Why should I pay you for a consultation when others offer it for free?

 

Great question! We provide a one-on-one private consultation with an experienced certified arborist to do a site evaluation, tree risk assessment, develop a personalized tree plan, or obtain customized expert advice. We tailor our services for you, and recommend service to your trees based on need, not commissions.

 

What do you specialize in?

 

We specialize in giving personalized tree consultations, both residential and commercial, and fertilizing with a uniquely formulated compost tea. We also offer home pre-purchase or pre-construction tree inspections, tree permit application assistance, tree appraisals and tree risk assessments.

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Do you trim or cut down trees?

 

No, but after evaluating what your trees need, we can recommend some of the most trusted companies we have worked with who do.  We do not take referral commissions; you are our client and we give you our honest advice.

 

Someone told me I need a tree permit before taking down a tree. What do I do?

 

Give us a call!  We can provide you with the paperwork, report, and photos you need to help you through the application and approval process.  If you don’t need a tree permit, we’ll tell you that too. We work for you.

 

When should I fertilize my trees?

 

Usually twice a year, in the spring and the fall, when most trees are in their active phases. This is when tree roots are most able to maximize the nutrients and water they absorb to help the tree thrive.  Trees are then better able to ward off disease, pests, and stress.

 

My tree is beginning to look stressed. Why?

 

Some of the common stressors that can affect tree health are:

Soil compaction, soil erosion, inconsistent watering, drought, insect infestation, disease, and root impingement. Call at the first sign of stress; we can often help!

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Why do I need to fertilize my trees?

 

The best defense against insects, disease, and drought is a healthy tree. 

Fertilization and inoculation supplement soil nutrients and reinforce root and mycorrhizae symbiosis. The shallow and alkaline soil of central Texas should be supplemented. We have had great results with our organic, uniquely formulated compost tea fertilizer.

 

How do I know if my tree needs to be taken down?

 

Call for a tree risk assessment.  Our certified arborist can help you know the specifics of your tree’s health, and whether it is at high risk for failing, causing structural damage, or even causing personal injury. Note: even dead trees need a permit from most cities before being removed, to avoid hefty fines.

 

What is a pre-purchase home inspection, and why do I need one?

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The condition of the trees on your property can either add to or diminish the value of your property.  Our certified arborist can either help you close on the property with confidence or negotiate a lower asking price by becoming aware of existing detrimental conditions.

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What if I am selling a home?

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A tree risk assessment to appraise tree root health or obtain fertilization and inoculation treatments to increase tree vitality are services available to you. Healthy, beautiful trees can add to your property value when you sell.

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Do I need a tree assessment if I am building a home?

 

Absolutely! Our certified arborist can help you determine optimal location of the home due to tree placement, which trees will be best to preserve, structure impediments to keep in mind when planting trees, and construction pitfalls to avoid to protect tree root health. This can avoid heartache later.

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How far away from my roof do I need to have my trees trimmed?

 

Trees should be trimmed at least 4 feet away from the roof to avoid structural damage and discourage rodent access. 

 

When do I need a tree permit?

 

​Homeowners sometimes request that overly mature or damaged trees be removed, requiring a tree permit from the city. (There are large fines for removing these trees without permission--even dead trees.) Our arborist can help you with the application process.

 

Why should I call a certified arborist?

 

Tree reports provided by ISA Certified Arborists are recommended by the City of Austin and many other local municipalities, to obtain a tree permit before removing protected trees from personal or commercial property.  We also take photos of the affected trees in ways that to clearly substantiate the reason for the removal

 

We have a good working relationship with city officials that may expedite the application process. We are also able to provide treatment plans that may be required by the city or facilitate mitigation if needed.

 

What is mitigation?

 

Mitigation is compensation for removing certain trees from your property. Sometimes a permit is approved by the city if the arborist can show cause, such as a dead or high-risk tree.

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Other times, when a tree is removed by the owner, they must agree to plant new trees or pay a fee to reduce the impact of having the affected tree(s) removed. Our certified arborist has experience working with the city to help you with the process of mitigation.

 

How can a Certified Arborist be crucial in pre-construction planning?

 

Avoid construction vehicles and pedestrian traffic causing compaction of soil surrounding trees! Equipment, pedestrian traffic, and storage of construction supplies can all contribute to this deadly condition for trees.

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Because you may not see the results for 1 to 7 years after moving in, and it is totally avoidable, pre-planning is crucial. 

 

How can arborists help with commercial development?

 

Construction sites may present special challenges. Preserving the critical root zone of trees, preventing soil compaction of tree roots from construction traffic, and avoiding tree root impingement from sidewalks and driveways are all essential elements during construction. Our Certified Arborist can walk the property and recommend which trees to preserve, the placement of structures, and the best placement for buildings.

 

Why is compost tea fertilization so valuable to my trees?

 

Compost tea creates a prime environment for the development of good fungi and bacteria that nourish underground networks (called mycorrhizae) providing a symbiotic relationship with tree roots. This expands the network of nutrients and moisture available to the tree and promotes aeration in the soil.

Wise Man Roots has formulated a unique organic compost tea that is teaming with good fungi and bacteria designed to feed your tree root network in Central Texas’ shallow and alkaline soil.