Frequently Asked Questions

How to Protect Your Trees and Shrubs

The summer of 2004 was one of the wettest summers on record. As a result, many diseases plagued trees and shrubs, causing early leaf drop. By the time the damage became evident, treatment was no longer an option. The best way to control fungal diseases in trees and shrubs is with a regular spraying program. Like a flu shot, our tree and shrub program protects your plantings from ever getting common foliage diseases. In addition, we also treat common insect problems in your plantings when they occur to keep them form feeding on your trees and shrubs. We can custom-tailor a tree and shrub program for your specific needs and use integrated pest management practices whenever possible to reduce the amount of chemicals used.

Is there a right and wrong method of lawn mowing?

Yes, alternate the direction in which you mow each time. If you continue to mow in the same direction each time your lawn will form ruts from the wheels of the mower. Plus, the grass will bend over and not take a good cut if mowed repeatedly in the same direction.

My crabapple trees have lost all their leaves and it is only September 1st. Are my trees dead and what can I do about this?

Due to the wet spring, your crabapple trees developed a fungus called apple scab. The disease is most severe in wet years and results from the splashing of spores onto your tree from last year's debris. The best way to control the disease is to rake up and destroy any debris from the tree and apply a fungicide at regular intervals next season, starting when the leaves first emerge from the buds.

My lawn contains a lot of creeping charlie. When is the best time to control this?

Creeping charlie or Ground Ivy as it is also called, is a tough vining perennial of the mint family. To control it, you need to understand when it is most susceptible to being controlled. These two times are during peak flowering and just after a light frost in the fall. Most broadleaf herbicides work well, but a product that has 2 or more different chemical ingredients work best.

What is included with your 4 step fertilizer program?

The first application contains a pre-emergent crabgrass preventer. The second application contains a higher nitrogen fertilizer that helps green up and feed your lawn. The third focuses on giving your lawn a lighter feeding of nitrogen and monitoring insect infestations. The final application winterizes your lawn. This application provides nutrients that increase winter hardiness and enhances your lawn's green color with an iron additive. This application will make your lawn healthier and greener next spring. At each application, we also apply a liquid weed control to eliminate broadleaf weeds in your lawn. Our licensed and trained applicators also monitor your lawn with each application for insect and disease problems.

Why do I keep blowing fuses or tripping breakers when I plug in my holiday lights?

Your breaker may not be adequate or you may have too many lights for the power source.

Why do I need more lights every year for my trees?

A mature tree can grow up to a foot in height and width every year, thus requiring more lights every season.

Why Is Pruning Important For Your Shrubs and Trees?

Proper pruning is an essential step in this process. Pruning controls a tree's growth, improves health, enhances fruiting, flowering and appearance and makes it less susceptible to injury from natural forces such as severe storms or drought. Trees should be pruned for the first time 2 years after planting, then every 2 to 3 years thereafter.

Why is watering your spring plantings so important

An adequate water supply is essential for plant survival. Not only does it allow the plant to cool itself in the heat of summer, but it is also a critical component in the plants ability to feed itself. Without consistent water supply, growth stops.

Why mow your lawn regularly?

Mowing regularly is not just about keeping your grass height under control. Mowing your grass on a regular basis helps stimulate your grass to better health and helps your lawn to become greener and more luscious.

Why Should You Use a 4-Step Fertilizer/Weed Control Program?

A 4-step granular fertilizer program is the prescription for a healthy and lush, green lawn. Each application of slow release fertilizer applies the correct amount of nutrients your lawn needs throughout the season, feeding it slower and much longer than a liquid fertilizer program. Our 4-step program not only eliminates weed problems such as crabgrass and creeping charlie, but we also monitor and treat insect problems free of charge as part of the 4-step program.