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25 Jun 2017
Why Do You Need to Let Some of Your Trees Go (When Their Time Comes)
June 25, 2017 By admin Tree Removal , , , ,

Why Do You Need to Let Some of Your Trees Go (When Their Time Comes)

While trees are undoubtedly the heart and soul of every garden, there comes a time when any tree must leave. Some tree species do not have the privilege of living 5000 years, so strong and so tall as Bristlecone Pine. Sadly, the common tree types we have in our yards get old in less than 50 years and when they do, removal is due.

For someone who lived for 17,000 – 25,000 years, reading this paragraph would surely give them the strongest headache an Ent has ever had. The wisest and eldest of the Ents, Treebeard, is very likely to have witnessed as many battles and events as Eru Ilúvatar; the creator of the world of J. R. R. Tolkien. Finding out there’s a tree (or Ent if you will) that is about to be removed from an area (or killed, if seen from his perspective) would’ve caused Treebeard to start a war against Men.

But worry not. The ancient Forest of Fangorn is far from our Earth and the trees we have are not capable of walking, talking and fighting our battles for us like Ents did. Ranging in all sizes and shapes, trees do a lot more for our gardens than providing oxygen for our flowers, plants and, of course, for us. Unfortunately, that applies for healthy trees only. The unhealthy ones, though, are undesirable. Not only can they be an eyesore, but they also represent a hazard for you, your family and your pet.

There are a number of reasons to remove trees from a yard. However, to decide whether you need to let go of a tree, you only need to answer yourself these questions:

  • Is it in the way of a planned activity? Many times the reason to remove a tree is simply because the homeowners have planned an activity that includes the space that a tree takes (such as renovation or building a kid’s playfield).
  • Is the tree healthy? If the tree is damaged over 50% and cannot be saved, removal is probably the most appropriate solution. An unhealthy tree may continue surviving in your yard, but it will be forever charmless.
  • Does it pose a hazard for you and your family? Old and sick trees usually have weak roots and branches, which represents a constant threat for you and your family. If trimming and pruning doesn’t help, tree removal is essential, because they could snap over you at any time.
  • Is it leaning? If the tree is leaning, it could mean a number of things. For example, weakening or breakage of the roots or suffering from a disease. In this case, tree removal is a must, because it represents a hazard.
  • What is the environment of the tree? If the tree is growing on rock ledges or near a body of water, it is very likely their root systems to be shallow and weak. These trees must be removed before they fall; it’s only a matter of time.

If you find the old adage “Better safe than sorry” to be true, there are few more considerations you need to take into account. For example, if there are dead branches on one side only, there’s hope for the tree if expert handles it on time, as it is only a symptom of trunk or root damage. Also, examine if the tree has a historical or sentimental value. If you’re not attached to it, a member of your family might. Once you answer all of these questions and conclude your tree no longer belongs to your garden, it’s time to take care of the matter and do what needs to be done.

“Do not be hasty – that is my motto”

Treebeard’s motto is as he had this particular thought in mind, encouraging us to think long and think hard. Growing tired of a tree or realizing you could use the space of the tree’s location differently are not good reasons that can get you Treebeard’s approval. Before removing a tree from your yard, you need to be totally sure that the tree is beyond saving and it does more harm than good. The best way to ensure if a tree cannot be saved is to hire a professional tree removal service provider. We at Sunset Landscaping speak Entish, which is our secret why we know exactly whether a tree needs to go or not.

12 Apr 2017
Landscaping Materials to Make Your Yard Work Pay Off
April 12, 2017 By admin Landscaping Materials, Lanscaping Tips , , , ,

Landscaping Materials to Make Your Yard Work Pay Off

Your time spent in the yard may not necessarily be time well spent, especially if you don’t have the knowledge or the right landscaping materials. You may not have realized it yet, but landscape supplies can be a major cost in building and maintaining a yard. Besides that, landscaping requires a vast of knowledge to make things work. But regardless of the amount of hours you put in yard work, it won’t pay off if you’re trying to save on landscaping materials.

Just as no pizza goes without dough (spare me, cooking experts), no landscaper should ever feature poor-quality materials in their yard. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean that you should go in your local store and buy the most expensive materials. The point is not to get the most expensive materials, but the ones that meet your yard requirements best. To do so, first you need a well-thought plan, with priorities and goals clearly identified.

All the landscaping materials you choose have a direct impact on the appearance of your yard. For that reason, we list the materials you should never try to save on if you want a healthy and visually appealing yard.

Mulch

Although not mandatory, mulching is among the most crucial landscaping products you need. Being one of the best gardening habits you can implement, mulching can do wonders for your garden. Mulch is actually a protective barrier that helps the soil keep off unsuitable temperatures, as well as to hold the moisture to prevent your plants from drying out. It can also prevent soil compaction, which prevents yet another demanding chore (aeration).

There are many different types of mulch you can get, but basically, there are two types: organic and inorganic. Organic are derived from animal manures and plant materials, while inorganic mulch contains pebbles, gravel, and similar materials. Make your selection based on the time of year and climate conditions.

Soil

Good soil quality is also among the most important materials your landscape requires, yet it is often overlooked. The growth of your plants largely depends on the soil quality. If the soil is of poor quality, rest assured your plants won’t grow as big as you expect them to. Also, healthy soil can store and process more water.

When adding soil to your yard, choose soil of the same type you already have or type that will at least complement it. This way, you won’t damage the existing soil, as it will just mix up beautifully. If you want to build a whole new healthy and productive soil for your plants, you need to consider a few things, such as your location, climate conditions, plants requirements, etc.

Compost

Many landscapers underestimate the importance of using compost, while it is in fact the most eco-friendly way of making a yard flourish with beautiful plants. Composting is the process of turning leaves, grass clippings and other decomposed organic material into compost. Since compost is organic, it is a great protection against pests. Also, compost can improve your soil structure so your soil can have the perfect balance of air, water and nutrients. Investing in quality compost can turn out to be one of your smartest investments, as it does not only save you money on chemical fertilizers, but it also decreases the need for watering.

Gravel

Every landscape could use a gravel product, because it is something that can be featured in a variety of settings. Aside from its appearance-boosting ability, gravel is commonly used as a base for driveways. Gravel is mostly known for creating a hard-wearing path without breaking the bank. Regardless of your landscape style, gravel can fit just perfectly, as there are hundreds and thousands of types to choose from. What’s most important is to get gravel that suits your landscape style and the other elements in your yard.

Sand

Like gravel, there are many different types and uses of sand in landscapes. If one of your landscape’s purposes is to provide a playground for your children, you surely do need quality sand. The sand you choose should be mainly based on where you live. Sands come in different particle sizes and different colors, and that’s where you can get creative and mix it up a little. If you need sand to use as a paving base, you should go for coarse washed type.

Making these choices all by yourself can be hard, but that’s where we step in. We, at Sunset Landscaping, are ready to take over your responsibility and get you the landscaping materials to make your yard work pay off.

19 Jan 2017
winter lawn
January 19, 2017 By admin Lanscaping Tips , , , ,

How To Better Take Care Of Your Lawn In The Winter Season

Winter is here. You might think that this means a vacation from all the activities that include lawn maintaining, but if you take a great deal of pride as I do in my yard, you would know that taking care of your lawn and yard is not a one or two season activity. Here in the north-east Illinois, winter can be pretty harsh as we all know it. This could have a devastating effect on your lawn. If you don’t take the required measurements, it will be almost impossible to get the summer lawn you wanted. That’s why we are providing 5 tips to keep your lawn alive during winter and persevere its fully beauty.

Add mulch before the cold hits hard

Make sure you add a thin layer of mulch right before the weather gets too cold. This will protect your grass from snow, frost and inclement weather. Also, it prevents the deeper layers of your soil from freezing so that it will be much easier for your grass to return in the spring.

Rest the lawn

When the snow covers the lawn, walking on it can cause damage because the grass plants are not actively growing which makes it hard to repair themselves if damaged. You can direct all the foot traffic through a clean path that goes around the lawn. Be careful, don’t park a vehicle on the lawn in winter, it can do some serious damage.

Don’t cut your grass too short

This means you have to stop mowing your lawn after the first frost, because if you do, you will be left with a short grass that is exposed to dryness and evaporation and can cause issues with bacteria later on.

Keep the lawn clean

Leaving fallen leaves or branches on the grass for too long can seriously stunt your grass and cause a lot of damage. This can be easily prevented with a garden rake or brush by sweeping the fallen leaves.

Watch out for salt

Snow full of salt can undo all the work you have put in your lawn all year. Be careful not to use salt onto your grass or if you have to, try using as minimal salt as you can.

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