| As an arborist, I frequently get calls from | | | | peace of mind when it comes to their trees. |
| would-be home sellers or real estate agents who | | | | So what would a professional arborist do that a |
| want to quickly enhance the appearance of the | | | | laborer would not? First, a full assessment of the |
| trees on a property while minimizing any conflicts | | | | property will allow Mr. Seller to prioritize and |
| with people or structures. Often, they are armed | | | | budget wisely. Identifying assets and working to |
| with more good intentions than accurate | | | | enhance them will be worth more to a buyer than |
| information about what is best for the trees in | | | | efforts to save a lost cause. If undesirable trees |
| question. Unfortunately, this often leads to poor | | | | are present, a good arborist can help Mr. Seller |
| decisions that can cause irreparable damage to | | | | reduce the hazard level as efficiently as possible, |
| what should be one of a property's greatest | | | | or may simply have the resources to remove |
| assets: the trees. | | | | them quickly and inexpensively. Once prime trees |
| Budgetary concerns are at the root of many | | | | are identified, an arborist will know how to make |
| poor decisions. A homeowner might think, "It | | | | the most of them. Pruning cuts will be made |
| doesn't have to be perfect, I just need to get | | | | correctly, resulting in less injury while enhancing |
| those branches off the roof." So, Mr. Seller hires | | | | appearance. |
| the cheapest laborer he can find to make the | | | | Rather than simply creating space between the |
| trees look more presentable. Often, this is a | | | | tree and the house, a good arborist will train the |
| relatively harmless choice. The tree work may | | | | trees to sweep artfully across and above the |
| not be of the highest caliber, but it does little | | | | roof, creating attractive shade that can reduce |
| damage and accomplishes the basic goal. But | | | | energy costs. Careful lifting of the outer crown |
| sometimes a misguided sawyer takes on more | | | | can eliminate conflict with mowers and other lawn |
| than he can handle, and the result is trees that will | | | | maintenance tasks without leaving the trees |
| never reach their potential in size, quality, or | | | | looking bare. Achieving safe clearances over |
| beauty. In the worst case scenario, a poorly | | | | streets and driveways can prevent tree damage |
| selected worker may cause property damage or | | | | from vehicles and conversely ensure that cars |
| injure someone. | | | | are not scratched or damaged as they pass |
| If we return to the less extreme case, it may | | | | underneath. |
| seem worth the risk to save some money by | | | | Finally, a trained eye can quickly identify dead |
| getting a cheap laborer to do the bare minimum. | | | | branches that really spoil the view. A few |
| Closely supervised, the guy on the corner might | | | | well-placed cuts can enhance both the safety and |
| easily manage to meet Mr. Seller's needs with | | | | appearance of trees that otherwise might look |
| minimal damage, and soon it will be someone | | | | unkempt and rangy. Many tree care services are |
| else's problem. I encourage you to resist that line | | | | also happy to trim unruly bushes, remove |
| of thinking. Some potential buyers may not notice | | | | assorted dead plants, and mulch the roots zones |
| proper tree care. But the price for having shoddy | | | | and flower beds to dress up the landscape for a |
| work noticed by a smart shopper is high and the | | | | minimal investment. |
| cost if a buyer overlooks proper care is negligible. | | | | We all know that curb appeal is important to |
| Those who recognize good tree work are likely | | | | home buyers. Hiring a qualified arborist before a |
| to wonder what other abuse the trees have | | | | sale can enhance that curb appeal dramatically. |
| undergone in years past. A high quality, | | | | Studies have shown that quality trees can add |
| professional pruning job will meet all of the basic | | | | seven to 25 percent to property values. When |
| goals of clearance and safety while simultaneously | | | | the time comes to work on those trees, make |
| bringing out the natural beauty of the tree and | | | | sure you invest your money wisely. Hiring a |
| minimizing weaknesses that might cause it to fail | | | | qualified arborist may cost more up front, but it |
| later. Savvy buyers are likely to pay for a little | | | | will pay off when negotiations begin. |