Saving An Uprooted Tree

Below are Before and After photos of a "Rose of Sharon" that uprooted in Yardley. Erik Rodgers, Giroud Arborist, inspected the tree and found the root system was still intact with a good root ball making it possible to save it with staking.  After staking, the "Rose of Sharon" is once again upright. The tree will need these stakes for a least a year to give the root system time to get re-established. Giroud Crew Leader, Luigi Vargas, snapped both photos and commented that this was one of the nicest "Rose of Sharon's" he had ever seen.

Before Staking

After Staking

Turkeys in Newtown PA

These turkeys in Newtown PA seem unconcerned about Thanksgiving.  Well, all except for the one on the left, who appears to be hightailing it out of sight.  Photo snapped by Erik Rodgers as he traveled through picturesque Bucks County yesterday.  

Topping Hurts Trees!

Please DO NOT let this be done to your trees! Topping is not only ugly and harmful to your trees, explains Rob Nagy, Giroud Arborist, it also violates professional standards of arboriculture.  Giroud knows the right way to achieve a size reduction and protect the beauty and health of your trees.  

Safety Meeting Gets to the Heart of the Matter

We had a Tree Care Safety Meeting today on resisting communication; specifically around safe working practices near electrical hazards.

Will Cowley, Giroud Crew Leader, stated:

Will Cowley

"I do not like to deliver unwanted news, but when I have to make that call to tell the rep it's not safe to do this job it's important for him to acknowledge the concern and be part of the decision to move on to the next job or come out and discuss it face to face on-site and work on a new game plan together as opposed to saying just do the best you can."

I love that there is a level of trust in our company where employees can express concerns openly and get a good dialogue going to solve issues rather than being afraid to speak up for fear of retribution. This is the stuff that gets to the heart of a great safety culture. Great job guys!

Happy Veteran's Day!

All of us at Giroud applaud and echo this post from Rob Nagy, Giroud Arborist: "As I enjoy my day off from work enjoying my passion for the outdoors, I wanted to blog and say: Thanks to all the veterans out there and military personnel who serve our great country, the best in the world.  Without you my freedom would be compromised."  

Dueling Masters of Disguise. Who's the best?

Hiding in plain site, the Katydid and Praying Mantis were digitally caught by Giroud Arborists, Scott Slousky and Rob Nagy.  Who is the best master of disguise?  Vote for your favorite!

Praying Mantis (photo by Rob Nagy)

Katydid (photo by Scott Slousky)

Fall Colors Delight

Enjoy this fall beautiful morning!  Check out this Japanese Cutleaf Maple dressed in its fall finery. Giroud takes care of the Maple at its home in Abington PA.   Photo snapped by Rob Nagy, Giroud Arborist  

Saving an Ash Tree in Horsham

Bolting helps prevent trees from splitting apart.  The early snow storm was especially hard on trees with weak limbs and cracked trunks.  The heavy snow was just too much and many trees failed.  Rob Poley, Giroud Arborist, shows before and after pictures of an Ash tree with a cracked trunk in Horsham PA.  In the before picture, the crack is very wide making the tree at high risk for failure.  The after picture shows the two bolts on the sides of the tree and how they firmly close the crack and pull the trunk together.  It's important to have structural problems evaluated and repaired before more storms strike.

Before

After Bolting

Decay+Saturated Ground=Tree Failure

A decayed trunk in Trevose PA and rotted roots in Huntingdon Valley, both led to the same result: tree failure.  Unfortunately, rot problems are often hidden.  That's why it's so important to have your trees inspected by your Giroud ISA Certified Arborist.  These photos were taken by Giroud Crew Member, Luigi Vargas, during the emergency tree removal and clean-up operation.

Maple tree with decayed trunk falls on neighbor's house in
Trevose PA.  Emergency tree removal crew was dispatched.

Oak tree with root rot and saturated ground uproots in

Huntingdon Valley PA.  Luckily there was no property damage.

Tale of Two Oaks in Merion Station

Above is a startling side by side comparison of two Oaks in Merion Station PA .  Scott Slousky, Giroud Arborist explains, "The Oak without leaves has root rot and unfortunately must be removed.  Right beside it, the other Oak, is healthy and still holding its leaves. When a tree drops its leaves before others of the same kind, it's a sign of health problems."

Birds in the Mist

It's a beautiful morning!   "If you look closely you can see Mallards, Swans and Geese enjoying an early morning swim," says Rob Nagy, Giroud Arborist about his early morning photo.

Bucket Crew Removing Limbs in Lansdale

More trees damaged by freak October snow storm: Giroud Bucket run by Trevor Vogt goes into action in Landsdale Pa with Giroud Crew Leader/Trainer, Mike Teti, up in the bucket removing a limb over the roof and Bill Boub handling the groundwork.

Giroud Celebrates Safety!

Giroud Celebrates 535 days of Safety with certificates and cash awards presented to 21 team members.

SNOW

Busy day here at Giroud. All kinds of things happening to the trees out there. So glad we are here to help people.

October Snow Storm

The weekend's snow storm has brought lots of damage to trees in Montgomery County and Bucks County. Our office is receiving calls to have our Certified Arborists come out and take a look at visible damage as well as checking for any hidden damage.

Call Giroud Tree today to get on the schedule for a property inspection!

Emergency Tree Removal in Elkins Park

When last week's high winds hit Elkins Park PA, a Weeping Willow on a neighboring property split and crashed onto our customer's roof and patio.  Responding to the emergency tree removal call, Rob Nagy, Giroud Arborist, found that the tree suffered from decay and as a result was unable to withstand the storm force winds.  Rob's video shows the storm damage and the results of Giroud's emergency tree removal and clean-up.   

Turkeys Gather in Huntingdon Valley PA

What could these Tom Turkeys be discussing...fall colors, the rainy day or maybe where to hide for Thanksgiving?  Rob Nagy, Giroud Arborist, captured this moment while inspecting the trees on a beautiful old property in Huntingdon Valley.   

Giant Wasps!

One of our crew's is working on a tree today that has a hive with huge wasps. I have never seen them so big.... Hope no one gets stung...

Why Do Leaves Change Color?

Ever wondered what makes leaves change color in the Fall?  The most common answer is colder temperatures.  But leaves actually begin to turn before the cooler days of Fall arrive.

So what gives us the beautiful display of fall colors?  The answer is a combination of less sunlight, colder temperatures and the production Chlorophyll, a green pigment.  Less sunlight and colder temperatures slows chlorophyll production and leaves lose their green color.  The result is a real treat.  We get to see the reds, yellows and oranges that are normally hidden by the overpowering presence of green Chlorophyll.  Want to learn more?  Check out this video from The Weather Channel.

  

Fall Fun in Bucks County PA

Fall is in full swing in Bucks County.  Check out the fall foliage, enjoy fall festivals and hunt for the best pumpkin.  Lots of great activities posted at: Bucks County Alive.

Have Purple Boxes Appeared in Your Neighborhood?

Have you seen purple boxes like the ones below in your neighborhood?  They are traps designed to catch  Emerald Ash Borers, a pest that has destroyed Ash trees in several states including Pennsylvania.  Rob Nagy, Giroud Tree Arborist, spotted these boxes along Tookany Creek Parkway in Cheltenham PA.  Get your Ash trees inspected for this destructive pest.  For more information contact Giroud or go to Emerald Ash Borer.info.

Its a beautiful sunny day for our crew to be working !!

Fall Is Here (officially)

I was listening to the news this morning and they brought up that today was officially the last day of summer. To most of us, fall began weeks ago after Labor Day passed. Still I cannot believe how fast September has flown by and how many signs of fall are appearing such as the change in weather and the emerging of fall colors on leaves.

Winter will soon be upon us. Time to have Giroud come out and check your trees!

Just watching our bright green trucks pulling up from a days work at Giroud....

Irene

I saw 3 huge uprooted trees yesterday. Looks like still signs of Irene looming around...

Trimming

Did you know that fall is a great time to trim trees....

Trees Still At Risk

Trees are still toppling since Irene.  Severe weather likely caused this large Oak tree to split apart and fall in Abington reports Rob Nagy, Giroud Arborist Representative. 

Sunny

Well the sun is shining today, so our guys can do their thing in nice weather for a change...

MORE FLOODS

Finding out there are more tree's leaning today from all the rain....

Rain, Rain, Go Away!

With all the rain that we have had lately, trees are at risk of uprooting. I heard on the news this morning that several trees have uprooted in Bucks County and Philadelphia. More rain is forecasted to come through the weekend. Time to have Giroud Tree come out and take a look at your trees for peace of mind!

Trees Continue to Topple

Saturated ground, unending rain and flooding has proven too much for many area trees. Rob Poley, ISA Certified Arborist and Giroud Representative, snapped this photo today at a home in Wyndmoor, PA of a tree that uprooted and fell across the street.

Floods

Getting more storm damage calls from the consistant rain.....

Rain Rain Rain

More rain this week, which could mean more unstable roots systems... Its time to check them...
Michelle

Crane

Just passed our Crane, must be doing a big job from the storm.... Michelle

Not Out of the Woods Yet

On my way to work today, I heard that there is a hurricane brewing called Katia. It is too early to tell if it is going to affect us yet, but it brought to mind the importance of having your trees checked by a Giroud Arborist after a large storm such as Hurricane Irene.

I just passed Giroud trucks heading out to do more storm damage work. Michelle

Tree Fertilization

After all the rain we just had, you would think trees and lawns would be in great shape. I never knew until I started working at Giroud Tree that too much rain is bad for plants. Heavy rain washes away the nutrients in the soil. That’s why Tree Fertilization and Lawn Fertilization is so important. It replenishes the nutrients in the soil so our plants can thrive.

Tomorrow our Tree Service and Lawn Technicians will be doing Tree and Lawn Fertilizations in Philadelphia, Huntingdon Valley, Abington, Jenkintown, Elkins Park and Richboro making our world a little greener!

Hurricane Irene

Hurricane Irene storm damage calls still coming in. Michelle

Tree and Lawn Treatments Resume After Hurricane Irene

Tomorrow we’re sending out Tree Service Technicians to spray Beech trees with fungicide to combat Bleeding Canker. What’s Bleeding Canker?! It’s a bark disease and a noticeable symptom is reddish ooze coming from small cracks in cankers on trees. If untreated it can cause branch die back and eventually kill the tree.

We’re also going to be treating Hemlocks in the Philadelphia area for Scale and Adelgid, serious pests which can cause significant damage.

The Lawn Care Department will be super busy tomorrow with routine lawn fertilizations as well as the start up of lawn aeration and seeding jobs!

Post Irene Tree Removal And Clean-up

While the damage was thankfully far less than projected, Hurricane Irene still packed a wallop. Flooding, saturated ground and wind, toppled many trees and left homeowners with trees on houses and yards strewn with limbs, leaves and branches. Watch this post-Hurricane Irene video of a tree removal and clean-up in Flourtown.

Hurricane Alert: Steps To Take Now

Hurricane Irene is likely to hit our region with high winds and rain. If Irene strikes, we want to encourage you to take steps to protect your family and property from potential tree damage. Here are just a few of the actions you can take:

Before the storm hits:

1. Park your car in an open, high ground area away from large trees.
2. Move patio furniture and other items into your garage that could be damaged by falling trees or become projectiles in high winds.
3. Remove or securely tie canvas awnings.
4. Put trash cans in a secure area or tie them down.
5. Move play equipment out from under large trees.

During the storm:

1. As soon the winds begin to increase, keep people and pets away from large trees.
2. Do not sleep in a bedroom where a large tree overhangs.

Please note that our Arborists and emergency Tree Crews are standing-by through the duration of the storm. Contact us at: 215-682-7704 or customerservice@giroudtree.com. Our customers are always given top priority in any emergency.

Giroud Donates $3,500 to Abington Memorial Hospital to Remove Hazardous Tree

Hazardous tree removed from high traffic area at Abington Memorial Hospital thanks to a donation of $3,500 in free tree service by Giroud Tree and Lawn. Giant limb by limb, Mike Teti, Giroud Crew Leader makes precise cuts while Jim Shields, Giroud Crane Operator and Cesar Glemser, Giroud Groundsperson safely lower each piece between power lines and buildings. Rick Vaccaro, AMH Grounds Group Manager, thanks Giroud for donating tree services and making the grounds at Abington Memorial Hospital safer for cars and pedestrians.

Giroud Celebrates Safety

Giroud celebrates 434 days of safety with certificates and cash awards presented to 20 team members.

Property Clean-up: From Wild to Well Groomed

Visit the home of Missy and Skip DiMassa in Meadowbrook,PA . Bordered by wild woods, the DiMassa’s wanted to create a more park-like setting. Rob Nagy, Giroud Arborist and Doug Muth, Crew Leader, explain the 3 day project which included clearing brush, removing dead trees and thinning overhanging trees to allow more sun on the lawn.

Giroud Arbor Day Fair at Pennypack Trust Celebrates Trees

With Arbor Day fast approaching, Giroud Tree and Lawn and Pennypack Ecological Restoration Trust joined together for an Arbor Day Fair on April 17th to celebrate and preserve trees.

The Pennypack Preserve came alive with children, parents and other nature seekers ready to have fun and learn about trees in a whole new way. Rope climb and saddle rides, nature themed crafts, and aerial lift rides were were among the popular attractions.

The Fair culminated with Giroud's donation of $1,000 in free tree care to preserve a giant European Beech that posed a safety hazard to visitors and cars. Visitors watched as Mike Teti, Giroud Trainer and Champion Climber, thinned the crown, installed two cables and inserted a bolt to brace the trunk and make the tree safe.

Giroud and Pennypack Trust hope to make the Arbor Day Fair an annual event to raise awareness about the importance of trees in our landscapes and encourage more people to enjoy the Pennypack Preserve, a beautiful resource that is right in our backyard.

Giroud Donates $2,800 to Hatboro Area YMCA To Make Trees Safer

Giroud Tree and Lawn has awarded a grant of $2,800 to the Hatboro Area YMCA for its “Strong Kids” program and tree safety.

Giroud's grant targets the Hatboro Y’s most urgent tree care needs. Rob Nagy, Giroud Representative and ISA Certified Arborist, inspected the trees surrounding the Y’s high traffic areas and identified safety issues. The video shows the crew setting up and completing a tree removal with the large crane as well as Gary Chamberlain, Executive Director of the Hatboro Area YMCA, meeting with Rob Nagy after the work was completed to discus the results accomplished including removal of hazardous limbs and trees from the Child Care Center, pool and parking areas.
The grant is part of the "Giroud Treework for Charity" program which provides free tree care to local parks, historical sites and other non-profit organizations who are struggling to preserve their irreplaceable trees and keep their facilities safe.

White Pines Damaged by Winter Storms

Recent ice and snow storms caused serious damage to many White Pines. Erik Rodgers, Giroud Representative and ISA Certified Arborist along with Bill Santry, Giroud Foreman, explain how pruning and weight reduction can protect your White Pines from damage. When damage occurs, the jagged stub from a broken limb can act like a highway for insect, disease and decay. Erik demonstrates how to properly remove the stub so that the wound can fully heal.

Safety Training Day At Giroud

It's all about Safety! Braving freezing temperatures, Giroud Field Team members dedicate a full day to safety with training sessions on Aerial Rescue, CPR and First Aid.

Watch as Giroud Foremen, Mike Teti, Will Cowley and Bill Santry practice rescuing Rob Nagy, Giroud Arborist, who poses as an injured climber high up in a tree. Additionally, Giroud Foreman, Doug Muth, practices resuscitation for CPR recertification with the help of Emergency Trainer, Andy Gerth of the Willow Grove PA Fire Company. The Safety Day is part of Giroud's ongoing focus on practicing safe working behaviors everyday.

Watch Clean-up of Spruce Toppled in Winter 2010 Storm

Winter winds topple a giant Norway Spruce in January 2010 storm. Weakened by decay, the tree, at Laura Christman's home, snapped liked a toothpick destroying Hemlock and Crabapple trees and damaging a porch. Video shows the clean-up operation with Giroud Foremen, Doug Muth, Dan Rombold and Bill Santry joined by homeowner, Laura Christman. Trees with decay and other hazards are most likely to sustain damage in a storm. Call Giroud, 215-682-7704 to have your Giroud Arborist inspect your trees and determine if action is needed to prevent damage.

Protect Your Trees from Winter Storms...Prune Now!

Heavy crowns, dense branches, and overweight limbs make your trees a big target for winter storm damage. When storms strike, Bradford Pear, Silver Maple, Birch, Arborvitae, and White Pine typically are hit the hardest with broken limbs, split trunks and total tree failure.

Maintenance is far cheaper than cleaning up after a storm. Ask Giroud to prune your trees to open up air flow, reduce the weight in the crown and repair structural weaknesses.

Are your trees targets for winter damage?

Splits, cracks and other structural defects make trees prime targets for winter storm damage. Cable systems create a safety net for your trees.

When the wind hits, cables reduce the strain on weak limbs and hold them in place. For cracked trunks, a bolt that goes through both sides of the trunk helps to keep it from splitting further.

Now is a great time to order tree care! Ask about our $50 Winter Tree Care discount when you call our office.

If you are concerned about the structural safety of your trees, or, had a cable system installed before 2009, please call our office at 215-682-7704 to schedule a free inspection. Don't wait until a storm hits to take action!

Get Ready for Snow!

Trees and shrubs can take a real beating from snowplows, deicers and storms. Giroud recommends the following steps to protect your trees:

1. Prevent snowplow damage: Meet with your snowplow service about where to pile the snow. Mark the location of your ornamental plantings with tall stakes tied with bright ribbon to keep the plows away.


2. Beware of Deicers: Read the label on your Deicer. Many Deicers can damage or kill shrubs and trees. Use a Deicer that is friendly to your plants and soil such as Calcium Chloride or CMA.


3. Shake ice and snow off shrubs and small trees: Use a long pole or rake to gently lift branches and dislodge snow or ice. The heavy weight can break or split trees and shrubs.