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Michigan Lakefront Property, Tree Care

Lakefront Tree Care in Michigan

What is not to love about owning lakefront property here in Michigan?  The views are postcard worthy. 

Think about it, look at your view.  Trees make up a big part of that view, so why not care for them.  Prune them for a better view or remove them if they are in bad health or a dangerous burden.

While putting together this article, quite of bit of research was conducted on Michigan State University MSU website for the environmental effects and impacts.   Plus, the 50 years Quinlan Tree Service has been providing professional tree services in and around Oakland County, Michigan.

Lakefront property ownership often accompanies the removal of plants, shrubs and trees to create lawns, foot paths, storage areas and views of the lake. Areas of wetland and lake bed are also lost to these activities, although the loss of wetlands slowed with the passage of state wetland protection laws in 1979.

With the removal of vegetation, shorelines become more vulnerable to erosion by natural forces such as wind, waves and ice.  

Working with the existing native vegetation and trees to create views saves time and money now by reducing costly excavation and grading. It saves time and money later on from maintenance of eroding shorelines.

A minimal disturbance approach to lakefront development provides a filtered view to the lake, maintains privacy, reduces noise, minimizes impervious surfaces, slows pollutant runoff and keeps important shoreline habitats in place.

Trees along the lake intercept and slow the movement of rain water, provide shade for cooler water temperatures and downed limbs and branches (coarse woody structure) for fish. The roots of native lakefront trees, shrubs and plants create a network that knits soils together and keeps them from eroding.

Quinlan Tree Service, is a full-service tree care company.  Although, we do tree removal services, we also provide other services that maintain your trees, for the benefit of your lakefront property.

Pruning and Trimming Trees

Things like pruning and selective tree trimming.  Cutting away bad growth, dead limbs and broken branches are very important to your tree’s health and longevity. 

Proper pruning can open up a view that you are look to gain, while still keeping the trees benefits to the lakefront ecosystem. 

Cabling and Bracing Trees

There have been times where a large split trunk tree is right at waters edge.  The root structure is fine, but the part of the trunk that is facing the lake, normal gets the brunt of the several weather through all the seasons.  You may notice it leaning toward the lake or maybe your dock.  What we can do in these situations is cable or brace that problem trunk of the tree back to one of the other trunks.  This is known as cabling, bolting or bracing. 

As the name implies, we either run a cable or a long bolt from one trunk to the other.  This saving the entire tree from a certain early death. 

Tree Removal

As a last resort in some cases or if you want a more open view of the lake, tree removal may be needed.  These can be especially tricky projects as the lakeview we all love is now an obstacle.  Sometimes there are boat ramps, docks, boathouses or other landscape features that could be damaged if the tree were to fall or fail on its own. 

This is were a certified, professional arborist, an experienced tree service comes into play.  Using ropes to access the tree and safely place the large branches and trunks on land is something left for the pros.  Sometimes a crane can be used, but not in all cases.  Sloped banks, no access and landscape features can cross the crane off the list.

Bottomline, lakefront tree removal should always be left to a professional tree service.  The lakefront makes a dangerous task, even more difficult in every way.

So, you really want a tree there were this one is that has to be removed. 

Tree Planting Along a Lakefront

The best trees for lakefront planting are native species that have good root systems, can withstand flooding and possible periods of constant moisture, provide good wildlife habitat and don’t have the invasive tendencies of many exotic species.

Native species of willow, cottonwood, etc. are excellent trees for replanting.  They grow fast, root well in wet soil and help with erosion. 

Quinlan Tree Service does not offer tree planting services, but we have a good relationship with a local tree planting expert.  Joe Hodges, Premium Tree Supply, Joe is the local choice for us here.  You can reach Joe at (248) 343-5256 if you are looking to have a tree planted along your lakefront or any other place you would like a tree. 

We will be expanding on this article in the near future with how-to and tips for your lakefront landscapes.  Friendly, local advice from a company that has been in the tree service business since 1969.

Make sure you follow us on Facebook (we do some cool stuff there on Mondays and Fridays) and Instagram (To see the latest in arborist craft)

You can also message me directly on both social media platform @Treehound 

While you’re here, give us a comment and like or share this article with a friend.

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Should I Prune Dead Tree Branches?

Should I Prune Dead Tree Branches?

It’s not uncommon for tree branches to decay and die. Even if the tree trunk and the rest of the canopy is healthy, one or more branches may already be dead.

As a result, you might be wondering whether you should prune dead tree branches or simply leave them in place and let nature take its course.

While tree branches can die for a variety of reasons, pruning them is almost always beneficial and the safe thing to do.

By removing dead tree branches, the tree will regrow new branches.

Pruning dead tree branches offers the following benefits when done correctly.

Pruning Reduces the Risk of Infection

Dead tree branches can often lead to infection.

Once a branch dies and begins to rot, the bark covering the branch will fall off. Aside from being an eyesore, bark-less branches allow fungi and bacteria to enter the tree with greater ease.

As the infection-causing microbe begins to reproduce, it can spread to other parts of the tree, potentially killing it.

To protect trees from infection, you should prune dead or otherwise unhealthy tree branches, especially those with little or no protective bark.

Get a FREE tree evaluation from Quinlan Tree Service if you see any dead or leafless branches on your trees.  Call 248-363-8500, someone always answer your call and we can schedule a good time to look at your trees.

Pruning Can Treat Existing Infections

Pruning dead tree branches can also treat existing infections.

If a branch is obviously dead – to the point where it’s decaying and crumbling – the tree may already be suffering from a bacterial or fungal infection. There are literally hundreds of bacterial and fungal infections to which trees are susceptible.

But depending on the particular type of infection, it may be localized, meaning pruning the affected branch or branches will help control it.

Pruning Removes Unstable Tree Branches That May Fall

Another reason to prune dead tree branches is to reduce the risk of bodily injury and property injury.

Dead tree branches generally won’t fall on their own – not without a little help from Mother Nature, at least. When a severe storm rolls in, the wind and rain can snap dead tree branches. And if the branch overhangs your property, it could cause damage or bodily injury.

To prevent this from happening, you should prune all dead tree branches.

This is very important for those homeowners living around our lakes here in Oakland County, Michigan.  A dead branch on a tree 50 feet or more from the house can be blown that distance with the way lakes funnel the wind. 

  • Insect tree damage, tree removal, Emerald Ash Borer, Quinlan Tree Service

Pruning Discourages Pests

Dead tree branches are a source of food for many pests, including the all-too-destructive termites.

If a branch dies and you don’t prune it, termites or other pests may feast on it. You can keep pests at bay, by pruning dead branches.

As soon as you spot a dead or leafless branch, prune it to discourage pests.

Saving Your Tree and Money.

By pruning dead or leafless branches, you can see from above how this can save your tree, but it also saves you money.  With tree pruning being a fraction of the cost, compared to removing a dead or diseased tree.  Plus, you don’t lose the landscape value and other benefits of having a mature tree.

To get your FREE tree care evaluation, please call 248-363-8500 or email us at quinlantreeservice@yahoo.com. 

Be sure to check us out on Facebook and Instagram.

Winter Tree Services in Oakland County

Call (248) 363-8500

Quinlan Tree Service
Quinlan Tree Service

You’re, in bed on a cold winter night.  The winter wind is blowing strong outside.  You can feel it, hitting your house. 

You snuggle into your pillow and pull the comforter up tight around your neck.  Warm and peacefully, you fall asleep.

Sometime around 2 a.m., you hear a “SNAP”, then a “Thud”. 

Unaware of what is going on.  You get out of bed and turn on outside lights.  As you look out the window you see a tree branch that wasn’t there before. 

It’s confirmed.

What you heard was a large branch snap from the tree 30 feet from your home.  The howling wind blew it to its final resting place.

Right against your home. 

You were lucky. 

Several times a winter, storms blow branches into homes, cars and other property.  Often taking out power in the process. 

Power that runs heating systems.

Winter Tree Service

Many of our customers associate tree services with landscaping chores that are done in spring, summer or fall.  But, in reality, the best time to have trees inspected and pruned is usually in the winter.  

Generally, in January and February because of the following:

  • No leaves on the trees. That makes it easier to see the tree’s structure.
  • Trees are dormant. In this sleeplike state, trees suffer less shock from pruning.
  • Frozen soil. Pruning can be done without compacting the soil around the tree’s roots. There also will be less damage to nearby landscaping from trampling and heavy equipment.
  • Economics:  We here at Quinlan Tree Service, offer winter tree service rates, to keep the family working through winter.

A winter inspection of your trees is a good thing to consider. 

Shane Quinlan

If you have, large, dead branches or branches that are just hanging around they can pose a danger. The best time to check for these potential threats is late fall or winter when there is little or no foliage to obstruct your view.

If you have, open cavities, rotten wood, or cracks and splits along the trunk or major branches. This may provide an entrance for cankers, wood-rotting organisms and in the winter rain, ice and snow which could expand.  Thus, doing more damage to your tree.

If you have, wires/cables in contact with or near tree branches.  Remember, in the winter wires sag from ice and snow build up.  The same goes for branches and limbs.  The last thing any homeowner wants in the middle of a cold winter night, is to lose power to your heater and hot water.

If you have, a pronounced lean or a tree with several major branches arising from one point in the trunk may ultimately pose a threat.  With heavy snow and ice, plus a little wind, your perfectly healthy trees can collapse and topple over.  At best in the open yard, at worst on your home, car or other valuable property.

If you have had, any major or minor construction or remodeling such as installing pavement, repairing sidewalks, or digging trenches can weaken a tree or damage the roots.  Heaving soil at the base of a tree is a potential indicator of an unsound root system

If you noticed, any premature dead leaves on your tree.  This could be the results of environmental or mechanical stress.  This is a sure sign, that the limbs and branches that those leaves are attached to could be damaged as well.

Trees that are regularly inspected and pruned by trained professionals will be not only safer but healthier. At Quinlan Tree Service we will inspect the tree’s trunk, branches and joints for splits and cracks, as well as signs of rot and disease.

Problem branches should be pruned out before they become unstable.

In nature, damaged or decaying branches will drop harmlessly to the floor of the forest. Near homes and streets, however, they need to be removed before they fall so they don’t cause property damage or injury.

You can remove branches on small trees that are within easy reach of the ground. But any pruning job that would require climbing is best left to a professional who has special safety training and the equipment to handle the tools, the height, and the weight of falling branches.

Pruning without the proper knowledge and training can not only lead to accidents, but do long-term damage to a tree, causing it to decline or die.  Making a tree removal necessary. 

Certified arborists are trained not only in safety but in tree care. They know that different kinds of trees need different kinds of pruning. Quinlan Tree Service knows how to prune a branch so the tree can seal the wound, and how to balance the pruning so the tree’s weight remains well distributed.

Although winter is prime time for routine inspections and pruning, it’s not the only time. Whenever you notice signs of a possible tree concern, such as cracks, splits, moisture oozing from the bark, or clusters of sprouts from the base or trunk of a tree, call a licensed, certified tree expert to diagnose and treat the problem.

The harsh winters here Oakland County, Michigan are trying times for trees. Cold weather can, damage bark, injure or kill branches and roots. Humans and animals contribute to winter tree care issues as well; salting roads and sidewalks damages soil health, and animals tend to feed on tree bark and twigs due to winter food shortages.

These threats, especially when combined, can severely damage your trees if you aren’t prepared.

Call Quinlan Tree Service, today to schedule your winter tree inspection. 

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