you don't want them. If they explain they'd be happy to look at the trees, but topping is probably not a good idea (or something along those lines) she at least has done the first level of weeding.

 

[mauldinoutdoor]

Good ideas, so many of the trees down in the area have been pollard. That's the main reason I haven't moved back to the area because how can proper work be done at the prices being set by hack work? Not every company but enough are screwing the trees up that I worry about the work that will be done

 

[ATH]

Pollarding is an art (not one I claim to be practiced it...but when done properly, there is something to it is all I'm saying). Hacking back to the same rotting 6" diameter stub every 4 years is not that art.

 

[mauldinoutdoor]

Maybe on a crape myrtle or burning bushes and the like, it works out but I've never seen good long term results in a tree

 

[BC WetCoast]

The oldest trees in Britain are those that have been properly pollarded over the years. Some are several hundred years old. The reason they can reach this age, is the most common problem in old trees is limb failure. When you pollard, you remove the weight from the limbs and are less likely to fail.

The origin of pollarding was in feudal England, where the King owned the tree, but the peasants were allowed to use the new growth. It was preferred over coppicing, because the foliage wouldn't get eaten by grazing animals. The peasants used the new growth (up to 10 years old) for animal fodder, basket weaving, construction and fencing material.

There are many species that pollard well, beeches, maples, oaks, walnuts or lindens to name a few.

I have a hazelnut that I have been pollarding for about 10 years, grows like crazy each year.

 

[mauldinoutdoor]

But if left without frequent maintenance after pollarding the cut branches will sprout so many branches that as they get bigger the rot at the end cut as well as poor branch unions will lead to failure as well. Pollarding may work out with frequent attention but in my experience 20 years between trims leads to a crap tree

 

[ATH]

That is not pollarding then A hack may call it pollarding, but it simply is not...it is topping.

Sorry if I took this thread off topic! Hopefully somebody from NC can step up and help you help your sister-in-law!

 

[mauldinoutdoor]

You're right calling hack topping pollarding was a unreal stretch. There are alot of techniques that are great when properly practiced. Treearegood.com came up with a licensed arborist in the area, I'm waiting on a callback. Thanks ATH