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Avoid the embarrassment of a dead-looking yard in the fall and winter months. Knowing which pine trees to plant in Marietta, Georgia, will help you grow a yard full of color and life.

toddsmariettatreeservices.com gathered the following species information and growing tips for five pine tree species perfect for Marietta, Georgia’s climate, and your yard.

What is Special about Pine Trees?

Pine trees are evergreens, and they keep their needles for about 2 years. When old needles fall, new needles quickly replace them. Pine tree needles can measure from one to eleven inches long, depending on the species. Both male and female pine trees produce pine cones. Consider the following species hardy to Marietta’s zone 7b.

Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris)

The Scots pine is a tall, straight pine tree with distinctive orange-brown bark. Its blue-green needles appear in pairs and can be up to 7cm long. Male cones are yellow while female cones are green, maturing to grey-brown.

Size at Maturity – This species can reach a height of 60 feet with a spread of 40 feet
Soil Requirements – Scots pine trees thrive in acidic (4.5 to 6.0 pH), loamy, moist, sandy, well-drained, and even dry soils. The species has some drought tolerance.
Sun Requirement – This pine tree thrives in full sun (minimum 6 hours daily)
Needle Length – Scots pine trees feature blue-green needles that vary in length (from one to three inches). Needle color frequently changes to a yellowish-green in the winter.

Eastern White Pine (Pinus strobus)

This pine has slender, greenish-blue needles that are two to five inches long and grow in bundles of five. It has long, narrow yellowish-brown cones six to eight inches long. The bark of the Eastern white pine is smooth and gray on young trees, becoming gray-brown and deeply furrowed as the tree ages.

Size at Maturity – This species can reach a height of 80 feet with a spread of 40 feet
Soil Requirements – The eastern white pine grows in acidic (5.5 pH), moist, well-drained, and dry soils. While it grows best in moist soil, the tree can tolerate everything from dry, rocky ridges to bogs.
Sun Requirement – This pine tree species thrives in full sun and partial shade (minimum 4 hours of daily unfiltered sunlight)
Needle Length – Commonly cut down and used as Christmas trees, this species features long, slender, blue-green needles, often reaching five inches in length, in bundles of 5 that are soft and flexible.

Colorado Blue Spruce (Picea pungens)

Blue spruce, also known as Colorado spruce, is a conical-shaped evergreen tree with stiff horizontal branches and short, stiff needles. It is a commonly used tree in Midwest landscapes, although the species struggles with fungal infections as it ages.

Size at Maturity – This species can reach a height of 75 feet with a spread of 20 feet
Soil Requirements – This species can adapt to and thrive in moderately acidic (5.5 to 7.0 pH), loamy, moist, rich, sandy, well-drained, and even clay soils. It requires regular moisture with moderate tolerance to both flooding and drought.
Sun Requirement – This pine tree thrives in full sun (minimum 6 hours daily)
Needle Length – The Colorado Blue Spruce features stiff, prickly, and roughly 1 to 1½ needles. This species provides privacy and an efficient windbreak when planted in a row.

Japanese White Pine (Pinus parviflora)

The Japanese white pine has long, narrow yellowish-brown cones six to eight inches long. The bark of the white pine is smooth and gray in its youth, becoming gray-brown and deeply furrowed as it ages.

Size at Maturity – This species can reach a height of 50 feet with a spread of 40 feet
Soil Requirements – Japanese white pines flourish in well-drained, moderately acidic (5.6 to 7.0 pH) soil is the main requirement for success with Pinus parviflora. It is even tolerant of poor soil as long as drainage is good.
Sun Requirement – This pine tree thrives in full sun (minimum 6 hours daily)
Needle Length – Pinus parviflora grows slender, greenish-blue needles that are 2.5-5 inches long, growing in soft bundles of five.

Marietta, Georgia Pine Tree Species

In this article, you discovered information and planting tips for several pine trees hardy to Marietta, Georgia’s zone 7b climate.

Knowing which evergreen pine trees will flourish in your Marietta yard will help you avoid the embarrassment of a dry and lifeless-looking fall and winter landscape and give you an extra outdoor holiday decorating opportunity.

Not planting pine trees in your Marietta yard will leave you with a landscape appearing to be desolate and dead.

Sources:
hort.ifas.ufl.edu/trees/PINPARA.pdf
arboretum.harvard.edu/plant-bios/colorado-blue-spruce/
plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/pinus-strobus/
landscapeplants.oregonstate.edu/plants/pinus-sylvestris
extension.missouri.edu/publications/g6815

Originally published on: http://www.toddsmariettatreeservices.com/perfect-pine-trees-for-your-marietta-georgia-yard/

Avoid losing your trees to a tree-boring beetle infestation. Knowing how to identify tree-boring beetles and prevent them from destroying your trees will help you preserve and strengthen your landscape’s ecosystem.

72tree.com gathered the following information to help you identify tree-boring beetles, the damage they do to trees, how to treat them, and how to prevent beetle infestations.

Tree-Boring Beetle Damage

Borers tunnel into trees to feed on their inner wood. Symptoms can be slightly different depending on the borer, but in general, these critters create holes in tree bark, leave behind sawdust or sap and cause leaf discoloration and branch dieback, and can ultimately kill the tree. Consider the following:

Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennis)

Emerald ash borer (EAB), Agrilus planipennis, is an exotic beetle discovered in southeastern Michigan near Detroit in the summer of 2002. The adult beetles feed on ash foliage but cause minor damage. The emerald ash borer’s larval stage is responsible for the damage that leads to the host tree’s death. The larvae’s feeding under the tree bark eventually interrupts the tree’s ability to transport water and nutrients from the roots to the tree’s foliage, causing ash tree decline and death.

The emerald ash borer has decimated over 40 million ash trees in Michigan alone and tens of millions throughout other states and Canada. Small (younger) trees can die as soon as one to two years after an EAB infestation, while more mature infested trees can survive three to four years. Without intervention and preventative measures, an EAB infestation is 100% fatal to the host.

Vulnerable Tree Species – All eastern North American ash species are susceptible to EAB, including green, white, black, blue, and pumpkin ash trees.
Infestation Signs – Thinning and yellowing leaves, D-shaped holes in the bark, and severe canopy and bark loss
Treatment – Injection by a professional pesticide applicator (or a certified arborist) is the best option for trees greater than 48 inches in circumference (15 inches in diameter). Sprayed and poured insecticides are not as effective.
Prevention – It is challenging to prevent an initial EAB infestation of an individual tree. But you can prevent EAB from spreading to other trees. The only way to prevent your ash trees from falling victim to EAB is to treat them. Untreated ash trees are a significant contributor to EAB’s spreading.
Information/Reporting – If you suspect you’ve seen the emerald ash borer or ash tree damage caused by a potential infestation, report it immediately by calling 1-866-322-4512. You can also report your findings online at aphis.usda.gov/aphis/resources/pests-diseases/hungry-pests/Pest-Tracker

Note: You can also report an EAB sighting or infestation by reaching out to your county’s Extension office or a designated state representative found at emeraldashborer.info/reporting-eab.php

Mountain Pine Beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae)

The mountain pine beetle (MPB) is a bark beetle species native to the forests of western North America from Mexico to central British Columbia. It has a hard black exoskeleton and measures approximately 1/4 inch (the size of a grain of rice). MPB is the most aggressive, persistent, and destructive bark beetle in the western United States and Canada. MPB affects pine trees by laying eggs under the bark. The beetles introduce blue stain fungus into the sapwood preventing the tree from repelling and killing attacking beetles with tree pitch (sap).

Vulnerable Tree Species – Ponderosa, lodgepole, white bark, limber, sugar, blue spruce, bristlecone pines, and several other pine species.
Infestation Signs – Signs of MPB infestation include white pitch tubes, running pitch, “sawdust” at the base of the tree, and multiple small emergence holes in the bark. During warmer months, these beetles can kill a tree in two to four weeks.
Treatment – Removal. Cut and destroy infested trees along with a wide buffer strip of healthy trees.
Prevention – The only treatment that can be applied to the tree is preventative. This will protect the tree by killing the beetles before they infest it. Insecticides containing the active ingredients permethrin or carbaryl and labeled for bark beetle control should be done by early June to protect trees from MPB.
Information/Reporting – If you suspect an MPB infestation, hire an arborist to confirm the infestation, begin treatment and removal efforts, and contact local authorities to help contain the beetle’s spreading.

Metallic Wood-Boring Beetle (Buprestidae)

Buprestidae, also called Jewel Beetles, comprise any of some 15,000 beetle species (insect order Coleoptera). These beetles are primarily distributed in tropical regions and are among the most brilliantly colored insects. Buprestidae adult beetles feed on their host tree’s foliage, resulting in little damage to the tree. The larvae of these beetles burrow through the bark, roots, and stems of multiple tree species and woody plants to reach the cambium (water and nutrient delivery system of the tree).

Vulnerable Tree Species – Pine (Pinus), spruce (Picea), fir (Abies), hemlock (Tsuga canadensis), ash (Fraxinus), beech (Fagus), hazelnut (Corylus), apple (Malus domestica)
Infestation Signs – Partially consumed foliage (leaf notches), chlorosis of foliage in sections of the crown, dieback of foliage and stems, frass (sawdust) found on the bark from burrowing activities, D-shaped exit holes in tree bark, suckers and water sprouts growing in the crown, on the trunk, and/or from the roots, woodpecker damage (woodpeckers hunt beetle larvae), squirrel activity (some squirrel species feed on beetle larvae)
Treatment – Due to their larvae’s hidden feeding activities, treating a metallic wood-boring beetle infestation is not always possible and should be evaluated by a certified arborist.
Prevention – Select well-adapted tree species not commonly attacked by wood-borers in your region. Select and prepare suitable planting sites to avoid tree stress, freeze damage, sunscald, windburn, and other common tree stressors.
Information/Reporting – If you suspect a metallic wood-boring beetle infestation, hire an arborist to confirm the infestation, begin treatment and/or removal efforts, and contact local authorities to help contain the beetle’s spreading.

Note: Read more about metallic wood-boring beetles at 72tree.com/metallic-wood-boring-beetles/

Can Trees Recover from Borers?

Sometimes. Tree-boring beetles are attracted to trees that are already stressed and injured (pruning wounds are common entry points for first-generation borers). Adding mulch around your tree and providing it with consistent waterings and seasonal fertilization can help it fight off or resist borers while recovering from previous damages.

Note: When you see signs of decline or bark damage (entry/exit holes or woodpecker damage), call a certified arborist to evaluate the situation and recommend a course of action.

Tree-Boring Beetles

In this article, you discovered essential information on identifying a wood-boring beetle infestation, the damages they can cause trees, how to treat and prevent infestations, and who to call for help.

Knowing how to identify, treat, and control tree-boring beetles will help you prevent or stop severe infestations from killing stands of trees on and around your property.

Ignoring beetle infestations can result in the quick death of your trees and property damage if said tree falls on your home.

Sources:
agrilifeextension.tamu.edu/library/landscaping/wood-boring-insects-of-trees-and-shrubs/
nrs.fs.fed.us/disturbance/invasive_species/eab/biology_ecology/host_preference/
fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5187520.pdf

This article was first published on: http://www.72tree.com/tree-boring-beetle-description-and-prevention/

Trees and big bushes on your property add beauty, charm, privacy and shade, but sometimes they need a trimming or to be removed if they get too close to your house and its roof. Now that we’re in the middle of the summer season, everyone is enjoying the outdoors while they can before the cold weather returns. Many homeowners are maintaining their yards and landscape.

Overgrown Trees Should Be Trimmed

One of the things you should keep an eye on are the trees and bushes around your yard, and especially take notice of any next to your house. Are their branches hitting your walls, gutters or roof? If so, Big Foot Tree Service of Wayne, New Jersey, can come trim the branches down so they don’t damage your home.

Also, do you have any trees leaning over, looking like they could hit your house if a storm were to blow them down or snap them in two? Big Foot Tree Service can install “cabling and bracing” to stabilize trees that look like they’re tipping awkwardly to one side. The Big Tree team can also remove any branches high atop the tree that have gotten too long for their own good.

Keep Your Home Safe from Damages

In your yard, do you notice a tree with several dead branches? It may be time to have it cut down and removed if it can’t be saved. To have a beautiful yard and one ugly, dying tree in it is something that bothers most people. Also, now is a good time to have tree stumps removed by professionals, so you don’t have to look at them all summer long.

Big Foot Tree Service has a team of professionals who maintain and improve the trees of many Northern New Jersey residential properties. Taking great care to get jobs done with efficiency, Big Foot Tree Service can be reached at 973-885-8000.

The post Protect Your Home From Overgrown Branches appeared first on Big Foot Tree Service.

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

What if the shrubs you planted were not only visually appealing, but also had medicinal and therapeutic properties. Knowing what medicinal shrubs to plant on your landscape can offer additional benefits and be utilized when needed.

toddsmariettatreeservices.com gathered the following species and growing information for 5 medicinal shrubs that should be planted in your Marietta, Georgia landscape.

What are Medicinal Shrubs

Medicinal shrubs, also called medicinal herbs or plants, are used for their scent, flavor, or therapeutic properties. Herbal medicines are one type of dietary supplement sold as tablets, capsules, powders, teas, extracts, and fresh or dried plant parts. People have used herbal medicines to maintain or improve their health for generations. Consider planting the following medicinal shrubs in your Marietta, Georgia yard and garden:

1. Peppermint (Mentha × piperita)

Peppermint is a hybrid mint. It is a cross between watermint and spearmint and is indigenous to Europe and the Middle East. Nowadays, the plant is grown and cultivated in many regions around the world.

Mature Size – Peppermint can reach heights of 3 feet and a width of 2 to 3 feet.
Sun Requirements – This species thrives in a part shade to full sun location.
Preferred Soil and pH – Peppermint is an adaptable plant but prefers well-draining, loose, organically-rich soil with a pH ranging from 5.5 to 6.0.
Water Requirements – Water this species 2 times per week, keeping soil evenly moist without saturating it.
Medicinal Value – Peppermint oil is promoted for topical use (applied directly to the skin) for headaches, muscle aches, joint pain, and itching/skin irritation. In aromatherapy, peppermint oil is used to treat coughs and colds, improve mental function, and significantly reduce stress.
Hardiness Zone – 5 through 10

2. Lavender (Lavandula)

Lavender is a genus of 47 known species in the mint family. It is native to the Mediterranean’s hot, dry climate and can currently be found growing in most temperate climates worldwide.

Mature Size – Lavender can reach heights of 2 feet and a width of 2 to 3 feet.
Sun Requirements – This species thrives in a full sun location (6 hours or more).
Preferred Soil and pH – Lavender prefers well-draining soils with a pH ranging from 6.7 to 7.3.
Water Requirements – Water mature lavender plants every 2 to 3 weeks until buds form, then once or twice weekly until harvest.
Medicinal Value – Aromatherapists utilize lavender for inhalation therapy to treat headaches, nervous disorders, and exhaustion. Herbalists use lavender oil to treat skin ailments like fungal infections, wounds, eczema, and acne. This species is also used in healing baths for joint and muscle pain.
Hardiness Zone – 5 through 9

3. Neem (Azadirachta indica)

Since antiquity, neem has been renowned for healing. The earliest medical writings refer to the benefits of its fruits, seeds, oil, leaves, roots, and bark. Each of these elements has long been used in Indian medicine, and over thousands of years, millions of Asians have used neem medicinally.

Mature Size – Neem will typically grow as a tree reaching 50 to 65 feet tall with a well-rounded crown.
Sun Requirements – This species thrives in full sun – 6 hours or more.
Preferred Soil and pH – Neem will adapt to nearly any soil type and can tolerate pH values up to 8.5.
Water Requirements – Water mature neem specimens once weekly without overwatering.
Medicinal Value – Neem’s medicinal values are principally found in its foliage. Neem leaves exhibit immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, anti-hyperglycemic, anti-ulcer, anti-malarial, anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, anti-viral, antioxidant, anti-mutagenic, and anti-carcinogenic properties.
Hardiness Zone – 10 through 12 (Marietta’s winter temperatures will likely cause this species to lose its foliage in the colder months)

4. Cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum)

This species bears clusters of tiny star-shaped flowers in springtime, becoming small, dark purple fruit that smells like cinnamon. However, the spice is made from the species’ bark.

Mature Size – Cinnamon will typically grow as a tree reaching 50 feet tall with a well-rounded crown.
Sun Requirements – This species requires full sun. Plant your cinnamon in a location that gets at least twelve hours of daily sunlight.
Preferred Soil and pH – Cinnamon thrives in well-drained sandy soil with a 4.5 to 5.5 pH.
Water Requirements – Water mature cinnamon specimens once or twice weekly without overwatering.
Medicinal Value – Cinnamon Lowers Blood Sugar Levels and Has a Powerful Anti-Diabetic Effect. Cinnamon is well known for its blood-sugar-lowering properties.
Hardiness Zone – 9 through 11 (this species will require protection/shelter from Marietta’s winter temperatures)

5. Echinacea or Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)

Echinacea purpurea is a perennial herb native to the midwestern region of North America. It has tall stems that bear single pink or purple flowers with a central cone that is usually purple or brown. The large cone is a seed head with sharp spines resembling a stiff comb.

Mature Size – This species can reach heights of 4 feet and a width of 1 to 3 feet.
Sun Requirements – Echinacea thrives in full to partial sun, needing at least four hours of sunlight per day.
Preferred Soil and pH – Echinacea purpurea is adaptable to most soil types but prefers a sandy, well-drained loam and thrives in a 6.0 to 7.0 pH.
Water Requirements – Purple coneflowers require regular watering – about 1-inch per week.
Medicinal Value – Use echinacea to shorten the common cold and flu, and reduce symptoms, like sore throat, cough, and fever. Herbalists also recommend echinacea to help boost the immune system, helping the body fight infections.
Hardiness Zone – 3 through 9

Medicinal Shrubs in Marietta, Georgia Landscapes

In this article, you discovered species, growing, and medicinal information for several species that can thrive in Marietta, Georgia, landscapes.

Knowing which medicinal plant, shrub, or tree species to grow in your Marietta, Georgia, yard will help you grow an eclectic and intriguing landscape.

Without knowing shrubs can serve more than landscaping purposes, you would miss the therapeutic and healing advantages that some offer.

Sources:
plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/mentha-x-piperita/
heritagegarden.uic.edu/lavender-lavandula
nap.nationalacademies.org/read/1924/chapter/8
uaex.uada.edu/yard-garden/resource-library/plant-week/Cinnamomum-cassia-Cinnamon-09-08-2017.aspx
hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/echinacea/

Avoid planting a tree species that’s not well suited for your yard. Knowing the pros and cons of eucalyptus tree species will help you make informed decisions about what to plant in your yard.

72tree.com gathered the following information, pros, and cons of eucalyptus trees and how they affect their surroundings.

Eucalyptus Trees

Eucalyptus globulus Labill is an evergreen aromatic tree in the Myrtle Family (Myrtaceae). This tree species commonly reaches 150 to 180 feet in height and has a diameter of 4-7 feet. This tree has a straight trunk up to two-thirds of its total height and boasts a well-developed crown.

Eucalyptus Tree Foliage

Eucalyptus tree species are evergreens. Unlike other northern hemisphere trees that are deciduous in harsh fall and winter periods, eucalypts have leaves all year. These trees are described as ‘sclerophylls,’ meaning ‘hard-leaved.’ The species’ leaves are thick, leathery, and tough due to lignin and do not easily wilt. When eucalyptus trees are used for privacy screening, this attribute is their greatest pro.

Eucalyptus Tree Stands

A properly functioning watershed has a forest or tree stand with three canopy levels; a lower (understory), middle (middle story), and top or (overstory). With all three canopy levels, the trees can better trap water by slowing rainfall, trapping mist from the air on leaves, which drips into the soil and naturally replenishes the water table below. However, when the stand or forest is composed of eucalyptus, there will only be an overstory canopy level, and the ground will be practically devoid of understory trees and plants.

The leaves and roots of eucalyptus trees inhibit other plants from growing under them due to naturally-occurring chemicals. Having no middle or lower canopies causes soil to easily dislodge and wash downslope through streams and rivers, which can rapidly increase land and soil erosion.

Note: Many plants produce compounds that will inhibit or stop the growth of nearby plants to better compete for nutrients, sunlight, and other vital resources. This is known as allelopathy, and black walnut, maple, pine, and eucalyptus species are some of the better-known examples of tree species that employ this. Allelopathy is a severe con to planting eucalyptus trees on your property.

Invasive Eucalyptus Roots

Since a eucalyptus tree’s lateral roots spread up to 100 feet outward, they are known to grow into ditches, plumbing pipes, and septic tanks, damaging, clogging, and cracking them. In fact, eucalyptus roots penetrating or lifting foundations is a common complaint when this species is planted too close to a home.

If you choose to plant eucalyptus trees, you can limit or prevent some of the dangers associated with its shallow root system by placing root barriers and with proper planting and maintenance. Plant eucalyptus trees so the distance away from utilities, structures, driveways, sidewalks, and roadways is equal to two-thirds the potential mature height of the tree.

Note: Eucalyptus roots will typically encroach on a structure’s foundation only when there is an active water source like a burst pipe or poorly connected drain. This attribute of the eucalyptus species is a severe disadvantage to its planting.

Eucalyptus Tree Dangers

While there are many attractive advantages to the eucalyptus species, there are some downright terrifying disadvantages to having the species anywhere near your property. Consider these eucalyptus species’ cons:

Water – Eucalyptus trees have a terrible reputation as extensive water users and significant contributors to soil depletion. While they do need copious quantities of water, their colossal taproot can find moisture even in the most barren areas. This voracious appetite helps maintain their incredibly rapid growth.

Toxicity – Some homeowners place eucalyptus leaves around their homes for their aroma or will plant eucalyptus in their landscapes. However, eucalyptus plant foliage is toxic to animals and humans if ingested.

Toppling – Eucalyptus trees are prone to falling because of their shallow spreading roots that don’t do an efficient job of anchoring or steadying the tree in loose soil or when an external force places overwhelming pressure against the trunk and branches.

Exploding – Eucalyptus oil gives off flammable fumes, and these fumes can be ignited by lightning, flying sparks, and cinders, causing the tree to explode.

Fireballs – During brush or forest fires, the eucalyptus species releases great quantities of flammable gas that mix with air to produce fireballs full of sparks and embers exploding out in front of the fire.

Note: According to North Carolina State University, eucalyptus foliage and bark are considered poisonous in large amounts. If too much is ingested, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea can result.

Eucalyptus Tree Uses

Knowing the dangers posed by growing eucalyptus trees, it is difficult to believe that anything good can come from this species. Consider the following (surprising) benefits:

• Eucalyptus oil Is naturally antibacterial and anti-fungal
• Eucalyptus vapors can decrease and clear mucus
• Eucalyptus is used for household cleaning
• Eucalyptus soothes and refreshes dry skin on contact
• Eucalyptus is an efficient insect repellant

Note: Topically applied, eucalyptus can offer you a break from everyday aches and pains.

Eucalyptus Trees Species Pros and Cons

In this article, you discovered essential information, pros, cons, and unusual species traits for the incredibly robust eucalyptus tree species.

Knowing the advantages and disadvantages of planting a eucalyptus tree on your property will help you make informed decisions about planting distances and tree safety.

Planting a eucalyptus tree without knowing how to care and its potential for invasive roots can unintentionally cause costly damages to your property.

Sources:
nps.gov/places/eucalyptus-trees.htm
science.org.au/curious/earth-environment/story-our-eucalypts
kqed.org/science/4209/eucalyptus-california-icon-fire-hazard-and-invasive-species
plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/eucalyptus/

This article was first published on: http://www.72tree.com/eucalyptus-tree-information-pros-cons/

Storms damage trees. Chain saws cut them down. And what remains? The hard-to-remove stumps.

Why are stumps so hard to get out of the ground? Well, underneath the stump are strong roots. If you’re a do-it-yourselfer, good luck digging and chopping with your shovel and axe. After all that hard work, how are you going to actually remove that heavy stump—by hand? No. You could attach a rope to it, and try to pull it out using your lawn mower or truck. It can get pretty dangerous, especially if the rope snaps. Once it’s out of the hole, where do you put the monstrosity?

Professional Stump Removal

Save yourself the time and frustration of stump removal by hiring a professional company like Big Foot Tree Service to do the work for you.

It’s a smart idea to remove stumps so they don’t get in the way of mowing your lawn. Stumps also trip people up, especially when they’re covered with weeds and a person doesn’t realize they’re there. In addition, old stumps attract a variety of pests who want to call them home. Termites, roaches, ants, squirrels and snakes are attracted to stumps.

Safety and Efficiency

A professional stump removal company has the proper equipment and know-how to remove stumps safely and efficiently. Since they do the job often, they become experts at getting stumps out without making a giant mess in the yard. Furthermore, with the right machinery, stump grinding can occur on the property, turning the stump into wood mulch—a good way to “recycle” these days.

Most importantly, getting rid of stumps makes a yard look nicer to passersby and the people who see it every day. If you were looking to buy a house with a nice yard, and two were exactly alike—same price, same layout—but one had seven stumps awkwardly scattered across  the front yard while the other had no stumps—just lush green grass—which would you prefer?

In Northern New Jersey, Big Foot Tree Service can and will get rid of your stumps professionally. Call the company at 973-885-8000 today and ask for a free estimate.

The post Why You Should Have a Professional Remove Your Tree Stump appeared first on Big Foot Tree Service.

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

If the trees around your property appear shaggy, or if there’s a few precariously hanging branches, it may be time to give them a touch-up. There are many safety and aesthetic advantages to giving the trees around your property a proper trim and pruning. You may be tempted to grab a ladder and some shears and try to finish the job yourself. However, there are a few complications to consider before you start tree trimming yourself. Keeping your trees in pristine condition not only helps protect your home and property from hanging or falling tree limbs, but also boosts the curb appeal of your home. At Red’s Tree Service, we want to help you keep your home safe and beautiful. Here’s everything you need to know about tree trimming and pruning.

What’s the Difference Between Trimming and Pruning?

Tree trimming helps trees, shrubs, and hedges grow in a healthy way. Commercial clients often trim trees to make their property more attractive to potential clients. A cleaner appearance helps draw in more visitors. At Red’s Tree Service, our team prefers to focus on removing green shoots, which helps encourage healthier growth overall. On top of environmental growth, trimming also improves the appearance of the tree or shrub itself.

Pruning is not just for tree maintenance. The term is often associated with the removal of unnecessary branches and sometimes even roots. These branches and roots may be dead and need to be cut away for the health of the tree. In some cases, branches grow in the wrong direction. They may push towards electrical utility wires or structures, which can prove to be a safety hazard. Pruning helps keep unwanted growth in check so you can have better control over your greenery.

Why You Should Trim Your Tree

Whether your home is surrounded by a smattering of trees or you have just a few small hedges that need a makeover, you may be wondering about the benefits of regular tree trimming. Pruning or trimming a tree allows you to reduce the possibility that dead or decayed material in the branches could be shifted to healthier trees. Another reason many people trim the trees on their property is to allow more sunlight to filter through to the ground. This helps to reduce the possibility of mold and mildew by drying up the ground. In turn, this allows the plants underneath the tree to receive the nutrients that they need to grow successfully.

Your safety and the security of your property, as well as that of your neighbors, is a major reason why people schedule a quick trim for their trees. If you notice that a tree has a decayed or dying limb, there is always a possibility that the limb could fall during a storm and cause damage to your home or your neighbor’s property. A quick trim can be a bit costly, but it will be worth avoiding a limb falling into your neighbor’s home or ruining your expensive roof. 

Lastly, aesthetics are another reason why tree trimming is a worthwhile project. If you’ve recently upgraded your home’s exterior, such as adding new siding or decor for your yard, you may find that cutting back some extra tree growth will add to your home’s curb appeal and really showcase your new upgrades. 

Tips for Trimming and Pruning

There are many different methods and strategies for trimming and pruning, and it’s important to know the best approach. A poor pruning job can damage your tree for the rest of its lifetime, so it is important that you consult a professional who understands your trees and how to properly care for them. To help you out, our team has a list of tips for keeping your trees looking pristine after their trim:

• Don’t remove foliage too frequently. Allow time for the tree to naturally grow before making too many gratuitous cuts. Cutting too much can damage the tree’s health.
• Don’t tackle a pruning job yourself that requires you to go within ten feet of a power line
• Always sharpen your tools before use. Dull cutting implements can needlessly damage trees
• Maintain a solid tree structure by reducing co-dominant leaders, or branches that grow near the top of the tree that both grow upwards
• Prevent storm hazards such as low limbs that extend over a walkway or garage
• Before making a cut, look for the branch collar, which grows from the stem tissue at the bottom base of the branch. Look for the branch ridge, which is on the upper surface and is parallel to the branch angle at the stem.
• Always cut outside the branch bark ridge and angle your cut down and away from the stem. Be careful not to injure the branch collar.

If you follow these tips, you can better maintain the health of your tree and the aesthetic of your property. This important maintenance project allows you to boost the curb appeal and frame your home with lovely greenery.

Get the best at Red’s Tree Service

With Red’s Tree Service’s all-inclusive commercial tree service, your yard will be completely transformed. Whether you are interested in beautifying your yard, cleaning up after a storm, or requiring emergency tree service, our commercial tree service covers everything you need. 

With over forty years of experience, our family-owned and operated tree service delivers you the best results. We have the tools, experience, and equipment to take care of your trees and leave your yard safe, healthy, and beautiful for years to come. Contact Red’s Tree Service in Memphis, Collierville, and the Mid-South area for your free estimate today!

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

Prevent nosy neighbors from watching your every move and create privacy for your yard. Knowing how to grow a bamboo screen will help preserve your privacy while contributing to the ecosystem.

toddsmariettatreeservices.com gathered the following pros, cons, and growing information about bamboo for privacy screens.

What is Bamboo?

Bamboo species are a part of the grass family and are typically fast-growing evergreen flowering perennials, with some species growing an astounding 12 to 35 inches per day. The woody ringed stems (culms) are often hollow between the rings (nodes) and tend to grow in branching clusters from a thick underground stem (rhizome). When bamboo is harvested and properly processed, it can be used to make things like flooring, paper, fabrics, chopsticks, and more.

Note: In traditional Chinese culture, bamboo symbolizes longevity and beauty because of its durability, strength, flexibility, and resilience. It survives in the harshest conditions of the most challenging environments, standing tall and staying green year-round. When storms come, bamboo gracefully bends with the wind.

Planting Bamboo Privacy Screens

Bamboo is a stunning plant species for visual privacy screens or evergreen hedges because it has a small initial footprint, it grows incredibly tall, it grows fast, produces oxygen, and sequesters carbon. Consider the following for planting:

Planting Bamboo with a Root Ball (Root Mass) – First, dig a hole twice the size of the root ball and mix composted manure into the base of the hole before putting the bamboo in place. The root mass should sit level with the ground. Finally, mix the topsoil with more compost and fill the hole.

Pros of Bamboo Privacy Screens

Besides serving as a stunning conversation topic, a live bamboo privacy screen offers the following benefits:

• Bamboo is incredibly fast-growing and will quickly fill in any gaps between culms
• Bamboo grows fast (really fast); one species holds the world record for the fastest-growing plant
• While species-dependent, bamboo can reach 100 feet at maturity
• Bamboo has a greater tensile strength (28,000 per square inch) than steel (23,000 per square inch) and withstands compression better than concrete
• Bamboo is evergreen and will provide screening year-round

There are approximately 1,000 bamboo species. The more popular varieties for hedges or privacy screens include:

Arundinaria funghomii (Runner) – Thin, straight canes of running bamboo grow close together with lots of leaves
Bambusa multiplex (Clumper) – 10 to 20-foot upright poles
Bashania fargesii (Runner) – Long, sturdy culms have earned this species the name of “Wind break bamboo,” and its leaves are long and thick
Fargesia dracocephala (Clumper) – This bamboo has thick culms growing to about 10 feet, with a dense and “weeping” canopy that makes an excellent privacy hedge
Phyllostachys bissetii (Runner) – This variety can reach up to 40 feet tall with 2-inch culms
Phyllostachys bambusoides (Runner) – Smooth, beautiful culms can reach 50 to 70 feet tall, with up to a 5-inch culm diameter
Pseudosasa Japonica (Runner) – Ideal for shorter screens and hedges with culms growing 15 to 20-feet tall

Bamboo species are among the fastest-growing plants on the planet. Some varieties can reach full maturity in just 90 days, while most other varieties only take a couple of years. One bamboo species can grow an astounding 35 inches per day (that’s 1.5 inches per hour).

Cons of Bamboo Privacy Screens

While there are many positive aspects of using bamboo as a privacy hedge or screen, there are some significant disadvantages. Consider the following:

• Pruning or cutting bamboo stems (culms) will stop their growth
• Bamboo does not tolerate drought (regular watering can only be interrupted on rainy days)
• Bamboo species prefer secluded or protected locations
• Running bamboo species can aggressively cross property lines and invade yard space
• Once bamboo is established, it can be extremely challenging to entirely remove

Running bamboo does precisely what the name portrays; it runs. Running bamboo species must be controlled with rhizome barriers to prevent them from spreading beyond their intended location.

Non-invasive, clumping bamboo has short roots, generally forming discreet clumps requiring only a 3’ to 10’ circle of space to expand. Clumping bamboo root structures are dense and can apply significant pressure on foundations, walls, and fences.

Planting Bamboo

In this article, you discovered species and growing information and some of the pros and cons of planting bamboo as a privacy hedge or privacy screen.

Planting bamboo as a privacy screen can give your yard a lush and fully developed screening in a fraction of the time typical landscape trees would take.

When planting bamboo, you risk a “running” species crossing your property line and growing out of control, requiring costly professional removal.

Sources:
extension.uga.edu/publications/detail.html?number=B1357&title=Growing%20Bamboo%20in%20Georgia
extension.tennessee.edu/publications/documents/W220.pdf
heritagegarden.uic.edu/bamboo
depts.ttu.edu/plantresources/Pages/Landscape_Information_Sheets/Woody_Info/Bambusa_spp.php
guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/fastest-growing-plant

Avoid planting trees that produce awful aromas. Knowing which trees smell bad will help you cultivate a beautiful landscape without the horrific wafting odors of urine or excrement.

72tree.com gathered the following information about five tree species that emit a repugnant smell through their bark, foliage, or fruit.

1. Bradford Pear (Pyrus calleryana)

Bradford Pear is a variety of pear trees native to Korea and China called Pyrus calleryana. This species was introduced into western horticulture in 1908 and has been causing a stink ever since.

Pyrus calleryana is one of the first tree species to flower in the spring and typically one of the last trees to have colorful foliage in the fall. The tree’s white blossoms are about a half-inch in diameter and fill its canopy. Bradford pear fruit is small, round, and hard until softening after the first frost.

When Bradford pear trees are in bloom, they will unleash a canopy of beautiful white blooms but will also emit a stench that’s often likened to rotting fish.

Bradford pear trees are hardy to zones 5 through 9, and at maturity, this tree species can reach heights of 40 feet and a spread of 20 to 30 feet.

2. Callery Pear (Pyrus calleryana)

Closely related to the Bradford pear, the Callery pear is a small to medium-sized tree with a compact, symmetrical, or columnar shape that spreads to become oval with maturity. Many cultivars exist with slightly different characteristics, but all of them contribute to the species’ invasiveness.

If you see this tree in bloom, you may want to keep your distance (or take an out-of-town vacation). The aroma produced by these pretty Callery pear flowers have been compared to the smell of human male semen and vomit.

Callery pear trees are hardy to zones 4 through 8, and at maturity, this tree species can reach heights of 40 feet and a spread of 20 to 30 feet.

3. White Spruce (Picea glauca)

This species of spruce is native to North America, and its timber is principally used in general construction. Its uses also include timber for cabin construction, musical instruments, paddles, furniture, cabinets, pallets, boxes, and food containers. Picea glauca is also commonly used as a Christmas tree.

The tree’s needles are a stunning bluish-green color but give off a horrid aroma when the needles are crushed. Other names the tree goes by include cat spruce and skunk spruce due to the foul odor.

White spruce trees are hardy to zones 2 through 6 and, at maturity, will often reach 60 feet in height and 10 to 20 feet in diameter.

4. Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba)

Known as one of the most distinct and beautiful of all deciduous trees, the ginkgo certainly stands out. With its unique, fan-shaped leaves that turn a stunning yellow in the fall, it is a tree that can tolerate many unfavorable urban conditions, including heat, air pollution, and salt. This tree also takes root easily.

For all of its majestic traits, there is one that stands out – its hideous odor. When the females of the species drop their leaves and fleshy fruit, when crushed by vehicles or pedestrians release a distinct stench that has been likened to rotten butter, vomit, dirty gym socks, or dog excrement.

Ginkgo trees are hardy to zones 4 through 9 and, at maturity, will often reach 25 to 50 feet in height and 25 to 35 feet in diameter.

5. Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima)

This towering tree species is often identified by its smooth and brownish-green bark when it is young, eventually becoming light brown to gray in its maturity, resembling cantaloupe skin. This tree’s scientific name, Ailanthus (sky-tree), and its common name, tree-of-heaven, both refer to its ability to quickly grow towards the sky.

Even with such a celestial name, you cannot get by its terrible smell. The leaves of male trees smell like rancid peanut butter or well-worn and musty gym socks.

Tree of Heaven is hardy to zones 4 through 8 and, at maturity, will often reach 60 to 70 feet in height and 80 feet in spread.

Stinky Trees

In this article, you discovered several tree species that most people deeply regret ever having planted on their property due to the horrible odors that they emit.

Knowing which tree species smell bad will help you avoid embarrassing moments when trying to explain the foul stench in the air.

Planting trees that smell bad will leave you with an unenjoyable landscape riddled with off-putting aromas.

Sources:
naturewalk.yale.edu/trees/rosaceae/pyrus-calleryana/callery-pear-tree-33
extension.umd.edu/resource/bradford-pear
realchristmastrees.org/education/tree-varieties/white-spruce/
landscapeplants.oregonstate.edu/plants/ginkgo-biloba
extension.psu.edu/tree-of-heaven

This article was first published on: http://www.72tree.com/5-trees-that-smell-bad/

Now that the weather is warming up, people are paying more attention to their yards and what’s in them. Many are considering the addition of some bushes or trees to their property for aesthetic reasons.

Planting Trees Near Your House

Have you ever noticed a tree that was planted too close to a house? Its branches are constantly hitting the roof, especially in the wind, making noises and scattering messy dirt and leaves around the roof and sides of the house. And eventually the leaves end up clogging the roof’s gutters, which can lead to a mess not only on the ground, but in a person’s basement when water sneaks inside.

If you look at a tree, notice how big it is, and then consider its root system looks about the same size underground. Now do you want a huge tree’s roots interfering with your home’s pipes, cables and other buried items? Oh no, you don’t.

Ever notice lots of cracks in a buckled sidewalk leading up to a house? That’s probably because tree or bush roots messed it up.

And as for bugs: they love shrubs and trees, and when you have them within a foot or two of your house, the bugs are going to use them as bridges to get both on and in your walls. Yuck. Do you want termites? Heck no.

Give Your Tree Some Space

When you’re choosing on where to plant your tree, give it some space from your house. You’ll avoid the hassle of damages or problems down the road to your property or home if the tree is too close to it. If a storm comes roaring through, you won’t have to worry too much about your tree or the branches falling on power lines or even your house.

If insects and pests infest your tree for some reason, you can solve the problem without having to worry about disease spreading or an infestation moving into your house.

Big Foot Tree Service can remove any bushes, shrubs or trees that you think are too close to your house, and even grind away and get rid of stumps. Better yet, if you’re thinking of planting or moving trees on your property, give us a call at 973-885-8000 so we can help you determine the best location for them so as not to disturb your house, driveway and sidewalks.

The post How Close Should I Plant a Tree Near my House? appeared first on Big Foot Tree Service.

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