{"id":713,"date":"2021-04-30T17:33:58","date_gmt":"2021-04-30T17:33:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.eastsidetreeworks.com\/blog\/?p=713"},"modified":"2026-04-06T17:55:52","modified_gmt":"2026-04-06T17:55:52","slug":"buying-high-quality-trees-for-your-seattle-home","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.eastsidetreeworks.com\/blog\/buying-high-quality-trees-for-your-seattle-home\/","title":{"rendered":"Buying High Quality Trees For Your Seattle Home"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Buying high quality trees for your Seattle home is easier if you know what to look for when shopping.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Eastside Tree Works offers these tips to help you chose a healthy tree by identifying potential issues with structure, roots, and injuries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Avoid buying low-quality trees.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Buying trees with some or all of the below problems decrease the chance that it\u2019ll be healthy and structurally sound.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Weak form with multiple stems originating from the same point so that branches grow into each other.<\/li><li>Trunk with wounds from handling or incorrect pruning.<\/li><li>Crowded, crushed or circling roots in an undersized root ball.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>In comparison, a healthy tree has no visible wounds or damage to its trunk.&nbsp; Branches are attached firmly to the trunk with plenty of space between them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Remember FIR when buying.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Low quality trees usually develop problems as they grow.&nbsp; Because of this, they would likely need more care and maintenance and may not have a long or productive life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When shopping for a tree, inspect it for problems using FIR, which stands for form, injuries, and roots.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Form is crucial for healthy life.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Young trees often have few branches as branching increases as trees age.&nbsp; Therefore, nurseries may prune saplings to encourage crown growth.&nbsp; While this gives the tree a fuller appearance, it may cause issues that will need to be addressed later with corrective pruning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Good strong form starts with branches evenly spaced along the trunk with a sturdy attachment. It\u2019s best to avoid those with very upright branches that have narrow angles of attachments.&nbsp; Why?&nbsp; As the tree grows, the branches may grow into the trunk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Branches that press against the trunk or each other could signal future problems as the areas of contact may become compressed, crack, or even die back.&nbsp; Whenever several branches are growing at the same position (on the trunk), there is an increased chance of weak attachments, compression, and cracking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">When should pruning start?&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Many architectural issues (in a tree) can be remedied with corrective pruning.&nbsp; It\u2019s good practice to wait one year after planting before you prune the tree for the first time.&nbsp; This gives it time to recover from the stress of being transplanted.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It is ok to remove a branch if it\u2019s broken or torn when you plant it.&nbsp; Other than that, wait a year before doing any corrective pruning to remove branches that may have dies after planting.&nbsp; We also recommend pruning be spaced over several years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Inspect for injuries.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Checking the trunk is paramount when buying a tree.&nbsp; If the trunk is wrapped, remove the wrap so you can get a good look at the trunk.&nbsp; Looks for the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Wounds<\/li><li>Incorrect pruning cuts<\/li><li>Insect injuries<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Note:&nbsp; it\u2019s ok to wrap the trunk during transport but always remove it after planting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Incorrect pruning cuts are a big problem if it leaves a stub that prevents the trees from recovering from the cut.&nbsp; Cuts that remove or injure the swollen collar at the base of branches can lead to canker formation, decay and\/or cracking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is correct pruning?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Correct pruning removes the branch just outside of the collar so that a ring of sound tissues grows around the cut.&nbsp; Cuts should not be made flush to the trunk because closing tissue may form only to the sides of the flush cuts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When this happens, the tissue above\/below flush cut branches often die.&nbsp; When hot temps in summer or cold temps in winter arrives, cracks or dead streaks may develop at the dead spots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Root issues<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Nursery trees are categorized according to how they are harvested and sold. Each type has a unique root system, such as the following.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Bare root-no soil surrounding the roots (usually only small trees are packaged this way).<\/li><li>Balled &amp; burlapped-roots of field-grown trees surrounded with soil are held together with burlap and wire\/rope.<\/li><li>Container-roots and soil in a container.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>You should inspect the roots before buying.&nbsp; Bare root stock makes this easy as you can clearly see the roots.&nbsp; They should not be crushed, torn, dehydrated, or discolored and the ends should be cleanly cut.&nbsp; If any roots are damaged, you may cut them clean before planting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Balled &amp; burlapped stock tips.<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Even though it\u2019s wrapped, you should be able to see the trunk flare (where the trunk widens to connect with the roots) at the top of the root ball.&nbsp; The top of the root ball should be flat.&nbsp; If it\u2019s not, it may be a sign of woody root loss.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Also, the diameter should be at least 10-12 times the diameter of the trunk when measured 6\u201d above the trunk flare. Do not buy trees with damaged or compressed root balls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Container stock<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>You don\u2019t want a tree where the roots are twisted or circle in the container.&nbsp; Circling roots may girdle and kill other roots or worse case scenario, kill the tree if wrapped around the trunk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Small circling roots aren\u2019t a problem as they can be cut around before planting.&nbsp; Larger roots can be straightened (if still flexible) during planting. &nbsp;If the trunk flare isn\u2019t visible, carefully brush away the soil (don\u2019t want to damage the bark) to expose if before planting.&nbsp; <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Buying high quality trees will be easier when you follow these tips.  Eastside Tree Works will be here when it\u2019s time for those trees to be professionally pruned.&nbsp; <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.eastsidetreeworks.com\/contact-eastside-treeworks.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Contact Eastside<\/a> to schedule your free no-obligation estimate for pruning or any of our tree services.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Follow these tips for buying high quality trees and the new trees in your Seattle yard will be healthy.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-713","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-tips"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Buying 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