Pruning of bushes and trees is not as easy as it may seem. To be done correctly, it involves more than cutting off excess branches. For that reason, Matt & Cory recently spent a day at the Chicago Botanic Gardens (of which we are members). A one day re-fresher course on the subject was given. This is just the beginning of our off season education.
The Emerald Ash Borer beetle, an invasive insect native to Asia, has killed tens of millions of ash trees in urban, rural and forested settings. It has now been found in Crown Point. If you would like more information about it, go to the web and Google Emerald Ash Borer Purdue University or go to the following web page www.extension.entm.purdue.edu/EAB/ and you will find pages of information and tools from the entomology staff at Purdue University. The great thing about this information is that it includes important details for the home owner. More questions? We have been working with an arborist that works in our area and we can put you in touch with him.
Yes, winter is not too far away. We are putting away the mowers and readying the plows and salt spreaders.
Things for you to remember:
Careful when using salt or ice melt products. Try to keep these products off your lawn and away from your bushes and trees.
If you can, try to avoid piling large amounts of snow in one area.
From the University of Illinois:
Prevent damage to trees and shrubs by removing snow after each snow fall. This helps to prevent snow from piling up to dangerously heavy loads. Don’t shake the branches as this may cause them to break. This is especially true for evergreens which can collect excessive amounts of snow. If the snow is frozen on the branch and will not brush off easily, it is best to let it melt naturally, to avoid damage to the tree or shrub. If tree limbs break due to the weight of ice or snow, it is advisable to have the broken limbs removed as soon as the weather permits. The tree will be able to heal the wound better in spring, if the wound has clean edges, instead of ragged tears.
In closing, thank you so much for your business.
In this holiday season we wish all a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa and Happy New Year . Have a safe winter and we will see you in the Spring
Matt and Jim
