Posts Tagged ‘arbor day’

Forecasting for a Rainy Day

Published by Mr. Tree on February 17th, 2011 - in Land Enhancement, Trees

Forecasting the weather has always seemed like the perfect job, at least to me. What other profession can you be employed in where you can make a reasonably good salary (I think) and be wrong better than 50% of the time. Despite the less than stellar prediction performance, people still tune in every day and night? Is that not the best job ever? Well, not as great as a job in the “green care” industry.
Another difficult area to forecast is our nations and our local economies. Will we be seeing greater prosperity in the near future? Is the current recovery long-term or temporary? Is our financial future safe and secure? Although these questions are difficult to answer, we do listen to those that forecast. And although we can’t see the future, the current forecast looks promising. However, it is still prudent to be prepared.
During these times of economic uncertainty there are proactive steps that can be taken. One step could be to establish a “rainy day” property account. Not only can you improve the health of your property, you can improve the health of your pocket. So, how can this “rainy day” property account be established? Forest management is the answer…
There are several key things to remember regarding Forest Management. First and foremost is the health of your forest. I look at the forest just as a gardener does their vegetable garden. A gardener weeds, removing all the bad stuff he or she doesn’t want growing in the garden. Weeding helps the garden crops reach their full potential. As a result, there are more nutrients for the vegetables, flowers and herbs to flourish. Sounds pretty straight forward, right? Let’s take a look at the first step to take regarding your forest…

The best way for your Forest to reach its full potential is to consult with a forester that is trained in the art and science of silviculture. Silviculture is the care and cultivation of forest trees; forestry. The forester can with his knowledge, evaluate your forest and develop a plan that meets your Forest Management and “rainy day” property account goals. Also, your forester is knowledgeable of the log markets and would best be able to determine when to harvest selected trees on your forested property. Furthermore, the forester will have relationships with the professionals that would harvest your forested crop. And these professional relationships are paramount to the success of the forest management plan.
Overall, Forest Management can and does have multiple mutually inclusive benefits to you the land owner and your forested property’s health. Additionally, the winter season is one of the best times to perform Forest Management operations. The frozen ground allows for substantially less degradation to the forest soils and minimizes erosion concerns. So take the first step today. Consult with a forester and a reputable company who can assist you in developing a Forest Management Plan and a “rainy day” property account. The result will be enhanced forest health, additional recreational opportunities, and wildlife diversity of your forest.

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Analog In A Digital World

Published by Mr. Tree on January 27th, 2011 - in Arborist, Green Care Industry Issues, Pruning, Trees

Have you ever missed seeing a clock, with hands? Hearing the tick, tick, tick as the second hand works its way around the circle. What about a little hiss (just a little) while listening to recorded music or even the notion of a space between the notes. How about a test that didn’t require a #2 pencil or a drive thru restaurant that isn’t duplicated around-the-world?

I have the antidote. Tree pruning! Pruning is all analog; every cut and snip is thoughtful and different. Each species requiring a different set of considerations; with location, age and client expectations all a part of the mix. Cookie cutter pruning just doesn’t work!

So what’s the big deal?

Our lives have been co-opted by the digital age. Think about it. Computers are everywhere. I use one at work, one for the office at home, and one connected to the television for streaming. My work phone thinks it’s a computer, telling me I have mail, an appointment or someone to talk to. And there’s an on-line social network with so many “friends”.

I’m no Luddite; I actually enjoy the anticipation of the next Apple device and how I might use it. I even plan to install an iPad in the kitchen for recipes and to Skype (live video) my mom.

My antidote? Get outside! I can’t think of a better analog activity than pruning. But a close second could include…working in the garden, snowshoeing, climbing a tree, riding a bike, badminton on the lawn, building a snowman, flying a kite, sailing, a walk in the forest – and so many more!

At chippers we mulled over creating a new tag line. I liked “see you outside”.  What could be a better yang for the yin of this digital world?

So at chippers, even though we are armed with our smart phones and computers that help keep us on time for our appointments; we understand that our real strength is when we “see you outside”. And we promise to leave the “cookie cutter” approach in the office and give you only the best analog work in your: Trees, Turf, Garden, Land and Forest.

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Winter is the time to renew your Turf and Plant Health Care programs.

Published by Mr. Grass on January 18th, 2011 - in Arborist, Green Care Industry Issues, Plant Health Care, Turf

Long and cold winter days and nights often have me daydreaming of once green lush lawns, gardens and trees.  And despite the recent blasts of cold and healthy snowfalls, now is time to think about and prepare for your 2011 Turf and Plant Health Care programs.

Review your Turf and Plant Health Care proposals this winter

The weather plays a large role in the spring, relative to what and when certain treatments can be applied; and success or failure is linked to temperature and moisture levels.  High heat speeds up insect, weed, and disease development; and in some cases by days not weeks.  While this may not seem of great importance, temperature plays a huge role in advancing or retarding certain pathogens, ultimately affecting your landscape.  If you do not have a program “online” or ready to go, this tight window can easily be missed.  Cold weather can slow down the ability of your lawn to recover and green up fast.  The later the first application of fertilizer, compost tea, or lime is applied; the more your grass would be absent the time needed for improved color and recover from winter damage.

I have seen several years in April and May where the temperature rose into the high 70’s to lower 80’s.  This type of rapid spring warm-up can make some types of weed control applications harmful to turf without proper precautions.  The same precautions need to be taken when scheduling early plant health care spray applications.  If not prepared, you simply miss the window of opportunity for obtaining decent results relative to a variety of insect and disease issues.

Moisture content can also wreak havoc on turf and shrubs in the spring; especially if the spring is cold and rainy.  Such weather greatly advances snow molds and leaf spot on turf while creating apple scab on fruit trees.  Low moisture can reduce seed germination without proper irrigation.  Scheduling of overseeding or aeration during the winter insures completion at the proper time frame in the spring.  A great green care company will watch weather trends and activate services during the appropriate time frame.  You deserve and should demand this level of service.

Peace of mind is another reason to have your Turf or Plant Healthcare program set-up during the winter months.  You can relax and rest assured, knowing that your green care needs will be taken care of.  We will insure that all applications are timely and you will see the results.

The last fabulous reason to schedule your green care treatments during the winter includes financial incentives.  You may qualify for multiple incentives.  For example, if you prepay or return a signed contract before a certain deadline, you may qualify.  Look for these kinds of financial incentives; and look to see if you are partnering with an accredited, licensed, high quality and diversified ‘green care’ company.

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Cabling – We put our signature on it!

Published by Mr. Tree on December 6th, 2010 - in Arborist, Pruning, Storm Damage Assistance, Trees

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!

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Plant A Tree For Arbor Day In Four Simple Steps

Published by Mr. Tree on April 30th, 2010 - in Arborist, Garden, Landscaping, Trees

As with many tasks around the home, preliminary planning is the most time consuming part of planting a tree. Once you’ve chosen a suitable tree and spot, it’s time to break out the shovel. Compared to the preparation of choosing a tree and location, planting is a snap. Planting a tree (we’ll assume one with a 1-1.5″ caliper) can take less than a couple of hours once you have the preliminary work done.


Dig The Hole

The saying among home orchardists is “Dig a $50 hole for a $5 tree.” Think of the hole as moving your tree into its new home. First, strip all the sod from an area at least 3 to 4 feet across. Lawn competes with the tree for water and nutrients, and has to be trimmed which risks damage to the tree bark from mowers or string trimmers. With the sod gone into the compost pile, dig a hole no deeper than the container or root ball (loose soil under the tree causes the tree to sink as the soil settles) and three times as wide as the container or root ball, placing the soil from the hole adjacent to the hole. Rough up the sides of the hole by raking them over with a cultivator tool or by stabbing them with the shovel.


Set The Tree

This isn’t much more complicated than plopping the tree, out of its container or wrapping, into the hole. However, making sure that the tree is more or less straight and vertical. In containered or balled & burlapped trees it used to be the specification to make the top of the soil ball even with the ground level outside the hole. However, you will need to find the first significant woody root on the main stem and make sure that it is at grade. This is necessary because potted and balled & burlapped trees are shipped with the proper grade hidden in the root ball (or too deep). Bareroot trees generally have a mark on the trunk indicating planting depth.


Backfill

The soil that came out of the hole is the soil that goes back into the hole. Most cooperative extension services and arborists recommend against using soil amendments when planting a tree, since the root systems may resist spreading out of the small volume of enriched soil into the relatively poorer soil of the rest of the yard. The restricted root structure makes a weaker tree overall. When the hole is halfway full of soil, water thoroughly, then continue filling the hole with the remaining soil. Water thoroughly again when the hole is completely filled to the surrounding ground level.


Mulch

Top off with a 2 to 3 inch layer of organic mulch, such as shredded leaves, bark or compost. The mulch layer should be kept to an inch or less at trunk of the tree.


Post-Planting Tree Care


Staking

Some trees may require staking, something determined for each tree being planted. However, most trees do better without being supported. Pressure from wind encourages development of a stronger root system to anchor a tree, so staking trees unnecessarily weakens them, since they’re not required to stand up on their own.


Watering

Download this pdf we created for more information: Planting After Care Instructions.


Pruning & Training

Most trees require some pruning and training to establish a good branch structure. The specific pruning technique depends on the species. Ornamental trees are pruned to maintain shape, while fruit trees are pruned for shape and maximum production. Training should NOT start at the time of planting – give the tree a year to acclimate and reallocate resources before the pruning process can begin. For tips on proper pruning, check out your county cooperative extension office.

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Planting Trees Is Cool … and Hot!

Published by Mrs. Chippers on February 24th, 2010 - in Arborist, Trees

Despite the dumping of new snow this morning we’re looking forward to spring in our neck of the woods so we can begin the tree planting projects we have in the works for 2010.  We love to plant trees at Chippers.  From the tiniest seedling to very large mature specimens, for us there is nothing quite like the thrill of selecting and placing trees in the landscape.  There are so many good reasons for tree planting: aesthetics, wildlife habitat & food, privacy, erosion control, CO2 production, a place for a swing or hammock, etc. The list goes on and on….

In these economic times the most compelling reasons for tree planting are for energy savings and home value enhancement. Did you know an evergreen windbreak planted to the north of your home can lower your heating bill by up to 20%? Or that deciduous shade trees properly located in your landscape can reduce your cooling costs by up to 35%? And by some estimates a landscape with mature trees increases your property value by up to 15%. All of these statistics are from the Arbor Day Foundation: www.arborday.org.

Plant small trees yourself with guidelines from the NH Cooperative Extension.  If you need advice or assistance with planting or transplanting large trees this spring contact us: www.chippersinc.com.

While we wait for planting season I’m headed out the door on those X-country skis that have been sitting idly for the last few weeks….

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