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WORDS ARE IMPORTANT
Today is June 15th, 2020. There has never been another day quite like today in the history of the planet. Are you anxious or excited about what the day will bring? Most pessimists are plagued with the mindset that they have no choice in the outcome of their days, months, or years. This sky is falling ideology is a false narrative that handicaps our mind into a robotic manner in which we look for negative outcomes to prove our self-fulfilling prophecies. The truth is you do have a choice. The choice between how we decide what the day will be like is a very thin margin. One can either declare, I’m so anxious because I don’t know how this day will turn out or decide to say I’m so excited because I have no idea how this day will turn out.
Words are important! The words we use and the way in which we use them have the opportunity to either build someone up or tear them down. Why would we use the finite time we have on this planet to spread anything other than seeds of encouragement? I think the simple answer is we don’t fully understand and appreciate the power of our words.
Pause for a second… think of a recent time when someone’s words were essential to getting where you wanted to go. These words are like volunteers handing out Gatorade as you past mile 20 on your way to finishing the marathon. They give you that little bit of extra that you didn’t know you had left in the tank. It may have been from a coworker, a coach, or some passerby but the point is you remember it. You have that same opportunity today.
Personally speaking, I love the phrase Good Morning. What is better than walking by a stranger and they optimistically look at you and say those basic but inspiring words. This phrase feels like it is reserved for Saturday morning walks or vacation strolls. Most likely because we are all so self-focused during the week that we don’t think to take a moment to share those encouraging words. To all those strangers that have passed by me and spoken that phrase, I say thank you. You’re right! It is a good morning, I’m breathing, the sun is shining, and I can’t wait to see how the day will turn out.
Be encouraged,
Matt Davenport
NORMAL
How many times have you said in the past few months, I can’t wait until we get back to normal? I hear that phrase uttered every day as an attempt to explain our frustration with the thought of losing something we had. I get it. I want things to return to normal as much as anybody. Well, that’s not entirely true, I only want things to return that I liked. Things that I enjoyed, not hard or inconvenient stuff. Moreover, I want things to stay the way they are in quarantine. Well, only the parts that include comfort and time with the family. Ultimately, we want to walk through life like we are in line at a Chipotle. We are quietly saying the words, I will have a little of that, some of those, medium spice, no tortilla, and a bag of chips to go, please.
Here’s the hard truth, change is good. Even when it’s painful it is good. Difficult times highlight the need for transformation in a way that is almost alarming. 2020 has proven to be a historic year filled with gut-wrenching and much needed but painful self-examination. The reality is that most of us thought we were in control six months ago. It’s like buying a home in Orange County in 1965 for $50,000 and having it appraised for $1,000,000 forty-five years later and calling yourself a genius. If you were a genius, you would have bought two. Most of us have been blessed to make some good decisions that have made us look way smarter than we actually are. We simply happened to be in the right place at the right time.
As your Chief Encouragement Officer, it is my sacred duty to proclaim that you are at the right place at the right time today! Today may look more daunting than you would have imagined but it’s the perfect time for you to be alive. Forty-five years from today your older self will look back and say wow what an incredible change agent 2020 really was. We needed 2020 to shake off the scales of unwarranted pride and course correct our passionate pursuit of normal.
Think about it, as a nation we are dealing with the effects of a global pandemic, 30 million people out of work, the stock market behaving like a cork in the ocean, no school, no sports, Olympics canceled and we have seen racial injustice put correctly right to the front of the line in conversation. We are being forced to deal with 100 years of challenges in a six-month time frame. It reminds me of a semester summer school class that is crammed into the month of July. What does all this opportunity for change mean?
It means that we are not returning to normal. I for one, say good! Normal has never produced anything of value. It feels like life just offered us a mulligan. You may have hit your golf ball out of bounds for the past 30 years but 2020 is standing there with a new ball in hand and offering you the opportunity to tee it up again. So here we are given a fresh scorecard with a new outlook for the future. Let’s bond together and make sure we don’t return to normal. Change is needed, change was needed, and as soon as we feel like we have got it down again be prepared for more change.
Onward,
Matt Davenport
I’VE LOST IT!
Nearly 80 days ago, our whole world turned upside down. Stay at home orders, fear of the unknown and so much more consumed the thoughts and minds of everyday people like myself. Part of holding things together is repetition and routine. These humdrum activities don’t get enough credit for us staying grounded by practicing the predictable. Prior to these unusual times, I would come home from work and drop my wallet, keys, and sunglasses in a bowl near the front door. This simple yet predictable act would limit the opportunity for me to unjustly blame my kids for moving my stuff the next morning. Prior to the bowl at the front door, I wore a chain connecting my wallet to my pants. Not only did I think it looked cool, but it also fixed the issue of losing my wallet. Now what? No chain, no regular trips, times, schedules going to or returning from anywhere?
Roughly 60 days ago, I told the family that I can’t find my wallet and to keep an eye out for it. No big deal, it will turn up and there is not much use for it right now anyway. My focus was really on leading my business, protecting my family, and being a good community member. However, as time marched on the find my stuff app was growing louder in the back of my head. Confident it would turn up, we looked through the office, the house, the garage, and bizarre locations that sort of made sense. Sometimes it feels like you spend half the day losing things and the last half looking for them. Six weeks with no wallet, my wife suggested we cancel credit cards, renew licenses, and mourn the loss of my poke rewards card. I had moved on; new credit cards were rolling in and a fresh wallet courtesy of Jeff Bezos was on its way.
There I am in the home office, participating in my umpteenth zoom call and my wife walks in with a small plastic storage container filled with paper napkins. Puzzled, I watched her casually pull my wallet out of this random Tupperware. Unbelievable! The unit containing my wallet was on the top shelf in our pantry. How did it get there? We have no idea and we simply didn’t care. Instead of going down the dreary path of asking how and why we found ourselves simply celebrating the fact that it was there.
We are in a time and space that simply doesn’t make sense. We all have watched this past week as a horrible crime was committed that precipitated massive unrest in many of the major cities across our country. This is a time where many of us are saying, we have lost it! Our nation, our families, our jobs, and our community will never come back from this! I’m here to tell you that we haven’t lost anything, we have simply misplaced our hope. The virus, the violence, the economy, international unrest, and everything else we can add to this list have created an environment that is both unnerving and impossible to predict. However, unlike our sacred routines, the world has never been predictable.
As your Chief Encouragement Officer, I want to urge you to look back. Your own personal tragedy and triumph are a great indicator of the future. It may not have been pretty, but you are here. Don’t dwell in the why but rejoice in the opportunity to promote goodness, kindness, and mercy. Your rocky path has made you tough and has given you the confidence and endurance to press towards the mark. Celebrate the fact that life has thrown punches but like Rocky, you continue to get off the mat.
During this time of uncertainty and chaos, our hope must be in that which will endure. We need you to embrace the past all while remaining excited for the future. Alexander Pope penned the famous line, “hope springs eternal.” Without hope, we will lose it. With hope, we can strategize, empathize, and mobilize towards a future that will be greater than the past.
Press On,
Matt Davenport
CEO
Your Opinion Doesn’t Matter
Why do we value our own opinion so much? I believe it comes from years of being hurt and discouraged to the point that the only person we trust is ourselves.
The further we move through this pandemic the more I realize how emotionally underdeveloped I really am. I’m blessed to own a business, be happily married, have 5 kids, 2 dogs, a rabbit, a cat, and an aging gecko named Bob. If that seems like a lot going on, your opinion on this matter would be correct. My sophomoric self tends to show up most when something along the above-stated list doesn’t run like a perfectly synced marching band. Sometimes it feels like the margin for error is so thin that if the cat catches a cough the whole thing may fall apart. However, that is just my opinion.
Why am I telling you all this? Simply to say that I have been and remain to be uniquely unqualified for any good thing that has happened in my life. I remember pulling out of the hospital with our first child 15 years ago and driving extremely slow over the speed bumps. I did this because it felt like her head may roll off. How in the world can we raise a strong woman if I can’t even get out of the parking lot? Well, that little girl is now an amazing person! At the time my opinion was leading me down a path of failure and worry. Prayer, practice, and wisdom from older parents helped us look past our own opinions and onto the exciting journey that was ahead.
Your opinion of yourself is most likely the biggest lie you have ever chosen to believe. We have a bad habit of disqualifying our self before the person doing the qualifying has even met us. STOP IT! Your opinion is not the final judgment on who you are or what you will become. So how do we break this habit and become people that are able to push through the miry clay of self-worth?
First, acknowledge that your opinion is not truth. You may believe that it is but understand that you have been conditioned to think much less of yourself than others think of you. Second, seek good counsel from people who have been encouraging to you. Those people tend to see you more rightly than you do. Third, consider all the good things you have in your life and be grateful. Like my dad always says, I have never met an unhappy grateful person. Finally, go for it. This life is not a trial run. This is our only shot to positively affect those with whom we have been blessed enough to know.
In conclusion, difficult times reveal insecurities and opportunities for improvement. Today is the day for you to rid yourself of the opinions that have tethered you to unbelief. Cut the rope, break the chain, lift the anchor, and let’s collectively come out of this better than we entered.
You have purpose,
Matt Davenport
C.E.O.
You Can’t Grow in Sweatpants
Most of us are working diligently in pursuit of someday not working at all. Ever since Social Security was introduced by FDR, we define the American dream as not having to do anything for anybody. We wrap up this sentiment in one word – retirement. This dream is not inspiring, it simply sounds like relief. Human beings always seek comfort. When shopping for a new mattress, furniture, or sweatpants, we process the level of comfort the item is providing. We process and prioritize the question, is this more comfortable than that?
C. S. Lewis wrote, if you look for truth, you may find comfort in the end; if you look for comfort you will not get either comfort or truth only soft soap and wishful thinking to begin, and in the end, despair. As your Chief Encouragement Officer, I’m working overtime to try and keep this letter light and fluffy. The hard part about encouraging someone is that it often involves saying hard things at the right times. That being said, this week we need to exchange light and fluffy for grit and perseverance. Let’s collectively admit that we have all been bamboozled into thinking that comfort is the destination we all want and deserve.
If you look back at your life you will find that your personal growth has always come from discomfort. So why do we so passionately pursue ease and relaxation? In effect, we dedicate our lives for the opportunity to not be challenged, tested, or held accountable. Makes sense, growth hurts and we can’t measure our growth while we are growing. Only after the growth can we look back and appreciate how we are now better off than we were prior to the discomfort.
So, here is my encouragement, you are growing! You are improving! You are going to be better than you were prior to the pandemic! How do I know you are growing? I know you are growing because I know you’re uncomfortable. Let’s cheer each other on this week by embracing the discomfort.
Have a great week,
Matt Davenport
C.E.O.
Free Advice
People love giving free advice. Pre-Corona, my wife and I would walk through stores with our kids and strangers would approach us with unwarranted tips and tricks. I could spot them from aisles away and knew they were headed our direction. I always laughed to myself and ask the question in my head, “What prompted that lady to go out of her way to provide insight on how she navigated the ups and downs of parenting in the ’70s.” Yet, here I am on the verge of walking up to you all and giving you advice that was not requested.
One of the benefits of the virtual format is that you can’t really object or walk away. In fact, if you are still reading, this free advice is probably for you. So here it is…Walk don’t Run. Lifeguards have made careers out of sharing this advice with youngsters destined to slip on wet pool decks. Our youngest daughter is learning to walk. She has been crawling for several months and just recently has mustered the courage to let go of the furniture. She started with one step and now you can see here deliberating the fact that crawling is safe, but walking is going to take me places crawling can’t.
Nobody has ever asked, “When did your kids start running?” They always want to know when they walked. Running is simple when you know how to walk. Too often, we run through life and put terms like goals, objectives, and achievements in place of the word occupied. Due to the pandemic, many of us have been required to slow our pace and take inventory of what is important. We are collectively hearing the lifeguard yell at us, WALK.
Walking through life gives you the opportunity to enjoy the view, smell the roses, and meet fellow walkers along the way. This week, I encourage you all to walk. We can’t run past this virus and we certainly can’t pretend it hasn’t been difficult. What we can control is the speed at which we walk through this together. Most of the free advice givers typically end their council with, “Enjoy this time it goes fast.” Usually, I would give a patronizing thank you to these closing thoughts but this time I say thank you. You are right, it does go fast, and I am committed to enjoying every step.
Have a great week,
Matt Davenport
C.E.O.
Failure is Fertilizer
What is failure? The more I think about failure the more I’m unsure of what it is. Failure in and of itself seems like it warrants a simple definition. I picture Alex Trebek calling out the category Loser. But the deeper I dive into great men and women throughout history it becomes clear that the failures are what made them great not the successes. Abraham Lincoln lost eight elections, failed twice in business, and managed to mix in a nervous breakdown before we crowned him one of our greatest presidents. Is it possible that failures are the organic matter we need to prep the soil for greatness?
If that is true, then why do we fight it? To me, failure comes to those that try. If you don’t try, then you don’t fail. Wouldn’t that mean that the more you fail the more you have tried? Don’t we applaud people that stretch the boundaries of their lives? Ok, now I’m totally confused. It feels like I should be telling my kids to grow up and be failures. That can’t be right.
Maybe failure is like fertilizer. It’s not the fruit your hoping for but it’s the necessary ingredients one needs to grow the fruit. Not just any fruit, tasty fruit. The kind of fruit that people right books about. In this way, failure should be seen as a badge of honor. A mark on your sleeve that says I’m going for it. Failure is liberating. To attempt and fail is setting the groundwork for a plentiful harvest down the road.
As I look back on my 42 years on the planet, I’m more grateful for the failures I have had then the successes. The reality is the perceived failures were destinations that I thought were the highest calling for my life. Little did I know that these failures fertilized the soil for a journey that has been far greater than the one I was pursuing.
This week I challenge everyone to share their story. Remember, there is always someone out there who is dealing with the fact that they just blew the biggest opportunity of their life. Pick up a shovel and help them understand the value of the good fertilizer. The future is going to be bountiful, but we need everyone’s failures to help us grow it!
Your story is important!
Matt Davenport
C.E.O.
Seal Team Costco – MCFTM
Recently, my wife and I made a trip to Costco to grocery shop in hopes of not returning to the store for several weeks. The challenge is that we have 9 people living in our house right now. My wife, 5 kids and the in-laws make shopping in bulk a necessity. Going to Costco at this juncture of the virus feels like a seal team six operation. We plan for days, wear masks, gloves and try to pick a time that we believe is most opportune to attack the oversized palettes lining the walls. Prior to the outbreak, Costco trips were delightful. We would peruse the aisles to get what we needed but often ended up leaving with what we wanted. Brilliant placement and poor self-discipline would lead to us throwing palettes of fancy organic fill in the blanks on the regular.
But the recent trips to Costco have been different. My wife and I huddled in our 12- passenger van prior to deployment. Like Patton directing his troops, I stated prior to engagement, we are here to buy not to shop. As we broke the huddle, fully suited up we entered the retail pantheon. She grabbed her cart and I grabbed mine. We split the list and gave each other a look of determination and love all mixed into one.
There I was, alone with my cart and my list. The list in hand included itemized essentials. Meat, adult beverages, chips, salsa, cheese and sides for our dinners. Halfway through my mission I began to scan other members’ carts as well as my own. It dawned on me that the items in the carts were mostly luxury items not essentials. I like to think of myself as being tough and self-disciplined. However, in the midst of a worldwide pandemic my Costco cart is telling a different story.
As I approach the frozen food section it’s all coming into focus. This hardship is stripping away the convenience and luxury that I have come to demand. Wow! As I see my wife merging into the checkout lane behind me it’s now crystal clear. Everything I have ever needed is already in my cart. I have an amazing wife, a fantastic family, an awesome career and friends with whom I would go to battle.
What’s in your cart? Is it possible that we have become so self-indulgent that we are focusing on what is lost and losing sight of what we have? This week, I encourage you all to take inventory of the tremendous blessings in your cart. The what if’s and unknown nature of this epidemic is shaking the impatience, needy and presumptuous attitude right out of us. But if you take a good look at what is in your cart you will find items that cannot be shaken. Family, love, hard work and truth.
No doubt this week will have its ups and downs. Be sure to reach into your cart and be thankful that you have been given all the essentials you will need for your journey.
You were made for such a time as this,
Matt Davenport
C.E.O.
MCFTM – MINE!
If you have ever been around children, you have heard them shout Mine! My wife and I have 5 kids and we have heard our fair share of these proclamations. Namely, around food, remote controls or iPads. What is that? At a young age, we put on display the sheer force of who we truly are. We panic when we think something is going wrong or is being taken from us so we proclaim, “Mine!” As you age, you learn that you can’t shout like this anymore, so you develop techniques that exude the same emotion without looking so immature. We cut people off on the freeway, we work the system to get to a place we think we deserve. Can’t you just hear it in your head, “Mine!” Ultimately, this “mine” mindset takes us to a place of loneliness and despair.
Optimism and being in denial sit on a razor’s edge opposite each other. I don’t want to build a sandcastle of encouragement so it’s important that we be honest with one another. We are innately selfish and that leads to all sorts of bad life choices. I know your reading this and saying well…this is not encouraging. But in order to be encouraged you need to be honest and hit rock bottom. Rock bottom is a great foundation to rebuild and rediscover who you really are and who you are yet to become!
The opposite of the “mine” mentality is generosity. Mike Tyson once said, “everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face.” This pandemic has been a punch in the face, and I have a plan to get our mind out of the boxing ring and back on track. I call this process the path to generosity. First off, we must be thankful for what we have. If you can’t think of something to be thankful for, start with the fact you can read this letter. Second, being thankful allows you to forgive others that may have intentionally or unintentionally hurt you. One of the amazing things about forgiveness is it leads to freedom. We often don’t realize that when we forgive, we are setting a prisoner free and more often than not that prisoner is us! Now that we have freedom, we rediscover joy. Joy is not a temperamental emotion; it is a state of mind that changes everything. Joy allows you to see others differently. You move from “mine” to ours. We have landed at our final destination of Generosity.
Generosity is the vaccine for our selfish nature. The trick is that the only lab producing this vaccine is you. As your Chief Encouragement Officer, I implore you to walk the path to Generosity. There are 5 stations on this path and some of them may require longer stops than others. There is no timeline for this journey. Simply keep walking. Enjoy the walk and understand that you are perfectly and wonderfully made for this moment.
Go for it,
Matt Davenport
C.E.O.
Adulting is Hard – MCFTM
I have been thinking a lot lately. Truth be told we all have been thinking a lot lately. When is the last time someone told you to do your best? Come on… think about it. If you’re like most it was somewhere around 8th grade when those encouraging but challenging words stopped. Those words were sincere and forced us to be introspective and examine whether our best was good enough in the first place. Why did we stop hearing that? Did adults get together years ago and decide your best would simply not cut it anymore once you’re old enough to get your permit? In high school, doing your best turned into doing better than others. College ratchets the sentiment up even more until finally you enter the workforce. Adulting is hard but nobody ever informed us it would require more than our best. Well, that’s all about to change!
Imagine sitting in your annual review and your boss says, did you do your best? What a strange but motivating meeting that would be. The truth is we don’t always give it our best but that does not reflect on us being worthless. You and I were made just right for exactly the task at hand. Sometimes our effort needs to catch up with our gifting but I’m here to say your best is good enough. You are good enough.
So, get after the week knowing you were perfectly prepared to take on the challenges of today!
Do your best!
Matt Davenport
C.E.O.
MCFTM – What Has Bill Murray Taught Us?
In life, you have decisions to make. Most of these decisions revolve around how you will respond to what life brings your way. I like the idea of responding rather than reacting. As the old adage goes when life gives you lemons make lemonade.
Today, we are dealing with Lemons aka COVID-19. How will you respond? How will we respond? Like most 40 somethings I have chosen to turn to Bill Murray for guidance. The great American actor made two films that seem to have been cut in order to guide us through these sour days of uncertainty.
The first lighthouse is Groundhog Day. Bill Murray plays Phil Connors, a tv weatherman who in his own arrogance believes he is beyond the task of showing up in Punxsutawney, Pa. to watch a groundhog do his job. Phil finds himself in a time loop which includes doing the same thing day after day. Sound familiar? For the first several days, Phil maintains his level of smug by being his normal hedonistic self. However, as the movie progresses so does Phil. He decides to respond rather than react. Phil begins to see Groundhog Day as an opportunity for growth and personal development. He learns the piano, how to sculpts ice and to speak French fluently. Most importantly, Phil begins to think of himself less and think more often of other people. As a result, Phil breaks out of the time loop a better human.
The second lighthouse Bill Murray offers us in this storm is What About Bob. Bill Murray’s character Bob Wiley is a highly obsessive, germophobic and anxiety-driven patient who recently began getting therapy from Dr. Leo Marvin. Dr. Leo Marvin is a self-absorbed character who is seeing his star rise based on the recent success of his book Baby Steps. Dr. Leo Marvin’s advice to Bob is to take a vacation from his problems. Bob does so by following Dr. Leo Marvin and his family to their month-long vacation on Lake Winnipesaukee. The serene setting is destroyed by Bob’s relentless and obsessive need for Dr. Leo Marvin’s help. Ultimately, Dr. Leo Marvin is rendered catatonic after seeing Bob unintentionally destroy his Good Morning America appearance and accidentally blow up his vacation home. Bob ends up a phycologist and famous author while Dr. Leo Marvin is stuck in a stupefied state. Bob was always a people person and Dr. Leo Marvin was always Leo Marvin person.
I have been accused of quoting movie lines that are outdated. But, I insist they are timeless and are an important part of our snarky generation’s legacy. One of the side benefits of the shelter in place has been watching these classic movies alongside the 42 pack of microwave popcorn I purchased in preparation for the quarantine. My oldest daughter is a freshman in high school and tends to be the most appreciative of these weekend viewing party’s we have shared thus far.
So why did Bill Murray come to mind when I let my mind wonder about the effects the virus may have on us long term? I’m not sure, other than the fact that he is an introvert who becomes an extrovert on film and provides some socially awkward insight into what we are all dealing with when we stare at each other from 6’ away at the grocery store.
What do we learn from all of this?
In the midst of this difficult time, wash your hands, take this time to improve yourself as a person, think of yourself less often, and take a vacation from your problems.
Matt Davenport, C.E.O.
MCFTM – Chief Encouragement Officer
In a bold move, Matt Davenport the President of Monarch Environmental promotes himself to C.E.O. Read the announcement:
Being the owner of any business big or small has its advantages and disadvantages.
Some of the advantages can be a lot of fun. As the owner, you are given the freedom to design a logo, lead a team, create a vision, rebrand, be creative and so much more.
Another huge advantage is the fact that you can promote yourself at any time!
Therefore, I’m promoting myself today to Chief Encouragement Officer effective immediately.
This promotion really does not have anything to do with COVID- 19. However, I must say the virus has highlighted the fact that I truly enjoy encouraging and pushing others to be their absolute best. Being raised by a pastor is partly the reason I often see more in other people than they see in themselves.
This new title is somewhat kitschy I know. The aim is not marketing, it’s more about defining one of my key roles in a growing business and an everchanging world.
My dad has always told me that optimists run the world.
I don’t plan on running the world, but I do plan on being an optimistic encouraging leader to those I’m fortunate enough to know.
A part of my new role, we will post a brief attempt at humor and insight in a weekly post called “Monarch’s Cure for the Mondays”. I’m hoping to encourage anyone paying attention that the best is yet to come! You were born for such a time as this.
Sincerely,
Matt Davenport C.E.O
4 Common Services & Benefits of a Tree Service Company
The recent Amazon rainforest fire and series of bush fires in Australia brought light to the significant damage that can happen to and in nature. In recent years, there have been massive movements across the globe to save mother earth, and many of them start with planting trees and conserving the remaining ones we have. Today, we’d like to focus on saving and keeping the surrounding trees in your neighborhood in good health.
Trees bring many benefits to our world. They do not only beautify the environment with their various colors, shapes, and heights, but they also play a vital role in maintaining an ecological balance, which is crucial to the growth and life of every living organism.
Regular tree care and maintenance are essential to the growth and lifespan of your surrounding trees. In most cases, hiring a tree service company to look after the well-being of your trees is a great solution.
If you’re wondering what a tree service company does, below are four common services they provide. Also, keep on reading to find out some benefits that you will receive from hiring a tree service company.
1. Tree care and maintenance
Tree care entails every aspect of the processes that can contribute to the prosperity of trees. This includes watering the trees, getting rid of pests, treating diseases, and trimming the leaves regularly, among others. Along with this is the expert advice that they will offer regarding the prosperity of trees and keeping up with the requirements of healthy trees. When the trees are dealt with appropriately, chances are they will become stronger, and healthier. This is what a tree service company can ensure through regular tree care and upkeep.
2. Tree pruning and complete removal
Tree pruning and complete tree removal are vital services that a tree service company can perform. Chances are that there’s a need to cut away dead or overgrown stems or branches, which is crucial to ensure the fruitfulness and growth of your trees. A tree service company can deal with these tasks with ease because they know what to prune and what not to touch. Furthermore, when your trees are old, damaged, or pose a threat to the neighborhood, a tree service company can ensure the safe removal of the impacted trees to ensure the safety of the surroundings.
3. Protection of natural beauty
The goal of every tree service company is to protect the natural beauty of a property while securing the neighborhood and its belongings. Part of the company’s services includes expelling evergreens that have been infected by pests, such as spruce budworm and the Pine Beetle. It has the right product solutions to exterminate these pests without harming the trees themselves. When trees, shrubs, or other plants are infected, the service company can treat them to ensure they grow healthy and won’t contaminate other greeneries in the area.
4. Tree stump removal
Tree stumps aren’t only unsightly, but they are actually dangerous to individuals because they may topple over them. Part of the offering that tree service companies can provide include the removal of tree stumps. If the tree stump is something that you’re worried about, then it makes sense to hire a tree service company.
Benefits of hiring a tree service company
After having discussed some of the common services that are offered by a tree service company, let’s now go over the benefits that you can get from hiring one, including the following:
Injury prevention: For efficient tree pruning and removal, you will need various tools and equipment to get the job done. If you aren’t an expert in these tasks, chances are that you might get yourself hurt in the process. For this reason, it’s best to leave the tree pruning and removal to the experts so that you can stay away from unwanted injuries. These experts have the knowledge, skills, and expertise to perform these services. They also have the protective gear needed to ensure that they remain safe while working.
Time saved: The process of removing, pruning, and even taking care of your trees is time-consuming. If you don’t have all the time in the world, it’s best to leave them to a tree service company. Doing so can help you complete the job faster compared to doing it yourself. Expect that these professionals have the experience and know the best methods to get the work done in the shortest time possible.
Prompt emergency action: During emergency situations, the need to contact a tree service company is imperative for your safety, your property, and that of the neighborhood. If a recent storm has caused your trees to fall and land on your property, this company can efficiently remove the debris and ensure that there are no more risks or damage to property. They also help rehabilitate the trees to avoid further damage by pruning them regularly and removing the weaker branches.
Bracing and cabling: Bracing and cabling are processes used to enhance the stability of the weaker trees by putting a cable in them to provide support. A tree service company can properly perform this procedure because they know what to do and how to install them.
Preventive maintenance and cleaning: As discussed above, the tree company will ensure that your trees remain healthy for as long as possible. At the same time, professionals will reduce any disease, site problems, and insects that may affect the well-being of the trees. Furthermore, most tree service companies offer cleaning services after removing or pruning the trees. This means that there will be no trunks or branches left in your compound.
At this point, you now have a thorough idea as to what a tree service company does and the benefits that they will offer you. If you have surrounding trees that need to be taken care of or if there are issues starting to manifest in your trees, it is best that you contact a tree service company immediately and see how they can best help you. Their work is to provide advice and guide you as the client to take every step necessary to have healthy, beautiful trees.
If you’re looking for a certified arborist in Orange County, get in touch with us today to see how we can help.
The Importance of Inspecting Trees to Prevent Hazards to Your Home – Our Guide
Trees may seem harmless upon first glance. You may not notice them every day, but trees are vital to your surroundings and are visual points of interest. Investing in the care of trees is highly beneficial for the community as they give environmental benefits and add beauty to the community, but failing to evaluate a tree’s condition can present liabilities and risk for your family and community.
Why is Tree Maintenance Important?
For one, trees that are placed close to a property can be a potential hazard to both personal and public safety. Landowners and homeowners alike are responsible for assessing the tree to maintain its upkeep.
That means if you spot any defective part of a tree, it’s your duty to hire a professional arborist to nip the problem at its bud. After all, any structural failure from a tree can lead to personal injury or property damage, both of which can burn holes in your pocket.
What Makes a Tree Hazardous?
A tree can fail due to decay, old-age, or natural disasters causing pieces of it to fall off. However, it becomes most hazardous when there is a valuable target involved such as a structure, vehicle, or person. The directness of the target changes the degree of the risk, which also influences the corrective treatments that follow.
A tree can also pose a threat if it blocks the vision of drivers, obstructs pathways, interferes with utilities or signs, or has roots causing issues with its surroundings (like raising sidewalks). This can be a hazard to the routine activities of people, which is why regular inspection is crucial to prevent possible risks occurring on properties or to people that are near the tree.
What Causes a Tree to Fall?
There are tree failures that are easily predictable, though most risks can be mitigated by keeping watch for any red flags. Pay attention to the following while you are inspecting your trees:
Tree Health – You can foresee any structural problems by taking a closer look at the tree’s overall health. This includes the foliage color, foliage density, signs of infection, and it’s vigor. Some serious, tell-tale signs of a dying tree include large, dead branches, thin leaf coverings, oddly-shaped leaves, and fungus all over the bark.
Tree Defects – Be sure to inspect the tree for any defects by thoroughly checking the crown and trunk down to the roots. A clear indication of a potential hazard is if there are dead branches along the tree’s crown, which are commonly called widowmakers. It’s an ominous name that serves as a warning to passers-by as defects can cause branches to fall even on a clear and calm day.
Other signs that indicate impending issues are cracks and splits along the tree’s trunks. Root rot is one of the most important factors to consider, so be extra vigilant on inspecting the base of the trunk for any evidence of root defects like cracking, heaving soil, or growing mushrooms.
Improper Pruning – Poor pruning techniques can weaken branches, which can lead to a decline of the tree’s health.
Site Conditions – The planting location plays a significant role in a tree’s health as any construction within the tree’s root zone can compromise its ability to support the weight of the entire tree.
Targets – These refer to the potential damage to valuable targets like people and property. A tree placed over a playground, near a sidewalk, or next to a driveway are samples of high-risk targets.
Keep in mind that tree inspection is highly recommended before and after storms, heavy snowfall, flooding, and other natural calamities.
Other Factors to Consider When Inspecting for Tree Failure
For a more in-depth guide on what to consider when inspecting trees, refer to the table below:
| Site Conditions | Biotic and Abiotic Factors | Human Activity |
| Depth of bedrock | Pathogens or diseases present | Nearby tree removal |
| Soil type | Insect activity and severity | Excavation removal of roots |
| Direction of prevailing winds | Drought or flood effects | Paving obstructing roots |
| Erosion near the tree | Tree community makeup nearby | Poor pruning practices |
| Wind, storm, flood damages | Injuries due to mowers, car accidents, etc. |
Why You Should Rank Tree Defects
Ranking the severity of the tree’s condition can help you have a clearer picture of its overall health. This will allow you to determine the next best course of action to take – whether it just demands maintenance or complete removal.
| High | Moderate |
| Cracks with decay | Callus closing crack |
| Cracks with callus forming | V-Shaped branch union with upturned bark |
| In-rolled bark widening the crack | Any branch with up to 66% of side branches dead |
| 4″ diameter or larger branch with crack | Branch with a sharp bend |
| Two or more cracks in the same trunk or branch | Lopsided or unbalanced crown, especially if nearby trees were pruned or removed in the last ten years. |
| Crack that allows independent movement on either side of the crack | |
| V-shaped branch union with in-rolled bark | |
| Cankers and rot with conks of shelf fungi | |
| Cankers affecting more than 50% circumference | |
| Canker connected to a crack | |
| Dead tree | |
| Dead branch | |
| More than 50% of the root system severed within the drip line | |
| Tree leaning > 45% | |
| Learning tree with any defect on the trunk below the first branch above the ground |
This should clue you in on the magnitude of the problem and help you reach the necessary measurements for mitigating the hazards.
In Conclusion
Inspecting trees and foretelling any future hazard is an art and science. It takes a keen eye, proper training, experience, and the right tools to safely assess the health and condition of a tree to minimize the risk of fall damage and injury.
That’s why assessing tree hazard is best left to the hands of a professional arborist. They have a deeper knowledge of tree biology and physiology, which supports their ability to evaluate the tree structure and its decay process. With all that combined, they can easily determine the tree’s growth pattern, its history, and how other environmental factors influence the tree’s integrity.
Understanding the process behind tree hazard inspections can also help you spot red flags yourself. This will help you prevent any complications from growing out of hand as you can determine the best time to call a professional to cut the potential risks at its roots.
If you’re looking for a qualified tree risk assessor in Orange County, get in touch with us today to see how we can help.
A Simple & Easy Guide to Properly Watering Your Trees in Orange County
Trees are a vital part of our ecological system. They provide oxygen, improve air quality, contribute to climate amelioration, conserve water, preserve soil, and even support wildlife. On a more personal level, it helps to have trees around your property. They not only beautify your surroundings, but they also provide shade and tend to make the whole property a little more pleasant.
Taking care of your trees is paramount to ensuring that they stay healthy and stress-free for as long as possible. There is regular upkeep for your trees that you can practice to help maintain them for a very long time. If there’s one vital aspect of this upkeep that every homeowner can do, it is watering your trees properly. Watering your trees entails knowing the best time to do so, the amount of water you need, effective watering methods to employ, and the type of tree species you’re watering, among other things.
That said, here’s everything you need to know about how to water your trees properly. Follow our simple and easy guide to help your trees to thrive and live for as long as possible.
The best time to water your trees
The first step to consider is when is the best time to water your trees. There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to this step. Yet, you should consider the following information and factors:
1 – There’s no strict schedule for watering trees. However, the best time to water is usually in the morning or evening. This is the time when the roots have the best chance of absorbing most of the water.
2 – There’s also no specific frequency for watering trees. How often you should water typically depends on the size of your tree, soil conditions, and weather conditions. Know that newly planted trees require much more water than established ones.
3 – The best way to determine when trees need watering is to check the soil. Look for moist, not soggy, soil. Check the soil with a garden trowel to a depth of two inches, and if the soil is dry, your tree needs some water.
How much water should you give your trees?
When it comes to the amount of water for your trees, consider this rule of thumb: ten gallons of water are required for every inch of the tree’s diameter. Make use of a ruler at knee height to measure or use your best judgment. When watering a certain amount of water, consider the following tips:
1 – Slow and deep watering: Experts suggest that slow and deep watering is your best option, which is why drip lines are the preferred method of watering. For one, drip irrigation loses less water to evaporation as compared to overhead watering or sprinkler systems. This method allows the critical root zone to take up adequate moisture. When doing so, make sure to water the entire area beneath the tree’s canopy. As much as possible, the depth should be ten inches.
2 – Consistent watering: There’s no secret to this step. You just need to practice regular watering. This is because keeping the soil consistently moist is essential to healthy trees. Make sure not to allow the soil to dry out completely because it will make your trees stressed, which makes them more prone to disease and infestation.
3 – Watering all year round: It is important to water your trees year-round. Don’t forget to water your trees even during winter. Though they may be dormant, they are still growing. Make sure to water your trees, particularly when the air and soil temperatures are above 40°F.
Effective watering methods
The Davey Institute suggests that the best way to water trees is through the deep watering method. This helps to keep your trees hydrated, particularly during dry spells and prolonged drought. Here’s what you need to know:
1 – Deep watering method: Clearly, there is much more to your trees than what you see above the ground. The deep watering method entails delivering the water right to where trees need it the most – their roots. This method involves carrying water eight to twelve inches into the ground, instead of merely wetting the surface.
2 – Best way to water trees: Know that when you water the ground’s surface, much of the water evaporates before it even reaches the roots. The deep watering method is effective because it reaches the roots and has less water evaporation. Trees with shallow roots struggle to intake enough water from the top of the soil during dry periods and drought. Deep watering solves these problems. It encourages trees to grow a deep root system. It can also save you time and money while creating healthier trees.
3 – Watering plants can be good for YOU and your trees: Apart from the benefits your trees can get from watering them, it can be very therapeutic for you to be out in nature and watering your plants. You can incorporate some stretching or isometric exercises with your watering routine. While you’re at it, you can even scout your plants for insects, caterpillars, and other tree-related problems. Other than that, you can also work on your Vitamin D levels as you water the trees under the sun. Dealing with trees and communing with nature can bring a peaceful rest to your chaotic day.
The steps and valuable information outlined above can help you to properly take care of and water your trees. It is essential that you practice regular watering because you now know the benefits that it will give to your trees, yourself, and your property.
If you’re are looking to learn more about watering your trees properly, get in touch with a certified arborist in Orange County to see how we can help.
10 Practical Tips in Choosing a Qualified Arborist – Our Guide
Taking good care of your surrounding trees is paramount to maintaining their health and extending their lifespan. When doing so, professional tree services are at times required because you may not be able to do it on your own.
Whether it’s tree watering, trimming, pruning, or even emergency tree removal, hiring an expert can make a significant difference in the growth and health of your trees. If you are thinking that your trees may need some work, it’s time to look into a qualified arborist.
The decision to look for an arborist shouldn’t be taken lightly. If you don’t do your research, you could end putting both your landscaping and the person performing the work at risk. An unqualified person may not have sufficient insurance or may not have the proper knowledge, skills, and training required to carry out the tree services required.
It’s best to work with a tree care company that is licensed, and insured. While you look for a registered and licensed firm that complies with the state requirements, you should also consider their guarantee of quality work and the additional services offered.
That said, below are ten practical tips you can use for selecting a qualified arborist:
1. Check for ISA certified arborist credentials
Look for an arborist who has a membership with professional organizations, such as the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA). This membership requires the arborists to demonstrate a commitment to quality and keep up with current best practices on trees and tree care. You can rest assured that ISA-certified arborists have passed the ISA’s extensive examination on all aspects of tree care and maintenance.
2. Obtain valid references.
When you have several prospective arborists, make sure to get valid references from them. Once you have these references, make sure to validate them. You can contact the listed character references and inquire about their services and level of expertise. Because you want to hire an expert for the preventive care of your trees, you have to make the right decision to ensure the overall health of your trees. Also, don’t forget to check Yelp and Google My Business for reviews.
3. Get estimates from more than one tree care firm.
Apart from references, you should look to obtain estimates from your list of prospects. After examining the credentials of the firms and their staff, make sure to check the specifications of the submitted bids as well. When looking at the specs, determine which proposal has the best combination of cost, scope of work, skill, and professionalism. In the end, the investment in your trees lies in the hands of the tree service provider. This is why you should opt for a highly knowledgeable and reputable tree service company!
4. Never rush when promised with a discount.
Know that there are a wide range of discounts being offered by some service providers. Chances are, you will immediately take the plunge when provided with a discount. Keep in mind that you should never rush in making a decision to hire an arborist. First, make sure to understand the work that needs to be done, the cost of the services, and what the discount entails. Although you will want to take advantage of a discount, this shouldn’t come at the expense of the quality of their work.
5. Veer away from arborists doing excessive pruning.
It’s worth knowing that expert and knowledgeable arborists won’t recommend topping a tree or other drastic pruning practices. These practices might actually injure the trees or make them hazardous. If they offer excessive pruning, it is best that you do not hire them. Reputable arborists usually recommend various options appropriate for your tree conditions and situations.
6. Don’t allow arborists to climb your trees using spikes.
When looking for an arborist, make sure to avoid arborists who use spikes or spurs when tending to the tree. Know that tree-climbing spikes or spurs can actually wound the trees and open a pathway for diseases and insects. These can lead to the weakening of trees or, worse, their death.
7. Be wary of door-knockers, flyers, or cold calls.
When looking for a tree service provider, you should hire an expert in the field or industry. Know exactly what you want and what kind of tree services you need and verify the firm’s area of specialization as well. In the end, choose a reputable tree service company that can ensure that your trees will get the care they need to remain safe and beautiful for a long time. In short, always check references and reviews.
8. Invest in an arborist with a fair market rate.
Proper tree work is not necessarily inexpensive, but it’s best to invest in a tree service company providing a fair market rate. Reputable arborists are licensed, insured, and maintain expensive, specialized equipment. This is why the standard cost is a fair rate. Beware, however, of exceptionally low estimates as you may not receive quality services. This is also why it is important to look at multiple bids, so you can get a feel for the market.
9. Check and get proof of insurance and license.
It’s best to check and obtain proof of insurance and licenses from the service provider you plan to work with. The license should indicate that it’s registered while in compliance with the state requirements. Furthermore, the certificate of insurance should detail worker’s compensation and general liability in the event of personal property damage.
10. Never hire the cheapest estimate.
It’s a rule of thumb that you should not hire a service provider with the cheapest estimate. Extremely low estimates can be an indicator of poor professionalism, lack of credentials, such as insurance, and may even have hidden costs. Make sure that you do your best to stay away from such offerings!
There is a wide range of tree service companies available in the market. Before hiring a service provider, make sure to get detailed information about the company and consider the valuable tips outlined above.
If you’re looking for a certified arborist in Orange County, get in touch with us today to see how we can help.