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Customer Testimonials
“Let me say that Vassar's association with SavATree has been very positive and we are achieving great success in managing our campus trees in terms of safety and aesthetics. And our insurance carrier is quite pleased with this effort. Vassar is pleased with SavATree and the work being performed on campus.”
Jeffrey C. Horst, Vassar College
Poughkeepsie, NY
“Your tree crew (a father and two sons) just finished removing two trees, and pruning another on my property. They were extremely neat and professional, making sure that everything was they way they found it. I could not be more satisfied. I definitely plan on using your company for any future tree work on my property, and will also heartily recommend you to anyone I know needing your services.”
J. Andersen
Danbury, CT
“Efficient, high quality, professional competence — all at a competitive sum. At first [Alison] Pottage won me over by her solid knowledge as an arborist, then the crew did their job to her specifications on our 60 to 70 foot oaks within a remarkable period of time -- and left the grounds quite clean.”
Bob Busser
Philadelphia, PA
Click here to read all testimonials“You take on a job, call it a problem, gigantic or small, and you go to it. True Professionals. I am at peace for having found SavATree. Sometimes bills are paid grudgingly. I pay with respect to a company whose pride lives up to its logo. It’s love of what you do and I thank you.”
Sam Fink
Great Neck, NY
Why Storm Damage Happens
Trees falling on houses, across roads or taking out power lines are common news headlines after major storms. This gives the misimpression that trees are dangerous. What is often overlooked is that there usually is an underlying reason why trees fall or break.
Underlying Causes the Can Lead to Down or Damaged Trees
Healthy trees can cope quite successfully with the additional loads put on them during storms. So then, why do we see so much damage following, for example, a wind storm? To find an answer to this question we must first understand what causes trees to fall and break. There are several contributing factors including the extent of a defect, tree type (some species are more susceptible than others), age (older trees tend to be more vulnerable), site characteristics (rock ledges, saturated or eroded soils) and wind patterns.
The causes of failure are commonly broken up into non-infectious and infectious.
Non-infectious Causes
Poor Tree Structure
During site inspections, we encounter a good number of trees that have poor structure consisting of multiple trunks competing with each other. When this happens, included bark is formed. This situation can be prevented through proper maintenance when the trees are young (also referred to as developmental pruning). Mature trees with this type of defect can often be cabled or braced.
Root Loss
This damage is most frequently the result of some form of soil excavation. In these cases, prevention consists of keeping potentially harmful objects (i.e. construction equipment, vehicles, tools, etc.) a safe distance from the tree roots. A rule of thumb is to stay as far away as the projection of the furthest branch.
Infectious Causes
Decay
Often the result of an injury that lends itself as a breading ground for opportunistic fungi in the tree. Detecting decay is now done using an instrument called a resistograph which can even reveal a decay pocket invisible from the outside.
Root Diseases
Anchoring roots can die off while a tree still appears healthy because it is able to send out enough adventitious roots to keep itself supplied with water and minerals. However, the loss of anchoring roots leaves the tree vulnerable. Fortunately, here too, arborists can perform a basal examination to determine if the roots are affected by decay. So while Aeolis (the Greek God of wind) gets ready for another Fall and Winter, it would be wise to have your trees inspected soon.
SavATree provides tree care and lawn service in the following areas: