Five Reasons to Hire an Arborist for Tree Care

Let’s get to the point right away: Why do you need to hire an arborist for tree care?

Arborists are professionals who specialize in the art and science of tree care. Put simply, an arborist knows what trees need and is trained and equipped to provide proper care for tree maintenance or emergency tree removal. Investing in proper, safe, knowledgeable tree care can extend the life of your trees. It can reduce the chance that you’ll lose a tree to damage or disease. And, when pruning or removal is necessary, an arborist ensures that the sometimes-dangerous work is done properly.

Here are five times you should only entrust your tree care to an arborist.

Emergency tree care

Nature packs power in all seasons. Winter and summer storms and high winds can cause sudden damage to trees. An arborist can determine when a tree can be saved by trimming or when it presents a risk and must be removed.

Tree removal

Tree care is complex. Mistakes are costly. An arborist has the skills and knowledge to recommend removal in cases such as when a tree is causing an obstruction, must be removed for new construction, or is crowding out (and causing harm to) other trees.

Pruning

Pruning is done to improve the health, appearance, and safety of trees. Pruning might be done when a tree has dead, weak, infested, or decaying branches, has been damaged by a storm, overhangs streets or sidewalks, or interferes with utilities or structures. In addition, pruning is done to shape young trees or reduce the chance that a tree might be damaged by a storm or heavy snowfall. An arborist knowledgeable in pruning techniques can preserve or extend a tree’s life or help guide its growth into a beautiful, well-maintained shape.

Planting

The wrong tree in the wrong location will create problems in the future. Whether you are replacing a tree or undertaking a new planting, an arborist can recommend a species appropriate to your location. An arborist factors in available growing space, neighbouring trees and shrubs, and threats from insects, diseases, and weather in helping you make the right choice.

Care and maintenance

Invest in proper tree care and you’ll enjoy a beautiful yard for years to come. Well-maintained trees enhance your curb appeal and help keep your natural environment in balance. From proper soil aeration to protecting your tree from diseases and infestation, an arborist is a valuable partner.

ISA Certified Arborist

When evaluating arborists, look for a professional who has qualified as an International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Certified Arborist. Certification requires hands-on experience for three years in pruning, cabling and bracing, tree climbing, tree installation and establishment, disease identification, removal, and more. In addition, an ISA-certified arborist must pass an exam that covers a range of topics on tree maintenance, emergencies, and care with recertification every three years.

Professional tree service

Be sure that you’re choosing a tree service led by a certified arborist for your emergency and regular tree care.

Advanced Tree Care combines top-notch equipment, cutting-edge technology, and well-trained staff to provide emergency tree removal and tree maintenance services. With a presence in nine counties and two states, we work daily to provide unparalleled customer service, safety, and efficiency—as well as the expertise to beautify your landscaping and community. Advanced Tree Care isn’t just our name—it’s also our purpose!

The Fastest-Growing Trees for Privacy and Curb Appeal

Whether you’ve lost a tree, want to boost your curb appeal, or need a little more privacy from a nosy neighbor, sometimes you want a species that will grow fast. What are the best choices?

Northern Illinois is in the hardiness zone 5A, so you’ll want to look for trees that grow well in zones 4 and 5. In addition to making sure your tree can thrive in our climate, you’ll also want to consider factors such as size, shape, and space needs. Here are some top choices for fast-growing trees that will do well in zone 5A.

Boxelder

The boxelder or ash-leaf maple is a fast-growing, easy-care tree that grows in full sun and moist soil. It grows up to 50 feet tall and has compound leaves that are light yellow in early spring, green in summer, and yellow-brown in fall. Known as Acer negundo and belonging to the maple family, the boxelder can reach 15 feet tall in just four to five years.

Red Maple

The beautiful red maple—also known as swamp maple and botanically as Acer rubrum—is a fast-growing wetland tree that grows in full sun or partial shade in any soil. While it may reach up to 120 feet tall, it typically grows 40 to 50 feet tall. The red maple may grow up to 12 feet in its first five to seven years, making it an ideal choice for privacy and curb appeal.

Silver Maple

It’s hard to stroll down any suburban Chicagoland street without seeing a silver maple. Known by the botanical name of Acer saccharinum, these beautiful maples may reach 60 to 80 feet tall. The leaves are green on top and silver on the bottom, and they turn a deep red or yellow in fall. The silver maple grows in full sun or partial shade in moist, well-drained soil.

River Birch

Looking for something other than a maple? The river birch, or Betula nigra, is a fast-growing tree with red-brown bark. Its glossy leaves are about three inches long and turn bright yellow in the fall. River birches may reach 50 to 70 feet and may grow up to three feet per growing season. This hardy tree is also a popular choice for moist, acidic soil where sometimes no other tree will thrive. In addition, the river birch can tolerate full sun or partial shade.

Paper Birch

The paper birch or Betula papyrifera is another hardy, fast-growing member of the birch family. On average, paper birches grow 50 to 70 feet tall, with some reaching up to 100 feet in height. And they grow fast, up to two feet per growing season. The leaves are about three inches long, turning from light green to yellow or orange in the fall. You’ve likely seen many paper birches, identifiable by their chalky bark that can look like layers of paper. Paper birches thrive in full sun or partial shade and do need regular watering.

Fast-growing shrubs

When you want to block a clear view of your yard, a fast-growing easy-care hedge can be the perfect answer. It creates a wall of green that can be beautiful and easy to care for. Select hedge varieties that thrive in zones 4 and 5. Good choices include boxwood, mountain mahogany, holly hybrids, and plantings of arborvitae.

Commercial Tree Care Services

Commercial Tree Services

As tree care professionals, we serve both residential and commercial property owners with their tree care needs. Our commercial customers include:

Municipalities, park districts, and other government agencies
Private businesses, business parks, and corporate campuses
Facilities, including golf courses and cemeteries

Many of our commercial services overlap with our residential services, only greater in scale—since commercial properties tend to be much larger and be home to a great number and variety of trees. Services include:

Tree pruning

Regular tree pruning creates stronger and healthier trees with attractive, pleasing shapes. Pruning is conducted, though, for both health and safety. While pruning can take place at any time of the year for most species of trees, certain types of trees should only be pruned during dormancy in late fall or winter. A certified arborist directs all pruning, which entails three types:

Class 1, or fine pruning, is a detailed process in which the full tree is pruned, tip to stem. All dead limbs are removed, and branches are thinned, shaping the canopy over time. This type is the most common type of pruning for residential projects.
Class 2, or general pruning, is the most common type of pruning for commercial projects. Only dead limbs are removed, so general pruning is less extensive, though does need to be performed more frequently.
Class 3, also called safety pruning, concerns the removal of dangerous limbs that could pose a safety hazard in high winds, intense storms, or with the added weight of snow or ice.

Commercial tree removal

This service is offered for both planned and emergency removal of trees damaged through disease, decline, weather, or other reasons. Because tree removal can be complex and dangerous, it is best conducted by a professional tree service led by a certified arborist.

Commercial stump removal

Commercial stump grinding is conducted following the removal of a tree or trees. There are five different methods for stump grinding, and a certified arborist will help determine which is the most effective way for a particular project or situation.

Government, municipal, and park district services

Commercial Tree Care Services — Commercial properties tend to be larger, with more variety of trees than residential properties, so many of the services are the same.

Public and government agencies want to ensure that trees and landscapes are safe, healthy, and cared for properly for the enjoyment of residents and the betterment of the community. As the exclusive contracted tree service provider for ten cities, multiple park districts, and other government agencies, Advanced Tree Care currently manages over 60 square miles of urban landscape trees and shrubs in 13 counties in two states—Illinois and Wisconsin.

Golf course and cemetery services

To enhance the beauty and ensure the safety of golf courses and cemeteries’ trees, Advanced Tree Care provides regular maintenance and care for these facilities’ treescapes.

Land clearing and restoration

Some commercial sites require a fresh start. New construction or extensive renovation often require planting a landscape from scratch. An experienced staff can remove old, dead, diseased, or unsuitable trees and plants and design a new landscape for a site.

Maintenance programs

Our programs give trees proper service and periodic care so they look their best and thrive at their healthiest. Our two primary programs are Advanced Gold and Advanced Silver. We work with our clients to determine the right fit for the budget and need.

Tree identification and inventory

A full tree inventory creates a baseline for monitoring and caring for the health of a treescape—in the most efficient way possible. It catalogs the species and condition of a property’s trees and notes the presence of any invasive species or problematic pests. Like a plat of survey, the tree inventory notes the position of every tree on the property.

Advanced thermal tree imaging

Commercial projects often benefit from advanced thermal tree imaging, which uses FLIR (forward-looking resonance imaging) to analyze areas of stress not visible to the naked eye. This data allows a certified arborist to make informed decisions regarding preventive care, treatment, or removal.

Residential Tree Care Services

Tree Care Services for Homeowners

As a homeowner, you’re responsible for the health and care of the trees on your property. That includes not only emergency care or removal but also the ongoing maintenance that keeps your trees healthy and thriving. At a detailed level, what are the various residential tree care services—and what does service entail?

Residential Tree Care Services

Tree pruning

Simply put, regular tree pruning produces strong, healthy, and attractive trees. Trees are pruned for a variety of reasons, including for aesthetics—to create a pleasing shape—and for safety, so that weak or damaged branches don’t break off in storms. A certified arborist directs pruning, which can be conducted in most seasons for most types of trees (some species do best with pruning during dormancy).

Class 1, or fine pruning, refers to a very detailed inspection in which the full tree is pruned, tip to stem. All dead limbs are removed, and branches are thinned. Fine pruning contributes to canopy shaping and is the most common type of pruning for residential projects.
Class 2 is general pruning, which is a less extensive—and expensive—type of pruning for residential projects. Only dead limbs are removed. Though less costly per service, general pruning does need to be performed more frequently.
Class 3, also called safety pruning, concerns the removal of dangerous limbs that could pose a safety hazard in high winds, intense storms, or with the added weight of snow or ice.

Tree removal

Trees are removed for various reasons, including disease, decline, and damage. Because tree removal can be complex and dangerous, it is best conducted by a professional tree service led by a certified arborist. Experienced staff determine the best way to remove a tree to avoid property damage and minimize safety concerns.

Tree stump removal

Stump removal is conducted after the rest of the tree has been removed. Stump grinding is the most effective form of stump removal. There are five different methods for stump grinding, and a certified arborist will help determine which is the most effective way for a particular project or situation.

Land clearing and restoration

Some residential projects require a fresh start. New construction or extensive renovation often require planting a residential landscape from scratch. An experienced staff can remove old, dead, diseased, or unsuitable trees and plants and design a new landscape for a residential site.

Maintenance programs

Our programs give trees proper service and periodic care so they look their best and thrive at their healthiest. Our two primary programs are Advanced Gold and Advanced Silver. We work with homeowners to determine the right fit for the budget and need.

Tree identification and inventory

A full tree inventory creates a baseline for monitoring and caring for the health of your trees—in the most efficient way possible. It catalogs the species and condition of your property’s trees and notes the presence of any invasive species or problematic pests. Like a plat of survey, the tree inventory notes the position of every tree on the property.

Advanced thermal tree imaging

As trees grow, their structures need to be managed to preserve property safety. With the use of infrared technology, examining trees becomes a quick and cost-effective task. Areas that are not visible to the naked eye become very visible to a FLIR (forward-looking resonance imaging) system—and this information allows a certified arborist to make informed decisions regarding treatment or management.