Arbor Culture

Arbor Culture Arbor Culture, LLC provides professional tree care and landscape design, installation, and maintenance services.

Happy Halloween from Arbor Culture!
10/31/2022

Happy Halloween from Arbor Culture!

02/18/2021

This is a short video clip of how Brandon and I lower large tree material. This is just one of several techniques that we utilize to get material safely to the ground. We have a “bare bones” philosophy when it comes to rigging: use only what is necessary and do not over-complicate the process; more moving parts could actually make the action more dangerous. There are three components to rigging that you will notice in the video: a very strong rigging/lowering rope, a lowering block up in the tree (a neighboring bifurcated trunk next to Brandon’s bucket), and a friction device (the metal object my rope travels through) anchored to the base of a tree near me. Basically, Brandon ties the log off at the top with a running Bowline. I wrap the rope around the bollard (a large metal tube) of the friction device. The number of wraps that I use is dependent upon the estimated weight of the piece we are lowering, and the amount of control that I want. More wraps equals more friction, and thusly, more control. As I make wraps, all slack is taken out of the line; I make the rope as tight as possible, to avoid any sudden drops by the log after it is released from the tree. Brandon determines the length of the log and makes his cut. In this case the rigging point and block is located above the material being removed; very little momentum is built up as the log is released from its perch. Notice how I am able to completely control the rate of descent. The friction device makes this possible. I am actually using one hand to lower that large log while I recorded the video with my phone. It is not best practice and something I do not make a habit of, for the record.
Notice all of the obstacles surrounding the tree we are removing: the house, the dog run, the tall fencing and shrubbery. We were able to entirely remove this large, double leader Oak with no damage to any of those things. We work really hard to protect the property of our clients. We treat these things as our own. Occasionally we damage some shrubbery or neighboring tree limbs, and even turf. But employing techniques like this enables us to preserve and protect surrounding obstacles, while completing some very dangerous work. It is very gratifying and impressive, if I do say so myself 😀.

Pruning large Quercus alba, or White Oak, for a client in Wallburg. Initial concerns by the homeowner were low branches...
02/18/2021

Pruning large Quercus alba, or White Oak, for a client in Wallburg. Initial concerns by the homeowner were low branches hanging over the house, and the possibility of trunk failure that could endanger the residence. After assessing and discussing the particular growth characteristics of each tree with the client, the decision was made to remove one White Oak that had a natural lean over the house and dog run. The remaining trees were pruned, focusing on raising the canopy, slight thinning and removing deadwood. Pay particular attention to the the last few pictures which show the proximity of the removed Oak to the home and fencing. You may ask yourself, “How did they get those heavy logs down with out destroying everything?!” I will detail that in a following post 😏

Large Quercus rubra, or Red Oak, removal in downtown Winston-Salem. The tree was located within 8 feet of the foundatio...
02/16/2021

Large Quercus rubra, or Red Oak, removal in downtown Winston-Salem. The tree was located within 8 feet of the foundation belonging to a neighboring rental property (the white house in the pictures). It was also bordered on the opposite side with a large concrete driveway. The tree had very little room for root growth. Due to the sheer amount of leaves it dropped on both properties, and its cramped quarters, the decision was made to remove it. All material was rigged down to protect the rental property, power line, and garage.

Removing a storm damaged Bradford Pear in Winston-Salem. High wind had broken a large limb and deposited it on the back...
11/16/2020

Removing a storm damaged Bradford Pear in Winston-Salem. High wind had broken a large limb and deposited it on the back corner of a home in this neighborhood. Due to the tear in the trunk, the decision to take it down was a no-brainer. The homeowner behind the client allowed us access to his backyard, and the turf was protected from tire rutting by laying plywood on the ground.

Deep root fertilization on a Maple in Davidson County. We use a gas powered 3” auger to drill holes 8-10 inches deep, i...
11/16/2020

Deep root fertilization on a Maple in Davidson County. We use a gas powered 3” auger to drill holes 8-10 inches deep, in a grid pattern (usually 12 inches on center) beneath the tree canopy to just outside the drip line. Slow release fertilizer is added and the hole is back filled. In my opinion, this method, although labor intensive, produces the best results in tree health.

This past Spring we had the privilege of pruning the Boxwood garden located at the Southeastern Center for Contemporary ...
11/16/2020

This past Spring we had the privilege of pruning the Boxwood garden located at the Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art, formerly the James G. Hanes home place. In 1929, Ellen Biddle Shipman, one of the first female Landscape Architects, was hired to design the gardens around the home. It was really an honor to be able to work in the Boxwood maze. It is a hidden treasure in Winston-Salem.

Planting pots up for Amigos Mexican Grill, in Wallburg. We used my favorite Yucca variety, ‘Color Guard’ as the focus p...
07/12/2020

Planting pots up for Amigos Mexican Grill, in Wallburg. We used my favorite Yucca variety, ‘Color Guard’ as the focus plant. It has upright, sword-like variegated foliage and will produce a flower spike midsummer. It is extremely drought tolerant and durable. We surrounded it with red blooming Portulaca, a super hardy and prolifically flowering annual. And finally, we added a black Sweet Potato Vine to cascade out of the front of each pot. Stop by the restaurant and enjoy some great Mexican food and check out the pots!

Removing a declining Ash for a client in Davidson County. We have been seeing this a lot in our county. Emerald Ash Bo...
07/12/2020

Removing a declining Ash for a client in Davidson County. We have been seeing this a lot in our county. Emerald Ash Borers, and their telltale D shaped bore holes (although the D is flat side down) around the trunk, are to blame. This tree failed to leaf out fully, as you can see in the upper branch tips. It was not a larger specimen, thank goodness, but we still chose to use the bucket truck for several reasons: multiple trunks, proximity to the neighbor’s fence and the client’s building. Also met a few Rhinoceros Beetles living in the canopy. Beautiful little buggers!

A client in Winston-Salem had a dead Virginia Pine that had fallen into the community pond. There was no access to the ...
07/12/2020

A client in Winston-Salem had a dead Virginia Pine that had fallen into the community pond. There was no access to the tree from his or the neighboring properties. We decided we would canoe the length of the pond (approximately 200-250 yards) and pull it across the water a section at a time. “When life gives ya lemons” . . . well, you know the rest. I thought it worked out well.

Pine removal from the lake at SECCA, in Winston-Salem. This was really fun. We were able to remove it in 8’ sections.
05/27/2020

Pine removal from the lake at SECCA, in Winston-Salem. This was really fun. We were able to remove it in 8’ sections.

Brandon performing a removal of a large Acer rubrum, or Red Maple, for a client in Clemmons. The tree was compromised i...
05/27/2020

Brandon performing a removal of a large Acer rubrum, or Red Maple, for a client in Clemmons. The tree was compromised in several locations. Several limbs and one large leader were beginning to split. In pic 2, the lighter colored inner wood or ‘holding wood’ is contrasted with the V shaped, darker ‘included bark’. Included bark is an area that looks like it is holding wood, but is actually not supportive. As the branches grow longer and heavier, this attachment area can begin to split apart and the limb fails in that area. Look closely at the large lateral in pic 3; it is actually pulling apart at that limb junction. The base also had a large decaying cavity which had split open. The tree cannot recover from this type of damage. So, due to its proximity to the neighbor’s home, the decision for removal was a no-brainer.

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Winston-Salem, NC
27107

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+13369721444

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