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.
There are so many reasons to prioritize consistent Portland tree care: it increases your property value, benefits the environment, and makes your yard more enjoyable. During the dry summer months, fire prevention is yet another reason to take care of your trees. Without regular pruning, trees sport more dead material, which can serve as fire […]
The weather in most urban areas of the Pacific Northwest is mild compared to many other parts of the country. It’s often jokingly suggested that the weather here — especially west of the Cascades — falls into just two categories: wet and dry. However, as is usually the case, the reality is a little more […]
The two are synonymous: trees and the Pacific Northwest. From the coastal Cedars to the Coast Range Sitkas, and the pines east of the mountains, Oregon and Washington are home to a wide variety of evergreens and deciduous trees alike. Many trees have been in the area for hundreds of years and buoyed the region […]
In one corner, we have trees. In the other, solar panels. Which one will win in America’s cities? Should we prioritize the urban canopy, or open up spaces to harvest sun power? Well, as Portland certified arborists, we don’t think this has to be a fight. While homeowners may feel they must choose between solar […]
It’s a new year, and many of us are thinking about how to take better care of our families and ourselves. But what about our trees? As Portland certified arborists, and tree lovers at heart, we’re here to suggest ways to take exceptional care of your trees in 2015. Taking Care of Your Own Trees […]
Last month, the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) suspended the licence of an Oregon tree care company for allegedly using a chemical pesticide spray that killed about a thousand bees outside a Eugene apartment complex. The commercial pesticide service ignored or overlooked label instructions not to spray flowering trees. The incident is one of several […]
Fall is here, Jack-o-lanterns are aglow, and everyone’s looking for a good scare. As Portland certified arborists, we’re always on the lookout for a certain type of creepy-crawlies—the pests that plague trees. Insect pests can cause tree disease and death, costing thousands of dollars every year in tree treatment and replacement. Damaging insects are generally […]
Winter is on its way, but that won’t stop pests from trying to make their homes in the cracks and crevices of your trees. In this post we focus on Portland tree care and tree pest control in general. We provide tips on how to help trees resist pests, especially over the fall and winter […]
Many of us are familiar with the energy-saving properties of trees in summer. By providing shade, trees can reduce cooling energy costs by 15% to 20%. But trees can also bring significant energy savings in winter, particularly in cold, windy areas, where they can act as a wind blocker. In this post we’re taking a […]
There are many reasons to move a tree. Perhaps you need to transplant because a tree is causing property devaluation in its current location. It might be interrupting the sewer line, scratching your home’s siding, or continually blocking drains with leaves. Or you might want to move a plant simply because the tree will work […]
Albert Camus famously wrote, “Autumn is a second spring, when every leaf is a flower.” There’s no denying that Portland is a great place to enjoy the “second spring,” as many local trees put on spectacular shows of changing color. However, trees that change colors too early may be stressed. While providing Portland tree care, […]
Why mulch? Because mulching improves water retention, optimizes soil temperature, and reduces general stress on plants and plant roots. Mulch also keeps weeds out and prevents soil compaction. Finally, mulch adds to the quality of the soil as it decomposes. In this article, we’re exploring all things mulch, from proper mulching technique to types of […]
In early 2015, Governor Kate Brown declared a state of drought emergency in counties throughout Oregon. This is the first drought in the state since 2004. Drought can devastate agriculture, threaten livestock, and deplete natural resources. Another potentially major consequence of drought is compromised tree health. As we head into what wildfire experts are saying […]
Sudden Oak Death (SOD) is a serious disease that often necessitates tree removal. It is caused by the plant pathogen Phtophthora Ramorum. SOD spreads by air and water; its most common transmission method is to splash onto other plants via rainwater. Since the mid 1990s, SOD has killed millions of trees in Oregon and California. […]
Do trees fascinate you? Do you jump at the chance to help others? If so, we recommend applying for the Portland Fruit Tree Project’s Harvest and Stewardship Internship. As certified arborists, Portland opportunities for learning about and protecting trees excite us. This internship is an incredible opportunity for budding arborists who want more hands-on experience […]
Unfortunately, certain tree myths lurk in the minds of many homeowners. Today we’re taking a look at some of the most pervasive (but completely untrue) myths about tree care. Myth #1: Tree Topping Reduces Fall Hazard, while Improving the Health of Struggling Trees. The Truth: Tree topping is deadly for all trees. Period. In reality, […]
Recent storms have left many Portland trees in a sad state. High winds and ice storms often break branches, opening the tree to disease. Moreover, maelstroms may knock down entire trees—as one unfortunate cyclist recently learned in downtown Portland, when a tree fell on her. In this post, we take a look at what to […]
Mature trees are some of the most beautiful and awe-inspiring natural features on a piece of property. Their sheer height and multitude of gnarled, curling branches never fail to capture the attention of passersby. These trees can be fairly sensitive to changes in the environment surrounding them, so they require a high level of care. […]
Is it possible that the future of illuminating urban areas at night may come, not from traditional electricity, but organic material attached to trees that line the streets? The answer may be bioluminescent jellies and bacteria. Dutch designer Daan Roosegaarde and his team at Studio Roosegaarde are interested in applying organic materials to the built […]
When people think of how trees and other plant life are beneficial, it’s usually in the context of the environment and large remote forests. But trees play a vital role in urban settings as well, and in more ways than you may realize. Trees Clean the Air Planting trees is a very affordable means of […]