LINCOLN LANDSCAPE - SAVE A TREE

Here at Lincoln Landscaping we do landscape installs as well as tree pruning and removal. We probably plant as many trees as we remove each season. However, we would really prefer to be removing fewer trees. So often we are asked to come to our clients’ homes to provide them with bids to remove trees that we feel should be saved. Sometimes we will remove a tree that should be saved because it appears that if we won’t do it then the client will find another company that will. At Lincoln Landscaping we make it a point to educate our clients on the value of trees before removing them.

Trees provide so many benefits to our homes, communities and world. A few benefits that stand out to us are: year-round beauty, shade & wind/snow protection, reduce heating/cooling costs, habitat & food for people & wildlife, purify air & water/convert carbon dioxide to oxygen , store carbon to reduce climate change effects, reduce stress, make communities feel safer, act as a landmark/memorial.

So, how do we decide that a tree should be saved even if a client wants it to be removed? In talking with our clients, we listen for reasons that relate to the maintenance and appearance of the tree.

Some of our bad reasons to remove a tree: drops leaves, seeds, branches grow over house, close to another tree, shading out the lawn, animals live in the tree, shades garden, clogs gutters, n =ot perfectly symmetrical

There are many legitimate reasons to remove trees. Our list of reasons includes: disease or decay, cracks or structural issues, insect infestations, death, if the tree is an ash and not a good candidate for Emerald Ash Borer treatment.

It is important for homeowners that do have a tree that needs removed to work with a certified arborist for the safety of the client’s property and the crew removing the tree.

We encourage our clients to see themselves as stewards of the trees on their property and in their community. Caring for a tree should not be perceived as a burden. Raking leaves or fruit, cleaning gutters, and tolerating animals that live in trees are tasks of homeownership just like changing lightbulbs or vacuuming the carpet. We ask our clients to reflect on the history of the tree and what this tree could provide to future generations. We also try to educate our clients that the idea of a perfect tree is just not realistic. Through the process of cloning certain varieties of trees to get the identical and predictable shape and features we have created an unrealistic expectation for our clients. We should be rewriting the narrative that variety is welcomed and that it creates a more diverse and stable community forest. Cloned trees have identical genetic makeup so if a disease or pest comes through that targets these trees there is less of a chance that some will survive. We can do more by planting trees that are grown in our communities from seeds collected from local sources.

We can plant trees using best practices to give trees the optimum chance to thrive. We also try to convey to our clients that the cost of removing a tree is more than pruning a tree every few years and that they get to enjoy all of the benefits of tree in the meantime. Also, we emphasize that protecting trees from compaction in the root zone, competition from turf and mower damage is so important in growing healthy trees. As landscape designers we try to convey that having a unique tree planted in their yard will create a sense of space and identity as well as set their property apart from their neighbor’s. Trees increase the market value of a property. As landscape professionals we can do our part to educate our clients, avoid removing trees that should be preserved and continue to plant new trees grown from local seed sources. Through a collaborative effort we can create a more resilient and vibrant community forest.

We have created a one-page handout to share with our tree clients that summarizes the content of this article. If you are interested in a copy to edit and share with your clients email me at sheila@lincolnlandscapingcompany. com.