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Winter is fast approaching and for the Denver area that means, heavy snows, harsh winds and bitter cold. There are a number of items individuals check off their lists in order to ensure they are prepared for one of Mother Nature’s harshest seasons but their trees are often not apart of these lists. Homeowners typically ensure their heating systems - either natural or otherwise - are fully stocked or ready to run and that their vehicles are ready to endure the freezing temperatures and travel in wintry conditions. While those who have plants and enjoy gardening will pay attention to their household potted plants which may be on display outside during the spring and summer, bringing them in to keep them alive and ensure they are properly maintained, those plants (especially trees) which remain outside must be given special attention as well.

People often consider trees to be self serving, taking care of their needs alone and not necessarily in need of outside attention but this is just not true. For those that surround your home, providing shade in the summer and protection from straight line winds and other weather elements, homeowners should return the favor with a little extra protection and added care prior to the harsh winter conditions. Trees must be able to withstand the winter time temperature fluctuations, bitter cold and no real protection from the elements so a little attention prior to winter’s arrival can be extremely beneficial.

Following are a few key factors to consider when deciding to help your trees get ready for their dormant season.

PRUNE

Pruning your trees requires special considerations to ensure that you do not damage the tree or stunt its growth. For most larger trees, pruning occurs in the fall as the dormant season approaches and helps to prepare the tree for an increase in growth once spring returns and the growing season begins.

By having professionals prune your trees, you can make certain that your trees are receiving the best care possible and will be fully prepared for the upcoming winter season. Not only will pruning help the health of a tree but it can also aid in the safety of your home or the area surrounding where the pruned trees occupy.

Winter weather is often associated with harsh winds and snow falls which can accumulate on branches and cause natural damage to a tree. The home or any other structures should be protected if any of the trees or their limbs were to fall as a result of these windy conditions or under the weight of heavy, wet, snow. A proper pruning can ensure that any damaged limbs, branches, or any dead sections of an otherwise potentially healthy tree are removed prior to it becoming an issue.

Once trees lose their leaves, these problem areas can easily be detected and reached to establish a proper pruning of any trees around a property. In addition, a precise pruning can be accomplished because the sight lines are clearly established providing another reason to prune during the dormant season. These steps and the timing of the year make sure your trees are fully prepared for the winter months and will also be ready once spring rolls back around.

WRAP

Tree trunks need to be wrapped in order to help them be protected from the elements, including sunshine. Surprisingly, sun is one of the more damaging elements that trees and plants have to deal with during the winter. Normally a positive, providing light, warmth, and growth, during the winter months sun can create sunscald.

Sunscald on plants and trees is caused by the warming of the trunk and then freezing temperatures at night. A trunk awakens due to the tree warming in the sun but once the heat source is removed at night the trunk then freezes and the constant thawing and refreezing cycle can create irreparable damage to the trees. 

A wrap can help protect against this issue in much the same way insulation provides warmth to the areas that it surrounds. By using a protective tree wrap, especially on younger saplings and those trees which have not established themselves or have recently been moved or planted, a homeowner can help to aid against sunscald and any other trunk damaging elements.

MULCH

There are a number of benefits to mulching plants and trees of which one of the most important is protection. Much like the tree wrap insulates and protects the tree’s base, mulch can help to insulate the soil around a tree and give an added extra layer of protection to the root system. By regulating the soil temperature, mulch keeps the area underneath along a relative few degrees of change instead of the heating up and then freezing conditions which fluctuate during much of the winter months and can cause damage to not only the tree trunk but roots as well.

Mulch also conserves moisture and improves the soil conditions. During a time of year when these areas are not as active in providing the necessary nutrients and elements for growth as the spring, the extra layer of protection and improved quality are both significant improvements which assists any tree to which mulch is correctly added.

WATER

Before the steady string of freezing temperatures set in over the winter an ample amount of watering should take place. Yes, there will be snow, ice and even rain over the course of the winter to provide some natural intake but once the tree enters its dormant phase the consumption dramatically decreases. For this reason, watering your trees in the fall of the year is almost as important as the steps you take to ensure these plants are well taken care of in the spring.

A proper administration of watering trees in the fall not only aids in the protection of trees but also allow the soil around them to be winter-time ready. 

Arbor Garden Tree & Landscaping has been serving the Denver metro area for 23 years. We began in 1994 with one truck and now have a full service arborist business with a number of employees who are ready and willing to assist. Our locally owned and operated company is proud to serve the Denver metro area residents and business owners including the Denver Country Club, Castle Pines Country Club, city and county governments, various homeowners associations and private homeowners. Our knowledgeable and ISA certified arborists would be more happy to provide you with tree trimming, tree removal, tree planting and landscaping services. When you’re ready to get started give us a call at 303-722-8820 or fill out our contact form today.

There is plenty to think about when it comes to the health of your plants and shrubs surrounding your home or located in a garden but do you ever consider the same for trees? Often appearing tall, solid, and strong, far too often trees are forgot about in terms of needing an appropriate amount of water, sunlight, and protection in order to survive. While this may be due to their ability to naturally withstand many of the harsh weather elements that may face and sustain a suitable nature without much human care - it doesn’t mean they should be completely ignored.

Especially when first planted or moved, trees require almost an identical approach to their care pattern and maintenance as any other plants. In order to fully reap their benefits and ensure trees live a long, healthy life the same approach should be given. However, for many homeowners that inherit trees on their property, the livelihood of these natural plants is often never given a second thought unless it presents some type of hazard.

When a tree falls, grows to a height where it could be a danger to property should it come down, or begins to lose limbs and leaves causing a clean-up headache - then it becomes an issue. Often before that point, many homeowners don’t even notice these giants living among us and rarely take into consideration their needs as a plant on an equal playing field with flowers and grasses.

Tree care is important and one of the most beneficial things you can do for all located in your yard or on property is to provide an appropriate amount of mulch in the needed locations around one. But what is the correct amount and where should it be administered? These are important questions which must be determined in order to not harm a tree while intending to do good.

Mulch Benefits

There are many benefits of mulching that help both the trees and homeowner. For humans, created a barrier around areas that others shouldn’t track through can be achieved by adding mulch beds. Often individuals walking through or around a property will avoid any mulched areas and instead stay solely on paths or walkways created by other methods. This helps to keep people out of unwanted areas and ensure that your plants and trees should not be damaged either intentionally or unintentionally but anyone.

Mulch also helps trees in a variety of ways including retaining moisture and nutrients in the ground which can be accessed by the root system. This layer of protection on the surface underneath a tree and located near the trunk serves to retain water while being breathable and allowing the air to circulate around the base of a tree.

Pest control benefits are also available to individuals who appropriately manage their mulch administration around the bases of their trees. Utilizing a certain material for your mulch can also serve as a deterrent for insects moving into an area, keeping your trees alive and from becoming the harbor of dangerous infestations from pests lurking just outside your home.

Mulch Amounts

The amount of mulch necessary will vary depending on the coverage area needed and amount of plants that will be impacted from the application. Once the area has been surveyed then a better understanding of how much it will take for a specific job can be determined.

For one tree, the mulch around it should typically be anywhere from two to four inches deep with close attention given to how much is being applied. Too much mulch can be detrimental to a tree’s health and must be avoided to ensure the plant is receiving all of the benefits instead of being harmed.

When you do mulch too much the airflow can be restricted in addition to keeping water and other necessary nutrients from reaching the tree. One common mistake is simply applying new mulch over an already mulched area, adding to the depth instead of allowing it to decompose at its own rate and using another application when necessary. 

Mulch Location

Additionally, where the mulch is added can be just as important as putting the mulch down to start. Mulch should not be simply piled around a tree trunk from base out over the ground but should be placed specifically within a certain diameter around each tree.

The mulch should extend from just outside the trunk (preferably about six inches) to the dripline - area of the ground where excess water from the canopy would fall. This area ensures that a majority of the most beneficial root zone is covered and protected. It also helps to ensure that each tree area is receiving the best protection and benefits derived from using mulch on the area. 

By not piling mulch directly onto a tree’s trunk, individuals can avoid inviting pests to enter and cause potential damage to the tree or its root system. Mulch that has been pushed directly onto the trunk can suffocate plant from receiving essential minerals while restricting the airflow capabilities.

While serving as a weed deterrent, appropriately applied mulch also protects a tree’s trunk from receiving damage that may be caused from routine lawn maintenance, including mowing grass and weed trimming. This protective barrier and application a few inches from the base ensures that each of the plants and trees located on a property are given the appropriate amount of care and consideration.

Arbor Garden Tree & Landscaping has been serving the Denver metro area for 23 years. We began in 1994 with one truck and now have a full service arborist business. Our locally owned and operated company is proud to serve Denver metro area residents and business owners including the Denver Country Club, Castle Pines Country Club, city and county governments, various homeowners associations and private homeowners. Our knowledgeable and ISA certified arborists would be more happy to provide you with tree trimming, tree removal, tree planting and landscaping services. When you’re ready to get started give us a call at 303-722-8820 or fill out our contact form today.

There are a number of factors to consider when choosing someone to complete any type of work on or around your home or place of business. Obviously you don’t want just anyone off the street coming onto the property but then come the finer points of an evaluation regarding qualifications, care, skill, and professionalism in the workplace. All areas of importance and worth investigating before enlisting the help of any individual or company within the service industry. There is nothing worse then having to spend hard earned money for someone to come in and then not be pleased with either how they are handling their specific job or the care to which they treat your property as their own.

For many of these situations, home or business owners are reaching out to a professional service to complete something they themselves cannot or choose not to handle. Often people are referred by word of mouth to an established company based on previous experiences with individuals that the current subject either knows or has seen the selected individual complete work for in the past.

One thing that sets individuals apart from their counterparts in the broad world of service related activities are education and specific qualifications. Professionally trained personnel with a history of experience typically perform respectable work and can ensure that your property will be well taken care of in the process.

The tree service and landscaping industry is no different. Following is a brief overview for what to expect from those who hold the highest possible licenses within the arbor and landscaping branch of services.

Governing Body

The International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) is the leading standard for those involved in the tree care and landscaping industry. Nearly forty years ago their Western Chapter created a specific certification program for those involved in arbor care across the country wanting to establish their role as professionals. 

Creating a general and level playing field while allowing communication from those within the industry on a common subject across the country, this step served to unite the world of those involved in caring for the trees and plant life that surrounds us daily and has such an impact on our environment, now and into the future.

The ISA is located in Champaign, Illinois but has individual chapters scattered throughout the United States and even offers online resources for its members. By distributing educational material to all of those who have sought an ISA certification, the governing body for arborists can ensure that everyone throughout America and the world is operating under the same general principles and set of guidelines, regardless of their specific environment correlating to precisely where they are located.

Requirements

An ISA Certified Arborist has successfully completed a specific line of testing and shown experience within the industry for a minimum of three years. Other offerings, including collegiate coursework may allow the title of Arborist to be bestowed upon an individual but only those who have completed these specific requirements and regulations can claim the distinction of an “ISA Certified Arborist” - often a step above any other title.

Those who earned the ISA classification have taken a 200-question test related to a number of factors associated with tree care and must also show full-time experience in work related field within the industry.

Upon completion, the earned certification is good for a time period of three years and bust be renewed accordingly to maintain in good standing with the ISA office. In order to successfully renew an individual’s ISA Certified Arborist certification the person must complete at minimum, 30 continuing education credits attained through a variety of measures. 

Those wishing to renew can either complete college classes, attend seminars, or find other approved methods for staying current on the latest topics and issues surrounding the arbor care industry.

Levels of Expertise

There are varying levels of certification extending beyond an ISA Certified Arborist into even higher categories based on an individual’s experience, expertise and desire to seek an elevated distinction. These include: Board Certified Master Arborists, Registered Consulting Arborist (Qualified Supervisor) and Tree Worker Certifications for those wishing to be professionally recognized for their work trimming and knowledge of overall tree care on a different level from the arborist category.

Board Certified Master Arborists is the pinnacle for certification requirements administered by the ISA group. Those holding this specific certification not only have been ISA Certified Arborist but upon renewing their level over the years have also elected to undergo even more testing for a higher grade achievement. These are the best of the best when dealing with any type of tree issue, often having multiple years of experience working with trees, plants, and in the arbor care industry.

Registered Consulting Arborist offer opinions on any particular situation and can assist with helping home or business owners in what the best possible method is for handling whatever issue may arise.

Benefits

As with any job in the service industry or otherwise, these professional titles and classifications allow consumers to know exactly who is performing the work for them and that these people have been trained, tested, and are staying current with all of the newest technology and science associated with whatever the case may be for their particular situation.

In the arbor industry, this involves not only a full understanding of the national principles and practices associated with tree services throughout the country but also the specifics associated for whatever region, climate, or area of the country an individual is working.

Arbor Garden Tree & Landscaping has been serving the Denver metro area for 23 years. We began in 1994 with one truck and now have a full service arborist business. Our locally owned and operated company is proud to serve Denver metro area residents and business owners including the Denver Country Club, Castle Pines Country Club, city and county governments, various homeowners associations and private homeowners. Our knowledgeable and ISA certified arborists would be more happy to provide you with tree trimming, tree removal, tree planting and landscaping services. When you’re ready to get started give us a call at 303-722-8820 or fill out our contact form today. 

 

Spring is the season many associate with new beginnings, growth, and warming temperatures. Nature waking from a cold winter as the air begins to warm, days get longer and plants begin to bloom - but is it the right time for planting? Many experts would agree but there are some major advantages to planting trees and shrubs in the fall. In fact, many of these factors play such an important role that fall planting is gaining momentum and can actually allow for a greater abundance in plant growth and life once the spring season arrives.

Fall planting should be given some consideration, especially when dealing with certain climates and general seasonal conditions. These different impacts of weather obviously can have an effect on plant growth but by taking into account the potential for what each season has in store, once analyzed, fall of the year is actually an ideal time for sprucing up your landscape.

Especially when considering to add trees around your home or business, consulting the opinion of an expert is suggested. While flowers and other plants may be more easily moved, changed, or relocated, adding trees is an entirely different process and one that, if properly cared for, will last well into the future. These steps need to be given thought before the process begins and fall provides a good time for the application.

Following are five significant benefits to fall planting and why it’s becoming the new “spring”.

Soil Temperatures

While soil and ground temperatures are increasing in the spring, awakening from the cold and frozen winter, they are already nice and plenty warm in the fall. Think about getting out of a hot bath or shower in the winter versus during the summertime. In winter, your body has been heated by the water, then is extremely cold when exposed to the air. Eventually you warm back up but at first it is a bit shocking and uncomfortable - this is springtime planting. 

Opposite, is exiting a hot shower in the summertime when air temperatures are considerably warmer. Almost immediately your body adapts to the warmer air because you have been hot and remain so when finished. A much quicker and more comfortable scenario correlating to fall planting.

Ground temperatures are high and remain warm enough to generate growth well into the winter. This allows for plants, especially trees, to have a smooth transition from nursery to being installed at your residence.

Less Watering Required

When planting in the spring plants require an enormous amount of care and water. Due to the increasing heat and intensity of the sun, water must be utilized effectively and often multiple times during the day in order to achieve success. Fall planting occurs during a cooler period of the year with less direct sunlight leading to a reduction in the amount of water required to achieve similar results.

Established Root Growth

For already established plants and trees, the fall presents a time for them to focus on growing the root system instead of outward and upward above the soil. What you can see is a tree losing its leaves and beginning to grow dormant as the winter approaches, but underground all of the nutrients are being utilized to continually strengthen the root system.

In the spring, plants are concerned about blooming and growing on the outside or producing fruit. These factors can strip away nutrients and other beneficial applications from a root system. If initially planted in the spring, a roots system can be less developed than that of a fall counterpart. Although tree roots grow the most in early summer, the growth spurt seen in fall of the year can be more helpful to a newly planted tree.

Air Temperatures

Cooler air temperatures and shortening days can help both the gardner and their trees or shrubs. In similar comparison to ground and soil temperatures, the air temperatures can have an impact on newly planted trees.

Spring sees the air temperatures increasing exposing new life almost immediately to harsh conditions in some circumstances. The cooler fall days allow a new plant or tree to more comfortably acclimate to their new environment.

In addition, the work of planting and general yard maintenance for individuals is less strenuous than battling the increasing temperatures of spring so not only is this one helpful to the plants but people as well.

Spring Growth Increase

An already existing plant will see a boost in growth once the first spring arrives after having been planted in the fall. These trees, plants and shrubs get acclimated to the climate, enjoy the benefits of root growth establishment, and are ready for a sizeable spurt once winter passes. 

When the growing season arrives and air temperatures begin to increase then the plant will flourish above the surface. Once the soil temperatures catch up then both the root system and portion of any tree or plant in view will expand. 

Also, instead of having to immediately care for a tree or plant that has just been planted in the spring and in need of water and protection from extremes, a fall planted item has already established a bit of history and resistance so it can focus on growth only and not survival. 

Ready to plant new trees and shrubs in your yard? The addition of trees to your landscaping adds a wonderful aesthetic while providing shade and shelter for wildlife and other critters. It is important to understand the specifics of planting new trees before you dive into it yourself. How deep to dig, what size tree to purchase, the growth pattern of the new tree, and so on. We provide planting services throughout the Denver metro area including, Aurora, Castle Pines, Centennial, Cherry Hills, Denver, Englewood, Lakewood & Littleton. When you're ready to get started, contact Arbor Garden and let us do the dirty work. 
In addition to planting new trees & shrubs in the Denver area, we can advise on how to make sure your new additions thrive. Getting your trees on a consistent watering schedule until the roots take hold is vital to their success. With full-service planting and landscaping capabilities in Denver, Arbor Garden is proud to offer a 1-year guarantee on all newly planted trees and shrubs. Our plant health care experts hand-select all trees and shrubs from Alameda Wholesale Nursery, a family-owned nursery in the South Denver area for over 72 years. 
Let Arbor Garden recommend appropriate trees and shrubs specifically for your property and lifestyle. Contact Pete Evers at Arbor Garden for a personal consultation at 303-722-8820 or simply Inquire Online Here.
 

Is there anything worse than spending hard earned money and time you will never get back on landscaping and improving the look of your home or business with flowers and plants to only have them decimated by insects and other pests? You work tirelessly to select the right arrangement of colors, orchestrating the perfect placement, and ensuring each plant is properly cared for only to later notice your shrubs and plants now serve as a home with a built in food supply to an assortment of different bugs. Instead of your work going to enhance the curb appeal of a property, you’ve spent time and money ensuring these pests now have a happy and sustainable home - something no one wants.

The quickest solution attempt is to cover everything in a toxic pesticide but this approach can have an extremely adverse effect on not only your plants but other members of the household, including pets and children. Also, the “spray everything and hope for the best” approach may not target the specific insects which are causing the headache to begin with and if there is something worse than the above situation it’s spending even more money for a solution that fails to remedy the issue.

Fortunately, there is a productive and comprehensive approach which can serve to eliminate pests and bugs causing harm or issues to your property. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) uses a step-by-step approach to not only identify the culprit(s) but utilize a safe an effective means of eradication that is environmentally friendly and specific to each unique scenario. Depending on a variety of factors, pesticide application may still be a useful tool in helping to regain control of your landscape but the process and final conclusion far outweigh a general spray everything approach.

Each of the following characteristics of IPM serves to give individuals an outline of their special approach when it comes to extermination services.

Correct Identification

The first step in the IPM process is to correctly identify the subject matter in question. Damage to plants and foliage can be caused by pests who have inhabited a garden or landscape but there are other outside factors to consider as well. Rain, wind, sun, and extreme hot or cold temperatures can all have an effect on the growth cycle of a plant or cause damage to their leaves and flowers. This should not be identified as an issue with a specific pest if no insect or other culprit has not been observed within the damaged area.

If beetles, spiders, or other bugs have been seen causing any damage to the scene then correctly identifying their specific type is vital to the treatment process moving forward. Also, those responsible for implementing the IPM steps should also be aware of what stage in the life cycle these pests are at, their regeneration periods, and if multiplication is a possibility.

By first getting a positive identification on the cause and reason behind an issue, then an appropriate plan for managing the problem appropriately can be formulated.

Monitor and Determination

After correctly identifying the presence of pests in an area then a comprehensive monitoring plan should be initiated. By monitoring the insects in action and using IPM a determination can be made as to whether the insects are causing a significant amount of damage to the plant life in question.

IPM insect monitoring can use a variety of different methods including: visual, sweep nets, traps, and other means of observation. These steps help to determine if there are any natural pest predators also in the current environment and the shear number of potential problems for an area.

Once these two factors are considered, the potential damage that could be caused by the number of pests in question can be properly calculated. If there are natural causes for extermination already at play and only a small number of potential pests then nothing extra may need to be administered to the landscape for protection.

Application

The best method for pest control is to think ahead and not unintentionally create an inviting atmosphere for pests to thrive. Eliminating potential food sources or creating natural barriers to keep insects from invading is a positive first-step during any installation but if the problem is at hand, then application of a necessary deterrent is needed.

Before immediately reaching for a pesticide, even one that targets the specific pests in question, determining if any non-chemical methods of extermination are available is an important step in the IPM process which serves in the best interest of all involved parties - including the environment.

A handful of cultural, physical and biological controls exist that serve to alleviate the problem without relying on any chemicals. These methods are typically extremely effective without requiring a spray to be used.

Finally, if the IPM process has run its course and no other means of eradication is available then the implementation of a pesticide may be considered. Used only as a last ditch effort to fix the problem, the application of a pesticide targeting the specific issue may also be applied with one of the non-toxic controls above to help reduce the amount of pesticide needed to eliminate the issue.

The IPM approach of Arbor Garden Tree & Landscaping replaces needless spraying with more targeted injections to control insects and plant disease. Arbor Garden feels strongly that MORE pesticides are not the answer. Arbor Garden uses the IPM approach to control insects whenever possible. IPM is a highly effective and environmentally sensitive approach to pest management that relies on a combination of common-sense practices and extremely well-researched measures. Our IPM programs use current, extensive information on the life cycles of pests and their interaction with the environment. Combining this information with available pest control methods allows us to manage pest damage by the most economical means, and with the least possible hazard to people, property, and the environment. Our overall goal is to bring the best possible health and well-being to plants and the area around them. Start preventing and fighting insects and plant diseases on your property by contacting us today!