Old Town Tree and Landscaping located in downtown Winchester Virginia 22601. This is a cool picture one of our team members took while cutting down a large tree on Jones Rd. This is one of our newest Arborist named Bub. We are a full service tree company. Offering all types of tree care services including stump removal and stump grinding. 

Well it is that time of year again. Old Town Tree won Best Tree Service in Winchester, Virginia in 2019. They did not do it in 2020 because of COVID but it is back up and running again this year. We are already the highest rated tree service near me in Winchester. This award is nice to win and just seems like icing on the cake. It is fun to participate in and there are a ton of businesses nominated. It will be an exciting year. Good luck to everyone nominated! https://www.winchesterstar.com/contests/starawards/#/gallery?group=412967

Old Town Tree offers a wide variety of tree care services. Such as, tree removal, tree trimming, tree pruning, storm damage, emegency tree services, stump grinding and stump removal. Please call one of our local Arborist today for a fast and free quote. 

I do not install many cables in trees. I honestly do not believe they really even serve a purpose. When properly installed they may brace the tree a bit and offer some additional support. The theory is that it will help keep the tree from separating as much in the wind. They can also be used to help stiffen up oddly shaped branches and even slightly guide them back into some sort of uniform structure.

I see 80% of cables in trees we work on improperly installed. Cables are only affective in the top 2/3 of the tree. This is where they add the most stability. Cables should be installed about a foot under healthy crotches. They should be as perpendicular as possible. No crazy angles or it will takes away from the strength of the cable. most of the hardware we are going to talk about using is designed to be strongest when pulled straight if that makes sense. There are many different types of cabling systems. The easiest way is to wrap around the part of the tree you are securing the cable to. This method will need to be checked on and adjusted as the tree grows. It can girdle the tree and actually choke the life out of portion above the cable. Another option is drilling through the tree and using lag bolts or some other more sophisticated/expensive system. This is definitely the most secure way that will provide the most strength. It is also the most intrusive, as you are drilling completely through the tree. I do not thin k people realize that these systems both require annual inspections and maybe adjustments. In these two approaches I have seen the long term damage that occurs. The tree tries to compartmentalize around the hole and seal itself off. Often times we have just created a slowly growing problem invites moisture and infestation. I cannot recall one tree I've worked on with cables in it that I thought the cables weren't partially responsible for causing further damage. I always wonder did the cabling help the tree stay up this long or would the tree be in better shape and just fine without the cable. I honestly believe that trees are better off with he less we do to them. Adding metal to a tree never sat right with me.

Now the 3rd option is probably the least affective but also least intrusive. Installing j or eye hooks. The reason that this method is least affective is that the hooks will probably come out and loosen up on their own. Since annual inspection is suggested, then it would not be that big of an issue to monitor and repair the hooks as needed in my opinion. One of the strengths of this system is that the hooks do not set as well. I think is is potentially a plus though. If the tree fails the cable might fail. in this system hopefully the hooks would fail and rip out of the tree. This would in theory minimize the damage to the healthier part of the tree that we are anchoring to.

I think most people assume that cables will prevent sections or trees from completely come crashing down. Cables are strong but not strong enough to support a few 1000 pound piece of tree. This is especially true when the cable is shock loaded. In that scenario tensile strength would be a factor and only give the cable about 1/10 strength to its failure point. When the cables do not fail, in my experience it trashes the rest of the tree and creates a more dangerous situation to deal with.

In conclusion it is important to understand what cables can and cannot do. What they are actually used for and how to properly install them. Also, that they may not actually achieve any unrealistic goals. Annual inspection is suggested and there are no guarantees. They can provide some peace of mind and also knowing that we are trying to take care of our trees as best we can. I have installed one cable in 7 years. I have also turned down about 100 cabling jobs in that time span. One was actually a state record sized Elm tree that I would have love to work on. When it doesn't make sense I will be the first to let a customer know. Almost every tree I have climbed that has cables had unnatural and severe damage as a result from cabling. Tree species can also be a factor in deciding if and what type of cable to install.

There are scenarios where cabling makes sense. I just think it is a lot less common than and unnecessary in most situations. I also do not like how it is promoted so hard. It seems kind of like an added thing that Arborists push to "help" trees. It is kind of expensive and may cause more damage before it does any good. This is one of the reasons I don't fully believe in Arborist certification. This is an experienced based industry and nothing can replace that. I will write another blog about my beliefs on the arborist certification. I am open to any comments on cabling. I love hearing other peoples experiences and am always open to learn more. These are just my opinions based off my life experiences in the tree care industry.

A friend of mine took this photo because his wife loved these trees. She wanted to know what they were so she could plant them in their yard. These are Bradford Pear trees. they are usually the first to bloom along with Cherry, Willow and Elm trees. Do not be fooled by the short lived beauty of these invasive trees. They are very pretty when in bloom but that is about the only good thing about them. They were engineered from the Callery Pear tree. The goal was to have a manageable and nicely shaped tree for urban/suburban areas. The Bradford has a very weak structure and large limbs break off easily as they mature. They shed their white pedals almost all at once and are quite messy. People often complain about their smell as well. There is no great way to prune these trees and they require constant upkeep. I think the common answer is to top them. This actually causes them to grow back with a vengeance and will need to be re-topped often, which just costs more money and slowly kills the trees. Thinning them out and doing weight reduction pruning makes them lighter but still not a great solution. The reason these trees are really so bad is that they spread and grow so rapidly. This picture was taken off of Greenwood Rd in Winchester, VA. The area they are growing in is a county maintained area. This is a perfect time of year to drive around and see how abundant these trees are and how many there are unintentionally growing. They get into our wooded areas and completely overcast our natural hardwoods. It can be hard to cut down a tree that has been growing in your yard for so many years. The reality is as these tree mature they only become more problematic. In the long term removing these trees is not only cheaper option but it is also better for our ecosystems. There are so many better options for planting. Scarlet Maple, Dogwood, Crepe Myrtle, and Redbud trees are all native and do wonderful in Virginia.  They are all low maintenance all have unique character. I found this recent link Fromhttps://www.nbc12.com/2022/03/23/three-reasons-you-should-chop-down-your-bradford-pear-trees/" target="_blank"> NBC 12 in Richmond, Virginia. 

Saw this Deere running through the woods today. Most of our machines at Old Town Tree and Landscaping are geared towards low impact and use in residential yards. When doing larger land clearing projects in Winchester, Virginia we pull out the big guns. These larger skid steer machines move a lot of wood and debris very quickly. They are a must have for speed and efficiency. They also tear up the land a little bit more. We really only use them on heavily wooded areas and mostly areas that need to be graded afterwards. The size and weight of these machines can actually cause damage to root systems underground. Mostly through soil compaction but also tearing up shallow roots. A common mistake when grading is dinging up the base and roots of trees meant to be preserved. These unseen damages to your favorite tree can actually cause a lot of issues down the road. Always consult with a proffessional arborist to consult in selective land clearing jobs in Winchester, VA. Safely removing trees selected to come out should be well thought out and planned as to not cause any damage to other trees. Depending on the goals of the project, there are a few options to remove the stumps. Stump grinding is required in certain countys if land clearing is for septic systems and drainage. Ripping stumps out with large track machines is another option. Then they can either be hauled off or buried. Call our tree experts today for free consultation and estimate. 540-336-5415. Tree care proffesionals located in Winchester, Virginia 22601. 

Old Town Tree and Landscaping LLC is a top rated tree company located in Winchester, Virginia 22601. Old Town Tree has been voted Winchesters Best Tree Service. We specialize in tree hazardous tree removal, tree pruning, tree trimming, land clearing, stump grinding, stump removal, storm damage, emergency tree service and all other tree care needs. We are fully licensed and insured tree surgeons. All of our employees are on payroll and covered by our workers compensation policy. We have one of the largest aerial lifts on the market. This machine allows us access to regions that a normal bucket truck could not get to. It is a CMC 83' Arbor Pro. It folds up to a slender 36" and can get through most gates. This machine also allows us to safely remove almost any tree that is too dangerous to climb. We also have a 61' bucket truck that is great for roadside tree pruning and tree trimming jobs. We have 3 very experienced Climbing Arborists to back up our lifts. We have multiple stump grinders. One of which is a Bandit 2550 4X4 49 horsepowered diesel. This is a wheeled stump machine that is very powerful and makes short work on any stump removal project. We also have a smaller Bandit ZT1844 27 horsepowered gas stump grinding machine. This is on tracks and has more mobility and can gain access to any hard to reach stump. We have two Bandit wood chippers. One is a 15XPC and the other is a 12XP. This allows us to tackle any large clean up and chipping job. We have 5 dump trucks that keep us onsite longer. We have lots more equipment to back up our tree care professionals. We offer option of full clean up after tree removal and tree pruning. Our local Arborists are well trained and well diversed in all aspects of the tree care industry. We offer free assessments and can help identify most issues with a variety of different tree species. We also offer free, fast and upfront estimates. Let our tree experts take care of your trees! Call now for any question or to set up an appointment (540)336-5415. We pride ourselves on offering affordable and competitive rates. We also take pride in safety. Arborculture is a way of life for us and we love working in this field. We offer tree care services to the following areas: Winchester 22601 22602 22603, Berryville 22611, Stephens City 22655, Stephenson 22656, Bluemont 20135. Also check out our website: https://oldtowntreeandlandscaping.com/  

We also upgraded our stump grinding division! It was part of our 2022 new equipment purchase from another local company. It is kind of bittersweet. We are now more capable of taking care of larger stumps very quickly. The bitter part is that we might not see our favorite contractor Adam Durbin with Hop Skip and a Stump LLC as much. Adam is still the undisputed stump grinding king of Winchester! We have relied heavily on him for years and he always does an amazing job in a timely manner. The reality is that he grinds stumps for a lot of other tree companies as well. We are a tree service that offers stump grinding. We mostly offer it on trees we have removed. He is fully focused on stumps. He has a quicker response time and offers more options. We will still refer Adam as much as possible, especially on jobs that are just grinding. He is a great resource and friend. We highly recommend his services! Thank you for always being so reliable!!! In this new chapter Old Town Tree Service, located in Winchester, Virginia 22602, is looking to take on more stump grinding and stump removal projects. As previously mentioned we have relied on Adam to grind our larger stumps. This machine is a Bandit 2550 4x4 with all rubber tires. Rubber tires have limitations and struggle getting up steep inclines, especially when wet. The advantage is that they do not tear the yard up as much as the track stump grinders do. We still have our smaller ZT1844 Bandit Stump Grinder on tracks. The new machine is diesel powered motor with a lot more torque. It is also hydraulic driven, so no belts or adjustments required. The smaller machine will come in handy in tight areas. It is also easy to transport. Old Town Tree Service is now a more capable tree company! There is no tree removal in Winchester, Virginia that we can not take on with confidence and ease. We have been working through all this snow FYI. It is slow going and kind of brutal out. We have amazing employees at Old Town Tree Care. They suit up and show up daily. Please call us for all your tree care needs.

We just purchased a CMC 83' Arbor Pro Lift!!! This machine is so compact yet reaches oh so high. It folds up and can get through a 36" gate. It allows us to gain access in places where a bucket truck won't go. It also makes extremely dangerous removals a whole lot safer and easier. It also wayyyyy increases productivity. This one machine with the right operator is capable of so much. It also helps cut down on fatigue of the operator. I've always prided myself on being a good, productive and safe climber. I have been my whole adult life. I've always thought relying on climbing skill was the purest form of this industry. I have to admit that this machine is a game changer. It blew my mind and far exceeded my expectations. If you can't tell we are stoked to have it and our new hires, Michael and Brian. They are a wonderful addition to our already great team!!!! So excited for what's to come. Old Town Tree and Landscaping is a top rated tree care service located in Winchester, VA 22601. We have top of the line equipment and a very experienced team. Our tree care experts and Arborists are well versed in all aspects of the tree care industry. We specialized in hazardous and dangerous tree removals, tree pruning and tree trimming, stump grinding and land clearing. Don't hesitate to call today for a fast, free and upfront estimate. Trust all your tree care needs to Old Town Tree 540-336-5415. We are fully licensed and insured. All of our employees are on payroll and covered by our Workers Compensation policy. Voted Winchesters best tree service 2021. We are also the highest rated tree service in Winchester, VA 22603. We still have our bucket truck and 3 professional tree climbers. With this addition we are are more than capable of handling any tree! 

Our mergers and acquisition department has been working overtime in 2022. Old Town Tree Service has hit the ground running. We are committed to providing the best possible tree care in Winchester, VA 22601. We are also committed to staying Winchester's best tree service. We have bought some seriously cool equipment from another tree company located in Winchester. We have also hired all of thier employess!!! What does this mean for customers. The hope is that with the new firepower, we can have a shorter lead time and get to more tree removal and tree trimming project quicker than ever before. We also bought a larger stump grinding machine. One of the machines we bought will cut done a ton on time and add a lot in terms of safety. It is one of the largest lifts in the area and gives us access to almost any tree. This is all eciting news and just think about how much more tree work we will be able to accomplish. We are excited for the future of Old Town Tree. More deatils to come.....

Old Town Tree and Landscaping is a full service tree Care company. We specialize in: tree removals, hazardous tree removals, tree pruning, stump grinding and emergency/storm damage tree services. We are a top rated tree company located in Winchester, Virginia 22603. We are a small local company and take pride in our work. It was an honor to be Voted Best Tree Service in Winchetsr VA. We work very hard to gaurantee  our customers 100% satisfaction.