Month: March 2022

DIY Dads, beware – planning to trim or remove a tree in your yard can be quite a tall task! While these two items on your to-do list may seem like they would fit in the same category, they are actually very different objectives with very different levels of responsibility. 

With 40 years of experience under our belt, however, the team at Red’s Tree Service knows the ins and outs of tree trimming and removal like the back of our hand. If you’ve been gearing up to tackle that magnolia or poplar in your yard, be sure to check out the guide below first – you may just end up calling Red’s Tree Service instead!

All About Tree Trimming

When it comes to trimming trees, there is a lot to take into consideration. The process may not be as cut and dry as you might think. 

Knowing When to Trim

There are three main reasons you might want to trim the tree in your yard: aesthetic, safety, and tree health. 

Aesthetic: You may be more inclined to use the familiar term “pruning” when it comes to the aesthetic side of tree trimming, and you wouldn’t be wrong. Selective pruning is often used to improve the appearance of the trees in your yard, much the same as trimming a bush or pulling back the weeds. This process helps influence the tree’s growth over time and can reduce the tree’s fullness for a more aesthetically pleasing front, back, or side-yard accent. 

Safety: A limb left hanging over your roof is likely the most obvious candidate for trimming. That’s because wind, rain, and winter weather can all cause unsecured limbs to fall, which could cause damage to your home or even injure people nearby. Stray limbs can also block street signs, obstruct driveways, or overhang public roads. While aesthetics are the “fun” reason to trim trees, safety is the main and most important reason and should be prioritized when considering which limbs to remove. 

Tree Health: If aesthetics and safety are the most talked-about reasons to prune, tree health is the hidden gem of tree trimming. Properly pruned trees may be healthier, more beautiful, and safer – the best bang for your buck if you will. Pruning can help to eliminate dead, diseased, or insect-infested limbs that harm your tree overall, allowing your tree to grow for years to come. 

The Basics of Tree Trimming

Now that you know why you should consider trimming your favorite tree, you may have a series of other questions running through your mind, like…

When is the best time to trim a tree? The best time to trim trees in your yard is during the tree’s dormant season, typically winter. However, the dormant season may depend on the species, so it is important to do your research for the best results.

How often do trees need to be pruned? Trees should be pruned about once per year. This allows for new growth later in the season!

How much does it cost to trim a tree? For a DIY tree-pruning project, you can expect to pay anywhere between $50-$200 dollars depending on the tools you decide to rent. Most people hire a professional team like Red’s Tree Service to take care of the trimming for them, and fortunately, you can contact us for a free estimate!

Safety Measures and Pruning Tips

Tree trimming is no joke. Depending on the size of the tree, the type of tree, and its location, trimming can be a very dangerous task. A good rule of thumb for any tree-related project is, if it requires a chainsaw and a ladder, hire a professional. It is by no means difficult to predict a series of potential wrong turns and drastic injuries when these two tools are mixed together, so it is important not to take the risk if it is not necessary. The same goes for trees that are within ten feet of power lines: don’t take the risk, hire Red’s Tree Service!

If it is safe enough to trim a tree on your own, be sure to prune during the tree’s dormant season and try to prune younger branches if you can. Try to only trim tree branches with V-shaped angles. The branches with U-shaped angles are more important to the tree’s structure. 

Tree Removal

Tree removal is a very different game than tree trimming and should be handled with as much caution as possible or left to professionals altogether. Again, the golden rule of tree trimming and removal is that if you need a ladder, you need a professional. 

Removing smaller trees is possible on your own so long as you take an abundance of caution. This is because removing small trees means digging them out of the ground rather than cutting them down. The best course of action is to water the soil around the tree several days before you attempt to remove it to keep the ground pliable and make the job easier. Then, measure how many inches tall the tree is – you’ll want to dig 6 inches deep for every inch high the tree is. Once you’ve dug out the roots, move the tree back and forth until you can wrest it from the ground. 

Come On Dad, Just Call Red’s Tree Service!

Although we have an enormous amount of respect for self-serving individuals and do-it-yourself mentalities in dads, moms, grandfathers, aunts, cousins, and particularly scrappy daughters, tree trimming and removal is a professional enterprise. Let Red’s Tree Service take over, and schedule us for a free estimate today! 

This post first appeared on https://redstreeservice.com

Avoid a barren and boring yard . Knowing which shrubs give off a delightful fragrance will help you plant a yard full of aromatic surprises.

72tree.com gathered the following list of fragrant shrubs to help you balance beauty with aroma when planting in your yard and garden.

1. Jasmine (Jasminum)

Jasmine is a large deciduous or evergreen vining shrub with a graceful look and an appealing sweet scent.

Sun Requirement – Jasmines need 6 or more hours of daily sun. For species requiring partial shade, they will require 2 to 4 hours of daily sun.
Soil Requirement – Jasmine shrubs need well-drained, moist, and moderately fertile sandy, loamy soil.
Size – Jasmine typically grows to a height of 10 to 15 feet as a tall, semi-vining shrub.
Blooming Season – This species blooms in clusters from spring until mid-fall. The sweet flowers are often cream, white, pink, or yellow.
Fragrance – Jasmine has a floral scent considered rich and sweet.
Hardiness Zone – This species thrives in zone 7 and can sometimes survive in zone 6.

2. Lilac (Syringa)

Lilac is a deciduous shrub with an irregular, rounded outline. The shrub is fast-growing when young but slows considerably with age. Lilac stems are dark gray to brown, and the wood is strong. Leaves on this shrub are dark green to blue-green on top and pale green below.

Sun Requirement – Lilacs need 6 to 8 hours of daily sun. Any less, and they may not bloom.
Soil Requirement – This species grows best in slightly alkaline (6.5 to 7.0 pH), moist, well-drained soil rich in organic matter.
Size – Lilac grows to a height of 8 to15 feet and a spread of 6 to 12 feet at maturity.
Blooming Season – Lilac typically blooms for 2 weeks in mid-spring. However, some varieties bloom in early and late spring.
Fragrance – Lilac is quite different from other species. Its scent is more deeply, and richly floral, similar to rose with subtle hints of vanilla. For those who prefer stronger perfumes, Lilac is a suitable choice.
Hardiness Zone – This species thrives in zones 3 through 7.

3. Gardenia (Gardenia jasminoides)

Gardenias have glossy evergreen leaves typically arranged opposite each other. The shrub’s tubular flowers are white or yellow and bloom singly or in small clusters. This shrub produces large berry-like fruits with sticky orange pulp.

Sun Requirement – Gardenias need a minimum of four hours of daily sun.
Soil Requirement – This species grows best in acidic (5.0 to 6.0 pH), moist, well-drained soil rich in organic matter.
Size – Gardenias grow 3 to 5 feet tall and wide.
Blooming Season – This species blooms in from late spring until mid-fall. Gardenia flowers are known to last several weeks before wilting.
Fragrance – Gardenias produce significantly fragrant flowers that may change scents during the day. The aroma is often described as a spicy, zesty scent, sometimes with coconut or even peach undertones.
Hardiness Zone – Gardenias thrive in zone 6b.

4. Viburnum (Viburnum)

Viburnums are large-flowering shrubs, with some varieties reaching up to 20 feet. There are both evergreen and deciduous viburnum varieties.

Sun Requirement – Viburnums thrive in full sun but will grow as well in light to partial shade.
Soil Requirement – This species will do well in moderately fertile, moist, and well-drained soil with a 5.6 to 6.6 pH.
Size – Viburnum grows from 3 to 20 feet at maturity.
Blooming Season – Most viburnums flower in spring.
Fragrance – The flower’s scent is sweet and pervasive with clove-like notes.
Hardiness Zone – Viburnum is hardy to zones 2 through 9.

5. Honeysuckle (Lonicera)

Honeysuckle shrubs are deciduous perennials with oval leaves and clusters of tubular flowers at the branch tips.

Sun Requirement – Honeysuckles need 6 to 8 hours of daily sun. Any less, and they may not bloom as much.
Soil Requirement – This species requires organically rich and well-drained soil. It should be moist but not soggy and should be an acidic to moderately alkaline soil ranging from a 5.5 to 8.0 pH.
Size – A honeysuckle vine can reach an astounding 30 feet in height, while other varieties grow to only 10 feet. It can take 10 years for honeysuckle to reach these mature heights.
Blooming Season – Most varieties will bloom in the spring, but some continue to flower all through summer and into early fall.
Fragrance – Honeysuckle is a pungent, almost thick scent, but it’s fruity with hints of honey and citrus.
Hardiness Zone – Honeysuckle is hardy to zones 5 through 9.

Fragrant Shrubs

In this article, you discovered species and planting information about 5 fragrant shrubs to grow in and around your garden and yard.

Planting fragrant shrubs in your yard and garden adds another dimension to the pleasant experiences you are trying to create around your home.

By not planting fragrant shrubs in your yard and garden, you are squandering an opportunity to add diversity, pleasant aromas, and curb appeal to your home.

Sources:
hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/jasmine/
plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/syringa-vulgaris/
ctahr.hawaii.edu/oc/freepubs/pdf/of-32.pdf
unlgardens.unl.edu/viburnums
naturalresources.extension.iastate.edu/encyclopedia/honeysuckle-invasive-species-profile

This article was first published on: http://www.72tree.com/5-fragrant-shrubs-for-your-yard-and-garden/

Avoid an ugly and bland yard with dying shrubs in Marietta, Georgia. Knowing which flowering shrubs are hardy to zone 7b lets you plant and grow spectacular flowering shrubbery.

toddsmariettatreeservices.com gathered the following species and planting information about 5 beautiful flowering shrubs for your Marietta, Georgia yard and garden.

1. Azalea (Rhododendron)

Azalea is the popular name for a group of flowering shrubs in the Rhododendron genus. These shrubs are characterized by the absence of scales on the underside of the thin, soft, and pointed leaves. This shrub typically has terminal blooms – with one flower per stem.

Sun Requirements – Azaleas thrive in full sun (about 4 hours per day) or part shade.
Soil Requirements – This species requires well-drained, acidic soil. You should test the soil regularly and keep it below a 6.0 pH.
Size at Maturity – Some azalea species reach heights of 20 feet or more, dwarf azaleas only grow to 2 or 3 feet tall, while many garden azalea varieties average 4 to 6 feet in height.
Flowers – Azaleas tend to bloom from early February to September.

2. Forsythia (Forsythia)

Forsythia is a deciduous shrub with stems that start green but turn woody and display a rough gray bark. For most of the year, the shrub remains covered in dense, bright green foliage.

Sun Requirements – This species does best in full sun (about 4 hours per day) or part shade.
Soil Requirements – Forsythia shrubs will adapt to most soils. However, they prefer loose, well-draining soil and do best in soils with a pH ranging from 7.0 to 8.0.
Size at Maturity – The forsythia species grows to a mature height of 8 to 10 feet and a spread of 10 to 12 feet.
Flowers – Forsythia blooms overwhelming amounts of bright yellow flowers in the spring.

3. Rose (Rosa)

Roses are upright, climbing, or crawling shrubs. Rose’s stems are typically copiously covered in sharp, protective thorns. The shrub’s foliage is usually feather-formed and sharply toothed.

Sun Requirements – Rose shrubs perform best in full sun (about 4 hours per day).
Soil Requirements – Roses require good drainage and rich, moisture-retentive soil, with a pH between 6.5 and 7.
Size at Maturity – Roses varieties range from miniatures (8 inches tall) to tree-climbing vines that easily reach 50 feet or more.
Flowers – Most roses bloom in springtime, with some varieties flowering again in the fall.

4. Hydrangea (Hydrangea)

Hydrangeas are popular as cut flowers and shrubs for the yard because of their oversized, beautiful blooms. The large flower clusters look like a cheerleader’s pom-poms growing on bushes that sometimes grow as tall as trees. The shrubs come in a variety of different colors (often determined by your soil’s mineral content) and shapes.

Sun Requirements – Hydrangeas thrive with morning sun and partial shade later in the day.
Soil Requirements – Most hydrangeas will do best in fertile, well-drained soils that get plenty of moisture. Consider adding compost to enrich poor soil.
Size at Maturity – Some species only grow to about 2 or 3 feet tall and wide, while others can reach 6 feet tall with a 6-foot spread.
Flowers – Most hydrangeas put on their buds in early summer to only bloom in the following spring, summer, and early fall seasons.

5. Tea Olive (Osmanthus fragrans)

Tea olive is a broadleaf evergreen shrub (strikingly similar to hollies) from the Oleaceae (olive) family and is native to Asia. This plant species blooms extremely fragrant flowers.

Sun Requirements – Tea olive shrubs thrive in full sun (about 6 to 8 hours per day) or part shade.
Soil Requirements – This species requires well-drained, acidic soil.
Size at Maturity – This plant species typically grows to a mature height of 10 to 30 feet
Flowers – Tea olive blossoms appear in spring, continuously blooming heavily through early summer, then flowering intermittently through fall.

Blooming Shrubs

In this article, you discovered essential information about 5 magnificent flowering shrub species hardy to zone 7b.

Knowing which shrubs to plant in your Marietta, Georgia yard will help you grow a thriving yard full of beautiful seasonal flowers.

Haphazardly planting shrubs out of their respective zones will likely end in the species struggling to survive and prevent it from ever flowering.

Sources:
hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/tea-olive/
njaes.rutgers.edu/fs1152/
site.extension.uga.edu/effinghamanr/2021/02/tips-for-growing-roses/
extension.umn.edu/trees-and-shrubs/forsythia
gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/trees-and-shrubs/shrubs/azalea.html

Residents of New Jersey deal with coastal storms and heavy rain storms each year. Sometimes, they’re worse than others, especially if a hurricane hits the southeast coast of the country. The storm can weaken but travel up the coast to the tri-state area causing damages to landscapes and properties in certain areas.

It’s beneficial to have an emergency storm cleanup service ready by your side if you experience damages to your trees on your property after a storm.

Severe Storms Can Cause Dangerous Damage to Trees

If you have trees on your property, they are susceptible to severe storms. Storms that bring heavy winds, rainfall, and thunder can have a negative impact on the trees that are on your land. Branches can be broken and fall down on your property and even your house if the trees are close to it. One of the best things to do if you have tree damage after a storm is to hire a professional tree service to come and clean everything up.

How Can Big Foot Tree Service Help?

At Big Foot Tree Service, we’re in the business of tree care for residents in and around Wayne, NJ. We have several different service areas we cover to ensure that all of our customers feel at peace knowing we can help remove trees off properties after a storm.

Even after a harsh winter, you could end up finding damages to your trees. If this occurs, it’s important to reach out to us for our help.

We’re a tree service company you can trust to have your back when damages happen.

If you’re worried about your trees, don’t hesitate to give us a call. Contact Big Foot Tree Service at 973-885-8000 today or visit us online for more information!

The post Blog first appeared on Big Foot Tree Service. This post first appeared on https://www.bigfoottreeservice.com