Custom Climber Services

03/04/2026

Only two weeks until the PennDel ISA Shade Tree Symposium in Lebanon PA!

Attendees have a chance to win door prizes, including this excellent set of double-sheave pulleys from Petzl. BIG THANKS to Ascension Group Northwest (ascensiongroupnw.com) for providing this prize!

If you haven't registered yet, head on over to penndelisa.org/shade-tree-symposium and register today!

There will be CEUs GALORE for ISA, CTSP, and Delaware and Pennsylvania Licensed Pesticide Applicators.

Looking forward to seeing you all at the Lebanon Valley Expo Center, March 16 and 17 for the 61st Annual Shade Tree Symposium

03/02/2026

Not all tree pruning is good pruning.

Topping trees (cutting the entire top off) can actually:
- Weaken the tree
- Invite disease
- Cause unstable re-growth
- Shorten the tree’s lifespan

Proper structural pruning helps trees grow stronger and safer over time.

Experience matters when it comes to tree care, and after 35 years in the field, we’ve seen what works… and what causes long-term damage.

If you have questions about a tree on your property, please reach out. We are here to help!

02/12/2026

06/17/2024

We are getting close! Registration opens tomorrow at noon(EST) on cranesafetyclimberschool.com. Space is limited and on a first come, first served basis. Remember, registration is not complete without payment. We have added credit card payments right through the site this year. We look forward to seeing everyone in August.

04/26/2024

Happy Arbor Day! Celebrate Arbor Day this year by planting a tree to help make this planet healthier for everyone. Use and the Arbor Day Foundation will plant a tree for each hashtag, up to 100,000 trees 🌱🌳

03/08/2024

Did you know that the beautiful blooms of the Native Eastern Redbud Tree are edible? Besides adding gorgeous color to food, redbud blossoms have an interesting flavor that starts out with a green bean-like taste and then develops a pleasantly sour aftertaste. They are fantastic raw on salads, but can also be pickled, added to sorbets, and are even good in muffins and baked goods.

https://www.motherearthnews.com/real-food/eat-redbud-flowers-zbcz1503/

01/13/2024

Winter is here. Every time you look out your window you see the stark contrast between the empty branches of deciduous trees and the green needles of evergreens. Although trees can withstand the severity of winter, they still need some maintenance to remain healthy. Here are some tips to keep your trees happy and nourished until spring arrives:

1️⃣ Water your trees. Do it regularly until the ground freezes, then keep an eye on the precipitation. If it’s a dry winter, then plan to water one or two times a month. New trees need to be watered every couple of weeks, depending on the weather. Make sure to water when it’s above 40°F and in the morning so the water doesn’t freeze during the cold nighttime temps

2️⃣ Add organic mulch in the fall

3️⃣ Trim dead, diseased or broken branches which are much easier to spot in the winter than in the summer

4️⃣ Check on your trees after a storm and remove any broken branches

5️⃣ Don’t clear snow by shaking branches on your trees. If the branch isn’t broken, it’ll be fine

6️⃣ If your tree was damaged during a snow or ice storm, consult an arborist

If you’re unsure how to deal with dead or damaged trees and/or branches, we’ll be glad to come out and take a look. Our expert advice is always free of charge. 🌳

01/11/2024

Do you know of larger cones? Imagine a pinecone as heavy as a bowling ball and the size of a chihuahua. Believe it or not, such pinecones exist—and they belong to the coulter pine (Pinus coulteri), a conifer that can be found in parts of North America including California and Mexico. Infamous among loggers and foresters, this tree is nicknamed "the widowmaker" because of the unlucky individuals who met their fate as a result of its falling pinecones. This species produces the largest pinecones on the planet, weighing up to 11 lbs (5 kg)!

Photo: damontighe, CC BY-NC 4.0, iNaturalist
h/t American Museum of Natural History

01/10/2024

Like all living things, trees have a life cycle too. It often seems like their time here is infinite. With proper care and maintenance, trees can live long lives. This graphic illustrates a tree's life from beginning to end.

h/t The Davey Tree Expert Company