Roadside Tree Maintenance

One sure thing about trees is that they always grow towards the light, the open space. This may work great for the tree but it works against us humans in a lot of ways. Trees along the roadways are no exception, always growing inward, toward the light, which is unfortunately also toward the road. Many times, in this situation, they also take on a natural lean, which is never ideal for any tree. Have you ever pulled up to a stop sign only to have trees and brush blocking your visibility down the street to see if any traffic is coming? Have you ever wished you could see further down a gradual curve, in hopes of passing a slow-poke in front of you? In the summer, deciduous tree limbs, weighted down with heavy leaves, can hide street signs. In winter, trees and limbs, weighted down with heavy ice & snow can hang out in the road, slapping school busses and plow trucks as they pass. Even your driveway or camp road is vulnerable to limbs and brush, growing inward, threatening to scratch the paint on your car. The winter is a great time to tend to roadside tree maintenance. Most tree companies are “out straight” in the summer months tending to seasonal camp owners and locals alike, but winter poses many obstacles to the typical tree service’s work schedule. Roadside trees are easily accessible in winter and local tree companies are usually more apt to “work a good deal” at that time of year. So, this might be a good time to take a closer look at the trees along your driveway, your camp road or your town road to see if they need any work. Pass the word along to whoever is in charge that this might be a good time to get it done.