Are you looking to have a tree service come onto to your property to do some work? Maybe you have a tree that needs to be removed, maybe a tree that needs to be pruned off of your roof, or for more sunlight to your garden. Did you know that not all services are alike? A lot of companies will advertise as ” insured and bonded “, most consumers don’t realize that the bond part of that slogan is misleading. The average consumer thinks that because that service says that they are bonded it means that if someone or something gets hurt on their property that their interest are covered. However, that is not true. A bond is intended to cover against theft of payment, not cover a man that is in the hospital. Workers compensation and similar alternative called occupational accident insurance, is the only protection that the property owner has. If you hire a company that is “insured and bonded” chances are that they do not carry comp or the alternative. Be sure to ask for certificates of insurance for verification. If the sales rep, or company owner does not offer to have the certificates sent to you from his insurance company, chances are very high that they are not covered, therefore, neither are you. Do your homework before you hire a company, the lowest price does not equal the best value. Ask if there is a Certified Arborist on staff. That is a good sign of a quality company. Ask for the name of the certified arborist and then go to http://www.isa-arbor.com to verify that the person is truly certified. There is a link on the homepage of that site that will do that with a couple of clicks. Do not be afraid to ask for credentials or certificates to verify what somebody is saying is actually true. If he balks at giving them to you, so should you balk at hiring him.

If you are looking for the best way to trim your trees, try tree pruning. Pruning is different from tree trimming because it can alter the shape and growth of your trees branches. When you have decided to prune your trees, keep in mind the following things.

What is Pruning

Tree pruning deals with the removal of diseased or damaged branches of trees in order to keep the tree healthy. Not only will tree pruning increase the lifespan of your tree, it will enhance the shape and growth. Tree pruning is crucial to keep your tree standing tall and strong.

Tree pruning will also promote better growth and better air circulation. It is used to remove obstructing lower branches to shape trees. Tree pruning can prevent harmful destruction of sidewalks, pavements or driveways.

How to Prune

Before you prune your tree, determine what and why certain areas need to be pruned. Create your plan and then begin pruning. There are many tools you will need to prune a tree. A few tools that we recommend using are:

• Rope Saw
• Pole Pruner and Lopper
• Folding Pruner
• Portable Buck Saws

When you prune a tree, you are creating wounds. If pruning is done correctly, it can help the tree; if done incorrectly, your trees may die. Trees do not heal their wounds or grow branches where they were previously cut off. Rather than healing their wounds, they seal them, which creates a donut looking callus. No matter the size of your branch, if you do not cut it properly, it can damage the entire tree.

Pruning a tree is a three step cutting process. To make a correct prune follow these three important cuts:

Cut 1: Make a small wedge cut into the underside of the branch. Make this cut about a foot away from the base of the branch. Doing this will break the path of flow at a point and prevent a tear from running through the entire tree.

Cut 2: About a foot farther from your first cut, start from the top of the branch and cut all the way through. This will leave a long stub that will be easier to prune in the final step.

Cut 3: Parallel the end of the stub you have just created cut down the stub as close to the base as possible.

When to Prune Trees

Deciding the right time to trim or prune your trees is very important. You want your tree to be able to recover from the cut you are making. Although you want to remove the damaged or dead branches as soon as possible, there is a right and a wrong time to perform pruning. It is important to prune in the following seasons.

Winter

Winter is the most dormant season in the year. Pruning in the winter will result in massive growth during the following season. It is important to wait until the coldest part of winter has passed so that the sap can flow.

Summer

If you prune in the summer, you can direct or stunt the growth of your tree. By cutting the branches you do not want in the summer can keep them from growing back again. You can also prune in the summer to correct defective limbs. Hanging or limp limbs that are hanging too low from the weight of leaves will be stunted from growing back again.

With summer fast approaching, we know that you are already looking for the best ways to beat the insane Texas heat. Summers in Texas can be unbearable, but there is a simple remedy. Plant more trees! We have compiled a list of the top five best trees to plant to get out of the burning Texas heat.

Why are shade trees important?

Shade trees cannot only give you a spot to cool off during Texas heat waves, but it can protect the integrity of your home. Strategically placing the following trees in your yard can help:

• Protect paint
• Cool down the internal temperature
• Transform your yard
• Add value to your property

As you know, Texas is hot. Here is a list of our top five favorite Texas-tough trees that are perfect for your home:

1. Cedar Elm
   Cedar Elm, formally known as Ulmus Crassifolia, is a medium to large sized tree that forms into an oval-rounded covering. The tree can grow as tall as 70 feet high and 60 feet wide. The tree produces dark green leaves that change color and fall in late winter. The tree also produces a small fruit called Samara. This tree is perfect for the summer months because it is highly drought intolerant.
2. Shumard Red Oak
   This beautiful red-leafed tree will not only provide you with shade, but with a gorgeous view. The tree can grow as tall as 115 feet and 59 feet wide. The large leaves change from dark green to a brown and reddish hue in the fall. Sometimes the leaves will also have a tint of yellow, giving its overall appearance the look of a sunset.

   The tree grows an open canopy with thick branches that support it. Hang a hammock or have a picnic in the massive shade this tree will produce.

3. Chinese Pistache
   The small leafed tree that is Chinese Pistache can grow up to 65 feet tall and produce a large shaded area for your yard. This tree can handle harsh conditions, including poor quality soils and harsh winds. What makes this tree so special is the color it transforms into in the fall. The leaves turn from a dark olive green to a flaming red.
4. Monterrey Oak
   If you are looking for a medium to large oak tree that is tolerant to Oak Wilt, look no further than the Monterrey Oak. Formally known as Mexican White Oak, this tree can grow up to 40 feet into the perfect triangle shaped canopy. This tree thrives on extra sunlight, which is why it is perfect for Texas summer months. The leaves are a bright and shiny green and transform to a soft shade of yellow in the fall.
5. Live Oak
   Live oak trees are short and have low hanging or weeping branches. The romantic tree can create the perfect spot to nestle up to in the hot summer day to read a book or enjoy some sweet tea. Why is it called live oak? This tree stays green throughout the entire year.

Proper tree planting is key to a long and healthy life for your tree. Trees last lifetimes if they are properly maintained and planted in an area where they can thrive the most. Hire an expert for your next shade tree planting venture. Let your entire family enjoy the function and beauty of your tree for a lifetime.

At Grandiflora, we love trees! We love working with people who care for their trees and want to ensure their trees’ survival. Unfortunately, there are times when it may be impossible for a tree to be saved, and for safety purposes, the tree may need to be removed. A dead tree is much more likely to fall during a storm, and it may hurt someone or damage your property. If you begin to notice the following signs, you should talk to an arborist about tree removal.

Dying Leaves and Branches

If your tree has yellowing leaves in the middle of spring, this is not a good sign. Premature yellowing is a sign that the proper nutrients are not getting to the leaves, and that means that branch is probably dead. Normally, dead branches can be trimmed, and that can be helpful for the tree’s survival. However, if there is an abnormal amount of dying branches, the tree may be dead and cannot be saved. Make sure that you know all of the signs of anunhealthy tree, because they usually signify a dying tree.

Multiple Trunks or Split Trunks

A tree that has multiple trunks or has a trunk that is split very close to the base can be very unstable. A tree such as this will often fall during the high winds of a storm. The structural shape of the tree makes it easier for it to fall during a storm. Also, the separate trunks are not as stable as one single trunk. If you have noticed that a tree has multiple trunks or may begin to growing into two trunks, talk to an arborist. There are things that an arborist can do to make the tree more stable as it grows. However, if the arborist does not think that anything can help, they may recommend that the tree should be removed.

Leaning Tree

Of course, not every tree is going to grow straight up and down. The curves and bends of trees make them unique and beautiful. However, If you have begun to notice that your tree is leaning in an unnatural way, this can be very dangerous. If your tree has begun to lean when it did not before, this is a sign that the roots may be breaking on one side and the tree can easily fall.

Often times, branches are heavier on one side of the tree and the weight is forcing the tree to lean. If you notice the leaning early, a tree maintenance team can trim excess branches from one side and then use cables to pull the tree into an upright position. However, if the tree has begun to uproot, it may be too late, and you should remove the tree before it falls to the ground.

Struck by Lightning

If you have a tree that has been struck by lightning, you may need to consider tree removal. Of course, there is always a chance that the tree can be saved. However, if you see that large streaks of bark have exploded off or that the trunk has cracked, it is highly unlikely that the tree will survive. The bark is a natural defense for the tree, so if the tree has large open wounds, disease and wood boring bugs are much more likely to attack the tree.

Of course, before you remove a tree, make sure that you have an arborist look over the tree. An arborist can help you understand if the tree could be saved. If you do come to the conclusion that the tree must be removed, make sure that you have a professional crew do the tree removal. Inexperienced teams may cause serious property damage if they remove the tree incorrectly.

Honor your friends and loved ones with the gift of a tree. A beautiful tree benefits everyone for generations to come and helps us remember those who we have lost. A tree will carry the name of those memorialized by continuing to grow and adapt with every year that passes. With thoughts of peace, caring and comfort, a tree will be a living monument to your loved one.

Trees allow you to celebrate your loved one’s life in a unique and spiritual way. The gift of a tree is enduring and symbolic, and is the perfect memorial gift. It will grow and blossom each year and become stronger over time. It gives the gift of life and helps heal both you personally and our planet as a whole. Many cities offer the opportunity to plant a tree in a public place. Memorial trees carry enduring gifts of beauty, life and hope. With every new planting, they honor a life and carry forward the names of those who have passed away.

To find out if you can plant a memorial tree, first call your city’s Parks and Recreation Department. Many cities allow trees, plaques or even benches to be placed in remembrance of a loved one. Ask them if they offer a program that allows you to do this. Some cities have a certain time period where they accept tree memorials, so it’s best to reach out to them as soon as you can. If you want to plant a tree at the cemetery where your loved one rests, you can reach out to them to see if they allow trees to be planted as memorials. If these options do not work, consider planting a tree on your own property. You can choose a memorial tree that fits best with both your yard and your loved one’s memory. When you get your tree planted, you can also design a tree plaque to place on it.

You can also look into the options of planting in a national living memorial. The Forest Service has teamed up with state governments to build tree memorials for those who have passed away. Look for a city near you to find where there is a Living Memorial project. If your loved one was affected by cancer or an illness, reach out to the proper organization to find out if they plant gardens or trees to memorialize those who have passed. Another great way to find out if a tree planting is being organized near you is to call your state branch of the Forest Service. They may be organizing a planting in a local forest, where you can join.

Planting a tree is a wonderful remembrance that adds beauty to the landscape where you plant it. With each year, it grows and develops into something strong and beautiful. It is symbolic of your loved one and is there for everyone to enjoy. Adding trees to our planet also benefits our environment and future generations.

Bees don’t have many fans. They can be pesky when they’re trying to get a taste of your food, or annoying when they infest your garage with a nest. In addition, they can even be scary due to the chance that they could sting you. Even though you may not see the importance of these pesky insects, they are actually very beneficial for the ecosystem.

So, why are bees so important? Well, they do much more than just produce honey and beeswax. They are also used for medical uses. Their bee venom has been used for treating arthritis, multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia, cancer, epilepsy and depression. They also are very essential when it comes to our ecosystem. These tiny workers pollinate around 80 percent of our flowering crops in the U.S., which constitutes about one-third of everything we eat. They are essential to the growth of many fruits and vegetables such as apples, cucumbers, broccoli, blueberries, asparagus and strawberries. Losing them could affect the growth of those nutritious foods, and the beef and dairy products that we eat. Consider them as little field workers and farmers. They pollinate approximately $14 billion worth of crops in the U.S.

So, are you now a bigger fan of bees than you were before? They are productive citizens of our planet and deserve to get more credit for all of their hard work. There are some things that we can do to help protect the bees:

• Diversify your garden or yard with many different plant species. These plants should bloom during different times of the year so that the bees can have pollination throughout the year.
• Plant an array of trees, plants and flowers that will provide the bees with both nectar and pollen.
• Plant trees and plants that are native to your state or area. The bees around you are the most familiar with these plants and they are better able to support a larger number of bees.

Make sure that our insect friends are getting as much nutrition as they need. The plants and trees that you plant can affect the bees. When deciding what to do with your landscaping, just ask us and we can better advise you about how to save the bees!

Homeowners sometimes don’t realize how important a good fertilization program is for their trees. A great time of year to start is in the fall so the trees are more prepared to enter the spring growing season healthy and vigorous. Especially coming out of the drought from 2011, the trees are still striving to recover and get their health back. How many trees have you seen while driving down the road with dead tops and multiple dead branches throughout the canopy? If you haven’t, just look up while driving down the road through your neighborhood and you will probably notice many trees still showing signs of drought stress.

Trees in the forest are fertilized naturally by leaf litter and other organic materials that break down, releasing their nutrients back into the soil. Additionally, most forested areas do not have a blanket of beautiful green grass growing around them absorbing many of the vital nutrients from the soil. Most landowners then haul off the grass clippings, rake away the dead leaves and clean up any other organic material that gets onto the lawn. Therefore, trees often do not get the nutrients they need in the correct amounts to be healthy and vigorous.

Liquid root feeding is the best method to fertilize trees as it puts the product into the ground beneath the layer of grass and directly to the trees rooting zone. The tree is then able to absorb the fertilizer and disperse it among itself to prepare for the upcoming growing season.

Do all trees need fertilization? The short answer is no, not all trees will benefit from fertilization. That is why it is important to have an International Society of Arboriculture Certified Arborist come take a look at your trees and determine if fertilization is needed and customize a program specific for your property and individual trees.

Fall is a good time of year to look at insect control for your trees as well. Although most insects are not very active during the fall and winter, a good application of a systemic herbicide will aid the tree in defending itself from insect attacks once spring time gets here. Systemic insecticides can be applied to the soil or sprayed directly onto the trunk of a tree and then are absorbed by the tree. The product is then dispersed throughout the entire plant and will protect the tree from many damaging insects for up to a year. Once spring and summer arrive in our area it can be too late to apply a systemic insecticide due to the insect’s numbers growing very quickly.

Again, not sure if your trees can benefit from a fall insecticide program? Give us a call and have a Certified Arborist take a look at your trees and develop a program for your individual trees.