Archive for the ‘Storm Damage Assistance’ Category

Cabling – We put our signature on it!

bad splice - poor quality signature.

good splice - signature of quality workmanship

Arborists make many decisions during their work days. And when involved in tree preservation (as opposed to tree removal) nothing makes more of a lasting impression than the cable the arborist installs. A properly installed cable should provide many years of additional support to a tree branch or leader union that might otherwise fail and/ or require removal. Many considerations, measurements and calculations go into each and every cable. The installation of a cable and splice may best be described as the arborist’s “signature”. Sometimes years after an initial cable installation, another arborist may ascend the tree perhaps for some pruning or another cable and that old cable will say something about the installers’ quality of work (see photos):

In the many years I have cared for clients trees, I’ve seen some really sad and telling cable installations. These include the following:

too low in the tree
unapproved hardware
missing thimbles
improper bolt angles
tree decay AND poor splices

A splice using common grade cable should be neat, include the minimum wraps (all in the same direction) and include a snuggly fit thimble.

At chippers we love what we do and it shows. It shows in the big things that you see, and it shows in the little things that you may not see. If you’re not sure about the quality of cables in your tree – give us a call and we’ll check the signature!

Why consider Natural Ice Melt?

We have all seen the devastation that rock salt (or halite) causes to vehicles and roads.  And we have also seen the damage rock salt inflicts to turf, trees, shrubs, concrete, brick, patios, steel and so many other materials.  While rock salt is the cheapest and most basic of ice melting materials, it has many drawbacks.  Rock salt only works at temperatures down to 25 f and will dry out your pets’ paws when used on walkways, patios, decks, and driveways.  Rock salt may also cause salt burns to animals and kill turf and shrubs when applied over the course of a winter.  How much did you pay for that landscaping job?  Or should I say, how much are you willing to pay to replace that section of lawn or even that shrub?  Is it worth the small savings for rock salt versus a few dollars more for far safer and superior products? Oh, and I saved the best for last! Rock salt also tracks a white residue into your home leaving your tile, wood floor, or carpets dirty and white.

Calcium chloride is our next contestant and is a heavy weight ice melt.  It is a serious product that works at very low temperatures (-25 f) but also has major draw backs such as higher cost, corrosion, adverse health effects, reduced traction, and damage to the environment.  These are just the big drawbacks, there are more.  Also, unless kept dry, calcium chloride melts into itself (absorbs moisture) and becomes unusable.  Calcium chloride will corrode steel.  Most calcium chloride pellets are also spheres and therefore roll on inclines or slopes.  Unlike crystalline ice melt, calcium chloride does not provide any physical traction.  Calcium chloride is not plant or people friendly.  In fact, it can burn your hands or the paws of your beloved pet if not handled properly.  Calcium chloride is a severe irritant to the eyes, skin, and respiratory tract.  Calcium chloride is certainly not very safe to use around your family or home given how harsh it is. Fortunately, there are alternatives….

Why consider Natural Ice Melt?  If you take away all of the bad stuff I just wrote about.  How does that sound?  Natural Ice Melt is effective at temperatures down to 5 f.  That’s very effective on an average winter night. Natural Ice Melt is pet, plant, and people safe.  There is no need to use gloves or protection to apply Natural Ice Melt.  Natural Ice Melt does not dissolve or remove moisture from the air.  So, there is no need to keep the bag air locked.  We especially love how Natural Ice Melt will not track on carpets and tile, eliminating that dirty white residue.  Natural Ice Melt will work on asphalt shingles and will not stain that newly sealed or paved driveway.  And with its natural peach color, Natural Ice Melt is visually easier to apply.

With each product we buy, we make a statement.  What will you buy this year when it comes to melting ice at your home and/ or business?  We hope you will consider the environment, your family, the lawn, and your pets!  Natural Ice Melt just makes sense. Once you try Natural Ice Melt and see the benefits, you will not use any other ice melt product.  Look for it and buy it. Or better yet, give us a call and we can have it delivered to your home by the bag or pallet!

We Are Chippers… And Always Will Be

Thank You For Your Support (PDF)

Find A Need, Plant A Seed: Our 2010 Community Beautification Initiative

We believe in contributing to the communities that sustain us.  Although we always sponsor and donate to many local causes and charities throughout the region, this year we also want to make a direct contribution to the beautification of our community spaces with the actual professional green care services we provide: tree, turf, soil, land and forest. Projects can range from tree planting to natural turf enhancement, from pruning and cabling to field mowing.

Project requests for up to a day’s worth of gratis Chippers work should be submitted in writing to Mundy Wilson, Business & Marketing Manager, Chippers Inc., 1241 Pomfret Road, Woodstock, VT 05091 or via email: contactus@chippersinc.com, by May 1, 2010. Please put ‘Plant A Seed’ in the subject line of your email.

Suggested projects should fall within a 10 mile radius of each of these towns: Meredith, New London and Lebanon, New Hampshire, and Woodstock, Vermont; all requests must be for properties within the public domain; and all requests should fall within the scope of services we provide. Please be as specific as possible in your proposal. Visit our website www.chippersinc.com for ideas about what we actually do before you make your request, please! Accepted projects will be notified by June 1, 2010.

Bring on the beauty of 2010!


Storm Alert

Published by Mrs. Chippers on February 24th, 2010 - in Storm Damage Assistance

Storm Alert!

For a free estimate on snow removal – especially on your roof – simply call us toll free at 866-683-6222 or page us at 802.742.3505 for VT or NH. We are also prepared to remove broken tree limbs and or whole trees that have fallen due to the weight of heavy snow and ice.

Natural Ice Melt & Storm Damage Assistance

Published by Mr. Grass on February 24th, 2010 - in Storm Damage Assistance, Turf

————————————————————————————————————————————————

Storm Alert!

For a free estimate on snow removal – especially on your roof – simply call us toll free at 866-683-6222 or page us at 802.742.3505 for VT or NH.  We are also prepared to remove broken tree limbs and or whole trees that have fallen due to the weight of heavy snow and ice.

————————————————————————————————————————————————

In our continuing effort to use natural and environmentally friendly products, we have decided to offer ice melt delivery as a new service.

The quest began by researching the wide number of salts and ice melt products available.  It did not take long to realize that there are almost as many ice melts as types of wines!  What a daunting task, but our success and hard work paid off because we found a natural product safe for use.

Our product is pet, plant and people friendly, has no dyes,  nor will it stain carpets or floors when used as directed.  Unlike some chemical ice melts or rock salt, our product will not cause a slippery surface as it works.  Our ice melt contains a natural peach color for easy application, not a harsh dye to track inside.  No protective equipment is needed to apply it and your pets will thank you for not having damaged paws!  Best of all, we will deliver by the bag or pallet depending upon the need. Click here to download a pdf with more information.

These Tree Statistics Speak Loudly

A recent news event in NH outlined a tree falling on a teenage boy, resulting in his death.  This is a tragic event that bears closer investigation.  The birch tree involved was dead and a hazard.  Most people are not able to recognize a dangerous tree or predict a future failure such as the one leading up to an actual death.

A recent study published by the CDC’s National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) reported that of all professional tree care companies’ employee deaths between 1992-2007, nearly half involved the tree falling on or a portion of the tree hitting the employee.  Of that number, nearly 60% of the incidents occurred in companies with 10 or less employees.

Major points that can be drawn from these statistics are clear.  First, be sure you are hiring a reputable, skilled, qualified arborist company with the kind of knowledge that will enable the job to be done safety. We believe companies accredited by the Tree Care Industry Association adhere to the very highest safety standards. Second, if professionals are being injured or killed, why take the chance yourself?

If you have not had your property inspected for dangerous trees or limbs have us take a look today for free.  The implications of waiting are potentially deadly and just not worth the risk to you, your family, or friends.

To find other TCIA accredited companies near you, enter your zip code at this link:  http://www.treecareindustry.org/index.aspx

Hello World!

Welcome to This Old Yard, the blog for Chippers Inc.  Here you will find conversations about a variety of topics related to tree, turf, soil, land and forest care in Vermont and New Hampshire.  Ask us a question, send us your information, share your thoughts about our blog – we’re available!

© This Old Yard- The blog for all your green care needs
CyberChimps WordPress Themes