 Have you ever wondered if your Grandfather's worries about Ivy being damaging to tree health is true? Can it be true that something as lovely as an Ivy-covered tree can be a problem? Let’s take a look at what the tree experts say about Ivy and trees.
Ivy is a voracious grower There is no doubt that Ivy makes a beautiful ground cover and its lushly spreading growth requires very little tending in your garden. The downside of using Ivy in your yard comes when it begins to grow into the trunk of your favorite tree. When left unbothered, Ivy can completely entwine the tree trunk. Experts differ on how dangerous Ivy is to a tree Some landscaping experts believe that the vine has no place near a tree and the best thing that a homeowner can do is to remove the Ivy as quickly as possible. The thinking is that Ivy can damage the bark and even, in some cases, kill the tree. Tree Stewards of Arlington and Alexandria, a volunteer group dedicated to preserving trees in urban communities, argues that Ivy is bad for tree health because of it
On the other hand, many international tree organizations say that Ivy doesn’t cause a problem to otherwise healthy trees. The Royal Horticultural Society of Great Britain believes that Ivy is generally harmless to a healthy tree and there are significant benefits to having Ivy on a tree in your yard. Ivy benefits include
Take it out or leave it alone? So, with so many different opinions, how do you decide what to do about the Ivy that is currently living alongside a tree in your yard? The safest bet is to ask a Buffalo-area tree care specialist for advice. A tree care expert, known as an arborist, has lots of experience working with Ivy-covered trees and can give you an informed opinion that you can trust. Try an Ivy-covered tree stump Do you have a dull looking tree stump in your yard that you’d like to incorporate into your landscaping when a stump grinding cost is prohibitive? Ivy grows quite happily all over tree stumps and can make an attractive addition to your yard. Remember that the vine is a rapid grower and will gladly spread all over your yard if you don’t keep it well controlled. Last Thoughts The question of whether Ivy is damaging to a tree is open to debate. We recommend that you ask a tree care expert for some sound advice. Meanwhile, please give us a call at Buffalo Stump Removal for a free, no-nonsense estimate on all of your tree stump needs.  Have you ever wondered how many years your favorite Maple tree has shaded your backyard? Of course, you could cut down your beloved tree to count its growth rings for a pretty accurate age. However, since you probably want to continue enjoying your Maple, we suggest that it makes a whole lot more sense for you to figure out the age of tree without cutting it down.
Dating a tree from the outside Luckily, it’s possible to obtain a ballpark age for the trees in your yard without wielding an ax. Most non-cutting dating methods don’t require you to do much more than dust off your high school geometry skills to come up with the diameter of the tree. We found an easy to follow method along with interesting information on the background of the dating technique on the ThoughtCo website. The basics are
You need to know the growth factor for your tree as trees don’t all grow at the same rate. Check here for the growth factors of common species of trees. Keep in mind that non-invasive techniques can only give you a rough guess as to the age of your tree because the actual growth rates reflect things like (1) water (2) sunlight (3) soil and (4) climate. Reading a tree stump Scientists have long stated that it’s possible to get a reasonably accurate estimate of the age of a tree by counting the rings visible on a horizontal cut of the tree. Dendrochronology, the fancy name for using tree rings to determine such things as the age of a tree, is based on the theory that a tree undergoes an annual growth period that shows up within the tree as a ring. Tree stumps are a goldmine of information. Not only do they reveal an approximate age of the tree at the time that it was cut down, but they also give researchers essential data about the environmental conditions over time in that area. Scientists use the data from thousands of tree stumps to help us to better understand climate change over time. Final Thoughts Did you know that the tree stump in your yard was such a vital record keeper? Take a few minutes to count the growth rings on your resident tree stump to learn more about the natural history of your home. The professional tree stump experts at Buffalo Stump Removal are also fascinated by the trees, and tree stumps present all over our community. Contact us today for complete information about affordable ways to minimize tree stump issues in your outdoor environment.  Have you ever wondered why trees fall during storms? Thrashing winds, sheets of ice, and mountains of snow are part of life in Buffalo, and the heartbreaking fact is that even the most well-loved tree might not make it through one of our massive storms. Keep reading to find out why trees are so vulnerable to Mother Nature.
Three major reasons that trees don’t make it through a storm Tree scientists have done extensive research into what causes a tree to topple during foul weather. Experts agree that three things lead to the majority of tree failures. Weak roots A healthy tree has established a deep underground root system that serves to hold the tree upright in windy weather. Unfortunately, things like (1) poor soil, (2) root rot from too much water, and (3) soil erosion that leads to exposed roots can damage the root system to the point that it can’t fully support the tree during a storm. Top heavy tree Have you ever had to catch a bookcase that was beginning to tip over from the weight of too many heavy books on the top shelves? If so, you can appreciate what happens when a tree is carrying too much weight high above the ground. A massive top tree is especially prone to collapse when strong winds either cause the tree to uproot or severe bending snaps the trunk. Fragile branch connections Healthy tree branches hold tightly to the body of the tree, and they’re able to withstand even the harshest storm conditions. Branches break off when their connection to the rest of the tree is fragile resulting in severe damage to the (1) tree, (2) other property and (3) people and pets. Healthy trees stand tall Although wild weather can bring any tree down a healthy tree stands a much better chance of surviving nature’s wrath than the ones that struggle with (1) poor soil conditions, (2) disease, and (3) large and weakened branches. The surest way to keep your trees hardy is to schedule a regular tree pruning program with a qualified tree care service. As you prepare for another Buffalo winter, make sure that you check to make sure that your trees are ready to fight the elements. If you end up needing tree stump removal services, you can rely on Buffalo Stump Removal to lend a professional and affordable hand.  Did you know that tree stumps make bird baths that will encourage a wide variety of wild birds to visit your yard? Indeed, birds need a ready source of water, and they’ll happily drop in on an inviting bird bath. Keep reading for a few thoughts on how to turn a tree stump into a delightful avian spa.
Essentials Before you pull out your toolbox to get started creating a bird spa, it’s important to think like a bird for a minute. What do birds want in a water source? Experts say that birds flock to a space that is
Design a bird bath to complement your yard Now that you know the things that your outdoor friends are looking for in a watering spot, it’s time to let your creative side take over to create a bath that adds to the beauty of your yard. Take a close look at your landscaping and let it guide your design. Fortunately, there are countless examples of how to turn a tree stump into a bird watering area on the internet. Check out these fantastic bird baths for some inspiration: Final thoughts Why consider stump removal when you can make the tree stump in your yard into a bird bath? Indeed, with a little creativity and effort, you can transform your yard into an avian meeting place that will give you countless hours of viewing pleasure throughout the year. Of course, not all tree stumps make bird baths. The talented stump removal technicians at Buffalo Stump Removal provide a complete range of straight-forward and affordable services for all of those tree stumps that can’t take on new life as a bird bath. CONTACT us today for a friendly and upfront estimate for all of your tree stump needs. |
AuthorBuffalo Stump Removal wants to provide you with information about stump removal and stump grinding services. We also want to provide fun tips, tricks, and information to you to assist you in making your home or office as awesome as you want it to be! Archives
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