Edging is an often overlooked, but important piece of effective and attractive landscaping. This technique creates a border and boundary around your garden bed, trees, or shrubs. This way, the organic mulch will be less likely to shift around onto the rest of the lawn. It is also a way to stop growing weeds from popping up.

There are four main types of edging you should keep in mind when edging around your home’s flower and tree beds:

• Spade-cut edging – This is the easiest and simplest way to edge; all you need for this one is a spade shovel. Use your spade to make a narrow trench about 3 inches deep around your flower or tree beds.
• Strip edging – Use this method is best used for following curves. You can use plastic or metal strip edging materials and anchor them into the ground. Make sure to leave the top portion of the edging above the trench for effective separation.
• Masonry edging – For this, you will need concrete, brick, or stone pieces. While it is the most popular choice for edging, it is also the most expensive and will take a bit more time to arrange neatly.
• Wood edging – If you choose to go this route, you can choose between a range of heights for the wood pieces – from flat boards to round logs. Wood is a good choice if you are looking for an affordable way to edge. Also, the wood that is used for edging is naturally resistant to rot: redwood, cypress, and cedar.

Mulching around your trees is a way to keep moisture available for the roots and provides a barrier from both hot and cold temperatures. Adding mulch to your flower or tree beds also prevents soil runoff, allowing the nutrients to stay in place. When you edge around your garden beds, you are taking the next step in ensuring that your soil and mulch are providing the most benefits for your trees, shrubs, and flowers.

Have more questions about how our Cleveland tree company can help you take care of your property? Call us at VanCuren for more advice or for your next project. We also provide tree services for: tree removal, tree trimming, and even emergency tree removal. Get started with us today!

It depends on the region, but in general the best time to water your trees is sometime between mid-March to early May. In other words, early springtime. Of course, if the dirt around your trees is already moist from melted snow or rainfall, then there is no need to water. On the other hand, if you notice that the soil around your tree is dry and powdery, your tree may be thirsty.

Try to plan to water your trees after the ground thaws and before temperatures start to become consistently warmer. This way you will be able to help along a tree’s growing process before the new sprouts of growth even begin to show.

Of course, a newly planted tree will need a lot of water as compared to a fully matured tree that only needs occasional supplemental water. New tree additions to your landscaping will require about 20 gallons of water per week. Mature trees, however, require much less. You should only water a mature tree every one to two months.

Check the soil. Our rule-of-thumb at VanCuren is that you should water your tree if the soil is still dry 4-6 inches deep, no matter the age of the tree.

If you are able, the optimal time to water a tree is in the morning. When you water your trees in the morning you are providing a reserve of water that the tree can drink from throughout the heat of the day. It also allows leaves to dry during the day, which helps prevent the growth of fungi or other diseases.

Have more questions about watering your trees to prepare for spring? The expert Cleveland arborist at VanCuren are ready to offer help and advice to the Cleveland area. Also keep us in mind for any other tree services you may need including: tree removal or tree trimming and pruning.

Plant early in the spring season

If you are not able to plant your tree until the late spring, it may be best to wait until fall or even the next year to plant. Once spring arrives, summer weather is not far behind. With summer weather comes heat that can be too much for a newly planted tree to handle. Make sure to do your research and check to see that your tree’s idea planting conditions mention early spring before planting.

Pick your location

Before you actually pick which species of tree to plant, however, you may want to keep in mind the location first. All trees come with unique characteristics and need to stay healthy. Every tree has different specifications for the amount of sun exposure, surrounding space for proper growth, and soil type. Keep these tips in mind so that you are able to pick a spot on your Cleveland property, and then choose the type of tree to plant based off of the location’s environment.

Your tree’s roots

When planting your tree be sure to dig a hold at least twice as wide as the tree’s height. After that, loosely pack the soil around the roots so that they have room to grow and breathe. Avoid creating a mound of soil around the roots and tree trunk as this will suffocate the tree.

Watering

Newly planted trees require a lot of water, but be careful not to overwater! Add some mulch to the top of the soil to keep moisture in so that the tree’s roots can establish themselves. A good test for the soil around your tree: pick up a handful of soil and see if it will stick together in a clump when you squeeze it. If it crumbles or doesn’t stay together, then it needs more water. Be careful not to overwater since the fresh roots could drown and die before latching into the ground.

If you need assistance or advice on planting a new tree near your home, call the professional Cleveland arborists at VanCuren. We are also available to remove any old or dead trees at your Cleveland property before you plan to add new, younger trees. Contact us for any of your tree servicing needs today!

At any point in your homeowner journey, having unhealthy trees too close to your house is a recipe for potential disasters and problems. This is especially true when it comes to those looking to sell their house as diseased, dead, or unbalanced trees are considered expensive liabilities. In this case, is best to have the tree removed as soon as possible. The trusted arborists at Cleveland tree removal company – Safety Tree Services – are happy to inspect your property, make recommendations, and take the necessary steps to keep your home safe.

At Safety Tree Services we want your home to look and feel beautiful, but our top priority is the safety of you and your property. Here are some items to be aware of in order to attend to your tree’s needs:

• Make sure to get your tree trimmed if there are a lot of branches hanging over your roof
• A tree that is within striking distance of your home should be removed to avoid above ground and underground issues
• Large and/or tall trees that are close to your house should also be be removed for safety reasons and to ensure that the roots are not interfering with sewage and electrical cables.
• If the tree is already dead, then it will need to be removed

It is up to you to keep our beloved city of Cleveland and your property looking as good as possible by caring for your trees. You can count on our Cleveland tree removal team help you with your tree trimming or tree removal upkeep. Give us a call to schedule a free appointment.

Be prepared by getting your trees inspected early on. If you notice any of the following issues, consider consulting a Cleveland Heights tree removal company. An arborist will check to confirm if any of the trees on your property are weak, old, or are already dead and ready for removal. However, even the strongest trees are susceptible to breakage and damage under certain heavy weather conditions.

Windstorms and rainstorms are the most common causes of tree damage. A downpour or flooding on your property can carry away the sediment to expose the tree’s root system. If this occurs and a tree’s anchoring root system lacks sediment to grip onto, the tree could topple. Alternatively, heavy ice and snowfall tend to add a lot of extra weight to tree branches and may split or break boughs. After a storm passes, check the trees around your property for damage or indications of tree abnormalities such as: exposed roots, splintering, splitting, several broken or fallen branches, or a snapped tree.

It is not uncommon to see large branches spread across the yard or part of a tree toppled or leaning on electrical wires after a heavy storm. While the newly separated pieces that caused visible damage are the priority, the rest of the tree may still need to be removed. Although it is okay for trees to lose a few branches, there are certain situations where missing more than a few can lead to rapid decline.

If you notice any of these issues after a storm has calmed, consider a consultation from a tree removal company. Our team at VanCuren Tree Care is fully trained to evaluate and make a recommendation on removal of any dangerous trees around your Cleveland Heights home.

When temperatures drop, water inside of the tree becomes starch, which then acts as a natural insulator to help the tree survive freezing temperatures. The production of starch is the energy source that also aids in proper healing of a trimmed tree and, once spring arrives, brings the tree back out of the dormant state.

The overall health of a tree also depends on proper trimming techniques. Over-trimming, topping, or DIY hacks can lead to short term damage and possibly lead to long term problems. Improper trimming methods may lead to a weakening in the tree’s structure or balance. Long term, it could make the tree more susceptible to disease and insect infestation.

Following improper trimming methods may also lead to:

• Reduced ability to fruit
• Instability and imbalance
• Breakage
• Cuts or gashes leaving entry points for diseases or insects
• Unstable growth from stunting natural healing processes
• Expedited decay

Every tree is unique and, because of this, it is important to consult a certified arborist’s expertise. An arborist can assess the specialized needs of an individual tree based upon extensive knowledge of tree biology and environment. Inaccurate timing and tree trimming techniques can cause more damage than expected. A trained, certified, and insured arborist knows the best tree trimming practices to prepare for the winter months ahead.

Our experts at VanCuren Tree Care are ready to help determine the best course of action for any tree trimming needs in the Cleveland, Ohio area. Contact us and set up a visit today!