Trees provide shade and beauty, but without proper care, they can also provide headaches. Routine tree care protects trees from disease, bugs, and damage. If you’ve noticed something wrong with your trees, or if you want to get them checked out for potential issues you may not be able to identify, call a professional Northern Virginia tree company.
Tree Services in Northern Virginia
Northern Virginia tree service professionals offer tree removal, cabling and bracing, and pruning. They also typically offer insect and disease control, tree and shrub fertilization, and planting services.
If you need stump grinding, deadwood removal, root pruning, lightning protection, tree preservation, or mulching, you’ll want to specifically ask if they perform these services, since not every company does.
Tree removal
If you’ve got a very sick or dead tree, it may need to be removed. A tree care professional should be able to help you determine whether or not a tree is beyond saving. A dead tree could injure people or damage property if it falls, so it should be removed promptly.
For obvious safety reasons, you should leave tree removal to the professionals. They have the equipment and experience needed to remove trees of any size safely and efficiently.
Tree pruning
When done correctly, pruning can help plant health, maintenance, and appearance, and it can protect your property, you, and your family. Dead branches need to be pruned, as they could fall and hurt someone or expose the tree to threats like decay.
A professional tree care expert knows when and how a tree needs trimming, but the average homeowner might not. Hire a pro to avoid damaging your tree by attempting to prune it yourself.
Other tree maintenance services
Additional common tree maintenance services include:
- Cabling and bracing
- Fertilization
- Insect and disease control
Cabling and bracing provides stability for a tree that may otherwise need to be removed due to a split trunk, an unstable limb, close proximity to a building, or some other serious issue. Holes are drilled into the tree’s trunk or branches, and cables are secured to keep certain parts of the tree from moving. Cabling can help reduce the likelihood that a damaged tree will come apart during a storm.
Tree fertilization is an important part of caring for your trees and keeping them healthy. Let an arborist help you figure out what is best for your trees, since trees of different types and ages will need different rates of fertilization.
Insect and disease control is very important for the maintenance of healthy trees. A tree care professional knows how to identify and treat the issues threatening your trees. Treatments vary depending upon the disease or insect. Ask your tree care professional about the options available, the products being used, and how they are applied.
Before the job
When you request an estimate from a Best Pick professional tree service company, don’t hesitate to ask questions. Ask for an itemized bid for the whole job from start to finish, and make sure to clarify whether the company will remove any trimmings and debris, or if you are responsible for disposal. This cleanup process at the end can add to the cost of the job, so it’s best to discuss it beforehand.
Trees Native to Virginia
If you’re thinking about planting more trees in your yard, consider using native trees. Native plants are already acclimated to your area’s conditions, so they don’t need as much water, fertilizer, or pesticides to grow and thrive. They also provide homes and food sources for native birds and beneficial insects like butterflies.
Some common native tree species in Northern Virginia include:
- Flowering dogwood (which is both the state flower and state tree)
- American beech
- White oak
- Eastern redbud
- Black tupelo
- Bald cypress
There are plenty of beautiful native trees to choose from if you’re looking for something that adds character to your landscape. Ask your tree care pro about picking trees that are right for both the region and your yard. They will also be able to advise you on the best spots in your yard to place trees, depending on the site and the needs of the tree species.
Tree Care Organizations
There are two main organizations that tree care professionals frequently belong to:
- International Society of Arboriculture (ISA)
- Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA)
Ask tree service companies if they or any of their employees belong to these organizations. Companies can join the TCIA, and the ISA certifies individual tree service professionals. ISA and TCIA hold their members to certain industry standards and offer training and education programs that keep members up to date with the latest developments in the field.
The Best Picks for Northern Virginia Tree Service Professionals
Best Pick Reports has researched quality tree service companies and compiled a list of the best professionals in Northern Virginia, based on survey responses from homeowners in the area.
The surveys we conduct provide a picture of the most competent, timely, and experienced tree service professionals in Fairfax, Loudon, and Prince William counties. We are proud to present that information in a format that is easy for homeowners to consult. Our annual objective research ensures that you have access to the best of the best in your area.