Arbor Viridis North Bay
Tree Care FAQs & Common Myths

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  • An ISA Certified Arborist has passed a general examination and met basic experience requirements. An ISA Board Certified Master Arborist (BCMA)—held by less than 2% of arborists worldwide—is the highest credential achievable in the profession, equivalent to the "PhD of arboriculture." It requires advanced testing in plant biology, risk management, soil science, and structural mechanics.

  • Dormant pruning (late winter to early spring before bud break) is ideal for most species because disease pathogens are inactive and tree architecture is clearly visible. However, dead, dangerous, or storm-damaged branches should be pruned immediately regardless of season. Fruit trees require specialized seasonal timing to maximize yield and prevent fungal diseases like Black Knot.

  • Warning signs include fungal fruiting bodies (conks/mushrooms) at the base, severe trunk cavities, deep cracking or splitting, suddenly leaning trunks, or major deadwood in the upper canopy. A formal Tree Risk Assessment (TRAQ) evaluates internal decay and structural load physics before declaring removal necessary.

  • In many cases, yes. Through non-invasive dynamic cabling and rigid rod bracing (installed per ANSI A300 standards), we can mechanically support split crotches and heavy limbs, reducing wind and snow load stress without removing high-value canopy.

  • Filling a planting pit with soft, rich potting soil creates a "container effect" in heavy clay soil profiles. The tree's roots will refuse to expand into the surrounding hard native soil, leading to waterpooling, root rot, and severe instability during high winds. We always integrate native soil structure during backfilling.

  • Always insist on three things: proof of ISA Arborist credentials, a Certificate of Commercial General Liability Insurance, and a WSIB Clearance Letter addressed directly to you. Never accept verbal claims of insurance coverage.

  • Skip the guesswork and protect your landscape investment with scientific answers.

  • The Fact: Topping starves the tree by removing its leaf canopy, induces severe stress, and creates large open decay pockets. It triggers a panic response, forcing rapid growth of weakly attached "water sprouts" that are far more prone to breaking off during Northern Ontario wind and ice storms.

  • The Fact: Tree wound dressings and tar paint trap moisture and wood-decay fungi inside the trunk. Trees do not heal like human skin; they compartmentalize wounds. Clean target cuts made at the branch collar allow the tree to seal itself naturally.

  • The Fact: Climbing spikes puncture the living tissue beneath the bark, leaving permanent entry wounds for insects and fungal decay. Professional arborists never wear spikes to prune a living tree—spikes are strictly reserved for complete tree removals.

  • The Fact: Mulch piled against bark traps moisture, causing trunk decay, inviting wood-boring insects, and encouraging stem-girdling roots that slowly strangle the tree. Mulch should be applied in a flat 2- to 4-inch ring, keeping the root flare fully exposed.

  • Fact: Up to 90% of a tree's root system lives within the top 12 to 18 inches of soil. Rather than digging deep into the earth, roots spread horizontally—often extending two to three times the width of the canopy—where oxygen, moisture, and organic nutrients are most abundant.

    Arborist Takeaway: Soil compaction, shallow digging, or trenching near a tree's drip line can easily sever vital feeder roots and cause severe stress or dieback.

  • The Fact: Uncertified operators often lack formal safety training (ANSI Z133/A300 standards) and active WSIB insurance. Hiring a company without a verified WSIB clearance letter leaves the property owner financially liable for on-site injuries or structural damage.

Top 5 Tree Care Misconceptions

DID YOU KNOW?

When a tree is attacked by insects, it releases airborne chemical compounds that neighbouring trees can detect. Upon receiving these signals, the neighbouring trees begin producing tannins and other defensive chemicals in their own leaves -- before any insects reach them. This chemical early-warning system works across species. Scientists have documented trees warning trees that are not even genetically related. Forests actively communicate and coordinate defences without any brain or nervous system.

Trees Don't "Heal"—They Seal

Unlike animal tissue that regenerates to replace damaged cells, trees can never repair injured wood. Instead, they rely on a process called Compartmentalization (CODIT) to form rigid chemical and physical walls around cuts or wounds. Rather than healing, a tree seals off the infected area permanently to protect its healthy core.

A Single Tree Acts as a Natural Air Conditioner

Through a process called evapotranspiration, a mature shade tree releases up to 100 gallons of water vapor into the surrounding air every day. This natural cooling process can lower local ambient temperatures by up to 2°C to 5°C (2°F to 9°F), drastically cutting energy costs and mitigating urban heat.

Curious about what's happening beneath the bark? Discover the Anatomy of a Tree