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Tree butchery?
We've got a Q&A up this morning on 'tree butchery,' which is apparently the term for the practice of dramatically trimming trees that is pretty popular here in Bakersfield.
The article suggests you hire a certified arborist and avoid 'topping' a tree, which is where you basically lop the top off. It also warns folks to avoid hiring a tree trimmer who leaves a card at your door or offers really cut rats ($20-30.) All good advice (even though there are only three certified arborists in Bakersfield that are listed as working for tree trimming companies.) What it is about trees that stirs up so much passion in people? If you slash back a hedge or tear up a yard full of perfectly good flowers, the neighbors don't get outraged. But do the same to a tree and you're in trouble. I wonder if PG&E has to hire certified arborists when they hack up trees to keep them away from power lines? (see the photo) And how about local shopping centers and their anemic, never-growing trees in the parking lot. I used to live near a 25 year old shopping center and it didn't have a single full-grown tree! How is that possible? --posted by Davin McHenry, web editor 13 comments from 11 users
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posted by
robbwillis
on Mar 30, 2007 at 12:08 PM
posted by
sagefever
on Mar 30, 2007 at 12:46 PM
ROFLOL @ robs comment! I had those folks in my back yard~ they literally cut 8" off a branch~ that was years ago, and now with all the tree awareness they seem to do worse! we had two huge white owls for years in a neighbors pine~ a quick shearing of the pine(boy does that look nice! not) and they took off for parts unknown..now we have ravens or crows..ack! Here in the valley that really is a desert trees are our illusion,that is why folks care. We put trees in small yards near lines,streets and are dismayed when they mature~mostly because we picked the wrong tree for that space and no one planned for green space,look at any housing tract.
posted by
Termite
on Mar 30, 2007 at 12:47 PM
Having recently run into a tree/PGE problem myseif, I understand they won't trim trees any more. However, some of my friends say this isn't true. All I know is, they sure wouldn't deal with my particular problem. I sure do love Robb's pic of the PGE dude!I have heard that you really have to prune some varieties of eucalyptus trees back every 2-3 years. I had mine done by a "cut rate" gardener for the cash I had in my wallet at the moment ($25.00). I wish I knew the truth about this, but the tree was really looking bad, and everyone else on my block seemed to be doing the same thing. Any info would be welcome. posted by
anonymous
on Mar 30, 2007 at 01:10 PM
I love my tree guy, he comes every other year and gives all of my trees haircuts. I have a fabulous chinese elm, huge sagos, eucalyptus, pine, crepe myrtle, and I would maim someone for butchery. I have been horrified at the way some people treat their chinese elms. these are beautiful trees and trimmed right, look like a perfect bonzai tree.
posted by
TomW
on Mar 30, 2007 at 01:16 PM
Anon, do you have a name for the tree trimmer? My mom has Chinese Elms that are about 25 years old and while they are nice, They need a good trimming and thinning. Post it here or you can send it though the website: http://people.bakersfield.c...
posted by
anonymous
on Mar 30, 2007 at 01:31 PM
Let me ask him if it's ok to give out his name, it's not his primary job anymore. He really does a beautiful job, though. posted by
anonymous
on Mar 30, 2007 at 03:24 PM
Paul Bunyon is the name!
posted by
woofwoof
on Mar 30, 2007 at 10:04 PM
Now the pic you have there, they have to hack them like that so they don't grow over the power lines. Ashplund comes and cuts 'em. They came and cut my pepper tree in the back yard because it was coming to close to the power lines. They don't care what it looks like, they just don't want them growing back over the lines....
posted by
ladyblues44
on Mar 31, 2007 at 07:11 AM
They should have started underground utilities long ago, In areas such as this where it gets so hot the trees afford protection. Also with the air quality being so bad it would help in that area also. I have not noticed if it's being done on new construction or not, that is the perfect time to introduce it to an area. I noticed the lack of trees when we moved here a few years and thought it strange to be so void of trees in a hot climate. Some older sections of town are lush with trees, cuts down on the AC bill too.
posted by
ladyblues44
on Mar 31, 2007 at 07:17 AM
In some towns you have to get a permit to trim or take out a tree. Ojai is very protective of the trees, there are some in the middle of the streets. (small town, little traffic)
posted by
morgaine24
on Mar 31, 2007 at 08:19 AM
asphlundh came out to my house and they had to cut down my whole tree because they could not get to the power pole. i asked if they were going to take the debri away. they were like no its your responsibility. I was burnt. they put a notice on my door the other day saying they needed to top my tree. I was like no way this tree is at least 100 years old they want to top. so when they come by im going to ask are you going to take away the other branches. If they say no I will not let them in. they stink anyways not that i woild let em in.
posted by
anonymous
on Mar 31, 2007 at 08:47 AM
Thank you to Stacy Shepard for a very well written article!
Its about time people in this city come to their senses and realize how valuable trees are. Contrary to some other posts here, the problem lies not with utility companies who trim trees that are encroaching on power lines, but the cut-rate low mentality business card tossing butchers and the mindless public who doesn't have a clue on how to properly take care of a tree. Not only are they getting ripped off each year for their needless wack jobs, they are also creating a blight on their neighborhood and the entire city for their mistake of hiring these butchers! People in Bakersfield have been brainwashed into thinking this is a annual event and that this is good for the trees because they want to suck more money out of you. Stop butchering now! It may not be too late to save your trees! posted by
dvanderpool
on Mar 31, 2007 at 11:34 AM
Never in the Bay Area (San Jose) or Northern California would see trees slaughted like they do in Kern County. One should "prune" a fruit tree and thin out largers trees to make it safe.. and who whoever thought of takiNG a chainsaw to redwoods or other everygreens should have been shout! Each time a 'trimmer trimmer' comes to my house and tells me my redwoods need to be cut back I chase them off. Im not stupid nor a fool.... they just want money and it's a scam! And the fruit treess I do have I wont let them touch them! I'll do thte work myself.... especially since they dont know what they are doing. Tree trimmer and hair stylist.... an occupation you need to be sure they know what they are doing. A license doesnt mean 'jack' in Bakersfield... or Shafter for that matter!
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PG&E arborist: