Here we are, almost ready to officially kick off the winter season and I’m going to talk to you about all the ways you can get your trees and landscaping in great shape…yes now! This is the perfect time to call us…we’re a little less busy so we can respond to your non-emergency issues more quickly, of course as always if you have an emergency situation we will be there ASAP!

Did you know we also take care of overgrowth problems? We will come and take care of overgrown grapevines, invasive plants, dead ash and other unwanted species! Well now I’m just going to start bragging, but if you add to those services the forest restoration, snow and ice removal and firewood availability…we’re just there to take care of it all!

You know we don’t often think of “tree emergencies” happening in the winter, but when ice and snow get heavy, it can often times bring down limbs or even compromised trees. Having said that, now is also a good time to have one of our experienced

Arborists do a walk through and check out all your great trees!

Cold weather, ice, snow and hard work do not scare us at all. We’ll be there, on time and ready to work.

Stay warm, stay inside and let us do the work!

Frosty the snowman will soon be looking for a place to park his delightfully fluffy body.  Are you ready? McCullough’s Tree Service wants to remind you to get your business on our ice and snow removal list. Here are a few things about our winter program you may not know… Planning for winter weather contingencies is an important part of your overall business plan…and McCullough’s Tree Service is ready and able to assist you with prompt and sensible service. Why wait to locate someone at the last minute to clear your parking lot or address ice conditions when you can count on McCullough's to be monitoring the weather and on the job when the need is there?

Promptness

We try to beat the local authorities in addressing snow and ice conditions. This means your business may get service before road crews have addressed local road situations. We monitor the weather so we can promptly meet your business needs.

Responsible Ice Melt Product Use

Our ice melt product performs effectively to -5 Fahrenheit. It is non-toxic to humans and animals, and it will not damage floor surfaces or shoes. Finally, we use it in quantities to minimize the impact on your landscape.

Just In Time Response

We plow when accumulations reach one inch; however, we will respond to ice conditions when you need us. Thus, you only pay for what you need.

Our Guarantee

At McCullough's Tree Service, your satisfaction is our priority! We will be there at the time agreed, perform quality checks, and stake properties to mark entrances. We guarantee it!

With the sap retreating to the trunk and primary structure of the tree, late fall and early winter are excellent times for pruning. Effective pruning is more than just cutting dead or damaged branches; it also involves the removal of small, interior branch starts (often called suckers) and sometimes the thinning of the canopy.

Removal of dead or damaged limbs and suckers allows the tree’s nutrients to flow to the healthy new growth rather than dead ends. This enhances the overall health of the tree. Additionally, this type of pruning coupled with proper pruning in the canopy will make the tree less susceptible to damage from wind and ice.

Mulching
Though spring often inspires us to put down fresh mulch, fall is truly the best time. So what are the best practices for mulching around trees and shrubs? The Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA), in a recent newsletter, recommends well-composted mulch be spread at a depth of 2 – 4 inches in a minimum radius of 3 feet from the trunk. Extending the mulch to the drip line will produce even better results.

The mulch should not be “volcanoed” around the trunk which traps moisture and leads to decay. New mulch may be added on top of old mulch if it is aerated by raking and the maximum depth is kept to 4 inches. Compacted mulch can lead to “souring” resulting in insufficient oxygen reaching the tree. Further, the methanol and acetic acid released can harm surrounding plants.

Mulching, done properly in the fall and when coupled with fertilization and pruning, will keep your trees healthy and beautiful.

Keeping Your Property Safe

With the inevitable snow and ice of winter, slip and fall accidents will occur. In fact:

•     There are one million slip and fall accidents each year.
•     300,000 people are hurt or disabled.
•     17,000 people die.
•     The average cost of an employee slip and fall is $28,000. (Source: www.wainjurylaw.com).

Maintaining parking lots, walks and other access points is essential to minimizing the risk of a customer’s or employee’s slip and fall accident. McCullough’s offers full season, expert ice and snow management for businesses and commercial property. Call us today to take the worry out of winter and keep your property safe.   

Here's some practical advice in preparing for winter.

New Tree Installations

Fall is an excellent time to install new trees. Installed properly, they will acclimate to their new environment and will be ready to produce new growth in the spring. Proper installation of a new tree includes a hole at least 50% larger than the root ball and at a depth that produces a slight mounding effect when the tree is put in place. Aerating the surrounding soil is also a good idea, because it allows water and other nutrients to reach the root system. Finally, a fertilization program will supplement existing nutrients and will help your tree get a good start at its new location.

Care for Established Trees

Aerating the surrounding soil, fertilization, and mulching are also important for established trees. This is particularly the case if the surrounding soil is compacted or of poor quality. At McCullough’s, we use an Air Spade which aerates the soil to a depth of 8” – 10” without injury to the root system. We then add natural, environmentally friendly fertilizer in amounts that will produce the best results.

Firewood Supplies

McCullough’s is very proud of its commitment to recycling. The trees we remove are converted to firewood or mulch. We offer firewood for sale at both our Granville and Zanesville locations. We can also arrange a delivery for you.

Snow and Ice Removal for Businesses and Commercial Property Owners

McCullough’s welcomes the opportunity to help solve your winter snow & ice management problems. Why lay awake at night thinking about how to deal with a winter weather emergency the next morning? We’ll implement a competitive plan and will often have your property cleared before the local authorities clear the roads. This will allow your employees, vendors and customers to access your business or rental property under safe conditions. Our team of experts can be counted on to monitor emerging weather patterns and be on the job to service your property when it counts the most!

We would welcome the opportunity to service your property throughout the year, providing you with one resource to maintain your property for tree care and snow removal.