chopdoctx

[chopdoctx]

7 Tips for Watering Trees

Tree watering is a basic piece of tree care. For the purpose of being sure that your trees are appropriately watered is critical to guaranteeing their wellbeing and lifespan. In any case, when and what amount would it be a good idea for you to water? 

Here are a couple of good dependable guidelines to pursue:

Water recently planted trees promptly

This one presumably seems like an easy decision. However, it’s essential to refer to in any case.

Deep water trees in the initial two developing seasons

Youthful trees go through a great deal of vitality attempting to set up their underlying foundations in the soil. In this way, as you can envision, trees experience serious difficulties managing dry season and warmth in the first couple of years.

For built-up trees, investigate soil dampness before watering

Utilize a trowel to dive a couple of creeps into the dirt and contact it to see it’s dampness level. If trees require watering, by and large, 30 seconds with a constant flow of water is sufficient, or the proportion of 5 gallons for every inch of trunk width is additionally utilized.

Don’t overwater

Indeed. You can overwater trees. A few indications of overwatering are yellow leaves dark or dull darker roots, growth or green growth developing on the soil surface or surface roots, green leaves that are weak, or the withering of youthful shoots.

Use Mulch

Mulch not just includes a little control claim, it is likewise basic to holding dampness and soil temperature. Look at the article “All You Need to Know About Mulch” from Fra-Dor, Inc. (a kindred Little Canada, MN business!)

Know your tree

Distinctive tree species have diverse watering prerequisites, so complete a little research on your trees, so you know best practices.

Water productively

Water late around evening time when vanishing rates are at their most reduced. Try not to utilize splash head sprinklers since a significant part of the water can be lost to the breeze. You could likewise place a bowl around a tree by building a berm at the trickle line to forestall spillover.

Keep up on watering

A decent principle guideline is to water trees about once every week amid the developing season. Climate conditions will direct on the off chance that you have to water pretty much than this. Once more, check the soil by burrowing down a couple of inches and checking its dampness.

The post 7 Tips for Watering Trees appeared first on Chop Doc - Tree Services.

[chopdoctx]

Tree Watering

Tree watering is a key piece of tree care, and it is hard to prescribe the correct sum because of the assortments of atmospheres. In any case, a couple of rules will assist you with watering your trees appropriately.

Watering Newly Planted Trees: For new trees, water very after you plant a tree.

  Watering Trees During First Two Years: During a principal couple of developing terms, your recently planted tree is consuming a great deal of energy endeavouring to get its underlying foundations built up in the ground. Particularly amid an initial couple of summers of your new trees life, it will be very difficult to fight with the fluctuating temperature.

  How Much Water and When: On one hand, insufficient water is hurtful for the tree yet, on the other hand, an excessive amount of water is terrible too. Over-watering is a typical tree care botch. Take note of that damp is not quite the same as soggy, and you can pass judgment on this by feel. A clammy soil that dries for a brief period will enable sufficient oxygen to pervade the ground.

  Watering Trees After the First Two Years: After your tree has been built up in your yard for a long time the roots will be set up. This will enable your tree to withstand a more extensive scope of water conditions including individually because it has a well-evolved root structure.

  Dry season Tolerant Species

On the off chance that your zone continually manages the dry season, you will need to consider trees recorded as dry season tolerant. These trees are adjusted to locales in their local natural surroundings that routinely encounter delayed droughts.

  Some Drought-Tolerant Species Include

Thornless Honeylocust (Zones 3 to 9)

Arizona Cypress (Zones 7 to 9)

Japanese Zelkova (Zones 5 to 8)

White Fir (Zones 4 to 7)

Kentucky Coffeetree (Zones 3 to 8)

  High Soil Moisture-Tolerant Species

On the contrary side of the range if your region manages a lot of dampness or wet conditions here are a couple of trees that will improve the situation in wet conditions.

Baldcypress (Zones 4 to 10)

Shellbark Hickory (Zones 5 to 8)

Red Maple (Zones 3 to 9)

Silver Maple (Zones 3 to 9)

Paper Birch (Zones 2 to 7)

River Birch (Zones 4 to 9)

Weeping Willow (Zones 6 to 8)

  *Find out about when to prune your tree!

The post Tree Watering appeared first on Chop Doc - Tree Services.

[chopdoctx]

How to Plant Forest Trees?

At the point of seedlings, it is advisable to keep the seedling roots secured and clammy. It is a good decision if you start planting at the earliest stage.

To store for about 14 days or less

Keep the parcels in a cool, preferably at a shaded place

Segregate the bales (to abstain from overheating and deformation)

Empty cool water beyond all visibly open end of the bales regularly enough to keep newly sprouting seedling roots damp

Try not to store trees in water since roots might be harmed

Shield from a serious cold

To store for over about 14 days

You have an option either to hold bales in cool stockpiling at 35 to 37 degrees Fahrenheit

The other option is to place trees in a trench

Delve trench in a shaded, ensured put. Change profundity to fit the roots (Figure 2). Keep away from territories with high rats

Cut package strings then spread trees

Water the roots as the trench is being refilled with soil

Water frequently but avoid overwatering

Mulch on the soil will hold dampness

When the trees have started developing, it is best not to expel them from the soil bed until the accompanying spring Season

Note

It is important to not to leave bales open to the sun and air. Amid planting tasks, take out a couple of groups of trees at once. Cover the others and keep them cool and sodden until the point when they are required. Be mindful to abstain from harming the terminal buds.

Forest Planting

By Hand

Carry seedlings in a container half-brimming with water or wet greenery. Try not to enable seedling roots to end up dry. Avoid storing the trees with their underlying foundations in water.

On the areas which are still not ready, scalp or skin of the turf there and weeds from a spot 18 crawls in breadth at the place where the individual tree has to be planted

Focus or side-opening techniques for hand planting appear in Figure 3

Cut technique for planting with a grubbing tool appears in Figure 4

Cut strategy for planting with a tree planting bar appears in Figure 5

Burrow gap to fit root setting

Set at same depth trees where developed in the nursery

Fill gap half loaded with soil and pack well

Complete the process of filling the gap and pack with feet

By Machine

Utilize a three-or-four-man team. One individual pursues the machine to rectify and pack ineffectively planted trees. Another keeps seedling secured, isolated, and prepared to stack into planting machine plate.

Trees in embedding plate ought to be kept secured consistently with wet burlap or wet greenery. This is critical.

On the off chance that roots are presented to the sun and wind, the trees might be dead before they are planted.

Run the machine sufficiently profound to enable the roots to hang down straight in planting cut.

Average profundity is 8 to 10 inches. On the off chance that soil is excessively rough or difficult to allow machine planting, plant by hand.

Set seedlings at same profundity or just somewhat more profound than they developed in the nursery seedbed.

***

Care of Planting

Animals harm trees, all things considered, so keep domesticated animals out of your estates.

Shield trees from the flame. Furrow or circle a fire break if required, and keep up it amid the fire season.

Forestall rank development of weeds and grass on great soils by developing, utilizing legitimate synthetic substances, disking, cutting, or hoeing as frequently as vital for the initial a few years. On poor soils, a light development of vegetation, for example, broomsedge or ragweed gives some assurance and might be advantageous.

Review plantations routinely for proof of assaults by creepy crawlies or ailment.

Treatment, for the most part, isn’t important for evergreens except if genuine supplement insufficiencies exist. Hardwood (deciduous) trees now and again advantage from fertilization. Ripeness needs ought to be controlled by a soil test or foliar examination.

To abstain from harming seedling roots, don’t have any significant chemical specifically in the planting root openings.

For further help with tree planting, contact your nearby MU Extension focus or the Department of Conservation farm forester.

The post How to Plant Forest Trees? appeared first on Chop Doc - Tree Services.

[chopdoctx]

Top-25 Wind-Resistant Trees

People love the trees that shape their property’s landscape. They make our environments warm and cosy in the winter time. Also, they provide a source of wind resistance and helps our homes retain heat in the winter. In hurricane-prone areas, they help decrease wind damage.

It may take some time and careful preparation to create a wind-resistant landscape, but the benefit is well worth it. Keep reading to find out what trees serve best as trees resistant to wind damage.

Plant Hardiness Matters: Wind Resistant Tree Zones

Plant hardiness is the ability of a plant to survive adverse growing climates such as drought, flooding, heat and cold. plant hardiness zones have been used by growers for years to simply identify the plants that are most likely to survive the winter in their areaThe science behind plant hardiness can be complicated. Plant genetics determine the ability of a plant to withstand cold temperatures without damage.

Many plants require very specific growing environments to thrive. You can adjust many things, such as soil type, moisture levels and amount of sunlight in your garden, but temperature can be hard to control. Choosing plants with hardiness levels appropriate to specific planting zones gives you the best chance of gardening and landscaping success.

A Brief Overview of Planting Zones

Knowing what wind-resistant tree zone you live in will help you make a better decision on what type of trees for blocking wind that will thrive in your yard.  In the United States, zone 1 is mostly the state of Alaska. This environment tends to be a very harsh environment, and the types of trees that thrive there must be able to withstand extreme cold temperatures and frequent drought. Zone 2 covers both Alaska and some areas of the continental United States.  Zone 3 covers southern Alaska and northern parts of the United States and the western mountains.

Zone 5 includes some areas in South Alaska, the North Central United States and some regions within New England.  Zone 6 covers areas known for having what is called mild climate. This zone covers a large portion of the United States. Zone 7 covers almost 15 states in the United States. Winters in this zone will have temperatures between 0 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit. You can expect to see a variety of plants in nurseries, local home and garden stores and greenhouses.

Top 25 Wind-Resistant Trees

Here is a list of highly recommended trees that block wind damage in the United States.

Bald Cypress (zones 4-10): This conifer is called a swamp tree down South and often sheds needles in winter.

Live Oak (zones 7-10): Another popular tree of the South, this one is very good for withstanding the hurricane weather typical in the Southeastern United States.

Green Giant Arborvitae (zones 5-7): An evergreen tree that has a defined pyramid shape.

Eastern White Pine (zones 3-6): A conifer grows up to three feet every year.

Colorado Blue Spruce (zones 3-6): An evergreen that has a unique color.

White Fir (zones 4-7): An evergreen that has become a popular tree for Christmas.

Chinese Juniper (zones 4-9): An evergreen that is great for locations that have problems with deer browsing.

White Cedar (zones 3-7): A popular cone-shaped conifer.

Norway Spruce (zones 3-7): A sturdy evergreen that tolerates various soils.

Douglas Fir (zones 4-6): A sturdy tree that’s perfect for icy and snowy environments.

Eastern Redcedar (zones 2-9): An evergreen that loves to be in direct sunlight.

Dawn Redwood (zones 5-8): A conifer that sheds needles during the winter.

Port Orford Cedar (zones 6-10): An evergreen tree that is native to Oregon.

Basswood (Zone 2-8): A tree that has very fragrant flowers and influences pollination by attracting bees.

Paper Bark Birch (zones 2-7): A tree with white bark that peels. This tree used to be hollowed out and made into a canoe.

Cherry Birch (zones 3-8): A wintergreen oil-producing tree.

Green Ash (zones 3-9): An ash tree known for its opposite branching.

Sugar Maple (zones 3-8): One of the best trees to make maple syrup because it has a good concentration of sugar.

American Holly (zones 5-9): A tree that loves acidic and moist soils.

American Persimmon (zones 4-9): A deciduous tree that produces persimmon fruit (a fruit that tastes similar to an apricot).

Southern Magnolia (zones 6-10): A popular tree in the South that has sweet-smelling flowers that bloom from May to June.

Crepe Myrtle (zones 6-10): A plant that can be either a tree or a shrub that flourishes in the South. Both the shrub and tree have long-lasting blooms.

Eastern Redbud (zones 3-9): A tree that has vibrant rosy-purple flowers in the spring and heart-shaped yellow leaves in the fall.

Northern Bayberry (zones 4-6): A very fragrant tree native to North America that loves alkaline soil.

Isanti Red-Osier Dogwood (zones 2-8): A tree that thrives in moist soil. It displays blood-red stems in the winter.

  How to Plant and Space Your Trees for Blocking Wind

Most people believe that planting trees resistant to wind damage close together maximizes the wind resistance. However, trees for blocking wind need to have ample space between them when you are planting them because they will need the space when they start to grow.

Shorter trees require about 10 feet of space between each tree and 15-to-20 feet between each row.  Taller trees require about 15 feet between each tree and 25 feet of space between rows.

Another thing to consider when planting your trees for blocking wind damage is to mix the types of trees you plant on each row. If a row has the same tree planted in it, a disease or pest that destroys that type of tree will weaken the wind resistance of these trees.  Therefore, it’s wise to alternate your trees by planting at least two or three types of trees on each row.

The post Top-25 Wind-Resistant Trees appeared first on Chop Doc - Tree Services.

[chopdoctx]

How to Identify My Tree by Bark and by Leaves?

Trees are an important part of our environment. They are the largest plants on the planet, and they provide us with a system of releasing oxygen into our atmosphere and storing carbon. But could identify the tree you have in your backyard?

The Value of Trees

Trees act as natural filters and absorb air pollution and dust. The shade trees provide helps protect us from harmful solar radiation. Another added benefit of trees is the reduction of noise their presence provides.  They can provide wind-resistance and cooler air because their leaves reflect heat away from the ground.  The stature of trees allows them to decrease and prevent soil erosion and flooding.

Many trees that commonly grow in North America and parts of Europe possess medicinal benefits. Fall and winter time is the perfect time to extract roots, bark and twigs for medicinal purposes. People have made tinctures, salves and poultices from these tree parts to treat a variety of diseases.

The Two Major Tree Classifications

Evergreen means a tree doesn’t lose its leaves during the course of the winter. Most people think of evergreen trees as pine and Christmas trees because evergreen trees thrive in wintry weather and dry weather. Although most evergreen trees are coniferous, there are some coniferous trees like larches that do lose their leaves. Evergreen is the opposite of Deciduous.

Deciduous trees, on the other hand, lose their leaves at the end of the growing season and grows them back again typically in the spring. “Deciduous” is an adjective and means that the plant so described sheds its leaves at the end of the growing season. These are the trees that provide elegant foliage when the trees turn red, orange and yellow during the Fall season. However, there are some deciduous trees (some broadleaf trees like the live oak trees) that do not lose their leaves and keep them all year.  You can think of deciduous as being the opposite of evergreen.

How to Identify Tree by Leaves

Evergreen/Coniferous Trees:

When a tree has foliage that are needles or clusters of needles, those trees are most likely a coniferous evergreen.

Single Needles:  Needles on a lot of evergreen trees will be attached to a twig. They may look like pegs (spruce), cups (fir) or petioles or leaf stalks (hemlock, bald cypress and Douglas fir). Trees in this subcategory of evergreen trees are usually, spruces, firs, cypress or hemlocks.

Cluster/Bundle Needles:  The leaf clusters or bundles found on pine trees and larches are referred to as fascicles. The number of adult needles per fascicle helps to differentiate between pines and larches.

For example, you can expect most pine species to have 2 to 5 needles per fascicle. Larches will have multiple clusters of needles. Keep in mind that larches do shed needles every year, and the needles will eventually turn yellow.  

Deciduous trees:

When identifying leaves on deciduous trees, start by looking at how the leaves are arranged on the stem. Some leaves grow in an alternating pattern along the stem, and some leaves grow in pairs opposite each other along the stem.

Next, look at the structure of the leaves. All leaves have two main sections: the petiole and lamina. The Petiole is the stalk that attaches the lamina to the stem. The lamina is the leaf blade and the flat part where photosynthesis happens. Leaves with an undivided blade are called simple leaves. Leaves that form a collection of leaflets are called compound leaf.

Compound leaves can be sub-classified based on how the leaflets are arranged. Palmately compound leaves are leaflets that extend directly from the end of the petiole. They spread out (in clusters of three or more) and look like fingers on the palm of a hand. Pinnately compound leaves have leaflets that extend from a vein that connects to the petiole. These leaflets are in an opposite arrangement on the petiole, and they may be evenly or oddly paired.

By Leaf Arrangement: Alternate and Opposite Patterns

Alternate leaves are situated between each other on opposite sides of the stem. These leaves tend to grow in a staggered, alternating pattern.

Examples: Hawthorn, Sycamore, Oak, Sassafras, Mulberry, and Dogwood.

Opposite leaves (whether simple or compound) are located directly across from one another on the same stem. They also tend to grow in pairs on the stem.

Examples: Ash, Maple, and Olive.

By Leaf Structure: Simple and Compound Leaves

A simple tree leaf has one blade attached to the stalk.

Examples: Maple, Sycamore, Sweet Gum, and Tulip.

In a compound leaf, the leaf is divided into leaflets that are attached to a middle vein by their own stalks. If compound leaves are alternate in form and look like a feather, they are called pinnately compound leaves. Pinnately compound leaves are divided into another subcategory: odd (number of leaflets is odd), twice-pinnate or bipinnate (which means the leaflets are themselves divided into smaller leaflets) and even (which means there is an even number of leaflets on the twig.

Examples: Hickory, Walnut, and Locust.

Palmate: As stated earlier, the shape of the leaves looks like the palm of a hand (or like a fan).

Examples: Maple and Horse Chestnut.

  How to Identify Tree by Bark

In case you were wondering how to identify your trees when all the leaves are gone, you can always look at the tree’s bark. What you will discover is the bark of trees has a unique pattern—kind of life a fingerprint. Therefore, you will expect no two bark patterns are exactly alike. Even though some tree species have similar types of bark, they all still have their own unique identity.  Because of this, you can consider identifying trees by bark to be like other types of tree identification options. All you have to do is begin with a broad category of types of tree bark and then look at other characteristics. That way, you will be able to tell slight differences in bark types that look similar.

Scaly: These are trees that have square-like bark pieces that overlap each other. Sitka and Blue spruce trees have very scaly bark. Trees that have scaly bark are shagbark hickory, strawberry tree, maple and river birch. This is the best maple tree bark identification characteristic you can find out there.

Furrowed:  This bark is the most common type of bark out there, and this is what most people think of when you talk about tree bark. Trees in this category will have chunky vertical strips of bark that have deep grooves. Trees with this type of bark are hemlocks, Redwoods and Doug-firs.

Papery: Trees with this type of bark refers that looks like white paper. It’s easy to peel, and it’s easy to tear off in large pieces. It’s also very thin.  You can see this type of bark on the Red Alder in the Pacific Norwest and on the White birch in the Northeast.

Smooth: Trees with this type of bark often look like they don’t have bark.  Most times, you will see small plates of bark on the tree that looks a lot like camouflage. The color of smooth bark trees is usually a light tan or whitish color. Aspens and sycamores are examples of the types of trees that have smooth bark.

  Best Tree Identification Apps Around

There are many tree identification apps out there, but not all of them are worth the download or investment. Some apps allow users to upload tree identification pictures and other details to help determine what type of tree it is. Here are a few identification apps that you can use with your smartphones.

  Woodland Trust Tree Identification App

This app is a great tree identification by bark app because it allows you to identify the tree using any of its parts. This app was designed by Woodland Trust and is good for Android and IOS. This company was established in 1972. The primary objective of this organization is to protect the existing woodlands, restore older woodlands that have been in ruins and create new woodland territories.  As a tree identification app, the Woodland Trust Tree Identification App is capable of identifying the 50 tree and shrub species native to the UK, and it can also help with identifying non-native trees.

  Virginia Tech Tree ID

Virginia Tech’s tree identification app is by far a popular app that just about everyone interested in studying trees has discovered. Their extensive dendrology has led to a vast collection of tree identification pictures. Their tree-identification app allows you to retrieve their extensive data right on your smartphone (both Android and IOS)

  This app is free, and it has a lot of filters you can apply to narrow your search. That way, your search goes from species-specific to geographical location-specific. There is also a feature called “Dr. Dendro” that will help you narrow your search even further.

  LeafSnap

LeafSnap is a culmination of field guides that provides educational information about trees.  The app is for IOS only, and it only includes a database of trees found in Northeastern United States. The app is maintained by many scientists, developers and researchers from the Smithsonian Institution, Columbia University and the University of Maryland.

Users get foundational tree identification information along with photos of a variety of species.  The feature that really makes this app unique is the ability of the user to take an image of the tree the user wants identified (called the LeafSnap feature). The feature uploads the image and uses a sophisticated algorithm to recognize the species of the tree.

The app has an interactive component that will collect your tree identification information and send it globally to professional scientists. These scientists will use this information to help them understand how various species are functioning in real-time.

  Botany Buddy

Botany Buddy is a free, interactive plant information app that is for IOS users and for other Apple devices. It has a 1,300-species database that gives information on a variety of native and non-native plants and trees. No internet access is needed because the database is downloaded. Unlike some other apps, Botany Buddy does not require users to be connected to the internet to access the database.

  Tree Id – British Trees by Sunbird Images

Those looking for a great app to identify the native (and naturalised) trees found in the British Isles will love this app. The database is created by reputable ecologists. No internet connection is needed for this app because the database is downloaded when you buy the app. 

  Identifying trees is a viable part of forestry. Hopefully, this guide has given you more insight on the topic of study that helps us keep our woodlands populated, our air cleaner, our landscapes beautiful, our houses built and our yards cosy.

The post How to Identify My Tree by Bark and by Leaves? appeared first on Chop Doc - Tree Services.

[chopdoctx]

Real Christmas Tree Guide

Find the best real Christmas tree of the year! Learn about different types of real Christmas trees, their benefits and how to water and your live Christmas tree with the help of Chop Doc!

Artificial Christmas trees have come a long way.  You can buy them pre-lit, and many of them have timers to take the hassle out of remembering to cut the tree on or off. Also, you can find some artificial trees with cute multicolored branches and turntables. And there are a lot more accessories that you can grow to expect to see on today’s artificial Christmas tree, which makes you wonder: Why should someone want a real Christmas tree these days when you get all these gadgets of convenience already installed with an artificial tree?

  5 Reasons to Get a Real Christmas Tree This Year

Here are five reasons why buying a real Christmas tree is a better choice than an artificial one.

Eliminate Storage Dilemma: One advantage of a real Christmas tree used to be the convenience of not having to color code match the branches when assembling the tree, but even that issue no longer exists since some artificial trees are being sold already assembled. But one problem the pre-assembled fake tree does not eliminate is the issue of where to store the tree and its accessories once the season is over. With a real Christmas tree, all you have to do is remove the accessories and throw the tree out. You will only need to make a small space for the decorations and other accessories.

Support of Local Businesses: Buying a real Christmas tree can be your way of supporting your local community businesses. Your purchase of a real Christmas tree will show appreciation for the hard work of local farmers or other types of local businesses that make a living from selling trees and lumber.

Support Eco-Friendly Practices: Contrary to popular belief that real Christmas trees have a negative impact on the environment, they actually help the environment. Each time a Christmas tree is cut, it allows for the growth of more trees (3 seedlings planted for each cut tree). And since one acre of Christmas trees produces enough oxygen for 18 people, Christmas trees provide a beneficial addition of oxygen in our world.

NO PVC Toxicity: Another advantage of having a real Christmas tree over having an artificial one is the absence of PVC toxicity. Because artificial trees are made with PVC (polyvinyl chloride), they contain lead to keep the branches soft and the material stabilized. Studies on the lead content in artificial Christmas trees revealed that over time, the lead content will dissolve from the PVC material and start to seep out. This is especially the case with trees over than 10 years old. Therefore, a real Christmas tree eliminates the possibility of having harmful lead deposits seeping into your living space and storage space.

Aromatherapeutic Effect of a Real Christmas Tree’s Smell: And nothing tops the smell of a real Christmas tree. But the pleasant smell does more than just please the senses. There’s also a health benefit to the compounds found in a real Christmas tree. Various historical accounts and studies on evergreen essential oils reveal that evergreen oils reduce stress, relieve bronchial and chest congestion and relieve sore muscles.

  3 Types of Real Christmas Trees

Looks like the Christmas tree really does bring Christmas cheer. So, if you are deciding to get a real Christmas tree this year, try choosing your tree from the following types:

Pine: Scotch or Eastern White

Fir: Douglas, Grand, White, Balsam, Noble or Fraser

Spruce: Black Hills, White  Colorado Blue)

  10 Tips to Help You Select the Right Christmas Tree

Make sure you carefully choose the space where you want to place the Christmas tree. The ideal place will be a location that is cool but not drafty. Never put a real Christmas tree near heated areas like AC vents, fireplaces or electronic equipment that produce a lot of heat because they will dry your tree out and cause it to turn brown.

Make sure you measure the space where you want to place your tree. Take measurements of the width and height of the space you are reserving for the Christmas tree. There’s nothing worse than guessing how big your space is and finding out the tree you bought won’t fit into the designated space.     3. Make sure to buy from an established nursery or get permission from a landowner to cut down a tree on their property. Beware of places that don’t accept credit card purchases because they may be selling leftover trees that may not have much freshness left.

When shopping for your tree, Remember when shopping: the taller the tree, the larger the base.   Allow an appropriate amount of space between the tree and the ceiling for a Christmas tree topper.

Make sure the tree is pest free. If you’ve ever watched National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, you remember how horrified the family was to discover the new Christmas tree Clark Griswold had cut down (after the first one burned up) had a squirrel living in it. It may have been a hilarious scene for the movie viewers, but we all know we would be just as horrified if we had a squirrel or other creatures popping out our Christmas tree. To be safe, check the tree for insects and animal life.

Shape Preference: Choose a tree with an appealing shape that fits where you need it and fits your budget. Personal preferences will also determine what type of tree you select. You may be the person who likes the cone-shaped look. Some people like short and wide trees, but there are some who like tall, skinny trees. Just know that fat trees tend to cost more because they are in high demand. 

Check for sap: A fresh tree is one that still produces sap. If the tree is still producing sap, you will see sticky places on the tree. So, test for the presence of sap by hugging the tree.  If you have sap on your clothes after hugging the tree, then you have yourself a fresh Christmas tree.

Check for snap: If you get a Douglas or Frasier fir tree, you can detach a needle from a branch and bend it in half. If it snaps, then you know you have a fresh tree. Also, if only a few needles fall off when you tap the cut end of the tree, the tree is still fresh. But if a lot of needles fall off, it’s a sign of an aged tree.

Check for dull-looking needles: If the needles on the tree look dull, it can mean the tree is dehydrated or old. To make sure you get a tree worth having, go with the greener is the better mindset.

Check for flexibility: Pine and fir trees make good Christmas trees because of their flexible branches. However, when they start to age the branches start to stiffen, and they are no longer suitable for being a Christmas tree. If you are shopping at an established nursery, you won’t have the problem of trying to separate the fresh from the older trees.

  5 Tips for Caring for your Real Christmas Tree

There’s nothing sadder than having a real Christmas tree, and it looks like it has no life left in it.  So, it’s important to make sure the choice to have a real Christmas tree produces the memorable moment you were looking for.  These tips will help you maintain a fresh Christmas tree.

Cut trees tend to ooze out pitch, which closes up the pores. Therefore, once you get your tree home, use your saw to cut a few inches off the bottom of the trunk prior to placing the tree in water. The pores will open, and the tree will be able to absorb and maintain water.

After you cut the bottom of the trunk, waste no time getting it into some water to prevent the trunk from developing a scab (which will keep it from absorbing water).

Do not expose the tree to harsh elements like direct sunlight and heater vent drafts. Doing so will fade the color of your tree and make it die quickly.

Never let the basin run out of the water. Tree water additives, such as sugar, vinegar, or even specially designed additives, are not effective. Just plain water will do but don’t overdo it.

  5 Exciting Ideas for Christmas Tree Decoration

Now that your tree is situated, it’s time to decorate it. Here are a few pointers to consider when decorating a real Christmas tree.

Lights

Mini lights or LED lights are perfect for real Christmas trees because they produce less heat.  If you want to chance it with larger lights, you can opt for:

Bubble lights– These large lights have a nostalgic look.

Candle-style– These are another classic look.

Globe lights– These very large lights produce a soft glow.

Incandescent lights– These can be bought in both small and large sizes. The warmth of these lights helps release oils from the tree.

If you want to have a tree that really glows, try combining two types of lights.

You want to start at the top of the tree and work your way down when hanging the lights. For that extra glow, make sure to have lights as close to the trunk as possible.

Garland

The possibilities are endless! String some popcorn, beads or cranberries. You can also use cable knit trim or wired ribbon. No matter which one(s) you use, make sure to drape the strands vertically from the top and make them look even. It usually takes about two strands of garland per foot of a tree.

Ornaments

Put your “just-got-to-use-these” ornaments on first. After that, hang the largest ones up and then cover any gaps with smaller-sized ornaments.  Icicles can fill in gaps also.

Tree Skirts, Stands and Bases

Baskets or crates

are the most popular covers for Christmas trees because they bring a chic and cozy rustic touch to any space and look rather neutral at the same time, they will fit many interiors and décor styles. Your tree can be decorated with various ornaments, garlands, buntings and other things, or you can just have some lights on or maybe no décor – with a basket your tree will be fabulous!

Fabric or Skirt

There are skirts you can buy at most retail outlets, but you can also make your own skirt. Some people take fabric and enclose the tree stand with it. The fabric is often held in place with a ribbon. Get a little more creative by trying thematic skirts like this faux fir tree skirt which resembles fallen snow. You can make a polar bear winter wonderland under your tree or have a snow village scene.

Your Christmas Tree Topper

Most people love using angel ornaments to top your tree, but why not try buying or making a bow—a ribbon tree topper—for your Christmas tree this year? It’s the easiest to attach to your tree because it can be secured with pipe cleaners.  You can follow the easy-to-understand demonstration on making a Christmas tree bow topper on this video.

If the ribbon tree topper is not your taste, keep in mind how to attach the other types of tree toppers by considering the tips below:

Spiral-Based Tree Toppers: – You want to use the sturdiest branch to fit into the coil. Attach green floral tape to secure the ornament and hide the spring.

Cone-Shaped Tree Toppers:- This ornament can be attached by taking the top branches and inserting them into it.

With a few more personal touches here and there, you should have yourself one beautiful tree.

Christmas has always been that time of year that speaks family time and memorable moments, and there’s nothing that displays the excitement and nostalgia of Christmas more than having a real Christmas tree. Having a real Christmas tree can start a new family tradition for those who’ve never thought of getting one before.

  You can make Christmas tree hunting a special family outing, and you can turn to decorate the tree into a mini-Christmas party (with cider, hot chocolate, music and sweet delights).  For those still debating on experiencing a real Christmas tree, the tips above should ease your concerns about whether you can handle having a real tree in the house this year.   After all, it’s just once a year, right? Let’s make the moment as memorable as fresh baked Christmas cut-out cookies with sweet frosting.

  The post Real Christmas Tree Guide appeared first on Chop Doc - Tree Services.

[chopdoctx]

How To Find The Best Tree Doctors Near Me?

What is a tree doctor?

A tree doctor is basically a professional in the practice of arboriculture, which is the cultivation, study, and management of trees, vines, shrubs, and other plants etc. A tree doctor (also called arborist or tree surgeon), as the name implies, helps diagnose tree disease or pest problems and provides necessary solutions for its treatment.

Now, if you search for a tree doctor online, you will find a plethora of results. The power of the internet has given us easy access to pretty much everything including tree doctors around us. However, you should be strict when selecting a tree doctor. You will need to ensure that the tree doctor is experienced and skilled enough to deal with any tree-related problems. So, how do you ensure that the tree doctor is the right fit for you, or in this case, your tree?  

Here´s how you can find the right tree surgeon near you;

First and foremost, you need to check the experience of the tree doctor. You should ensure that your tree doctor has at least 10 years of work experience in his/her field. Then, you need to ensure that he/she is a certified tree doctor and has the necessary credentials to work on any tree-related issue.

After that, you should ask how they intend to minimize potential damage to your yard when they go about their business. An experienced tree doctor will be able to properly explain the precautions he/she will take while working in your yard.

While figuring that, also manage to squeeze in questions about the equipment he/she uses and ask if it is OSHA certified.  Of course, you will have to ensure that the tree doctor is insured as well.

Now, make no mistake – the easiest and most effective way of locating the best tree doctor is still, and will forever be, through recommendations and word of mouth. Hence, you should ask your relatives, friends, colleagues, or neighbors for recommendations.  People recommend Chop Doc tree services on Yelp and to their friends!

The post How To Find The Best Tree Doctors Near Me? appeared first on Chop Doc - Tree Services.

[chopdoctx]

How To Find Tree Cutters Near Me?

Identifying the right tree company to take care of your tree related needs can be a rather arduous task. It is unfortunate that there isn´t a dearth of con artists and fly-by-night crooks in the tree service industry. Hence, if you want to find the right tree cutter near you, you will need to do your homework. Fortunately, we are here to help you.

  Ensure that the tree service is insured

It is essential for you to ensure that the tree service you intend to hire has the appropriate liability insurance and workers compensation insurance. The service provider should also boast of the necessary certifications for tree trimming and tree removal services. If the service you end up hiring has an accident and does not have the proper insurance, you will have to face the music as you will be liable to foot the bill for the repairs to your property; you will also be required to pay for any injuries that may have occurred due to the accident.

BBB (Better Business Bureau)

The service company you end up hiring must be accredited with the Better Business Bureau. BBB accreditation is a good indicator of a reputable service. While doing that, you can also check the rating of the company. This will give you a good indication of the services the company provides.

Do your research

As we mentioned earlier, if you want to locate the right tree cutter near you, it is necessary for you to do some homework. You should do some research to find out what kind of reputation the tree service has with its local community. While conducting your research, you should also check to see if the company you intend to hire is a member of a reputable trade association such as the International Society of Arboriculture or the Tree Care Industry. You should ask the service provider for references too. You can also always ask your relatives, friends, colleagues for recommendations.

Cheap tree cutting service near me?

If the tree cutter service is giving you a very low price, chances are that the service provider has little to no experience, isn´t insured, don´t have the necessary certifications, or only intend to complete part of the project. Similarly, you shouldn´t be convinced by a smooth-talking salesman who believes that $10,000 is a reasonable price to pay for removing a small oak tree in your backyard.

Call Chop Doc LLC company to hire a professional certified arborist and licensed tree cutter in your area! We offer the best prices in Dallas, Houston, Austin and other Texas cities!

The post How To Find Tree Cutters Near Me? appeared first on Chop Doc - Tree Services.

[chopdoctx]

Who Is Arborist?

In a nutshell, an arborist is a professional or an expert who is able to assess the condition of trees and other plants, spot and determine problem areas, and provide solutions to help prevent damages to the vegetation during snow, high winds or ice storms. An arborist specializes in the care of individual trees. They are trained and equipped to understand the needs and requirements of trees. Basically, they are experienced in the science of planting, caring for, and maintaining trees.

How can the services of an arborist help you?

You should understand that not everyone possesses the skills and expertise to take care of a tree. Therefore, if you have a tree in your backyard that is infested with pests or insects, or in some way poses a threat to your property or the safety of your family members, you should seek the help of an arborist – try to find the best arborist near you. In addition to that, an arborist also excels at tree pruning. They are capable of identifying problem areas and removing stems and branches to aid in the growth, health and natural form of a tree.  

As we mentioned earlier, an arborist is well-aware of everything there is to know about a tree. The expert can also help you plant trees the right way as he/she will know where, how, when to plant a tree to guarantee its vitality and healthy growth. Basically, a certified arborist will be able to help you determine the tree that is most appropriate for your property and help you plant it.

Great Big Story visited with Tom Otto and Shaun Sears of Canopy Cat Rescue, a benevolent pair of brothers-in-law in Seattle, to talk with them about their shared vocation of rescuing cats out of tall trees. As professional arborists, both share a love of climbing trees and felines, so the mission came naturally to both of them. The men are unpaid for these genuine acts of kindness and rely on donations for rescue materials… read more

An arborist is also able to diagnose pest issues or tree disease and provide necessary solutions for its treatment.  

When you hire the services of an arborist, you get a professional who has the experience, skill, and know-how to take care of the trees on your property.

  The post Who Is Arborist? appeared first on Chop Doc - Tree Services.

[chopdoctx]

How To Find The Best Arborists Near Me?

If you need to plant a tree in your backyard, have a dead tree removed, or understand the various ways of taking care of your tree properly, you will require the expertise of an arborist. In the simplest of terms, arborists are experts who are experienced in the science of planting, caring for, and maintaining trees. Now, if you scour the web for local tree service and arborists you can hire, you will find countless results. However, there are some things you should keep in mind before you decide to hire a certified tree arborist.

Things to keep in mind

Before you decide on hiring an arborist, you should check to see if the arborist is properly insured. You need to be certain that you won´t be liable for any damages, accidents, or injuries. Then, you should examine the arborist´s credentials.

Does the specialist possess, for example, California arborist certification?  

Does the tree specialist work for a recognized company?

Is their company a Tree Care Industry Association Accredited Business or a member of prestigious institutions such as International Society of Arboriculture?

It would also be foolish of you to hire someone without checking his or her list of references. Only after checking the arborist´s list of references will you be able to determine if the arborist is capable of producing desirable results. After you have examined the expert or his/her company thoroughly, you should check to see if the arborist can provide you with a detailed estimate too. The detailed estimate should not only contain information about the total cost but also of the duration of the work.

If you aren´t satisfied with the information provided online, you can always do some asking around on your own. You shouldn´t shy away from asking your relatives, friends, colleagues, or even neighbors for recommendations.

[chopdoctx]

Emergency Tree Removal

Trees not only contribute to the scenic beauty of your home, but they are also a rich source of habitat and food for various life forms. In addition to that, trees can also considerably increase the overall value of your home… Unfortunately, trees aren´t indestructible; they can be affected by age, frightening storms, and various diseases. Such affected trees must be removed immediately to prevent heavy damage.

Tree emergency situations are a major problem. Neglecting them can not only cause severe damage to your property but can also put your family at great risk. Hence, regardless of the severity of the tree issue, you should call for professional help pronto!

There are many reputable 24-hour tree removal services that can fix your issues.

Now, having to remove a tree urgently or in an emergency can be a challenging and stressful undertaking. So, what can you do to ensure that the tree removal process goes through smoothly with minimum fuss?  

  Keep a cool and calm head

  Any kind of emergency requires you to keep a cool and calm head. You will not be able to make smart decisions and take wise steps when you panic. You should understand that any sort of emergency situation is best handled by experts.  Find your city here and call our office as soon as possible.

  Preventing emergency tree removal

  Workers struggle to remove downed trees in Central Park one day after Hurricane Sandy in New York City.

We highly believe that it is always better to be safe than sorry. Therefore, if you want to prevent an emergency tree removal situation, you should perform regular checks and trim your trees for safety measures. Cutting off unhealthy and weak branches will undoubtedly make your tree more strong, stable, and firm. Now, you should understand that the chances of tree emergencies are vastly lowered when the trees are pruned professionally as opposed to you doing it yourself.

  Don´t go too close to the tree

  It is important to check for damages after every major wind event, hurricane, storm, heavy snow or ice. However, you shouldn´t do that; you should avoid going too close to the tree.

Read: Tree Maintenance after Hurricane & Storm Safety 

Instead, we would recommend you hire the services of a tree care company to do the deed for you. The experts can easily get dangerous situations under control by clearing the way and blocking the area with sawhorses.

Professional experts are experienced in dealing with tree emergencies. They are experienced enough and well-trained to identify the amount of danger and risk associated with the sick, dead or any other tree that needs emergency care. They also possess the right equipment and tools to deal with the situation. Although emergency tree removal costs can be rather high, it is worth the investment. You wouldn´t want to put yourself at risk now, would you?

[chopdoctx]

5 Useful Tips on How To Mow Your Lawn

Having a beautiful lawn in your property can be extremely beneficial…The healthy, green lawn can not only improve the visual appeal of your home, but it can also considerably increase the overall value of your property. However, acquiring a beautiful lawn isn´t exactly a walk in the park. You need to maintain it properly. Here are 5 useful lawn mowing tips and tricks;

Tip 1: How to mow your lawn professionally?

When mowing your lawn, it is essential to alternate your mowing route. That´s because lawns that are mowed in the same direction every time usually develop unsightly stripes that can potentially grow back irregularly. Now, if you don´t want to create such unruly patterns, you should alternate your mowing route. Mow across the lawn the first time and then perpendicular to the direction the next time.  

Your lawn mower won`t start? We know what to do!

Tip 2: When is the best time to mow?

Well, the best time to mow is as early as possible. If you want the best cut, we would advise you to mow in mid to late morning, when the temperature is cool but the morning dew has dried off.

Tip 3: Don´t rush through the process!

When mowing your lawn, you shouldn´t attempt to rush through the process. Speed mowing can cause you to miss some spots. If you are mowing in a wide-open area, you should stay in control by keeping your mower on a medium speed setting. During corners and when you trim borders for a close cut, you should throttle down to lower speeds.

Tip 4: How to cut grass properly?

For the perfect cut, the general rule of thumb implies that you should adhere to the one-third rule. This means that you should never remove more than one-third of the grass blade at one time. Going too low can potentially damage your lawn. The ideal grass length is between 2 and 5 cm. Grass that has been cut the right height encourages a deeper root system and helps prevent the weeds from invading.

Tip 5: Try to mow on dry days!

Although this may not always be possible or easy in countries that experience heavy downpour all the time, it is always better to mow on dry days than on wet days. Mowing the lawn when the grass is wet can cause the clippings to smother the mower´s blade.

[chopdoctx]

Review on Bayer Advanced – Tree and Shrub Protect

Hi guys! My name is Paul Robinson and here is my customer review on Bayer Advanced 701525 12 Month Tree and Shrub Insect Control Landscape Formula Concentrate I`ve bought on Amazon (136$ for one Gallon). All we needed was to kill emerald ash borers and my only regret is that we waited too long to start since the tree was already dead. Best product among insect killers ever!

The Bayer Advanced (12 months tree and shrub protect) is a fairly useful and effective product. We like the product because it performs exactly as advertised. It is designed with a unique patented formula and is well-capable of killing numerous pests and insects and preventing new infestations for up to 12 months. In addition to that, we also like the fact that the product provides slow-release fertilizer. Therefore, this product is not only capable of killing several insects and pests, but it also feeds your tree.

    What does it do and why should you get this product? As we mentioned earlier, it works exactly as marketed and is capable of killing annoying pests such as borers, aphids, Japanese beetles, whiteflies, leaf miners, scale, and adelgids etc. This product not only kills pests, but it also feeds your tree. We also like the fact that no rain or moisture is capable of washing off this internal protection

This product is extremely easy to use as well. Basically, you will first need to measure the height of the shrub or the distance around the tree trunk. Then, you will need to measure and pour the recommended amount of product into a bucket of water. After mixing the solution, you can then pour it around the base of the tree or shrub. And, that´s it! If you aren’t aware of how much product you need to use, here´s a guide to help you.

Trees: 1 oz. for every inch of distance around trunk

Shrubs: 3 oz. for every foot of height

Containerized Plants: 1 2/3 tablespoons for each five-gallon container

Are there any drawbacks to using this product? Regrettably, it does take the product a fair amount of time to work its magic. After all, it is a systemic insecticide. It takes time for the plant to absorb it through the root system. However, after the plants and trees have absorbed it, you can be assured that you will not have your leaves eaten again.

Now, we believe that one of the biggest drawbacks of this product is undoubtedly its pricing. It is not cheap, but then again, things that work rarely are. If you want results, you simply have to pay for it. This particular product only adds to the glowing reputation of the Bayer brand.

[chopdoctx]

How to Plant a Tree Properly: 10 Easy Steps

If you want to plant a new tree, you might think that all you have to do is grab your shovel and start digging.  However, there are several things you need to consider before you ever touch your shovel. Follow these tree planting tips and you’ll be on your way to a healthy new addition to your yard with no problem.

  Step 1: Choosing What Kind of Tree to Plant

The first thing you should do when deciding what kind of tree to plant is to think about what purpose you want your new tree to serve. Do you want a tree that will provide ample shade for some area of your property? Would you like a tree that produces food, like a nut or fruit tree? Do you just want something that’s pleasing to look at?

Obviously, these questions will give you a good start in choosing the right tree for your yard. There are other considerations to keep in mind, though; even if what you want the most is to plant a row of palm trees, your local climate might not be right for them.

  Step 2: Choose Where to Plant Your Tree

Once you know what type of tree you’d like to plant, you’ll next want to choose where on your property you’d like your tree to grow. Of course, you’ll have to keep your local zoning laws in mind or find out what they are if you don’t already know.

You’ll want to choose a place that won’t interfere with overhead power lines as it grows, and don’t forget to consider whether the spreading root system of the tree will cause problems for driveways or sidewalks.

  Step 3: Choose When to Plant Your Tree

Before you go any further, you’ll need to know when to plant tree seedlings outside. This will be determined mainly by the type of tree you’re planting because different types of trees grow best when planted at specific times of the year. Ash trees, for example, will do best if planted at the start of the year, in February or March, while oak trees will have the best chance at survival when planted during the middle of the year in June or July.

If you don’t know the best time to plant the specific type of tree you’re going to grow, ask a professional arborist or the staff at your local nursery; they’ll know when is the best time to plant tree seedlings in your area.

  Step 4: Check with Utilities and Local Officials

Now that you know when and where you’ll be planting your tree of choice, there’s one more detail to take care of. Digging holes in your yard can cause serious problems with underground utilities – and sometimes with your local government, depending on your zoning laws.

Verify with the utility companies that digging at the particular spot on your property won’t cause problems, and consult with local officials to make sure you’re allowed to dig at all without being fined.

  Step 5: Buy Your Tree

The details are all sorted out, the right time has come, and you’ve received clearance from utility companies and other officials. The only step left to prepare to plant your tree is to buy it. While you’re choosing the best-looking specimen, keep in mind that tree saplings with bare roots (in burlap instead of a container) usually have a better chance to survive and grow.

If you choose to skip buying a sapling and instead want to grow your new addition from tree seeds, you’ll need to start them in a container before they’re ready to plant in your yard, so keep in mind this method will take longer.

  Step 6: It’s Time to Dig!

Remember that shovel? It’s almost time to put it to use. Before you do, measure the root ball on your sapling once you remove it from its container. However, if your tree has roots covered with burlap, don’t remove it quite yet; just measure the root ball with the burlap still in place.

The hole should be roughly 2 to 3 inches larger than the root ball to allow you to position it properly and keep the root ball from resting in standing water after you fill the hole in and begin watering it. Also, leave a small pile of dirt in the bottom of the hole for the tree to rest on.

  Step 7: Position Your Tree

Place the sapling in your newly-dug hole gently and position it so that the most attractive or full side is facing the area of your yard you want it to be visible from. Make sure your hole isn’t too deep or too shallow, and make sure the tree remains upright while you gently backfill the hole with a mixture of compost and native dirt.

  Step 8: Finish Planting Your Tree

Before you begin to fill the hole, this is the time to remove the burlap from the root ball, if that’s how your sapling’s roots were covered. Also, use wire cutters to remove any wiring or wire caging that could kill your tree if they grow into the roots.

Fill the hole, but don’t tamp the dirt down with your foot. The roots of your new tree are very sensitive, and you can damage them without realizing it.

  Step 9: Stake Your Tree

For the first year of its life, your tree will most likely need help to grow straight and tall. Staking the tree will help keep it from blowing over in strong winds and help maintain the sapling’s upright position.

Stakes should be tied gently to the tree; if you tie them too tightly, the trunk may grow over the ties. One stake is usually enough for a small tree, but two or three stakes may be necessary for larger trees.

  Step 10: Caring For Your Tree

You should water your new tree daily for the first few weeks after planting, taking into account any rainfall you get during that time. After this, you can cut back on the amount of watering. Consider mulching underneath your tree to help hold in moisture, and prune any dead, broken or diseased branches as necessary.

Congratulations on planting your new tree! 

[chopdoctx]

Lawn Mover Repair Guide

Everyone has had this experience at some point: it’s time to get the yard work done, so you give the pull cord on your trusty mower a yank and… nothing. So you pull it again, and again, and are never rewarded with the roar of the engine coming to life. It’s frustrating, but luckily it may not be quite as bad as you think.

There are many reasons why your mower might not start, and many of them are surprisingly common and easy to fix yourself. Yes, you may need to make a trip to a local store that carries lawn mower parts, but it will be much less expensive than a repair shop. If you’re familiar with engine repair on any level, your difficulties with your lawn mower may be very easy to fix. Even if you’re not handy around an engine, many of the most common problems that will prevent your lawn mower from starting are still very simple to fix yourself with just a few tools and parts.

First, let’s take a look at some of the differences in mower models, because the many different features and brands of lawn mowers may make it seem like there aren’t any general solutions when in reality, there are.  Then, we’ll talk about how to fix the most common problems yourself.  Finally, we’ll discuss lawn mower maintenance you can perform to help prevent future problems.

  Some Popular Lawn Mower Models

There are many recognizable brands that manufacture excellent lawn mowers. Snapper, Husqvarna, Toro, Craftsman, Poulan, Troy Built, and Briggs and Stratton are among the most popular, and with good reason; these brand have developed their reputations on the quality of their machines. While there are some minor differences among the different makes of lawn mower models, most are similar enough in their basic functioning that the steps in this guide will apply to any of them.

The Snapper P2185020, for example, has a unique innovation. This model has an insert in the gas tank cap that releases a steady drip of fuel preservative into the tank, extending the life of your lawn mower and increasing its fuel efficiency.

While there are still traditional push mowers available, self-propelled (or “walk behind”) mowers increase in popularity every year. Of course, this adds a new level of complexity to lawn mowers, along with a new set of features to consider.

For example, the Husqvarna HU800AWDH is considered one of the best “all wheel drive” walk behind mowers on the market. Meanwhile, the Honda HRX217K5VKA has been named to many “best of” lists for lawn mowers in the category of “most maneuverable.”

Not all mowers are all-wheel drive, of course; the Troy-Bilt TB220, for example, is a front-wheel-drive mower, while other makes and models on the market are rear-wheel drives. The one that’s right for you will depend on the job you want it to do, and the property you want it to mow.

Also, most mowers can be equipped with bagging systems to collect the clippings as you mow, like with the Craftsman 37705. This mower is considered by some to currently have the best bagging system on the market, but this may not be the most important consideration for you.

In each of these cases, there are individual systems that may or may not be present on your mower. However, if you want to learn how to fix a lawn mower that won’t start, the model or its features may be less important than you might think. Let’s take a look at some common problems and the lawn mower repair steps you should take to get your mower running again.

  The Most Common Reasons Lawn Mower Won’t Start

A lawn mower engine is simple compared to larger engines, which is good news; this means that there are fewer things that can go wrong enough to prevent your mower from cranking. If your Briggs and Stratton lawn mower won’t start after sitting idle for a while, or your mower worked fine last weekend but stubbornly refuses to crank now, there are simple reasons why. Let’s see if we can figure out what’s preventing you from getting that grass trimmed.

Keep in mind that this isn’t meant to be an exhaustive guide to every potential problem your mower could experience; if none of the steps that follow get your mower back up and running, you may save time and stress by taking your mower to a small engine repair shop that knows from years of experience how to fix a lawn mower that won’t start.

Step One: Check Fuel Levels

The first step is the easiest; check the fuel in your mower. Of course, if the fuel tank is empty, your mower won’t start, but that’s not all that we mean. Check the fuel in the tank for any floating debris, and check its odor. Yes, you need to sniff your fuel tank for this step.

If your fuel doesn’t smell right, you may have a problem with your lawn mower carburetor. Before we start dismantling your engine, though, let’s check a few more things.

Step Two: Check Spark Plugs

The next most common reason for a mower to not start is a problem with your spark plugs. A problem in this area can take two different forms: you could either have trouble with your magneto (the spark generator in your engine) or with the spark plug itself.

You can pick up a spark plug checker at most hardware or tool outlets or any place that carries auto or lawn mower parts. Once you have one on hand, plug the checker into your engine in between your spark plug and the cable, and then try to start your mower. If the checker doesn’t light up with a glow, then your problem might be with the magneto or you might have a wire shorting out, preventing the spark from reaching the plug.

If your checker shows that you are getting a spark, give the spark plug itself a good examination. Make sure the plug isn’t fouled with grease or residue; this can prevent your plug from making a proper connection and prevent your mower from starting.

Step Three: Check Air Filter

If your spark plug and harness are working, the next step you’ll want to take is to check the air filter. A dirty air filter can prevent your engine from drawing enough air into its chambers to combust. The air filter can become clogged from long use or oil residue. Of course, this is a very simple fix; if your air filter is dirty, replace it with a fresh, clean one, and then try to start your mower again. If it still refuses to crank, the next thing to check could be a bit more complicated, but it’s another common problem that will have to be addressed no matter what.

Step Four: Check Fuel Tank for Water

Let’s head back to the fuel tank, but this time we’re not looking for funny odors; we’re looking for water in your fuel. Most people think that there’s no way their fuel can be contaminated with water since they keep their fuel can sealed tightly and their mower stored in a garage or other indoor area.

However, your engine can build up quite a bit of water in the fuel tank from simple condensation as the temperature changes around the mower. To fully investigate this, you’ll need to drain the fuel from your mower into a glass container. If water is present, it will float to the top, as it has a lower density than the fuel.

You can just tip your mower on its side to drain the fuel, but be aware that this can cause oil to leak into your engine and potentially cause additional problems. The safest method is to remove the fuel tank from the engine and then drain the fuel into another container.

Once you’re done, if there’s water in your fuel – and it will most likely be obvious – you’ll need to thoroughly clean and dry your fuel tank, but that’s not all. You’ll also need to remove the bowl from underneath the carburetor to completely clean and dry it as well. This may involve removing the carburetor, depending on the model of your mower.

Step Five: Check Auto-Choke Spring

If you’ve completed that step and either found no evidence of water in your fuel or cleaned it properly if there was, and your mower continues to refuse to start, another common problem is a spring. Specifically, it’s the spring attached to the auto-choke.

Most newer models of lawn mower feature an auto-choke that helps regulate the flow of fuel into the carburetor. This is a metal bar running out of your carburetor, attached to your engine by a spring. If that spring is broken or stretched out until it is too loose, it will prevent your engine from getting the proper amount of fuel to crank.

You can check this by locating the bar; if it’s not there, you may not have an auto-choke feature on your lawn mower. If you do find it, however, you should be able to push it in with your finger. If it gives you resistance or has a rough movement to it when you gently push the bar, your auto-choke spring most likely needs to be replaced.  Fortunately, this spring is easy to find anywhere that carries lawn mower parts.

Step Six: Check Blade and Flywheel Key

If you’ve made it to this point and your lawn mower still isn’t starting, there’s one last thing to check before you start to Google “find lawn mower repair near me.” If you ran over a large object such as a large rock or tree root the last time you used your mower, this could have bent or damaged your blade. If the blade won’t spin clearly, it will have to be replaced before your mower will run properly.

Also, your flywheel key could be broken. This is caused by the same situation: the stress of your spinning blade suddenly stopping due to a foreign object such as a rock or root could cause this to break. If so, you’ll need to replace the flywheel key and retime your flywheel before your lawn mower will start.

Step Seven: Consult a Repair Professional

Unless you’re familiar with that process, it might be worth the expense to take your mower to an experienced lawn mower repair shop. That may also be a good idea if you’re not comfortable removing the carburetor yourself, as you might need to do if your fuel smells funny or you need to remove the fuel bowl to drain and clean it of water.

The good news is this: while there are always things that can go wrong with your lawn mower, there are some things that are easily preventable with proper care and maintenance.  Let’s look at some recommendations to prevent any problems with your mower in the future.

  Lawn Mower Maintenance

As we’ve said, your best bet is to head off problems before they start.  While that isn’t always possible, there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure that your mower stays in good shape as long as it can.

Prepare Your Mower for the Off-Season

If it has been sitting dormant during the winter, it’s common for a lawn mower to fail to start if it wasn’t winterized properly. After your last use of the mower for the year, there are steps you need to take to make sure you’ll have no problem firing it up again in the spring to keep your lawn looking its best.

Before putting your lawn mower to bed for a long winter’s nap, drain the fuel from the engine. Over the winter, old fuel can turn into a thick gunk inside the carburetor and clog the fuel ports in your motor. Refill the engine with fresh fuel and add a fuel stabilizer to your mix. This will prevent the fuel gumming up the carburetor before you’re ready to use it again.

Also, check your owner’s manual and follow the recommended process to follow to change the oil in your engine. You may want to drain it before storing it, but most likely replacing the old oil with fresh oil will keep your engine safe over the winter.

Additionally, your mower should be cleaned and degreased, any bare metal should be sprayed with a lubricant to give it a protective coating for its inactive time to help prevent rust from forming, and your spark plug should be replaced before storing your mower.

Maintain the Tires

While loose or flat tires aren’t going to prevent your engine from starting, of course, they can seriously hamper the performance of the lawn mower when it’s time to cut the grass.  If the tires are pneumatic, check the pressure regularly with the same gauge you use for your car tires.  The maximum pressure in PSI will be listed on the sidewall, so be careful not to overfill them.

In addition the pressure, you’ll also want to regularly check the state of the treads.  If they’re excessively worn down or if you spot cracks that are signs of dry rot, it may be time to replace the tires.  Also, while most mowers are built to have a certain amount of wobble, too much of it can mean that you need to check both the nuts that attach the tire and the axle nut itself.

Check Oil and Filters Regularly

During the months when your mower is being used regularly, there are still things that should be done to it running in tip-top shape. Regular attention can keep you from spending a frustrating few hours fixing your mower before beginning your lawn care.

As we said earlier, the air filter is one of the most important things in your engine. It prevents dust, dirt, and debris from getting to the carburetor, which can cause serious problems. Even if it’s doing its job, though, the air filter should be checked on a regular basis; if your air filter becomes clogged, your engine might have trouble starting or running.

If your model of mower uses a paper filter (usually a pleated paper inside a frame), it will have to be replaced after every 25 hours or so of running time for your engine. If your engine uses a foam air filter, it can be reused after a good cleaning with hot water and detergent. Once you clean it, it will need to air dry before being placed back into your engine for use.

You should also check and change the oil on a regular basis, just like you do with your car. The more use your oil has seen, the darker it will be. Your mower’s oil should be changed at least once each mowing season or about every fifty hours of operation. Make sure you use the exact oil that is recommended by the manufacturer of the engine in your mower, or you could end up causing damage to your engine.

Check the oil filter and replace it if it needs it. Fuel filters shouldn’t be cleaned; pick up a new one and throw the old one out. Keep your engine degreased with a spray degreaser.  Not only will this keep your lawn mower looking good, but it will help keep gunk from working its way inside your engine.

Keep an Eye on the Blade

One part that many owners don’t think to check when servicing their mower is the blade. If your blade is damaged, it will decrease the efficiency of your mower.  More than that, a broken blade can be dangerous. If your blade has any dents, bends, or damage of any kind, replacing it is a good idea. When replacing the blade, use the type and size blade recommended by the manufacturer. Their recommendations are there for safety reasons because a blade of an incorrect size could cause injury.

If your blade looks fine but is a bit dull, you need to sharpen it. Ideally, you should sharpen your blade every season and replace it every three years even if it looks okay. There are only so many times a blade can be sharpened before it runs the risk of a break or bend.

Here’s another reason to keep your blade sharp: if your lawnmower blade is dull, it’s not cutting your grass, it’s tearing it. This can lead to a ragged looking lawn once you’re done, which is less than ideal, of course.  While it’s not as important as your safety, the appearance of your lawn is part of the reason you purchased the mower in the first place.

  Final Thoughts on Lawn Mower Repair

This article was written in the hopes that it will save you time, money and heartache when your mower refuses to start. As we said earlier, this isn’t an exhaustive list, but it does include the most common reasons you could have this problem.

While some of the steps above may seem complicated, they’re not as difficult as they sound. In fact, some are quite simple. You may think that a problem bad enough to prevent your lawn mower from starting couldn’t be as small and easy as some of the ones listed here, but that’s most often the case.

This leads to one final point: just because these problems are simple to diagnose doesn’t mean you’ve necessarily done anything wrong while caring for your mower. While they are more simple than larger ones, the engines that power lawn mowers are still complex pieces of machinery, and easy-to-fix problems are experienced by more lawn mower owners than you think.

Having said that, your skill and comfort level with engine repair will determine what types of problems you’ll be able to fix yourself. While you can handle almost all the issues in this article easily, remember that there can be more than one thing wrong. Check them all until your lawn mower starts, or it’s time to say “I wonder where there’s lawn mower repair near me?” as you load your mower up.

[chopdoctx]

Hurricane Florence: Tree Maintenance & Storm Safety

As Hurricane Florence and Hurricane Irma showed us all too well, a powerful tropical storm is one of the most destructive forces of nature one can experience.The combination of high winds and heavy rainfall in a short amount of time can lead to problems when it comes to your trees, whether those problems take the form of damaged trees or damage to your home or property from trees that fall to the fury of a storm.

Let’s explore how you can to protect your house from falling trees and ways to nurse your storm-damaged trees back to health.

  Wilmington, NC. September 28, 2018. Hurricane Florence Damage to B’nai Israel in the historic overlay district.

    How To Protect Your House From Falling Trees

As the wind begins to pick up speed, you can never be sure exactly what damage it will leave in its wake. This means you must take every step you can to prevent or limit any damage the storm may bring. Some of the most effective preparations you can make are things you should be doing year-round.

Unhealthy trees are usually the first to fall during a storm. This means you should do a thorough job of regular maintenance of the trees on your property. Things like the regular pruning of dead or damaged limbs, a regular schedule of mulching and fertilizing, and even the removal of trees that are too damaged to survive can save you thousands of dollars and a lot of heartache when a storm hits your area.

Another step you can take is to remove branches to strengthen the whole tree’s ability to survive the storm. If you choose to do this, prune branches at the ends of long limbs. By leaving the interior branches intact, you will strengthen the chance of the tree to make it through in one piece.

The National Storm Damage Center estimates that over $1 million in property damage is caused by falling trees and broken branches each year. Although there is no “hurricane-proof” solution for your yard, there are things you can do right now to minimize your risk.

Before storm season begins, please, pay attention to your trees and landscaping. Some of the things to look out for include:

STORM CHECKLIST

dead or dying trees trees with dense canopies trees with weak limbs newly planted or young trees trees with split trunks trees with lightning or pest damages

  If you notice any of these issues, it’s important to have a professional tree service come out and inspect your property immediately. We’ll take the time to trim excess branches, thin dense trees and remove any landscaping that may be at risk of damaging your home or those nearby.

  Storm Resistant Trees

Another thing to consider if you live in an area that may experience storms is the type of trees you plant. Bald cypress, beech, crape myrtle, live oak and many types of palm trees are more naturally wind resistant than other breeds.  Having these types of trees on your property will help alleviate the amount of damage you must deal with once a storm has passed.

  Crape Mirtle

  Just remember, while some types of trees are more naturally resistant to the effects of strong winds, no trees are fully impervious to damage from a storm of significant power.

  Live Oak

  What To Do If Damage Happens

No matter how well you prepare, there are no guarantees that you’ll avoid hurricane damage. This means that you may have some hard decisions to make in the wake of a storm. While it’s obvious to most people what to do in the event they have flood or wind damage to their homes or other structures, many times their trees aren’t considered until later. This can be a mistake.

First, a damaged tree can turn into a more severe problem, depending on the type of damage the tree has sustained. Some types of damage are more obvious to the untrained eye than others; again, it’s simple to realize that a broken branch dangling over your garage needs to be pruned before it falls and causes even more damage, but damaged branches aren’t the only type of problems you can experience.

  Cut timber begins to pile up along Market Street in Wilmington North Carolina following hurricane Florence.

  In the wake of a storm, you can find trees leaning without being completely uprooted; these could fall in the future and should be checked by a professional. Also, some tree damage caused by storms can remain hidden for months; for example, if the roots of the tree are damaged by flooding or trauma, your tree could be dying while still looking healthy.

  First Aid For Storm-Damaged Trees

Once the storm is over and the time for cleanup has come, there is one thing you will have to learn: patience. Storm recovery is a long, labor-intensive process, and in the immediate aftermath of a storm like Hurricane Florence or Hurricane Irma, there will be many things that you must take care of before saving trees can become a priority.

Once that time has come, though, the type of first aid your storm-damaged trees need will depend on what kind of trees they are and the type of damage each has suffered.

You may have the urge to prune many of the limbs on a damaged tree in an effort to make sure you get all the damaged limbs down. Don’t do this – removing too many limbs at once may deal a death-blow to the tree! If someone tells you that your tree needs most or all of its limbs pruned to help prevent damage, get a second opinion, as this will do little to prevent future damage.

After this type of procedure, one of two things will happen: either the tree will survive and the limbs will grow back, leaving the same problem as before, or the tree won’t survive such a massive pruning. If the tree dies, you’ll have an even bigger problem on your hands.

  A Word of Caution

Unfortunately, there are unscrupulous people who prey on victims of powerful storms. They will descend on a storm-damaged area with offers to clear away debris, remove or prune trees, or even repair damage, many times at a very reasonable price.

Scammers will either do a sub-par job or simply take your money and vanish. Even though dealing with storm cleanup is a stressful task that you’ll want to complete as quickly and affordably as possible, make sure you’re dealing with a reputable person or company when getting the help you need after a storm.

[chopdoctx]

Tree Service in Boston, Massachusetts

Homeowners and small businesses owners typically avoid professional tree service in Boston, Massachusetts in the hopes of saving money. If the tree or trees outside your home become a source of problem that could pose a threat to your family and other people in your neighborhood, we at Chop Doc are here to extend professional help. Our experts offer affordable pricing on many different services for trees of all shapes and sizes. When trees start to rot and die, they become threats to people and properties. Call our experts when you’re seeing signs of tree troubles.

Trust the Experts for Your Tree Removal

A tree may still look lovely from a distance even if it’s rotting from the inside. You may have no idea which branches are rotting, and which branches are in danger of falling off especially if there are no tell-tale signs. A hollow or dead tree can be a danger to your family, as hollow and dead trees are likely to fall. Apart from the important role they play in the circle of life, they also add aesthetics to any place. Don’t put yourself in harm’s way. Instead, leave the tree removal to our experts at Chop Doc.

Your Family and Property Are Safe With Our Tree Removal or Tree Trimming Service in Boston, Massachusetts

Chop Doc is a duly licensed tree trimming and tree removal service provider. What that means is that we are covered by regulations of the city and the state. In terms of insurance coverage, this means that our employees are covered by liability insurance. Instead, make sure to call a licensed and insured tree care company. Various complications could arise in the process of removing or pruning down a tree. But what are the signs that will tell you that a tree needs to be removed? We will make sure that no harm will befall people and properties. Uprooting tree could inadvertently create a large sinkhole on the ground, endangering people. Call us today to get started!

Can Our Tree Services Pose a Risk to Your Family and Property in Boston, Massachusetts?

For years, we at Chop Doc have been providing excellent tree removal, tree trimming and other tree services in Boston. Many families plant trees around their home, and businesses often do the same. But, trees can be a danger. We have invested in the most modern equipment and hired the best arborists to give the best possible service to our clients. Tree trimming and tree removal can be dangerous processes, which is why it’s important to leave it to the professionals. If you are facing issues due to tree roots, it’s time to get professional tree trimming and tree removal services.

Licensed Arborists and Tree Experts Available Even in Difficult and Dangerous Conditions in Boston, Massachusetts

With all the difficulties and dangers our professional workers face in their jobs, people might think that we at Chop Doc charge excessive fees for our tree services in Boston, Massachusetts. That’s not true. We are focused on meeting and exceeding all of your expectations when it comes to tree care. When you use our services, we’ll work diligently while keeping you in the loop regarding our processes. Our price may depend on the height of the tree, the extent of removal or trimming services, and some other factors. We only perform services which are approved by the customer.

No Detail is Too Small When it Comes to Our Tree Service Professionals in Boston, Massachusetts

For your peace of mind, we are licensed to practice our tree service in Boston, Massachusetts and fully insured. There are trees that release allergens or pollens into the air, and they will also be considered in how we cut down trunk or trim the branches. Does the tree pose a clear and present danger to everyone? Are the roots already too large to cause any damage to the pavement or house? We don’t cut every tree that is the subject of complaint; that is important to remember because we do recognize the large role they play in the ecosystem. If you see vertical cracks, seams, dead branch stubs and large cavities, these are signs of internal decay.

Call us Today for Expert Tree Care Services

The worst you can do is to ignore the problem, or put if off for another day. A dead tree will cause more trouble than it’s worth if you delay the inevitable. Give us a call anytime if you have trees near your home or office that are giving you problems. We are here to help with the best services for emergencies and routine care as well. Call us today to get started!