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/
Monday, August 2, 2010
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
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.
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.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
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.
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.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Wounded Trees
Source: The Classic How-To On Tree Care - United States Forest Service AIB-387
A tree is considered to be wounded when its bark is broken so that either its inner bark or wood is exposed to the air. Tree wounds are caused by various agents, including birds, animals, insects, fire, mechanical equipment, lightning, or man and his activities. Tree wounds are classified into three types, depending on their locations: branch wounds, trunk wounds, and root wounds.
A good tree-care program includes looking for hints of trouble. There are a number of signs and symptoms that indicate the development of decay in a tree. All too often they go unrecognized until it is too late. However, early recognition of these signs and symptoms, followed by proper treatment, can do much to proven or minimize the damage caused by decay and the subsequent waste of so many good trees and so much valuable wood. Before deciding on a plan of action, it is wise to consider basic points about trees.
A tree is considered to be wounded when its bark is broken so that either its inner bark or wood is exposed to the air. Tree wounds are caused by various agents, including birds, animals, insects, fire, mechanical equipment, lightning, or man and his activities. Tree wounds are classified into three types, depending on their locations: branch wounds, trunk wounds, and root wounds.
A good tree-care program includes looking for hints of trouble. There are a number of signs and symptoms that indicate the development of decay in a tree. All too often they go unrecognized until it is too late. However, early recognition of these signs and symptoms, followed by proper treatment, can do much to proven or minimize the damage caused by decay and the subsequent waste of so many good trees and so much valuable wood. Before deciding on a plan of action, it is wise to consider basic points about trees.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Winter Preparation Checklist
Winter officially starts next Monday. Here are some tips to prepare your trees.
Source: TreeHelp.com
1. When adding new trees, purchase only those species native to your area's hardiness zone. Trees native to areas even one zone milder than yours might experience significant stresses during your region's winters.
2. Maintain good tree upkeep throughout the year. Strong healthy trees will always have an easier time than weak and damaged ones.
3. Do a post spring inspection of your trees every year. Promptly treat any damage that you find.
4. In preparing for winter, remember to prune only after your trees have entered dormancy after the risk of new growth.
5. Apply a good fall fertilizer that promotes root growth over leaf growth.
6. Lay a layer of mulch down around the bases of your trees to moderate temperature fluctuations and moisture loss. Don't forget to leave a space between the mulch and the trunk of the tree to discourage mice.
7. Check occasionally during the cold season for signs of rodent damage. Use bait, enclosures or repellents as necessary.
Call us to schedule your Tree Care Maintenance today at (877)243-5464
Source: TreeHelp.com
1. When adding new trees, purchase only those species native to your area's hardiness zone. Trees native to areas even one zone milder than yours might experience significant stresses during your region's winters.
2. Maintain good tree upkeep throughout the year. Strong healthy trees will always have an easier time than weak and damaged ones.
3. Do a post spring inspection of your trees every year. Promptly treat any damage that you find.
4. In preparing for winter, remember to prune only after your trees have entered dormancy after the risk of new growth.
5. Apply a good fall fertilizer that promotes root growth over leaf growth.
6. Lay a layer of mulch down around the bases of your trees to moderate temperature fluctuations and moisture loss. Don't forget to leave a space between the mulch and the trunk of the tree to discourage mice.
7. Check occasionally during the cold season for signs of rodent damage. Use bait, enclosures or repellents as necessary.
Call us to schedule your Tree Care Maintenance today at (877)243-5464
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Why We Plant Trees
Source: Backyard Gardener
We plant trees because we love them. Some trees linger in our memories as old friends, from whose branches we have swung and "skinned-the-cat"; under whose cool shade we have rested from play or work. Some trees seem to have moods, changing from day to day, season to season, and from youth to old age.
We plant trees for their beauty of leaf, whether green in Summer or red in the Autumn; for their bark which becomes particularly fascinating in Winter; for the delicate tracery of the branches which frame our view of the eternal blue or star-scattered heavens; for their flowers which seem like giant nosegays.
We plant trees to shelter our homes from the Summer sun and from the cold sweeping winds of Winter.
We enjoy a touch of Nature to form a background and a frame for our architecture.
We plant trees to furnish leaf cloisters for the birds which awaken us from our too-late slumbers when all the world of Nature, except ourselves, is awake.
We plant trees because, where they expand their verdant branches the air is purer and less dusty. The medical societies are constantly advocating the planting of city trees to temper the heat of Summer on the torrid pavements.
We plant forests that floods may be prevented; that fertile soil shall not be carried to the valleys below; that rainfall may be regulated.
We plant trees for their economic use-lumber, furniture, turpentine, rubber, quinine, nuts, cork, paper, windbreaks and one thousand and one uses for which we have as yet found no substitute.
We plant avenues of trees in cities and along the roadsides because we believe that no road or street is dressed or finished until it has been planted to furnish shade, frame vistas of outlying beauty, and prevent snowdrifts.
Aside from this aesthetic and civic value, the realtor knows that trees increase the value of property. Business on a tree-bordered avenue is likely to be brisker than on a sun-parched thoroughfare.
Some of us plant trees that we may be silent witnesses to the life processes of the tree.
We enjoy pruning a tree to our whims, improving its fruits by breeding, and its vigor by supplying plant food.
We are interested in a tree for pure botanical and horticultural reasons. The strength of its woody fibers, the incomparable complexity of its flowers, the abundance of its fruit, and the growth processes fascinate us.
We take joy in supplying a fit environment for a growth that approaches perfection.
- Horicultural Trade World
We plant trees because we love them. Some trees linger in our memories as old friends, from whose branches we have swung and "skinned-the-cat"; under whose cool shade we have rested from play or work. Some trees seem to have moods, changing from day to day, season to season, and from youth to old age.
We plant trees for their beauty of leaf, whether green in Summer or red in the Autumn; for their bark which becomes particularly fascinating in Winter; for the delicate tracery of the branches which frame our view of the eternal blue or star-scattered heavens; for their flowers which seem like giant nosegays.
We plant trees to shelter our homes from the Summer sun and from the cold sweeping winds of Winter.
We enjoy a touch of Nature to form a background and a frame for our architecture.
We plant trees to furnish leaf cloisters for the birds which awaken us from our too-late slumbers when all the world of Nature, except ourselves, is awake.
We plant trees because, where they expand their verdant branches the air is purer and less dusty. The medical societies are constantly advocating the planting of city trees to temper the heat of Summer on the torrid pavements.
We plant forests that floods may be prevented; that fertile soil shall not be carried to the valleys below; that rainfall may be regulated.
We plant trees for their economic use-lumber, furniture, turpentine, rubber, quinine, nuts, cork, paper, windbreaks and one thousand and one uses for which we have as yet found no substitute.
We plant avenues of trees in cities and along the roadsides because we believe that no road or street is dressed or finished until it has been planted to furnish shade, frame vistas of outlying beauty, and prevent snowdrifts.
Aside from this aesthetic and civic value, the realtor knows that trees increase the value of property. Business on a tree-bordered avenue is likely to be brisker than on a sun-parched thoroughfare.
Some of us plant trees that we may be silent witnesses to the life processes of the tree.
We enjoy pruning a tree to our whims, improving its fruits by breeding, and its vigor by supplying plant food.
We are interested in a tree for pure botanical and horticultural reasons. The strength of its woody fibers, the incomparable complexity of its flowers, the abundance of its fruit, and the growth processes fascinate us.
We take joy in supplying a fit environment for a growth that approaches perfection.
- Horicultural Trade World
Monday, November 30, 2009
Global Warming
Source: www.tcia.org
Global warming poses potential significant problems for landscapes. Predictions related to extreme and unpredictable weather include coastal flooding, regional droughts, species extinctions, ecosystem disruptions and reduced plant pollination. These issues are serious – and many land use managers around the world believe they are already witnessing such effects.
Trees and shrubs are unique among plants in that they have woody stems and roots that get bigger every year for decades or even centuries, making them excellent long-term storage sites for carbon. Since wood is composed primarily of carbon derived from the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide, trees are actually solidified, long-lasting lumps (beautiful nonetheless) of carbon.
A planting of 50 million trees in urban areas next year could result in the sequestration of approximately 170 million tons of carbon dioxide after 50 years. Tree care professionals recognize that growing trees in the suburban and urban landscape presents a vast opportunity to draw carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
Trees can also play other indirect roles in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. In the heat of summer, about half of U.S. electrical production powers air conditioners, resulting in annual power plant emissions of 100 million tons of carbon. Trees planted to shade buildings, cooling the air through transpiration, can reduce this energy use by up to 70 percent. Conversely, well-placed trees blocking frigid winter winds can reduce heating energy use by 30 percent. These are just a few examples of how trees can collaterally offset carbon dioxide emissions.
The simple act of mulching around a tree can help conserve water, moderate soil temperatures and add significant amounts of carbon to the soil. As the mulch breaks down, it contributes nutrients for the tree, reducing the need for polluting, energy-intensive fertilizers.
Trees play an important part in reducing fossil fuel consumption and greenhouse gas reduction. Few tools in the global warming fight provide such diverse, long-term benefits at such a low cost.
But it’s not too late to turn things around. The green industry can make a palpable and substantial difference. The perception is that reducing global warming requires sacrifice and extra work, but when it comes to landscape management, the reverse is often true.
The use of organic fertilizers, appropriate biological inoculants, compost and mulch are among the easy and effective methods these industries can embrace to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and store significant amounts of carbon. Not only are these practices ecologically sound, they are often more efficient, productive and healthy than conventional approaches.
For example, our culture’s obsession with perfectly green and manicured lawns notwithstanding, replacing large expanses of intensively managed turf with environmental-friendly native grasses and plants can be safe, sustainable, less pest and disease-prone and equally beautiful, while reducing the time and expense of mowing, fertilizing and watering.
Global warming poses potential significant problems for landscapes. Predictions related to extreme and unpredictable weather include coastal flooding, regional droughts, species extinctions, ecosystem disruptions and reduced plant pollination. These issues are serious – and many land use managers around the world believe they are already witnessing such effects.
Trees and shrubs are unique among plants in that they have woody stems and roots that get bigger every year for decades or even centuries, making them excellent long-term storage sites for carbon. Since wood is composed primarily of carbon derived from the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide, trees are actually solidified, long-lasting lumps (beautiful nonetheless) of carbon.
A planting of 50 million trees in urban areas next year could result in the sequestration of approximately 170 million tons of carbon dioxide after 50 years. Tree care professionals recognize that growing trees in the suburban and urban landscape presents a vast opportunity to draw carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
Trees can also play other indirect roles in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. In the heat of summer, about half of U.S. electrical production powers air conditioners, resulting in annual power plant emissions of 100 million tons of carbon. Trees planted to shade buildings, cooling the air through transpiration, can reduce this energy use by up to 70 percent. Conversely, well-placed trees blocking frigid winter winds can reduce heating energy use by 30 percent. These are just a few examples of how trees can collaterally offset carbon dioxide emissions.
The simple act of mulching around a tree can help conserve water, moderate soil temperatures and add significant amounts of carbon to the soil. As the mulch breaks down, it contributes nutrients for the tree, reducing the need for polluting, energy-intensive fertilizers.
Trees play an important part in reducing fossil fuel consumption and greenhouse gas reduction. Few tools in the global warming fight provide such diverse, long-term benefits at such a low cost.
But it’s not too late to turn things around. The green industry can make a palpable and substantial difference. The perception is that reducing global warming requires sacrifice and extra work, but when it comes to landscape management, the reverse is often true.
The use of organic fertilizers, appropriate biological inoculants, compost and mulch are among the easy and effective methods these industries can embrace to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and store significant amounts of carbon. Not only are these practices ecologically sound, they are often more efficient, productive and healthy than conventional approaches.
For example, our culture’s obsession with perfectly green and manicured lawns notwithstanding, replacing large expanses of intensively managed turf with environmental-friendly native grasses and plants can be safe, sustainable, less pest and disease-prone and equally beautiful, while reducing the time and expense of mowing, fertilizing and watering.
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