LandscapExperts Tip of the Week, June 25

Climate control! Energy Conservation through Strategic Landscaping

• Ornamental Plants can serve to modify the environment where they are placed
• Plant large deciduous shade trees on the south, southwest and west sides of the structures: homes patios decks, outdoor recreation and entertaining areas for shade
• Plant deciduous vines on supports or trellises against walls to the south, southwest and west sides to again provide shade in summer and privacy
• Plant evergreen or deciduous shrubs to shade air conditioning units
• Plant evergreens close to structures on the north or north west, northeast sides to create an insulating dead air space and insulate against winter winds
• Plant staggered, double rows of tall evergreen shrubs or trees on the north side of the house to block or divert winter wind
• Plant tree and shrub groupings to direct the wind in desireable directions, aqllowing cold air to settle downhill when possible
• Plant trees and shrubs to intercept light and heat from light-colored, paved surfaces 

LandscapExperts Tip of the Week June 18

Analyze the Landscape for Needs and Desires

How functional is he landscape is for all residents?

Combine similar functions

Entertaining

Recreation

Gardening

Storage for extra vehicles, trailers, campers and boats

Parking pad that can double as a sports area

Storage for trash, recycling and firewood

Privacy 

LandscapExperts Tip of the Week June 11

Steps in Renovation and Design

Let Crabapple LandscapExperts analyze your landscape and custom-design a renovation plan or design solution for the properties you manage.

First, we create a scale drawing on graph paper

• Start with the city plat
• Check with original builder or Homeowners Association for a copy of the blueprints and surveys
• Measure the property boundaries, consulting the legal descriptions
• Measure the external dimensions of the building(s)
• Note landscape details, trees, fences, walkways, entrances, gates, parking, and so forth
• Locate where downspouts and electrical outlets and air conditioning units, where utilities enter the building(s)(above or below ground) and location of meters
• Septic tanks
• Wells
• Irrigation systems
• Water lines
• Locate the drives, walks, parking and so forth according to the legal description
• Pools, dog pens, walls, fences, walls, play equipment, clothes lines, vegetable gardens, compost piles

Crabapple does this inventory for your properties to begin the process.

LandscapExpert Tip of the Week, June 4, 2012

Factors Contributing to Landscape Decline: Chemical Abuse

An unseen killer of trees and landscape plants is attributed to the misuse of chemicals.

• Salt or de-icing chemicals seep into the ground water, killing roots
• Inorganic Fertilizers, applied at too high rates, can also burn roots and injure landscape plants through reverse osmosis
• Chemical herbicides used on weeds can adversely affect landscape shrubs and trees
• Repeated pets abuse can burn landscape plantings by urinating on shrubs or beside trees
• Acid rain
• Air pollutants
• Underground gas leaks 
• Above-ground dumping of solvents in the vicinity of plant roots

To help prevent this chemical misuse, CrabappleLandscapExperts always encourage the safe and proper application and disposal of all chemicals. Call your Crabapple Rep if you have questions, or need a hand.