As summer winds down we have one more thing to look forward to in Michigan before the long winter forces us all inside: fall colors. There’s nothing like fall in Michigan. The vibrant colors of all of our trees changing at once paint the landscape in unparalleled beauty.
Anthracnose is a relatively new disease in Michigan and is actually quite common now. It can attack any type of tree but it seems to prefer ash, oak, maple, dogwood, and sycamores the best.
One of the best things about trees is their unique growth patterns. But as trees get bigger and age, large limbs or leaning trees become more vulnerable to high winds, heavy snows, and just plain old gravity.
Here in the great state of Michigan, we cherish our trees. These mighty giants can last for generations, providing us with shade, clean air, and aesthetic beauty.
Maple trees are some of the most beloved trees in the United States. Here in Michigan, we are blessed with a wide variety of the gorgeous trees that are responsible for the magnificent display of fall colors that people travel from out of state to witness. Maples have large, wide leaves that make them the perfect shade trees for your yard and also maintain excellent shapes throughout their life. You can’t go wrong when choosing a maple. Try planting a variety of them and watch your yard explode with color in the fall.
Sugar maples are wildly popular for their standout colors and especially for their maple syrup. In the summer their thick foliage provides great shade for outdoor activities and keeping the temperature in your home down. In the spring, they flower from April to May and produce winged helicopter seeds that can sprout up in yards, flower beds, or gardens, making them easy to transplant.
When fall rolls around, the sugar maple puts on a spectacular display of yellow to burnt orange to red. It tolerates shade, prefers well-drained, moderately moist soil. If you are planting from saplings be sure to protect them; The tender leaves of young sugar maples are a favorite for deer.
Of all the maple trees in Michigan, the silver maple tree is by far the fastest-growing, making it the tree of choice for many homeowners. Its dense foliage provides ample shade in the hot summers, but it does require a lot of sunlight so plant it in an open area. Be careful when planting it near other young trees as the silver maple will grow faster and deprive the other trees of sunlight.
Silver maple leaves are green on top and silvery-white underneath. On windy days you can really see where they get their name. In the fall, it’s leaves turn a golden yellow color, adding a different shade to your landscape.
Because of their fast growth, refrain from planting them near structures and sidewalks as their roots can cause a lot of damage.
Looking for a tree to add some color and interest during the summer months? The crimson king is a stand-out maple that has breathtaking deep red foliage all year round. This tree is more contained than other maples, reaching heights of 35-45 feet and 25-30 feet wide. It may not be a wide-covering shade tree like the silver and sugar maples, but it does add variety to an otherwise green landscape.
Not to be confused with the crimson king, red maple trees actually have green foliage in the summer. It gets its name from the stunning bright red leaves that appear in the fall. They can grow 40-70 feet tall and, with a spread up to 50 feet, it makes an excellent shade tree for the backyard or patio.
At PPM Tree Care, we provide tree trimming, pruning, and tree cabling to help your trees grow up to be the best they can be.
You can ask about our wide range of services here or call us at (877) 454-8733.
One of the most important and impactful decisions that a homeowner can make about their yard is what trees to plant. Trees are an important part of any yard; they shade us from the sun, keep our yards cool in the summer heat, clean the air, and provide beauty to our landscape. If you have a big, treeless yard, then it might help to plant a few trees around your house. Studies show that houses in the shade actually save more on their cooling bills in the summer. Here’s a list of some of our favorite shade trees in Michigan.
Known for their arching branches and long, flowing canopy; the weeping willow can add a lot to your landscape. It’s an excellent shade tree and a very fast grower, growing 6-8 feet in a single year. It’s perfect for those who want to fill in their yard over a short period of time.
Weeping willows are usually found near rivers, lakes, or swamps where they can store huge amounts of water, but these hardy trees can live almost anywhere. Willows take up a lot of space and should be planted in a clear, central location with no competition from other trees. Not only is it a great shade tree, but it’s also an eye-catching ornamental. You’ll want to display a weeping willow prominently in your yard.
If you are looking for a tree that combines beauty and shade, then you can’t go wrong with a maple. Sugar maples boast thick, lush canopies that will turn your hot, unbearable deck into a cool and relaxing hangout. These trees are fast growers and easy to take care of. Plus, in the fall they put on one of the most spectacular shows in all of Michigan. People travel from out of state just to see the fiery red, orange, and yellow spectacle that these trees put on. They work great alone or in rows along your road or driveway. You won’t regret planting a few of these charming trees in your yard.
The white oak, or any member of the oak family, are great long-term investments for your property. They may be famous for their slow growth but they are also famous for their sturdiness and longevity. White oaks can do well in any soil condition and climate and if planted with enough room to grow, can achieve staggering heights and wide canopies that can shade large areas of your yard. The best part about an oak tree is that once you plant it, it can be enjoyed for generations to come. White oaks are some of the best shade trees to plant in your Michigan yard.
Growing up to five feet per year, the quaking aspen is a must-have backyard tree. It’s one of the best shade trees and you’ll even be able to enjoy them pretty quickly. Its greyish-white bark stands out and makes a statement in your yard. It’s heart-shaped leaves “quake” in the fall and put on a dazzling show of gold and orange that will be sure to turn heads. Quaking aspens grow tall and narrow so you can plant them in clusters, as windbreaks, or as a privacy curtain between properties.
At PPM Tree Care we provide tree trimming, pruning, and tree cabling to help your trees grow up to be the best they can be.
You can ask about our wide range of services here or call us at (877) 454-8733.
Vines may look beautiful growing up the side of a house or trellis, but vines can actually do a lot of harm to your trees if left untreated. As they climb the tree, vines add extra weight to limbs, can catch more wind in a storm, and can girdle or strangle the tree. If the vine reaches and spreads over the canopy, it can shade out the tree and deprive it of sunlight. Before you go in and start ripping down vines you should know what kinds of vines you are dealing with. Here are a few vine identification tips to help you with your tree maintenance.
Probably the most common vine you’ll encounter here in Michigan is Virginia creeper. This deep-rooted vine can grow fast and be difficult to remove once it’s established. Its roots and underground tendrils can stretch several feet. Since it is an aggressive grower, Virginia creeper can cover an entire tree in just a few seasons. It’s important to keep an eye on this vine or it could deprive your trees of sunlight.
As an ornamental vine, Virginia creeper can look quite stunning climbing over a shed or the side of your house. Its clusters of tiny white flowers bloom in the summer and produce dark blue-black berries in the fall which will attract wild birds, make vine identification easy.
If Virginia creeper is a problem, the best way to remove it is to find the main vines and clip them. This won’t kill the roots but will kill everything in the tree. When the vine is dead you can pull down the vines by hand or just leave them to fall off naturally.
Moonseed is usually found in forests and swamps where soils are moist. It grows along the ground and climbs whatever it comes into contact with. Its leaves are roundish and vibrant green, but turn golden yellow in the fall. Its blossoms bloom in June and July and turn into berries in autumn for song birds and mammals to feast on.
Poison ivy is actually covered in a substance called urushiol which can trigger a severe allergic reaction in most people. The oil is so potent that you can get it even if you don’t touch the plant directly. Secondary sources include pets, clothes, and smoke.
Poison ivy can grow as a bush or a vine climbing up a tree. They have clusters of three leaves which help tell it apart from other harmless vines. This vine identification is made easy if you remember the old mantra, “leaves of three, let it be.” Shower thoroughly and wash your clothes after working in wooded areas.
Poison oak has bright green leaves that also grow in clusters of three, but the leaves of poison oak are more rounded and have a textured surface. They can grow as a shrub or a vine and can pack the same punch as its cousin, poison ivy.
Another very common vine that you will encounter, especially if you have overgrown or wooded areas, is riverbank grape. It can grow almost anywhere and it’s not uncommon to find riverbank grape growing in flower beds or around your deck, thanks to birds. Grape vines can grow thick over several years making them very hard to remove without cutting them and letting them die.
The riverbank grape leaves are large and glossy and can provide a lot of shade for a garden or porch. This vine is sometimes a nuisance as it can grow fast and completely cover the canopy of a mature tree. With its thick vines and large leaves, it adds a lot of weight and strain on the tree which can result in broken limbs or a toppled tree during the next strong winds. Its fruits are tart but edible and make great juice, wine, or jelly.
At PPM Tree Care we provide tree trimming, pruning, and tree cabling services to help your trees grow up to be the best they can be. You can ask about our wide range of services here or call us at (877) 454-8733.
After you cut the tree down and picked up all the logs, twigs, and bark, you’re left with one difficult task: removing the stump. Depending on the size of the tree, stump removal can be done with some hard work and a shovel. For larger trees, it’ll take a little more than elbow grease to remove it. Finding the right stump removal method for you depends on a number of factors. Here are three options to get rid of a stump on your property.
You could just let nature take its course, but It can take over ten years for an average tree stump to completely decompose enough to be easily removed. After the tree is cut, the stump becomes an open invitation for carpenter ants, termites, and other pests. Yes, these insects help speed up the decaying process, but you also have to consider the proximity to your house or other trees that they could invade. Not to mention, a rotting stump isn’t very easy on the eyes. It can throw off the curb appeal of your yard and even decrease your property value
If want that stump out of there you have two options; stump grinding or stump removal. We will go over the pros and cons of each so you can make a more informed decision.
Stump removal is the removal of the entire stump by either digging by hand, using heavy machinery, or other traditional stump removal methods. No matter which method you choose, stump removal is a tough job when doing it on your own. It’s time consuming, physically demanding, and can get pretty expensive if you’re renting machinery or tools. Not only that, but it leaves a large, gaping hole behind when you’re finished.
However, removing stumps also removes much more of the root system. This prevents the tree from growing back and gives you room to plant something new in its place. All-in-all, stump removal is a good option if you’re looking to be as thorough as possible and don’t mind a little hard work.
Stump grinding is a much less intensive process of removing stumps. With this method you hire a professional tree care company or rent a stump grinding machine to completely pulverize the stump into small wood chips. Grinding is faster and more efficient than stump removal and leaves behind a nice bed of mulch; much more pleasing to the eye than a rotting stump or a large hole in your yard. On the downside, the machinery only grinds the stump 8-10 inches below the surface, making it difficult to replant something on top of it and there’s always the possibility of the tree re-growing if it was still alive.
Both methods have their share of pros and cons so you will have to weigh your options and decide which method best suits you and your yard.
If you need help removing your stumps, trees, or pruning call the professionals at PPM Tree & Arbor Care. We have the expertise and experience to get the job done right. Contact us here, or give us a call at (877) 454-8733 to hear about our list of services.
Mulching is a common landscaping practice that provides an abundance of benefits to any landscape. Now that the weather is warming up and the growing season is in full swing, it’s the perfect time to apply mulch in and around your garden beds. Here are eight reasons why you should mulch this spring and all the benefits that mulch provides!
Weeds are thieves that, when left alone, will steal essential nutrients from your trees and shrubs. Mulch acts as a barrier, preventing weeds from receiving the important nutrients that they need for growth (mainly sunlight, oxygen, and water). Not only can mulch prevent weeds from sprouting, it can also smother them and prevent them from germinating.
One of the biggest threats that your trees and shrubs will face this spring and summer is drought. All it takes is a hot and/or windy day to start evaporating the essential moisture from your soil. Mulching is a great way to prevent this evaporation from occurring. By providing shade for the soil and working as an insulator, the soil temperature stays cool and the loss of moisture is significantly reduced. This will keep your trees and shrubs protected and prepared to thrive all season long.
When mulch decomposes it deposits organic matter and beneficial nutrients into the soil. This is especially true with plant-based mulch, which is recommended for most landscapes and flowerbeds (as opposed to rock-based).
Along with adding nutrients to the soil, decomposed mulch will also feed earthworms, which are important to the overall health of the soil in your landscape. Earthworms improve the soil in your landscape by ingesting and digesting the soil, depositing rich nutrients to the surrounding soil.
Certain types of mulches contain oils that deter pests from your landscape. It’s a simple, easy, and natural form of pest control. When applying mulch, you will want to be sure to avoid piling the mulch high against the base of your tree or plant, as doing so may result in the reverse effect. It can create an inviting environment for pests like termites to make your landscape their home.
Just be sure to do your research before applying mulch as a form of pest control. We recommend applying no more than 2-4 inches around your trees and shrubs and cedar bark is the best choice of mulch for pest control.
By aiding in moisture retention, mulch also allows the plant’s root system to grow deeper and stronger. When the moisture is given more time to infiltrate the soil, it goes deeper into the root systems, picking up nutrients along the way. When the nutrient-rich moisture hits the roots, it results in lush, healthy growth.
The most visible benefit mulch provides to your landscape is its beauty. Mulch adds vibrant color to your landscape while giving it that crisp, clean, natural look that you will love. Over time, the mulch will also result in stronger, healthier plants. If you’re looking to add that curb appeal while increasing the value of your home, mulching is a great way to do just that.
You’ve invested your hard earned time and money into your landscape, trees, and shrubs. Protecting your landscaping should be at the top of your to-do list. At PPM Tree Care, we’re here to help. Our team of professionals has over 10 years of experience in providing a full range of landscaping services, including mulch installation and seasonal bed maintenance.
Contact us here, or give us a call at (877) 454-8733 to hear about our commercial landscape maintenance services. Call us today to request a quote.
If you are a gardener, then you know the threat that deer pose to your plants and trees. Sure, they are wonderful to look at when they come wandering into your yard, but if you have tender young trees or delicious vegetables, they can make quick work of them.
Damage to trees is most problematic because deer can chomp large amounts of leaves and twigs from young trees, particularly the young shoots of maple and walnut trees. This can stunt, and potentially kill, the tree if enough foliage is removed. Damaged or weakened branches can be an open invitation to disease and pests.
The best strategy to protect your trees, plants, and gardens is to keep deer guessing and to implement a variety of methods to keep deer away from your trees and plants.
Deer repellents often come in spray bottles and use an assortment of deer (and human) deterring smells to keep deer at bay. Most repellents work by using a combination of smell and taste deterrents. Spray deer repellent on and around the plants you want to protect. The key to deer repellent is being consistent. Deer repellents typically only last a few days or until the rain washes it away. In order to maintain full protection, you’ll need to re-apply regularly.
You may have tried every method under the sun to deter deer, such as resorting to pie tins for sound or blank CDs for reflective lights. But these methods don’t work. As soon as the deer realize these things are harmless, they will ignore them while they chomp on your raspberry plants.
One method that works is using motion-activated sprinklers. Not only is there an audio deterrent but a physical one that will definitely get the deer’s attention. Move the sprinkler to a new location every few days to keep them on their toes.
Keeping a radio in your garden at night also works great. Tune in to a talk radio station and the deer will steer clear. Make sure you live in an area where the noise won’t bother your neighbors. To keep the deer guessing, move the radio around and change the station every once in a while. Place a laundry basket upside down over the radio to keep rain and dew off.
Deer are very sensitive to smell and taste. That’s why when something tastes good they will eat as much as they can, causing extensive damage. There are a variety of plants and herbs that you can plant around your trees and garden plants to protect them from hungry deer, such as lavender, catmint, garlic, and chives.
Trees are only vulnerable to deer when they are young. Once their leaves and branches are out of reach of hungry deer, they are in the clear.
For help with tree trimming, planting, or removal call the pros at PPM Tree Service at (877) 454-8733 or leave us a message on our site.