Five Simple Steps to Help You Love Your Lawn

March 9, 2021 by admin

Spring is almost here. This year we can hardly wait for those first warm days.

Many of us will still be spending a lot of time at home. Spring is a great time to establish a regular maintenance schedule to keep your lawn looking beautiful all summer long. Caring for your lawn in the spring gives it the best start to grow healthy and lush.

#1. Control weeds.

Once the snow has melted and the growing season has started, weeds can begin to take over your lawn. In the plant world, everything is a competition for light and water. Weeds grow fast, and if you don’t remove or control them, they can choke out your grass.

The best way to deal with weeds is to pull them out, roots and all. You can do this by hand. Or you can apply a low-toxicity herbicide, which will attack the weeds while doing minimal harm to the rest of your lawn and yard. Remember that your trees’ root systems are shallow, and they share the same water table as your lawn.

#2. Rake to remove thatch.

Thatch is the build-up of organic matter like dead grass, leaves, and root stems left over from last year. It sits between your grass and the soil. If you don’t thin it, your lawn will struggle to grow.

Raking out the thatch can help. Use a rake or a lawn scarifier to remove thatch before the growing season really gets underway. Raking can also help to reduce moss, clover, and other invasive items that can choke out your grass.

#3. Aerate.

Like thatching, aerating helps grass grow. It lets water and air penetrate the root zone of the grass for better nutrient absorption. Aerating is done by punching small holes in the lawn at a variety of intervals and depths using a special tool or gardening fork.

#4. Overseed.

If you’re looking for a lush lawn that will be the envy of your neighborhood, you might want to overseed. Overseeding fills in the bare or thin areas of your lawn. It should only be done after raking and aerating, and you can mix in a bit of fertilizer to help the new seeds take hold. Once you have seeded the lawn, be sure to water frequently to keep the soil and seeds moist. Consider also a light top dressing to keep the seeds protected before they germinate and as they grow.

#5. Mow, but not too early.

It’s tempting to mow as soon as you see the first real spring growth in your lawn. Consider waiting, though, until your grass is at least two inches high. Early spring growth can help keep your lawn healthy and thick for the rest of the spring and summer. If you’ve fertilized, you’ll want to allow time for the fertilizer to be absorbed before you mow. The same applies if you’ve overseeded, so your new grass seed has a chance to sprout.

When you do mow, cut only the top one-third of the grass blade. Be sure your mower blade is sharp so you’re making a clean cut, not tearing or shredding the grass. Leave some of the clippings on your grass to feed the roots, too.

A lawn you love can make you feel great about your yard, boost your curb appeal, and create a healthy environment for your trees and shrubs. Early spring is the right time to get started on a lawn maintenance routine for the entire growing season.

Advanced Tree Care combines top-notch equipment, cutting-edge technology, and well-trained staff to provide emergency tree removal and tree maintenance services. With a presence in nine counties and two states, we work daily to provide unparalleled customer service, safety, and efficiency—as well as the expertise to beautify your landscaping and community. Advanced Tree Care isn’t just our name—it’s also our purpose!

Expert Gardening Advice for At-home Gardeners

February 11, 2021 by admin

Gardening season is right around the corner. Late winter is the perfect time to plan your spring gardening—and spring is the right time to get started.

Here are some expert gardening tips to help you have a great growing season this year.

The right site

If you’re growing vegetables, herbs or flowers, you’ll want to choose the right site. Choose a location you can see from your home, so you’ll remember to water and care for your garden.

Start small

With more time at home these days, you might be tempted to go big when it comes to your garden. Here, the old adage of “don’t bite off more than you can chew” applies. Using concepts like square-foot gardening, you can actually fit quite a lot of plants into a small space. You’ll also be able to keep up with weeding, watering, and pruning in a small space.

Know your sun

Track how the sun moves through your yard as spring gets underway. You’ll want to know how many hours of sun your intended garden location receives, and what direction the sun comes from. A south-facing garden plot will get the warmer rays of the sun later in the day and may be better for tomatoes and bold blooms like sunflowers and zinnia. Partial shade is ideal for other kinds of plants like sweet pea and columbine.

Watch the last frost date

Spring can bring warm days but very cool nights—and an occasional late-season freeze. Be sure to know your hardiness zone (northern Illinois is Zone 5A) and use it to guide your planting. You want to choose plants that are hardy to your zone. A good rule of thumb is that cold-hardy seeds like lettuce and carrots can go into the ground in early April, but you’ll want to wait to plant vegetables like tomatoes and zucchinis until well after the last average frost date of April 30. This is why many people wait to plant flowers and fruiting vegetables until at least mid-May.

Water, water

Locate your garden near water. Make sure the hose can reach or consider a soaker hose system that allows you to drip water to roots. The easier it is to water your garden, the better you’ll keep up when the hot days of July and August roll around.

Plant in good soil

Good soil grows better plants. The soil in your yard may not be ideal for what you want to grow. In northern Illinois, there can be a lot of clay in the soil, which can lead to wet, poorly draining growing conditions. Unless you’re working with this—and native plants that like water are good choices here—you’ll want to improve your soil.

You can work in compost, topsoil, and other organic matter to improve your soil. Or you can opt for container gardens or raised-bed gardening, and you can customize the soil blend that you use. You might find that the investment pays off in a better gardening experience.

Gardening can be a great way to be closer to nature, spend more time outside, and beautify your yard. A little bit of research and planning can go a long way toward enjoying it more. Reach out to discuss how we can help you with your at-home gardening this season.

Why Gardening Boosts Emotional Well-Being

February 11, 2021 by admin

Let’s get this out of the way: we’re living through extraordinarily difficult times. A year in, many of us are really feeling it. And now, with winter’s grip closed fast around us, many of us are struggling with emotional well-being.

The great escape of gardening can provide a boost right now. But even crisis gardening isn’t a new idea. During World War I, the US government encouraged citizens to plant Liberty Gardens to ease food shortages. These became Victory Gardens in World War II. By 1944, 40% of the food grown in the US came from Victory Gardens.

Gardening has certainly bloomed as a hobby over the last year. As soon as lockdown and shelter-in-place orders went into effect, demand for seeds and plants jumped. According to Reuters, the 144-year-old W. Atlas Burpee seed company posted its highest-ever sales in spring 2020. Would-be gardeners came up empty-handed as stores and nursery centers sold out of seeds and seedlings.

Why is gardening such a popular escape? Many of us have turned our eyes homeward during this strange year of isolation and social distancing. We’re organizing our closets and improving our homes, and this extends to the yard. Millions of us have discovered (or rediscovered) the joys of being outside. We’re also thinking more about health and immunity, and homegrown food is about as fresh as it gets.

In fact, gardening may be one of the rare winners from these pandemic times—a hobby that sticks for millions of us. Let’s look at why.

Gardening improves emotional well-being

While stress is a normal part of life, ongoing chronic stress can elevate the risk of anxiety and depression while lowering our resilience. This kind of stress has defined much of the last year. As a result, many people are struggling with their emotional and mental health.

Research has shown that time outside is good for our minds as well as our bodies. This combined with the tangible rewards of gardening puts it in a sweet spot during this stressful time. You don’t even have to spend very much time to reap the benefits. A recent study from Japan found that even looking at a plant for as little as three minutes reduces stress.

Gardening brings us closer to nature

Mindfulness, meditation, exercise and time outdoors can all help to reduce stress and boost overall well-being. Gardening is an ideal activity to slow down, appreciate nature’s gifts and observe the passage of the seasons.

Education and fun for the whole family

Gardening can be a great hands-on learning experience for even the youngest children. Learning about the plant life cycle, the history of agriculture, and the importance of pollination can enrich a child’s understanding of nature. Gardening also cultivates patience, perseverance and flexibility.

Ideas for home gardening

Winter is the perfect time to start making your gardening plans for the year. Here are a few ideas to consider:

Vegetable garden. Plant a simple kitchen garden with easy-to-grow classics like lettuce, spinach, peas, tomatoes and herbs. You can even grow a vegetable garden in pots or other containers. Start small, pay attention to the right temperature and soil conditions for your seeds or seedlings, and be aware of how many hours of sunlight your garden will have.
Pollinator gardens. Pollinators like butterflies and bees are threatened by climate change, and many people are planting vegetables, flowers, and herbs to protect and feed them.
Tea gardens. This twist on the vegetable garden focuses on the herbs and flowers used in many popular varieties of tea.
Native plant gardens. Like pollinator gardens, native plantings can help feed and provide homes for insects and wildlife, and they can be ideal plants for local soil and weather conditions.

Finally, whether you’re growing a vegetable garden, planting flowers or updating your shrubs, you’re improving your landscaping. This can boost your home’s curb appeal. It helps to think about your property as a whole, because trees and shrubs are the foundation of a healthy yard. As you’re making your 2021 gardening plans, reach out to us to discuss how we can help.

Commercial Tree Care Services

December 17, 2018 by admin

Commercial Tree Services

As tree care professionals, we serve both residential and commercial property owners with their tree care needs. Our commercial customers include:

Municipalities, park districts, and other government agencies
Private businesses, business parks, and corporate campuses
Facilities, including golf courses and cemeteries

Many of our commercial services overlap with our residential services, only greater in scale—since commercial properties tend to be much larger and be home to a great number and variety of trees. Services include:

Tree pruning

Regular tree pruning creates stronger and healthier trees with attractive, pleasing shapes. Pruning is conducted, though, for both health and safety. While pruning can take place at any time of the year for most species of trees, certain types of trees should only be pruned during dormancy in late fall or winter. A certified arborist directs all pruning, which entails three types:

Class 1, or fine pruning, is a detailed process in which the full tree is pruned, tip to stem. All dead limbs are removed, and branches are thinned, shaping the canopy over time. This type is the most common type of pruning for residential projects.
Class 2, or general pruning, is the most common type of pruning for commercial projects. Only dead limbs are removed, so general pruning is less extensive, though does need to be performed more frequently.
Class 3, also called safety pruning, concerns the removal of dangerous limbs that could pose a safety hazard in high winds, intense storms, or with the added weight of snow or ice.

Commercial tree removal

This service is offered for both planned and emergency removal of trees damaged through disease, decline, weather, or other reasons. Because tree removal can be complex and dangerous, it is best conducted by a professional tree service led by a certified arborist.

Commercial stump removal

Commercial stump grinding is conducted following the removal of a tree or trees. There are five different methods for stump grinding, and a certified arborist will help determine which is the most effective way for a particular project or situation.

Government, municipal, and park district services

Commercial Tree Care Services — Commercial properties tend to be larger, with more variety of trees than residential properties, so many of the services are the same.

Public and government agencies want to ensure that trees and landscapes are safe, healthy, and cared for properly for the enjoyment of residents and the betterment of the community. As the exclusive contracted tree service provider for ten cities, multiple park districts, and other government agencies, Advanced Tree Care currently manages over 60 square miles of urban landscape trees and shrubs in 13 counties in two states—Illinois and Wisconsin.

Golf course and cemetery services

To enhance the beauty and ensure the safety of golf courses and cemeteries’ trees, Advanced Tree Care provides regular maintenance and care for these facilities’ treescapes.

Land clearing and restoration

Some commercial sites require a fresh start. New construction or extensive renovation often require planting a landscape from scratch. An experienced staff can remove old, dead, diseased, or unsuitable trees and plants and design a new landscape for a site.

Maintenance programs

Our programs give trees proper service and periodic care so they look their best and thrive at their healthiest. Our two primary programs are Advanced Gold and Advanced Silver. We work with our clients to determine the right fit for the budget and need.

Tree identification and inventory

A full tree inventory creates a baseline for monitoring and caring for the health of a treescape—in the most efficient way possible. It catalogs the species and condition of a property’s trees and notes the presence of any invasive species or problematic pests. Like a plat of survey, the tree inventory notes the position of every tree on the property.

Advanced thermal tree imaging

Commercial projects often benefit from advanced thermal tree imaging, which uses FLIR (forward-looking resonance imaging) to analyze areas of stress not visible to the naked eye. This data allows a certified arborist to make informed decisions regarding preventive care, treatment, or removal.

Residential Tree Care Services

December 1, 2018 by admin

Tree Care Services for Homeowners

As a homeowner, you’re responsible for the health and care of the trees on your property. That includes not only emergency care or removal but also the ongoing maintenance that keeps your trees healthy and thriving. At a detailed level, what are the various residential tree care services—and what does service entail?

Residential Tree Care Services

Tree pruning

Simply put, regular tree pruning produces strong, healthy, and attractive trees. Trees are pruned for a variety of reasons, including for aesthetics—to create a pleasing shape—and for safety, so that weak or damaged branches don’t break off in storms. A certified arborist directs pruning, which can be conducted in most seasons for most types of trees (some species do best with pruning during dormancy).

Class 1, or fine pruning, refers to a very detailed inspection in which the full tree is pruned, tip to stem. All dead limbs are removed, and branches are thinned. Fine pruning contributes to canopy shaping and is the most common type of pruning for residential projects.
Class 2 is general pruning, which is a less extensive—and expensive—type of pruning for residential projects. Only dead limbs are removed. Though less costly per service, general pruning does need to be performed more frequently.
Class 3, also called safety pruning, concerns the removal of dangerous limbs that could pose a safety hazard in high winds, intense storms, or with the added weight of snow or ice.

Tree removal

Trees are removed for various reasons, including disease, decline, and damage. Because tree removal can be complex and dangerous, it is best conducted by a professional tree service led by a certified arborist. Experienced staff determine the best way to remove a tree to avoid property damage and minimize safety concerns.

Tree stump removal

Stump removal is conducted after the rest of the tree has been removed. Stump grinding is the most effective form of stump removal. There are five different methods for stump grinding, and a certified arborist will help determine which is the most effective way for a particular project or situation.

Land clearing and restoration

Some residential projects require a fresh start. New construction or extensive renovation often require planting a residential landscape from scratch. An experienced staff can remove old, dead, diseased, or unsuitable trees and plants and design a new landscape for a residential site.

Maintenance programs

Our programs give trees proper service and periodic care so they look their best and thrive at their healthiest. Our two primary programs are Advanced Gold and Advanced Silver. We work with homeowners to determine the right fit for the budget and need.

Tree identification and inventory

A full tree inventory creates a baseline for monitoring and caring for the health of your trees—in the most efficient way possible. It catalogs the species and condition of your property’s trees and notes the presence of any invasive species or problematic pests. Like a plat of survey, the tree inventory notes the position of every tree on the property.

Advanced thermal tree imaging

As trees grow, their structures need to be managed to preserve property safety. With the use of infrared technology, examining trees becomes a quick and cost-effective task. Areas that are not visible to the naked eye become very visible to a FLIR (forward-looking resonance imaging) system—and this information allows a certified arborist to make informed decisions regarding treatment or management.