It’s not always easy to plan the perfect Valentine’s Day surprise. If you are single are you thinking about engagement rings? If you’re married, is your spouse still romantic or is V-Day just another Hallmark invention to make sales? Maybe you have children that have a Valentine card exchange at their school and you want them to have the coolest V-day box to show off!

Whatever your reason to celebrate the biggest day of “expressions of love” let’s toss some ideas around to help make it not-so mind boggling. The options are overwhelming what possibilities await. There’s candlelight dinner, dancing, movie, horse/buggy ride, flowers, chocolates, gifts of jewelry, cards…oh, there’s so many choices. What does one do?

Well, first of all, you may want to know the person’s preference. Just general conversation about likes and dislikes can eliminate some of the options. Some people, believe it or not, don’t like to be fussed over. Some don’t even like chocolate. Does the person you want to take dancing even know how to dance? So, see? It’s a little helpful to find out what the person you would like to show your romantic side to actually likes.

Children on the other hand love the idea of opening gifts, and being surprised. What’s more fun than finding a cute stuffed animal, some favorite candy and maybe a game they always wanted waiting for them at breakfast? What about the hours of constructing the perfect V-day gift box to take to school to carry the so-carefully-selected cards to hand out to their friends? Shoe boxes were the rave a couple decades ago, but now it’s about who has the wildest constructed characters that take up the whole back seat of the car. But, you do it for them, because that is the greatest form of love from parent to child to let them know you support and appreciate them.

One last thing, have you thought about what you are going to do for yourself? Yes, you! Why not? Buy the shoes; eat the cake…as they say! Do what makes you feel good and when you feel good, you make everyone feel good around you. That is your gift of love to yourself and to those who are in your daily life. Have the best Valentine’s Day yet!

You make sure to buy enough food to feed an army, because you don’t want anyone to be left hungry while you are planning your holiday family meal. There’s going to be a lot left over and if some of those family members or friends aren’t living in your house already, they may appreciate a take-home care package that they can heat up later. Everyone loves leftovers from Thanksgiving, right?

Before the big day, plan to purchase some “throw-away” containers that you don’t mind giving away. Give each guest their own containers to “stuff” as they wish from designated bowls set out after everyone has eaten. Remember to keep what you would like to keep for yourself, because you enjoy having something to re-create the next day with left-over turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, cranberries, sweet potatoes, veggies, and desserts you love!

The Food Network has many talented chefs that lend their ideas for a delicious after Thanksgiving meal you and your guests will be sure to love, so if you go to their website you can copy a couple recipes, put them on cute recipe cards that are hand written or printed and add that to your little gift package. Not only will your guests feel so wonderful with their new recipes they can add to their collection, but you’ve given them their own ideas if they want to start a new tradition of their own.

It’s the little things that warm the hearts of those we love. Share love to them, so they can share love to others.

Did you know? Trees can actually communicate with each other. They emit a chemical into the air to warn the other trees that they are about to be infested with insects. They can actually combat leaf eating insects by some of the chemicals they produce. Some wildlife are keen to this chemical that attracts them to come feast on the pests that infest.

Trees are also able to talk to each other through an underground network; kind of like the internet via the soil where they share nutrients. Fungi that rest on the roots assist trees’ communication by linking each tree to one another. Who knew that trees emit excess carbon to young seedlings to strengthen their survival?

So, you see some facts about trees are simply incredible and a forest will grow, survive, revive and show us that we must turn around and see the trees for the forest.

Read more about astounding trees: http://www.nationalgeographic.com/magazine/2017/03/wisdom-of-trees/

Next time you are planning your landscape think about the curb appeal trees offer. They will bring color, interest and life to your yard for years to come.

Even summer's most ardent fans have to admit that fall offers some irresistible pleasures. Luckily, you can enjoy autumn's signature foliage show even if you live where summer cools gently into a mild winter and many leaves simply go brown before they fall. Here’s what you do to make sure your landscaping puts on a colorful fall show, just plant some key trees and shrubs that produce reliable color wherever they grow.

Here are some generally well-behaved plants that do well in a range of climates. All of them dazzle in the fall, and, as a bonus, many also put on a show in other seasons, too, with flowers in the spring or summer, fruit later in the year, and interesting bark in the winter.

https://www.thisoldhouse.com/ideas/10-best-trees-and-shrubs-fall-color

With the weather turning cooler and winter approaching, these great colorful planting tips will give you a great winter project. Get your landscape design on paper and when spring comes around, you are ready to start planting. 

Fall Fertilization: Keeping stress to a minimum.

Trees are very sensitive to their environments. The disruption of an ecosystem—whether caused by man or nature—can greatly stress a tree. In urban environments, poor soil quality, overcrowded tree planters, and competition for water between different plants are the most common stressors to trees. If not treated, such stress can inhibit a tree’s growth or photosynthesis cycle. So, the next time you see a stressed tree, help it out! Keep your soil nutrient-rich and give your trees plenty of space to breath.

Did you know that trees growing in the woods are naturally fertilized? That’s why they are extremely healthy, but trees that are planted in your yard and landscaping need a little help with fertilization. That’s why it’s very important to have a trained and certified professional fertilize your trees in the fall. Proper fertilization and added nutrients help your trees survive the winter and give them a great head start for the spring and summer months. Your trees compete every day with the lawn, shrubs and vegetation to ensure they get enough nutrients to survive. Often times, because most homeowners keep lawn debris cleaned up, your trees do not get the nutrients they need from decomposing leaves and wood. Here’s the good news…the certified Arborists at McCullough’s Tree Service are well qualified to diagnose and treat your trees, ensuring that you have a cool and “leafy” spring and summer.

Planting in the fall – perfect timing!

Are you aware that fall is the perfect time to plant your shade trees for the upcoming spring and summer season? Why you ask, because when cooler weather comes around, trees become somewhat dormant, in other words they go into hibernation...just like bears! When a bear hibernates, its heart rate and respiratory system slow down considerably; it gets very sleepy and requires very little nutrition. Much like a bear, your tree also enters a hibernation state where no growth occurs in the upper branches and attention is given to growing a stronger root system. This stronger root system will better support foliage growth in the spring. 

If planting is on your agenda this fall, McCullough’s Tree Service is ready to make it happen. We’ll help you pick the right tree, the right location and provide you with all the help you need to turn your planting dream into a reality!

Check out these cool blog pages!

http://www.fs.fed.us/blogs/how-trees-help-fight-climate-change-%E2%80%93-all-over-world

https://www.brainripples.com/category/forest/

This tree company “went the extra mile” to save some baby woodpeckers! The company was called to take down a tree, when the tree was down they realized there were two baby woodpecker in a knot hole. So they did the most humane thing they could think of, they duct taped the portion of the tree with the babies in it to the tree next to where the old tree had stood. Minutes later…mama was back feeding the little ones. Heartwarming story of kindness and humanity! McCullough’s Tree Service gives a huge thumbs up to this tree company!

You can trust these great guys with more than just the weather. They each keep their areas running smoothly.  Randy Ruggles in the Newark/Granville and surrounding areas, Stephan Carbonara in the Columbus and surrounding areas and Bryan Smith in the Zanesville and surrounding areas.

All three are certified arborists…what does that mean to you. Let’s talk about that!

A Certified Arborist credential identifies professional arborists who have a minimum of three years’ full-time experience working in the professional tree care industry and who have passed an extensive examination covering all facets of arboriculture. That means you know you’re getting the best care possible for your trees. Here’s what our Certified Arborists can do for you.

Services an Arborist can Provide                                 

• Pruning An arborist can determine the type of pruning necessary to maintain or improve the health, appearance, and safety of trees.
• Tree Removal. Although tree removal is a last resort, there are circumstances when it is necessary. An arborist can help decide whether a tree should be removed.
• Emergency Tree Care. An arborist can assist in performing emergency tree care in a safe manner, while reducing further risk of damage to property.
• Planting. Some Arborists plant trees and most can recommend species that are appropriate for a particular location.
• Plant Health Care. Preventive maintenance helps keep trees in good health while reducing any insect, disease, or site problems.
• Many other services. Consulting services, tree risk assessment, cabling and bracing trees, etc.

Social benefits of trees go beyond enjoying their beauty. Humans feel a calming effect from being near trees. The serenity we feel can significantly reduce stress, fatigue, and even decrease recovery time from surgery and illness. Green spaces can also help lower the level of crime within urban environments.

Trees alter the environment we live in by moderating climate, improving air quality, reducing storm water runoff, and harboring wildlife.

Examples of the environmental benefits of trees:

• Trees help moderate temperatures by creating a cooling effect which can counteract the heating effect of pavement and buildings in an urban environment.
• Compact tree foliage can serve as a windbreak, as well as provide protection from rainfall.
• Leaves filter the air we breathe by removing dust and other particulates and releasing oxygen.

Definitely all great reasons to work with a great company that has the knowledge and experience and get the job done right…on time, every time! 

The more researchers study the science of plants, the more remarkable those chlorophyll-filled wonders seem to be. If your definition of ethical eating involves dining only on non-sentient plants, you might rethink your food choices. Tomatoes, Brussels sprouts and other members of the plant family are lively, highly reactive to their environments and, in a variety of ways, communicate with the world around them. This excerpt is taken from “Sorry Vegans: Brussels Sprouts Like to Live, Too,” first published in The New York Times. — MOTHER EARTH NEWS  

http://www.motherearthnews.com/nature-and-environment/wildlife/how-plants-defend-themselves-zm0z13amzcom.aspx

This article is a great read. It’s that time of year when we will be planting our gardens and along with our thriving plants will come pests that want to make a meal out of them. Plants have a defense system that we can’t see or hear, but it’s there and they are standing their ground to stay healthy and thrive.

Did you know that within 20 minutes of a caterpillar munching on a leaf, the plant has gathered carbon from the atmosphere and created an irritant to the caterpillar or sticky goo to trap the pest?

When plant biologists speak of their subjects, they use active verbs and vivid images. Plants “forage” for resources such as light and soil nutrients, and “anticipate” rough spots and opportunities. By analyzing the ratio of red light and far red light (light at the far end of the spectrum) falling on their leaves, for example, plants can sense the presence of other chlorophyll species of competitors nearby and try to grow the other way. Their roots ride the underground rhizosphere and engage in cross-cultural and microbial trade.

After reading this article, you’ll never look at your innocent garden plants the same again.

Did you know that many trees besides the Maple tree can be tapped for sap? Some trees yield a sugar-rich sap which can be consumed raw, fermented into alcoholic beverages or gently boiled down to syrup. However, there are trees that will provide you with sap that is better than others. A list of trees that can be tapped will be really helpful.

If you really want to make your own Maple syrup, you will need a maple tree. This species can be found in a lot of areas around the country. The Maple is one of the trees that can be tapped if you want to make traditional Maple syrup that we put on pancakes and waffles every day. Click on this link to read the full article.

http://www.livinggreenandfrugally.com/18-trees-that-can-be-tapped-for-sap-and-syrup/

Remember, it’s not what you gather while on your life journey, but who walks the journey with you that counts the most.

We are born to achieve!  We learn to sit up, crawl, walk, talk and so much more. We are told to excel in school, sports, at work and at play. We accumulate credits, degrees, trophies, ribbons and promotions…all depicting our successes in life.  We drive a nice car, live in a great house, eat at the best places and sport the latest trends in fashion, all symbols of the life we’ve created. Life can be great, it is meant to be lived with great joy…but it’s not the things accumulated that matter in life; it’s who walks this life with you. God places many individuals in our path, one becomes our life companion with whom our family grows, and others become lifelong friends, church family, work family and acquaintances. Our family becomes the greatest extension of our lives. Who is willing to hold your hand when pain and grief grip your life, who rejoices with you in the times of great happiness? This journey is made richer by the ones who God has given us to walk it with. Be thankful today for the friends who will linger with you in the valley and who will climb the mountains with you. Hang on to the ones who, at the top of the mountain, remind you to rejoice and give thanks…for those are the ones who will remind you to do the same in the valleys.

Life’s a journey, walk it with God and family. No one is an island.