Month: <span>June 2017</span>

Different Types of Mulching Techniques

Mulching is a procedure which allows the soil to hold more moisture. This helps in managing the tree’s temperature when it is not in its favor. Mulching also plays a vital role in keeping weed under control while also preventing fungus from occurring at the dead parts of the tree as well as the roots. All in all, mulching promotes a tree’s health. Any good tree company would suggest you to do it.

 

When it comes to mulching, it is not confined to one type. There are many types of mulching, each having a specific purpose. One should be knowledgeable about all the types of mulching to be able to pick the right one.

 

As someone who enjoys gardening as a hobby, we do not expect you to understand all about mulching. This is what a tree company is for. However, you should know the basics so that you can provide better care to your plants.

 

Without much ado, let’ have a look at different types of mulching techniques.

 

Organic Mulch

A mulch prepared from organic materials is called organic mulch. This type of mulch involves placing softwood bark, pine needles and wood chips. Organic mulch however, decays quickly as compared to inorganic mulch.

Despite the fact that it requires more care and maintenance than inorganic mulching, most of the arborists prefer organic mulch due to the fact that it brings benefits for the soil.

 

Inorganic Mulch

Lava rock, rubber and other fabrics are the materials used in inorganic mulching. This type of mulch does not decay soon. It fights against weed and prevents it from growing, however, water and oxygen is passable through this type of mulch.

It requires low maintenance and unlike organic mulch, does not provide the soil with anything. Mostly, such form of mulching is used to decorate the surrounding area around trees.

 

Rocks And Gravel Mulching

Rocks and Gravel are considered to fall under inorganic mulch, and are vastly used due to their low maintenance necessities. However, it comes with certain flaws, which are:

 

Firstly, rocks and Gravel mulching can be stressful. They are responsible for water loss as they absorb heat in daytime and give out heat at night. Secondly, they may take a lot of space and also be difficult to move due to the size, but they look good on the eyes if done properly.

 

Verdict

The correct way to choose on a mulch type is to consider the type of tree, shrub you mean to plant. Different plants require and respond in a whole different manner to various sorts of mulch. What benefits one, may not turn out to be helpful for the other. Just like the right type of mulch can significantly profit your trees and plants, the wrong one can bring about severe damage.

5 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Tree Care Company

When it comes to maintaining your lawn, tree care companies are your best bet. However, you cannot just go and pick the first company you come across. There are dozens of companies providing tree care out there, and you must pick one carefully so that you get all that you expect from a good tree care provider.

 

To make sure that your money is well spent and your interests are secured, you have to ask yourself some questions and see if the company you are hiring is fit for the job.

 

Here are 5 questions that should ask before hiring a tree care company:

 

• Are They Licensed And Provide Insurance?

 

Some companies pretend to have insurance when truth be told, they don’t. In this line of work, liability insurance is significant because it will protect both you and your property from accidents or harms that occur while they are working.

Being authorized and certified also matters when you contract a tree care organization. A good tree company should have an ISA confirmed arborist on their team to watch over the issues that might arise. They should also have no less than one TCIA CTSP Certified Treecare Safety Professional to ensure everyone’s safety.

 

• What’s Included in Their Fee?

 

Do not neglect the opportunity to know what services do the company offer in their fee. Some companies will chop down your tree, cut the trunk into reasonable segments and pull out the timber for you in a package. Others will leave the trunk where it lies and let you handle it yourself.

Also, keep in mind that a few companies charge for travel time or mileage. If so, a nearby tree company might be a more prudent decision.

 

• Do They Have Good Credentials?

 

Search for a tree company that has skilled arborists and also the expertise needed to do your job. Ensure that the team is prepared to deal with any kind of complications that might arise. Also, consider requesting a list of potential references. If the business is tenable, they will have no problem to give references about their fulfilled clients.

 

• Are They Affordable And Can They Provide a Detailed Estimate?

 

Get estimates from a few companies so that you can effectively choose which tree organization you’d go with to have your lawn maintained.

A decent tree care company should have the capacity to give an estimate of how much time it would take to carry out a specific task, an essential depiction of what the job may involve, and the final cost. By measuring at these components, you can pick the one that you feel is the most suitable and fits the bill.

 

• Do They Have The Necessary Equipment And Experience to Carry Out The Job?

 

As you plan to hire a tree company, ensure that they have equipment that might be required to carry out heavy jobs. Also check if they have the training to ensure your property’s safety?

 

You will get answers to most of these questions by hiring. And if you’re finding such a company, look no further as we fit the bill. Call xxx-xxx-xxx today.

How to Improve Soil Conditions

When it comes to gardening, you need to take care of several things and the most important is definitely soil conditions. It is believed that a tree can grow in all conditions but not when the soil is dead.

 

So, what makes good soil? Good soil is one which drains away excessive water and remains moist most of the time so that it would be easy to dig. It should be rich in nutrients and provide the growing plant with everything that it requires.

 

Good soil isn’t usually found in nature. But, there isn’t a need to worry because you can turn bad soil into good soil using one of several techniques discussed in this article:

 

See What Your Plant Needs

The first thing you should see is the type of your plant. Plants are like humans, with different needs. Your soil may look dead, but it might work for your plants if they do not require soil that is very rich in nutrients.

A good tree services company can help you understand this better.

 

See What Your Soil Already Has

The next step is to get the soil tested. You can call a tree services provider to inspect the soil and provide you with suggestions.

A professional company will test the soil and suggest you the changes to implement to make your soil healthy. In addition to this, the company can also suggests you plants that will grow smoothly in your specific conditions.

This largely depends on the type of soil that you have. Some of the most common types of soils are discussed below:

 

 

Sandy Soil

Sandy soils have low levels of nutrients but have good drainage. They don’t cope well with wind and rain and result in erosion soon. Organic matter can help them improve and avoid soil erosion.

 

Rough Soil

Rough soils can’t be developed and are normally low in plant supplements. In such circumstances, the least expensive choice might be to assemble plant beds on top of the current soil. This should be possible by bringing in soil to the site or by adopting the “No Digging Cultivating Strategy”. You can develop the soil by setting down layers of organic material, for example, fertilizer and garden clippings etc.

 

Enhancing Soil Fertility

Plants require supplements to develop, and any soil can lose its supply of supplements after some time if they aren’t replenished. The most ideal approach to do this is to continue to fertilize, mulch, and manure consistently. As these materials break down, they discharge supplements, helping the soil stay healthy.

 

You should hire the services of a tree company to take care of the soil. While steps like adding fertilizers and mulching regularly helps, the truth is that only a professional can give you the best solution to your problem.

Common Tree Planting Mistakes to Avoid

Trees are said to enhance the beauty of your property as well as protect it from sun and wind, while also providing you with privacy. In addition to this, it can also enhance your property’s value. The benefits of growing trees are clearly many, but you need to do it well in order to enjoy all that trees provide.

 

Planting mistakes can ruin not just the look of your garden but end up costing you more, according to most tree care companies. It is important that you hire the services of a tree care company so that you do  not make any mistakes. Moreover, given below are common tree planting mistakes to avoid:

 

Not Preparing The Beds The Right Way

It is a common practice to dig tiny holes with our fingers to plant seeds into the soil. But we fail to realize that the soil might dry out and become hard. When this happens, the roots of the small plant cannot pass into the soil, causing the plant to die.

You can either make raised beds to overcome this problem or you can dig deeper into the soil so that the roots don’t have to face this issue.

 

Not Paying Attention to Soil Amendment

Soil condition keeps on changing every season or climate change. Heavy rainfall, soil abrasion and poor drainage system can affect the soil very much. This can impact the health of your plant. For example, heavy rain may sweep away the limestone which you added to increase the pH of your bed.

 

A good practice is to check the state of minerals and pH level of the soil every season and make necessary preparations before planting. Organic matter works like a charm for the soil. Adding manure and compost helps to keep your soil in a good condition.

 

Overwatering Or Underwatering

One of the most common mistakes a gardener makes is watering the plant beyond its need. The key is to know the correct amount of watering and when to do it. Watering excessively is acceptable only until the seeds haven’t established but once the root system sets in, you need to be careful with the amount of water you provide to your plants.

Roots require room to grow and if there’s too much standing water around them, they won’t grow properly and might even suffocate.

In the initial stages, gardeners often tend to water the plants, but not in the correct manner. They spray water over the leaves and stem but forget to make sure that the water reaches deep down and meet the roots. When roots do not get adequate water, they do not grow strong because they fail to anchor the plant firmly into the soil. Hence, it results in a weak and wilted growth.

Make sure that the water penetrates deep into the soil and reach the roots.

 

Planting in The Wrong Place  

Many individuals fail to understand the importance of sunlight for the plants and they plant it under a shade. Most of the plants require sunlight to prepare food and grow strong. Therefore, make sure you plant where sunlight is rich. Additionally, keep the timing in mind. Winters are generally best to grow new plants, but this largely depends on the nature of the plant and other such factors.

How to Grow Plants From Seeds

Growing plants in your garden by sowing seeds is quite satisfying and a way to keep oneself busy and happy. While you do have the options to go to a nursery and pick what you like, but growing your own plants has a unique charm.

 

However, growing plants from seeds isn’t as easy as it sounds. It requires hard work, dedication and a considerate amount of time and care to grow plants. Since you are not an arborist, you will need help from one to know how to go about it. And help is here in the form of this article.

 

There are certain factors to consider when you are growing plants from seeds. We are going to look at all these factors in this article:

 

Ingredients Required

• Seeds: Choose seeds that can grow well in the climate of your region. Make sure the seeds are fresh because fresh seeds germinate at a quicker speed.

 

• Containers: You will need containers to hold the plant and provide a drainage system. Pots, trays are the most common containers used to keep plants.

 

 

• Water

 

 

 

• Soil

 

 

 

• Compost

 

 

 

 

Get Pots Or Trays

Buy a pot or a tray from a store. If there are no holes at the bottom of the container then make a few so that the water can drain from underneath and doesn’t stand at the bottom or else the compost will become overly moist. However, the holes have to be very tiny so that only water can drizzle and nothing else.

 

Fill The Container With Seed Compost

Avoid using the soil dug up from your garden because it might have pests that could destroy the plant. Sterile compost is what you should use and fill the container with it.

 

Water The Surface Of The Compost

Keep spraying water until the compost is moisturized. Do it with a spraying bottle. Avoid using a can to pour water directly because it can damage the seeds.

 

Spread The Seeds Over The Compost

First, bury the larger seeds under the compost. Push them down to 6mm under. Sprinkle the smaller seeds and cover them with compost.

 

Cover The Container

To prevent the compost from drying out, cover the container using plywood or a glass sheet over it. This promotes germination and also keeps the seeds dark.

 

Keep The Container in a Warmer Place

The most suitable temperature for the seeds to germinate is above 18 C. However, if you happen to live in a colder region then you can keep the container near a boiler or a hot water tank. Do check the container after a few days because some seeds germinate fast.

 

Expose The Seedlings When They Germinate

Once the seeds germinate, keep them under the sunlight. Keep the compost moisturized because the tiny roots might dry out when kept in direct sunlight initially. If your region happens to have a colder climate then keep the container indoor and kept under insulation to protect against frost.

 

Transplant The Seedlings

When the seedlings grow a few leaves, transplant them into single containers. Before transplanting, water the compost and use a stick or teaspoon to take out the seedlings. Make sure no harm is done to the roots while doing so. Make a hole with your finger in the new container and drop the seedling again cover the seedling with compost.

 

Plant Out

As soon as the roots begin to come out from the bottom of the container, plant them to their final location.

How To Fight Soil Abrasion

Good soil is the most essential factor when it comes to healthy growth of plants and trees. However, it requires maintenance. Soil is said to erode away by heavy winds and other forces such as water and snow. It also loses its richness with time.

 

Soil abrasion is a real problem that needs interference. Growing vegetation can become daunting due to soil abrasion and necessary steps should be taken in order to prevent it from happening. There are many ways to prevent the soil from abrasion.

 

You can fight soil abrasion by hiring an arborist. An arborist is basically a tree surgeon who can help you deal with all growth problems. However, you must make sure to hire the right arborist so that you can enjoy all the benefits. Moreover, given below are some more tips:

 

Covering The Ground By Planting Vegetation

You can cover the ground by planting trees and shrubs to keep it safe from  damages. When you plant trees, the soil binds with their roots and helps in fighting water and wind erosion.

Plants like wild flowers, herbs and smaller trees are the best choices to prevent soil abrasion. Creepers also help in protecting the soil because they spread on the ground as they grow.

 

Applying Mulches

Mulching extraordinarily helps to prevent the soil from getting eroded. Mulching involves putting wood and dead leaves on the soil. Mulching acts as a defense mechanism for the soil as well as the trees against extraordinary climate changes and also saves the soil from getting destroyed when it rains heavily as it doesn’t allow water to penetrate through the soil quickly. The process is slow, therefore, the soil doesn’t get damaged. Soil’s foundation and fertility are also increased when you mulch.

 

Terrace Farming

Terrace farming involves using the geology of the soil to diminish the speed at which water courses through a series of layers. This keeps the water from gathering speed and washing the soil away. The layers can be made of concrete, timber, cement or stone. It is prescribed to have a 2% slope to prevent the water from accumulating in specific spots.

 

Planting Windbreaks

Windbreaks protect the soil by decreasing the force of the wind over open ground. You can plant trees or bushes to act as windbreaks. They also help in shielding the crops from certain damages that are created by windstorms and other disasters and ensure the safety of the soil as well as the crops.

 

Prevent Soil Compaction

Soil compaction is the squeezing of the soil when mowers, machines, animals run over it. It weakens the soil as it compacts the dirt by pressing it down, resulting in less space between dirt particles in the soil, hence water does not drain quickly.  

Manuring is also an efficient way to secure the soil as it attracts earthworms that provide several benefits.

Summers or Winters: Best Time to Plant New Trees

When it comes to planting new trees, knowing the correct season to plant is very important. People are often confused between summers or winters.

 

Planting trees in summers is an awful idea due to the fact that the water requirements in summers are quite high due to excessive heat and plants are susceptible to severe damage. Therefore, planting new trees in winters is a wise choice for a number of reasons. However, again, you need to rethink about it. If you live in a region where winters are extreme and see heavy snowfall then it might not be a good idea to do so in summers.

 

It would not be wrong to state that the right season depends on several factors including your geographical location, weather conditions and of course the nature of the tree. Some trees thrive in summers while some thrice in winters, so you need to think strategically, and idea seek help from a tree care company.

 

Why Winters is The Best Time to Plant New Trees?

Planting trees in winters prove to be advantageous in many ways and can help a tree grow healthier. Planting a tree in late winter means that the tree will be in the state of dormancy. A dormant stage is one when trees stop to grow and stay idle.

 

Planting a tree when it is in a dormant stage will make the healing process easy because no fruits, trees or shoots grow in that period. This means the energy will all be used in strengthening the tree, and not growing fruits and flowers.

 

Another advantage of planting a tree in winter is that the roots will establish nicely. On the other hand, a tree planted in the hotter months of the year will surrender to the warmth and have a tough time growing. Planting in the colder months will help your tree grow easily.

 

Winters Provide Best Preparation Time For The Tree To Be Ready For The Next Season

 

The key to ensuring proper growth of a tree lies in watering it the correct way. You need to water it more because there is no root system in newly planted trees, however,  it will make the roots grow stronger.

 

In winters, you do not have to worry about weeds as there is no heat. Weeds tend to grow where there is excessive sunlight. Also, many other harmful organisms keep away in the colder months and the tree is safe.

 

The recommended way to water the plants during winters is to use a drip system so that the water reaches down into the soil and keeps the root area nicely moisturized. Most tree care companies suggest to do this twice a week since plants do not need as much water as they require in summers.

 

Choose The Right Tree and The Right Location

Drought tolerant plants grow nicely in winters as they require less water. However, they need to be covered up nicely and kept in pots in their initial stage so that the soil remains wet for the most part and the roots keep getting enough water underneath the soil.

 

Mulching in Winters

Mulching is also necessary in winters because it helps to protect the tree from frost and to retain water. Add a layer of mulch (4 – 8 inches) around the base of the tree and make sure that it doesn’t touch the trunk of the tree. Look for a tree services company to do the job.

Do Trees Really Fall Sick?

“Do trees fall sick?” is one of the most searched questions on the web. When you think about it, it is quite funny. We know humans fall sick, we know animals fall sick as well, but what about trees?

 

Look into fine details. Trees are living things just like us, and they are said to feel as well. Some experts have gone as far as to say that trees can feel pain as well. So, can trees really fall sick? The answer is a yes in one word. But what does it mean for a tree to be sick?

 

When a tree stops growing how it would grow in regular conditions, it is said to be sick. Breaking of branches, shoots, bending of a tree are all signs of a tree being sick. Trees can fall sick for a number of reasons, however not all signs indicate a tree to be sick.

 

Sometimes, a tree appears to be sick whereas the problem is something else. You need to look for a company providing tree services to help you understand it better.

 

Some of the most common cause of trees being sick is not maintaining them as required. Maintaining a tree involves watering it regularly, trimming and pruning it when required and preventing harmful organisms from attacking it.

 

If you search more, you will find that there are actual diseases that trees suffer from. These may be due to changing weather or invaders.

 

Now that it is clear that trees fall sick, let’s talk about some of the symptoms:

 

A Leaning Tree

Observe your tree closely and see if it’s bending. Is its posture the same as it was a week or a month ago? Do you happen to see many dead branches hanging from it? Is there a part on the tree where leaves are falling quickly?

All these signs imply that the tree is sick and require immediate attention.

In case you do not have the knowledge, a wise choice is to consult a tree services provider to have a look at your tree and see what’s wrong with it.

 

Look For Decay

Once the wood starts to decay, fungus grows over it. Fungus occurs near the root system, making it weaker and disturbing the tree’s stance.

Fungus is dangerous as it can even break off healthy branches from the tree. If you happen to see rot, decay or fungus over any part of the tree then approach a tree caring company and ask for solutions.

 

Frass at The Base

Fras is an indication you should not miss. It usually happens due to insects but weather conditions are also said to cause frass.

 

Inspect The Trunk

Pay special attention to cracks and cavities. They indicate a weakening tree. You must make sure not to neglect this sign as it is risky as well. Such a tree may fall at any time and cause injuries.

Dead Wood

One of the most common diseases a tree can go through is dead wood. When trees begin to shed leaves before time then it is implied that they aren’t getting enough sunlight. If these dead regions of the tree aren’t replaced then a number of other diseases can occur in the tree.

 

Verdict

Hiring an experienced tree services provider is important if you happen to observe unusual behavior from the tree because it is possible that the tree might be suffering from some disease.

Hiring a Gardener V/S Hiring a Tree Company

Maintaining your lawn is vital if you want to keep your plants and trees healthy. However, it requires knowledge, tools and manpower, which people usually don’t have. Hence, gardeners and tree companies come into play.

 

These are technically substitutes. You can do the job on your own, hire a gardener to take care of things or look for a reliable tree company.

 

We’re not going for DIY here because someone with no knowledge of plants will find it very difficult to maintain a garden. Hence, we’re going to look at two other options.

 

If you happen to have small garden with a few plants that belong to a common specie then hiring a gardener is suitable. However, if you own a large garden with a variety of plants that belong to rare species then a gardener won’t help you this time, you will need to hire an experienced tree care company to take care of your lawn needs.

 

When Should You Hire a Tree Care Company?

• When you have bigger issues with your garden such as removing a dead tree or trimming or pruning an old tree then you will need the expertise of a company which is equipped with the necessary tools and has the means and manpower to move heavy tree leftovers.

 

• A good tree care company is better than hiring a gardener when you need to seek advice regarding a complex situation related to your lawn. Trees are prone to wounds and diseases and need to be tended quickly to avoid further damage. A tree care company has experts including individuals with knowledge on trees and related diseases, which comes very handy.

 

• Tree removal is painful and you will need a professional company to do the job. A tree care company ensures that the job is done completely and there is no mess behind.

• If you are the kind of an individual who doesn’t want to participate in activities that involve lawn caring then hiring a tree care company is most suitable for you. A gardener also takes care of your lawn, however, he will consume more time and might need your assistance in certain tasks. A tree care company won’t take long to solve your problems because they have the numbers, the tools and the expertise to carry out their jobs quickly and accurately.

When Should You Hire a Gardener?

When you have a small yard having smaller plants then a gardener will do the job for you. Smaller plants are easy to handle and they might not require much strength and advance tools to maintain them. T

 

Verdict

So, we can say that for smaller issues, a gardener is fit for the job however, a tree care company is fit for all kind of lawns.

How Much it Costs to Maintain a Lawn

When you hire a good tree care company to take care of your lawn then the cost can vary depending on the services you choose and also the size of your lawn. A single visit may cost up to $70 – $200, including labor and supplies. The cost adds up as you choose different services, for example:

 

 

• Tree Inspection

 

If you believe that your trees require inspection then by all means get it checked by hiring an expert tree care company. Tree care companies provide expert advice that will ensure the safety of both you and your tree. The average cost of getting your tree inspected is $150.

This may sound a lot but you need to get it done once a year or even two years and you’ll be good. They can see if you need tree removal services and can provide you the same. The cost for tree removal depends on several other factors as it requires a lot of hard work and labor.

 

 

• Trimming/Pruning

 

The average cost to get your tree trimmed is $420, however, it depends upon the size, location, health and type of the tree. Trimming is a hugely in demand service as it is an essential process that ensures well being of a tree.

Neglecting trimming can make the tree grow denser and create many problems. Tree pruning is also an important method to keep the trees healthy. The average cost is around $800 – $1000 for larger trees.

 

 

• Tree/Shrub Maintenance

 

The maintenance cost of a tree/shrub ranges between $400 – $600 depending on the type of the tree and the level of expertise required. Maintenance is basically an amalgamation of several things including taking care of fertilization and size of the tree.

When you hire a company to maintain your lawn you can rest assured as it will be taken care of. They’ll tell you when you need tree removal or any other additional services.

 

 

• Deep Root Fertilization

 

Deep root fertilization involves using advance tools to pass fertilizers deep down into the ground to reach the deepest part of the roots. This is used to strengthen a tree, and the average cost is $200.

 

 

• Trunk Injection

 

A technique used to prevent trees from falling prey to certain diseases which involves injecting chemicals into the tree’s trunk. The average cost lies between $50 – $100.

 

 

• Insect Control

 

Trees are prone to bug attacks and can get severely damaged if neglected. The average cost is $60 – $150 for identifying and treating the diseases.

 

Other services include:

• Grass cutting
• Grass blowing
• Watering
• Treatment
• Removing leaves
• Controlling/eliminating weed and mulching
• Fungus and insect control                                                           
• Applying lawn care products (make sure the company is certified to use products)
• Lawn aeration
• General garden maintenance
• Repairing irrigation system.

.

 

What Includes in a Tree Care Company Fee?

When you hire a tree care company then you will get the following services:

Gear and Supplies – When you hire a company you will not have to worry about the gear and supplies as the company will provide you with these.

Manpower – The labor will not charge you on a hourly basis as you pay a lump sum fee that includes their services.