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Winter can be a truly trying time for our trees and shrubs. The harsh temperatures and conditions can kill foliage, damage tree bark, and weaken branches and roots. The ways in which humans and animals handle winter also take a toll on your trees and shrubs. Limited food sources can cause the animals to feed on your tree bark and shrubs, and the salt we use for our roads can also wreak havoc on our soil health. 

These threats can wear heavily on the overall health of your trees and plants if you aren’t aware. Here at Red’s Tree Service, we are experts on tree and shrub health during winter, so reach out to us for any concerns or questions you may have. 

Let’s walk through some of the common winter tree and shrub problems you might encounter.

Winter Weather Concerns

The colder temps can cause many concerns for your trees and shrubs. Evergreens are very susceptible to “winter burn,” which causes the foliage to turn yellow to brown for a few possible reasons. Loss of water, frozen roots not being able to move water, and even the limited warmth from the sun causing cellular activity that is damaged when the sun sets can lead to this unsightly event. 

Less rainfall in the winter can also pose a problem to trees struggling to absorb groundwater with frozen roots. The constant freezing and thawing of the soil surrounding the base of the trees and shrubs will cause frost heaving to occur. This process of ground movement can push shallow-rooted plants out of the ground and make them more susceptible to wind damage.

Another common cause of concern in winter weather is branch health. The lack of water, colder temperatures, and snow and ice accumulation can cause branches to weaken and break in the winter months.

How Humans and Animals Affect Trees and Shrubs in Winter

Often, we don’t think about how our acts of winter safety can affect our trees and shrubs, but the salt we put down on our roads can actually seep into the soil and damage them. This type of damage is slow but can’t cause a significant decline in the tree and shrub’s health from roots to bark, foliage, and buds. This can stunt the plant’s growth over time.

Another common issue in winter is when the ground foliage dies back, and the animals begin to look for supplemental food sources. Tree bark is packed full of nutrients that rabbits, mice, and other rodents like to eat. Deer also like to snack on branches and tree stems. This grazing damages your trees and shrubs by exposing the base and can cause death.

Turn to the Experts at Red’s Tree Service for Help

Different trees and shrubs will face various problems in winter, and Red’s Tree Service can help with all of them. We know how to take proper care of your trees and shrubs, from prepping for winter to addressing what winter does. When you have questions or concerns, having an arborist you can trust makes all the difference in the health and longevity of your trees. Give us a call for your FREE estimate today!

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

Avoid growing an ugly garden with little diversity. Knowing which small flowering trees to plant in and around your garden will keep it looking vibrant and lush.

toddsmariettatreeservices.com gathered the following information about small flowering tree species hardy for your Marietta, GA garden (hardiness zone 7b).

1. Prairifire Flowering Crabapple (Malus ‘Prairifire’)

This tree’s showy, dark pink to red flowers draw most people to the prairifire flowering crabapple. And for a good reason. The stunning, long-lasting spring blossoms are incredible. But this variety also offers year-round beauty with its changing leaf color. Glossy maroon or purplish-red in spring, the leaves turn dark green with purplish-red veins in the summer and finally a stunning bronze in the fall.

This species has a Mature Height of 20 feet and is hardy to zones 3 to 8.

2. Redbud (Cercis canadensis)

Known for displaying pink or white flowers in spring, the redbud is an easy-to-grow small tree. This species of redbud has heart-shaped foliage that turns golden-yellow in the fall. ‘Forest Pansy’ is a popular variety with purple foliage fading to dark green in summer.

This species has a Mature Height of 10 feet and is hardy to zones 5 to 9.

3. Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia)

A Southern-garden requirement, crape myrtle blooms in big clusters of flowers that range in shades of pink, red, lavender, or white in the summer and fall months. Multiple varieties display red, yellow, or orange autumn foliage, as well as patches of green or silver on the underside of their peeling bark.

This tree species has a Mature Height from 5 to 25 feet and is hardy to zones 6 to 9.

4. Fringe Tree (Chionanthus virginicus)

Native to parts of Eastern North America, the fringe tree is a plant you can grow either as a large shrub or a small tree. It produces fragrant white flowers in late spring that turn into clusters of blue-purple fruit in fall.

This North American tree species has a Mature Height from 10 to 20 feet and is hardy to zones 3 to 9.

5. Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum)

Few small trees are as beautiful as Japanese maple in their fall color display. There are multiple ways to use this small tree in your yard and garden, as its crimson red foliage will stand out wherever it is planted.

This stunning tree species has a Mature Height reaching up to 20 feet and is hardy to zones 5 to 8.

6. Sargent Crabapple (Malus sargentii)

This popular landscape tree tends to show off in the spring, with multiple clusters of fragrant white flowers blooming in May. This tree’s dense, broad crown and crisscrossing branches add to its desirability and make the tree wider than it is tall. This species is also a popular selection for bonsai trees.

This species has a Mature Height of 5 to 10 feet and is hardy to zones 4 to 8.

7. Star Magnolia (Magnolia stellate)

With attractive, fragrant flowers, dark green foliage, and gray bark, this magnolia species is a showstopper for any Marietta, Georgia garden. This magnolia species thrives in nearly every location in the United States. The star magnolia could be a landscape alternative for Marietta gardeners looking to add small spring-blooming trees to their spaces.

This Magnolia species has a Mature Height of 15 to 20 feet and is hardy to zones 4 to 9.

Bonus Tree – Purpleleaf Sand Cherry (Prunus x cisterna)

This small flowering tree is a hardy landscape and garden variety with reddish-purple leaves that keep their unique color throughout the summer months. Because of this, the purpleleaf sand cherry is an excellent contrast tree.

This species has a Mature Height of 7 to 10 feet and is hardy to zones 3 to 7.

Small Flowering Trees

In this article, you discovered multiple small flowering tree species, their descriptions, and their USDA hardiness zones.

Using small flowering trees to accent your garden or stand alone as a specimen tree will add vibrant color and personality to your Marietta, Georgia yard, increasing your home’s curb appeal.

Your refusal to diversify your yard and garden’s plant life can result in an ugly landscape leaving a bad impression of you on your guests and passersby.

Sources:
plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/cercis-canadensis/
hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/crape-myrtle/
landscapeplants.oregonstate.edu/plants/malus-prairifire
hort.ifas.ufl.edu/treesandpowerlines/chionanthus_virginicus.shtml
edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/ST023
extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/flowering-crabapple-trees-7-424/
hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/star-magnolia-magnolia-stellata/
web.extension.illinois.edu/shrubselector/detail_plant.cfm?PlantID=363

Prevent the embarrassment of a sloppy and poorly planned front yard. Knowing some easy landscaping ideas and tips can make your front yard the envy of the neighborhood.

72tree.com gathered the following list of 9 professional front yard landscaping ideas and several tips to enhance the beauty and practicality of your front yard.

Front Yard Landscaping Ideas

With housing prices on the rise and the ease of posting lawn and garden photos on sharing platforms like Pinterest and Instagram, homeowners are now seeing their front yard’s potential in a whole new way. A well-designed landscape can help highlight the beauty and architecture of a house and increase the its value by improving its curb appeal. The following 9 landscaping ideas will help you design and bring to life the perfect front yard:

1 – Plant a Climbing Wall

When your goal is to disguise an unattractive wall, fence, or mailbox? Establish trellises that cover or encircle the area you wish to hide and plant one of the following:

• Clematis Tangutica
• Kiwi
• Sweet Pea
• Virginia Creeper
• Star Jasmine
• Honeysuckle
• Climbing Hydrangea
• Climbing Rose

Tip: Plant climbing vines or plants that are hardy to your USDA Hardiness Zone and preferably evergreen species.

2 – Plant Potted Borders

This is a brilliant idea if you are new to gardening. Planting your garden in pots and planting your pots along your garden allows you to easily experiment with different species without constantly tearing up your garden. This idea also helps you corral bulbs which often require special care and sometimes need to overwinter indoors.

3 – Use Floral Borders and Window Boxes

One of the fastest ways to increase appeal to your front yard is to plant colorful flowering plants along your entryway. Window boxes planted with perennials, annuals, or small evergreens will add charm and a sense of coziness to your home’s architecture.

4 – Drought Tolerant Front Yard Landscaping

If you have yard space in a hot, dry region, this one’s for you. Grow succulents and cacti or seek native plants that don’t require much water. Eliminate the need for grass by covering your soil with landscaping rocks, crushed stone, pebbles, or gravel. Knowing your plant hardiness zone will help you determine the best plants to grow in your area. Xeriscaping (a popular form of landscaping in southwestern regions) uses native plants and drought-resistant plants to keep the landscape thriving with little water or maintenance.

5 – Display a Planted Wheelbarrow

Recycle a rundown, ready-to-discard wooden wheelbarrow. Planting hanging species like petunias, dwarf lavender, pansies, fuchsias, and other common “basket” favorites are particularly attractive when they spill over the wheelbarrow’s sides. For best results, use a high-quality potting mix that retains moisture in the wheelbarrow to keep your plants thriving during hot weather.

6 – Install a Water Feature

Install a small water feature, such as a fish pond or a glazed pot with a circulating pump, and let the overflow splash into a bed of attractive rocks. Fountains are also a great way to add an organic touch to your yard. Allow the soothing sounds of the water to drown out the noise from street traffic. Outdoor fountains create a calming oasis in your yard, while a tabletop fountain can be used on your front porch to bring the zen right to you.

7 – Plant a Shrub-Edged Pathway

Plant small hedges along your entry path or driveway. Boxwood shrubs suit this idea best because of their tightly leaved branches and topiary potential (this species is easily shaped into a multitude of designs). Small and round or clipped into a short rectangular hedge, they help lead the eye to your front door while encouraging foot traffic to stay on the pathway instead of trampling on the grass.

8 – Showcase Your Mailbox

Not every home has abundant space for a garden, but your stand-alone mailbox can be a vehicle to display shrubs, flowers, and climbing vines. Whether you go with pavers to create a border (and “official” garden space) or allow your plants to grow wildly around your mailbox, the result is certain to increase your home’s curb appeal.

9 – Install a Lighted Driveway Bed

Driveways and pathways benefit from a narrow garden bed along their length. This gives your yard a tidier and more appealing look while giving you the opportunity to install lighting at the edge of the driveway or pathway, naturally guiding your guests to your door. Small lanterns are fun and whimsical while remaining practical.

Tip: Solar and wired garden lights can be found in most gardening and home improvement stores.

Landscaping Your Alpharetta or Roswell Front Yard

In this article, you discovered nine ideas and multiple tips about designing your front yard to increase curb appeal and help you avoid embarrassing moments with your guests.

Knowing how to quickly and easily landscape your front yard will help you continuously evolve it into a show-stopping work of nature’s beauty.

Ignoring your front yard can lead to dying plants, shrubs, and trees while causing embarrassing moments with your neighbors and guests.

Sources:
extension.missouri.edu/publications/g6905
hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/hanging-baskets-window-boxes/
web.extension.illinois.edu/vines/perennials.cfm
gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/design/outdoor-living/curb-appeal.html

This article was first published on: http://www.72tree.com/9-front-yard-landscaping-ideas-and-tips/

Winter weather is tough. One day it can be chilly, but clear and sunny, and later in the week, the weather can drastically turn and a major winter weather storm could bust through, and shred anything in its path. Even worse, a dreaded polar vortex could arrive any day, and cause a bit of disarray.

Winter storms can especially be a pain. Sure, having to shovel or plow your driveway and walkway can be a major inconvenience, but what makes owners even more fearful is the threat of property damage.

As homeowners, there are many things we can control to protect our investment; however, Mother Nature is not one of them. From frozen pipes that burst to tree limbs that were steamrolled into abyss by strong gusts of wind, your property is always at risk during a tough winter storm, and may leave you with a giant mess to clean up.

Should your property fall victim to a severe winter storm and you’re left with fallen branches, limbs, trunks and other debris, Big Foot Tree Service is here to help. Regardless of the time, day and month, we provide storm damage tree removal services and will clean up fallen branches and limbs. What’s more, should the storm cripple one of your trees and put it at risk to fall over, we will come and remove it for you, whenever you need us.

Let’s hope we won’t have to worry about severe winter storms and polar vortexes this year; but if we do and your property is covered with tree limbs, remember to contact Big Foot Tree Service.

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

Prevent your garden from looking neglected and ugly. Knowing which shrubs to plant in and around your garden will help protect it from severe weather and keep it looking sharp.

72tree.com gathered the following list of 5 ideal and hardy shrub species for your Alpharetta, Ga garden.

Alpharetta Georgia Gardens

Alpharetta, Georgia, gets approximately 53 inches of rain per year. That’s 15 inches more than the US average at 38 inches per year. This rainfall helps prevent drought and supports plant species growth throughout the year.

On average, Alpharetta sees about 220 sunny days per year. This promotes a healthy environment with ample opportunity for plants, shrubs, and trees to photosynthesize.

Alpharetta is entirely situated in USDA hardiness zone 7b. When selecting plant species for your Alpharetta garden, they should be cold-hardy for zone 7b for maximum growth and health potential.

The following are 5 shrub species selected specifically for Alpharetta, Ga:

1. Ixora Maui red (Ixora coccinea)

Ixora Maui Red grows as a dwarf, evergreen shrub thriving on heat and humidity. A shrubby, sprawling plant with many clusters of tubular, bright orange flowers displayed on the foliage in shades of bronze to incredible glistening dark shades of green.

While this species is hardy to zones 9 through 11, they can survive zone 7b winter temperatures if sheltered during the cold season.

2. Hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla)

Hydrangeas include over 75 species in their genus and surpass 600 named cultivars native to multiple climates, regions, and countries. Another common name for hydrangea is hortensia. Hydrangeas can grow as climbing vines and trees but are most commonly found growing as a shrub. The plants can reach heights ranging from 1 foot to nearly 100 feet as a vine!

The showy flowers produced by this plant species are what make it so popular. Most put on a blooming display from early spring all the way into fall. The large flowers can come in a wide variety of shapes, colors, and sizes. Hydrangea blooms can be pink, blue, red, white, purple, and green (depending on the mineral content of the soil).

This flowering shrub can grow in partial shade to full sun and will thrive in hardiness zones 3 through 7.

3. Anise (Pimpinella anisum)

Star anise is a quickly growing, evergreen shrub Capable of thriving in hardiness zones 7 through 10. Star anise shrubs can be grown as dense hedges or windbreaks, and they can also be pruned as a border plant. If allowed to, star anise will grow to a height of more than 15 feet and a width of over 10 feet. It tolerates both sun and shade but will grow significantly thinner in the shade.

In culinary terms, anise is used as a flavoring agent. It possesses a sweet, aromatic taste that highly resembles the taste of black licorice.

4. Arborvitae (Thuja)

With glistening emerald evergreen foliage and a classic narrow, pyramidal form, the arborvitae is a popular selection for gardeners looking to make a statement in all seasons.

The slow-growing arborvitae is an excellent selection for a specimen or accent tree. It serves well as a hedge tree, has the height to serve as efficient privacy screens, and makes a good foundation plant.

Hardy to zones 3 through 7, this species will add class and a sharpened look to your yard and garden.

5. Boxwood (Buxus)

Boxwood plants are dense, evergreen shrubs frequently planted in elegant and formal landscapes. This species is also popularly utilized in topiary. Boxwoods are grown for their foliage as their flowers lack any significance. Growing a boxwood shrub on your landscape allows you to create a topiary, a formal hedge, a matching border, or a pair of boxwood shrubs to balance out an entryway.

Boxwood is cold hardy to zones 5 through 9 and thrives in the Alpharetta, Ga area with little effort.

Growing Shrubs in Hardiness Zone 7b

In this article, you discovered 5 shrub species that grow well in the city of Alpharetta, Georgia, which is situated in hardiness zone 7b.

Knowing which shrub species to plant in your Alpharetta garden and landscape will help you maintain a sharp-looking and healthy ecosystem thriving year-round.

Haphazardly planting inappropriate species for Alpharetta’s cold hardiness can result in stunted growth, plant failure, disease, and insect infestations exploding over your landscape.

Sources:
extension.uga.edu/publications/detail.html?number=B625&title=Landscape%20Plants%20for%20Georgia
gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/ornamentals/ixora.html
gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/trees-and-shrubs/shrubs/star-anise-shrubs.html
arborday.org/trees/treeguide/treedetail.cfm?itemID=777
plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/buxus/

This article was first published on: http://www.72tree.com/5-shrub-species-for-your-alpharetta-georgia-garden/

Trees are beautiful additions to landscape designs, but when heavy storms come barreling through, damaged trees can actually become quite a nuisance and safety hazard. After a bad storm, you should take the time to inspect the tree for damage and determine if it’s salvageable or not.

Broken branches can be pulled away and usually have not affected the tree’s stability. But upon further inspection, you might become aware that there are actual structural damages that pose a threat to safety and landscape appeal.

Even though trees have the ability to recover from heavy winds and rain, you shouldn’t assume the tree is okay. Here are some tips to follow in order to determine if a tree is salvageable after a storm.

A tree can remain if the following is still apparent:

1. There are little to no missing or hanging branches. A tip: the larger the broken limb or the higher the number of missing limbs, the less likely the tree will be able to grow it back.

2. The tree’s leader is still intact. A missing leader can leave a tree looking deformed. (The leader is the main upward-trending branch on most trees.)

3. At least 50% of the tree’s branches and leaves are still attached A tree needs to produce enough foliage in order to properly nourish and survive.

4. There are no or a minimal number of large holes left behind from broken limbs or missing chunks of bark. Large holes can lead to pest invasion.

5. If there are any remaining branches, they can re-grow new branch structures overtime.

6. Where the tree is located is a safe distance and height from power lines.

If your area has been severely affected by a storm, you can assess your trees yourself, but it might be wiser to let a professional. A professional tree service like ours has the necessary tree knowledge in order to look over the factors that determine a tree’s strength. For more information, contact Big Foot Tree Service today.

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

Have you noticed cracks and splitting in the trunk of your tree? Is your foliage located in a spot with exposure to frigid winters? If so, it could be a frost crack! These appear as a vertical crack along the trunk of your tree. This damage can be dangerous to a tree because it is severe enough to split through the tree.

Luckily, with a few extra care steps throughout the year, you can prevent these and help your trees stay healthy and in one piece! Read on for advice on how to prevent and treat frost cracks.

Frost Crack Causes

These vertical cracks form when a tree trunk is exposed to extreme changes in temperature between winter and summer. The repeated heating and cooling can cause the molecules to slightly expand and contract just enough that a bark crack can form as a reaction to the extreme changes. Below are ways of helping your tree survive the winter months.

Reversing the Damage

If you notice the cracking, should you do anything about it? Not necessarily, because in most cases, the tree will be able to recover on its own through the natural processes of healing.

However, you can help it recover, and prevent a split trunk, by sealing the crack with plastic. The plastic seal protects the opening from potential infections caused by bacteria and pests. Be careful, though! You should remove any wrapping you place on the tree before summer. Otherwise, it may foster infections instead of preventing them.

Frost Crack Prevention Methods

Insulation – Because frost cracks arise from the changing temperature, you can help prevent the tree trunk from cracking by insulating the base.

Insulation includes wrapping the trunk with a thick protective layer. Ideally, you’d want to use something that would keep warmth, like a tarp, burlap, or cloth.

You can also help insulate your tree’s trunk by planting evergreen plants and bushes around the base. Keeping the bottom of the tree lush with plants and bushes will help keep it warm during the winter and prevent deep freezing.

Keep Trees Healthy – A healthy and vigorous tree will be more capable of healing after a crack and more resistant to bark cracking in the first place. Read on to learn ways to keep your foliage healthy.

Every summer, make sure you give the soil a fresh layer of fertilized dirt to mix into the already present substrate. On top of that, layer some mulch or bark pieces to help pack in the new soil. This mulch technique will also work as a form of insulation during the wintertime.

Watering your tree during dry winter periods is very important too. Even when it’s cold out, your foliage will need to have an ample water supply to stay healthy.

Pruning or trimming the foliage can also encourage it to sprout new healthy growth, improving its overall health status. However, you should hire a professional, as it can be dangerous to do it on your own.

Be Careful Where You Put Your Tree – Location plays a massive role in the health of your foliage during wintertime! To avoid having a split trunk, be careful that your tree is not exposed to strong winter winds because this will cause the bark to become even colder and has a higher chance of cracking.

Shallow and porous soil/substrate is a bad idea because of how important hydration is for your foliage in winter. Stick to locations where the tree’s roots can extend very far downward for more support and a healthier root system.

Choosing a location with a proven water-retaining soil system always works best. These locations already help your tree stay healthy enough to avoid cracks and heal any cracks that it may have in the future!

Trees Prone to Frost Cracks

Like all organisms, trees have adapted to survive in various climates. Some have adapted better than others to areas with intense winters and are less likely to experience a split trunk.

If you are undecided on what tree species to use, here are a few that are less resistant to winters and more likely to experience bark cracks:

• linden

• sycamore

• oak

• walnut

• willow

• maple

As a rule of thumb, the thinner the bark on the tree, the less resistant it is to cracks. In cold climates, choose trees with thick bark like aspens!

Final Thoughts

Frost cracks result from trees going through extreme cold and heat. The slight expansion and contraction of the molecules inside the tree result in the bark cracking on the surface of the tree.

If you see this happening, it is good to prevent infections and pest infestations by wrapping them in plastic. Consider insulating your tree trunk with either burlap, a tarp, or evergreen shrubbery to avoid cracking in general. Keep your tree healthy by fertilizing, watering, pruning, and adding a mulch layer.

If you keep these tips in mind when placing and taking care of your tree, you will be set for it to resist vertical cracks even in the harshest winters!

This article was first published on: http://www.72tree.com/crack-in-your-tree-trunk/

When they’re getting a new lawn, people often don’t think hard enough about the type of grass they want to put down. There’s a wide range of grass types out there, varying in price, quality, and availability.

Whether you want something easy to maintain that the kids can play on, or a yard that looks great all year round, it’s important to know what landscaping options are available to you in Georgia. In this blog post, we’ll bring you a list of the top 7 types you can get in Georgia.

Georgia’s Climate

First, it’s essential to get a sense of the unique climate in Georgia to understand why not all types of grass in the US are suitable for landscaping here.

Situated in the South, Georgia is much better suited to what is known as warm-season grasses, that is, varieties that perform best when they are exposed to hotter temperatures with greater sunlight.

That’s why the majority of varieties on this list are warm-season grasses. toddsmariettatreeservices.com advises against buying cool-season grasses for landscaping unless you’re adding them to a mix with warm-season varieties.

1. Bahia Grass

Bahia grass is a resilient, coarse grass that’s especially useful for soil conditions with a poor level of nutrients. This type can survive where other varieties might not.

Bahia grass doesn’t mind being in the shade, so long as it’s exposed to a regular dose of sunlight.  You can leave the grass to grow two or three inches, meaning you won’t have to mow it every week.

2. Bermuda Grass

Bermuda grass is one of the oldest and most popular choices for lawns, thanks mainly to its resilience after heavy footfall. It’s especially ideal for sports fields. It’s fast-growing, though, so make sure you’ve got the time to mow it regularly.

Bermuda grass loves the sun, so it’s not the right choice for you if you have a lawn in a shady environment. And because it’s fast-growing, you’ve got to make sure you keep it in check by mowing regularly.

3. Centipede Grass

Centipede Grass has a moderate texture and is low-growing. It doesn’t even mind being in the shade for extended periods. Plus, this type is easy to manage and won’t grow out of control.

Don’t buy this variety if you’re looking for something that’ll grow fast – Centipede grass takes its time to reach its full potential. It’s also delicate and can’t withstand lots of activity.

4. St Augustine Grass

St Augustine Grass has a dark green color and a somewhat rough texture. Aside from being watered from time to time, this variety does not require lots of maintenance, and its blades can be left to grow. It doesn’t mind being left in the shade, either.

However, this isn’t the type of grass that can withstand lots of activity – it’s likely to get compacted and damaged if it’s trodden on regularly.

5. Zoysia Grass

Although it thrives best in hot, sunny conditions, Zoysia grass can also withstand cooler temperatures without any problems. This variety is soft to touch, and the blades usually grow together into densely-packed clusters.

However, don’t get Zoysia grass if you’re looking for something that’s low maintenance. This variety grows very quickly and is prone to spread into flowerbeds and other parts of your garden if it’s not carefully maintained.

6. Fescue Grass

Fescue Grass is best suited to areas deprived of shade, where other varieties might be unable to thrive. It has a smooth, thin shape which helps it grow quickly.

This variety is known for its resilience. It’s capable of surviving under a range of different temperatures and can withstand periods of drought. However, it does need regular watering in the summer, or it ends up receding and going dormant.

7. Blue Grama Grass

Blue Grama Grass is a bit of a wildcard on this list. It’s not a traditional type of grass used for lawns, and historically it was more likely to be found on unmanaged fields. However, it’s grown in popularity for garden landscaping in recent times due to its naturally unkempt appearance.

This grass type is not suitable to cover an entire lawn with, but it is useful as a decorative plant to surround the edges of a property or replace thin strips of grass in your garden. Best of all, it requires next to no maintenance, so you can let its long silky blades grow out to their full length.

Grasses In Georgia

Remember, the most critical factor in having an impressive, consistent lawn is the amount of time you spend on maintenance. Regardless of the grass type, no yard is going to look good if you neglect it.

That’s why when you choose a grass type for your landscaping, make sure you have a clear idea of how much time you’re able to commit to maintaining it, as some types require a lot more work than others.

Some people take great care to winterize their landscape, because they know that if they don’t, their trees and bushes might not look right– or live– come Springtime.

Winter brings with it a host of challenges for landscaping. Besides the cold temperature, there’s ice, snow, wind, and even salt to deal with. It’s a tough season for any yard to take!

What are some ways you can winterize your landscaping? With evergreens, consider making a barrier of burlap to cover the windward side(s) of your trees and bushes. Leave the top open for light and air penetration. If you have new shrubs or trees in your yard, mulch them with about six inches of wood chips around the base. If possible, water your landscaping before the ground freezes for the season. Should you see any open spaces/cracks in the soil whereas roots are slightly exposed to the elements, fill those areas in with soil.

To protect against snow and ice damage, consider wrapping small trees up in cloth, carpeting or even nylon stockings to give them protection and support for the winter. For bigger trees, consider having a professional from Big Foot Tree Service cable together main branches, if needed, especially if you’re worried about a storm messing with an already less-than-stable tree in your yard.

What about pests? In the winter mice, rodents, rabbits and deer can mess with your landscaping. Deer, in particular, like to rub their antlers on trees, damaging them. So, find ways to put up barriers around trees and bushes that you don’t want animals bothering this winter. For example, you could add a cylinder of ¼-inch mesh hardware cloth around the trunk of a tree. The cylinder, ideally, would go about three inches below the ground line and about two feet above the snow line in order to protect the tree from pests. Plastic tree guards as well as chicken wire fences can also help keep pests away from your landscaping. Some people use store-bought pest repellents to make their landscaping taste or smell undesirable to critters. Regarding deer, a combination of repellent and fencing around landscaping seem to deter them.

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

Winter is coming! With winter on the horizon, many homeowners (and home gardeners) are hurriedly raking, trimming branches, and taking what measures they can to prepare their plants for the cold, wet, and other extremes that winter brings. Though it will vary from yard to yard, there are some general guidelines to follow that will help you understand how you can get your yard ready for winter to ensure that your plants stay happy and healthy! If you want a lush, green lawn and a healthy garden come spring, read on for everything you need to do before it gets too cold out there.

Leave Your Leaves and Other Lawn Care Tips

Though raking leaves is one of the most quintessential homeowner activities, we actually recommend that you leave fallen leaves on your yard through the winter. Fallen leaves help insulate your plants’ roots, keeping them warm and protecting against erosion. Think of the leaves like an all-natural blanket that’ll shield your grass from the harshest of winter’s extremes to keep it healthy through the cold and wet. 

Another bonus of crossing raking off your fall to-do list (in addition to time and energy saved) is that you’ll provide food and shelter for wildlife throughout the winter, and you’ll help preserve the delicate ecosystems endemic to your yard and your garden.  

We do recommend that you quickly run your lawnmower over the fallen leaves prior to the first snowfall of the season. In doing so, you’ll create a natural mulch that will provide more efficient nutrients to your plants and your soil. Since it’ll be in smaller pieces, this mulch will also decompose better, so you won’t have an intensive leaf cleanup looming over you.

If you want your grass to be as lush and healthy as possible by first thaw, we suggest you aerate your lawn before temperatures drop too low. You’ll want to start by raking out the thatch, or a layer of material that naturally builds up between grass and soil that helps direct nutrients and water to grass’ roots. Then, use an aeration tool to make it easier for oxygen, moisture, and vital nutrients to get to the roots at which they are most needed.

Though it may seem excessive, if you really want to keep your yard in the best shape possible, you should try to avoid walking on it when the cold hits. Frost, much less snow or ice, can make grass (and other greenery) extremely brittle, and thereby at risk of snapping or breaking. Even a quick stroll across a frozen lawn could leave patches of grass damaged and unable to grow back as strongly as before.

Adjust Your Yard Care Schedule

Many animals hibernate during colder temperatures, but did you know that plants do the same? They slow their growth to save their energy for warmer, sunnier days, meaning that they require less water than usual. In fact, watering your plants when temperatures dip is more likely to kill them! Plants require much less water during the winter months, and they’re actually more likely to get the water they need from snow, ice, or rain. If you know that they’ll still need water during the winter, go ahead and water them—we simply recommend that you evaluate your watering practices to adjust for the colder weather. 

In a similar vein, you should hold off on the fertilizer until the cold wears off. By doing so, you’ll help your plants hibernate and enjoy bigger blooms next season.

Prep Your Plants

If you want to see your perennials grow healthy by early next year, then there’s no time like early fall to start plantning. Plants installed in fall will be rooted and ready to go come spring, but planting too late can spell doom for your plants. Not only the cold, but brutal winter winds can hurt your plants, so tie them up or stake bushier, taller perennials to ensure that an icy gust doesn’t bring about their untimely demise.

Tender bulbs don’t play well with frost, so dig them up and keep them safe indoors until spring. Wait until their leaves turn black to dig them up, then let them dry out inside for a couple of days before packing them and keeping them in a dark, slightly damp location through winter. When spring hits, discard any rotted bulbs and replant the ones that are still in good shape.

Many people think that winter will kill off pests in your garden, but that’s not altogether true. In fact, leaving rotting or bug-laden vegetation in your garden could mean big trouble in the spring. Dead plants breed insects and disease by the bunch, so it’s important to eliminate rotting vegetation as much as possible—ideally, by the root to avoid putting your garden at risk. You can reduce waste by mixing them into your compost or soil for future use.

Expect, and Prepare for, the Unexpected 

The most important part of winterizing your yard is evaluating your yard and planning ahead so you can understand how your yard will change in the winter as well as what you can do to help it. A big part of this is considering unexpected external factors that could come into play, like deer or road salt.

For example, if you have winter vegetables you should cover them with a cold frame or hoop house to protect them. Even if they’re cold-tolerant vegetables like kale or carrots, it’s still important to protect them from frost and roving animals. You could consider deer-proofing your fence to achieve that latter point, since deer often forage in urban gardens during the winter months. They’ll even go after “deer-proof” plants if they’re hungry enough, so if you don’t want to be giving out free lunches, you can use deer spray or deer-proof your fence.

If you live near a road that gets salted, try adding salt-tolerant plants to the perimeter of your yard to help protect your salt-averse vegetation. We recommend specimens like paper birch, black cherry, Eastern red cedar, white oak, pitch pine, and Eastern cottonwood trees, or herbs like evening primrose, marsh-mallow, Canada Mayflower, or seaside goldenrod.

When in Doubt, Trust the Experts 

Each of the steps outlined above is useful for preparing your yard for an easier transition into and out of winter, but be sure to research the appropriate winterization for your specific plants to ensure best results. In recent years, there’s no such thing as predictable weather in Memphis, but we can help you establish or execute a winterization plan for your Mid-south landscape. 

Winterizing your yard is worth the extra effort, and since winter is just around the corner, now is the time to ensure a healthy yard in the spring! For expert advice, tips, and service, contact Red’s Tree Service to start implementing these Mid-South yard winterization tips.

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