With the cooler months on the way, have you put your trees in order? Perhaps last hurricane season left some feeble limbs overhanging the roof. One can be hard put to know what the yard requires of him before winter arrives.
Since 1989 we have been tending to trees throughout the Greater Charleston Area as Charleston Stump Stompers & Tree Service. A locally run outfit, we put ISA-Certified Arborists to work so your property is safe and in good health. Give us a ring at (843) 994-2260 when you are in need of our services.
It is true that fall is a more subdued time for trees in the Lowcountry, but an excellent one to pay them some mind. Once the summer heat has passed and growth is no longer so vigorous, the full leaf cover is gone and it is easy to see what was there all along. We show you how to make use of that.
Why do it in the fall?
Working on or pruning a tree is less taxing in the cool weather. The leaves are sparse enough that an arborist can get a good read on the condition and form of every tree. Any dead wood or structural issues will be apparent for you to put right before the next storm. In Charleston you are never far from hurricane season, so some preparation goes a long way toward averting damage.
An inspection while the weather is still fine
Make a circuit of the yard and cast your eye up for any indication of stress or instability in your trees:
- Branches that are dead or in the way of your home and walkways
- Trunk cracks, especially at the junction with a large limb
- A tree that has taken on a lean in the wake of a summer storm
- Fungus or mushrooms at the base
- Patches where leaves were scanty
- Soil or pavement being heaved by roots
Should you come across such things, let a trained pair of eyes have at it. Our ISA-Certified Arborists will distinguish a genuine problem from the ordinary course of the season.
Pruning for a reason
There are many species in Charleston that can be trimmed in the fall. To reduce the chance of a branch coming down in a gale, take out the weak ones; it also allows the canopy to breathe and lets in light for the winter.
Then again, you do not want to make a poor cut and open the tree to disease or leave it lopsided. That is where a crew with experience counts. We have professional climbers and groundsmen as well as bucket trucks in house to put the finishing touches on a tree of any dimension.
Put the ground and canopy in order
Debris of all sorts, from old limbs to leaves, has a way of accumulating. Getting rid of it is not merely for looks. It will:
- Deny pests a place to hide and harm your trees
- Check the spread of rot and mold on trunks and structures
- Present a clearer view of any new trouble
- Do away with fire and trip hazards
Old stumps in the yard should be removed or ground down in the fall, too. Left to themselves they will put out new growth and draw in insects.
Storm readiness
Any homeowner in the Lowcountry is aware of storms and the trouble trees can make when the wind is up. An overgrown or leaning tree close to the house is a liability. Better to put it to rights than face the consequences after the fact.
We are on hand for emergency work around the clock, including storm cleanup. There is no need to bide your time until morning if a limb is threatening your home. Dial (843) 994-2260 and we will be there.
For the sake of long-term health
Caring for your trees in the fall is as much about setting them up for spring as it is safety. A certified arborist will assess everything from the soil to the top of the canopy and advise accordingly. Ours is a company that does not subcontract; with our own equipment we can manage anything from one tree to land clearing and forestry.
Charleston Stump Stompers & Tree Service has been providing free estimates to homeowners in Mount Pleasant, Summerville, Goose Creek and the rest of the area for decades. We are insured and certified. Call (843) 994-2260 to put your fall tree care on the calendar.
