The Pine to Palm Oilers may be out of the playoffs, but the Tree Care service has some advice for homeowners looking beyond hockey season to their biggest uninsured asset, their trees.

According to Winnipeg arborist Pine to Palm owner Chris Dropko, one of the most valuable assets on many properties is often overlooked: the trees growing in the yard.

“Your tree is your largest uninsured asset,” said Dropko, owner of Pine to Palm Tree Care. “It’s the biggest thing you own that holds value that you typically don’t have a rider on.”

Dropko said many homeowners underestimate the financial impact mature trees can have on property values.

“If you’ve got an oak tree in your front yard that’s 20 inches in diameter, that thing’s adding $10,000 to your property value. It’s adding peace of mind,” he said.

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Benefits extend beyond property value

The advantages of healthy trees reach far beyond financial considerations, according to Dropko.

He pointed to research showing patients recovering from surgery can heal more quickly when they have views of trees and natural landscapes.

“There have been studies done that talk about the results of people who heal from surgeries, healing 20 percent faster when they’re able to view trees in the landscape,” he said.

Trees can also contribute to stronger communities.

“Neighbourhoods that have mature, well-kept trees have a lower crime rate than neighbourhoods that don’t care for their trees and don’t prune them,” said Dropko.

These benefits are part of why his company focuses on preserving trees whenever possible rather than removing them.

“We prefer to do treatment and pruning and trying to save trees because we’re losing so many,” he said. “We love Winnipeg. Our urban canopy is incredible, and we’re losing so many trees every year. It’s far more important to try and keep the tree you have than to cut it down and put a new one in.”

Caring for trees during dry conditions

Dropko noted Winnipeg is home to the largest urban elm forest in North America, making proper tree care especially important.

A significant part of his work involves consulting with homeowners about the health and future of their trees.

“If your tree is sick and you’re not entirely sure what’s going on, you’re wondering if it’s worth saving, can we save it, or should it be removed, I take care of a lot of that as well,” he said.

As summer begins, one of the most important steps homeowners can take is ensuring trees receive adequate water.

“If we don’t get an inch of rain in a week, you want to augment your tree’s water,” said Dropko.

He added that dry conditions have persisted across much of the Prairies in recent years.

“Since 2017, we’ve been in a sort of drought. In fact, NASA studies the Prairies because we have no happy medium. It’s either flood or drought.”

Building appreciation for urban forests

After nearly 14 years in the industry, Dropko said his greatest satisfaction comes from helping people better understand and appreciate the role trees play in their communities.

“What I love is connecting with other Winnipeggers and bringing education, excitement and enthusiasm around the issues of trees,” he said.

With proper maintenance, watering and ongoing care, Dropko believes homeowners can protect one of their property’s most valuable assets while helping preserve urban forests for future generations.