Tree Care Tools

Caring for trees requires appropriate tools to make the job easier and avoid damaging the trees. Invest in good quality tools and keep them in good repair. Clean tools after use to prevent the spread of disease from one plant to another.

Types
1.A basic tree care kit should include pruning shears, lopping shears, hedge shears and a pruning saw. Other options include snippers, a pole saw and a chain saw. A garden caddy or tool box will keep the tools clean and organized.

Function
2.Pruning shears are small, short-handled shears capable of cutting through branches up to 3/4-inch thick. Lopping shears are pruners with long handles that afford more leverage to cut through branches up to 1.5 inches in diameter. Use a pruning saw for larger branches, or a chain saw if necessary. Hedge shears are designed to trim and shape hedges.

Tool Care
3.Clean tools with soap and water, drying them thoroughly to prevent rust. If working on diseased trees, sanitize the tools after use by immersing them for two minutes in 70 percent denatured alcohol or in a diluted bleach solution. Rinse thoroughly after sanitizing to prevent corrosion from the bleach.

Or better yet - Hire a Professional Arborist to properly care for your Living Investments!


Source: Tree Care Tools | eHow.com

Planting a Tree Correctly

Many organizations worldwide are telling people to plant trees. But, can anybody plant a tree?

Incorrect planting procedures, and planting the wrong tree in the wrong place have caused a multitude of tree problems worldwide. It is not only bad that money is wasted for the purchase of the tree, but it is sad when the dignity of the tree is destroyed as it wanes and dies standing in place.

How do you avoid these mistakes? Well, if correct planting procedures are not known, then they should be planted under the supervision of a tree care professional who understands how to plant correctly and proper placement. And, after planting, a continuing health care schedule should be maintained.

Source: 100 Tree Myths, by alex L. Shigo

Pruning Techniques

There are specific types of pruning that help trees stay healthy, safe, and beautiful.

•Cleaning removes dead, dying, diseased, crowded, weakly-attached, and low-vigor branches from the crown of a tree.

•Thinning selectively removes branches to increase light penetration and air movement through the crown and reduces weight on heavy limbs to retain the tree's natural shape.

•Raising removes lower branches from a tree to clear space for buildings, vehicles, pedestrians, and views.

•Reduction trims the height or spread of a tree by pruning back the leaders and branch terminals to lateral branches that are large enough to assume the terminal roles (at least one-third the diameter of the cut stem). Compared to topping, this helps maintain the form and structural integrity of the tree.

SOURCE: www.treesaregood.com

Remember - Pruning large trees can be dangerous. It usually involves working above the ground and using power equipment. Ensure your safety, and that of your trees, by hiring a Professional. Call us today for a FREE ESTIMATE at (877) 243-KING.

Pruning Mistakes

Don't let this happen to you!

Think about this unpleasant scenario: You are trying to save money by pruning your own trees. Dangling from an extension ladder with a running chain saw, you're about to fall and break your leg and then cut the other one off with the saw. What could be more dangerous?

Our advice to homeowners is that if they can reach the branch that they want to remove without using a ladder, then it’s probably acceptable to snip or trim a little here and there. For pruning needs other than that, it's best to hire a professional. Most homeowners simply don’t have the equipment, knowledge or experience to perform pruning or other structural repairs by themselves.

(excerpted from Tree Services magazine)

Call us today for a FREE Estimate for all your Pruning Needs at (877)243-KING.

A Day in our Life - LIVE VIDEO Coverage

Fox News will be spending the day with Shadowland Foundation on Tuesday, August 3rd. starting at 7am PST. They'll be covering us off and on all day so check it out - Tivo it - DVR it - or just sit back and watch us live all day!

http://media.myfoxla.com/live/

Choosing a Tree

Source: http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/feature/backyard/TreePtg.html

Choosing a tree should be a well thought-out decision. Tree planting can be a significant investment in money and time. Proper selection can provide you with years of enjoyment as well as significantly increase the value of your property.

An inappropriate tree for your property can be a constant maintenance problem or even a hazard. Before you buy, take advantage of the abundant references on gardening at local libraries, universities, arboretums, parks where trees are identified, native plant and gardening clubs, and nurseries.

As always, use a Professional Arborist to correctly and safely plant the appropriate trees for optimal results. Call us Today for a FREE Estimate.

Greener Environment

“Healthy, growing landscape plants can offset some of the carbon being generated by individual homeowners. Here is a hypothetical example: A typical gas-powered automobile driven 12,500 miles annually might be expected to release about 2500 pounds of carbon a year, according to Environmental Protection Agency Emission Facts. A half-acre residence with roughly 50 percent covered in trees could store about 800 pounds of carbon a year. If the remainder of the landscape were turfgrass, it would store another 200 pounds. So, this hypothetical homeowner could offset 1000 pounds of carbon – 40 percent of their automobile footprint-just by maintaining a healthy landscape”.

From “Putting Green Spaces to Work” by Thomas Rufty and Nick Hamon (Oct. 09 issue of Lawn and Landscape)

So keep your trees healthy by aerating and root fertilizing, trimming away dead and broken branches and overgrown foliage. Call Tree King for a free estimate on the condition of your trees and what can be done to maintain the value and health of your landscape.