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.