Its January!!!! Check Your Trees and Plants!!!!

Since we have had this horrible summer of drought(2011), we need to do some maintenance on trees and shrubs. This a good time to do as follows:

1.Fertilization on Trees and Shrubs!---I feel it is important especially to fertilize trees during this time since sap goes dormant in the winter time. Special fertilizers are used to help our trees transition during the past drought and to get ready for future harsh weather. Aeration on tree are important at least every two years to help give oxygen,water, and fertilization down to the core of the feeder roots. Shrubs need a quick spread of triple 14. Ask us about applying these chemicals @ arborlifedesigns@gmail.com or 281-914-7788.

2.Pruning Deadwood and Looking for dead trees-It is important to be aware of dead limbs or dead trees for they can be a liability on your property and could harm you.

3.Wrap Back flows and other outdoor pipes for possible freeze! Since our cold season has started a little late this year that would be advised to be done since we might have a couple of freezes coming up.

4.Drainage-Look at possible issues in your drainage that could be affecting your sod and plants!

All these steps are important to get us ready for the spring coming up! Hope all had a great break!

Arbor Life
281-914-7788
arborlifedesigns@gmail.com

Fall and Autumn Landscaping

I am soo glad the temperatures have come down! It was a hot summer and this a good time to re look at your outdoor environment! Here are some tips this Fall 2011:

1.Plants Alive??Check your existing plants and see if they are going to be replaced. There are many plants that are durable going into the winter that we can replace and will help get you ready for the holidays.

2. New Movement of older material-If you would still like to enjoy some of you most favorite summer flowers, you could transplant them in containers and bring them in every night. Or if you are not that ambitious you can cover you plants up at night to avoid the frost. Either way you are prolonging you enjoyment.

3.Specialty Color...Mums!!!Also in late summer there are a variety of mums that can be planted. These are one of the most hardy when dealing with the cold weather of October.

4.Suggestion for Color: is trees that you plant in your yard. You can go from bright yellows to fiery red. Some of the best choices are sugar maples, birch, ash ginkgo, red bud,beech, hickory, butternut, honey locust and the tulip tree just to name a few out there. Do some searching on the net. It seems like they are coming up with new hybrids every year, and you could possibly be the first on to have the new breed of tree and having the neighbors asking what kind of tree is that? Where did you get it?

5.Check Sprinklers and Dead limbs and trees: Make sure during this season you walk around your property for possible issues with your trees and turn your sprinkler on to see if zones are working property.

If you have any further questions feel free to email us at: arborlife@arborlife.com

Regards,

Arbor Life

Advantages of having a Mosquito System

The mosquito product market is jam packed with effective, and not-so-effective, products. From body sprays to lantern repellents to citronella candles, there are lots of choices. But if you’re committed to comprehensive mosquito control, mosquito misting systems is hard to pass up. Here’s why:

• Systems cover the perimeter of your yard, not just parts of it (depending on your installation).
• Mosquito misting devices provide automatic spraying so you don’t have to worry with daily maintenance.
• The cost for effective mosquito control is most economical long term.
• Mosquito misting is set up by licensed pest management professionals, ensuring that your solution is set up correctly with the best chance for success.
• Call Arbor Life for more information on our systems: arborlife@arborlife.com
  

Fertilizing Plants in the Winter Time

On Plants: It's a good idea to use a fertilizers with a higher potassium level because that is what plants seem to favor and protect plant cells from freeze injuries. Secondly, water your plants in the fall as needed. Give your plants a thorough watering before the first freeze. It is just as important to water your plants to protect them from dehydrating in the winter as it is to protect them from the cold.

Mulch: Make sure to add more mulch during the winter for this will help protect the roots of plants and help preserve moisture in the flower bed areas.

Deadwood Removal and Dead leaves:Break off dead leaves and any remaining fruit from stems. Late fall is the perfect time to do this. Follow the same rule as fertilization and stop pruning within six weeks of the first frost. It is also a good idea to remove any dead leaves on the ground around your plants. This will help prevent any fungal spores from taking root and growing on the dead leaves.

Christmas Lights Installed

Christmas Light Installation

This is our fifth year installing Christmas lights for our clients. We offer light installation on trees, houses,shrubs, and other items that need to be lit up. Let us know if you are interested in needing our services. We service the west, loop, and mid town areas of Houston on this service. Call us at 281-914-7788 or email us at : arborlife@arborlife.com

Check out our website for new information on services and sign up for our monthly newsletter when you email us!

Take All Root Rot

Here is a link on this problem that we have been having in the Houston and Beaumont area with St. Augustine.  It disquishes itself as chinch bugs. Please call if you need more application answers on this problem.

http://www.aces.edu/pubs/docs/A/ANR-0823/ANR-0823.pdf

Tree Facts you should know!

General Facts About Trees

• Trees keep our air supply fresh by absorbing carbon dioxide and producing oxygen.

• In one year, an acre of trees can absorb as much carbon as is produced by a car driven up to 8700 miles.

• Trees provide shade and shelter, reducing yearly heating and cooling costs by 2.1 billion dollars.

• Trees lower air temperature by evaporating water in their leaves.

• The average tree in metropolitan area survives only about 8 years!

• A tree does not reach its most productive stage of carbon storage for about 10 years.

• Trees cut down noise pollution by acting as sound barriers.

• Tree roots stabilize the soil and prevent erosion.

• Trees improve water quality by slowing and filtering rain water as well as protecting aquifers and watersheds.

• Trees provide protection from downward fall of rain, sleet, and hail as well as reduce storm run-off and the possibility of flooding,

• Trees provide food and shelter for wildlife.

• Trees located along streets act as a glare and reflection control.

• The death of one 70-year old tree would return over three tons of carbon to the atmosphere