FAQ

What is an arborist?

An arborist is a tree professional that is certified and trained in everything to do with the health and wellbeing of trees and shrubs. Arborists can identify potential problems with trees and shrubs and make suggestions on how to improve their appearance or quality. They also have the skills to plant trees and shrubs, treat disease, and use special equipment for tree and shrub removal. You know you have a great arborist when they are certified by the International Society of Arboriculture, so keep an eye out for that label when selecting an arborist.

Do you service commercial accounts?

At TimberTrim, no job is too large or too small. We provide full service to both residential and business owners for all your tree care and removal needs.

Don’t landscaping companies provide tree care?

Although it may be tempting to use a general service company, trees and shrubs actually require specialist care that a landscaping company may not have knowledge of. Since arborists are specially trained in tree and shrub care, they often consider more factors and can detect more problems based on the specific tree and its environment. Even though it may seem cheaper to go with a landscaping company at the start, the key to having cost effective tree maintenance is doing it right the first time, and that’s why an arborist is a better choice.

How often should I have my trees pruned?
This is a very common question, but the answer is it depends on the tree! For most species, pruning is usually needed every 3 to 5 years, but conditions such as weather damage or unusual seasons can have an effect on this. To make sure your trees are being properly taken care of, we recommend scheduling an annual appraisal of your trees.

When is a good time to prune my trees?
Pruning is done for many different reasons, so when you prune depends on what you need to accomplish from the job. Regular pruning that is done for maintenance can be done at any time of the year, and this type of pruning is the most common. The key to a good pruning isn’t when it is completed, it is how. With other types of pruning for aesthetic or flowering purposes, it is best to contact one of our arborists to do a specific appraisal of your trees. Your arborist will be able to tell you the best time and also the best techniques to use when pruning your trees as it is very important to time this type of pruning right.

How do I get grass to grow under my trees?
Unfortunately trees and grass don’t grow together naturally very well. Due to the needs of both the trees and grass, it can be frustrating to try and get grass growing under your favourite tree. One of the best ways to allow sunlight to filter through or under the branches to reach the grass below is to prune your trees, a service that we gladly provide. Although it could take a while to see results, eventually the grass should settle with some sunlight. Keep in mind that not every tree can have grass growing under it as the growth patterns can be too harsh for grass.

Does pruning really provide that much of a benefit to my trees (or to me)?

There are so many reasons to prune your trees, but here are just a few of them. Pruning your trees regularly can help them maintain good structure and health, which in turn makes them look and last longer and keeps you and any visitors to your property safe. While potentially increasing the value of your home or business, healthy trees also reduce the risk of damage to any buildings or possessions, and pruning can increase resistance against insects or disease.

Why should I mulch?

Mulching is a regular maintenance task that can save you and your trees stress in the long run. When trees or shrubs are under some sort of stress, they can quickly become diseased, infected, or hazardous. Mulch protects against this by allowing for moisture and temperature regulation while also protecting roots against high traffic or harsh weather. Mulch is one of the best ways to be proactive about keeping healthy trees and shrubs!  

How much mulch should do I use, and how do I apply it?

For most cases, we recommend using a layer of mulch that is 2-4 inches thick spread 4-6 feet from the base of the tree or shrub. Apply mulch right over the existing soil around the plant, but make sure to leave a 1 inch gap between the base of the tree and the mulch to allow the plant to breathe.