- By BILLY “the real” DEAL -

I could tell you about how this week we were greeted to the surprising  news, that Home Prices Drop Again In Most Big Cities by the Associated Press.

But I will not 

I could tell you Man has broken the planet and this past Sunday was EarthDay 2012…   We are told, “Our planet, our home is being neglected. Climate change continues unabated. It seems there’s a new ecological disaster happening almost daily.” by earthday.org.

But I will not 

I could tell you that healthy, mature trees add an average of 10 percent to a property’s value.” —USDA Forest Service

But I will not 

I could tell you “In one study, 83% of realtors believe that mature trees have a ‘strong or moderate impact’ on the salability of homes listed for under $150,000; on homes over $250,000, this perception increases to 98%.” —Arbor National Mortgage & American Forests 

But I will not 

I could tell you “A mature tree can often have an appraised value of between $1,000 and $10,000.” —Council of Tree and Landscape Appraisers 

But I will not 

I could tell you “There are about 60– to 200-million spaces along our city streets where trees could be planted. This translates to the potential to absorb 33 million more tons of CO² every year, and saving $4 billion in energy costs.” —National Wildlife Federation

But I will not 

I could Tell you “The net cooling effect of a young, healthy tree is equivalent to ten room-size air conditioners operating 20 hours a day.” —U.S. Department of Agriculture

But I will not 

I could tell you “If you plant a tree today on the west side of your home, in 5 years your energy bills should be 3% less. In 15 years the savings will be nearly 12%.” —Dr. E. Greg McPherson, Center for Urban Forest Research

But I will not 

I could tell you that Today is National Arbor Day and that you have a reason not to Plant A Tree.

 But I will not!

Happy Arbor Day Everyone!   Go Plant A Tree!

- By BILLY “the real” DEAL -

Last week many of us across Central Florida were having flashbacks of the 2002 & 2003 Hurricane season.   Those of us with power watched our favorite meteorologist use world like – I-4 Corridor, Tornado Warning, Flash Flood Warning, Downed power-lines, and severe wind gusts.  We watched in anticipation as the red flickering and purple bands of showers cross the peninsula of Florida.
Many tree’s were pruned by mother nature.   Some property was damaged and many lost power.  Click Here to continue

I, like many, have spent my time cleaning debris from my two 50+ year old Laurel Oaks.   One of the large limbs decided it did not need to be attached to the tree anymore and came to rest on the azalea hedge.

The tree is coming to an end of its healthy life and needs to be taken out before it becomes a liability.  But then again – it is over 40′ tall and 60′ wide full of leaves…  Why would I remove such a great tree?   As a Trained Certified Arborist there are signs we look for to see potential problems.  The tree has been showing signs of severe branch die-back which is usually signs of a root problem.   The roots of course are the anchors of the tree – and dying roots = a tree that topples over in the wind.  Not Good!

A tree in the Urban Landscape does not form a true tap root.  80% of the tree’s roots are found in the first 6-24″ of soil two to four times the width of the crown of the tree. So remember when you are trying to grow your prized impatiens or turf that the tree’s roots make up most of the soil in the area.   The turf and flowers will need much more water to compete with the tree roots.   The relationship creates an are ripe for soil born pathogens to shorten the life of your tree.  So put the annuals in a clay pot and mulch under the tree is my suggestion..  Get out and enjoy the ‘Blue Sky’s’ and cover them up with Tree’s!

Dry Creek Bed -Rain-Garden - By: John Madison Landscape

We have just spent the last 24 hours in Central Florida watching, driving, working or playing in the rain.  As the sun peeks through the clouds you realize your yard has a small pond beginning to form near that depression in you yard.   For many of us this was required to capture the stormwater coming off our house.   Because every time it rains, water runs off of your house,  and that water will eventually end up in rivers, lakes or oceans, and on its journey it can pick up a variety of pollutants.  What starts as clean rainwater may end up being harmful.  These depressions help to filter the water into our yard.

So what do you do with that depression in the yard that fills with water? The same area that seems to never get the correct mowing height?  The area of your yard that becomes a soupy mess when it rains.  RAIN GARDENS

What exactly is a rain garden? It is basically the same as a regular garden, with several key differences:

– It is slightly depressed, so that it can fill up with water during a rain storm;
– It contains plants that can deal with being “soaked” every once in awhile;
– It is strategically located to intercept water coming from your property, and
– It is specially designed to drain any stored water over a several day period.

Rain Garden with Perennials

Are you looking for someone to design and install a fabulous Rain Garden or living space in your yard?  Call Our Friends @:  John Madison Landscape.

1-800-Landscape or at JohnMadisonLandscape.com

-By BILLY “the real” DEAL -

- Florida Certified Horticulture Professional -

-ISA Certified Arborist-

The Tree Butcher….   They are armed with Pickup Trucks, Trailers, and Chainsaws.   They knock on your door and strike fear in the hearts of you and your neighbors.   They tell you unless you cut limbs off of trees they will fall on your house and crush you cars….    BEWARE of the Tree Butcher!!

I personally saw this happen this past week in my neighborhood.  I hear the chainsaws roar while enjoying my coffee and decided to go outside to see who was out trimming some trees this beautiful spring morning.

What I saw was a crew trimming up a camphor tree in front of someones house.  Not a big deal until I heard a thud….   They dumped a limb on a house.   Hmm who are these guys?  They never secured the limb before the cut and the 20′ 12″caliper limb came down on their roof.   No damage to the house that I could tell.   The Butchers as I now will call them, they were wearing shorts, short sleeved shirts and wielding chainsaws.   A True Arborist will have eye protection, helmet, ear protection, pants, not shorts.   This is not a job to take lightly.   This is real and dangerous.

The Butchers proceeded to go to many of my neighbors houses.   One unlucky individual said yes.   I have spoke to him in the past about how to hire an Arborist – he didn’t listen.  Are they Licensed and insured, do they have a Certified Arborist on staff, Do they use proper equipment.   They had proceeded to fill up their truck with as many limbs possible.  The following photo what they left behind.   The limbs that are stubbed never needed to be touched.   They convinced my neighbor that removing the foliage and TOPPING the limbs would prevent damage in high winds..   NOT TRUE.

The Top photo is one of a series of Elms in a parking lot.   They were trimming these trees with vehicles and pedestrians walking near the falling limbs.   Be Smart & Safe – Hire an Arborist.  There are many in your area.   As a Certified Arborist, I personally use Enviro Tree Service, Valley Crest Tree Service or A Budget Tree Service, Inc.

- By BILLY “the real” DEAL -

- HORTICULTURE SPECIALIST –

Circling Roots:

You may have seen this when planting a new tree for Arbor Day.  Spiraling roots circling the container the tree has been grown in.  These circling or deformed roots are formed when a tree is grown for too long in a container. Research has shown that deformed roots can have a long term effect on the health and stability of the transplanted tree. Also circling roots in the top portion of the root ball could, as the tree and root grow, eventually girdle the tree.

Research is also finding that this process begins early on in the growing process.   There are many growers across the country that recognize this potential problem and have implemented preventative practices.  One of them is Walker Tree Farm in Eustis Florida.  They are a certified Rootmaker growers in the state of Florida.

What to do if you purchase a tree with spiraling roots? Be sure to Slice the roots in multiple areas from the top to the bottom of the rootball to stop this from continuing.  Some extremes as to shave the outside of the rootball down with a spade or shovel.  Some container growers do this many times in the nursery as to promote a more fibrous root system and create a more sustainable product.

For more information on Roots and Urban Trees Click Here!

Find More Growers and Suppliers of Nursery Products, Click Here!

What is it about spring that just refreshes the soul? Is it the birds coming back home an building their nest and the sound of their chirps? Is it the new new lush growth we see from our lawns and our landscape?
Take notice how the retail stores have all converted large areas of their floor plans to market to our outside enjoyment. Over the next year I will be traveling with Everything Horticulture to many of the best growers and suppliers of products for your daily enjoyment. We plan to bring you The Real Plant Deal of the Day! I hope you come along and I encourage you to ask questions and give me feedback along the way! As always – ‘Have a Treemendous Day!’

Treemendous ‘A Nice Little Tree Farm’ – Located in Apopka, FL

- HORTICULTURE SPECIALIST -

Your Prince Charming has arrived with a beautiful bouquet of Roses on this special day.  It is like a scene from a movie: the wind blows and the angels begin to sing.  There are a few white dove flying by.   There may even be a bunny rabbit and a deer watching.   The next morning setting in the vase are droopy roses.   Now that is not a great symbol of Love?  Or is it?

There is more to this than just putting them in a glass of water and hoping for the best.  It takes work and preperation to make them last.  Just like a relationship.

So how do we prepare and preserve the magic?

1. Start with a nice healthy bouquet of flowers.
2. Place them in lukewarm water.
3. Select a vase to place them in.  Be sure it is clean.  Use bleach solution to disinfect.
4. Under warm running water cut each stem 1/2 inch from with sharp floral sheers.
5. Place a penny in the bottom of vase and will with warm water.
6. Stir in Floral Preserve packet or a little sugar into vase and stir.
7. Place arrangement into vase and organize stems.
8. After 4 days change out water and repeat steps above .

With a bit of preparation and work you can enjoy the great beauty of the arrangement.  Just like your personal relationships they take effort and preparation do not take them for granted.   Happy Valentines Day everyone!!

Taiwan Flowering Cherry

- By BILLY “the real” DEAL –

- HORTICULTURE SPECIALIST –

You see the pictures every year of the Washington DC mall in full bloom with the Cherry Tree’s!  How do you bring such beauty to Florida?   How many times have you gone in to your local garden center only to be told, “Cherry Tree’s need many hours of chill time to bloom in Florida.  We do not sell them because they will not perform well down here.”

This is not true anymore!   Thanks to researchers at the great University of Florida, you can enjoy the natural beauty of this early spring blooming tree.  Many of your local garden centers are stocking up with this and other great flowering tree’s brought to you from my friends at Chestnut Hill Tree Farm in Alachua, Florida.

The Real Plant Deal were at Fish Branch Tree Farm to see how they are preparing for this spring season!   WE found THE REAL PLANT DEAL of The Day!   A Triple Sylvester Date Palm!!   WOW !!  Watch the Video to see more!

What Are you doing to prepare for this great time of year?

Are you pruning back your roses?

Have you completed your Spring fertilizing of your Prized Citrus tree?

Your Shrubs need a nice feeding this time of year too!

Be sure not to prune on your Azaleas until they are done blooming!   This year will be an extra special show!

Mark Your Calendars

The 15th Annual RPG Workshop will be hosted at Marshall Tree Farm in Morriston, FL on Thursday, April 28th, 2011.  Cosponsored by Roots Plus Growers, Florida Chapter ISA, and University of Florida IFAS, this workshop is designed for Arborists, Landscape Contractors, Landscape Architects, Urban Foresters, and Municipal Managers. This year’s program and topics will be finalized by the end of February.  Check back soon for more details.

]]> http://therealplantdeal.com/?feed=rss2&p=12 0