How antidesiccants help conifers retain moisture during the winter months Homeowners and property managers often assume that damage to conifer trees during the winter months is caused by cold weather extremes or long periods of snowfall freezing a tree’s cellular network. But the reality is that most damage is due to a lack of moisture.…
For regions across the country who will experience snow and freezing temperatures during the winter months, it’s important to protect your trees and shrubs so they’ll emerge in the spring healthy and strong for the new growing season. Here are three things you should consider, and ways you can deter any permanent damage to the…
The copper beech tree (Fagus sylvatica), more commonly known as the European beech tree, creates a larger-than-life visual impact in home landscapes, parks and communities. SavATree Commercial and Consulting Arborist Jean Zimmerman recently shared a personal experience which closely explains that “visual impact” quite well. “When I was growing up, we gathered beneath “The Elephant…
While shopping at a local garden center or nursery searching for a shade, drought tolerant, low-maintenance shrub that’s also deer resistant, you might find Japanese barberry (Berberis thunbergii) at the top of the list of options. For the novice gardener who didn’t spend enough time doing their homework before heading to the garden center, this…
June 20 marked the official start of summer. Though for much of the United States, from coast-to-coast, summer’s arrival seemed to occur several weeks prior as unseasonably warm temperatures have been recorded throughout much of the country. Tom Di Liberto, a scientist with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), says, “It’s virtually certain that…
One of the most destructive of all lawn diseases is known as patch. What’s most surprising about patch disease is that your lawn will appear perfectly healthy one day and then virtually overnight (with ideal weather conditions) large “patches” of your lawn are completely, and many times, irreversibly destroyed. Dr. Jason Fausey, Director of Technical…
It’s a beautiful day and you are enjoying a walk around your property. Suddenly, you see yellow yarn-like creature wrapped around your azaleas. What is this? These are Dodders, thread-like parasitic annual vines. These vary in shades of yellow, orange or red due to their lack of chlorophyll. This species is problematic for host plants…
For homeowners across America, there’s perhaps no greater disappointment than to gaze out from their front doors and see a lawn in dormancy during the winter months. It’s dull and brown and leads you to marvel at the reality that in a few months it will be replaced by a lush brilliant green color which…
Many might be familiar with Joni Mitchell’s 1970s song Big Yellow Taxi, for it’s been sung by such popular artists as Amy Grant, Bob Dylan and Counting Crows. But few understand the environmental meaning behind her well-crafted lyrics – especially regarding the beautiful sight tree canopies create in states all across the nation. In an…
“There’s one good thing about snow, it makes your lawn look as nice as your neighbor’s.” – Clyde Moore In a recent survey conducted by the University of Florida, homeowners revealed that not only do they want their lawns looking green and lush, they also want to conserve water. “A message for residents is that…
