 Choosing the ideal tree isn't all about being good-looking. The needles, the scent, and the branches are essential as well. So, before you go over to the tree farm to pick yours, learn about the different types of Christmas trees and which one is best for you.
Different Types of Christmas Tree: The Douglas Fir This evergreen is a must in numerous Christmas tree lots, adored for its great pyramid-like shape and lasting needles. The gleaming, soft needles flourish on all sides of its limbs, making the tree look fuller. However, cut the branches, and the tree becomes compact and hard to decorate. The Balsam Fir This evergreen's two-colored needles are silver on one side, dark green on the other. Like several firs, these trees keep their needles for over a month. The balsam fir is your number one for Christmas trees if you're one of those folks who like to get your holiday tree ready right after Thanksgiving. When you want to decorate, be mindful that balsam fir trees have bendable, soft branches. This tree isn't the best choice if you have weighty ornaments. You may use popcorn, tinsel, twinkling lights, and paper chains. The Fraser Fir The Fraser fir has a fantastic full pyramidal shape, with durable branches to hold heavy ornaments. There is also plenty of room between limbs to hang big bulbs. The one-inch needles are green-blue and softer than other evergreens. You can anticipate them being around even after cutting the tree down, presuming the tree is receiving water regularly. Scotch Pine If you desire a long-lasting tree, this tree is for you. The Scotch pine will keep its great looks and needles even if the tree isn't getting any water. The needles are around two inches in length and various green hues. Moreover, the limbs are durable and right for decorations of any size or weight. However, the needles are spikey. So, be careful when decorating. To create a dense, full shape, tree experts shear this Christmas tree type. One thing to know is that the limbs might be right on top of each other. These branches are a challenge if you want to put hanging ornaments on your tree. The Colorado Blue Spruce If you're a real Christmas decorator and all into holiday color schemes, look no further than the Colorado Blue Spruce. The white, blue, and silver tones of the branch deliver a beautiful color scheme. The tree has an excellent pyramid shape with sturdy branches that can hold heavy ornaments. Try not to smash the needles when putting on holiday decorations. When you crush the needles, the resin of the tree releases an unpleasant smell. Since it's a living tree, you can plant it outside after Christmas. After cutting the tree, the Colorado Blue Spruce retains its needles excellently as long as you faithfully water the tree. This year get the Christmas tree that will satisfy your needs. Call us at Harrisburg Tree Service to find out more about the different types of Christmas trees.  Tree roots can sprout deep underground and expand over a vast area, seeking nutrients and water. The depth of the roots is around eight feet. Though, some roots could go way deeper and extend much broader. Issues with the tree roots arise when they break the concrete around your home or force their way to the sewer pipes. It's at this point you need to learn how to kill tree roots.
There are environmental ways to manage tree roots that you might employ. Though, they usually take a while to do the job than your everyday chemical products. Remember that even if you cut down a tree, the roots could keep growing, causing destruction even after the trunk is gone. You have a couple of options. You could get rid of underground problems with either eco-green or chemical treatments. Don't forget to be careful and always keep garden products away from pets and children. Once you kill the roots and pull them out of the ground, you could use some of them as landscape decoration. How to Kill Tree Roots: Home Remedy Root killers are available in an assortment of combinations. The products contain things such as copper sulfate, chemicals, and herbicides. These mixes aid in clearing drain pipes, sewer lines, and septic tanks. If you want to go chemical-free, you could create a natural solution using salt, baking soda, boiling water, and vinegar. Combine the ingredients and quickly flush into the toilet on the lowest level of your property. This root killer will load the pipes, making the salt seep into the invasive roots. This procedure might take a few applications before the dead roots go away. Using Bleach If bleaching a tree stump could destroy it, then using bleach to kill tree roots will work too. Bare the roots you want to go by slicing into them. You could also use a drill. Just drill holes into the roots you want to go. Using a paintbrush, apply bleach to the roots where the cuts are or load the holes. If the roots are still alive, repeat this procedure. It might take several applications and a reasonable amount of time. If you want to eliminate one annoying root, slice it from the primary root system. Next, put bleach on the unwanted root. Using Epsom Salt Though it takes more time than a herbicide, using Epsom salt to kill tree roots could successfully work by removing any water. Put three to four-inch-deep holes along the root. Plug the holes entirely with Epsom salt and water and don't overfill the gaps. The mixture is dangerous to surround foliage. Repeat this technique a few times for a couple of months. Using Roundup Roundup concentrate is useful at exterminating your undesirable tree roots. It will also stop foliage from growing. Since Roundup contains glyphosate, you must take the necessary precautions while using this product. Apply the solution over the exposed root using a paintbrush. Repeat as necessary. Also, you could drill holes in the root and pour Roundup right into the root. It would be best if you saturated the root with Roundup. When done, be sure to clean your used tools with soap and hot water. For other tips on how to kill tree roots, get in touch with us at Harrisburg Tree Service.  A low-cost, excellent way to grow your favorite tree is to plant it from a clipping or twig. The best part is that the task is easy and straightforward. Keep reading to learn how to grow a tree from a branch.
How to Grow a Tree from a Branch: The Twig or Clipping If you prune your trees every couple of years to bring some order to your landscape, you could use the clippings to plant new trees. If you're planting trees from twigs, the results will be trees matching the "parent" tree. This fact isn't always the case when you plant seeds. Because the planting includes two trees, you might be growing a crossbreed. Though, if you're using a grafted tree, don't plant a tree branch as a way of reproduction. A grafted tree is when the crown of one type has grown into the roots of another kind. Planting a tree branch of a grafted tree only reproduces the crown tree. A few shrubs and trees, including plane trees, golden bells, and forsythia, proliferate from clippings. For some species, planting tree twigs offer a better opportunity for success than planting tree seeds. How to Get Roots from Cuttings Some folks like to put root tree clippings in water. Others prefer rooting them right in the soil. Either way, the best suggestion is to clip pieces of young limbs, preferably those under 12 months. To begin using twigs for tree planting, cut off parts of the tree branch with a pruner or knife. Get rid of buds and leaves. Put the sliced end in hormone powder. You can either put the end of the clipping in a pot filled with potting soil or a container with a few inches of water. If you want to begin rooting tree clippings in water, as the water evaporates, put more water in the container. If you're using soil, the soil must stay damp. One way to keep the twig moist is to wrap a plastic bag around the container. Slice some slits in it to allow it to breathe. Using a string or a rubber band, close the mouth of the bag around the container. Look for developing roots. Once you have achieved root tree cuttings in soil or water, you can move the new plant to a prepared garden bed or bigger container. The ground must stay moist during the early growing season. Damp soil helps the tree grow tough roots. When you are doing tree twig planting, a reliable tip begins with more clippings than you believe you'll need. This way, you'll get a few healthy trees. While you can't plant walnut or oak trees in your outdoor space, you can plant smaller trees using clippings or twigs. Attempting to get a tree from a clipping or twig could get complicated. If you need help choosing the right twig or clipping, call us at Harrisburg Tree Service to explore your options.  It might sound odd at first but getting rid of dead tree branches helps your tree in numerous ways. It's like getting a haircut. Yes, you lose some hair. But your hair's shape immediately looks good. By eliminating split ends, your hair won't shed, and the rest of your hair becomes strong and healthy.
It's the same when an arborist cares for your trees. You lessen the chance that they split while helping your trees flourish. Keep reading for more information on why you should prune your trees regularly. Trimming Off Dead Tree Branches Helps Trees Pruning is vital if you desire a long-living, healthy tree. Precisely, trimming off diseased or dead limbs aids in keeping you and your residence safe. Pruning Provides Safety Pruning eliminates deadwood that can otherwise blow around during a severe storm. Trimmed trees are less likely to have limbs split in a storm. While pruning, tree care professionals usually do a complete tree assessment to ensure your tree is healthy. When in good shape, a tree delivers beauty and saves you money. When ill and ignored, that same tree can do massive damage to your home in a horrific storm. You may or may not know this, but a tree weighs nearly twice as much as a Toyota Corolla. Research has shown that a downed or damaged tree accounts for over $3 billion in property damage in the U.S. annually. The more time you spend on your tree's health, the less likely it will harm a storm. Prune for Excellent Health This task is crucial when your tree is young. Hire an arborist to guide your tree so that it grows a durable, sound limb structure. Spread out the canopy to allow air and light to permeate through the whole tree. This process increases foliage while reducing the risk of disease. As your tree matures, your tree professional will typically trim your tree to get rid of weak branches. By eliminating excessive limbs, you enhance the shape of your tree. Also, you raise the amount of air and sunlight that could flow through your tree's canopy. Increasing the amount of sun means a surge in growth. Trimming aids the health of a tree. Prune for Beauty Arborists prune trees to help enhance or sustain their original shape. Some tree specialists feel that tree pruning is an art form. These professionals desire to assist each tree in looking as fabulous as it can. When tree contractors maintain a tree, they help guarantee your tree continues to help your home! One vibrant tree in your front yard could raise the sale price by over an average of $6,000. The right benefits don't stop there. When you trim fruit trees, you assist them in developing more significant fruit constantly. You have the potential of juicy fruit in your future. At Harrisburg Tree Service, tree pruning is one of the many tree services we provide. If you need the dead limbs gone from your tree, contact us.  Nothing is better than be a couple of different types of birch trees in your yard. With their ghostly coloration and incredible, papery bark, birch trees naturally are the center of attention in a landscape. Despite the trees’ downsides, birch trees are popular due to their small stature, unique peeling bark, white trunks, and marvelous shapes.
To help make a decision, below are five various types of birch trees to plant in your garden: River Birch Trees In a landscape, a river birch tree makes a statement, possessing intensely scaly brown bark. A type like “heritage” with its grayish colored bark will balance a vast range of colors. River birch trees are fast-growing, but somewhat short-lived, possessing a lifespan of around 50 years. Paper Birch Trees With papery bark that peels off trunks, paper birch trees are usually referred to as white birch trees. The tree has a slender, single trunk and increases visual impact when planted in groups to accentuate its whiteness. A short-lived tree, these trees might live just decades in a warm climate. In cold weather zones, paper birch trees have lifespans close to 100 years. Silver Birch Trees Silver birch trees draw attention to itself with spade-shaped leaves and peeling, white bark. These slender-trunked trees will create a delicate shade canopy overhead. Growing up to 40 feet, these trees are best planted in northern and eastern exposures with limited hours of sunlight. Gray Birch Trees Gray birch trees usually have several trunks, offering a shape that is similar to a really big shrub as a tree. Gray birch is a gorgeous tree that is typically used as a winter landscape plant or when space limitations necessitates the use of a tree with a smaller stature. Himalayan Birch Trees Himalayan birch trees are great trees for big parks, open spaces, and home sites, parks. A problem solver for low-lying sites too wet for several other species. A quick-growing tree, Himalayan birch can fill in an empty area in a landscape. Erman’s Birch Trees Erman’s birch trees has white bark with a pink cast and a tendency to peel. This is what showcases this ornamental species in a garden. If your local arborist plants one in your yard, be prepared for this elegant tree to spread out. An Erman’s birch tree flourishes to height of close to 80 feet. If you need help identifying the trees in your yard, contact Harrisburg Tree Service to schedule an appointment with one of out experienced arborists.  The black cherry tree is a species with lovely flower clusters, each separate flower attached by little stalks.
All real cherries are deciduous trees, shedding their leaves before wintertime. Rum cherry, wild black cherry, or mountain black cherry trees are woody plant species belonging to the genus Prunus. These cherry trees are native to eastern North America. The bark of young trees is smooth but gets scaly and fissured since the tree's trunk expands with age. Get in touch with a tree contractor from Harrisburg Tree Service if you believe your tree might be diseased. The Cherry's Beautiful Fruit and Flowers All parts of the flower, including the stalks, stems, flowers, and bracts, is very appealing. The fruits are berry-like, turning black purple when ripe. The actual seed in the berry is a black, ovoid, single stone. The name black cherry comes from the black color of the ripe fruits. Dark Side of a Black Cherry The twigs, bark, seeds, and leaves of a black cherry makes a chemical referred to as cyanogenic glycoside. Hydrogen cyanide is discharged when the alive parts of the plant are consumed, toxic to both animal and human. It has a horrible taste. That taste is one of the distinguishing factors of the tree. The inner bark has highly concentrated amounts of the chemical but was used ethnobotanically in much of the Appalachian states as a sedative, cough remedy, and tonic. The glycoside seems to diminish spasms in the lining of the bronchioles muscles. Still, huge quantities of black cherry deliver the risk of producing cyanide poisoning. Dormant Identification of Black Cherry The tree has lenticels that are light, narrow, and corky. Lenticels in black cherry are one of several upright elevated pores in the stalk of a woody plant that lets gas exchange between the atmosphere and the internal tissues on the bark of a young tree. The cherry bark snaps into slim dark pieces and lift the edges on older wood. This is said to look like "burnt cornflakes.” You can safely nibble the twig that has the taste of bitter almonds. The cherry bark is dark-colored gray but is scaly and smooth with a brown-red colored inner bark.  Wintertime brings out the simplest version of our trees. They’re exposed, bare, and have to survive in dry, harsh air in cold bitter temps. A great way to help your trees to stay warm is by wrapping your trees for winter protection.
Regardless what type of trees you have, you have to protect them from winter’s most harsh elements. Call a Harrisburg Tree Service Contractor if you need professional help. What You Must Know About Wrapping Trees for Winter Young trees, or trees of any age with thin bark, gain from winter protection. How? Whenever the sun comes out on a cold winter day, it heats the tree’s bark. Also, the tissue under the bark warms up. However, as soon as the sun fades behind a cloud or building, the bark temperature swiftly drops, which might damage the tissue, leaving the bark dry and cracked. This is referred to as sunscald. If you wrap your trees, you aid in shielding them from it. The Best Tree Wrap for Winter The best tree wrap for winter depends on what type of tree you have. If a tree has thin bark and loses its leaves in the autumn, the best way to safeguard it is by wrapping the trunk in a plastic tree guard. This works for thin-barked trees such as poplar, maple, aspen, sycamore or linden. Use this technique for any freshly planted tree that leaves are gone. You need to wrap the tree from the bottom up to the lowest limbs to help shield it from sunscald. How to Wrap Evergreen Trees with Burlap There are two ways to protect your evergreen tree with burlap. It keeps the cold air out and stop animals from eating it. Loosely wrap burlap completely around the tree, from the lowest limbs to slightly over the highest peak. Pin the burlap temporarily, cut from the spool and remove the pins. To secure, use twine to tie the bottom, middle, and top of the tree. Another option is to get a few wooden stakes (about 3 of them) that are a little taller than the tree. Put one stake in front, one on the side of the tree that receives the most wind, and the last one on either side of the tree. Your goal is to form a triangle. Put a couple of pieces of burlap around the stakes, securing them with staples. When you are finished, you should have what looks like a safety barrier surrounding your tree.  Protect Your Trees from Freeze
When protecting trees from frost, the temp can’t be under 32 degrees over a persistent period of time. You don’t want it cold enough to freeze the leaves, fruit, buds/blossoms, and twigs. Trees Most Vulnerable to Damage: Catalpa, Oleander, Eugenia, Jacaranda, and other tropical plants are most likely to be damaged. Tender, new growth is tender and easily harmed by freezing temps. Protect Your Plants and Trees: Cover vulnerable plants and trees with tarps, burlap, sheets, etc. that go to the ground to shut in the earth’s stored warmth. Use stakes or a frame to reduce contact between the foliage and the cover. Transport trees and potted plants to more protected areas. Contact Harrisburg Tree Service to help you if needed. Thoroughly Water Plants: Moist soil will soak up a greater amount of solar radiation when compared to dry soil and will re-emit warmth in the nighttime. If you possess a big tree that requires protection, having your sprinklers on at the coldest time of the day can bring it a slim edge. The approach makes use of latent heat discharged when water transforms from solid to liquid. When ice crystals develop on the leaf surface, they take moisture from the leaf tissue. The harm from this dehydration will be less damaging if the plant isn’t already suffering from drought. Advanced Planning for Freeze:
Help Trees Recover: Do not trim anything off right away. Wait to see what flourishes in the spring. The damage is usually not nearly as bad as it first appears. New growth might come out of the tissue you believed was dead. If dieback is bad enough and your tree has lost “shade,” safeguard the now-unshaded parts of the trunk/branches from the sun with whitewash or a physical cover. Get rid of mushy fruit while still salvageable for juicing or snacking.  Although trees stay dormant during the winter, they aren’t immune to dry and cold conditions. Trees experience the stress of damaging winter weather. Though, they may not show it. It’s typically a lack of water that does the most harm. Therefore, watering trees in the winter is crucial.
Though it might be wintry and gray outside, your trees still need you. Dry, long periods without extra water kill your trees, destroying your root systems. Even though they might appear normal looking in the spring, trees that have been damaged over the winter will die back later in the summer. Follow the tree care advice below to aid the trees on your property endure the winter and stay healthy all year long. Watering During the Winter Keep watering trees on a normal schedule during the fall until the earth starts to freeze. When the ground freezes, continue to watch weather conditions during the winter months. When to Water Water works like an insulator to the soil and the tree. Soil that stays wet will be warmer. Similar, tree cells that are full of water will be less vulnerable to harm from the cold. Trees which are dormant don’t have to be watered often during the growing season. When there is little precipitation and no snow, water your trees one to two times a month until they start leafing out in the springtime. If the area is mostly windy, your trees might need more water. Once the ground melts in the spring, you can restart your normal watering schedule. Water only when the temperature is over 40 degrees F and there isn’t any ice or snow on the ground close to your trees. Water early in the day, so the trees have time to soak it up before the temperature drops at night. Be careful to put water all the way out to the outer part of the root spread of the tree. Most established trees have a root spread the same as their height. If possible, water deeply with a soaker hose and don’t spray on foliage if watering an evergreen tree. Watering Young Trees Newly planted or young trees are much more vulnerable to drought damage during the wintertime. Be sure they are well watered during the fall and summer until the ground freezes. Water every few weeks in the wintertime when there is no snow. If you're concerned about the trees in your landscape and need help identifying them and their needs, contact us at Harrisburg Tree Service and we will provide the professional assistance you need!  Fraser Fir Christmas Tree Get Fresh
The first step is looking for freshness. Going to a pick-and-cut tree farm or tree care services parking lot will guarantee you’re getting a fresh tree. But, buying from a big-box store or pop-up shop isn’t bad. If you aren’t sure how long the tree has been sitting around, you’ll need to cut off around a 1/2 inch of the stem before putting it in a stand. This is due to the sap forming a protective layer around the cut on the trunk where it was sliced, stopping the ability of needles to receive critical water. A Fraser or Noble Fir is famous for retaining their needles and not shedding as much as pine or spruce trees. Fraser or Noble Firs make the perfect Christmas trees. Quenching Thirst When keeping a Christmas tree healthy, a tree needs a stand with the right reservoir to stay hydrated throughout the season. You don’t want to jam the trunk of the tree into the wrong size tree stand or tear the base to make it fit. The stem has to stand completely erect and stay submerged in water. So, having the right tree stand is imperative. The most critical step in keeping a Christmas tree healthy for weeks is putting the base and tree in a basin that holds no less than one gallon of water. Surprisingly, ordinary tap water is best. Since you can’t damage a Christmas tree by overwatering it, it won’t hurt to check the water level in the reservoir every day while it is on display. If you’re traveling for the holiday, fill the reservoir until it’s full. Even if the tree drinks up all the water, it will rehydrate when you return home and give it more water. Real vs. Fake Some folks think that using a fake tree is better for the earth than having a live tree. You have to think about where the artificial tree came from, what was used to transport it, and the industrial material in the plastic used to make it. Though a fake tree can last a long time, eventually it will be in a landfill while a live tree usually gets turned into eco-friendly mulch. |
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