There’s a lot that goes into Portland tree care – just as there’s a lot that goes into Vancouver tree care and tree care in the Pacific Northwest in general! At Urban Forest Pro, our ISA-certified arborists make up the best collection of tree care specialists in the Portland area. With this blog, the tree care experts at UFP hope to provide a substantial amount of content that is both entertaining and informative. We want to provide some background on a variety of tree care services, and as a full-service tree company, Urban Forest Pro is the go-to source for tree care in Portland. With this blog, we’ll cover everything from how to winterize your trees to how best to fertilize the soil. We’ll also cover many other tree service topics, including tree removal, tree planting, tree pruning, view enhancements, and more. In addition to these topics, UFP will present in-depth blog posts on tree rot, tree fertilization, organic pest control, and a whole lot more. Our goal is to be the only resource that Portlanders and our neighbors to the north in Vancouver, Washington, need to determine how best to care for their trees and the landscaping that makes up the bulk of our extraordinary urban tree canopy.
TL;DR Watering needs vary by season, with deep watering required during hot summer months and less frequent watering in cooler weather. Water at the tree’s drip line, focusing on deep, slow watering to 12-inch depths for best absorption. In summer, check soil moisture weekly and water more often during extreme heat or dry spells. Winter […]
TL;DR Spring is the ideal time to plant fruit trees, allowing them to establish before winter. Water fruit trees deeply, aiming for 18 inches of soil penetration, especially during dry summer months. Prune fruit trees in winter while dormant, focusing on structural development and fruit production. Fertilize fruit trees before buds break, adjusting based on […]
TL;DR: Winter is the best time to prune fruit trees in Oregon. Trees are dormant, making it easier to shape them and reduce the risk of disease. Basic pruning involves: removing dead/diseased branches, crossed limbs, water sprouts, and suckers. Safety first! Use professional-grade tools (shears, loppers, saw) and a sturdy ladder. Avoid pruning too high. […]
Are you concerned that a certain tree in your yard may be a rotting hazard? This is a valid preoccupation, as infected, unhealthy trees are more likely to fall during inclement weather. To tell if a tree is dead or dying, look for signs of disease, such as discolored leaves, brittle branches, and fungal growth. […]
As colder, harsher weather approaches, are your trees ready for the coming storms? Even a seemingly harmless windy day can make a weak tree a hazard to your home and family. When it comes to protecting your trees from severe weather, preparation is key. While we can’t predict when a storm will strike, we can […]
TL;DR: Trees near electrical power lines pose serious safety risks, and responsibility for trimming them falls on utility companies. Homeowners should never attempt to trim trees near power lines themselves, contact the electric company or a certified ISA arborist instead. Follow electrical safety precautions, such as the 10-foot rule, avoiding ladders near power lines, and […]
TL;DR Oregon is home to some of the world’s tallest pine trees, including the record-breaking Phalanx ponderosa pine. Different pine species grow throughout Oregon, mostly at higher elevations. Key pines include ponderosa, sugar, western white, lodgepole, Jeffrey, limber, and whitebark. Pines are identified by their needle groupings, cone shapes, and bark characteristics. Certified arborists can […]
TL;DR Tree cabling provides extra support to weak or damaged limbs to prevent breakage. Two main systems: static (steel) for maximum strength and dynamic (rope) for flexibility. Proper installation involves selecting strong anchor points, securing cables, and adjusting tension. Regular inspections and maintenance are essential to keep the system effective. Certified arborists can ensure safe, […]
TL;DR Summer pruning removes dead, damaged, and diseased limbs to protect tree health. Helps fruit trees grow stronger and produce higher-quality fruit. Encourages healthy, vigorous growth and supports sturdy branch development. Reduces pest infestations by removing affected limbs and fruit. Best done early in summer and ideally by certified arborists for safety and effectiveness. Though […]
While you are looking to improve the curb appeal of your home, you may be inadvertently doing harm to your trees. Here are some otherwise normal home care activities that you need to be cautious about. 1. Mowing your lawn. Most homeowners think nothing of bumping against their trees when mowing their lawns. But it […]
TL;DR: Spring is the perfect time to care for your trees in Portland. Key tasks include cleaning up debris around the tree base, inspecting for damage or disease, planting new trees, mulching and watering properly, and fertilizing as needed. Fertilization is crucial in urban areas due to nutrient depletion, with options ranging from chemical fertilizers […]
Now that you have a beautiful newly planted tree it is time to master the steps of keeping it that way. The bad news is that for the first 2 years this will take some time and attention on your part, but the good news is that after those 2 years of work your tree […]
Building a New Patio and Protecting Trees When building a new patio and protecting trees, it’s crucial to consider the impact on the tree’s root system. Proper planning helps in protecting trees from patio damage, since tree roots, especially the critical roots within the top 2–3 inches of soil, need access to space for water, […]
Trees vs. Turf: What You Need to Know Trees and turf can coexist, but there are important considerations to keep in mind. Grass tends to compete with trees for nutrients and water, especially in shared landscapes. Turf requires regular irrigation, and this can be a problem, particularly for water-sensitive trees like evergreens. Turfgrass can deplete […]
Holes in trees can be disconcerting. Many homeowners are unsure about what holes indicate for tree health, or what they should do when a hole appears. In this post, our leading tree experts address tree holes and talk about how a hole could be a sign of compromised structural integrity. We discuss different kinds of […]
In this blog post we continue looking at Portland tree care with an eye towards fall fertilization. We discuss how homeowners can properly fertilize trees in late fall. Read on to learn how to determine if there is a need to fertilize, what not to do, things to look for, and alternative treatments; all to […]
TL;DR: The cheapest time to have a tree removed in Oregon is during winter or early spring (February–March) when demand is lower. Tree services often offer lower rates during this “dormant season,” making removal more cost-effective. Additionally, frozen ground helps minimize environmental impact. Beware of extremely low bids, as they may indicate subpar service. While […]
Preparing: Parking: Reserving parking is the responsibility of the client unless otherwise stated in your estimate the crew will need about 3 regular parking spaces in front of the your property for their truck and chipper and will need any trees to be worked on to be free of cars beneath them. If work is being done […]
Homeowners who arrange for Portland tree services are often shocked by standard instructions to keep kids and pets inside, to prevent potentially hazardous chemical exposure. Why spray something on a beloved tree that could harm your family? Our Portland ISA-certified arborists wondered the same thing. After years of experience identifying tree pests and using a […]
Rachel Carson’s 1962 landmark work Silent Spring spurred a whole generation to take action against DDT pesticides. In that book, Carson showed how careless, widespread pesticide use killed insects and the species that ate them, including many songbirds. Carson also connected pesticides to many cancers. Today, millions of bees die each year. While their demise […]
