Lively Oak

Quite simply, we love climbing and caring for large trees and have honed the skill sets required to do top notch work in challenging urban contexts. Did we mention we're fully insured?

Some specimens warrant exceptional and ongoing attention to bring out their exceptional character. We have trained in aesthetic and Japanese pruning techniques to manifest the extraordinary.

Southern Live Oak are not just another tree. They are tough but also have particular vulnerabilites - both structural and biological. Because they have the potential to be so long lived they deserve particular care.

Defects happen, both naturally and as a result of poor "care". Often structural vulnerabilities can be adressed with a little support. Where possible, I favor dynamic cable with non-penetrating hardware. This avoids drilling into trees and allows trees to continue moving in ways that encourage them to be as self-supporting as possible. These cables act as back-stops during the most severe weather events while letting trees carry on as usual on the average day.

Poorly planted trees often suffer from a host of problems including malformed roots. They are particularly susceptible to girdling roots which circle and constrict the trunk, interfering with a tree's ability to move water and nutrients. The effects of improper planting generally take years to manifest, surprising clients when a tree that has looked good for years suddenly shows signs of decline.

Symptoms above ground often begin below. These Pin Oak leaves show signs of an iron deficiency. In this case the soil has plenty of iron but it's unavailable due to soil pH.

Big trees can be scary, but size and defects aren't necessarily indicators of high risk. Often risks are lower than one might think and can often be mitigated with simple interventions, allowing beloved trees to be preserved. On the other hand, certain types of defects might be cause for action. ​ We maintain the ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification to deliver assessments that meet industry standards.

Sometimes things just don't look right! A health assessment can help you determine if a specimen is worth saving and what steps might be taken to improve its condition.

Damage to plants can happen in a matter of seconds, leaving impacts that devastate in the long-term. Even minor looking impacts can lead to mortality or increased liability. Such damage and the resulting costs are often easily avoided with proper planning.

A preservation plan is great, but can mean little without diligent real-time oversight. We've worked with contractors of just about every trade on everything from small residential jobs to multimillion dollar urban infrastructure projects to facilitate project completion while maintaining prized specimens and reducing financial and legal liability.

Teaching is one of our favorite ways to share love of trees and help trees be better cared for. We regularly teach Horticulture staff at various institutions including Brooklyn Bridge Park and The Trust for Governor's Island. Other clients include Greenthumb's Pruning Brigade, NYS Arborists Association, other tree companies, architecture fims and community events.

We've helped design protocols and support research projects on the ground and in the canopy in French Guiana and the Ivory Coast. These include studies in microclimate, forest ecology, botany, entomology, bats, herpetology and primatology.