tree care

What can an arborist help with?

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Advantage Tree Care high quality tree service company in Victoria BC
Advantage Tree Care, tree service company serving all of Greater Victoria

Arborists have a diverse skillset to help with many different tree care challenges, including expertise with working at height from ropes, operating chainsaws, and other machinery. 

Arborists also have a good understanding of tree biology, physics and ecology with extensive tree identification knowledge, and this help us to deliver effective tree care whilst also managing and mitigating risks to people, property and trees.

Here are some of the Arborist and tree care services offered by Advantage Tree Care:

  • Arborist Consulting
  • Tree Diagnostics
  • Tree Health Inspections
  • Tree Pruning
  • Fruit Tree Pruning
  • Tree Removals
  • Stump Grinding and Removal
  • Tree Protection
  • Tree Risk Assessment
  • Tree Valuation
  • Training and Education
  • Emergency Tree Services
  • Commercial Property tree services
  • Specialized care for Protected Trees like Gary Oak, Arbutus, Douglas Fir etc
  • Storm Damage Tree Restoration
  • Tree transplanting (please inquire)
  • Deep Root fertilization

How to get started?

For a quotation and onsite visit, please call 250-508-4445, or visit our contact page to send us a message.

Our friendly, professional approach allows us to work with you to ensure your expectations and requirements are met in a safe and efficient way. For all your arborist tree service needs in Victoria and beyond, give Advantage Tree Care a call. 

Daniel Chamberlain

Daniel Chamberlain is ISA certified Arborist and founded Advantage Tree Care in 2008. Dan has over 20 years of experience in the Tree Service industry, from his beginnings in New Zealand where he had previously been working as an arborist, holding the journeyman arborist qualification. As a well respected arborist in the industry, Daniel’s hard work ethic and welcoming attitude has made ATC a successful tree care company as well as a safe and fun place to work. View ISA Certified Arborist profile

What does it take to become an ISA Certified Arborist?

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To earn an ISA Certified Arborist credential, you must be trained and knowledgeable in a variety of aspects of arboriculture. ISA Certified Arborists must also adhere to the Code of Ethics that strengthens the credibility and reliability of the workforce. 

To be eligible for the ISA Certified Arborist exam, you must have one or both of the following:

  • Three or more years of full-time, eligible, practical work experience in arboriculture
  • A degree in the field of arboriculture, horticulture, landscape architecture, or forestry from a regionally accredited educational institute

An ISA certification illustrates that an arborist is knowledgeable about a variety of topics and arboriculture. With the certification, they can treat trees for diseases and pests and oversee storm and emergency removal. Trained to be safe and follow a code of ethics, ISA certified arborist provides high-quality care that best suits your yard. 

Looking for a qualified Arborist in Victoria, Saanich, Sidney, or Langford? Give ATC a call. We’re here to help. Call, email, or message us and we’ll get right back to you.

Learn more about tree services offered by Advantage Tree Care

Daniel Chamberlain

Daniel Chamberlain is ISA certified Arborist and founded Advantage Tree Care in 2008. Dan has over 20 years of experience in the Tree Service industry, from his beginnings in New Zealand where he had previously been working as an arborist, holding the journeyman arborist qualification. As a well respected arborist in the industry, Daniel’s hard work ethic and welcoming attitude has made ATC a successful tree care company as well as a safe and fun place to work. View ISA Certified Arborist profile

5 Tree Care Tips for Homeowners

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Did you know that the proper care and maintenance of your trees is essential to their health and longevity?

Not only will your trees live longer, but they will also add value to your property, help improve air quality, and support the natural environment around them too.

Whether you’re a professional arborist, or a homeowner just wanting to tend to the trees in your yard, it’s important to know some best practices when it comes to tree care. 

Tree care fundamentals

When you understand what trees need in order to grow, it makes it easier to know how to approach tree care. Trees need 4 core elements in order to thrive; Sunlight, water, nutrients, and air (carbon dioxide).

Here are five tips that can help you keep your trees healthy, strong, and looking their best. 

1. Water

Water your trees during dry periods, and summer months. Water your tree regularly, making sure to give it at least an inch of water per week. The best time to water is in the morning or evening, so the roots have a chance to absorb most of the water. 

2. Mulch 

Mulch around the base of your trees to retain moisture and protect from weeds. The second advantage of mulch is to protect your trees from extreme weather conditions, pests and diseases. 

It is one of the best ways to fertilize a young tree by providing slow-release nutrition that leaches down to the roots below with rain. Fertilizing in springtime is great to provide a boost of nutrients for the growing season. 

3. Pruning

Depending on the location, species and age of your tree it can be advantageous to have a regular pruning regime to promote good air flow and to reduce potential structural failures. Fruit tree pruning is an art in its own right, so if you don’t have the confidence to take care of your own fruit trees best to reach out to a tree service company for assistance.  

Pro tip -Never remove more than 25% of the tree’s foliage at one time. 

See related: What are the main advantages of tree pruning

4. Pests & Disease

Watch for signs of pests or diseases and take action early and use organic pesticides or insecticides where necessary. Be mindful of what kinds of fertilizers and chemicals you use near your trees. Seek advice from an Arborist who knows about tree biology and tree disease, and then treat them accordingly. 

5. Storm Damage

Check for damage after storms or heavy snow and take corrective action as needed. Inspect your trees for broken branches or limbs, and anything that could become a hazard. 

Lighting storms? Yes, it’s common that trees get struck by lightning. A bolt of lightning direct on the tree can weaken its core making it more susceptible to damage from future windstorms. A thorough tree inspection and diagnostics can help determine the health of your tree and risk level after a lightning strike. 

Bonus tip: Give ‘em Space

If you are planting trees or transplanting, one of the most important things you can do is make sure they have plenty of room to grow. Overcrowding can stunt a tree’s growth and even cause it to die. 

Need help taking care of your trees? 

If you’re not sure what to do, or how to handle a specific tree, consult with the Advantage Tree Care team your local arborists in Victoria BC. Message or call us, we look forward to hearing from you.

Author

Daniel Chamberlain

Daniel Chamberlain is ISA certified Arborist and founded Advantage Tree Care in 2008. Dan has over 20 years of experience in the Tree Service industry, from his beginnings in New Zealand where he had previously been working as an arborist, holding the journeyman arborist qualification. As a well respected arborist in the industry, Daniel’s hard work ethic and welcoming attitude has made ATC a successful tree care company as well as a safe and fun place to work. View ISA Certified Arborist profile

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What you need to know about hiring a tree service company

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When it comes to the tree care and the tree service industry, there are a few important facts to check out before hiring a company to do any tree work on your property.  Here is a quick breakdown on our top three facts to get answered when looking to hire a tree service company.

1. Certified Arborist

Check to see if the tree service company is certified through the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) and sufficiently qualified to perform the work at hand. Checking this information will help give you confidence that you are employing a professional firm that will carry out the tree care to the relevant quality standards, whilst maintaining a safe working environment. ISA Certification numbers can be obtained before works.

2. Insurance

Most tree service companies you’ll find will be fully insured but it’s always a good practice to double check their paper work for the correct coverage and that it is up to date. Please feel free to contact us  for further details.

3. Experience in the Tree Services Industry

The experience of the tree service company is important for both the safety of your property and general public and the workers themselves. It is also important when it comes to the ongoing health, safety and aesthetics of your trees. Unless you have got a personal recommendation it is worth spending some time exploring the company website and asking around for references. You want to ensure that you are in safe, professional hands.

With Advantage Tree Care you can rest assured that we meet all the requirements listed above.  We’re a full service tree care company that offers a wide range of services to fit your every need.  If you would like to talk with us to find out more or to ask for references give us a call today.

What does an Arborist do?

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Tree lopper, tree topper, tree cutter, tree surgeon, are some commonly used terms people use to describe an arborist. However, these terms are not an accurate representation of what an arborist is or what an arborist does. 

So, what exactly is an Arborist?

An arborist practices arboriculture. Arbor is Latin for “tree” and culture comes from the Latin cultus which means “to care”. Tree care. 

Arborists are tree care professionals, who blend art, technique and science together in order to deliver effective tree care whilst also managing and mitigating risks to people, property and trees. Arborists typically work in the urban environment and are the people who balance the relationship between humans and trees.

Arborist is an overarching term that describes a variety of job roles. In order to practice as an arborist one has to have a good understanding of tree biology, physics and ecology with extensive tree identification knowledge. An arborist also needs to have in-depth skills and experience with working at height from ropes, operating chainsaws and other machinery. 

Arborists hard at work
Arborists discussing project with homeowner

The Climbing Arborist

Depending on an individual’s preference there are several avenues through which to specialize in arboriculture. For example a climbing arborist would refer to someone who has developed knowledge in tree biology and tree physics and has trained in various tree climbing techniques, using ropes to safely access and work within a tree canopy whilst operating a chainsaw. 

They would also have a good grounding in physics with an understanding of how to safely and efficiently rig large sections of wood using ropes and pulleys to mitigate damage to people and property.

The Consulting Arborist

A consulting arborist may have chosen to study more in-depth into tree biology, soil ecology, tree health and disease and tree risk assessments, they would know how to operate tools such as a resistograph to identify decay in wood and would generally be more desk based carrying out tree surveys and preparing reports. 

Advantage Tree Care is a certified ISA Climbing and Consulting Arborist serving the Greater Victoria area. Speak with a local arborist today and tell us about your tree care project.

Consulting Arborist
consulting arborists

So what does a typical day for a climbing arborist look like? 

For starters there is no typical day, one aspect of being an arborist is that nothing is certain, things change and you need to be adaptable. Nonetheless there is a general flow to a day starting with identifying the day’s jobs and the necessary tools, equipment and skills needed to perform those jobs. We will arrive at the job-site and set up a safe working zone which would include laying out cones along the street where machinery is parked. 

Tailgate – walk-through

On every job site it is essential that a “tailgate” meeting is held, where the team come together to talk and walk through the job, laying out a plan of action and performing a hazard risk assessment as well as identifying an emergency action plan in the event of an on site accident. Safety and communication are paramount when working as an arborist for both the team and client management.  

Clear and Constant Communication

Communication with the client is integral to a successful day at work. It is not always the climbing arborist on site who has previously spoken with the client and quotes the job. Therefore, it is important to build rapport with the client ensuring that their expectations are understood and that they are clear on the work to be performed. Sometimes this can involve walking round the yard with the client discussing particular nuances of the site.

Arborists getting ready for work
Getting prepared for a big job

Preparing for Work

During this time the other crew onsite will have prepped tools, climbing gear and moved any property such as bird feeders that may be in the way of the trees to be worked on. It is now time for the climbing arborist to perform a visual tree risk assessment before they start climbing into the tree to carry out the work. 

This assessment identifies if there are any specific risks to the climber for example hanging branches that may fall as they ascend the tree or if there is decay or weak points in the tree that would influence how the tree work will be carried out. 

Are we Pruning, or Removing?

When it comes to a climbing arborist there are two higher level categories of tree work, tree pruning or tree removal and under each of these categories there is a wider variety of techniques, practices and sciences behind how they are carried out depending on the tree species, its health and the job description. 

What to learn more?

Learn more about tree removals or tree pruning, or check out some of our latest work on our portfolio page. If you have any questions about out tree care services, send us a message via our contact page