Posts Tagged ‘planting trees’

Analog In A Digital World

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.

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

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.

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!

Apples and More Apples

Published by Mr. Tree on October 18th, 2010 - in Arborist, Pruning, Trees

We seem to be caring for fruit trees and shrubs more and more. Perhaps the economy has people feeling better about an edible landscape in their back yard. We specialize in the aesthetic – fruit sort of takes a back seat – but that doesn’t mean it can’t look nice AND be good eating!
My list of what’s best for fruit trees:
Start with a tree that’s suitable for our climate (zone). Root stock and variety plays a part in this so consulting with an orchardist is a good idea.
Proper planting and protection of the tree from rodents and deer early in the tree’s life is very important. We love planting trees – and we can help with selection too.
Assume the tree will be a semi-dwarf variety, meaning an ideal height of approximately 12 feet. Maintaining a terminal (dominate) leader is important if you want a long term, healthy and sturdy tree. Have your trees pruned by an expert. Chippers loves to prune apple trees.

Apple trees are prone to a variety of insects and diseases (and fungus). An annual pest management program will keep the tree looking good with the added benefit of better fruit. We offer this service, using both traditional orchard products and improved natural products (I personally use traditional pesticides early in the season, switching to natural products as the fruit develops).
The fruits of your labors will be a healthy, good looking tree and the main ingredient for many apple pies!

We Are Chippers… And Always Will Be

Thank You For Your Support (PDF)

Is It Time to Remove Those Pesky Stumps?

Published by Mrs. Chippers on October 1st, 2010 - in Land Enhancement, Trees

With summer ending, you would think that the project list would dwindle away and get smaller. Unfortunately, the project list just seems to keep going. There is fall leaf raking, putting the gardens to bed, and applying lime & potash to the lawn still to be accomplished. Another project you can tackle this fall is the removal of those pesky tree stumps in your lawn. You know, the stumps that you always try to remember to raise the mower deck to miss, but unfortunately, your timing just seems to be off a little bit.

When it comes to stump removal there are many options. You can go to the local hardware store and purchase one of those chemical concoctions that supposedly eat away at the stump. Or you can have a go at it with the old chainsaw and/ or axe. But the best way is to have the stumps ground out. Stump grinders come in many sizes and several are even self-propelled and do not cause damage to the lawn. The stump grinder is a spinning wheel with numerous carbide tipped teeth that chew away at the stump through several swinging passes. The grinding results in a “dirty mulch” like product that is great to mix with compost or just use in your garden!

Although you could choose to tackle stump grinding on your own, it is more typical to request a proposal for stump grinding from a professional. At Chippers, we base our quotes on the amount of time it takes us to perform the work. This means that if it takes less time than anticipated by the sales person the benefit goes back to the client. Back to the options part, we can just come and grind the stump and leave all of the dirty mulch for you to clean up. Or, we can take care of all the clean up and repair the lawn so that you never knew there was a tree there in the first place. Overall, removing stumps throughout the yard and planted landscape can be one of the most cost effective and readily noticeable improvements.

Red Oak Planted In Honor of Phil French On Arbor Day

Published by Mrs. Chippers on May 18th, 2010 - in Arborist, Trees

The Meredith News wrote a very nice piece about our Arbor Day planting and dedication ceremony at Prescott Park in memory of Phil French. We are grateful to Bill Collins of Collins Tree Service and the NH Arborists Association, and the Town of Meredith Parks and Recreation Department, for making this event possible. Click on the link below to read the original article.

Arbor Day Planting for Phil French

Support Environmental Stewardship & Green Industry Jobs Creation

Published by Mrs. Chippers on May 3rd, 2010 - in Arborist, Green Care Industry Issues, Trees

The Green Industry needs your help to plant millions of trees! The Small Business Environmental Stewardship Assistance Act (H.R. 4509) would reauthorize the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) “National Tree Planting Program.” Administered by the SBA, this matching grant program would leverage federal resources to allow state forestry agencies to contract with local nurseries, arborists and landscape professionals to plant trees around retail storefronts, rental housing complexes and community parks. During the program’s brief existence in the 1990s, more than 18,000 companies were employed to plant more than 23 million trees across the country. These projects created green industry jobs, promoted energy efficiency, contributed invaluable environmental benefits and made retail and commercial areas more appealing.

The program is under consideration for funding again, and we need your help! Passage of H.R. 4509 would reauthorize SBA’s National Tree Planting Program at $50 million annually for FY2011 through FY2015. In addition, H.R. 4509 would provide the funding necessary for the costs of administering the program, a past oversight that led to the program’s demise over a decade ago. This is our chance to demonstrate that our industry stands ready to deliver on federal investments in green infrastructure. Congress must hear from you, your employees, your colleagues, your family and your friends to make this bill a reality.

A House version of the SBESA Act, H.R. 4509, was introduced by Rep. Kurt Schrader (D-OR) on January 26. Yesterday, Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) introduced a Senate version.

Elected representatives listen to messages from voters back in their states. Contact your U.S. House or Senate Member today and urge them to support Small Business Environmental Stewardship Assistance Act.

Click here to contact your U.S. Representative

Click here to contact your U.S. Senator

All Good Things Come In Trees… I Mean Threes! I Mean Trees!

Published by Mrs. Chippers on April 12th, 2010 - in Landscaping, Trees

Here are three good tree reads, something for every kind of reader….

The Man Who Planted Trees by Jean Giono. This is a fabulous eco-fable for all ages about individual empowerment for changing the world, or at least your little corner of it.  Makes a great family read-aloud.

Tall Trees, Tough Men: A Vivid, Anecdotal History of Logging and Log-Driving in New England by Robert E. Pike.  Dramatic and engaging stories of ‘The Way Things Were’ in the lumber industry of colonial New England.

How to Plant a Tree: A Simple Celebration of Trees and Tree-Planting Ceremonies by Daniel Butler (available April 15, 2010).  So much more than a how-to book (although it is that too) with guidance for commemorating birth, marriage, anniversaries and life with tree planting.  Presents folklore, rituals and symbolism of human celebrations involving trees throughout history.

Please support your local independent booksellers and purchase these titles locally!

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