About Us
We are a locally owned, full service tree care company, serving the greater Duluth area. We are fully insured, focused on communication, and will have an ISA Certified Arborist on every job.
Tettegouche Treecare is owned and operated by Jacob Busiahn, who has been working with and studying trees for 10 years and counting. He has a bachelors degree in Forestry from the University of Minnesota, is an ISA Certified Arborist (#MN-4552A), holds the ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification, and is the Past President of the Minnesota Society of Arboriculture.
Jacob is passionate about working with trees, learning about trees, and talking about trees!
Tree Services Offered
Tree Pruning / Tree Trimming
Proper pruning of open grown trees is essential to developing strong structure and desirable form. Trees that receive appropriate pruning while young require less as they mature, and are less likely to be damaged during storms. Types of pruning include:
- Formative/Structural (reduces likelihood of failure during storm)
- Hazard mitigation
- Canopy raising
- Reduction
- Fruit tree pruning
Tree Removal
We take pride in keeping trees healthy and in place, but recognize that sometimes trees must be removed. We perform low impact tree removals with safety as our highest priority.
Like wildlife in your yard, or have a special attachment to a hazardous tree needing to be mitigated? Consider turning it into a wildlife/habitat tree, see below for more information.
Wildlife/Habitat Tree Creation
A wildlife tree is typically made with a tree that is hazardous and needs removed, but the bottom portion of the trunk can stand as wildlife habitat. We cut the tree in a way that makes it appear to have broken naturally and create bird boxes, perches, and place special cuts which attract bug-eating bats to roost. Leaving a wildlife tree is beneficial to the ecosystem, and offers a great opportunity to watch the natural world in your own backyard. You can see examples of habitat trees we have done in our Video/Photo Gallery.
Tree Support Systems (Cabling and Bracing)
Cables, bolts, and braces can often be used to reduce the likelihood of failure in trees that have structural defects (cracks, co-dominant stems, weak branch attachments, etc.). Reduction pruning is typically used in conjunction with these support systems.
Firewise/Conifer Thinning
Dense stands of conifers can cause a forest to become unhealthy and eventually increase fire risk. We have small equipment and can hand thin conifers, making sure to protect surrounding trees, soils, and your property as a whole. You can see examples of conifer thinning projects we have done in our Video/Photo Gallery
Invasive Species Removal
Invasive species can take a landscape from healthy to a dense monoculture in a matter of years by out competing native species. We remove and manage woody invasive species such as buckthorn, exotic honeysuckle, and others.
Tree Risk Assessments
Trees provide a long list of benefits, but critical defects can turn a tree into a liability. We offer comprehensive Tree Risk Assessments, taking into account the likelihood of tree failure and targets at risk. In some situations the likelihood of failure can be reduced by pruning and tree support systems (cabling and bracing).
Consulting
We provide consulting and management plans for residential property owners, cities, home owners associations, golf courses, property managers, and developers/contractors. Consultation services include:
- Tree preservation plans
- Emerald ash borer management plans
- Tree master plans
- Construction/landscape plan review
- General residential landscape consulting
- Municipal tree ordinances
- Arborist reports (Tree Risk Assessments, etc.)
Soil/Root Issues
Trees displaying issues above ground are often a result of an issue below ground. We can help you diagnose and treat:
- Stem girdling roots
- Compacted soils
- Surface roots (unless a result of high water table)
Tree Planting
Trees are planted with the hope/expectation that they will be enjoyed for many years to come. But too often tree planting mistakes drastically reduce the lifespan of the tree. Planting too deeply or with uncorrected root defects are common errors. Choosing the right species for the specific site, helps to give each tree its best chance at a long and healthy life. We love to provide guidance for property owners, whether they wish to do the planting themselves, or have us plant trees for them.
Tree Inventory
We offer tree inventory services for any property owner - residential, municipal, home owners associations, golf courses, and construction/development. Tree inventories are essential for larger properties to confidently budget and manage their trees.
Training and Education
Whether it's just you in your backyard or a large group, we love educating people about trees. We offer the service of speaking and presenting on a number of tree related topics, such as: pruning, planting, species selection, invasive species (emerald ash borer, buckthorn, etc), and many others.
