Month: <span>May 2017</span>

The City ArboristBlog2017May
19 May 2017
May 19, 2017 0 Comments By Michael Gasser Uncategorized

Are Bushes Good or Bad For The Trees?

As you take a walk through your garden, your eyes are normally attracted to the grand trees or brilliant wildflowers on the ground, however, you may have walked directly past something imperative: the bushes.

Bushes are beneficial for both the tree and the surroundings, according to most tree services providers. They are usually around trees that are three meters or more in length.

They can act as a windbreak, keep creatures out of your garden and add a lavish look to your home’s property.

Various deciduous bushes have stem and branch outlines or colored fruits that provide amazing shading and a view that you can’t overlook. Among the commonly found bushes, are the blossoming shadbush, Cotoneaster lilac, forsythia, azalea, and barberry.

However, not everyone loves bushes thanks to several myths surrounding them. Many believe they feed on the nutrients meant for the trees causing them to die. This is nothing more than a myth since bushes can make their own food.

So without much ado, let’s have a look at some of the benefits and also disadvantages of having bushes in your garden:

Keeps Animals Away From Your Garden

A few bushes can prevent creatures from invading your garden and eating up precious vegetables and blooming plants. However, the bushes also contribute in attracting various birds during the season of fall and winter. Bushes are tolerant to dry season and air-contamination and are frequently utilized to highlight foliage in order to keep intruders away.

Used to Stop Soil Erosion

Erosion is one of the most concerning issues that farmers have to face. One heavy rain can wash away all the nutrients causing heavy damages to the soil. A good and simple solution to this problem is to plant trees that have bushes around them. The bushes can help protect the crop to an extent, reducing damages and soil erosion. They act as hedgerows, and fill in as physical obstructions against soil erosion and help you to protect your crops.

Conclusion

You will enjoy the benefits of having bushes only if you know how to. You need to get in touch with a tree services provider and discuss about your case. Many gardeners deliberately grow bushes due to the protection and aesthetic appeal they have to offer.

However, shrubs and bushes are of many kinds, and not all of them are beneficial for your garden. So make sure to get in touch with a tree services provider today and discuss your case.

We can also help you understand your soil better and suggest the changes you need to grow your garden in a better manner.

 

18 May 2017
May 18, 2017 0 Comments By Michael Gasser Uncategorized

How to Prevent Weeds From Ruining Your Garden

Maintaining your garden is not easy, especially when it’s summer and scorching heat is all over your garden. Weeds love heat and they start to grow more in the presence of it.

 

A number of sources can bring in weed into your garden, such as the wind, birds, and even pets. Removing these weeds is a daunting task, especially since they have a habit of coming back.

You need to follow steps to prevent them from occurring in the first place, especially before they set their seed and are ready to spread.

 

It can be a little difficult to manage because weeds may also arrive in nursery containers and garden beds. Before planting, carefully investigate each pot for weed, if they’re there, remove them immediately!

 

Weed removal is not like tree removal, there are several things you need to pay attention to.

What Does Weed Do to Your Garden?

Weeds are not beneficial for your garden because they steal all the nutrients, moisture and light leaving nothing for the plants behind. Therefore, it is essential to stop them from growing or occurring at all. They are basically parasite that prevent your garden from growing.

What Should You do?

If you happen to find weed in your garden, this is what you should do:

Take out the entire weed along with roots, and stems. Some weeds are hard to dig out and can easily spread thanks to roots found underground. Others have a profound taproot, similar to dandelions. Remove all of these weeds and make sure to do it properly as weed can regrow easily.

You can use a glyphosate executioner for perpetual weeds; it goes through the leaves and kills the roots, mixing in the dirt without harming other plants. It is available in liquid and gel forms. For added security, protect other plants by covering them so that they don’t come into contact with it.

Your foremost priority while removing weeds should be to secure other plants. Burrowing the dirt between plants can harm roots and will allow weed to grow easily. A good solution is to use your hands to remove weed so that you do not end up disturbing other plants.

Prepare a layer of mulch to stop the light. If your garden is brimming with weeds, the absence of light will not let them grow further. Weed require light to develop, so this will definitely work.

 

Vinegar as a Repellant

Vinegar is said to be a standout amongst the most productive natural repellants to fight weeds. Splash vinegar on weeds, but first make sure to mix a tablespoon of detergent with two tablespoons of vegetable oil so that the vinegar takes a sticky form.

This strategy will work best on little, newly grown weeds. For weeds which are there for a long time, consider acquiring a more grounded vinegar approach. You’ll need 20% acidic corrosive vinegar solution that can either be splashed specifically on weeds or infused into the taproot with a syringe to slaughter weeds at the source.

17 May 2017
May 17, 2017 0 Comments By Michael Gasser Uncategorized

How to Find the Right Place to Plant a Tree

Gardening is a growing hobby with more and more people waking up to the benefits of growing trees. This is evident from the fact that the number of tree care companies is on a constant rise.

Trees not only provide you with a fresh environment for a better health, but also add to the beauty of your home, street and neighborhood. Some real estate agents even argue that a house with a nicely maintained garden fetches a higher price than a house that has no garden or has a poorly maintained one.

There are tonnes of reasons why you should grow trees, but it isn’t as simple as it sounds. Trees are big and can grow huge. You need to keep in mind several factors before you plant a tree.

Let’s have a look at how you can find the right place to plant a tree.

 

A Rich Location

The most essential factors to look for while planting a tree is to look for a place which is full of nutrients and can easily soak rainwater. This is important because standing water will create problems for the tree’s growth.

You must make sure the location is within your reach as you’d have to regularly water the tree. In addition to this, make sure the tree has access to sunlight. Trees need more sunlight than small plants as they are bigger in size. If there’s anything preventing the sunlight, there might be issues for your tree in the future.

 

Soil Conditions

There are several types of soils, each favoring a specific kind of a tree. You need to speak to experts to understand the right tree for the kind of soil you have. In addition to this, you also have the option to add fertilizers etc., to change the nature of the naturally found soil that you have.

 

The physical features of the soil incorporate its volume, surface area, the amount of sand, and residue. These soil properties impact air circulation, seepage, and water holding capacity. Soils with expansive pore spaces will deplete quicker than those with little pore spaces in it.

 

Less Bugs/Disease

Trees are prone to ailments and pests. Local trees have better illness and pest resistance, however, the way a tree is planted and the ground that it is planted in can influence its general wellbeing. Trees that wind up sick are frequently assaulted by pests. This is because the tree’s barriers are weakened allowing pests to feed on them.

So make sure to find a place where there is enough room for you to spray pesticides without causing an issue. Also, try to pick a place which has less chances of pests to show up i.e a clean place that you can easily maintain.

 

Plan For Future

Talk to any tree care expert and he’ll tell you to always plan for the future. Your tree will not remain the same size all its life. It is going to grow in volume and would be longer and thicker. You must plan keeping its expected size in mind so that there is no problem in the future. Trees are often cut cause there is no space for them to grow.

16 May 2017
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May 16, 2017 1 Comments By moraycreative Gardening, Uncategorized, Weeding ,

Tree Trimming: Things to Know About

Trees make your property or gardens look amazing. Plus, there are health benefits as well. They keep the atmosphere clean and allow you to enjoy fresh air. However, some tree care steps need to be taken in order to maintain the health and beauty of trees. Garden lovers often need to trim the trees to maintain the shape, health and beauty of trees as well as their garden.

What is Tree Trimming?

Trimming refers to cutting down branches of trees that are either damaged, too close to one another, tangled up with one another or simply rotten. Trimming such affected branches and shoots helps to keep the tree healthy and saves it from a number of diseases and from decaying.

How to Trim?

Be sure about the measure of the branch that you will cut off. If it is under five cm in width, then it is safe to cut. However, if it is bigger than 5 cm in width, then it is important that you hire professionals to do the job since it is a risky job. You will need the right tools and cut to make sure you do the job well. However, you may end up damaging yourself and the tree in the process, which is why professional help is suggested to trim thick branches.

Go for the branches that appear to be delicate, or are organized in a V-shape and have limited edges. Try not to have a go at branches with solid, U-formed edges since they will be difficult to cut.

It is recommended to trim a tree when it is young. This is because young trees have less branches, giving you more space to do the job.

When to Trim a Tree?

The best time to trim a tree is during its dormant state. The reason is simple, when a tree is experiencing dormancy, it heals faster. While trimming, there are chances that you might cut open a wound on the tree which may make the tree prone to damage. However, if the tree is dormant, i.e: not growing flowers or fruits, it can use all its energy to heal itself.

Infection containing pathogens are also inactive when a tree is in a dormant state. In any case, a crisp or twisted cut during the hotter months can cause immense damage to the tree by attracting pests.

Understand that there are a few trees that bleed a lot when cut. This is sap overflowing from the new fresh wound inflicted. In spite of the fact that it looks severe and unattractive, it causes no damage. A few trees that are particularly inclined to bleed are elm, maple, beech, birch, and yellowwood.

 

Why to Trim?

Trimming is important for your tree’s health. It has several benefits and has been proven to increase a tree’s life and also improve their beauty.
For more information on trimming or to hire tree care professionals to do the job, get in touch with us today.

15 May 2017
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May 15, 2017 0 Comments By moraycreative Gardening, General, Uncategorized ,

Pruning Tips For Novices

Pruning is important for the health of you tree. Contrary to the popular belief, pruning doesn’t jump improve the look, but also helps your tree stay healthy. However, tree pruning requires some prior knowledge so that you don’t harm the tree while doing so.

 

To help you in this regard, given below are some tips on pruning for novices.

 

  1. Tree Pruning Starts With Observing: The first thing you should do before starting with the pruning process is to stand back and observe the tree from all angle.

Have a good look at the tree and decide the shape that would suit it the best. Next, thoroughly concentrate on the tangled branches and mark the points where you wish to cut. Remember that several smaller cuts are better than one big cut, so make sure you plan accordingly.

 

  1. Dead Branches or Branches too close: The first priority when pruning a tree should be to get rid of rotten and dead branches. This is necessary to maintain the health and look of your tree. The next step should be to separate branches that are too close to each other. Doing this will make more room for light and airflow, putting the tree in a better position to fight diseases and be healthy.

 

  1. Know How to Cut: Tree pruning is a process which requires attention and patience. You need to be careful how and where you cut the tree. One wrong mark may cause huge damage to the tree. The correct way of making a cut is to measure. An ideal cut is one which is made close to the bud, branch or trunk; however, it shouldn’t be too close either.

Keep a distance. There are certain areas which are sensitive such as the collar because it contains hormones which contribute to the healing of wounds. So make sure you don’t damage that.

 

  1. The Art of Cutting Larger Branches: Branches that are large and thick ( 3 or more cm) are not easy to cut. You need to hold the branch with one hand and cut with the other. This can be complicated and requires special cutting technique.

This technique involves making several cuts so that the bark doesn’t tear. The first cut is made on the underside of the branch, some 40 cm away from the trunk. Keep cutting until the branch starts to sag and your saw gets trapped. The second cut should be made on the top of the branch, some 45 cm away from the trunk; this won’t trap your cutting tool and will easily help you cut off larger branches with great ease.

 

  1. When to Prune: The right time depends on several things, most importantly the condition of the tree. If there are tonnes of dead branches, then it would be wise to prune right away instead of waiting for the right season. Not doing so may cause the tree to get contaminated.
14 May 2017
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May 14, 2017 3 Comments By moraycreative Greenville SC Stump Removal, Greenville SC Tree Care, Greenville SC Tree Pruning, Greenville SC Tree Removal, Greenville SC Tree Services, Greenville SC Tree Trimming , , ,

How to Maintain Your Garden During Winters

Winter is dreaded by most gardeners. It’s the season when everything goes haywire and your garden starts to look like a mess. However, if you have the right knowledge, you can easily maintain your garden even when the weather gets tough.

There are a few steps you can take to maintain your garden’s look even when it’s cold out there. While you cannot increase the number of hours the sun shines on you, there are a few other things you can take that can have a great effect on your garden.

 

Here are a few tips from a tree services provider on how to maintain your garden in winters:

Wrap up the Plants in Pots: The very first thing you should do is provide safety to your tender plants because they can die during winters if not properly insulated.  You can wrap up pots with the help of bubble wraps or clean old blankets to keep them warm. Keeping them under a shelter is a wise choice as well.

Keep an Eye Out For Weeds: One of the things that you should look out this winter is weeds. If you see early bulbs or perennials growing, spray immediately. Weed is bad for your plant, it sucks all the nutrients from the soil causing plants to die. And since weed grows rapidly, you need to be quick in doing away with it.

 

Protect the Plants From Wet Weather: The key to securing your plants under heavy rain is to cover them with glass slabs supported by bricks. You can also move potted plants under the porch or a sheltered area to keep them safe from being waterlogged.

Also, make sure to not let rain water collect in the garden. It is not only bad for your plant’s health, but your health as well.

Water Your Plants Wisely: It’s true that plants require less water in winters, however, not watering them properly can also be a killer. The right amount of water depends on the type of plant, so make sure you’re well aware of how much water a plant needs. Some need to be water once a day, some more and some even less than that.

Remove The Dead Plants/Leaves: Rake the fallen leaves and dead parts of plants. They might spread infection and cause your plants to fall sick, according to most tree services providers.

Trim The Trees: If you see additional branches or shrubs hanging or coming too close to one another then trim them and keep your trees in shape. While summer is not the best time to trim, but doing so has no harm either, but make sure to do it properly.

Mow the Lawn Before it Snows: One of the wisest things you can do to prevent fungal diseases taking over your plants and trees is to mow the lawn before it snows.

Mulch: If you wish to grow winter vegetables this winter then mulching will create a thick layer and protect vegetables from chilly weather.  

Verdict:

Winters can be a lot of fun. Consult professional tree services provider to know more about tree care.

13 May 2017
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May 13, 2017 1 Comments By moraycreative General, Landscaping, Uncategorized

How to Maintain Your Garden During Summers

Different gardening skills are required during different seasons. When we talk about summers, there are a lot of things to take into account in order to keep your lawn top-notch.

 

However, there is no one rule on how to maintain your garden during summers. This is because the right tip depends on a number of factors including the condition of the soil, the type and health of the plants and your geographical location. Most people perform tree removal during summers, but it is also the right month to grow plants.

 

Nonetheless, this article is written with a general approach. Listed below are some of the most common and effective tips that will help you maintain your garden in the scorching heat of summer:

 

Watering Regularly: It is important for you to take care of your plants and water them regularly. A normal sized garden requires around 2.5cm of water per week. This amount of water should be given all at once so that the water could pass through the soil and reach the roots.  Keep in mind to water the trees and plants from their base because sometimes water sitting on leaves might lead to various diseases during summer.

Mulching: To keep your ground cool and protect the ground’s dirt from the scorching heat, mulching is the best choice. However, mulching layer can easily wear off due to the sun’s heat directly falling upon it, you should make sure to mulch a layer that is around 6-9 cm thick, so that it doesn’t break down easily.

Pruning: A lot of people believe that pruning isn’t an effective way to preserve your garden and it lessens the life of a plant, it’s actually the opposite. Pruning is very essential to prolong the life of a tree. When you take off the dead branches and shoots, you’re actually helping the tree. Removing unwanted flowers, leaves and branches makes more room to produce more buds and it speeds up the growing process of a tree.

Keeping Weed at Bay: Weeds are known to grow rapidly under scorching heat. You must make sure to stop weed from spreading as it is a silent killer and can cause your garden to die in no time. Weed basically works like a parasite and feeds on nutrients and moisture from plants. Do not waste time when you see tiny weed bulbs appearing; remove them immediately because weeds when smaller, are easier to remove.

Applying Fertilizers: A situation might arise when you need to shift a plant to a different pot. In such a case, you can use water soluble feed during summer. Keep in mind that extra manure should be performed on certain vegetables like brinjals and chillies so that they can grow healthy. Fertilizers can be found in different forms such as liquids, powder etc.

Choosing the Right Crops For Summer: It is essential that you choose the right crops to plant in summer. The ones whose roots don’t grow deep are suitable to grow in summer such as cucumber, pumpkin etc.

 

It’s Time For Blossoms: Seeds germinate at a fast pace during summers, making it the right season to plant new flowering plants. Tree removal should be done before it so that you can grow fresh plants in the season.
Summer is a good time to for some additions to your garden. Speak to a specialist about the right plants.

12 May 2017
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May 12, 2017 0 Comments By moraycreative Gardening, Landscaping, Uncategorized ,

Should You Trim Your Trees Before Autumn or After

The key to keeping your trees safe and healthy lies in knowing the right time to trim them. However, not many people are aware of the right time. While a tree generally goes naked during autumn, making it the right season to trim, but should you do it before the tree begins to shed its leaves or after?

In simple words, you should do it after autumn. Let’s have a look at why this is such a good idea.

 

Faster Healing in a Dormant Stage

Trees enter a dormant stage during winter and autumn. This is when a tree stops to grow and stays as it is. Call a tree company and they’d suggest you the same.

 

Trimming is a stressful experience for a tree and if you decide to trim it while it is still in a growing process, it will prove to be quite a burden on the tree’s health. However, when you trim a tree when it is in a dormant stage, the healing process gets easy because the plant isn’t trying to grow flowers, fruits, or shoots. It can only focus on the healing making the process easier and quicker. As a result, your tree is back to normal within a short span of time.

 

Less Vulnerable to Insects and Diseases

Trees are less likely to be attacked by harmful insects and horrible diseases after spring.

 

When you trim a tree, you end up inflicting a number of cuts on its its branches, trunk and shoots. Although the tree has the ability to heal itself, it might take many days to do so, and when a wound stays on a tree for long, it becomes an open invitation for insects and diseases for a feast. These insects can infect the plant from the inside, causing it to decay.

 

In winter, most of the insects are not active; therefore, the risk factor is greatly reduced.

 

Trimming is Easy After Autumn

The decision to trim after autumn is fruitful because you won’t have extra leaves or branches all tangled up, making it hard for you to decide on which branch or shoot to cut.

 

Trimming after autumn means that most of the leaves would have fallen and there’d be enough room on the tree’s crown, making it easy for you to decide how much trimming you need to do and from which parts.

 

This makes the job less tedious, according to most tree companies out there. According to most people, this is the #1 reason they prefer to trim after autumn.

 

Verdict:

Tree trimming is an essential process that ensures the safety and health of trees. It is important that you seek help from professionals to do the job. One wrong cut would mean the end for the tree.
The right trimming would not only increase your tree’s life, but also improve its aesthetic value. We have been in the business for many years, and have helped hundreds of people have the lawn they dreamt of.

11 May 2017
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May 11, 2017 0 Comments By moraycreative Greenville SC Stump Removal, Greenville SC Tree Care, Greenville SC Tree Pruning, Greenville SC Tree Removal, Greenville SC Tree Services, Greenville SC Tree Trimming ,

5 Reasons Why You Should Trim the Trees

We grow trees for a number of reason. Some enjoy benefits such as fruits and shade, while some just like to add to the beauty. But when you think about it, trees do a lot more for us than we think. They stay with us for generations and provide us with several benefits, including health benefits.

But, do you realize that tree, just like humans, get old as well. They need regular maintenance, in the form of pruning and trimming, for them to stay young and upright.

One of the best ways to ensure the safety and health of trees is to trim them properly. Many people who like to maintain their garden don’t know the importance of trimming a tree and they neglect it.

 

Here are 5 reasons why you should trim the trees:

 

 

  • Safety: Trees cannot express their feelings, which is why it is important for us to pay attention to the signs. Dead branches or branches hanging from the tree is a sign that the tree requires trimming. It is basically your tree asking for maintenance.

 

These dead branches are not a risk only for the tree, but your health as well. They may eventually fall down one day on their own causing injuries and other such problems. This is why it would be wise to get rid of them as quickly as possible.

 

  • A Healthy Tree: Trimming allows tree to grow new branches. If you do not trim dead branches, the tree would not have enough space to grow causing it to decay.

 

 

 

  • Visually Appealing: Not trimming for a long time can destroy the look of a tree. Dead and broken branches ruin the overall look of a tree, making it look older and less appealing.

 

 

 

  • More Sun Exposure: When you trim a tree from correct directions and angles, you allow it to absorb more sunlight. This gives the tree the ability to make more food, causing it to grow more and look brighter and more attractive. In addition to this, sunlight is also important for fruit production. If a tree does not get proper sunlight, it would not be able to fruit healthy fruits.

 

 

 

  • Keeps Pests Away: Pests can destroy a tree if no proper care is taken. Pesticides and insecticides aside, trimming has been proven to be a beneficial method in improving pest attacks.

 

Untrimmed trees encourage mold and certain insects, as a result of which, a tree may start to catch different diseases and lose its health. This is not only dangerous for the tree but also for you and your family. The insects might crawl into a nearby property and cause damage to either the property or the people living in it.

It is evident that tree trimming is necessary to maintain your tree’s health and look. To make sure the tree is properly trimmed, you need to hire professionals who know the secret behind tree trimming.