TREE CARE

4 Simple Steps to Healthy TREES

The tree canopy in Ansley Park is unique and important to the context and fabric of the neighborhood. More importantly, it shields us from heat, noise, and water runoff. If you are wondering how to care for your trees, here are some practical tips from Chris Hughes, an ASCA Registered Consulting Arborist who lives right here in Ansley Park.

1.     Assess tree health yourself.
  • Health check: Does each tree have a full canopy? Are the leaves green? Overall, do they look healthy?
  • Structure check: Is the lower trunk free of cavities, soft or decaying wood, and fungus?
  • If the answer to any of these questions is no, move to step 2. If all your trees appear healthy, congratulations! Move to step 4. 
2.     Consult an expert to assess tree health concerns.
  • Find a qualified professional on The American Society of Consulting Arborists (ASCA) website at www.asca-consultants.org.
  • If possible, select a professional that only offers tree consultation services and does not also sell tree care services that could create a conflict of interest.
  • Invest a few hundred dollars in the short term and save the thousands you may be forced to spend if an unhealthy tree falls or becomes hazardous due to lack of care.
3.     Be proactive in your tree care.
  • Request prescriptions for your trees to support them in reaching their life expectancy.
  • Take action right away! Declining trees can most often be saved with timely care but will likely be lost if you wait for years.

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4.     Create a tree plan for your yard.
  • Think about what tree benefits are most important to you, such as shade, beauty, privacy and environmental protection.
  • Educate yourself on the value of trees by using the tree benefits calculator at https://www.itreetools.org/.
  • Work with a qualified professional to create a plan for the coming years and decades.
  • Maintain the relationship with the professional you select for continuing tree recommendations.

Just a small investment in your trees will provide years of benefit to you, Ansley Park, and the planet. If we make caring for them part of our property maintenance plans, we will preserve the beautiful oasis in the city we are fortunate to call home.

-        Wendy Kirkpatrick, History and Preservation 

 


Ansley Park Civic Association | PO Box 570119 | Atlanta, GA 30357 - Contact Us

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