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Can I Prune My Trees Yet?

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If you look at our local weather forecasts, it seems as though the temperatures are slowly rising. This has many of us anticipating and early spring. With milder weather, you may be eager to get a jump-start on all your spring landscaping preparations, such as trimming, transplanting , and even planting. But before you do, it is wise to ask yourself whether or not it’s still too early in the year to prune, especially when it comes to your landscaping trees. Continue reading to learn the recommended best practices for tree trimming and seasonal tree care. Benefits of Tree Pruning Tree pruning is a common tree maintenance practice that is used to stimulate new, strong growth, and to eliminate overgrown limbs. Pruning provides a wide range of benefits, for both trees and people. Not only does it reduce hazardous obstructions and allow for easier entry onto a premises, pruning also promotes vigor and growth, making trees stronger and healthier for many years. It also makes trees ...

How to Protect Young Trees From Buck Damage

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This time of year, it is common to find damage on trees caused by “buck rubbing”, which is a behavior that male deer engage in for the purpose of marking their territory and attracting female mates. They are also known to simulate battle with trees as practice for real-life defense situations. Regardless of why bucks rub their antlers on trees, the outcome is usually a damaged tree. If your landscaping trees are subjected to this type of wildlife interference each spring, it is time for you to learn how to put a stop to it for good. Continue reading to learn how you can protect your new and young trees from future buck damage. Basics of Buck Rubbing When bucks rub their antlers on young trees, the repetition of the act causes the thin, vulnerable bark of the tree to peel off. When peeling occurs around the entire tree, it can be described as “ girdling .”  Fortunately, trees are resilient, and in most cases, can easily come back from buck damage. However, the best practi...

Why Won’t My Hydrangeas Bloom?

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Nothing beats the big blossoms of a hydrangea plant covering the bright green shrubs they grow on. Bountiful, beautiful, pom-pom-shaped flower heads brighten your garden in shades of bright white to bubblegum pink to lovely lilac to sky blue. And the flowers are long-lasting, meaning you get to enjoy them all summer long. No wonder hydrangeas are so popular in home landscapes. So it certainly can be frustrating when your hydrangea is not blooming. While hydrangeas can be pretty easy to grow, it can be frustrating when you don’t get the massive blooms and color you were expecting. That’s where focusing on proper care can ensure you get the long-lasting flowers you crave year after year. Let’s look at what would cause a hydrangea not to boom and how you can change the outcome with some simple maintenance tips and tricks. Reasons Why Hydrangeas Aren’t Blooming Like any other plant, to get optimum growth, which includes blooming capabilities, you want to ensure the right plant...

Tree Identification: Do I Have An Aspen Tree?

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Aspen trees are pretty well-known for some great characteristics in home landscapes. In fact, you might find you’re not sure what this tree is more loved for – its brilliant yellow foliage in autumn, its whitish trunks that stand in bold contrast, or the rustling of its quaking leaves. Think you have an aspen in your yard or maybe want to add one? Here are some aspen tree facts and types of aspen trees you can try to get the visually appealing contrast they bring to your landscape. How To Identify An Aspen Tree The aspen tree has quite a few identifying features that can help distinguish it from other trees. You might notice its tall, slender appearance, for instance. Also, if you see them in forests, aspens tend to grow in groves rather than as single trees. Aspens often reproduce vegetatively, meaning they send up above-ground shoots from their below-ground roots. So sometimes a single grove of multiple trees is actually clones of the same organism!  They grow betwe...

How To Help Trees & Plants During An Unexpected Heat Wave

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Searing temperatures can catch you by surprise, especially after cooler days or rainy seasons. While a heat wave can expectedly cause struggling plants to wilt, it can even set back well-established plants and landscape shrubs. Mother Nature’s hot flashes may be out of your control, but you can help tackle the rising temperatures by recognizing heat stress symptoms and learning how to treat heat-stressed trees. Let’s look at some things you can do immediately to better handle unexpected warm spells, so your plants and trees survive the heat wave. Signs & Symptoms Of Heat Stress On Trees Most plants grow best in temperatures ranging from 59 degrees to 86 degrees Fahrenheit. Plant growth tends to slow when temperatures rise over 90 degrees Fahrenheit and lingers for longer periods. That’s when you might begin to see heat stress symptoms. These symptoms can amplify when temperatures are over 104 degrees Fahrenheit. The National Weather Service describes a heat wave as a ...

How To Pick The Right Trees For Drought-Prone Landscapes

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Importance of Tree Stump Grinding Tree stumps are not only a huge eyesore, but they take up a lot of space in your yard and pose several risks to you and yours. Aesthetically speaking, the sight of a tree stump is very unappealing, but beyond that, it also poses many risks and dangers. Tree stump grinding is literally grinding a tree stump. a Noticed higher energy or water bills this summer? You may have if you’ve been cranking the AC or watering your garden more to combat the extreme heat. And you’re right to take action. Instead of reacting, though, approach the dry spells and heat proactively . Pick drought-tolerant trees and choose water-wise planting and irrigation strategies, especially if your state is currently in severe drought. Remember though, wait until fall to plant new trees! Water-Wise Landscaping: Things To Consider When Selecting Trees Landscaping using drought-tolerant plants has become popular in recent years, particularly as a result of lingering drough...

Is Beech Leaf Disease Impacting Your Trees

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Its wide-spreading canopy is a great refuge on sunny days and adds amazing bronze color in fall. Beech trees can also live for 300 to 400 years, growing taller than 80 feet. But our beloved beech trees are now under threat from a malady called beech leaf disease, which is spreading rapidly, killing both mature trees and young ones, too. Let’s look at this beech tree ailment, what causes beech leaf disease, and how to treat beech leaf disease so you can better protect your trees from infection. What Does Beech Leaf Disease Look Like? Both native and ornamental beech tree species are susceptible to beech leaf disease. The disease is associated with a nematode worm called Litylenchus crenatae spp. mccanni i that infects beech buds and leaves. But knowing if your beech tree is impacted will take looking for some classic signs of infection. Spotting these symptoms early can help make a difference in catching a problem before it becomes too detrimental to your tree’s health. ...

Do I Need to Water My Trees?

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One of the most important parts of taking care of your trees is to make sure they have adequate water. This is especially true for newly planted trees and young trees. Tree watering is an essential factor in the health and longevity of your landscaping trees; and since trees provide a wide range of benefits and increase property value, it is in your best interest as a homeowner to invest more time and care into your property. It would be difficult to suggest an exact amount of watering for your trees, but with this helpful guide, you will have the knowledge necessary to grow happy, healthy trees. Continue reading to learn about tree watering, plus where to look for professional tree care solutions when you need it. Tree Watering Tips New or Young Trees A newly planted tree will require a different level of tree care and watering compared to an older tree. After a new tree is planted, it is important to water it immediately. Continue watering regularly over the next two years...

3 Signs You Must Hire a Commercial Tree Contractor

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When to Employ Commercial Tree Trimming Services If you work with a commercial tree trimming specialist, they’ll inspect your trees, offer estimates, and assess the need for removal. DIY tree removal can be dangerous, most specifically if you have to use a ladder while carrying the tools required to trim or get rid of bulky branches; these are just some of the common risks that come along with doing DIY tree removal. Your certified, educated, licensed, and insured tree contractor will know how to safely trees, so hiring them is necessary. Below are the 3 signs you have to call a tree removal specialist. You notice troubled trunks Often, the trunk can be the most obvious part of the tree. If you’ve got a tree with a trunk that’s damaged, missing big chunks of bark, or cracked, this can mean that the tree is becoming vulnerable and less sturdy. One of the last things you want is a vulnerable and poorly-supported tree because it can fall at any minute. Have a professional arbori...

Planning to Remove Trees in Your Backyard?

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Must-Have Safety Gear for Tree Removal in Melbourne Do you want to take down a dangerous or unwanted tree in your backyard? If so, then we strongly suggest that you hire a professional tree contractor for a safe and successful tree removal job. But, if you are planning to do the job on your own for whatever reason, then you must make sure to find and wear the appropriate safety gear before starting the process. The following are the must-have safety gear that you should be wearing: Hard Hats When dealing with trees, you should always wear protection for your head. Without one, you will be at risk of head injuries. Keep in mind that branches can snap and trees can go in the wrong direction when they’re being cut down. Wearing a hard hat is the first line of defense of your head against falling tree branches and other debris. It also serves as a shield for your head in case you fall to the ground or hit your head onto something. You should not trim or cut down a tree without we...

Removing Tree Stumps Properly

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Importance of Tree Stump Grinding Tree stumps are not only a huge eyesore, but they take up a lot of space in your yard and pose several risks to you and yours. Aesthetically speaking, the sight of a tree stump is very unappealing, but beyond that, it also poses many risks and dangers. Tree stump grinding is literally grinding a tree stump. Different from stump removal, stump grinding shaves the tree trunk down to an inch below the soil or more. Stump grinding is generally chosen by most homeowners because it is faster and less expensive. Having a stump in the middle of a lawn is a hazard. Think about anyone playing or running on the lawn. The stump presents a trip hazard, which could lead to injury. In addition to being a hazard for those running or playing, they can also be a hazard to lawn equipment. One of the important reasons is the liability issue. Children playing in the yard where a stump has been left run a risk of serious injury, and children running fast may not n...