1) Are your trees and plant materials safe for winter?

What to do:
Be observant! This means taking a slow walk around your property to look at all your plant material FROM ALL SIDES!

Things to look for:
1) Dead limb or trees:
-When trees are in bloom and a limb has n leaves the limb is dead or diseased it should be addressed.
-If a tree is declining where a majority of the limbs or the crown (the top) of the tree is over 40% dead a removal is recommended.
-If a tree has cavities (holes) from previous damage, limb removal, decay etc., it may be compromised. A cavity 30% or more in a limb or trunk is present a removal is recommended.

2) Peeling bark or fruited bodies on the limbs, trunk or roots are a sign of rot and decay. Fruited bodies are basically a mushroom type growth that presents itself when decay is present.
-Are the roots heaving? If a tree is suddenly leaning and the roots and ground have raised or come out of the ground it warrants immediate removal.
-Are there extremely wet areas on your property? When the ground is extremely or constantly wet the roots that stabilize a tree will be rooted in mud which is a recipe fro blown over trees in high wind, wet snow, ice, etc. if at all possible remove plant material that may be at risk or have a professional fix the drainage issues in your yard by installing drains or changing the directions of water flow from downspouts.

3) Examine the foliage of your trees and shrubs for unusual spots, bugs, chew marks, curling of leaves or decline in appearance. This can be the sign of bug, disease or stress that can ruin plant material.
-Look for limbs that are too close to the structures on your property. If limbs are laying on your root or rubbing on your siding they will not only allow animals and insects to enter your structure but they can cause damage to the structure. Limbs on roots can rub off the roof shingles or rip off the shingles causing multitude of costly repairs. Limbs against a structure can destroy siding, paint, windows, screen, gutters, etc.
-Guidelines:
-Limbs over roofs should be 15-20’ above the roof. (Just because limbs extend over the roof does not necessarily mean they are dangerous)
-Limbs against a structure should be cut back approximately 5-10’ to protect the building.

4) Preventative maintenance to do list:
-Trim limbs to a safe healthy distance from structures and pedestrian areas
-Remove dead/declining trees, limbs or plant material
-Install strapping material in large shrubs especially evergreens to protect from breaking or peeling apart in wet snow or ice.
-Trim trees or shrubs as needed to protect against wet snow, ice, or heavy rain
-Fix areas in your property if possible where water collects or lingers too long after wet weather conditions

**Always walk your property after any storm that is severe. Many people do not take 5 minutes to look around after a storm. Just because limbs or trees did not fall during a storm does not mean that broken/cracked limbs may not be in trees or that trees may not be ready to fail as a result of other issues!
**When in doubt call a professional Certified Arborist to assist you!

We often get asked the question, "Do we sell firewood?" or "Where does the wood go after it leaves my yard?"

Good questions!

We actually do not sell firewood directly. The wood that is unchippable is delivered to our "wood" guys who then cut and split the wood for use in your fireplaces etc. It is a win win situation as not only is the process "Green" in the form of revenue for our firedwood distrubuters who focuse on preparing the wood for your usage. If you are in need of firwood please visit our "Contractor list" on our Home Page and scroll to Firewod. These gentlemen will take good care of you!

The best time to prune fruit trees is late fall! The reason for this is that the tree is dormant and less suseptable to diseases. If you are interested in getting a quote this is the time to line up the project for fall or winter. Pruning at the right time keeps your trees healthy and the yard beautiful!

If you are seeing large webs filled with catapillers there is an easy solution. The path of least resistance is to cut out the section of the limb that contains the web and dipose in a waste container or trash bag. Just make sure that the container or bag is sealed shut as to not let the worms/gypsy moths to get out and stay on your property. If it is somthing that you feel you can not handle please call a professional so they can be extracted or sprayed if necessary.

What happens if I don't get them out?
If by chance you do not stop the situatuion in time they will chew at the leaves or eat all the leaves of the trees. This is harmful as losing foliage to create photosynthesis can stress a tree significantly. If the tree does survive it will produce new leaves that are less attractive to the insects as a way to defend itself against another invasion.

This time of the year bee hives are everywhere! I would know, I just got stung at my own home on Sunday by a hornet while trimming a shrub.

What to look for?
1) Before trimming any shrub do a quick visible assessment to make sure no hives are inside.
2) Check for hives hanging off tree limbs.
3) Look up at the eves of your house or small nooks where bees can fly into and nest.
4) Check the ground for mysterious holes about 2 inches wide. Bees love to build nest underground due to cool temperatures.

What to do!
1) Bees are a lot less active at night so that is a great time to spray from a long distance with a wasp/hornet spray.
2) Consult a professional.

Note: Some hives can be handled by you the homeowner but if it looks like a project too big for you please call a professional for your safety. Remember if you are allergic to bees stings a life threatening reaction is possible!