This Week's Podcast: A Replay: Everyone Loves Trees, Some People Love Them to Death – with Expert Max Burton
Click on the small black arrow on the bar to listen, or the MP3 to download the show:
If you ask most people how they feel about trees, they will say, “I love trees.” But that is not always how people act. People kill trees, even in this age of environmental awareness — either on purpose or by accident – often through ignorance. In my town, you would be hard pressed to find even a single tree that has been properly mulched. Proper mulch for a tree might be – no mulch at all.
We all know that sometimes, trees have to come down, for instance, if they are dead and threatening to fall on you or your house.
My guest today is Max Burton, a tree expert with Monster Tree Service in the Philadelphia area. We talk about some things to avoid like brittle Bradford Pears that almost always split apart in an early snow storm (left). 
And even what to do when a tree has to come down.
Power companies too often butcher trees in many localities. We’ve all seen trees pruned into “V's” to let the wires pass, or worse, topped – have had their entire crowns removed so wires can pass over them. Ultimately, that treatment will lead to the death of a mature tree. And it seems that a lot of guys with chainsaws think they are perfectly qualified to take down a dead tree or one that is just in the way. Hey, power tools are fun! In Germany, one has to take a course to buy a chainsaw.
Max and I talk about safety concerns and ways to find a reputable tree service. He suggests having an expert review the condition of your trees before big problems arise. He says that a professional should be willing to take a look and not necessarily recommending any tree be taken down or pruned if not needed. Here are a few links Max suggest we look to for information on trees and learning more about hiring professionals: The International Society of Arboriculture and their helpful site, Trees are Good.
Max when you introduce claims about consensus (experts) in regards to soil amendments you are engaging in a logical fallacy called appeal to authority. When trees occur in an undisturbed forest they grow according to the mineral,soil, topographical, climatic situation.There are many examples why you should add soil amendments. Rather than me list them you should talk to nurserymen and growers. Dismissing their work limits your ability to properly quantify what is really a multi faceted process.Getting your hands dirty mixed with reading a few studies might help balance your advise.Stating your opinion does not matter and you rely on expert opinion demonstrates your ability to observe is limited to experts. I give this advise in good faith and hope in a small way might help broaden the spectrum from which you receive input. Don’t forget “experts” were the ones who advised that there were no side effects from smoking cigarettes many years ago.
When you feel ready to cut down your first tree, you must take in to account all the safety procedures to ensure that your tree cutting activity is as safe to you and others as possible. Moreover need pay attention strong winds could make the tree fall in a direction other than that which was intended