American Arborist

Pine tree removal

2012-01-22T19:52:00.000-08:00

This tree was stricken with pine wilt. Unfortunately there are no cures for pine wilt at this time. If your tree is infected, the most responsible thing to do is to remove it quickly. If you don't, it will likely contaminate your neighbors tree.

Taking down a Silver Poplar Tree today

2011-11-17T18:45:00.000-08:00

My appologies for the lack of posting on the blog. I bought a home recently and have been spending most of my evenings remodeling. As most of my customers are home owners themselves, I'm sure you have some empathy for my predicament. At any rate, here is a video of a silver poplar tree we were removing today. For fun, I put a cone in the yard and wanted the tip of the branch to hit the cone. I was 6 inches off.

Answers to FAQs

2011-09-07T20:36:00.001-07:00

1. Homeowners are responsible for trimming the tree between the street and sidewalk. The city is responsible for removal of the dead trees.
2. Trees must be 8 feet over sidewalk, 12 feet over streets, and 14 feet over major streets.
3. You do not need to paint or tar over cuts and wounds on a tree. They take care of themselves.

Topping

2011-08-23T20:06:00.001-07:00

This person had asked for a bid on removal last year. She said she couldn't afford the price I gave to her. I drove past her house this week and saw this ugly picture. Not only is topping illegal, it is bad for your wallet too. Now, not only did she pay for someone to kill her tree by topping it, she now has to pay someone to remove the tree. She will spend more money now than she would have the first time.

Storm damage

2011-08-23T19:52:00.001-07:00

Do you trust your trees?

Like our tree work?

2011-08-23T19:46:00.001-07:00

Then like us on facebook! facebook.com/americanarborist

Storm damage

2011-08-08T20:26:00.001-07:00

I went to a customers house today to find this 65 foot hackberry tree snapped at the trunks. While we did have high winds, I do not like hackberry trees because they are prone to breaking off large limbs.

Keep your trees trimmed

2011-07-18T20:44:00.001-07:00

This is a good example why you shouldn't let your tree rub the house. This locust rubbed the shingles off, rubbed the tar paper off, and left the roof exposed to leak water. A cheap trim job could have saved a lot of money.

Pin Oak Removal

2011-06-19T22:31:00.000-07:00

We removed this Pin Oak tree at 60th and Western last week. It was a tricky tree removal. The tree was surrounded by wooden planters and benches and the whole area was paved. Every piece had to be lowered to prevent any damage to the property. The tree had to be removed because of a bad lean. The tree was suffering root damage from the lack of available soil for root structure and damage from the excavation for construction.

Call American Arborist today for your free estimate on trimming, removal, or stump grinding.

Linden Tree Trimming

2011-06-12T20:37:00.000-07:00

This linden tree we trimmed in West Omaha had some interesting growth. It was in dire need of trimming and one branch actually grew back into itself. It can be seen in the photo.

2011-06-12T20:00:00.000-07:00

We've been busy at American Arborist. We recently made some equipment purchases to help facilitate the demand for our services.

This is our new chipper truck that holds 25 yards of chips. The large load capacity means we can spend more time on your job and less time running loads to the dump.

This is our new skid steer. Paired with our grapple, we are able to grab large logs and loads of branches and carry them to the truck and chipper. The machine only weighs 2800 pounds, so it does no damage to lawns. This minimal impact is important.

Here is our new stump grinder. The Vermeer SC352 has a 37 horse diesel motor and powers through any size stump.

Call us today for free estimates. We continue to provide premier tree care in Omaha, Nebraska.

Elm Tree Removal in Dundee

2011-05-20T19:55:00.000-07:00

Ants eating a Redbud Tree

2011-05-08T07:46:00.001-07:00

Cutting branches

2011-04-18T15:27:00.000-07:00

When pruning trees it is important to keep the weight of the branch from tearing the bark on tree. The red lines show you how to properly cut a branch.

Magnolia

2011-04-13T19:14:00.001-07:00

Magnolias are my favorite tree this time of year. They bloom before every other tree, so their color is that much more vibrant. Here is a great looking magnolia at Joslyn Castle. Bradford pear trees are just starting to bloom and will be followed by crab apple trees soon after. Give us a call if you want to find a colorful tree to add to your yard.

Removal

2011-04-06T16:47:00.001-07:00

Another large silver maple removal in dundee. This tree was 82 feet tall, over two houses, and has a diameter of 42 inches at base. Note the lean of the tree.

An Interesting Story

2011-03-30T15:10:00.000-07:00

In 2010, 1/5th of Pakistan was under water. How did the spiders survive this flooding? They all retreated into the trees. With the overpopulation of spiders in the trees, the trees were entirely covered by webs! What an interesting phenomenon.

Photos UK Department for International Development

Hiring an Arborist

2011-03-20T07:54:00.000-07:00

When hiring an arborist, give careful consideration to their qualifications. A qualified arborist will properly and carefully perform basic tree care activities, while hiring an unqualified arborist may actually result in tree damage. Unqualified persons also may not have proper insurance, leaving a liability burden to the customer that could run into the thousands of dollars.

There are several important points to consider when hiring an arborist:

Be cautious of any arborist or tree care service that advises "topping" trees. Topping is not an approved tree care practice and will result in serious tree damage or premature death of the tree.
Ask arborists if they are certified by the Nebraska Arborists Association (NAA) or the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA). While arborists are not required to be certified, certification does indicate the arborist has a high degree of knowledge of tree care.
Ask arborists for certificates of insurance, including proof of liability for personal and property damage and workman's compensation. You may wish to contact the arborist's insurance company to be sure the policies are current. In some instances, you may be held financially liable if an uninsured worker is hurt on your property or if an uninsured worker damages a neighbor's property.
Ask for local references and take time to examine some of the arborist's work.
Be wary of arborists who come to your home and tell you a tree on your property will "die without immediate attention." Most reputable tree care companies do not need to solicit business.
Get more than one estimate.
A conscientious arborist will not use climbing spikes unless they are removing a tree. Spikes create wounds in the tree that can lead to disease and decay.
A good arborist will not be inexpensive, but the quality of their work will be worth the expense.

*taken from UNL's guide for hiring an arborist.

Bagworms in Nebraska

2011-03-20T07:47:00.000-07:00

What are Bagworms?

Bagworms are an insect.

What do Bagworms do?

Bagworms defoliate trees, mostly evergreen trees.

How do I spot Bagworms?

Bagworms will be seen in larvae form, hanging from twigs in the tree.

How do I treat my tree for Bagworms?

On small trees, the best method for removal is a manual inspection and removal of each bagworm. On larger trees, however, this may be impractical. Bt, a chemical insecticide, should be applied to affected trees to prevent defoliation.

Here is a short video from UNL about bagworms in Nebraska.

2011-03-20T07:03:00.000-07:00

Final cut on silver maple tree

2011-03-19T14:00:00.001-07:00

Removal

2011-03-16T20:57:00.001-07:00

Large silver maple tree removal in Dundee that is over 2 houses, a fence, and phone lines.

Pine Wilt Removals in Action.

2011-03-14T20:03:00.000-07:00

These Scotch Pines were let go for too long. You can clearly see that they are all brown. Don't wait this long to remove your diseased pines for 2 reasons. #1 It looks bad. #2 The beetles will start leaving this tree and moving on to a healthier tree.

Pine Wilt in the World Herald

2011-03-12T09:05:00.000-08:00

To see if your trees are infected, or for more information on Pine Wilt, call American Arborist at 402.478.TREE

Large Cottonwood Removal

2011-02-27T13:50:00.001-08:00

OPPD Tree Grants

2011-02-25T13:39:00.000-08:00

OPPD is giving away grants to plant trees. Here are the details:

Tree Promotion Program

OPPD’s Tree Promotion Program was developed to actively promote the planting of trees, and to provide education concerning the value, selection, placement and welfare of trees. (To see a gallery of pictures from Tree Promotion projects, please click on the photo to the right.)
OPPD has established a Tree-Planting Program for the purpose of promoting and sponsoring community tree-planting projects. Nonprofit groups, organizations and schools interested in requesting an OPPD tree-planting sponsorship must comply with these guidelines:

Quality Tree Care

OPPD Named Tree Line USA Utility.
For details, click here.

1. Sponsorships are available to nonprofit groups, organizations and schools with a formal leadership structure.
2. Application for sponsorship must be made by a person who is in a leadership position within the requesting group.
3. All prospective tree-planting projects must be in OPPD's service area.
4. Prospective tree-planting project sites must be on public property or property owned by nonprofit organizations.
5. Applicants must have permission to execute a project from the public agency or nonprofit organization responsible for the proposed planting site.
6. A project must be limited to one planting plan and one planting site.
7. Planning, preparation and execution of the project shall be the responsibility of the requesting group.
8. OPPD sponsorship funds shall be used only for the purchase and planting of trees and shrubs. Sponsorship funds will not cover materials such as flowers, grass seed, mulch, landscape fabric, edging and fertilizer. Tree and shrub purchases are limited to the amount awarded. If purchases exceed the amount awarded, the award recipient shall be responsible for paying all expenses over and above the amount awarded. (Funds may be used to acquire the services of a qualified nursery person to perform or supervise the tree-planting work.)
9. All trees and shrubs shall be purchased from a reputable nursery in Nebraska.
10. All deciduous trees should be no larger than 3 inches in diameter/caliper and conifers no larger than 6 feet in height.
11. All trees and shrubs shall be properly planted and mulched.
12. The project, or portion of the project funded by OPPD, must be completed as planned and verified by OPPD and invoice received by December 1 of the sponsorship application year. Failure to comply may result in forfeiture of sponsorship award.

Criteria for Awarding Tree-Planting Sponsorships

The OPPD Tree-Planting Program is limited; therefore, all requests for sponsorship may not be honored. Maximum funding for projects is $2,500. Actual award may be less than the amount requested.
The selection and funding of projects will be determined using the following criteria:
1. Completeness of application and formal planting plan. Each tree and shrub, for which sponsorship is being requested, must be specifically identified on the planting plan.
2. Applicant’s base of support for the project (i.e., project funding contributed by requesting group, volunteer effort, commitment to future maintenance of project).
3. Educational value
4. Community benefit and need
5. Plant material selection (size and specie)
6. Location of project

Procedures

The following are procedures for the application and awarding of OPPD tree-planting sponsorships. All applicants whose projects are not selected for 2011 Sponsorship funds will be notified by letter.

Application:

1. Submit application and formal planting plan (please see this example of a planting plan, indicating specie type, number and location) by March 25, 2011. Use only the OPPD tree-planting sponsorship 2011 application form.
2. Preliminary approval for sponsorship will be based on the application and planting plan. The applicant will be notified by April 8, 2011, if preliminary approval has been made.

Following Preliminary Approval:

1. Project site inspection by OPPD with applicant
2. Review of planting plan with applicant (Plant materials and planting locations identified. OPPD may require minor changes to planting plan.)
3. Project timetable reviewed
4. Nursery where plant materials will be purchased identified
5. Actual dollar amount of OPPD sponsorship determined
6. Final project approval or denial by OPPD

Following Final Approval:

1. Changes in nursery planting material or planting locations must be approved by OPPD.
2. NOTIFY OPPD AT LEAST THREE DAYS BEFORE THE ACTUAL PLANTING DATE. Planting site must be staked to identify tree locations and species.
3. Submit a final copy of nursery’s invoice to OPPD within two weeks of the completion date of the project.
4. Project site will be inspected by OPPD after completion.
5. OPPD will award sponsorship funds. Checks will be made payable to “requesting group” only.
6. Failure to comply with any of the above procedures may result in a forfeiture of sponsorship funds.

Taken from http://www.oppd.com/AimGreen/Trees/22_001171

Tree Guide

2011-01-27T16:28:00.000-08:00

If you are gearing up for spring tree planting, try something different. Head over to arborday's tree guide, to find a unique and appropriate tree for your yard.

Stay tuned for our condensed guide and favorite trees for Omaha.

2010-12-07T14:39:00.001-08:00

75' Dead Backyard Elm Tree Removal

2010-12-07T14:38:00.000-08:00

With houses on either side, powerlines, and a fence, every piece of this 75' tree had to be lowered down by rope. Since it was in the back yard, there was no arial lift access.

Don't plant Bradford Pear Trees

2010-11-15T16:41:00.000-08:00

The storms over the weekend have been keeping us busy. Much of the cleanup work has been from Pear Trees. These trees look nice and uniform as they grow, but they are a very soft wood and break easily. Often we will find the whole tree toppled over. Here are two photos from trees we've worked on. Both are Pear trees.

75' Maple

2010-11-10T10:36:00.000-08:00

We just tackled this monster of a maple tree. It stood 75' tall and 6.5' across.

New Chipper

2010-11-10T10:24:00.000-08:00

American Arborist just got a new chipper. It takes much bigger pieces of wood and processes them much faster than the previous chipper. Watch it work!

2010-11-10T10:18:00.001-08:00

60-70 mph gusts of wind

2010-07-14T17:42:00.000-07:00

7:40 pm on July14 Omaha has had 60 mile per hour winds. Trees are reported down all over town. Call if you are one of the unfortuante ones with tree damage. Dan Sundermeier (402)478-8733

478 .TREE

Bucket truck in action

2010-07-07T18:56:00.000-07:00

We cut down this 80 foot cottonwood in one day.

2010-07-07T05:47:00.000-07:00

American Arborist now has a 60 foot reach boom truck to make jobs quicker and safer. Here it is in use taking out a silver maple tree.

Catalpa Trees

2010-06-03T19:13:00.001-07:00

It is a very busy time right now for tree timming and removals. This week I have been reminded why the catalpa tree is my favorite tree in Omaha because this tree has been in full bloom. This tree grows giant leaves, it flowers, and almost never has any problems.

The City of Omaha Marks Arbor Day

2010-05-01T22:40:00.001-07:00

from City of Omaha Mayor's Office by cleo

First National Bank (FNB) joined with the City of Omaha today in a tree planting ceremony to celebrate Arbor Day at North Omaha’s Miller Park. Mayor Jim Suttle presented an Arbor Day proclamation and representatives from the Arbor Day Foundation, Lanoha Nurseries and First National Bank were on hand.

“I’d like to thank First National Bank for organizing today’s Arbor Day Celebration,” Mayor Suttle said. “Your commitment to bringing sustainable practices to your business sets a proud example for others to follow. These trees will beautify Miller Park and our entire community.”

The tree planting ceremony marks the end of a six-month “green” initiative in which First National Bank, in partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation, pledged to make a donation to the Arbor Day Foundation to plant a tree for each customer who signed up to receive electronic statements.

In total, more than 11,000 new customers signed up for electronic statements, resulting in a donation to the Foundation to plant in forests in need as designated by the Foundation.

2010-04-21T23:31:00.001-07:00

The tree was hollow under the trunk.

2010-04-21T23:30:00.001-07:00

American Arborist to the rescue! This tree became too heavy for its poor root structure and fell on a car in the street.

2010-04-21T22:07:00.001-07:00

Just another day at the office.

2010-04-15T17:46:00.001-07:00

What's eating YOUR tree?

2010-04-15T17:45:00.001-07:00

This tree was riddled with ants, unbeknown to the owner. One cross section of the trunk showed much of it hollowed out by these insects.

American Arborist grinds stumps

2010-04-15T17:40:00.000-07:00

Call for a free estimate.

2010-03-24T12:13:00.000-07:00

We just finished a job with 4 large maple trees. Here is a photo of one of the more difficult trees. This one was over two sheds, a patio, a fence, and a house. Most of it had to be lowered down piece by piece. The trunk was about 40 inches across.

Another Satisfied Customer

2010-03-24T12:02:00.000-07:00

The Top 10 Man-made Tree Killers

2010-03-12T11:00:00.000-08:00

Soil compaction and root damage
Topping and harmful cuts
Over-Thinning and Canopy elevations
Over-watering
Neighboring tree removals
Planting too deep
Wrong tree/wrong place
Cambial injuries to trunk
Poor cabling and damage repair
Over fertilizing or treating

Topping is Bad

2010-03-04T11:57:00.000-08:00

Topping is the practice of cutting a tree down to a desired height. The cuts made are in the middle of the branch and the hope is that some new branches will then grow at this new height. It is a practice considered harmful to the tree and is punishable by a fine when done by a licensed arborist. The tree is never really very healthy again. Here are some examples of tree topping:

If you are considering topping your tree, don't. It would be better just to remove the tree entirely. If you are worried about the height of the tree, or certain branches, contact an arborist and get some advice on how to care for the tree.

New Business Cards

2010-03-03T09:38:00.000-08:00

If you haven't gotten my new business card yet, and would like one, please call or write me and I will be sure to get you a few. This business is based largely on referrals, so any referrals you send my way would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks again to Daryl Anderson of Clark Creative Group for the help with the logo usage.

Spring Cleaning

2010-03-02T22:16:00.000-08:00

Spring is a great time to trim your tree. The tree has not dedicated much energy into growing leaves yet and cuts are less likely to get infection. If you notice that your tree has some damage from winter, give me a call for a free estimate and consultation.

Trim your shrubs now

2010-02-19T11:29:00.001-08:00

Now is the best time to trim your bushes and shrubs. Spring trimming will allow the bush to fill in correctly, especially if you are performing some drastic reduction. Call me for any estimates or questions about your tree or shrub needs.

Iowa Ice Storm

2010-02-13T12:05:00.000-08:00

Residents of Carroll, Harlan, and other cities in Iowa were hit last month with several ice storms. Most of the trees in the towns were affected by the ice. The above picture is from Carroll, IA. American Arborist is now offering services in Iowa to help the cities recover from the storm.

Mulching 201

2010-01-30T15:00:00.000-08:00

Mulching does many things:

Protects soil from extremes in temperature and moisture
Inhibits the growth of weeds
Protects the trunks of trees from injury
Can add organic matter to the soils

Lots of different materials qualify as mulch, from rocks to recycled rubber, but the most effective mulch in the urban landscape is arborist wood chips. Why?

Coarse woody debris, or wood chips, break down slowly and release their stored energy back into the ground for use by other plants. Interestingly, their slow release rate is less likely to overstimulate plants in the way that a commercial fertilizer or compost would do.

Wood chips also require a fungal relationship to break down. This fungal symbiosis then reacts with roots of plants in a form called mychorizae (see image above), which is neither root or fungus, but a whole new organism benefiting both. Fungal growth also inhabits the niche that weeds like to grow in.

In other words, more fungal activity in soils equals less weeds!

Mulching 101

2010-01-30T14:57:00.000-08:00

Mulching with coarse woody debris protects trees from mechanical damage, mitigates soil temperature and moisture extremes, and helps build soils. Here are some tips to mulch properly:

Avoid mulching the trunk of trees. (See the diagram above)
Mulch as wide an area as possible.
The best mulches are full of organic coarse debris, like arborist wood chips.
Get rid of turf and weeds by sheet mulching.
Mulch thick -4 inches deep - to inhibit weed growth.

That's about it - if you need wood chips in the Omaha area please contact us, American Arborist would be happy to provide them for you.

Career Opportunities

2010-01-21T15:29:00.000-08:00

American Arborist is actively seeking help for the 2010 season. Any interested persons should apply to dsundermeier@gmail.com. Submit your resume, references, and skill sets.

Spring 2010

2010-01-21T13:37:00.000-08:00

Did your trees get damaged by the ice and snow this winter? Contact us for consultation and FREE estimates. Don't wait until the snow melts to contact us! We are lining up our jobs in preparation for the nice weather.

New Company Logo

2009-12-21T19:57:00.000-08:00

A big thanks to Daryl Anderson, of Clark Creative Group, for designing the new company logo for American Arborist. Daryl does some phenomenal work! A big thanks also to Roxzanne Abbott for helping to facilitate the process. If you need any creative type work done, these are the people to talk to. Ideas, action, results. That is their motto and they deliver!

American Arborist: Now even greener!

2009-12-20T16:12:00.001-08:00

The newest car in the American Arborist Fleet is a Toyota Prius Hybrid. The car has proven very efficient driving around Omaha. In the last month it has been averaging around 46 mpg!

Hedge Trimming

2009-11-18T19:31:00.000-08:00

This is one way to trim your hedges:

Another way is to call us! American Arborist can handle all of your hedge sculpting and trimming.

New Trees

2009-11-16T08:08:00.001-08:00

Fall is the time to plant new trees. Right now, American Arborist is offering a great deal on two types of pine trees. Neither is affected by pine wilt. You may buy a 5 foot Blue Spruce for $100:

Or a 5 foot Black Hills Spruce for $75:

(Planting charges are in addition)

Deer Scraping

2009-11-16T07:47:00.000-08:00

My parents live on an acreage with lots of young trees that they planted. This year the deer have really gone after the trees by marking their territory. This ritual act can severely damage or kill your young tree. They came to me asking what can be done to protect them. Here are two common methods to keep them away. #1 Physical barrier. Some fence posts and chicken wire is definately the most fool proof method to protect your tree. #2 Irish Spring Soap. Wire around all of the trees is expensive and unsightly. Irish Spring soap hung from the tree in a stocking or by rope is sure to keep the deer away. They mark their territory by scraping the bark and by urinating on the tree. If the tree smells so strongly of something else, they will leave it alone.
I hope this helps any of you that have had deer problems. My new bow is in the mail. Hopefully that will help with some of the deer at my parents as well!

Tree Removal

2009-11-15T13:15:00.001-08:00

Chlorosis

2009-11-15T12:54:00.000-08:00

Did your pin oak's leaves look like this? You probably have an iron deficiancy in your soil. Most pin oak (red oak) trees in the metro area do not get enough iron and have chlorosis. You can identify a tree with the disease by yellowish/light green leaves that may have some spots on them. It is a simple problem but if untreated can lead to an unhealthy tree or a dead tree. Contact us about an easy iron injection to get your tree healthy again.

One of these trees is not like the other ones

2009-11-15T12:39:00.000-08:00

Does your tree look like this? Many pines in the central U.S. have been affected by pine wilt. Pine wilt is spread by pine sawyer beetles from tree to tree. The beetles carry a small parasite and transfer the it when they feed on the tree. The only way to destroy the beetle is to burn or chip the tree. If your pine is starting to wilt, chances are it has pine wilt and IT NEEDS TO BE REMOVED!!! Even if it still has green on it, it is an infected tree. This infected tree will spread to other trees around. The inaction of removal will in fact cost much more. For more information on pine wilt refer to this University of Nebraska page.

For those of you with a very healthy pine that you do not want to lose, there is help. Do not pay to have your tree sprayed. There is no chemical spray that will save your pine. There is however an injection that has been proven to work here in Nebraska. Please ask us to evaluate your pine tree for treatments.

Introducing American Arborist

2009-11-13T11:24:00.000-08:00

American Arborist is a vision of Dan Sundermeier. I offer tree services at a reasonable price. I have been working with trees for 5 years. On this blog style webpage, you will find up to date relevant information on tree diseases and updates on recent tree jobs.