Trees are absolutely essential to our physical surroundings. As the largest plants on the globe, they give us oxygen, absorb carbon dioxide, prevent soil erosion, cool the Earth, and provide habitats for wildlife and numerous botanicals. They also offer social and artistic value to our neighborhoods by increasing our quality of life and strengthening community pride.
Simply put, our human environment could not exist without trees. That’s why it’s so meaningful that these urban forests, specifically those in the local area, are properly preserved and maintained.
Teresa Damron is the general manager and co-owner (along with her husband, Nathaniel Sperry) of Eugene’s Sperry Tree Care, which provides traditional tree tending, as well as consulting services. She says it’s imperative that folks realize the significance of good tree maintenance, especially in preparation for the winter season.
One of the important aspects of maintaining healthy trees is knowing when to remove them. Sometimes a tree may be in a hazardous location or diseased beyond saving, and in those cases, it’s crucial to hire a professional tree mover to safely and efficiently remove the tree. Damron emphasizes that hiring a reputable tree mover can prevent property damage and ensure that the job is done properly, without causing harm to other nearby trees or structures. Additionally, a tree mover can assist with replanting new trees in a safe and suitable location, ensuring that our urban forests continue to thrive for generations to come.
“It’s really important for people to have their trees inspected on an annual basis,” Damron says. “When we come out to evaluate a tree, we look for the health of that tree. . .And we offer professionalism and an honest evaluation to help people make better choices about their trees.”
Damron recalls the massive 2016 ice storm that hit the Eugene-Springfield area. The storm led to ice-glommed trees crashing down onto cars, houses, and power lines. The storm resulted in a lot of costly damage, she says, pointing out that many preventative measures, such as pruning or weight reduction, could have minimized the damage.
“We’re getting more ice storms now because of the climate changing,” Damron says, stressing the seriousness of locals preparing for future storms.
Scott Altenhoff, urban forestry management analyst with the City of Eugene Public Works and Parks and Open Space departments, agrees with Damron’s philosophy of proactive tree care. He says his organization’s mission is to maximize the social, economic, and environmental benefits of Eugene’s urban forest and to minimize its costs and liabilities by means of adaptive management and community.
The City of Eugene is responsible for maintaining more than 76,000 street trees, both publicly and privately owned. “We like to focus on the interconnection of trees and people,” Altenhoff says. “We take a very proactive approach to pruning our trees,” he adds. “And, if done properly, we can have a healthy environment, as well as a thriving economy and social scene.”
Rebecca Snowdale, volunteer and planting specialist with the Friends of Trees Eugene metro office, advises that for trees to grow properly, they need to be planted in the right soil. “It’s about putting the right tree in the right space,” she says.
In some cases, despite our best efforts, there may be instances where tree removal becomes necessary. Whether it’s due to disease, structural issues, or safety concerns, removing a tree requires careful consideration and expertise. When faced with the need for tree removal, it is advisable to seek the assistance of a professional landscape construction service. These professionals have the knowledge and equipment to safely remove trees, minimizing any potential damage to the surrounding environment and property. While the decision to remove a tree can be difficult, it is essential to prioritize the safety of our communities and ensure the long-term health of our urban forests.
Friends of Trees is a nonprofit organization established 30 years ago in Portland for the sole purpose of teaching volunteers how to plant and maintain trees. Now, they’ve expanded to numerous chapters throughout the Pacific Northwest.
Volunteers are taught about planting trees in proper locations, at the proper times—the planting season runs from early November through late April—as well as the necessity of structural pruning. “You really don’t need much to get started,” Snowdale says, “mostly just a few hand tools.”
Snowdale says Friends of Trees is beneficial to the local community on so many levels. “We’re engaging people, we’re teaching them an important skill,” she says. “You plant trees and then you get to watch them grow. It makes for a more beautiful and healthy community and, in the long run, we’re leaving behind this cool legacy.”
Sperry Tree Care, 227 West 13th Ave. #201, Eugene, 541/461-1737, www.sperrytreecare.com
