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Bobcat Introduces TL623 Telehandler
Jessica Schwartz
Evolution Of The Tree
The times are a changin’, and so is the climate. Tree planting, then, must also change if urban forests are to adapt to the uncertainties of our future weather. Are you still specifying your favorite trees from years ago? Then maybe it’s time to revisit your current selections with an eye toward optimum resiliency. Developing such climate-resilient trees is a top priority of the plant development program at J. Frank Schmidt & Son Co., a wholesale tree grower in Boring, OR. As a leading developer and introducer of new and improved cultivars of shade and flowering trees, J. Frank Schmidt & Son Co. must always look to the future in our efforts to select trees that will survive and thrive in challenging, changing environments. Successes over the past 50 years of plant development have included the introduction or co-introduction of more than 100 improved tree cultivars, most of which remain in the trade today. (The best known of these is Red Sunset® Maple, introduced in 1966 and still a top choice among red maples.) Growing Trends—Literally As J. Frank Schmidt prepares to celebrate 75 years in the tree business and plans for the future, our top goals for developing trees for modern landscapes include selecting varieties for heat, drought, and cold tolerance; low water requirements, low maintenance needs, and adaptability to varied soils and growing conditions. We are also always on the lookout for trees that are naturally pest and disease resistant in order to decrease, or hopefully eliminate, the ...
Tree Services: Taking Tree Care To New Heights
Editor’s Letter I admit I’ve got a thing for trees. What’s not to love? They’re beautiful, provide shade, and clean the air. I tend to find my greatest peace while in the woods, hiking under their canopy. Which is why I loved working with Nancy Buley of J. Frank Schmidt & Son for the “Evolution Of A Tree” article in this issue of Tree Services (click here to download PDF). She’s dedicated her career to educating people about trees and in these pages she reveals some of the best varieties to withstand climate extremes and changing needs. This reality was brought home when, while working together, wildfires raged through Buley’s county, the center of Oregon nursery production! But while trees are being bred for disease and weather resistance, they still need proper care. So we turned to Bartlett Tree Experts for fertilization tips from two scientists in their Research Lab. My mother worked at Bartlett when I was a child and her colleague soothed my distress over Christmas trees being cut down by explaining it makes room for younger trees…. which leads to our third article. Husqvarna discuss the proper way to fell a tree—from cut types to crucial safety precautions. Be it planting, maintenance, or removal, tree care is an important part of our landscapes. Chad Sugg of Backseat Goodbye said, “Love the trees until their leaves fall off, then encourage them to try again next year.” cmenapace@groupc.com TreeServicesMagazine.com Tree Services: Taking Tree Care To New Heights ...
Counteracting Summer Stress On Ornamentals
August is a tough month for many ornamentals, and it’s getting worse. Record breaking heat and drought conditions are putting the health of landscape plantings at risk more than ever before. Once stressed, plants become more susceptible to a host of other pests and diseases, which can be costly or troublesome to abate. Here are perspectives on recognizing and addressing summer plant stress from experts in three different states: Dr. Sharon Douglas from The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station; Mike Hrivnak, head agronomist with Canopy Lawn Care in Cary, NC; and Peyton Ellas, owner of Quercus Landscape Design in Springville, CA. Why Can It Be Hard To Tell If A Plant Stressed? Douglas: Symptoms of drought manifest in different ways depending on the plant species and the severity of the water deficit. One important aspect of drought is that the symptoms are often not evident in the top of the tree or shrub until some time after the event has occurred—even as much as one to two years later! Hrivnak: Often you may not realize some plant varieties are experiencing heat or drought stress until it’s too late. Why? Because when many bushes or shrubs are desiccated, they still look green. The gardenia is a good example. It appears to hold its color well, even if it has received too much sun or too little water. However, as soon as it’s watered, it begins to turn brown and wilt. Ellas: Most signs are not apparent immediately; rather, it may take a ...
Get Equipped: Tree Care Equipment
Take a look at this assortment of tree care equipment that can improve your professional lawn care and landscaping services. The XCU08Z From Makita Makita is meeting the demand for cordless alternatives to gas-powered outdoor power equipment with an expanding line of cordless OPE, including the 18V X2 LXT® (36V) Cordless 14″ Top Handle Chain Saw, Tool Only (model XCU08Z). With zero emissions, lower noise, and less maintenance than gas-powered chain saws, the XCU08Z is a solution for cutting and trimming applications. The compact top-handle design makes it ideal for the professional tree care industry. Powered by two 18V LXT® batteries (sold separately) for maximum power, speed, and run-time, the XCU08Z is easy to start by simply loading the 18V LXT® Lithium-Ion Batteries and powering on. The XCU08Z has a variable speed trigger and high chain speed (0-3,940 FPM) for increased cutting speed, with torque boost mode for cutting dense material. Other features include adjustable automatic chain lubrication, built-on lock-off lever to help prevent the chain from accidentally engaging, an electric brake for maximum productivity, and more. TreeDiaper® From Zynnovation TreeDiaper is a patented, multifunctional plant protection system featuring: slow-releasing irrigation; auto-recharging with rain or snow precipitation; salt damage mitigation; weed control; and extreme weather protections. Pellets inside the tree diaper absorb rain or irrigation water; then slowly release water back to the plant when needed, while reducing runoff. In a 2013 field trial on road median trees, those with TreeDiaper lived, while those with watering bags died. Additionally, a ...
For A Thriving Tree, Location Is Key
Location, location, location—the battle cry of the real estate agent. Of course, it’s not just for realtors, it’s for lawn care operators and landscape contractors too. Perhaps the most important element in the landscape in terms of location are trees, as it’s not easy to move one if it’s in the wrong place. The answer? Put it in the right place in the first place. Property Inventory For Potential Plantings The first step in the process of tree placement is to look at all the other woody plants on the property. This can be done with a legal pad and a #2 pencil, or by using the latest landscape design software. In the end, the step of acknowledging the existence and size of the plants already in place is much more important than the tool used. The key is to simply note, mark, or describe through a rough sketch where specific plants are and how much space they take up. Through this inventory process, “holes” or “gaps” in the landscape are identified. Open spaces don’t necessarily mean that a tree/shrub must be planted there, but it’s a good start. In addition to a gap or space, an existing tree in poor condition should be considered as a “hole,” in that it needs to be removed, and thus, an empty space for a new tree will be created. Site Assessment/Analysis For Trees The second part of this step is to document and analyze the specific set of influences that are present ...
Tree Services Feature: Spring Tree Care Checklist
The spring season puts the lawn care business in full swing. As you gear up for this new season, remember that customers will also need a check up on their trees. If this service is in your wheelhouse, here are tips to keep in mind. A Four-Item Checklist For Tree Care On its website, the Arbor Day Foundation shares advice on evaluating the condition of trees after the cold weather season. The information is provided courtesy of Bayer Advanced, a business group of Bayer Crop Science: “Spring is a great time to check mature trees. Leaf canopies have not completely filled in, and you can see the structure of the tree more clearly. Damage from winter storms will be more apparent. By inspecting trees and addressing potential problems, you can safeguard the investment that healthy trees add to a property.” The information features a checklist of four areas to check on trees in order to identify possible hazards in tree growth and development. Check Branches. Look for broken or dangling branches or cracks where branches attach to the trunk. Branches that are missing bark or growing fungus can be signs of decaying wood and potential structural problems. Narrow angles at the point where branches attach to the trunk can be weak and prone to breaking; this is especially common with elm and maple trees. Check Leaves. As spring progresses, the tree should leaf out evenly with healthy looking foliage. Uneven coloring or slow growth in portions of the tree may ...
The Tide Is High
Sometimes water problems at a site don’t come from snowmelt or rain, but from rising sea levels. Unfortunately, one site battling this issue is the U.S.’s most visited national park, the National Mall Tidal Basin in Washington, DC. The 107-acre Tidal Basin plays host to Washington’s famous Cherry Blossom Festival and comprises five important memorials, including the Jefferson Memorial. Last year, it was visited by more than 35 million people. Daily Flooding Part of West Potomac Park, the Tidal Basin was first built in the 1800s to harness the tides in the Potomac River to flush silt and sediment from the Washington Channel. Twice a day at high tide, 250 million gallons of water from the Potomac River enter the Tidal Basin through the inlet gates, according to the National Park Service (NPS). As the tide turns, water trying to flow out of the inlet gates causes the gates to close, and the outlet gates on the Washington Channel side of the Basin open. The rush of water out of the Tidal Basin sweeps away any silt or sediment built up inside the Washington Channel, keeping it navigable. Water from the Tidal Basin is also used (via a pumping system) to maintain water levels in the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. Unfortunately, today the Tidal Basin is threatened by rising sea levels, crumbling sea walls, and outdated infrastructure. Currently, walkways surrounding the Tidal Basin are flooded daily at high tide, making them impassable for visitors and damaging the roots of the ...
Turf Fall 2019 Issue
Turf Fall 2019 Issue Table of Contents Buying Insurance For Your Business | We’ve rounded up advice from some industry pros to help ensure you are asking the necessary questions. Maximizing Customer Referrals | While one size does not fit all, a well-established referrals strategy eases the task of finding new customers. What New Services Should I Add In 2020? | From seeding to snow removal, the options abound. Six Essential Tips To Grow Your Lawn Care Business | In every business, there are areas of opportunity that can be explored to further success. Employee Owned, Employee Driven | At The Greenery, Inc. enterprise in Hilton Head, SC, everyone takes ownership. How Do I Keep More Of The Nitrogen In My Soil? | When using nitrogen fertilizer, one concern is that water may wash it away and reduce its effectiveness. Reducing Water Needs At A Desert Property | At Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, turf replacement is a linchpin to conservation. Putting Pesticides In Place | Consider these several aspects to address before offering these services next spring and beyond. Landscape Crew Has A “Field Day” | Maryland-based Ruppert Landscape connected with a community by helping a Georgia church update its property. My Landscape: Surveying Commercial Owners | Turf asked facility executives at commercial and institutional properties about their landscape management plans.
It’s Pawpaw Day: Celebrate The Forgotten Native Fruit
It’s National Pawpaw Day! Each year, the third Thursday in September is set aside to celebrate the best native fruit you’ve never tried. Despite their tropical taste, which some describe as creamy mango-banana, many of the 60 different varieties of pawpaw trees grow natively in the U.S. from the Gulf Coastal plain to southern Michigan. And while the name pawpaw itself is unusual, other names include Kentucky Banana and Hillbilly Mango. A Rich History Pawpaws have been a rich part of the fabric of American history from the very beginning. For example, the pawpaw was an integral part of Native American diets. Some may have even cultivated the pawpaw. Early Europeans confused the pawpaw with the papaya. As part of U.S. history, rumor suggests the pawpaw was President George Washington’s favorite dessert. Presidential farmer, Thomas Jefferson, cultivated the tree at Monticello. Additionally, while Jefferson served as minister to France in 1786, he shipped pawpaw seeds to friends living there. During the Corps of Discovery, Lewis and Clark wrote in their journals that they were quite fond of the fruit. At one point during their expedition in 1806, they relied on pawpaws when other provisions ran low. So how did pawpaw go from such popularity to becoming a nearly forgotten fruit? “I think a lot of people have gotten away from eating locally and seasonally, with fruits and vegetables grown in California, Florida, and Mexico being most of what we see in groceries, and available year round,” comments, Sheri Crabtree, ...
Turf Summer 2019 Issue
Turf Summer 2019 Issue Table of Contents Should You Consider Municipal Work? | Landing these types of contracts calls for specific resources. Plus, see tips on expanding to commercial customers. Snow And Ice Services On The Horizon | Summer is the ideal time to plan winter management operations. Making The Most of Software | Adding landscape business software expands job management and tracking capabilities. Cover Story: Made In America | A look into the history of lawn and landscape care in the United States, plus several companies with homegrown roots. Water Efficient Landscape Designs | What does California have to teach us about landscaping practices throughout the United States and beyond? Reviving A River With Landscape Design | Rocky Mountain Custom Landscapes worked with the City of Breckenridge, CO and DHM Design along the the Blue River. Late Summer Tree Care | The dog days of summer takes a toll on customer’s trees. My Landscape: Miralon, An Agrihood | In Palm Springs, CA, a housing development built by Freehold Communities blends 1,000+ homes with olive grove agriculture.
