LandscapExperts Tip of the Week, Dec. 19

Evaluating Existing Landscape Plants: Plants in Poor Condition

Rely on Crabapple LandscapExperts to let you know, as the HOA Rep or Property Manager, if some of the plants on your properties are in poor condition. Deciding to replace them involves evaluation of what made them decline, as well as suggesting suitable replacements.

Some considerations and their solutions include: Pest Problems Environmental Factors Design Challenges

Let the LandscapExperts at Crabapple guide you through some of the more complex environmental interactions involved in landscape renovation. For example, if a boxwood is dying in a location that is too wet, we can repair the drainage problem else we can replace the boxwood with a Korean box holly that looks the same but is tolerant to wet soils Removing a tree that shades the west side of a building may increase the impact of summer heat on the air conditioning unit. Additionally, understory plants that are now in bright sun may be impacted, and we can suggest temporary shading (awning or vines) as well as installing a replacement shade tree If an insect or disease attacked one plant, we can replace it with a carefully selected substitute that is not vulnerable to the pest.

Each landscape is a complex living environment, and the impact of changing one aspect will impact the other plants. In renovation, Crabapple LandscapExperts will reuse the best aspects and plants in your original landscape. 

LandscapExperts Tip of the Week, December 12

Evaluating Existing Plant Material: Keep Marginal Plants or Not

When plants are on the borderline of health, the decision of whether or not to keep them is more difficult than if they are doing either well or poorly. CrabappleLandscapExperts 

• Weigh the cost of labor and supplies involved in rejuvenating the plant over time (fertilizing, pruning) 
• Compare removal costs 
• Consider replacement costs 
• Evaluate the time of year 
• Decide if the plant is rare or commonplace

If the plant will need a lot of work to bring it up to thriving, and if it will need to be removed in a couple of years anyway, we will let you know the remedial work is not justified and give you plenty of options.

CrabappleLandscapExperts never assume that just because a plant was removed from a location, it needs an immediate replacement. Unless the plant was located specifically to modify the environment around a home or property (e.g. solar shading, windbreak) or to contribute to the design (balance, symmetry) there may be no need to replace it. 

Once the decision is made, we will offer suggestions to Property Managers and Homeowner Association Reps to help them replace the marginal plant with a newer or dwarf cultivar that will do well in the location. 

LandscapExperts Tip of the Week, Dec. 5

Evaluating Existing Plant Material: Plants in Marginal Condition


Some of the plants in the landscapes you  manage may be borderline in terms of health and beauty. Crabapple LandscapExperts can advise you on remedial measures to get them back looking great. 

• Older plants may need selective rejuvenation pruning
• Plants with fewer flowers than before may need more light or a more balanced fertilizer
• When lower foliage has died out, plants can be reshaped for an improved look
• Plants fighting diseases or insect pests can be helped with the proper Rx
• Another example is if the original design wedged a plant into a spot too small for it 

The LandscapExperts at Crabapple can trouble shoot and repair the marginal plants in landscapes you maintain. 

LandscapExperts Tip of the Week, Nov. 28

Evaluating Existing Plant Material: Maintaining Plants in Good Condition


 For all landscape plants that are in good condition on your properties, and the ones that you intend to keep, set up a preventative maintenance schedule with Crabapple LandscapExperts for best performance. 


A schedule ensures that the plants will be cared for on a regular basis, and calendar dates for specific tasks can include times to  

• fertilize
• prune or thin
• treat for pest problems
• mulch
• water
• move to another location if desired

Remember, Crabapple LandscapExperts will keep your plants healthy, yet will not overstimulate growth, reducing maintenance while increasing health and beauty. 

LandscapExperts Tip of the Week, Nov. 21

Evaluating Existing Plant Material: Plants in Good Condition


With luck, proper original design and planting, and great maintenance many of the plants in the landscapes you manage will be in good condition. Crabapple LandscapExperts are well-acquainted with how each type of plant should look and can give your plantings an annual or semi-annual once-over. 


Healthy Plant Characteristics

• Leaf size and color are appropriate
• Timing of spring leaf-out and fall leaf-drop is within acceptable limits
• Number of flowers and fruits is suitable (interesting but little-known fact: plants about to die often produce an abundance of seeds in an attempt to reproduce) 
• Rate of growth is adequate
• Plant is healthy and withstands insect and disease attacks
• Root system is vigorous, clean and expanding

Let Crabapple LandscapExperts evaluate your landscape plants to make sure they are performing their best. 

LandscapExperts Tip of the Week, Nov. 14

Landscape Renovation: The Property Manager's or the HOA Rep's Responsibility 


Many non-plant hazards also exist in the landscape, and it is the responsibility of the Property Manager or the Homeowners Association representative to take steps to correct them before any problems occur. Preventative care by Crabapple LandscapExperts is the best and most cost-effective insurance for residential and commercial properties. 


Examples of correctable hazards:

• Insufficient night lighting
• Dimly lit or dark apartment/condo/house numbers
• Metal edging that has eased above ground
• Uneven or broken paving
• Uplifted tree roots
• Holes in lawns

With the cost of liability insurance today, troubleshooting by Crabapple LandscapExperts is a conscientious decision and a great step toward safety. 

LandscapExperts Tip of the Week, Nov. 7

Landscape Renovation: Damaged or Weakened Trees


Trees that have been damaged are a potential hazard to residents, and it is the Property Manager's or the Homeowners Association Rep's responsibility to call Crabapple LandscapExperts to eliminate danger.

• Tree limbs partially broken by strong winds, ice or even lightning strikes may be hanging above, just waiting to fall on an unsuspecting resident
• Trees with major branches cut out (sometimes the utility companies will chop a tree to clear their power lines) may become weakened
• Upright trees with narrow branch crotch angles are subject to splitting, as is the case after strong winds with Bradford Pears planted in the 80s - 90s 
• Insect pests like tent caterpillars or progressive tree diseases such as blight can weaken a tree making it susceptible to further damage, death and toppling
• Construction cuts are sometimes made too near to tree roots and can undermine its support system. Examples are road cuts, paving, curbing, foundation or swimming pool excavation, grade changes or underground utility work

Call Crabapple LandscapExperts to set up routine inspections evaluate your landscape trees before an incident happens, and to correct landscape problems we discover. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!