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Preparing Your Trees For The Arizona Monsoon Season

PREPARING YOUR TREES FOR THE ARIZONA MONSOON SEASON

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In Arizona, the period from June 15th through September 30th can be defined as the summer monsoon season. This time of year usually brings extreme heat, which is usually followed by excessive moisture in the air that causes vivacious thunderstorms brought on by very fast winds. Thunderstorms present a lot of hazards that usually strike quickly and with violent force. When preceded by heavy rain, a tree will be even more susceptible to heavy winds. Heavier rains can cause over-saturation of soil, so a tree with healthy roots may have a weaker hold. In some cases, the bulk of the root system can become exposed if the tree falls over. Regardless, there is a lot of preparation you can and should do to hinder potential storm damage to your trees. The best thing you can do is pay attention – watch your trees when heavy winds or rain is coming, and take the proper steps as needed.

BASIC TIPS FOR AVOIDING STORM DAMAGE

Water, mulch, and fertilize your trees correctly and regularly, healthier trees are going to withstand the elements a lot better. This will also help prevent the soil from becoming compacted. Prune annually or semi-annually (sometimes every two to three years, depending on the type of tree) even while they are still young. Having your trees trimmed professionally by someone who understands healthy tree structure is your best thing to avoid problems. Incorrectly pruned trees can lead to splitting limbs and trunks in higher winds.

Proactively take of your trees – any money you spend on the preventive maintenance of your trees will be a lot less costly than replacing them, especially if they cause damage to cars, roofs, or structures when they fall. Clean your yard of any leaf debris or landscaping trash. This will help avoid more work for you when high winds blow debris all over your yard and will help prevent your pool filters from becoming obstructed and burning out.

STAKE YOUR TREES

Staking your trees provides younger trees with the support it needs until its trunk is strong enough to hold the weight of the tree. A lot of trees won’t need to be staked for longer than a year, but stakes should be left for a minimum of one full growing season. When the tree can stand on its own, you can remove the stakes.

HOW TO PROPERLY STAKE A TREE:

  • Use 8-foot stakes or lodge poles. They should be at least 6-8 feet tall and around three inches in diameter.
  • Figure out the general direction of the wind and position the stakes precisely opposite one another, about 2 feet from the stem, staying in line with the wind.
  • Force the stakes vertically at least 2 feet into the soil. Try and keep the stakes the same height above ground. When completed, stakes should stand erect at about 4 feet.
  • Cut two pieces of pliable wire, each measuring around 5 feet long. Use rubber (or use an old garden hose) to create 2, 18-inch lengths. Slide the lengths over the wire and wrap the hose around the tree to help safeguard the trunk from the wire. Draw equal lengths of the wire parallel to the ground and attach them to the top of the stakes. Twist the wires together on the outside of the stake and make sure the wire is nice and taut – clip off any leftover with wire clippers.

TREE MAINTENANCE AND CARE

  • Straightforward care and maintenance can make your trees beefier during periods of rough weather, here are a couple of things to watch out for:
  • Dead wood is unstable because it is brittle, and can’t give or ben under stress as healthy, living tree branches can.
  • Cracks can be evidence of potential branch failures, where there will be splitting sooner or later, so prune as a preventative step to stop more cracking.
  • Decay is a clear indicator of fungal growth or hollow cavities and is a sign of structural weakness.
  • Pests, like the Palo Verde bore, can increase a tree’s health problems, but they typically target trees that are already unhealthy.

Can you see the sky through the tree? Keeping your trees thin is a very important thing to do to “storm-proof” your trees. Sometimes the thicker a tree is, the more vulnerable it is to damage in heavier winds. Even for a tree that is perfectly healthy, if its foliage is overly dense it can pose a safety hazard during inclement weather. A dense canopy won’t allow the wind to pass through easily, and the ability to withstand the wind can cause branches to snap or even bring the whole tree down. This particularly applies to weight at the ends of its branches, which is why pruning only the lower parts of the branches is not enough. The leaves will grow back as the tree endures the monsoon.

TREE CARE & REMOVAL SERVICES PHOENIX

Phoenix Trim-A-Tree offers tree removal services in Phoenix, Arizona. For tree pruning or tree trimming in Scottsdale, Mesa, Tempe or Chandler. Contact us today!

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Citrus Tree Care In Arizona

CITRUS TREE CARE IN ARIZONA

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Many areas of Arizona are suitable for growing citrus trees, including Phoenix, Tucson, Mesa, Tempe, Bullhead City and Yuma. Read on to learn a step by step guide to successfully planting citrus trees in the wonderful state of Arizona!

STEP BY STEP GUIDE TO SUCCESSFUL CITRUS TREE GROWING

STEP 1 – Citrus trees are best planted in September, Find a location with plenty of protection from the wind and where there is plenty of sun. If you can locate a the trees on a slight incline, cold air will flow down. Similarly planting against a wall, will help keep the wind at bay from the citrus trees.

STEP 2 – The root balls needs holes that are 3 to 5 times wider to promote the growth of the roots of the citrus tree. This is very important to the overall health of the citrus tree.

STEP 3 – The citrus tree will require heavy watering and as Arizona receives most of its yearly rainfall in late summer, additional watering will most likely be required. Utilize a soaker hose to water to a depth of 3 to 4 inches. During the winter, water every 6 days, every 3 days during the summer.

STEP 4 – Once the citrus tree has been established you do not need to water it as often. That said the average yearly rainfall in Arizona is not enough to sustain the life of a citrus tree so after the initial year, use a soaker hose to deepwater once per week in the summer and every three weeks during the winter depending on the conditions.

STEP 5 – January, February, April and May should be the months you use fertilizer on your citrus tree. Do not fertilize after the month of August as the tree needs to go dormant over the winter.

STEP 6 – Your citrus tree will need springtime trimming. Remove dead or damaged branches with a pruning saw or shears. Remove inward growing branches will maintain a well-groomed appearance. Cut areas of the citrus tree should be covered with a whitewash using a paintbrush to prevent damage from the summer sun.

CITRUS TREE CARE IN ARIZONA

If you own a property in the Phoenix Valley our team of trained, licensed, and insured tree cutting professionals will cut down and remove your tree safely and affordable. Every one of our skilled technicians understands our safe tree removal and cutting protocols and work together to get the job done quickly and safely. Keeping your property in the best condition possible while removing the tree is also our top priority. We remove the tree, clean up the mess, and leave your property in great condition.

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Tree Disputes With Neighbors

TREE DISPUTES WITH NEIGHBORS

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Although Phoenix Trim A Tree is not a legal service nor does it offer legal advice, we sometimes face having to cut down or trim a tree or trees that have been part of a recent legal dispute. Should you be facing a situation with a neighbor where a tree is becoming an issue, read on to learn more regarding your options.

CAN I TRIM BRANCHES FROM A NEIGHBORS TREE THAT OVERHANGS MY YARD?

Under law you can indeed trim branches that go beyond the neighbors property line and infringe on yours. This means you cannot enter the property of the neighbor or trim the tree on the neighbors side of the property line. If the tree is harmed you may be found liable for a fine up to and including three times the value of the tree. Landmark trees or trees for ornamental purposes may have a very high value, so be careful before deciding on a course of action.

CAN I EAT THE FRUIT FROM A TREE OVERHANGING MY PROPERTY?

The fruit from the tree belongs to the owner of the tree and courts have gone back and forth on deciding whether fallen fruit belongs to the owner or the person whose property the fruit falls on. The laws will depend on your location.

MY NEIGHBOR BLOWS LEAVES INTO MY YARD. IS THIS GROUNDS FOR A NUISANCE CLAIM?

Sadly not. Leaves are a natural product and even if they cause clogging to drains or guttering you have no recourse. You can however trim the branches of a tree that is shedding leaves up to the edge of your property line.

A NEIGHBOR KILLED A TREE ON MY PROPERTY WHEN CLEARING HIS YARD. AM I ENTITLED TO COMPENSATION?

Anyone who engages in injury to the tree, tree cutting or tree removal without the owner’s permission is liable for compensating the tree owner.

A STORM KNOCKED DOWN MY NEIGHBOR’S TREE LIMB ONTO MY PROPERTY AND IT DAMAGED MY CAR, HOUSE AND YARD FURNITURE. ARE THEY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DAMAGES?

In most of these cases, the courts will probably apply what is known as a reasonable care standard. If your neighbor was not derelict in their duties to take care and maintain the tree branch and would not appear in the view of a reasonable person to be threatening to fall, then it is probable a court would not find the neighbor responsible. If the event could not have been forseen or action taken to avoid the event occurring, it will be deemed an “Act Of God” and the neighbor will not be liable.

MY NEIGHBORS TREE LOOKS LIKE IT’S GOING TO FALL ON MY HOUSE. WHAT SHOULD I DO?

The responsibility of maintaining trees falls upon the landowner. They have two legal responsibilities. Firstly, they make reasonable inspections with the purpose of ensuring the tree is safe. If the neighbor does not or will not remove the tree and damage is caused, your neighbor can be held responsible. If, having spoken to your neighbor, they do not do anything, you do have some laws that may offer protection. The tree may be considered a nuisance when it interferes with the enjoyment and use of your own property. The court may order the removal of the tree is a court finds it is a nuisance. Most cities have ordinances prohibiting property owners from maintaining conditions that may be considered dangerous on their property. In such cases, the municipality where you reside may order the neighbor to remove the tree or they may take it upon themselves to remove it. It may also be that one of the local utility companies will want the tree removed if it threatens any of their equipment or is a potential fire hazard.

THE SPREADING OF TREE ROOTS ON MY LAND DAMAGED MY NEIGHBORS SEPTIC TANK. DO I HAVE TO COMPENSATE MY NEIGHBORS?

In most states, the neighbor who has been aggrieved may trim the tree or cut the roots and will not have a claim against the owner of the tree. Yet some states maintain neighbors may sue if at least one of the following criteria is met:

  • A landowner may sue her neighbor to make that neighbor trims the branches of a tree that encroach the landowner’s property regardless of whether there is damage to the property or not.
  • Serious harm caused by encroaching tree roots or tree limbs may give rise to a lawsuit. “Serious harm” usually requires structural damage.
  • The neighbor may sue if an encroacing tree was planted.
  • A neighbor may only sue if the tree is noxious and is causing damage. “Noxious” means that the tree must be inherently poisonous or dangerous.

TREE TRIMMING AND REMOVAL IN PHOENIX

If you own a property in the Phoenix Valley our team of trained, licensed, and insured tree cutting professionals will cut down and remove your tree safely and affordable. Every one of our skilled technicians understands our safe tree removal and cutting protocols and work together to get the job done quickly and safely. Keeping your property in the best condition possible while removing the tree is also our top priority. We remove the tree, clean up the mess, and leave your property in great condition.

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