There are over 500 species of the magnificent oak growing in Europe, China, Asia, North Africa, Mexico and North America. European mythology labels the oak tree as sacred, symbolizing nobility and strength with mythical properties and ancient tribes around the world venerated them in connection with pantheons. Today we recognize oak trees for their incredible urban aesthetics and environmental value.
The Benefits of Healthy Oak Trees
Beyond providing woodland habitat for a wide range of flora and fauna, the benefits of oak trees are numerous. They reduce water pollution by absorbing trace contaminants in the soil through vast root systems and take them up as nutrients. When it rains, oak tree canopies capture and slow rainfall to prevent the eroding energy of raindrops. Like all trees, oaks sequester carbon from the atmosphere and provide clean healthy air to breathe.
Garry Oak Trees
The only native oak tree in BC is the Garry oak, although many other species thrive here once planted. Oak woodlands depend on natural wildfires or disturbance, such as agriculture, to spread and survive. If this does not occur, they are overtaken by aggressive trees such as the Douglas fir. Mature Garry oaks are fire resistant, making them a popular choice for planting in parks and private land. Garry oak woodlands are critical habitat for the duskywing butterfly, Lewis woodpecker, western gray squirrel, western tanager and western bluebird. Plant life symbiotic with oak trees include the golden paintbrush and trillium wildflowers, snowberry shrubs and apple moss. The next time you wander through one of our local parks, keep an eye out for oak trees. Mature specimens are typified by dark to black bark, massive height, large lateral spreading branches (great for photo-ops), and telltale leaves and acorn nuts.
Do you have an oak tree on your property? We salute you! Watch for signs of oak-specific disease such as sudden oak death (SOD). SOD is an invasive plant pathogen that affects the leaves, bark and trunk. With our warmer, more humid seasonal changes, SOD can spread through soil and wind and is difficult to recognize. Browning leaf tips and twig dieback may indicate a problem.
Call Us for Oak Tree Services
If you are unsure about the condition of the trees on your property, give us a ring for a customized quote and on-site consultation. We’ll assess the health of your trees and make recommendations for pruning, insect and disease control or deep root fertilization. We have a 60’ bucket truck to reach high branches and our utility arborists are trained to work around power lines.
Remember our spring sale!
15% off all services for Salmon Arm, Vernon and Kelowna until May 31, 2021
Municipal and commercial queries are welcome. We have full WCB coverage and over 40 years of experience in our industry. Our certified utility arborists maximize the safety of parks, roadways and commercial settings.
Locations & Service Areas
We are a team of certified arborists providing tree and professional landscaping services to the Thompson-Okanagan and Shuswap regions of BC. We offer an extensive list of arborist services throughout these regions and extend discounts to seniors and repeat customers. As a family-owned business, we care about the communities we serve throughout BC.
For Professional tree and landscaping services in Kamloops, call our main office at 1-888-778-3230 or 778-362-3230.
If you are looking for landscaping and tree services in Vernon or other North Okanagan locations, call 250-241-1704.
For tree care and landscaping in Kelowna, call 250-801-8405. For information on our fruit tree pruning and spraying services, see our Fruit Trees page.
Call Pine Valley Tree Service and Landscaping to talk with one of our dedicated tree specialists. We have over 40 years of experience serving the communities of southwest BC and work throughout the winter for hazardous tree removals, site preparations and utility arborist services.