Essential Tree Care Tips to Get Your Spring Started

Posted on March 26, 2020 by Completetree

Be sure you know exactly how to manage your landscaping trees this spring with these vital tree care reminders!

Indianapolis Tree Care Service 317-783-2518

Critical Root Zone (CRZ)

The critical root zone of a tree is also referred to as a “tree protection zone.” Essentially, it is an invisible or imaginary circle that runs along or just outside the dripline of a tree. This area is important to a tree because it is where the most critical tree roots are located beneath the ground. That is why it is also called a “protection” zone. These are the roots that require the most protection and care. Adequate mulching is an effective method for protecting your tree’s critical root zone. In fact, in terms of tree health, mulch is just as important as fertilizer and water.

Watering

One of the most important parts of taking care of your trees is to make sure they have adequate water. This is especially true for newly planted trees and young trees. After a tree is planted, it is important to water it immediately, then continue watering it regularly over the next two years. Mature trees only require watering during periods of drought, when the soil feels dry to the touch. Keep in mind that too much water can be just as harmful. So, it is important to use just the right amount to keep your trees in good health. To check, use your garden trowel to penetrate the soil 4 to 6 inches deep, then pry the soil back and feel the dampness of the soil.

Mulching

Laying mulch around the base of your trees is a highly effective method of supporting healthy growth and prolonging their life. Although you do not need to re-mulch every week, it is important to check on your mulch beds every day to ensure they are still doing their job. Mulch helps retain moisture and block out excess heat and UV exposure. This helps to keep a tree in good health. If the mulch seems low, put down another layer. Apply new mulch entirely, every year. The rule of thumb when it comes to proper mulching is to keep layers between 2 and 4 inches deep, and at least 6 inches from the base of the trunk.

Staking

See our recent blog, “How to Prepare Your Trees for Spring Weather Conditions” to learn all your options for staking a tree. From there, you can better determine which type of supplementary structural support or protection your landscaping trees need to survive the season. Common industry methods include cabling and bracing, propping, guying, and of course, staking. Talk to your local tree care specialist about tree staking methods and advice when in doubt. They have the tools, training, and knowledge to guide you in the direction of healthy tree care.

Fertilizing

Tree fertilization helps to make up for any nutrient deficiencies that might be at play. It provides added nutrients, which in turn help a tree grow strong and healthy, and thus, live much longer. Not only does this help a tree look beautiful and deep in color, it gives the tree durability and an increased resistance to inclement weather, disease, pests, nuisance wildlife, and other forms of environmental bearings.

Trimming and Pruning

One of the most important tree services you can outsource for your landscape is pruning. Not only does pruning promote healthy growth, it also encourages flowering and fruit production, making prettier and more profitable trees. In addition to pruning, tree trimming is a highly beneficial, and often times quite necessary, tree service that is something to consider for your property. Tree trimming helps control overgrown limbs and canopies that can pose potential dangers and obstructions.

Professional Tree Care Service for Indianapolis

Call Complete Tree Care at 317-783-2518 for prompt and professional Indianapolis tree service you can trust. We are experienced tree care technicians that can resolve your tree problems, regardless of your projects size or scope. We offer a wide range of tree removal and tree services, for both residential and commercial properties. We even offer free estimates and free tree care advice!

How to Prepare Your Trees for Spring Weather Conditions

Posted on February 11, 2020 by Completetree

With Spring right around the corner, now is the right time to be thinking about tree cabling, staking, and bracing. These are excellent tree protection measures to take in order to reduce the likelihood of tree damages caused by heavy winds and rainstorms, which spring is known for. Continue reading to learn about each method of tree protection, and what you can do to ensure your landscaping trees are ready to take on the seasonal inclement weather up ahead.

Tree Protection

The very root of tree protection starts at the very beginning of a tree’s life. Routine tree care, such as fertilizing, mulching, watering, trimming, and pruning, are all vital to the overall success of a tree’s health and survival. Without proper tree care, trees do not grow to their fullest potential, and as a result, are weaker and more susceptible to damage, disease, and pest infestation.

Along with proper tree care are several methods you can implement to ensure your trees are protected during seasons of inclement weather, namely spring. This is especially important for young or newly planted trees. Among the various methods of tree protection, cabling, bracing, and staking are the most popular and effective.

Tree Cabling and Bracing

The objective of tree cabling is to limit the degree of movement in certain branches and limbs, or for the complete tree. This is accomplished by installing a variety of cables, wires, and hardware like anchors and hooks. Tree bracing is similar to cabling in many ways. It is implemented with the purpose of maintaining certain distance and limiting movement between two leaders (trunks) of a tree. Rods are used to keep two trunks from growing farther apart, or moving sideways against each other. Bracing is also used reconnect broken limbs.

Tree Staking

Young or newly-planted tree require additional support throughout the entire year, until they are strong enough to stand on their own. Tree staking is one practice that is perfect for this job. Tree staking helps protect unstable trees against all sorts of environmental damage, including storm damage, wind damage, breakage, leaning, and other destructive conditions.

Tree Guying

Tree guying is the practice of securing a tree to the ground with the purpose of reducing movement. In turn, this prevents the tree from toppling over or breaking apart. It is traditionally implemented by installing anchors to a tree and in the ground, and then connecting them with a cable.

Tree Propping

Tree props are built and installing in the ground to act as a backing or support for trees. They are installed to support both trunks and limbs, and mostly used for trees that are leaning or in the way. For instance, if a tree has a large limb that dangles over and blocks your gate, you could use a prop to keep the limb from drooping so slow.

Call Us for Trusted Tree Services in Indianapolis

Call Complete Tree Care at 317-783-2518 for prompt and professional Indianapolis tree service you can afford. We are experienced tree care technicians that can resolve your tree problems, regardless of your projects size or scope. We offer a wide range of tree removal and tree services, for both residential and commercial properties. We even offer free estimates and free tree care advice!

Can You Prune Trees in Winter?

Posted on January 30, 2020 by Completetree

Now that the holidays are all over, all that’s left until Valentine’s and St. Pat’s is the winter season. Fortunately, that gives us plenty of time to get around to our other homeowner duties, like tree care. Right now is the perfect time to prune your landscaping trees if you want to ensure strong and abundant growth next season. However, many are afraid to do too much with their dormant trees this time of year in fear that they may do some damage. The truth is, tree dormancy is the best time to prune trees.

Continue reading to learn why, and for some more winter tree care pruning tips you will need.

Trimming vs. Pruning

There are many reasons to trim a tree. Trimming down foliage and branches can eliminate obstacles and obstructions, improve look, produce ornamental appeal, and deliver certain functions, like privacy or shade. However, tree pruning is another story. The purpose of pruning trees is to jump start spring growth spurts, as well as, render fuller, brighter, more balanced growth.

When to Prune

The best time to prune a tree is in winter when they are dormant and have little to no foliage. Not only does this allow better manageability, bark and tissue wounds recover faster, far before new growth can begin. In spring and summer when tree growth is active, open wounds from pruning are at higher risk of developing infections, pest infestations, and more. These developments can quickly cause a full decline in tree health, even with treatment. Furthermore, trees require more water when they are healing, which can make spring or summer pruning problematic since the tree is active and already needs water. This might leave a tree without enough water.

How to Prune

Pruning is a delicate practice that requires astute knowledge and skill that is only achievable through years of experience. For this reason, you need a professional and seasoned Indianapolis tree care contractor to prune trees properly. A single incorrect cut can cause an entire tree to die, making professional service non-negotiable.

Indianapolis Tree Care and Pruning Service

Call Complete Tree Care at 317-783-2518 for professional Indianapolis tree trimming and pruning services you can trust. We are an experienced and reputable Central Indiana tree care company that offers a wide range of tree services for both residential and commercial properties, including tree removal, stump removal, lot clearing, and more. We even offer free estimates and free tree care advice!

How to Hire a Reputable Tree Service Company

Posted on November 15, 2019 by Completetree

As a property owner, there are a few things you need to know before outsourcing professional tree service. Whether you need routine tree care such as trimming or pruning, or major tree work like large tree removal or lot clearing, you need a company that can be trusted to deliver safety, quality, and efficiency on every job. And to find the right tree care company, you need to know what to look for.

Continue reading to learn how to hire a dependable tree service company who can manage the size and scope of your tree service needs.

Real Experience

When it comes time to research tree care companies, it is important to look for signs of professionalism and skill. The very first thing you want to look for in a tree service company is experience. In an industry like this, hands-on experience is the key to perfecting the tree care craft. At least ten years of experience is a good start, and any more than that is an added assurance. This is especially important for larger or more complex tree service jobs, like stump removal and storm damage clearance.

Valued Credentials

Aside from experience, there are a few other credentials to look for in a tree service company. Licensing and insurance is key when it comes to any service-oriented company. So be sure your choice of service is licensed and insured. Not only does this protect you, it ensures that your property is in the hands of certified professionals.

Fair Prices

Request estimates from your potential tree service candidates to compare pricing and overall costs. Not only will this help you gain an understanding of the average cost of tree service, it will allow you to compare competitors’ prices and choose which ones seems the most fair and the least suspicious. Keep in mind that if the estimate is drastically lower than the average cost of the other estimates you’ve received, it could be an indication of unethical work. So take oddly-low estimates as a warning rather than a miracle.

Quality Labor and Equipment

Make sure your tree service company retains the proper equipment to provide safe and efficient tree work. But also be sure they are fully-staffed to manage the size and scope of your tree service needs. A fully-equipped and staffed tree service company is a sign that they are a reputable team to hire.

Indianapolis Tree Service at an Affordable Price

Call Complete Tree Care at 317-783-2518 for Indianapolis tree services you can trust. We are highly trained and experienced tree care technicians that offer commercial and residential tree services at affordable prices. As professional tree specialists, we know precisely how to manage each and every tree service job requested of us. We only use quality equipment to carry out our tree care services and never neglect safety. And if you have a tree emergency after regular business hours, we offer two separate after-hours phone lines!

Need-to-Know Glossary Terms for Tree Care

Posted on July 14, 2016 by Completetree

If you are a new homeowner, or simply new to the landscaping and gardening world, you will soon discover that trees are an important part of your property, and require routine care in order to grow and thrive to their full capacity. One place to start when it comes to tree care is terminology. By reviewing some common tree care terms, you will better understand your research and be better prepared to discuss your tree care needs with a professional.

Continue reading and you will find a helpful glossary full of need-to-know tree care terms used for residential and commercial tree service.

Tree Care Terminology

Tree care is phrase used to describe the requirements and process for maintaining healthy, thriving trees. This includes routine inspections for pests, insects, and tree diseases, as well as, routine tree trimming, pruning, fertilizing, watering, and more. Already a bit confused? Don’t worry! These terms, along with a few others, will be covered below!

Crown or “Canopy” – This is the upper part of a tree. It is measured from the lowest branch to the longest, most outward branch, and again to the highest point of the tree. This includes all branches, leaves, and foliage.

Tree Trimming – Shortening the limbs and twigs of trees for the purpose of adding light and air flow, removing dead or disease branches, reducing obstructions, promoting new growth, and more.

Tree Pruning – Selectively removing branches or stems for the betterment of the whole tree. This is done for the same purposes as trimming.

Tree Thinning – This is a preferred method of tree pruning. Selectively removing interior growth and thinning out branch tips.

Tree Shaping – To selectively trim foliage and branches of trees to achieve an appealing or desired shape.

Tree Topping – To completely remove all top portions of a tree. It is considered by many to be an unnecessary and highly-detrimental practice.

Tree Pollard – This is a drastic means of tree pruning that involves the removal of all green growth and foliage, giving trees a “hat rack” appearance.

Shirt Raise – To prune only the lower branches and foliage of trees. This enables better access, reduces obstructions, and promotes more sunlight.

CODIT – Compartmentalization of Decay in Trees.

Dead-Wooding – Removing all dead, dying or diseased branches, twigs, limbs, and growth on a tree.

Root Prune – Severing sections of tree roots that pose hazardous or structural threats to its surroundings.

Stump Grinding – Shaving or cutting down a tree stump so that it is ground level.

Stump Removal – Extracting a whole tree stump from the ground.

Deep Root Fertilization – Inserting a probe (soil needle) 8 to 12 inches into the soil below the base of a tree, and then injecting a liquid fertilizer directly to the root system to provide additional nutrients for a tree.

Tree Spraying – To spray liquid insecticides and fungicides on trees to protect from pest infestations and tree diseases.

A Complete Tree Care – The Indianapolis tree care company to call for expert advice and tree service at an honest and fair price.

Call A Complete Tree Care at 317-783-2518 for professional tree removal services in Indianapolis, Indiana and its surrounding locations. Our tree care specialists have more than 30 years of experience, and retain the knowledge and skills needed to deliver quality tree service in a convenient time frame. We offer a wide range of residential and commercial tree services, from tree trimming and tree pruning, to lot clearing, stump removal, and much more. Call 317-783-2518 to request a free estimate for Indianapolis tree service, today.

Why Does My Tree Look Bad?

Posted on June 22, 2016 by Completetree

You may not notice right away, but sometimes trees can start to slowly decline in appearance and performance. One week they can look great, and the following month they look as though something is not quite right. If you have found yourself in a similar dilemma, continue reading to learn what might be wrong with your landscaping trees.

Water Distribution

The first question you want to ask yourself involves the amount of water your tree is getting. Is it getting too much? Is it not getting enough? Both of these scenarios will causes adverse changes in your landscaping trees. Trees require deep watering, especially in hotter temperatures. Strive toward saturating the ground with water, starting at the trunk and finishing at the outer perimeter of the tree’s dripline. This should suffice until the tree roots are dry again.

Pest and Insect Control

Once you have addressed any water management issues, it is time to ask yourself about pest and insect control for your trees. Beetles, borers, mites, wildlife, and even tree diseases can quickly affect the health of a tree in the worst way. For instance, leaf-eating insects inhibit the tree’s ability to carry on the process of photosynthesis, thus rendering the tree sick and weak. It requires a professional arborist to positively identify, diagnose, and treat insect infestations and tree diseases.

Nutrients

Trees don’t just thrive on water and sunlight alone. They also require a sufficient amount of nutrients, or tree food, for optimal growth and survival. Trees source their nutrients from the surrounding and underlying soil. Which means poor or inadequate soil conditions can cause adverse changes in a tree. If you suspect that your tree is suffering from a lack of nutrients, try fertilizing it to regain its strength and stability.

Additional Causes Include:

• Too much mulching
• Improper species-to-site location
• Invasive sprinkler systems
• Inclement environmental conditions
• Overgrown grass around trunk
• And more

✨ Contact an experienced tree care company for professional advice and service you can trust!

A Complete Tree Care

Call A Complete Tree Care at 317-783-2518 for professional tree services in Indianapolis, Indiana and its surrounding towns. We serve all of Central Indiana with a wide range of skilled tree removal and tree care services, for both residential and commercial properties. Whether you need a single tree removed, or simply require routine tree service, like trimming or pruning, we can deliver prompt and professional service at a fair price.

Complete Tree Care Has a Brand New Website!

Posted on April 7, 2016 by Completetree

Complete Tree Care is a family owned and operated tree service company based out of Indianapolis, Indiana. We have been serving Hoosier communities all throughout Central Indiana for more than 33 years, and remain dedicated to being the best customer-oriented tree service business around. Our highly trained and experienced tree care specialists provide a wide range of tree services for both residential and commercial properties.

And now you can view all our professional tree care services and more on our brand new website!

Find What You’re Looking For FAST!

Complete Tree Care’s new website is not just informative, it is easy to navigate and find just what you’re looking for. Every link you need is listed right at the top of our home page! Instantly locate our contact information on our “Contact Us” page! And when you need tree service, simply hover over our “Tree Services” page to reveal a drop-down list of all the tree care work our company provides! Or you can simply click on the link. Then you can choose from one of the listed options, including tree removal, tree trimming and pruning, stump removal, tree care, tree diseases, and much more.

With the exclusive tree care pages available on their new website, you are sure to find the right information about the exact tree service you need in Indianapolis! Remember you can also call our office directly at 317-783-2518 and speak with a friendly office attendant about tree care and more, anytime!

View Our Credentials!

At Complete Tree Care, we are proud of our 30+ years of experience, steadfast reputation, and proficiency in the industry. This is why we list our most admirable credentials right on our Home Page! Review everything that makes us a good choice for tree service and tree removal in Central Indiana! Not only are we members of the BBB, we are also Angie’s List Approved and even received the Super Service Award in 2015!

Don’t Forget to Check Out Our Pictures!

Another fantastic feature on our brand new tree care website is our Pictures Page! You can look at several pictures of tree damages and tree work projects are team manages on a daily basis. You can see there is no job too big or too small for the highly trained and experienced team of tree service specialists at Complete Tree Care!

Indianapolis Tree Service You Can Trust

Call Complete Tree Care at 317-783-2518 for professional tree service and tree removal in Indianapolis, and throughout Central Indiana. We offer tree removal, tree trimming, pruning, shaping, topping, crowning, and much more. Our teams are fully-equipped to provide stump grinding or stump removal services for any size tree trunk. We are happy to provide free tree care estimate and advice anytime. Call 317-783-2518 during regular office hours for information about tree services in Indianapolis, IN and its surrounding locations.