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| 1. |
Who do I call to establish garbage service for my new home? |
| 2. |
Who do I call for limb pick up? |
| 3. |
Who do I call to report potholes? |
| 4. |
Is it really bad to 'top' trees? |
| 5. |
Who should I hire to plant, maintain, and/or remove trees at my home or business? |
| 6. |
What's the big deal about trees? |
| 7. |
My neighbors topped their Crapemyrtle. Should I top mine? |
| 8. |
I noticed Hoover is a Tree City USA, Tree City. What's the scoop? |
| 9. |
Are we really being 'invaded' by certain species of plants and trees? |
| 10. |
How do I report Litter or Littering? |
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| Q. |
Who do I call to establish garbage service for my new home? |
| A. |
Newly constructed homes need to establish garbage service with our Garbage/Trash & Recycling Dept. with Darlene Pate at 444-7796. If your home was previously owned, you will need to contact us so we can establish service in your name and we can make sure you have both the trash and recycle bins.
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| Q. |
Who do I call for limb pick up? |
| A. |
Garbage/Trash & Recycling dept. 444-7796. The Garbage Company will pick up debris that the homeowner generates but will not collect any debris that is generated by someone you hire; i.e.: Landscapers, Tree Services, Roofers, and remodeling companies.
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| Q. |
Who do I call to report potholes? |
| A. |
If the pothole is on a City of Hoover street, our Public Works Dept. will be able to repair it. However, if it is a county or state street/highway, you will need to contact their street maintenance department.
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| Q. |
Is it really bad to 'top' trees? |
| A. |
There is a common misconception that topping a tree will "revive" it. This is simply not true and no one should be convinced to the contrary by anyone still trying to sell the so called "service" of topping. Without question, topping any species of tree (especially large, mature shade trees) is a harmful practice that almost always leads to structural defects and functional stress. Structural defects can lead to limb and branch failures that, on their own, can damage surrounding property. Severe enough limb and branch failures not properly addressed with pruning can lead to internal decay in trees which only worsens the tree's condition over time, both structurally and functionally. Functional stress can leave trees more susceptible to outside pathogens which can and often does lead to decline and/or mortality. In essence, there are no known benefits to "topping" trees but there are numerous, negative and often dangerous side-effects. Please read what the International Society of Arboriculture has to say about topping trees - CLICK HERE.
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| Q. |
Who should I hire to plant, maintain, and/or remove trees at my home or business? |
| A. |
Always hire an ISA Certified Arborist. Click here for more information.
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| Q. |
What's the big deal about trees? |
| A. |
Trees are without question, one of our most important natural resources. Their benefits are endless and in some cases irreplaceable. As forest land makes room for expanding populations, urban trees, while completely removed from their native habitat, continue to perform an array of functions, essential to urban infrastructure and even human survival.
Click here to read an ISA article about the benefits of trees.
Click here to read the results of a more detailed study conducted by the University of Washington.
Click here for a great editorial about trees, posted in April, 2003 in the Asheville Citizen Times.
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| Q. |
My neighbors topped their Crapemyrtle. Should I top mine? |
| A. |
As mentioned in an earlier FAQ, topping is a harmful and potentially destructive practice with any species of tree. Some smaller ornamental trees like crapemyrtle can tolerate annual topping but the benefits of this practice are questionable at best. A reduction in size or maintenance of a specific size can often be achieved in crapemyrtle but flower production is not enhanced and winter form along with other aesthetic characteristics are completely altered. Crapemyrtle is a diverse tree and one that is produced by growers in every size, shape and color imagineable. If your yard space dictates a small crapemyrtle, you can buy and small crapemyrtle. And if you have a sizeable lawn then there's a large crapemyrtle out there with your name on it! Crapemyrtles that are properly planted in full sun, maintained as they should be and allowed to grow to their natural size tend to be some of the most beautiful, ornamental trees in the landscape. They are a total package tree with aesthetic as well as survivability qualities from top to bottom. It's unfortunate that so many people still miss out on all the wonderful characteristics this species has to offer when it's allowed to just be itself! For an interesting read on topping crapemyrtles, check out what the City of Huntsville has to say about "Crape Murder". Click here.
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| Q. |
I noticed Hoover is a Tree City USA, Tree City. What's the scoop? |
| A. |
Yes, Hoover is in its 11th consecutive years as a Tree City USA and we are extremely proud to have maintained this designation. Complete details regarding the National Arbor Day Foundation's Tree City USA program can be found here.
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| Q. |
Are we really being 'invaded' by certain species of plants and trees? |
| A. |
You bet your Pampass grass we are. Exotic, non-native and even native invasive species of plants are a real and serious threat. CLICK HERE to find out about Alabama's 10 worst invasive weeds. While you're at it, check out these websites to learn more about invasive plants - (1) Invasive Species Info, (2) Southeast Exotic Pest Plant Council, (3) Bugwood.
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| Q. |
How do I report Litter or Littering? |
| A. |
If you see anyone littering, call the Litter Hot-Line, 205-444-7867.
Please visit our Keep Hoover Clean & Green section of the website for more information about Littering.
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