Tree work with a clean finish.

Tree work near overhead wires.

Polgar coordinates tree-work planning with DTE and the appropriate utility contractors when primary, secondary, or service wires affect a project.

What does an arborist do?

An arborist is a tree care professional who focuses on the needs of individual trees. Arboriculture includes understanding tree growth, evaluating tree condition, and recommending appropriate care. An arborist's work can involve pruning, root care, maintenance, storm-damage assessment, and removal when needed.

The job is not simply to cut branches or take down a tree. It is to consider the tree's condition, the surrounding property, and what the owner wants to achieve. A concern about a buried root flare calls for a different approach than a broken limb over a driveway.

Polgar's arborist services include tree trimming and pruning, AirSpade root collar excavation, tree removal, and emergency work after wind and ice damage. Tell us what you have noticed so we can discuss the right starting point for your property.

Michigan's oaks: know your tree.

How many oak species grow in Michigan? The University of Michigan Herbarium's Michigan Flora records 12 species in the oak genus, Quercus. That includes dwarf chestnut oak, a shrub rather than a large tree, so a count of oak species is not the same as a count of full-sized oak trees.

The 12 are white oak, swamp white oak, Hill's oak, shingle oak, bur oak, rock chestnut oak, chinquapin oak, pin oak, dwarf chestnut oak, red oak, Shumard oak, and black oak.

Leaf shape is a starting point, not the whole identification. Red-group oaks generally have bristle-tipped leaves; white-group oaks have rounded lobes or teeth without those bristles. Shingle oak is an exception to the familiar lobed outline. Leaves can also vary within one tree, so bark, mature acorns, and growing conditions help complete the picture.

Explore U-M's species entries for descriptions, photographs, and county records. The red oak entry has an image gallery: select its photograph to browse.

Explore U-M's 12 oak species ↗

See U-M's red oak photo guide ↗

From storm damage to new oaks.

A mature oak's story reaches beyond its canopy. Its leaves support insects that feed songbirds, while its acorns feed wildlife. Caring for an oak also means thinking about the next generation of trees.

At Nichols Arboretum, a damaging storm opened gaps in the woodland canopy. U-M's team saw an opportunity to restore oaks where young seedlings had struggled with shade and deer browsing. Its restoration plan combined invasive-plant control, new oak seedlings, and cages to protect young trees from deer.

The lesson for a wooded property is practical: clearing storm damage and planning future tree growth belong in the same conversation. If you have a damaged limb, a concern around an oak's roots, or questions about pruning, tell Polgar what you are seeing before deciding on the work.

Water powers tree life.

In his Water & Tree Health Manual, Dr. Kim D. Coder of the University of Georgia's Warnell School of Forestry & Natural Resources writes: “Water comprises 80% of living tree materials.” That figure refers to living tree materials, not a fixed water percentage for every tree or every piece of wood.

Coder explains that a tree's essential processes happen in water: photosynthesis to make food, movement and storage of that food, its use for energy, and the tree's defense processes. Water is not simply something a tree drinks. It is the medium that makes its living functions possible.

For a homeowner, that makes the root environment part of the tree care conversation. When you call about a struggling tree, mention changes in drainage, recent dry conditions, or work around its roots along with what you see in the canopy.

What goes into your tree work quote?

The size and condition of the tree are only part of the picture. Its location, nearby structures, equipment access, and the amount of debris all matter. Stump work and the cleanup you want should be discussed up front, too.

When you call, have the property location and a short description of the job ready. Mention gates, narrow driveways, delicate landscaping, or anything else that could affect access. For urgent wind or ice damage, explain what happened and keep people away from damaged trees while you arrange help.

Listing, buying, or managing a property?

Explore our tree care guidance for home sellers, buyers, luxury real estate, and commercial grounds. Discuss the trees, the timeline, and the cleanup you need before the work is planned.

We also sell premium hardwood firewood.

Alongside our arborist services, Polgar offers premium hardwood firewood. Call for current availability and pricing, and arrange any collection or delivery details directly.