Tree Care & Removal

Dunbar Tree Service – Waukesha, WI

We provide professional services with experienced ISA Certified Arborists utilizing safe, professional equipment on Waukesha County trees. Our expert tree services include tree removal, tree trimming, stump removal, storm damage clean-up, and more!

We also offer a professional tree health risk assessment with our on-staff ISA Certified Arborists to help you make informed decisions about any damaged or diseased trees.

Serving All of Waukesha County and Much of Southeast Wisconsin.

Tree services near me? Dunbar Tree Service tree removal, Waukesha, WI.

Waukesha County Trees & Proper Care

In Waukesha County, where the rich diversity of trees adorns the landscape, it’s essential to understand that even the hardiest of trees sometimes need a helping hand. While trees offer numerous benefits to our environment and aesthetics, they can face challenges that require the expertise of arborists. Whether you are a homeowner, landscaper, or business owner, this guide will help you gain insight into the types of common Waukesha County trees that often require arborist intervention for their health and well-being. 

Waukesha county trees before removal, New Berlin tree care, WI.

Popular & Common Waukesha County Trees

Top Native Trees

Waukesha County boasts a treasure trove of native tree species, each with its unique characteristics and benefits. Here are some of the most common native trees that grace the county: 

  • Oak Trees: The majestic White Oak and Red Oak are enduring symbols of Waukesha County, known for their impressive stature and longevity. 
  • Maple Trees: The Sugar Maple and Red Maple, with their vibrant fall foliage, are local favorites that add a burst of color to the landscape. 
  • Hickory Trees: Hickory trees, including the Shagbark Hickory, offer both aesthetic beauty and delicious nuts. 
  • Birch Trees: Paper Birch and River Birch contribute an elegant touch to the county’s green spaces with their distinctive bark and graceful branches. 

Top Non-Native Trees

While native trees are essential for ecological harmony, there are noteworthy non-native tree species that flourish in Waukesha County’s environment. Consider these popular options: 

  • Japanese Maple: Revered for its exquisite foliage and compact size, the Japanese Maple lends an ornamental touch to gardens and landscapes. 
  • Norway Spruce: An evergreen wonder, the Norway Spruce provides year-round greenery and is highly adaptable to the local climate. 
  • Lilac Tree: The fragrant blooms of the Lilac Tree, which thrive in the spring, bring a delightful scent to the county’s gardens. 
  • Ginkgo Biloba: Recognizable by its unique fan-shaped leaves, the Ginkgo Biloba is resilient and visually striking.  

Waukesha County Trees That Frequently Need Arborist Attention

These Waukesha county trees, while popular, are susceptible to various pests and diseases. Arborists play a vital role in diagnosing and treating these issues to preserve the health of these trees. 

Oak Trees

Oak trees, celebrated for their strength and longevity, are prominent in Waukesha County. However, they are susceptible to oak wilt and oak anthracnose. 

Maple Trees

Maple trees, known for their stunning fall foliage, can face challenges such as leaf spot diseases, aphid infestations, and root problems.

Pine Trees

Pine trees, with their evergreen charm, are susceptible to pine needle scale, blister rust, and fungal diseases. 

Spruce Trees

Spruce trees, with their distinctive conical shape, are vulnerable to issues like needle cast diseases and spider mite infestations.

Dogwood Trees

Dogwood trees, beloved for their elegant flowers, can suffer from powdery mildew and dogwood borer infestations.  

Why Arborist Intervention Matters

Arborists are trained professionals who specialize in the care and maintenance of trees. Their expertise is invaluable for several reasons: 

Early Detection

Arborists can identify tree problems at an early stage, preventing further damage and potential tree loss. 

Proper Diagnosis

They can accurately diagnose tree diseases, pests, and structural issues, allowing for targeted and effective treatments. 

Preservation

Arborists are committed to preserving the health and longevity of trees whenever possible, which is vital for maintaining the beauty of Waukesha County’s landscapes. 

Safety

When trees become hazardous due to disease or structural issues, arborists can safely assess and address the risks, ensuring the safety of residents and property. 

Waukesha county trees before removal, WI.

When to Call an Arborist

If you have trees on your property in Waukesha County, it’s essential to be vigilant and proactive in their care. The judicious selection and care of trees in Waukesha County are paramount for enhancing the region’s aesthetic appeal, ecological health, and overall quality of life. Whether your preference leans towards native trees for their ecological benefits or non-native trees for their ornamental charm, conscientious tree selection and diligent care are the keys to thriving landscapes. For further inquiries or assistance, do not hesitate to engage with local experts and resources dedicated to tree preservation and landscaping.  

Signs that it’s time to call an arborist: 

Visible Symptoms

If you notice visible signs of tree distress, such as wilting leaves, unusual discoloration, or dieback of branches, it’s time to seek professional advice. 

Pest Infestations

The presence of pests like aphids, scale insects, or borers on your trees should not be ignored, as they can quickly damage tree health. 

Tree Structure Issues

If you observe structural problems like leaning trees, cracked branches, or uprooted roots, it’s crucial to have an arborist assess the situation. 

Disease Suspicions

If you suspect that your trees may be suffering from diseases such as oak wilt or Dutch elm disease, immediate arborist intervention is essential. 

Pruning & Maintenance

Regular pruning and maintenance by a certified arborist can promote tree health and longevity.

The Dunbar Oak - Waukesha, WI

The Dunbar Oak Waukesha Waukesha County Museum Collections Desperately ill and convinced his death was imminent, Col. Richard Dunbar sank down to rest under a strong white oak in Waukesha County one August day in 1868. A diabetic suffering from insatiable thirst, he had just drunk six tumblers full of water from a spring beside the tree. He began to feel better. He continued to drink freely from the spring waters, and soon the man doctors said would die within months felt completely cured.

Dunbar lived ten more years without a recurrence of his diabetes, and during this decade he made Waukesha, the spring waters and the “guardian angel” oak tree world-famous.  

His faith in his own cure inspired him to offer the waters to others; his sharp business ability made it financially rewarding. The former engineer bought the spring, which he named “Bethesda,” and the land around it and actively began to promote the community. Waukesha soon became a haven for those seeking not only restoration of their health but also relaxation. Soon Dunbar was selling the spring waters all over the globe. 

The Dunbar Oak in Waukesha, WI.

Other promoters entered the picture and several more springs were developed, among them Hygeia, Arcadian and White Rock. To quote from an account of those times by Libbie Nolan, of the Waukesha County Historical Society:  

“Fancy ornate pavilions enclosed each bubbling spring … Great hotels sprang up…. Guests came from far and wide to drink from the springs, to relax, and to be amused. Among them were Mrs. Abraham Lincoln, President Grant, Vice President Adlai Stevenson, Supreme Court Justice Salmon P. Chase, Horace Greeley as well as governors, generals, statesmen and many, many more.  

White Rock water became a fashionable beverage all over the world after it was carbonated in 1890, even making its way to the coronation of the King of England … When Col. Dunbar died in 1878 (of a heart attack), the village was notified by the passing out of black-edged handbills.  

The fame and excitement of our Western Saratoga lasted nearly forty years. Then it faded away as the century turned.” 

Dubbed the Dunbar Oak, it was a focal point of the large park at Bethesda Spring and is marked by a plaque put up by the Waukesha County Historical Society in 1959. After noting Dunbar’s first introduction to the waters, it ends with the words: “The names ‘Dunbar,’ ‘Bethesda,’ and ‘Waukesha’ became household words. Thus began the glamorous and exciting summer resort era of Waukesha as the ‘Saratoga of the West’ 1870–1905.”  

The Dunbar Oak went down during a severe thunderstorm in 1991. Prior to that, the oak had been cabled because it had developed a pocket of decay that made it vulnerable. But with winds clocked at close to 100 miles per hour at the Waukesha airport, the trunk of the Dunbar Oak snapped at about 10 feet above ground. A count of the annual rings revealed the tree was over 320 years old.

The loss of the tree affected many locals, as evidenced by the long lines of cars that paraded past the site where it fell, as if people wanted to pay their last respects. Waukesha City Forester David Liska, planning for the future, took cuttings from trunk sprouts to Johnson’s Nursery. There they grew in secret for 12 years. In May 2004, in celebration of Waukesha’s 25th anniversary as a Tree City USA and Wisconsin Forestry’s centennial year, a “reborn” Dunbar Oak was planted at the site of the original and watered with 15 gallons of donated Bethesda Springs water.  

Excerpted from Every Root an Anchor: Wisconsin’s Famous and Historic Trees  
by R. Bruce Allison (© 2005 Wisconsin Historical Society) 

Sources: Pat Buckley, Waukesha Jean Penn Loerke, Waukesha David Liska, Waukesha 

CHRIS DUNBAR

Chris Dunbar is an ISA certified arborist, ISA #WI-1163A, working in the industry since 1999. Chris specializes in a wide range of residential and commercial tree services, where he is dedicated to maintaining a safe and professional environment. With over 20 years of working in southeast Wisconsin, he brings a high level of expertise to every project. 

Additionally, Chris is licensed and certified for the application of pesticides, fungicides, and insecticides by the State of Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection.

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