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Tactical Treescapes removes a large pine tree in upstate SC At Tactical Treescapes, we understand that some customers are surprised when they hear our prices or minimum charges for tree removal. We also know that tree service is a significant investment, and we believe in being transparent about why our prices are what they are. Here's a breakdown of what goes into the cost of professional tree work and why you should think twice about a cheap quote from another company. The Costs Behind the Scenes When you hire a reputable tree service like Tactical Treescapes, you're paying for more than just someone to "cut a tree down." Here's what your money covers: Proper Insurance: We carry all required insurance (and then some)  to protect you and our employees. This is a significant expense but ensures you're not on the hook if anything goes wrong. State-of-the-Art Equipment:  We have hundreds of thousands of dollars invested into specialized tools to handle even the toughest jobs safely and efficiently; a mini articulated loader, a state-of-the-art spider lift, commercial vehicles, a chipper, log trailer, equipment trailers, etc. These pieces of equipment require regular maintenance and insurance. Skilled Labor: Tree work isn't just hard work—it's skilled work. Our certified arborists and trained crew members have years of experience, ensuring the job is done safely and correctly. Skilled labor comes at a premium, but it's worth every penny for the safety and quality it provides. Tools and Gear: Beyond heavy machinery, we use specialized tools like ropes, rigging equipment, climbing gear, and personal protective equipment. Every piece is essential for ensuring safety and efficiency on the job. Transport and Fuel: Moving large equipment and heavy logs requires commercial vehicles and a lot of fuel. Rising fuel costs directly impact our operating expenses. Regulatory Compliance: We strictly adhere to OSHA, ANSI, DOT regulations, and local ordinances. Compliance ensures the safety of our team, your property, and your neighbors, but it also adds to operational costs. Assumption of Liability: Tree work is inherently dangerous. By hiring us, you’re transferring that risk to professionals who have the experience, insurance, and tools to handle it safely. Desired Profit Margin: Like any business, we need to make a profit to stay in operation. Our profit margin allows us to reinvest in better equipment, training, and employee benefits while ensuring we can be there for you in the future. Cheap Quotes Are a Red Flag When you receive a much cheaper quote, it’s worth asking why. Often, low-priced tree companies cut corners by: Operating without proper insurance, leaving you liable for accidents or damages. Using subpar or unsafe equipment. Skipping safety protocols and regulations. Hiring untrained or underpaid workers. Disposing of debris improperly, which can come back to haunt you. As the saying goes, “You get what you pay for.” A bargain-basement price often leads to additional costs down the road, whether through property damage, incomplete work, or liability issues. Why Our Prices Are Fair Our pricing is in line with any legitimate tree service in the industry. When you hire Tactical Treescapes, you're not just paying for a job—you're investing in peace of mind, quality workmanship, and the safety of your property. We believe in complete transparency and are always happy to explain our costs. The "Good, Fast, Cheap" Rule As with most things in life, you can only choose two: good, fast, or cheap. If it’s good and fast, it won’t be cheap. If it’s fast and cheap, it won’t be good. If it’s good and cheap, it won’t be fast. At Tactical Treescapes, we aim to provide good and fast service—because cutting corners is never an option. We don't mean to say that our services are unnecessarily "expensive", what we mean is that we provide you with more VALUE for your dollar. The Tactical Treescapes Difference We take pride in offering professional, reliable, and safe tree care services. Our team is certified, insured, and equipped with the latest tools and techniques to handle any job. When you choose us, you’re choosing a company that values safety, quality, and customer satisfaction above all else. Ready to Work with Professionals? If you’re looking for a tree service you can trust, contact Tactical Treescapes today. We’ll provide you with a detailed quote and answer any questions you have about the costs involved. Remember, a legitimate tree service is an investment in your property’s safety and value. Don’t settle for less.

Trees are resilient, but even the strongest can face challenges from time to time. One common issue that homeowners and tree enthusiasts often overlook is epicormic growth . This rapid, often unpredictable sprouting of new shoots can cause harm to the tree's health and structure. In this post, we’ll explore what epicormic growth is, how to spot it, why it happens, and most importantly, how to manage it to keep your trees healthy and strong. What is Epicormic Growth? Epicormic growth refers to new shoots or branches that sprout from dormant buds located beneath the bark of a tree. These buds typically stay inactive unless the tree undergoes stress, damage, or significant environmental changes. These shoots often appear along the trunk, main branches, or in the tree’s canopy. While it’s a natural response to certain conditions, it can indicate underlying problems. Why Does Epicormic Growth Happen? Several factors can trigger epicormic growth in trees: Stress and Injury: Heavy pruning, storm damage, or pest infestation can cause the tree to produce epicormic shoots in an effort to recover. Light Exposure: If a tree’s canopy is thinned out or surrounding trees are removed, increased sunlight exposure can encourage these shoots to grow. Environmental Stress: Extreme weather conditions like drought or poor soil health can cause trees to respond with epicormic growth as a survival mechanism. Improper Pruning: Over-pruning or cutting too close to the trunk can damage the tree, resulting in new shoots emerging as a compensation mechanism. Removal of an Oak tree on Lake Wylie that showed extensive epicormic growth after a major tear out of the central leader How to Spot Epicormic Growth Epicormic growth can often be spotted on the trunk, large branches, or other areas of a tree where the bark is still intact. These new shoots are typically thinner, lighter in color, and more fragile than regular tree branches. Here are a few signs to look out for: Unusual Shoots: Thin, fast-growing branches emerging directly from the trunk or older branches. Weak Attachments: The new shoots may be loosely attached and can break off easily in storms or heavy winds. Excessive Sprouting: If you notice an overabundance of new growth in certain areas, this could be a sign of stress. Why Epicormic Growth Can Be Harmful While epicormic growth is a natural response, it can pose risks to the tree’s health and safety: Structural Weakness: The new shoots are often not well-formed and can be weakly attached to the tree. This increases the risk of breakage, especially in storms. Increased Vulnerability: Epicormic growth can make trees more susceptible to disease and pests, as the new shoots are often not as healthy or resilient as mature branches. Energy Drain: The tree may divert energy into producing new shoots, which can take away from its ability to grow strong roots or maintain overall health. Managing Epicormic Growth If you notice epicormic growth on your trees, there are several steps you can take to ensure their health and safety: Regular Inspection: Check your trees regularly for any signs of unusual growth or stress. Catching epicormic shoots early can prevent the spread of damage. Pruning and Removal: Trim any epicormic shoots that appear on your trees. This will help maintain the tree’s structure and prevent weak, unsightly growth. However, be cautious when pruning; excessive pruning can worsen the problem. Tree Health Care: Address any underlying stress factors. Ensure your trees are receiving adequate water, nutrients, and sunlight. If the tree is stressed due to disease or pests, consider treatment options. Call a Professional Arborist: If you’re unsure about managing epicormic growth or if your tree seems to be in poor health, don’t hesitate to contact a professional tree service. An arborist can provide the necessary care to restore your tree’s health. Preventing Epicormic Growth The best way to deal with epicormic growth is to prevent it before it starts. Here are a few proactive steps: Proper Pruning: Avoid excessive or improper pruning, especially cutting close to the trunk. Always prune with care to prevent damage. Tree Maintenance: Keep your trees well-maintained by providing them with proper care, including watering, mulching, and fertilizing when needed. Tree Protection: Protect your trees from damage caused by storms, pests, or nearby construction activities. Tree guards or barriers can help prevent physical harm to the tree. Epicormic growth may seem like a small issue at first, but it can signal underlying problems with your trees. By understanding its causes and effects, you can take steps to manage and prevent this growth, ensuring your trees stay healthy and structurally sound. Regular inspections, proper tree care, and professional help can go a long way in maintaining a beautiful, safe landscape. If you notice signs of epicormic growth on your trees, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at Tactical Treescapes for expert care and advice. Need help managing epicormic growth or maintaining the health of your trees? Contact Tactical Treescapes today to schedule an inspection or consultation. Let us help you keep your trees thriving for years to come!

If you’ve got a Bradford pear in your yard, you might be asking yourself, “What should I do with this tree?” These popular but problematic trees are a hot topic for homeowners and arborists alike. Let’s dig into why Bradford pears are causing such a stir, what makes them a challenge, and how Tactical Treescapes can help you make the right call. The Problem with Bradford Pears The Bradford pear, a cultivar of the Callery pear, was once hailed as the perfect ornamental tree. It grows quickly, blooms beautifully in the spring, and is widely adaptable. However, as the saying goes, “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.” Here’s why Bradford pears are not the sweet deal they seem: They’re Invasive: Bradford pears are not native to the U.S. and have become a significant ecological issue. Their seeds are spread by birds, leading to the proliferation of wild Callery pears that outcompete native plants. This disrupts ecosystems and reduces biodiversity. Bad for Birds: While the trees may seem bird-friendly, their small, nutrient-poor fruit isn’t ideal for wildlife. Native trees like oaks or dogwoods provide much better food and shelter. Prone to Failure: Bradford pears are infamous for their weak branch unions. The dense, upright growth habit causes branches to split, especially during storms. Most Bradford pears start to show significant structural issues or outright fail within 20 years, often causing damage to nearby property. Difficult to Manage: Preventative pruning can extend the life of a Bradford pear, but it’s no small feat. Properly thinning the canopy to reduce branch stress requires a skilled arborist. Even then, there’s no guarantee the tree won’t fail in the future. Illegal to Sell: South Carolina recognizes the problems Bradford pears pose. As of 2024, it is illegal to sell them in the state, a step toward preventing further ecological damage. Tactical Treescapes sets up to remove a large Bradford Pear in Rock Hill, SC What Should You Do? When it comes to Bradford pears, you have two practical options: top them or drop them. Top Them (Not Really): Many homeowners think “topping”—the drastic removal of a tree’s upper canopy—is a quick fix, but that's not the case. Topping promotes weak, epicormic growth which in turn makes trees more susceptible to decay and future failure. For Bradford pears, topping is never a long-term solution. Drop Them: The most effective option is to remove the tree entirely. While it might feel drastic, replacing a Bradford pear with a native species is the best way to protect your property and support local ecosystems. Trees like redbuds, dogwoods, or serviceberries offer similar beauty without the baggage. Our Recommendation At Tactical Treescapes, we strongly recommend removing Bradford pears and replacing them with healthier, native species. It’s the most sustainable and cost-effective choice in the long run. By choosing a native tree, you’ll enhance your property’s beauty, increase biodiversity, and reduce maintenance headaches. Need Help with Your Bradford Pear? Whether you’re ready to drop it or just need advice, Tactical Treescapes has you covered. Our team of certified arborists understands the challenges of managing Bradford pears and can guide you through the best course of action for your property. Contact us today for a consultation and let’s make your landscape healthier, safer, and more beautiful.

When it comes to maintaining the health and safety of your trees, many homeowners focus on routine care like watering and pruning. However, there’s a critical service option that often goes unnoticed—tree bracing and cabling. These techniques are designed to support trees with structural weaknesses, helping prevent potential damage and prolonging their lifespan. In this blog post, we’ll explain what tree bracing and cabling are, when they’re needed, and why they could save your tree—and even your property. What is Tree Bracing and Cabling? Tree bracing and cabling are structural support techniques used to stabilize trees with weak or compromised union points, large limbs, or uneven weight distribution. While tree removal is sometimes necessary, bracing and cabling can offer a solution that allows the tree to remain in place while reducing the risk of damage to nearby structures. Tree Bracing: Bracing is commonly used on trees with codominant trunks, which have a weak union at the point where two trunks or branches meet. The presence of a bark inclusion (where bark becomes trapped between the trunks) can make the union particularly vulnerable to splitting. In these cases, a steel rod is driven through the union to support it and prevent further movement. The rod is then fastened securely to limit the movement that could lead to failure. Bracing can significantly reduce the risk of a tree splitting, making it a crucial service for trees with this type of structure. This service is often accompanied by cablling and/or tip weight reduction pruning. Example of a tree 1/2" bracing rod installed Tree Cabling: Cabling is typically used to provide support to large branches or stems that might otherwise be at risk of breaking. There are two types of cabling: static and dynamic . Static cabling is designed to limit movement between branches or trunks, effectively preventing them from swaying or moving. It is commonly used when a tree has heavy or overextended limbs that could break under stress. Dynamic cabling , on the other hand, allows for natural sway in the tree while still providing support. This type of cabling provides flexibility, allowing the tree to move with the wind, which is important for the tree’s overall health. Dynamic cabling is ideal for trees in windy areas where complete restriction of movement could harm the tree's stability. Example of a Cobra 4t dynamic cabling system installed How Tree Bracing and Cabling Can Save Your Tree Preventing Tree Failure: Trees with weak unions or heavy limbs are more prone to failure, especially in extreme weather conditions. Bracing and cabling provide the necessary structural support to prevent the tree from breaking, splitting, or toppling. This can help protect not only the tree but also nearby property and structures. Extending the Life of Your Tree: In many cases, bracing and cabling can prolong the life of a tree by preventing damage and stabilizing vulnerable areas. This allows the tree to continue growing and thriving, rather than being removed prematurely due to structural issues. Cost-Effective Solution: Tree bracing and cabling are often more affordable than tree removal or major pruning. If your tree has a compromised union or heavy limbs but is otherwise healthy, bracing and cabling may provide a more cost-effective way to keep it safe and stable. Reducing the Risk of Property Damage: A tree with a weak union or an overextended limb poses a significant risk to your property, especially in stormy or windy conditions. Bracing and cabling help minimize the chances of branches breaking off or the tree falling, which can save you from costly repairs or injury. Preserving Valuable or Sentimental Trees: For homeowners who have trees with sentimental value, bracing and cabling offer a way to protect these trees and keep them standing strong. These techniques can help extend the tree’s life, allowing it to remain a part of your landscape for years to come. When Should You Consider Tree Bracing and Cabling? Bracing and cabling are not necessary for every tree, but they are ideal for trees showing specific signs of structural weakness: Codominant Trees: Trees with multiple trunks or branches that share a weak union, often due to bark inclusion. Large, Overextended Limbs: If a tree has heavy limbs that are at risk of breaking, especially during storms or high winds. Trees with Cracked or Weak Unions: If the tree has visible cracks or splits at the union, bracing can help prevent further damage. Why Hire a Professional Arborist for Bracing and Cabling? Tree bracing and cabling require technical expertise to ensure that the right materials are used and that the system is properly installed. Incorrect installation can do more harm than good, potentially exacerbating the tree’s problems. A certified arborist has the knowledge and experience to assess your tree’s condition, recommend the best approach, and install the necessary supports in a way that preserves the tree’s health and safety. A professional arborist will also regularly monitor the tree’s condition after bracing and cabling have been installed, making any necessary adjustments over time to ensure continued support. Tree bracing and cabling are valuable tools in preserving the health and safety of trees with structural issues. Whether your tree has a weak union, overextended limbs, or a compromised trunk, bracing and cabling can offer the support it needs to stay healthy and stable. If you have a tree that could benefit from these services, don’t wait for disaster to strike. Contact Tactical Treescapes to schedule an evaluation and ensure your trees remain strong, safe, and secure. Is your tree showing signs of structural weakness? Contact Tactical Treescapes today for a professional assessment and find out how bracing and cabling can save your tree and your property!