Prime tree planting season is right around the corner. Are you prepared to plant new trees? Would you know what type of tree is best in your landscape or zone? Tree care experts are well-educated in these departments and can help you plan the best selections.

Did you know that some trees and shrubs that grow berries actually help feed birds that don’t frequent your feeder? Through the winter months when food is scarce these trees’ fruits provide nutrition for our feathered friends. Next time you are outside watch the bird activity in the trees, shrubs and vines. You may actually witness birds feeding from the last of the berries.

Below is a list of the top 10 tree choices that can be used as natural bird feeders:

• Hackberry
• American Holly
• Bayberry
• Eastern Red Cedar
• Oak
• Staghorn Sumac
• Viburnum
• Virginia Creeper
• Winterberry Holly
• Hawthorne

Here are two great links that you may enjoy to help you in your spring decision making when it comes to picking out the best trees, shrubs and vines to plant and what you may want to think about when it comes to planning.

https://www.russelltreeexperts.com/arbor-ed/2019/2/28/top10-bird-feeders

https://tcia.org/TCIA/Blog_Items/2016/Spring_Planting_Season__Select_the_Right_Tree.aspx

McCullough’s Tree Service is here to provide you with our trained experts in your spring outdoor planting, fertilizing and tree care services. We’re in your neighborhood.

Well it’s been an early start to some turbulent weather already and it isn’t even spring yet. Toto, I don’t think we’re in Kansa anymore! The wind has been whipping up all kinds of trouble. Trees toppling over on houses, patio furniture flying around, the infamous trash cans blowing across the highway and sleepless nights because it sounds like a train coming through the house. There were even reports of tornados in Ohio…some say an early start to a tumultuous spring season.

Being prepared is all part of creating a sense of ease when it comes to this season. Make sure you have plenty of batteries for flashlights, non-flame candles and a radio (if you have a radio) and keep a supply of bottled water and some edible right from the package food. Don’t forget to take your cell phone with you if you are heading to the basement for protection. You never know when you might need to make a 911 call. I would remind those who take daily medication to take some with you when you head to the basement, you might have to be there for longer than you think. Personally, I would keep a supply of food, water and batteries in my basement and in my normal living area. If tornados are on the menu for the day, you can hibernate in the basement and if for any reason you can’t leave your basement, you’ll have supplies. If it’s just going to be your garden variety of thunderstorms, then you can stay above ground and have supplies available in the case the electric goes off. If you’re fortunate enough to have a generator, then you’ll be fine until the skies clear!

Remember to have someone take a look at the trees around your house to make sure they are not a hazard to your property when the storm clouds gather. If your trees come down, recycle the wood into a warm fire and make sure your valuable jewelry is always in a fireproof safe, a fireproof safe is usually heavy enough that the wind will not carry it away!

Chin up everyone, spring is not always about stormy weather. It’s also about beautiful flowers, planting a garden, taking walks in the sunshine, smelling the freshly mowed lawn and listening to peepers in the evening. So be prepared, enjoy the warmer weather and hang on to your hat!

It’s not too early to plan for Spring, and here are three things you can do:

1.     Dormant Tree Pruning – Most people don’t think about pruning trees in the winter; however, it is one of the best times to do so. Our experts know how to remove just the right branches to assure the tree’s health and beauty when the spring growth emerges. Best of all, we reduce the cost of pruning performed in the winter, since there is less debris to remove.
2.     Fruit Tree Pruning – Fruit trees should be pruned by the end of February. This will allow the fruit to develop on the healthy, remaining branches in the spring. Absent consistent winter pruning, the fruit production will decline because the tree’s energy will be diverted in part to non-productive or damaged branches.
3.     Get on Our List for Spring Aeration and Fertilization – Sign up now for spring aeration of compacted soil around trees and fertilization. This will allow water and nutrients to reach the root systems early in the growing season and will make your trees more resistant to drought in the summer months.

For our Business and Commercial Property Owners – Remember, we can handle not only your tree care needs, but we can also handle snow and ice removal. It’s never too late to call us for a free assessment and quote.