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Avoid catastrophic accidents and injuries from a poorly constructed treehouse. Knowing how to properly plan and construct a treehouse will help you provide years of fun and learning experiences for your children and their friends.

72tree.com gathered the following essential information, steps, and professional tips on safely constructing a treehouse.

Treehouse Construction

Building a treehouse can provide years of a “second home” for you, your loved ones, and their friends. The following steps and tips will help you build a safe and weather-resistant outdoors retreat:

Step 1 – Select Your Tree(s)

Choose a tree sturdy enough to withstand the weight of your new treehouse and its visitors. Ideally, a tree with a distinct “y” shaped branch will serve you best, but there are other things to consider:

Species: Hardwood varieties (oak, maple, and hickory)
Height: The tree should be tall enough to provide a fun view but should consider the safety of the builder and children as well. A minimum of 6 to 10 feet high is recommended.
Branches: The branches need to be strong and thick enough to bear the structure’s weight.
Quality: Take care to select a tree that is not damaged or ailing in any way. Avoid trees with shallow roots or unstable soil, making them more vulnerable with a weak foundation.

Tip: If you do not have a tree that could support your idea of a treehouse, consider building one on stilts around a tree. You’ll have to significantly modify your blueprints, but you can still build your outdoor retreat.

Step 2 – Design Your Treehouse Blueprint

Your next step is to design the treehouse plans as accurately and as detailed as possible. Developing a treehouse blueprint will help you acquire the right materials during the build. 

Measure the intended height from the ground to the platform, then measure how large you want the platform, and finally, measure the circumference of the trunk and branches that will intersect with the treehouse.

The height and platform measurements are crucial to your build. They will ultimately decide the project’s shape and details. Include your ideas for walls, railings, roofing, and ladder. These will provide shelter and safety for the treehouse’s visitors.  

Step 3 – Consult an Arborist and an architect

Before moving forward, hire an arborist to evaluate the tree you have selected for your project. Experienced arborists are trained to detect developmental issues, disease, infestations, and other commonly overlooked tree problems and weaknesses.

Find a local arborist at treesaregood.org/findanarborist

Once your tree has a green light from your arborist, contract an architect to review your blueprints and offer any suggestions to increase your treehouse’s stability and safety.

Step 4 – Assemble Construction Material

What Is the best lumber for outdoor projects?

•Cedar is preferred when it comes to outdoor designs, while pine and fir are most commonly selected for outdoor treated wood projects

•Pressure-treated wood is chemically treated using pesticides, fire retardants, etc.

According to your blueprints, purchase the appropriate lumber quantity and size to complete your treehouse and have a few planks to spare (these come in handy for repairs or minor building modifications).

Tip: Verify your measurements before purchasing your lumber.

Referring to your blueprints, determine how you plan to attach and secure your treehouse components. Consider the following:

•Galvanized lag screws and washers

•Galvanized joist hangers

•Galvanized rafter ties

•Nails

•Deck screws

•Pulley for 1/4″ rope

•Tarp

Tip: Galvanized screws, nails, and metal components are zinc coated and have undergone a galvanization process. This process leaves the metal with a protective barrier making it resistant to rust and corrosion.

Step 5 – Treehouse Building Tools

Consider that you are building a small, elevated house. Here are some of the building tools required for this project:

•Hammer

•Saw

•Level

•Square

•Tape measure

•Adjustable wrench

•Cordless drill

•Cordless jigsaw

Other useful tools include:

•Miter saw (cutting lumber to length)

•Table saw (ripping lumber)

•Router (rounding sharp edges)

•Electric sander

Note: A stable ladder or stepladder is vital to preventing overhead lifting and potential injuries.

Step 6 – Lay Out the Wood and Material

Before attaching any treehouse components to your tree or mounted supports, lay out the section of the project to visualize what you are assembling. This will give you the opportunity to make any needed alterations or additions.

Note: This step also allows you to collect any hardware you will need before going to work on it

Step 7 – Secure the Support System to the Tree

Now it’s time to either attach the floor joists to the tree or put your concrete deck blocks and posts in place. 

When using the tree for support:

•Pre-drill the tree and lumber before attaching them to one another, as it will make it easier to install and significantly decrease the potential of your boards cracking.

•Once drilled, use an impact wrench to tighten the screws. These lag screws should be at least 6 inches long. 

•Now, add the remaining floor joists.

With the joists in place, add joist hangers using your hammer and 1-inch galvanized nails.

When using concrete deck blocks:

•Place your concrete deck blocks around your tree as determined in your blueprint.

•Place 4 x 4 posts on the concrete deck blocks and use scrap lumber to hold them up until they are connected.   

•Once posts are on the blocks, connect them using 2 x 8 bands. 

•Use a level to make sure they are lined up correctly.

Tip: Whatever height you attach your floor joists on the tree will not change as the tree grows. Tree trunks grow outward by adding layers to their circumference but not upward.

Step 8 – Build Your Platform

To keep your treehouse stable, center the load over the trunk and spread the weight among several branches (if possible).

It will be much easier to build the rest of the treehouse if the floor is level and can support the entire weight of the structure. Consider the following:

•Lay beams across tree branches and shim them until level.

•Run beams between trunks of two trees.

•Cantilever beams out from a single trunk and provide support from above or below.

Tip: Take your time building the platform. Any mistakes here could result in a flimsy or off-centered construction.

Step 9 – Brace Your Platform

Your platform should feel secure and not wobble or shift. If it does, you will need to add extra support to halt this movement by:

•Tightening screws and bolts

•Adding additional support from the trunk

•Making sure joist hangers and rafter ties are properly spaced and installed

Tip: Do not continue building your treehouse until you have firmly secured the platform

Step 10 – Install a Pulley System

A pulley will mostly be for your kids’ enjoyment, but it’s helpful for lifting tools and materials to the platform during construction. Put a pulley in now and hang a basket from it. This will save you from making multiple trips to manually haul your building materials up a ladder.

Step 11 – Build Walls and a Roof

Attach wall supports or framework to your platform (this should be planned out in your blueprints). Remember to give your walls the needed height and strength to support the treehouse’s roof.

If you are using paneling, attach the panels to the frame and cut out your windows and door.

You can temporarily use a tarp held in place with bungee cords for the roof.

Once you have built a fully functional and secure treehouse, attach its permanent ladder and put it to good use.

Municipal Codes and Building Permits

Do you need a building permit?

Maybe. It depends on local laws and the nature of your treehouse. If you’re considering building one that will be visible to your neighbors, discuss it with them in advance to avoid any confusion or problems. Often a municipality only becomes involved after a neighbor complains.

Avoid building near property lines and never build a treehouse where it will infringe on a neighbor’s privacy.

Tip: This is one of the questions you will answer in step 3 with your architect.

How to Minimize Tree Damage

Also, in step 3, work with your arborist to discuss ways to minimize or prevent tree damage during your construction process. Consider the following:

•Consider using ground supports to take stress off the tree.

•Make the least amount of punctures necessary to safely support the treehouse.

•Don’t screw fasteners in too close together (this can significantly weaken that section of the tree). Use bolts spaced at least 18 inches apart vertically and 12 inches apart horizontally.

•Avoid slinging cables and ropes over branches. They can cut through the bark (girdling the branches) as the structure moves.

Note: Any tree bark damage is a potential entry point for infestations and disease.

Building a Treehouse

In this article, you discovered steps, advice, and pro tips on how to safely construct a treehouse for your family’s enjoyment.

Knowing how to properly design and build a treehouse will help you create a stable play place for your loved ones and family friends.

Trying to build a treehouse without planning it out or consulting tree and building professionals can result in catastrophic structural failures and severe injuries.

Sources:
newswire.caes.uga.edu/story/3645/tree-safe-tree-houses.html
glendaleca.gov/government/departments/public-works/indigenous-tree-program/treehouse-guide
cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=SFC19100828.2.200.11&e=——-en–20–1–txt-txIN——–1

This article was first published on: http://www.72tree.com/how-to-build-a-treehouse-in-11-easy-steps/

Spring is finally here, even if the weather hasn’t broken quite yet. This is the time of the year where homeowners get ready to start there spring cleaning and landscaping. When it comes to trees it’s important to not overdo the tree care because this can be bad for the tree’s health.

Did you know that putting a foot or more of mulch at the base of a tree is not good for it? Trees need oxygen and adequate water flow, and those huge, tall clumps of mulch deprive the tree of both. Plus, they look ridiculous.

Over-Caring for Your Tree

Also, did you know you can over water a tree? You don’t want to deprive your tree of water, but you don’t want to over water it either. If you see leaves turning yellow and reducing in number when they shouldn’t be, the tree may be over watered, which could kill it.

After a long winter, when plows put a lot of de-icing salt on the roads, some of that salt ends up in your driveway and down in the soil on your property. The combo of sodium chloride can end up in a tree’s roots, damaging them. In fact, de-icing salt in your soil tends to suck up the water, not allowing it to drain properly, leading to root rot and trees dying.

Solving Lawn Problems the Wrong Way

If you have your lawn sprayed with pesticides and herbicides, it may make your grass look nice, but it can cause some problems in the long term. In the case of trees, they may get discolored foliage and premature leaf loss. Some may even die.

And, of course, there are pesky bugs, such as beetles, that can seemingly take over a tree and slowly but surely kill it.

Big Foot Tree Service keeps busy removing and replacing dead or damaged trees in New Jersey. Call 973-885-8000 to ask about a free estimate for tree care in your yard.

The post What Causes a Tree to Deteriorate and Die? appeared first on Big Foot Tree Service.

This post first appeared on https://www.bigfoottreeservice.com

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

Wind, lightning, and heavy rain can cause devastation to you and your property. These stormy, turbulent conditions can also affect your trees, making cleaning up the damage tricky and dangerous to attempt on your own, and not having the tools and experience necessary to cut down and remove fallen branches safely can prove to be costly. But when do you call for emergency tree trimming or removal? 

No matter the time of day or night, no matter the season, Red’s Complete Tree Service is here to help with our emergency tree service in Memphis, Collierville, and the Mid-South area. We are equipped to remove heavy limbs or the whole tree from homes, automobiles, or any other structures that may be affected by emergency weather conditions. Our emergency tree service often combines tree removal and tree pruning, and we offer dynamic cabling to support weakened trees, as well. 

From falls and accidents to power outages and roof damage, you may have costly issues waiting to present themselves in your yard. Let us help you figure out when you should call for emergency tree care.

Signs it’s time to call Red’s Complete Tree Service for Emergency Tree Care

Maintaining a safe and attractive landscape requires the timely identification of potentially hazardous situations. Call us for emergency tree service day or night when you notice any of the signs below. 

Sick or Aging Trees

Tree diseases and pest infestations that are undetected or untreated can severely threaten the tree’s structural integrity, potentially leading to them leaning on powerlines and roof structures and even collapsing and damaging landscapes, vehicles, or worse, harming a person. 

Storm Damage

The Mid-south is known for unpredictable weather, especially during our two severe weather seasons. Storms can cause large limbs to fall on your home, and ice has been known to take down whole trees. This damage can make clearing blocked driveways and paths and removing debris difficult but time-critical. 

Visibility Issues

If you notice that any of your trees are bushy or uneven, they may be impacting clear lines of sight during the movement of people or vehicles on your property. Corner bushes and trees could also block traffic lights and signs on adjacent streets, leading to accidents. 

Emergency tree care should be performed by a qualified arborist who can assess the extent of the damage, including identifying the tree pests or disease, and provide remedial solutions to nurture your trees back to good health. An arborist can also safely carry out emergency tree removal and stump grinding in situations where the damage is irreversible. Removing the stump is another factor to consider when you have a tree removed. Although it’s not as detrimental as a dangerous tree, there are several advantages to having the stump removed, such as:

• Aesthetics
• Replant another tree
• Aids in the prevention of problems with insects
• Removes the threat of destroying lawn equipment

Our expert team is well versed in minimizing damage at every level as we carefully and expertly remove limbs and trees. We even utilize dynamic cabling to support a tree with failing stability due to a split or old age. This process uses steel cables to hold the branches of the tree together by connecting places that have been weakened or started to fall, preventing them from falling further and causing damage or harm. This process has developed to be much healthier for the tree as the cables are non-invasive and move with the tree.

Risk Assessment and Preventative Arbor Care

Not only do we work to correct the damage caused by emergencies, but we help take steps to prevent damage in an emergency. Red’s Tree Services provides tree trimming and selective pruning to maintain the safety and integrity of your trees, and all starts with a tree health and risk assessment. This assessment can help you spot any weaknesses before they turn into more significant problems. Staying ahead of the issues can save you time and money. 

While understanding and maintaining your trees and the risks associated with them is essential, a qualified arborist will have the knowledge and experience to evaluate the seriousness of any defects that are found. We believe timely and routine tree care goes a long way in promoting the health and beauty of your trees. This attention can protect them from premature dying or aging. 

However, it’s best to keep in mind that unexpected situations will come up, and it is not always possible to save every tree. Our emergency tree services aim to trim, transplant, or remove trees using industry-approved techniques and safety equipment that minimizes the risk of injury or damage.

Your Memphis Area tree service professionals!

We want to help create and maintain strong tree structures that look beautiful and prevent any safety hazards. Still, sometimes, those hazards don’t abide by our pruning and trimming timelines and can become untimely and costly. By using a licensed tree service professional like Red’s Tree Services, you’ll be able to get those concerns handled respectfully and be back to enjoying your yard in no time, as you should be enjoying it, unobstructed. 

Red’s Tree Service is a locally owned and operated tree service company serving Memphis and the Mid South for over 40 years. We have a trained and certified arborist with the knowledge to ensure our clients make the most informed decisions for their trees whenever you need the attention. Our emergency tree service is licensed, insured, and safety-trained crew will clear uprooted trees, remove broken limbs or scattered branches, carry out stump grinding, and get rid of the debris. 

If you have some branches or a tree you’ve been watching and waiting for disaster to strike, our family-owned business would be happy to help. Give us a call today and let our expert team assess your emergency before it causes more issues for you!

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

Avoid the embarrassment of a garden without flowers. Knowing which flowers to plant in your Marietta, Georgia garden will help you cultivate color from early spring through late fall.

toddsmariettatreeservices.com gathered the following information about flowering plants and their needs for your Marietta, GA garden (Hardiness zone 7b).

Gerbera Daisies (Gerbera)

Gerbera daisies have long-lived 3 to 4-inch flowers that can be found in yellow, white, pink, red, orange, lavender, salmon, and multicolored shades. The center floral disk ranges from a yellow to black appearance.

Size – Gerbera daisies typically grow 6 to 18 inches tall.
Sun – This species is a full-sun plant but will adapt to light shade. Plant Gerberas in a site that receives six to eight hours of sun daily.
Water – Gerbera daisies require regular watering. Water only when the soil has dried 1 to 2 inches below the surface.
Soil – Your daisies will thrive in rich soil high in organic matter and well-drained. This daisy species prefers soil with a 5.5 to 6.5 pH level.
Blooms – Gerbera daisies produce their flowers from mid to late spring through the fall in the garden, and their blooms are long-lasting when cut.

Daisies (Bellis perennis)

Daisies produce flowers with a rosette of small, thin white petals surrounding a bright yellow or dark brown floral disk. These blooms are supported by a single stem that grows from a group of dark green rounded leaves. The petals can sometimes emerge tinged in pink. It is a common cultivated or wildflower found growing in prairies, lawns, gardens, on hillsides, and along roadsides.

Size – Daisies can range from 10 inches to over 2 feet tall and include varieties with single, double, or ruffled petals.
Sun – This species is another full-sun plant requiring six to eight hours of sun daily.
Water – Daisies typically require 1 to 2 inches of water per week in the summer months. During spring and fall, daisies need about 1 to 2 inches of water every other week.
Soil – Daisy flowers will tolerate nearly any soil type. However, they thrive when the soil is 12 to 15 inches deep, allowing the root system enough room to fully expand.
Blooms – Daisy blooms typically emerge in late spring and continue blooming until early fall.

Tulips (Tulipa)

The tulip ranks among the most popular of the spring-flowering plants. These bulbs typically bear cup-shaped flowers in practically every shade except true blue. They can be double or single, fringed or twisted, perfumed or non-scented.

Size – Tulips can range from 10 inches to over 2-½ feet tall when in bloom.
Sun – Plant tulip bulbs where they will receive full sun. This will help them reach their maximum height and flower size. Tulips also perform well in partial sun and beneath deciduous trees.
Water – Tulips require very little water. If you water them well when planting, you can practically forget them until spring. However, during extended periods of drought, water them weekly to keep the ground moist.
Soil – Tulips thrive when grown in loose, crumbly soil that is easy to work and very well-drained.
Blooms – Tulips typically bloom from March to April, while mid-season varieties will extend the blooming period much later into spring. In cool weather, your tulips may last 1-2 weeks.

Canna Lily (Canna)

The canna lily species is a perennial with tropical-like foliage and large, striking flowers. Canna lilies are extremely low maintenance and easy to grow. Both the flowers and foliage provide long-lasting color in the garden, with the flowers blooming in red, orange, or yellow shades.

Size – Cannas have strong upright growth habits. Most varieties will grow between 3-5 feet tall, with some reaching 8 feet tall.
Sun – Cannas are tropical plants and thrive in full sun and summer heat.
Water – Once sprouted, water your cannas once per week by soaking the area around the roots. In peak summer weeks, water them liberally every other day.
Soil – Canna lily plants grow best in rich, water-retentive but well-drained soils high in organic matter and with a 6.5 pH.
Blooms – Cannas typically bloom from mid-summer to fall.

Marigolds (Tagetes)

Marigold species are annual flowers that bloom so full and well over a long season that they are commonplace in gardens everywhere. The plant blooms large, fully double flowers in bright yellow, gold, and orange shades.

Size – Marigold species come in a range of sizes from 6 inches to 3 feet tall.
Sun – Plant marigolds where they will receive full sun. This species also performs well in partial shade.
Water – Marigolds in gardens require watering once weekly. After watering, the soil should be moist to a depth of 6 to 8 inches. When the weather is hot or unusually windy, your plants will need extra watering.
Soil – Though marigolds grow in almost any soil, they do best in loamy, moderately fertile, well-drained soil.
Blooms – Most marigold varieties bloom from early summer until the frost in late fall.

Blooming Plants for Zone 7b

In this article, you discovered several flowering plant species and their needs for your Marietta, GA garden in USDA hardiness zone 7b.

Planting flowering plant species (angiosperms) will help you maintain a beautiful garden full of rich, deep colors and show-stopping blooms from spring through fall.

Leaving your garden void of flowering plants is a missed opportunity to increase your home’s curb appeal and avoid the embarrassment of watching your neighbor’s gardens in full bloom.

Sources:
hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/marigold/
extension.umn.edu/flowers/calla-and-canna-lilies
extension.uga.edu/publications/detail.html?number=B918&title=Flowering%20Bulbs%20for%20Georgia%20Gardens
gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/ornamentals/shasta-daisy.html
extension.sdstate.edu/gerbera-daisies

Avoid planting the wrong fruit trees, or species that will eventually die. Knowing about some of the best fruit trees for Alpharetta, Georgia yards will help you choose hardy species when planting time comes around.

72tree.com gathered the following list of 3 fruit trees hardy to US hardiness zone 7b and the city of Alpharetta, Georgia.

1. Apple (Malus)

Most apple trees are small to medium-sized trees that grow to heights of 16 to 33 feet, with a central trunk dividing into several branches. This fruiting tree’s foliage is oval in shape and can reach 5 inches long and 3 inches wide.

Popular Varieties: Some popular apple varieties include:

• Honeycrisp
• Fuji
• Gala
• Red Delicious
• Granny Smith
• Pink Lady

Planting: Place your tree in a bucket of water for a few hours or overnight so the roots can re-hydrate before planting. Plant your apple tree properly by digging a hole at least twice the width and depth of the tree’s root system. Look for the graft union on your tree as well as the slight change in color on the bark just above the roots (soil should not cover the trunk above the last roots).

Pruning: Pruning apple trees should be done only when the tree is dormant, between leaf fall and bud burst (typically between early November and late February).

Water Requirements: For an established tree, you won’t need to water it unless you are not getting much rain or there is a particularly dry spell or even drought. About an inch (2.5 cm.) or so of rainfall every week to ten days is adequate for most apple trees.

Fruiting Season: Apple trees set fruit in the spring, and the apples mature from late summer through fall. Each apple variety matures on its own particular schedule, with early varieties like Zestar ripening first.

2. Cherry (Prunus avium)

Cherry trees are typically large and upright, some reaching heights of 36 feet tall. Its fruit is a fleshy drupe (stone fruit), generally heart-shaped to nearly rounded, about 1 inch in diameter, and varies in color from yellow through red shades to almost black.

Popular Varieties: Some popular cherry varieties include:

• Sweet
• Vandalay
• Benton
• Black Tartarian
• Van

Planting: Plant your cherry tree in a sunny site with plenty of air circulation. Avoid planting near trees or buildings that will shade the cherry tree during daylight hours. Cherry trees require deep, well-drained soil. Space larger variety cherry trees 35 to 40 feet apart.

Pruning: Cherry tree pruning is usually done in late July or August when silver leaf and bacterial canker are not likely to infect your tree. However, light formative or cosmetic pruning can be done in early spring as foliage starts to develop.

Water Requirements: Cherry trees should be deep watered every other day for the first week after planting. The second week they can be watered deeply two or three times. After the second week, you can deep water your cherry trees once a week for the rest of the first growing season. Scale watering amounts as needed during times of drought or heavy rainfall.

Fruiting Season: For cherry trees planted in warmer regions, harvest time can occur as early as May. In cooler areas, cherry harvests occur primarily in June and July.

3. Peach (Prunus persica)

The peach tree is a deciduous tree or large shrub in the Rosaceae family grown for its edible fruit-bearing the same name. Peach trees are relatively short with slender branches. The tree’s foliage is alternately arranged, slender (3 to 6 inches long), and pointed.

Popular Varieties: Some popular peach varieties include:

• Santa Rosa
• Red Beauty
• Red Top
• Elegant Lady
• Yellow

Planting: A dormant, bare-root peach tree needs to be planted in late winter, while a container-grown peach tree should only be planted in the spring. Peach trees need to be planted in full sun, and newly planted trees should be staked for the first growing season.

Pruning: Peach trees should be annually pruned in the spring, right when buds swell and start turning pink. Remove vertical shoots developing in the center of the tree at any time. These shoots will block sunlight and airflow from reaching the fruit.

Water Requirements: Peach trees require a lot of water. On average, a mature peach tree will need at least 36 inches of water per year and 35 to 40 gallons per day in mid and late summer.

Fruiting Season: A hardy peach tree will only bear fruit 2 to 4 years after planting, occurring in mid to late summer (June through August).

Fruit Trees in Your Yard

In this article, you discovered several fruit trees hardy to zone 7b and perfectly suitable for planting in Alpharetta, Georgia yards and landscapes.

Knowing which fruit trees are hardy to zone 7b will help you plant fruit trees that will thrive and eventually bear fruit for you to harvest and enjoy.

Ignoring a fruit tree’s hardiness requirements can result in the death of your tree, the loss of your investment, and costly damage if the tree falls on your property.

Sources:

extension.uga.edu/publications/detail.html?number=C1063&title=Home%20Garden%20Peaches
extension.umd.edu/resource/growing-selecting-root-stock-spacing-planting-apple-trees
u.osu.edu/cfaescapstone/tree-fruits/cherries/care-maintenance/
njaes.rutgers.edu/drought/pdfs/BMP-Irrigating-Peaches.pdf

This article was first published on: http://www.72tree.com/3-fruit-trees-for-your-alpharetta-georgia-landscape/

If you are fortunate enough to have trees on your property, you have some of nature’s great gifts surrounding you. As you care for your home, your trees need care and attention as well, and tree pruning should be a part of your tree maintenance. There are several variations of pruning a tree:

• shortening a tree
• removing damaged or “sick” branches
• thinning the top to allow for new growth
• reshaping a tree for aesthetic reasons
• clearing away obstructive branches

When to Prune

Pruning during a tree’s dormant period is always the most advantageous time to prune, as the tree is less likely to bleed, which is quite stressful to a tree. It also means that diseases, insects and fungi are probably dormant as well, so the trees will be less vulnerable. If you are dealing with deciduous trees, pruning after the leaves have fallen means that you will get a better idea of how you wish to shape the trees.

How much Pruning to Do

With tree pruning, less is always more, so only cut off as much as is truly necessary. Often your mind will be decided for you, as cities will want their utility lines clear of tree branches and, in the case of storm damage, you will have to cope with downed branches and the “holes’” left by lost growth. A good rule of thumb is to never prune more than 25% of the tree’s crown and make sure that at least 2/3 of the tree is composed of living growth.

How to Prune

Remember that pruning is stressful to a tree, and you always want to minimize stress. Also you need to keep in mind that you must protect the tree trunk and branch stems. Always cut above the branch node after first making a wedge-like cut on the underside of the branch. This will keep you from tearing the bark. Then cut on the top of the branch all the way through.

If you are pruning large trees, it could be best to call in the pros and here at Big Foot Tree Service, as we can provide you with a free estimate. Remember that your safety and the safety of others are foremost and when in doubt you should have a trained professional do the work.

Trees not only provide shade, but they harbor wildlife and give us so much joy. Show your trees a little love and they will stay healthy and happy.

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