Published 2/12/2021 by Oregon Tree Care
Our expert arborists share all the information Portland homeowners need to know about tree care!
Know before you buy
The average home in the Portland area sells for nearly $475,000. When buying a home, inspecting the electrical system, plumbing, foundation, roof, and framing are all table stakes. But many homeowners don’t think to invest in a pre-purchase tree inspection.
Healthy trees can add thousands of dollars in value to a piece of property. Conversely, dead or dying trees should be considered when making an offer on a property. While many diseased or damaged trees can be nursed back to health by an experienced arborist, this potential cost should be factored into your offer.
Additionally, the health of the trees on a piece of property may have a direct impact on your home. Dead unpruned limbs can fall onto the roof or onto cars parked in the driveway. Homes situated on steep slopes or in areas prone to flooding rely on healthy tree roots to prevent erosion and mudslides. Trees that appear healthy to the untrained eye may be hiding a devastating secret below the surface. A tree’s root system can affect the foundation or plumbing.
Before making an offer on your dream home, invest in a tree inspection. What you learn may save you thousands of dollars and untold heartache.
Here’s the truth...
With minimal regular maintenance and upkeep, the trees native to the Pacific Northwest can live for upwards of a century.
Healthy trees provide shade, security, privacy, and can even reduce your heating and cooling bills. Plus they provide shelter for native flora and fauna. And, of course, trees are just plain beautiful to look at.
But healthy trees do take a bit of work. Regular inspections for signs of disease, trimming off dead or dying branches, and other preventive tree care services are essential for keeping the trees in your yard healthy.
Be smart and be safe
See how we work at Oregon Tree Care
Working on trees is dangerous.
The average homeowner just doesn’t have the tools, skills, knowledge, or experience they need to climb a tree safely. Don’t be tempted to work on trees yourself. The risks are just too great. Thousands of homeowners are injured (sometimes seriously) every year when they try to work on their trees.
Additionally, don’t hire the neighbor’s kid or somebody you met on the street to do tree care work. While you might feel like you’re getting a good deal, you’re risking a lot. Many so-called “tree care professionals” aren’t properly insured or licensed. If they damage your property you may not be able to collect. Or even worse, if they get injured while working on your property, you may be liable.
Make sure anyone you hire to work on your trees is an insured and licensed Certified Arborist. This designation ensures you that a tree care professional is well-trained, experienced, and takes their work seriously.
Don’t wait until it’s too late
Snow. Ice. Wind. Pouring rain.
It’s not until the first big storm of the year that most people even think about their trees. Then they see a tree swaying violently, feel branches slap against their windows, or hear a nearby tree creak and groan.
Unfortunately, the worst time to find an arborist is right after a big storm! It’s like trying to find a ticket to the Super Bowl right before kickoff.
Investing in preventive tree maintenance during the spring, summer, and early fall can give peace of mind during even the fiercest winter storms. But be aware that most local Portland arborists are available to provide emergency tree care.
“Can you save a tree that’s tilted or leaning?”
In many cases, yes, a tree that’s starting to lean can be saved through a process known as bracing or cabling. This process holds the tree upright and allows the root system to strengthen and ensure the tree doesn’t continue to tilt or lean.
“Is tree trimming really necessary?”
Trimming trees offers several valuable functions:
- • Removing dead branches and limbs that may pose a risk to your home or property
- • Thinning the crown (top) of a tree can reduce the chance that a tree might blow over during a storm
In addition to function, light pruning can make a tree more aesthetically pleasing without sacrificing its health.
“Can’t I cut off a couple of branches myself?”
It’s not a good idea. Besides creating a major safety risk for untrained homeowners, DIY tree trimming can be very detrimental to the health of the tree.
Improper or poorly chosen cuts can make a tree more susceptible to disease, cause stress to the tree, or even kill the tree.
“I want to plant more trees in my Portland yard. What do you recommend?”
Living in Portland is a tree lover’s dream come true. There are so many trees that grow beautifully in our mild climate. A few of our favorites include:
- • Japanese maples - Beautiful leaves, particularly during the fall
- • Douglas firs - Our state’s most famous tree and with good reason! Evergreens are a great choice for anyone who hates raking leaves.
- • Cherry - Beautiful blossoms and plenty of shade. What’s not to love?
- • Dogwoods - We love planting native trees and Dogwoods are a great choice. They grow well even in indirect sunlight, have beautiful (but brief) blooms, and provide great shade.
Read more about our tree planting service.
“I’ve got all these fruit trees but I hate fruit. What should I do?”
We generally don’t recommend removing healthy mature trees. Regrowing them takes years and regular care in the first few years.
Instead of getting frustrated and letting fruit go to waste, contact the Portland Fruit Tree Project. They’ll collect your unwanted fruit and donate it!
“How often do trees need to be trimmed?”
It’s a great question and one that depends on many factors. The best thing to do is have an arborist you trust inspect your trees about once a year or so. They’ll be able to identify any trees that need work right away. This tends to be a better option than waiting 5+ years between inspections.
A little preventive maintenance can save you (and your trees!) in the long run.
Need an arborist you trust?
Damien Carré, Certified Arborist and founder of Oregon Tree Care
Here at Oregon Tree Care, trees are our passion (as if that weren’t obvious by reading this blog post!), and we love meeting new people and sharing our passion with them.
Whether you’ve just bought a new home, are in the process of buying a home, or just want to learn more about how to take care of the trees in your yard, let’s talk!
We offer both in-person and virtual tree assessments. Call (503) 929-9437 today!