There are some times when the removal of trees becomes a necessity. Trees are responsible for adding beauty and value to our homes, of keeping the nutrients of the soil intact, and also for providing shade. Sometimes, however, these benefits can become reversed if the trees are posing any threat and the very benefits can become hazardous for the health and safety. In such cases, tree removal is a must, and a professional should  property be called for assistance with that. In instances where storms have damaged it and it is impacting your property, removal becomes an emergency,  There are some measures you can take to in these emergency situations.

Diagnose the Trees: Trees which are dying can become problematic instead of beneficial. Trees which are strong and sturdy could have weakened roots and branches which can cause fatal accidents. If more than half of a tree is showing signs of decay, you should call for tree service company in Jacksonville for assistance as this can cause various problems such as the decay becoming contagious and harming other trees nearby.

Inspect the Damaged Tree Roots: As mentioned above, that the sturdy and robust trees can become weak if their roots are weak. You should carefully scrutinize the roots and see if it shows signs of decay. These signs could be cracked and heaving soil and roots that are exposed on the soil. Trees with weakened roots can cause the trees to sway and become prone to causing accidents.
 
Remove Leaning Trees: You should be on a constant lookout for wilting trees. Leaning and swaying trees should raise alarms as this indicates that the tree is gradually dying. It also means that the trunk has probably become weak and a progressively dying tree has become weak and is liable to fall or collapse at any given moment. This calls for immediate assistance.

Branches That Reach Power Lines: Trees have various sizes of branches. Some are high up, and some are low enough. Trees with branches that are high enough to reach the power lines pose a safety concern. If the branches become weak or fall off due to weathering and storms, it can cause damage to the power lines and even create a fire. Fire spreads quickly in places where there is vegetation present, so this places the safety of your house at an immediate risk which is why it calls for a quick removal of such branches.

Tree stumps can be both nuisances and eyesores.  This is why most people opt to have them removed or ground after a tree removal job.  However, if you are creative and so inclined, there are several ideas that transform these ugly eyesores into something useful, and sometime even interesting to look at.   Below are a few ideas for tree stump beyond the normal.

1. Tree Stump Bird Bath - a tree stump can be transformed into a bird bath one of two ways.  One, it can simply serve as a perch for a traditional bird bath purchased at your big box home improvement store.  Or, it can be carved out, lined with a waterproof lining and filled with water.  Either way, your tree stump can now serve the local wildlife.
2. Tree Stump Planter - a tree stump can also be transformed into a planter, again in one of two ways.  One way to ring it with chicken wire, fill in the wire with moss, and then fill it with planting soil.  Alternatively, you can carve out a portion of the stump and simply fill with dirt.  Either way, you have made something beautiful out of an old, ugly tree stump.  
3. Tree Stump Carving - this is an idea for talented people or people that know someone talented with a chainsaw and carving tools.  Actually this is more of an idea for a tree trunk anywhere from eight to ten feet tall.  You can carve whatever design(s) that come to mind, to include even a totem pole.   We have seen some really cool carving in the Jacksonville, FL area.  
4. Tree Stump Elf House - with a little creatively, such as a wooden or metal roof and a front door, a tree stump can be turned into a decorative landscape piece.  Think cottage in the woods or even a cabin when you envision this house.  

Tree stumps don't always have to be removed in order to avoid have an ugly eyesore in your lawn or landscape.  With one of these ideas, you can turn most stumps into something functional and even beautiful.  However, if none of these ideas appeal to you, call the tree service Jacksonville trusts to remove stumps from your property professionally and affordably.  Call for a free estimate or complete our contact page for a quick response.  

While smaller tree care projects, such as pruning and small tree removals, are certainly within the abilities of the average property owner, large tree jobs should be left to the professionals.  Our motto is that if a homeowner can keep both feet on the ground then they should call a professional tree service company in Jacksonville, FL to service their trees.  However, even this prudent decision, is not without risks.  There are many under-insured, unlicensed, and even unscrupulous tree service companies in the Jacksonville FL area.  Therefore, in this blog, we offer tips and suggestions on what to consider when selecting a tree service in Jacksonville.

1. Are they licensed in the state of Florida and do they have insurance, both for their business (liability) and their workers (workers compensation)?  This question is the the most important aspect of your research into area tree service companies.  Without the proper licensing and insurance, you as the property owner, expose yourself to both financial and legal risks if an accident should happen.  Always ask those you are receiving tree service estimates from if they hold the proper licensing and insurances.
2. Do they have the necessary credentials and qualifications?  There are several tree care associations in the country that are signs a tree service company is properly credentialed and qualified.  These include the Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA)  and the International Society of Arborists (ISA).  Further the Better Business Bureau is always a good general source for information about a business's reputation.  
3. Do they provide a written estimate and detail all the work estimates?   Always get a firm written estimate that details the exact nature of work to be performed.  We have seen numerous situations where work is not documented only to expose the property owner to additional expenses when the work is performed.  Further, make sure the estimate details the exact use of equipment to be used.  You don't want to discover the day of the job that heavy equipment will be used potentially damaging your lawn and landscape.  
4. Did you obtain multiple estimates for the work, and did you compare and contrast these estimates?   Obtain several (at least 3) estimates is wise in that it will provide you with a variety of opinions, costs, and approaches.  However, all estimates will not be the same, so it is further prudent to assess each estimate in terms of the work scope involved.  A more expensive estimate actually might not be more expensive if it involves more work.  
5. Did you obtain references from multiple sources.   Obtain references from the tree service business themselves and make sure they are current (within 1-3 months).  Old references are not necessarily indicative of current business practices.  Additionally, check online reference sources, such as Google, Facebook, Yelp, etc.  These sources provide a variety of reference material and will help you make a better decision.  

Selecting a qualify, professional Jacksonville tree service to perform tree removal or tree trimming need not be difficult using these suggestions.   Just following these guidelines and you will be assured of hiring a top-notch tree care company.