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Trees are biologically designed to withstand wind and load. However, heavy foliage/fruit or a weather event may cause a split in a small tree. Cabling and bracing in small trees can help them withstand weather events. Tree133 recently completed a small cabling project on a redbud that split in last winter's snow. As the tree is a sentimental favorite of the homeowner, she had tried a variety of DIY solutions with limited results before calling for help. With careful reduction pruning to gently reshape the tree and installation of a cabling system, this tree will remain a focal point in her garden for many years. If you have questions about your trees, contact a professional arborist at Tree133 .

In this March 2021 episode of the Tree Thinking podcast, Craig Bachmann talked with the team about the value of mentorship, the future of arboriculture as a profession and what it means to build a tree service company toward preservation, instead of the temptation of cash grab removals. Craig and Tree133 are committed to sharing our knowledge to help fellow arborists improve skills and safety on the job. Submit a training inquiry to learn how we can help improve skills for you and your crew.

At TCI Expo 2019, Craig was invited into the the TreeStuff Micro Rigging Lab to demonstrate climbing and rigging for professional arborists. Watch as he explains rigging systems to reduce force in the tree and improve climbing safety. Contact Tree133  for specialized technical services and arborist skills training.

Pacific Madrona Removal – Kirkland, WA The Pacific Madrona (Arbutus menziesii)  has one of the largest habitat ranges in North America. Populations of these unique trees are found along the Pacific Coast from British Columbia down to Mexico. In Canada, they are referred to as Arbutus. Here in Washington, we call them Madrona. From Oregon south, they are commonly referred to as Madrone. These trees prefer the forest edge with a mixture of sun and shade. They do not tolerate dry sunny hillsides. Sadly, developers will often remove adjacent trees leaving a previously healthy Madrona exposed to the full sun. This leads to rapid decline and ultimately these trees must be removed. This particular project was challenging because the tree was located on a very steep hillside above and behind a newly constructed home. Further, the tree leaned toward and over the house. With limited access to the tree – and multiple steep slopes to negotiate – Tree133 solved the problem creatively with a controlled speed-line system. We used tensioned ropes to carefully maneuver branches over and around the house, and then land them over 150 ft away near the truck and chipper. The result was a challenging job completed safely and efficiently at a reasonable cost. Contact Tree133  to learn how we can provide an expert solution to preserve or remove trees on your property.

Tree133 has worked on this beautiful Japanese laceleaf maple (Acer palmatum) for the past few years. In fall of 2019, we removed dead/decaying foliage and interior deadwood as well as a few damaged interior limbs (abraded by other branches). That first phase greatly improved the tree’s appearance and we noticed better foliage conditions the following spring. This January, we performed light raising and thinning to improve light/airflow throughout the canopy and expose a bit of the interior branch architecture. This pruning phase removed 5-10% of live foliage using cuts up to 1/2-inch diameter. We are fortunate to have this tree in our neighborhood and enjoy watching its response to each stage of pruning.

The June 2022 TCIMagazine, a leading publication for professional arborists, featured an article by Craig Bachmann, the manager and Lead Arborist at Tree133. Learn about how contract climbers can support your business in both a professional training capacity and job profitability. For the complete article, click here . See Craig at a Professional Event in 2022 After a few years of virtual presentations, Craig is excited to be back on the road for a busy season of presentations and tree climbing competitions! Portland Tree Climbing Competition  - Portland, OR Rocky Mountain Regional Tree Climbing Competition  - Denver, OR Treetopia  - Oakland, CA North American Tree Climbing Championship  - St. Paul, MN PNW ISA Annual Training Conference & Climbing Competition - Coeur d'Alene, ID Puget Sound Tree Climbing Competition  - Seattle, WA ISA International Training Conference  - Malmo, Sweden International Tree Climbing Competition  - Copenhagen, Denmark TCIA Expo  - Charlotte, NC

Damage Assessment for a Large Douglas-Fir – Lynnwood, WA An elementary school was in process of building a new science classroom. The excavation and construction occurred within the dripline of two large Douglas-Firs (Pseudotsuga menziesii) that were each more than 30 inches diameter and over 100 feet tall. The term “dripline” describes the outer limit of branches and foliage. The area inside is the zone of greatest importance for tree health and stability. Root loss or damage within the dripline can have significant consequences for tree stability and long-term health. Several large roots were damaged during excavation, prior to construction. Now, the contractors were preparing to back-fill around the foundation and had a limited timeframe to assess the cut roots. The school administration and contractor were concerned about negative impacts to the trees and risk to new classroom structure. They wondered, should the trees be retained or removed? Tree133 was contacted for a professional risk assessment and inspection of the damage. We promptly conducted a site visit with school administrators, engineers and contractors. It was fortunate the school could provide pictures of the site prior to construction. Beyond direct inspection of the mechanical damage to roots, these pictures helped us to determine the estimated root loss due to construction. Our assessment determined the root loss was minimal due to prior site conditions. Furthermore, we found the damage did not affect structural roots. We concluded these factors did not substantially increase the likelihood of failure and the trees could be reasonably retained on the site. Additionally, Tree133 provided recommendations to help the client modify landscaping and irrigation plans to improve growing conditions and promote root growth. All findings and recommendations were delivered in a comprehensive Arborist Report. If you are concerned about construction impacts for your trees, contact Tree133 for a site visit and professional risk assessment.

A Tree Preservation Company in the Community As a local, family-owned business, Tree133 is deeply connected to our Seattle neighbors. As professional arborists, we are primarily a tree preservation company. We also support our community through volunteering and donations to local organizations. The Low Income Housing Institute (LIHI)   LIHI  provides housing for low-income, homeless and formerly homeless people to help them develop self-sufficiency. Tree133 has specifically contributed to support the construction of tiny homes . Build Lake City Together (BLCT) BLCT , an initiative of the Children’s Home Society of Washington, is a collaborative and inclusive neighborhood planning process to improve quality of life for all residents and give rise to a neighborhood of opportunity. Tree133 regularly volunteers for community clean-up days organized by BLCT. Seattle Animal Shelter (SAS) SAS  saves the lives of animals through adoption, foster care, spay and neuter programs and community outreach. We adopted our dog Charlie-girl  from SAS in 2022. PlantAmnesty   PlantAmnesty  provides education, resources, and advocacy to promote quality tree care and preserve urban green spaces. Tree133 participates in volunteer tree pruning events to care for needy and deserving gardens in the Seattle area. Nathan Hale Horticulture & Urban Farm   This program provides high school students with hands-on experience in horticulture, urban farming, environmental science, entrepreneurship and citizenship. As a member of their Friends Organization, Tree133 also supports the Urban Farm by regularly providing wood chip mulch for the farm and other projects throughout the Seattle school district.

Hazard Reduction Pruning of Large Red Oak – Seattle, WA One of the largest and oldest Red Oaks (Quercus rubra) in the city of Seattle is rooted in a residential parking strip in Capitol Hill. With a trunk nearly 5 feet in diameter, this spectacular tree is nearly 120 years old. The massive canopy of this oak over the house spreads over 100 feet across a busy city street and six residential properties. In 2016, the property closest to the base of the tree was redeveloped. The homeowner worked with their builder and the City of Seattle to construct the home as far from the tree as possible. Even with diligent efforts to protect the root structure and health of the tree, there was still some damage to the root zone which extended well beyond the canopy. Four years later, several large dead limbs were overhanging the house creating a hazard for the client, their home and neighboring properties. Many aspects of this jobsite were challenging. The canopy and work area spread over the busy street and both sidewalks. We also had to work in close proximity to roofs and large glass windows. With houses and formal landscaping below, it was nearly impossible to drop any cut material out of the tree. Given the location and size of this Oak, we knew this would be a difficult and time-consuming job to complete safely. For maximum public safety, we closed the sidewalk and brought additional team members. Then, a combination of careful climbing and an aerial lift in the street enabled us to work efficiently. While working aloft, extensive technical rigging was required to safely lower heavy material and prevent any impact to structures and landscaping. During the project, we successfully removed multiple large dead limbs that presented hazards to the new home, its occupants and neighbors. We also performed a thorough canopy inspection to identify and mitigate hazards not visible from the ground. Now, the client, their neighbors and Capitol Hill residents can safely enjoy this tree that has shaded the neighborhood for generations. Contact Tree133 for professional tree care and hazard mitigation services. * This project was completed together with Conservation Tree Care, Inc. Tree133 is based in North Seattle where we are fortunate to have a robust urban canopy and vibrant neighborhoods.

Hemlock Removal & Maple Reduction – Vashon Island, WA Until we saw this scenario first-hand, it was very difficult to envision… a failed Western Hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla) lodged against a tree house in a Big leaf Maple (Acer macrophyllum). Even after completing the work, it’s still hard to describe. The tree house was frequently used by the client’s children, and the declining Maple was already a concern. The tree was in severe decline with more than half of the canopy dead. Typically, Maple limbs deteriorate rapidly and are prone to sudden failure. This existing hazard was compounded by the newly failed Hemlock putting pressure on the Maple and directly on the tree house itself. To address the situation and make the area safe for children, we stabilized the Hemlock with rigging lines and carefully removed it from the Maple tree. Next, we significantly reduced the Maple’s declining canopy to create a wildlife habitat snag . Retaining this snag will provide great perching and nesting habitat for native birds and a great outdoor learning opportunity for the client’s children. Contact Tree133 for help removing hazard trees and creating wildlife snags on your property. * This project was completed together with Michelle Ramsden.

Leyland cypress  (Cupressus x leylandii) is a hybrid species resulting from a cross between the Alaskan cedar (Chamaecyparis nootkantensis) and the Monterey cypress (Cupressocyparis macrocarpa) .   It is a popular choice for privacy screening because of its extremely fast growth rate - quickly growing 40-60 feet high and over 15 feet wide. In prime growing conditions, they can reach 100 feet tall and 50 feet wide. In the Pacific Northwest, Leyland cypress is often an inexpensive and well-intentioned planting, but quickly takes over yards and driveways, damaging nearby fences, shading out gardens and overwhelming urban landscape. Craig Bachmann , Lead Arborist for Tree133, often refers to this as "the alligator in the bathtub." Before you know it, the tree is out of control. Should I plant a Leyland Cypress hedge? What seems to be an inexpensive and easy privacy screen will need annual trimming to maintain the hedge form. These trees are aggressive growers so a small upfront investment to plant may become a significant investment of time and dollars to maintain. Can't we just top the trees once they get too big? Topping actually encourages faster lateral growth and a "candelabra" shape with multiple tops that are difficult to contain. Topped Leyland cypress develop large, upright limbs that are more prone to failure. Read more from the University of Washington Elisabeth C. Miller Gardening Knowledgebase . Can anything be done to help my Leyland cypress trees that are bare and "browned out?" Leyland cypress are generally very tolerant of hard pruning. However, pruning that removes all green foliage from a limb will result in a dead stub. Like most conifer trees, Leyland cypress do not have "latent buds" that begin growing in response to pruning. Instead, new foliage grows from the tips. Unless these trees are contained - hedged or hand pruned - appropriately at a young age and then regularly maintained, these interior "dead zones" become visible and a lasting problem. What happened to my Leyland cypress under the wires? Trees that are growing into and around wires may be cut back hard during city safety clearing. Seattle City Light will notify homeowners of upcoming pruning. Contact the certified arborists at Tree133 with questions about how to manage and maintain trees on your property.

Should I put mulch around my trees? Yes! Chipped woody material, sometimes called "arborist chips," give the soil and your trees added nutrients, help retain much needed moisture, regulate soil temperature and reduce weeds. Combined, these can even help your tree grow faster. How do I properly mulch a tree? To properly mulch a tree, pread the mulch evenly around the tree, in a donut shape. Leave 3-6 inches around the trunk and avoid mounding the mulch against the trunk like a volcano. As a general rule, you should be able to see the root flare - this is the spot where the tree trunk and and the roots begin. Rake the mulch out in all directions to a distance of 3-6 feet from the center of the tree and 2-4 inches deep. This mulch ring will help retain moisture, cools the soil and reduces competition from grass. Over time, the mulch will decompose, adding essential nutrients back into the soil. Plan to replenish the mulch yearly to help keep your trees happy. For quick reference, download Proper Mulching Techniques from the ISA (International society of Arboriculture). Where can I learn more about the science? The Elisabeth C Miller Library and University of Washington Botanic Gardens Gardening Answers database  provides more details. Now, how do I get chips? Chips may be available from your project with Tree133. Please contact our office  for more information. We also suggest signing up for ChipDrop  - a free delivery service. What if I'm still not sure what to do? Please contact Tree133  if you have specific questions about how to use mulch to improve your trees' health. updated 3/10/2022