Fall’s beautiful foliage has come and gone-leaving most properties looking gray, dull, and uninviting, but this doesn’t have to always be the case. There are several winter plants that you can place around your property to create a visually pleasing scene throughout the long, cold New England winter months.
Several winter plants offer year-round benefits because many are evergreens. Evergreens will provide your property with a vibrant green color rather than a plant that loses all leaves and flowers-leaving nothing but sparse gray and brown branches. Evergreens are a great addition to the front of a home to cover the foundation-serving not only an aesthetic purpose, but also creating insulation. The foundation will stay cooler in the hot summer months and will serve as a barrier against the cold bitter winds in the winter.
The following are some common winter plants that can be found here in New England:
Ornamental Grasses-add interest to any property with several different varieties to choose from.
Winterberry-the “Winter Red” and “Sparkleberry” varieties provide striking red berries that will be striking in a winter scene.
Blue Holly-probably one of the most quintessential winter plants with its evergreen leaves and bright red berries. Great along walkways or in front of the foundation. Use clippings to decorate inside your home during the holidays!
Firethorn-the “Yukon Belle” variety is an evergreen and a member of the rose family. It has bright orange fruit that lasts through the fall and winter and has small white flowers in the spring.
Yew Shrubs-There are several different varieties to choose from and are drought-resistant evergreens that are great in front of a foundation.
Cypress-These evergreens are well adapted to the New England climate and make for great decorations during the holidays.
Birch Trees-Several varieties to choose from-most with interesting bark that is a show-stopper year-round.
Red Osier Dogwoods-A few different varieties to choose from and have stems that range from yellow to red in the winter.
If you are looking to add a pop of color and interest to your property in the winter-consider some of these winter plants. If you are fortunate enough to have some on your property already and have any questions on caring for them, please don’t hesitate to contact us at: 508-384-2992 or click here to reach us on the web.
Fall is synonymous with leaves dropping and trees looking like they have shut down for the winter-while this is true, the fall is actually a great time for planting new trees and shrubs.
While the parts of the tree that are visible above ground are shutting down; what’s below the surface is actually just getting started for the year. Plants develop more roots in the fall than during any other time of year. By planting new trees or shrubs during the fall, you are allowing them to really establish strong roots which gives the plant a healthy head start for next year. As spring approaches, the plant is able to concentrate more on flowering and sprouting new leaves rather than trying to establish new roots. The fall also creates a less stressful environment for newly planted trees with cooler months and typically a decent amount of rainfall.
The following is a list of trees, shrubs, plants, and flowers that are great to plant in the fall:
A new lawn
Bulbs that flower in the spring
Perennials
Most trees
Most shrubs
Evergreens
Mums
Asters
Cabbage
Vines
If you are looking to transplant any of your existing trees, shrubs, or flowers; fall is yet again the perfect time of year to do so for all of the same reasons mentioned above.
Just because the cooler months are among us doesn’t mean you have to put away your gardening supplies and have a baron looking yard. Roll up your sleeves and keep at it to create an abundance of charm that you can enjoy year-round.
If you have any tree care or new trees questions please don’t hesitate to contact Green Trees Arborcare at: 508-384-2992 or click here to reach us on the web. Green Trees Arborcare takes pride in excellent customer service and our passion for tree care.
Tree trimming and tree pruning are both crucial for the health and structure of beautiful trees that you have invested significant time and money into over the years. Although both procedures sound very similar, which in some ways they are; they are each done for different reasons.
Tree trimming is available to residential and commercial properties and can be done any time of the year as needed. Large and small trees can be trimmed if it will improve the overall health of the tree. Tree trimming is typically done when: trees become too large, pose a threat to your property or a neighbor’s property, grow to close to power lines, or when limbs become too weak to withstand extreme weather.
Tree pruning is a delicate procedure that is done strategically at certain times of the year for the overall health and structure of a tree. Like tree trimming; tree pruning is great for both residential and commercial properties. The best time to properly prune a tree is when it is dormant-doing so promotes better health and prevents excessive sap loss. Pruning enhances the shape of a tree, creating more pleasant aesthetics and a healthier structure. Proper pruning helps prevent tree diseases by increasing air flow and promoting strong growth which resists damages.
If you believe that trees on your residential or commercial property are in need of professional tree trimming and tree pruning, a member of our team would be more than happy to provide you with an estimate.
If you have any questions regarding tree trimming and tree pruning, please don’t hesitate to contact us at: 508-384-2992 or click here to reach us on the web. Green Trees Arborcare takes pride in excellent customer service and our passion for tree care.
As summer begins to come to an end, it is a good time to start thinking about fall tree care. The stunning New England autumn foliage will be here before we know it and while the hotter months may be behind us, there are still ways to properly care for the trees on your property.
The following are some helpful fall tree care tips to consider over the next few months:
Avoid pruning in the fall. Fall is the time of year where fungus spreads rapidly and cuts on trees take longer to heal. Unless tree branches are dead or diseased, put down the pruning shears.
Fall can be a great time to plant new trees. The temperatures will be a bit cooler and won’t create as much stress as some of the summer months. Less stress on a tree allows for a stronger root system to develop.
If planting new trees in the fall, be sure to properly water them. A long and deep watering helps the roots to grow downwards, making them stronger; whereas a short and shallow watering creates roots that grow upwards and end up becoming weak.
For more mature trees: stop watering at the beginning of fall and allow all of the leaves to drop. Once the leaves have dropped, begin watering again until the first freeze so that the roots have enough water to last throughout the winter drought.
If planting new trees in the fall, remember that here in New England, our winters can be very cold and harsh. A good way to protect young trees is by laying 3-6 inches of mulch at the base of the tree after the first freeze. Avoid placing the mulch right up against the trunk to avoid moisture getting trapped and creating fungus growth.
If you have any questions regarding fall tree care, please don’t hesitate to contact Green Trees Arborcare at: 508-384-2992 or click here to reach us on the web. We are more than happy to assist you in the health of your trees!
The life cycle of a tree is a beautiful thing, especially here in the Northeast. However, a diseased tree can be an eyesore and a potential threat to your property.
The typical life of a healthy, leaf-bearing deciduous tree includes: sprouting in the spring, leaves turning brilliant colors of red, orange, and yellow in the fall, drying out and leaves falling off in the winter, and the tree coming back to life again come springtime.
Trees have the ability to adapt to and withstand harsh conditions, such as extreme weather patterns here in New England. However, it is not uncommon for a tree to become diseased. The tree will do its best to try to fight the disease, but even the oldest and sturdiest trees can lose the battle. Once a tree becomes weakened by one disease, like humans; it can become more susceptible to other diseases.
Anthracnose is a common disease in the eastern part of the United States that goes after hardwood trees, particularly American sycamores, white oaks, dogwoods and black walnuts. Root decay/root rot is another common disease for trees. The roots securely anchor a tree in the ground therefore if a tree has rotten roots; it makes the tree vulnerable to harsh conditions and runs the risk of being knocked over.
There is a difference between an unhealthy tree and dead or dying trees. An unhealthy tree can be caused by the elements such as rain, wind, and sun and often bounce back to health. A diseased tree often has the following telltale signs:
Decay. Decay can begin from the inside of the tree, making it difficult to notice. However, if there is fungi or soft, crumbly wood present, that is a good indicator that there is decay in the tree.
Weak branch unions.
Cracks that create deep splits through the bark.
Dead wood. Dry, lifeless wood that breaks easily does not allow a tree to bend in the wind. A tree in this condition should be removed immediately because it poses a large threat to your property.
Uneven growth pattern from years of storms or improper pruning.
A diseased tree can pose a serious threat to you, your family, and your property. If you suspect signs of disease, please contact Green Trees Arborcare for information on pruning, tree care, and tree removal. Safety is always our number one priority. We can be reached at: 508-384-2992 or click here to reach us on the web.
