Care Tips For The Gorgeous Cypress
A Cypress is one of the most popular of all evergreen trees in Texas. If you are interested in growing this tree or using it to make a hedge, we have a few tips for you to keep in mind. These can help streamline the process in a simple way. Care Tips For The Gorgeous Cypress
Planting Them Properly
Cypress trees are very happy to receive heavy sun. They can tolerate partial shade, but need a majority of their branches covered with the sun. They shouldn’t be planted in windy areas, such as near wide Texas plains, as they can be blown over fairly easily. When planting, make sure to plant the cypress a couple of inches higher than the native soil.
Watering
The nicest thing about Cypress tree is that it doesn’t need a lot of water to survive. After it rains, it should be good for quite some time without needing water. The only time it needs to be watered very heavily is when there is a drought. Then you should water them every day, but avoid using too much water, as this can rot their roots.
Fertilizing Isn’t Necessary
Another positive aspect of the Cypress is that it doesn’t need regular fertilization to be healthy. While an application once a year wouldn’t hurt, you could potentially never fertilize if it if the soil around it is rich enough in nutrients. This makes them one of the easiest types of evergreen trees to grow in Texas.
Common Pests
That said, they do attract pests, such as termites and bagworms. These must be dealt with regularly to ensure that they don’t negatively impact the health of the Cypress. Being such a hardy tree, it is capable of withstanding fertilization procedures. Applying a dormant oil once a year is sufficient in preventing bagworm damage to your tree.
To learn more about care procedures for this tree species, please contact us today.
Proven Ways Trees Benefit Human Health
Healthy trees and healthy humans are intertwined in beautiful and indisputable ways. A natural setting including beautiful leafy and flowering trees has the capacity to effortlessly focus human attention, produce relaxation and enhance mood. Specific ways in which trees benefit humans fall into two main categories: ecosystem services and psychological benefits.
Ecosystem Services
Many of the ecosystem services provided by trees are essential to human comfort and the effective operation of communities. Because these services sometimes go unnoticed, attention needs to be drawn to them and their benefits need to be promoted so the healthy contributions of trees are top of mind to residents, community governments, and developers. Their vital contributions must not be allowed to remain under-appreciated lest their incorporation into future planning be insufficient.
Most importantly, trees produce oxygen for humans and other creatures to breathe. In addition, trees store carbon, thus purifying the air and doing their part in reducing greenhouse gasses in our atmosphere. Both of these actions are direct benefits of trees’ natural life process of photosynthesis—pure and simple—and we couldn’t live without it.
Air purification by trees has actually been measured. A study by the US Forest Service valued the pollution that is removed by urban trees to be $3.8 billion every year. In Washington DC alone,
“trees removed nitrogen dioxide to an extent equivalent to taking 274,000 cars off the traffic-packed beltway, saving an estimated $51 million in annual pollution-related health care costs.”
Trees’ other ecosystem services include modifying ambient temperature through leaf transpiration and the cooling effect of shade while also intercepting the sun’s damaging UV rays. Additionally, trees absorb rainfall, reduce storm water runoff, and protect against erosion. They manage to accomplish all of this simply by their presence in our environment.
Psychological Benefits
Besides inspiring people with their beauty, trees as part of natural surroundings provide relief from “nature deficit disorder.” This is what psychologists call the malaise caused by spending excessive time indoors, which is further aggravated particularly when there are no views of the outdoors through windows.
The powerful connection between trees and human well-being is something most people who love the outdoors know instinctively. But it has also been demonstrated scientifically. In 1984, Roger Ulrich studied patients in a suburban Pennsylvania hospital who were recovering from gall bladder surgery. Half of the recovering patients were able to gaze out their windows at treetops amid a natural setting. The remaining patients had windows facing the brick wall of an adjoining building. The patients with leafy trees outside their windows not only recovered faster and requested less pain medication, they also had fewer surgical complications than those whose only view was a brick wall.
Surround your properties with the healthful benefits that come with an abundance of trees. Talk to the experts at Chambersville Tree Farm to select trees with the manageable maintenance level and desired attractiveness that is right for your landscaping and environmental needs.
Why You Should Consider A Local Texas Tree Farm
Growing high-quality trees can be a crap-shoot for many homeowners, making it difficult for them to get the kind of foliage they want in their yard. If you live in the McKinney area and are looking for great trees, consider turning to Chambersville Tree Farm. There are many benefits to going this particular route.
Uniform And Reliable Trees
Growing trees on your own often result in awkward mistakes that can impact a tree’s health and growth for years. That’s why tree farms are so crucial. They understand how to grow trees without these mistakes and will do what they can to ensure that your tree is healthy and uniform.
Uniform trees are important if you are interested in making a natural fence or simply decorating your yard in a memorable way.
Professional Tree Growing Experts
Tree farms staff professionals with years of experience working with trees. They are skilled at improving tree health, making sure they grow to their maximum height. In this way, you get the best possible trees at prices that are fair for both you and the farm.
Careful Inspection Process
Before each tree is sold, they are carefully inspected to ensure they are free from damage. They are also treated to keep off pests that could impact their health. There’s no better way to get a reliable tree for your home or yard.
As you can see, there are many reasons you should consider a McKinney tree farm near you. If you are looking for the best and most reliable farm in the area, please contact us today to learn more about how we can help you.
The Southern Spotlight – Crape Myrtle
How could Crape Myrtles not steal the spotlight? They have a year-round flowering plant with an impressive bark. Crape myrtles (Lagerstroemia) are a deciduous tree, meaning that they lose their leaves seasonally. While they hold their value year-round, they are most impressive in full bloom.
Crape Myrtle trees are part of a large family with many varieties. Most are umbrella shaped and have several stems. Crape Myrtles bloom bright hues in the summer and deeper hues in the fall. They create a warm entrance and look great standing alone or with trees/shrubs to compliment. They pair exceptionally well with darker green hues.
Several things to be aware of include placement, bark peeling, and pruning. In regards to placement, make sure you give the Crape Myrtle all the spotlight it deserves. They flourish in the sunlight. Their bark does shed, but don’t worry, newer and healthier layers are underneath. Pruning is best to do in the winter. Pruning is very important while the tree is young to develop strong shoots. It will flourish with age. You may also want to lightly prune them during the summer to keep blooms fresh.
Crape Myrtles have been the joy of the south since 1786 when King Louis XVI introduced them to Charleston, South Carolina. Today, it ranks as the South’s most popular and ornamental tree. They make great yard dividers for homes in crowded neighborhoods or fillers for open land.
Contact us with questions on our Crape Myrtle varieties or installation.
Types Of Ornamental Trees To Use In Landscaping
Ornamental trees are a great way to make your yard look gorgeous, but what kinds are available? The following ornamental trees are among the most popular to use for landscaping projects.
Flowering Pears
These beautiful trees bloom with gorgeous white blossoms in the early spring. They typically grow to be about 30 feet tall, though some may grow as high as 40 feet. They are great for adding a little decorative touch to your home. Try integrating them near boundary fences to make those eye-sores more pleasant to look at.
Eastern Redbud
If you’re looking for a tree to provide purple or pink flowers for your fall or spring decorations, this is your best bet. This tree not only produces red buds in the winter but yellow in the fall and brown in the winter. If you like birds on your property, choose this tree as it attracts them in droves.
Crabapple
Though its name is somewhat humorous, this tree is one of the most popular ornamental options in the nation. There are over 200 different species that you can choose, each which has slightly different colors and styles. Make sure to spray them regularly to protect them from the dangers of pest invasion.
Flowering Dogwood
Last, but not least, is the Flowering Dogwood. When this ornamental tree blooms, it creates white and pink flowers that add a little style and texture to your yard. They also produce nice fall colors, making this a tree that looks pretty good all year round.
Each of these ornamental trees has different care methods that you need to consider when planting them. To learn more about those methods, please contact us today.
What Accent Plants Can Do For Your Landscaping
Planting is a vital part of the landscaping design of your home. The key is to carefully place your plants into your landscaping where they can thrive and live long healthy lives. Accent plants are a great way to define and enhance your property. Find out exactly what accent plants can do for your landscaping and your home.
Line Your Foundation and Walkways
Accent edges are the perfect way to line the foundation of your house. They not only look great, but they will become a very valuable asset to your home. They can hide unsightly masonry or basement windows while being very pleasing to the eyes at the same time. They can extend the appearance of your house as well. Accent plants are also a nice way to line your walkways. Effortlessly turn a boring walkway into something that looks fantastic, simply by just lining both sides of it with plants.
Great Visual Impact
Accent plants can have an immense visual impact on your home. They are delightful to look at every day for both you and your neighbors. They will add to the value of your house and are a major selling point if you ever put your house on the market. Sometimes first impressions are everything, and accent plants do a wonderful job at creating first impressions that are sure to last.
Contact us today at Chambersville Tree Farm for more information on accent plants and all of your planting needs. We truly believe that planting is such an essential part of a good landscaping design.
Why Mulch Is So Important For A Tree’s Health
Homeowners hear a lot about mulch, but few understand how it helps protect the health of their trees. Here is why you should consider applying mulch around your tree, followed by a simple application procedure any homeowner can perform.
Insulates The Soil
As the temperature changes around your tree, the soil and the roots can be heavily affected. This can cause root health problems or even severe damage. A good buffer of mulch will protect it from temperature damage and keep your tree strong and secure in the soil.
Keeps Water Near The Roots
Your trees need a lot of water to promote root health. Without mulch, much of this water will dissipate in the soil and leave them thirsty. Mulch will trap water, hold it tight to the roots, and help promote a quicker growing tree, one that is strong enough to survive droughts and other negative weather conditions.
Stops Weed Growth
Did you know that mulch is one of the best ways to keep weeds away from your tree? It’s true: a nice surrounding layer of mulch will block weeds from growing up near your trees and protect their roots from the nutrient-sapping of weeds.
How To Add Mulch To Your Trees
If you want to add mulch around the base of your tree, you need to remove the grass in a 3-10 foot circle around your tree. Now you need to spread mulch within that circle to a depth of about 2-4 inches. Keep it from touching the bark of the tree for maximizing effectiveness.
To learn more about mulch and the health of your trees, please don’t hesitate to contact us today.
North Texas Trees: Native Oaks
Oak trees are great trees, and there are 42 native oaks in Texas. There are three major types: red, white, and black, all represented in the state. These trees tend to do well here, and worth considering when planning a landscape with North Texas trees. Here are two great examples of native oaks available through our farm:
This medium-sized white oak was established as native to Texas in 1992. It holds its leaves well into winter, meaning that there is a short period between leaf drop and when the tree leafs out again in the spring. This makes this tree a good choice for the north side of a house for winter wind protection.
It has average water needs when first planted, but once established is drought tolerant. It is also considered a relatively fast growing oak and can add up to two feet a year under good growing conditions.
This oak is frequently chosen as an alternative to Live Oaks since it is less susceptible to oak wilt. Just be aware, if you’re considering this tree, that the tree’s shape is more upright with less canopy spread when compared to a Live Oak.
The chinquapin, also a white oak, is a smaller tree when compared to the Mexican White Oak. In Texas, it tops out between 30 and 50 feet. The native range extends farther north, where the tree can grow much taller.
This oak does well in very diverse soil conditions and can handle clay, and as a bonus can do well in alkaline soils. However, the tree does not do well with severe drought.
In addition to the Mexican White Oak and Chinquapin, we have other types of oaks and other types of trees available at Chambersville Tree Farm. We would love to talk to you about your landscaping plans.
Caring For Your Fruit Tree in Texas
Growing a tree that bears fruit is a very appealing idea. Not only does it add charm to a backyard and beautiful blossoms in the spring, but there’s also the promise of sweet-tasting goodness when the tree is ready for the picking in the fall. But growing a healthy fruit tree that will produce a lot of healthy fruit takes more than just planting the tree in the ground. Here’s what you need to do to help your tree grow healthy and fruitful.
- Plant your tree in a sunny place with adequate drainage in the ground. In other words, don’t plant it in a place that’s swampy, or where water pools and lingers after a rain shower. If the roots are soaked in too much water, they will rot and the tree will die.
- Prune your tree regularly. Pruning keeps dead branches from overcrowding the live branches and preventing fruit to grow. Make sure you use sharp tools for a clean cut. You should prune dead or broken branches and downward sloping branches. Make sure to prune in a way so water can drain off a pruned area easily to prevent rot.
- Train your fruit tree’s branches. This can take up to many years after the tree’s planting. You need to train your tree’s branches to spread in different directions for more room to grow and to encourage fruit bearing. Do so by tying the branches together to train it to grow how you want to. Training your fruit tree correctly is difficult, so make sure you do some research or ask someone experienced for help.
For more information, please contact us.
Four High Performing North Texas Rose Varieties
Growing roses in North Texas is sometimes tricky. The long season makes roses susceptible to fungus, which includes rust, mildew, and black spot. Also, the most popular colors in this area are not dainty pinks or whites. Many Texas rose gardeners prefer bold, bright oranges, reds and yellows. Here are four rose varieties that are both appealing and easy to grow.
Knockout rose, double red – In North Texas, double roses grow better than singles. Knockout roses are very popular, easy to grow, versatile and hardy. Plant them in masses, as borders or as a focal point. This rose is resistant to mildew, rust and black spots. They grow about four feet tall.
Belinda’s Dream – Featuring bright pink flowers, this bush grows about four to six feet tall. Texas horticulturists developed Belinda’s Dream specifically to flourish in our hot climate. It bears pink flowers that resemble an English tea rose, but the plant is very hardy. While this rose can develop blackspot, the plant resists it and continues producing flowers.
Fourth of July – Bearing festive red and white striped flowers that smell like apples, this rose blooms consistently all season. The showy, semi-double, flowers dress up bare white walls, a gazebo, or a trellis. A vigorous climber, this rose is easily trained and grows between three and seven feet tall. It does best in partial sun.
Cinco de Mayo – Known as one of the more reliable roses for North Texas, this plant grows three to four feet tall and bears rich orange-red flowers. The stunning ruffled blooms flourish in the Texas heat, particularly in July when other flowering plants wilt. Cinco de Mayo roses need a moderate amount of water and care to thrive.
Chambersville Tree Farm carries these roses and we have over 200 varieties to choose from. For more information please contact us.
