Time to Stop Digging That Hole

You gotta know when to stop digging and stand up! How true a statement, this has been the first real winter that I can remember and everything has come to a screeching halt. The wringing of hands and nashing of teeth can't change a thing. Time for action. Tomorrow will be the start of another bad winter storm and yes all the pain that comes with that. Can't change that one bit, but with 45 days till spring you can make an impact on what will happen in the future.

One certainty is that spring will come, trees will have damage from the winter that will need to be addressed, grass will grow and will need tending and the annual pest will attack living plants. Be ready.

A Small Leak

A small leak, turned into a big deal today. No shut off for the water so off went the main. Two trips to Home Depot to get it right( I do miss that small hometown hardware store). Repair success, leak stopped but that missing shut off still bothers me. So with wet feet off to dinner with my wife. Birthday dinner and time to celebrate even though her birthday was last week(dinner postponed due to football playlets, her ideas not mine).

The morale of the story next time you go to visit the grandkids bring your tool box. You know that something will always need attention.

Which brings me to the next subject, whatever happened to being handy. You know that knowledge that's passed down from father to son on how to! Seems like these days no one can do anything. Change a washer in a faucet or sweat a pipe (solder a joint, pipe joint that is), change a flat. Basic home repairs arena mystery to so many. What happened? I am completed at a loss tom explain this phenomenon! So I guess grandpa has a place and a purpose. Need to pass this old knowledge on.

Longer Days

In case you haven't noticed the days are starting to get longer. In this coming week we will have Groundhogs Day either way roughly six more weeks or so till spring. The longer days means more mood altering sunshine a chance for some solar radiation to reach the ground and warm up the earth. This will trigger a genetic response in trees that will start the rise of sap carrying vital amino acids to the tips of the branches awakening dormant buds.

It's the warming days and cooling nights that starts the flow, up north it's time to tap the Sugar Maples trees and gather the sap for that traditional brew of maple syrup. Sticky goodness that will adorn pancakes, waffles and French toast. Mmmm, time for breakfast!

Quiet Mornings Reflection

Any time you get a chance for peace and quiet, grab it, savor it, enjoy it! It's only a moment in time and will quickly pass. Don't waste it on useless stuff, that paper will wait, enjoy that morning coffee, catch that sunrise, fresh air and find that peace you seek. In the next moment the craziness will start, a horrible story in the news, demands of others, traffic on the way into work, an angry call from a customer, the boss will say something or bad news will arrive in a miriade of forms. For now enjoy this moment. Deal with the crap to come later when the sh** hits the fan. Now breath deep and enjoy the quiet.

Sitting in a hard chair

Listening to speakers who spend more time reading their power point. Some talk too fast, some talk too slow. A few know what their talking about some are winging it.
After awhile you end up with a sore a***, and a headache. The quality needs to come up, but the info is good.

The next grievance is the lack of coffee and the speed at which the sticky buns disappeared. I heard one landscape architect complain that coffee should never run out. Then came lunch, okay I picked the wrong table (for the fifth straight year), never sit with tree men, they are boring and in the midst of a boring winter well you get my point. Everything was going smooth after lunch until an old colleague announces that he " has to take a dump"! Well that was it time for this arborist to go! Sore a*** and all.

Horticulture

Today, I am going to the first conference of the new year. Sounds exciting, probably not. I go because I want to show my support for Cooperative Extension and the work they do. Budgets are being slashed across the board but the services they do provide are a valuable resource.
I don't expect an ASCA type conference, but I am sure i'll gleam some tidbit for later use.

News Report

"Snow has killed business" as reported on the news tonight. Mmmm, who writes this stuff? I know it's been slow and kind of tough getting stuff down. Killed is an overstatement.
So we had a little snow. News worthy not sure, next week, next month things will be different. We all hope.

The When

When? Or the timing of pruning a tree. Pruning should be performed when there is a need. An accumulation of deadwood or interference to a structure are good indicators. A large shade tree should be inspected periodicly by an arborist. The frequency depends on the overall condition of the tree.
Oh! That when! Snow when will it stop? Can't answer that one. Time to shovel out again.

Not a Good Day to Work on Trees

Looks like more snow, from where I sit looks like a better day for a fire and a hot chocolate. OK, it's still winter and thoughts of warm sunny days paddling around in my kayak or wading that stream casting flies at disinterested brookies seems far off.

Sent the crews out to get some work done this morning and as soon as they pull out the snow starts, didn't expect that till later today. So a lost day and lost wages. Working outside is always a challenge that challenge is multiplied in winter. Snow, cold rains, windy days, far out number the sunny workable ones. Just got to try every day to go out and get something done. Safety is important and bad road and icy conditions means a lost day.

I've worked outside most of my life, nothing beats dropping a tool in the snow and never finding it till spring. The old saying "that you can always put more clothes on if it's cold and you can't take enough off if it's hot" obviously was said by someone who worked inside making up stupid sayings. Right now getting a nice pruning job in lets say Key West is pretty appealing. Stay warm.

How to Prune a Dogwood (or other small ornamental tree)

How, when or why? Are the first questions you need to ask before pruning any tree. According to A300 you need  a purpose and goal in your pruning. So I'm bored and I figured that this will kill sometime isn't a good reason. Let's examine this again:
I looked at the tree in the garden and there are some rubbing branches, suckers (correctly called water sprouts) and deadwood. So the purpose of the pruning is to clean the deadwood and unwanted growth from the tree. When is a good time, the old saw "a good time to prune is when the saw is sharp" works occasionally. A better time would be when you expect a period of growth to aid in wound closure, when the spring rise of "sap" won't run from the tree and become unsightly and when you have the time available to do the job right the first time.
Once this has been established the how comes into play. What tools are available and how do I access the tree properly and safely. PPE if you don't know what that is stop you shouldn't be doing tree work call a pro. Small ornamental think hand tools, hand pruners like Felco bypass type works great on branches under 1/2", small fine tool hand saws (plenty to pick from) works fine. A pole pruner with a good and sharp Marvin head type works nicely on the hard to reach stuff. Leave the chainsaw behind unless the deadwood is greater than 3". To access the tree a small step ladder works nice, if you have to climb remember the rope and saddle for safety.
Now develop a work plan, where to start, what branches need to be removed, where to place my ladder? Answer these before you start cutting. Now get to work. I like to start by removing all the larger dead branches working my way up bottom to top, next the suckers and finally rubbing limbs selecting those that will have the least impact on opening the canopy up first. Lastly, I look for crowded areas in the upper and outer canopy; here I can thin to improve for air and light.
The last part is always the clean up and putting those tools away for the next time.

Pick a Number Between 1 & 10

And you would have quessed this mornings temperature my pick was 4. A good number, to cold to think, look on the bright side it could have been:0). Pardon the pun! Stay warm, spring is coming!

Late Afternoon Laziness

The sun is starting it's slow sinking into the horizon, in a few hours it will be dusk. Time for a nap dozing off in an easy chair with the background of football on the TV dreaming of spring. Cabin fever is in full swing, where is that mid- winter thaw that happens every year. Not happening, this winter has decided to be a real winter. Next stop spring, global warming not sure what that really means. Somewhere like the arctic it's happening everywhere else it's the return of an ice age. At least there is sun, glorious sunshine.
Last summer when it was 100+, it was too hot. The AC broke down and restless sweaty nights until the repairman came. So maybe this is what they mean by global warming, more like global extremes.

Observations of a Winter's Morning Walk

Cold and brisk outside looks like zero is really eight, yes 8. So perfect day for a nice power walk, ok a walk. The crunch of the icy road under my boots echoing along till I hit clean dry pavement. The wind rustling the few leaves on the White Oaks as it passes through, the snow covers all the lawns and those messy areas of the neighboring houses ( some people are real pigs). Cars pass rushing to who knows where, not that important. See a few half smoked cigarette butts and still can't believe that smoking is still that popular. Don't they know the long term health risk, quess not.
I soon pass another man out walking, he's wearing a Giants coat, obviously doesn't know it's over for this season, Jets own the town...sadly! He's busy on his cell phone oblivious to his surrounding as he yes and yeas the person he's talking ( being talked too). He nods in our passing.
The rhodies are all drooping their leaves all curled up to protect themselves from the cold. I see some tracks in the snowy lawns; cats, raccoons, squirrels, some life out there. A blue and red jet passes overhead heading to the airport to deliver it's load of passengers, with a lineup of new ones waiting anxiously for their trip to somewhere warm or colder!
About this time, I realize my face is freezing, not cold but freezing. Time to pick up the pace and a hot chocolate and a warm fire would be nice. Gotta keep walking! Faster!

Dormancy

As we all know in these climes, trees and all plants go dormant starting in the fall. The leaves turn and fall off the deciduous trees and on the broad and narrow leaf evergreens what happens?
As the weather cools growth slows, evergreens due to their nature and small narrow leaves hold onto their foliage saving energy and providing less leaf area for desiccating winds. All trees will continue some metabolic function until frozen and the roots will continue to grow until the soil freezes.
A good practice on newly planted evergreens is to provide adequate supplemental watering in the fall and an application of an anti-desiccant to protect from winter drying. Tenting with burlap on smaller plants is a valid practice.
This winter, the snow will provide a level of insulation to the soil and plants, but be careful with the de-icing salts near the plants. Damage usually shows as the new growth comes in. If you over did the salt, try an application of gypsum on the soil.
Enjoy the season, tough I know. Winter days are special, when possible the quiet of the winter woods can be a tonic for the soul. Try putting out a bird feeder, you'll be surprised by the quanity and variety of birds you will attract. It sure helps these winter days pass.

Snow Again?

So what, I've already made up my mind that this is winter it will last as long as it wants and it will not stop me from doing the things I need to do. So what's your problem? Complaining about the weather isn't gonna change anything, sort of like those folks who complain about taxes, the government then proudly state they don't vote. Don't vote then shut your cake hole you lost that right when on election day you blew it off! So only worry about the stuff that will effect you, change the stuff you can change and get off your butt and do something, anything to improve the quality of your life.
Spring will come be ready!

Getting Ready for I Know Not What!

But I'm ready! Easier said, walked into our "tree shop" this morning and was completely disgusted with the filth, oily grime and assorted crap left laying around. So after I did some complaining (unsuccessfully) found someone to assign the task to. Picked up a broom and gave the place a quick once over. Looked a little cleaner, but you can't put a dress on a pig. At least I felt better, so the morale of the story is you do things for yourself to make yourself feel better. The hell with everyone else they don't live with you they exist around you. when you go home you do have that satisfied feeling that maybe the little bit you did made a difference. Good chance it didn't. Off to make a difference (in my life at least).

Some Days You Ride the Horse, and Other Days the Horse Rides You

Is it the weather or just feeling under it. Can't seem to get started. Admittedly it is tough to go out in a freezing rain and give it hell or sit at my desk and make some phone calls, but enough is enough. And as the man said in that movie " I'm mad as hell and I'm not gonna take it" . What he was gonna take was a mystery but it was good theater.
So step back re-gather yourself and make a plan to get on plan. Words of wisdom for today.

Trees need love too!

Sounds corny, yeah I know. Researchers have established that tree do some communication. A tree under insect attack releases chemical compounds to help fend off the attack, what is surprising is that nearby trees also produce the same compounds although they are not under attack. How did they know trouble was on the way? Makes you wonder!
With spring a ways off, now is a good time to go through the seed catalogues, clean up the garden tools, and sharpen those hand pruners.
Great time to prune those fruit trees, ok pick a nice day to do this, who wants to work in a sleeting freezing rain anyway.

Quiet Monday Mornings!

The best and worst of winter are the quiet Monday mornings. You get up early looking to get a good  start on the new week, only to find out your the only one with that idea. Great,  thanks for the enthusiasm now go away while I sulk. How many days till spring?
To say it's been quiet is an understatement, dead as a door nail. Oh well great time to start a new project and dream of the warm green days of spring.

Bored?

Happens every year at this time, midwinter boredom arrives. The New Years resolutions have been forgotten and that diet gone bust. What to do?
No answers here! Get out and do something, better than sitting around and watching old movies. How many weeks till pitchers and catchers? Trout season is 75 days away, nice day for a walk not too cold, just dress right, check the bird feeder, had a cardinal this morning. So now is a good time to do those projects you've been putting off.

Cold

Do trees feel cold? Good question, cells do have ability to adapt to super chilling. One thing I do know is that I feel the cold and this AM it's cold outside!

Someday there will be spring?

Just ask the cows?

Aftermath

The day after a storm always leaves you with the feeling.....what was the big deal! Really, after digging for what seemed half a lifetime and getting to a main road only to see just wet pavement, what was the big deal? The reason everyone crowded into the supermarket, gas station, drug store was for naught. Fear of running out of peanut butter or was it cheez wiz? Panic over a few hours of inconvenience is becoming the norm, what the cable TV is out, no Internet. Makes you wonder what our forefathers did. "Honey could you run out and shoot a buffalo a storm is coming and we may run out."
We are spoiled in these modern times, maybe a couple of nights camping out should be mandatory for all school children so they learn real life survival skills. I was a scout leader many moons ago, the funniest incident was two brother (who are to remain nameless), who brought on a camping trip some microwaveable TV dinners. Then asked where the microwave was. True story.

Snow,again?

Some heavy snow overnight, and looking out at all the trees and shrubs covered with a thick blanket makes you worry? Will those branches break?
The trees should be okay, the wind will help shed the snow load, pines may break some branches (probably should have had an Arborist look things over last fall) and you can always use a broom to carefully remove some of the heavier snow off the shrubs.
A pre winter inspection and some preventative measures could have been taken. Arborvitaes are prone to snow damage, they can be tied up with jute cord, simple burlap covers for boxwoods and azaleas would have prevented breakage. The real damage is the winds, drying the larger leaves of the broadleaf evergreens showing up next summer as brown edges and tips.
So now nothing to do but get the shovel ready and mark your calendar for next falls Arborist inspection.
Hot chocolate anyone!

Proper Pruning

I've been seeing a lot of bad work lately. The best pruning job is not qualified by the amount of brush generated but by the subtle changes in the tree and good pruning wounds that are small, properly made and unobtrusive. Cuts made at the branch bark ridge following today's standards will heal faster than the old flush cuts. The skill of a good pruner is not the pile of brush but the careful and thoughtfulness of the work. Be sure when hiring someone to prune your trees that theybare qualified, properly educated and has the ability to get the job done without ruining your tree. Check the ISA or the TCIA for qualified companies and individuals.

Winter Woods

Went over to the banks of the Carmens River yesterday and enjoyed the sound and sights of snow covered trees. A walk(admittedly brief),in the Pines for a moment of solitude. Stopped at the Lodge and for an hour or so watched some fly tying. Taking bits of fur and feathers to fool some wary trout next spring, learned how to tie a few new patterns. Does make those long winter nights pass. One of the gentlemen reminded me that its only 81 days to the first day of the season. Back out for a walk in the winter woods, sun shining through the trees. The light reflecting off the icy branches like little jewels. Sometimes you just need to get out and enjoy the little pleasures that are all around us, can't do that from the couch. Check out Trout Unlimited for more info on stream preservation.

This is the winter of our discontent

Apologies to Tom Paine, but it's snowing again. Despite the Farmer Almanac predictions of a mild winter with less snow, snow again.

That Maytag repairman feeling!

It happens every year, the people who called you relentlessly all spring, summer and fall suddenly lose interest in their trees. They have since forgotten about all those broken limbs, dead trees and unresolved tree issues. After all no leaves; the trees are sleeping. They lost your phone number, forgot your name and only a winter storm tends to wake them up. The joys of a tree man in winter, sometimes I think customers think that all tree men go to sleep with the trees, a long winters nap!

When a storm comes up and damages your trees, don't expect prompt service. There is a price for neglect and for the dormant tree men they need sometime to gather themselves away from that warm fire and deal with your tree problems. So a word to the wise, have your trees checked before winter and if some work is recommended don't put it off till spring. You local tree man also has a family and they need to eat too!

Random rambling of a mad Arborist

Try as I might, it's hard to get moving when it's cold outside. Today was different, someone did pee in my cherioo's, but that didn't stop me. As morning turned into midday, the warm sun filled the car thru the sunroof (closed of course) and as the temperature rose so did my attitude. Life is good!
Oh, tree chat mmmm, yea I did look at some trees and gave a few opinions and remembered what Seth Kahan said about sells yourself not just time. Check out Seth

Tree update

After the snow on boxing day, checked out my trees that had bad salt damage last year(photo on previous post) well they are still piling the snow on the trees 5-6' in places. Hopefully no salt being piled, so I better plan on a new remediation plan.

Oh what a lovely day!

Nothing beats spending a day looking at trees, and defects. Better when one gets paid to do it. Nice winter day, sun coming through the sunroof.

Day 2

Once you get past all the hoopla and noisemakers, day 2 is just another day. Tomorrow is the real first day of the new year,and for those who are wage slaves time to start over at square one and get back to the business of earning a living.
After a couple of months we can all start thinking about having a life style, days are getting a bit longer and one day in the near future we will get a surprise the sun will rise when we do. So until then back to the grind, I have a date with 39 trees slated for removal tomorrow, a chance for one last reprieve.

First Light On a New Year

I am an early riser, I enjoy the quiet of the early morning. What a beautiful sunrise on this New Years Day!
After some reflecting on the old, time for some new. Make resolutions? No way, no need to, if it's not broken,no need to fix. So for those who stayed up way too late, drank way too much and over indulged a brief bit of grandfatherly advice..... GET OVER IT!!!! Don't expect sympathy for bad decisions, you made it, you own it. A little too strong you say, it gets tiresome very New Years eve dealing with drunks, so get over it, tough, too bad, not my problem.
Like I said, I enjoy the peace and quiet of these early morning hours.
Gotta feed the birds, later!