October's Weekly Blog Special: Get to Know Our Gear

Before and after pictures were fun in September, but we may have just come up with something even more exciting: a tour of our equipment! Arborists come in all shapes and sizes and the gear they use is just as varied. We at Smart Feller's use the most non-invasive and the highest quality gear we can, updating our collection regularly for safety and for efficiency as we learn new techniques. We have old favorites and new favorites, both for the most common procedures and for the more rare circumstances. We hope you all find this both fun and informative!

Willow Oak Pruning: Before and After

This beautiful Willow Oak, Quercus phellos, is one of only a handful of mature tree of this species in Asheville. They are plentiful in lower elevations such as Raleigh and Charlotte, but here it is a rare treat to be able to climb the sprawling canopy of a Willow Oak.Smart Feller has been eying this tree for years, as it is very prolific, and was very much in need of professional pruning. Crossing limbs were removed, since when limbs rub on each other it can be damaging to the cambium; weight was reduced on several large leaders to provide better safety for the property as well as the structural integrity of the tree; and all dead wood 2" and greater was removed.Check back with us next week when we work with TJ at Crown Root and Soil to help replenish the soil so that this awesome tree can thrive for years to come.Before:Happy tree! After (free of dead wood and sporting it's fresh trim):Before, from below the canopy:After: