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News and Blog Articles
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 One of the main concerns we hear from potential customers is that our equipment will leave tracks on their yard or tear up existing landscaping. After all, even our smallest motorized vehicle weighs in around 3,000 pounds! Surely that can do some serious damage to your newly-laid sod? And these customers are right – without the proper precautions, it would be easy for our industrial equipment to cause problems. But at Classic City Arborists, we truly believe that age-old adage of “leave it better than you found it.” We take a range of steps to ensure that, aside from the tree we take down or underbrush we clear away, you won’t be able to tell we were there! EquipmentThe gear, tools, and vehicles needed to do any kind of tree work come in many shapes and sizes, and every arborist has their preference. One of the main considerations we keep in mind as we choose what to use (aside from making sure the thing can actually get the job done!) is the impact it will have on the environment around it. For example, one common vehicle used in tree work is a bucket truck. These help workers get up close and personal with higher limbs, which is very important to most all kinds of tree work. Unfortunately, bucket trucks can weigh around 26,000 pounds or more on average. All that weight will definitely leave some gouges in soft ground.
Our other major piece of equipment we use on a frequent basis is our miniature skid steer. This compact vehicle allows us to clear away limbs, trunk sections, and other debris from an area in larger loads. While actually cutting down or pruning a tree is the main part of any job, that’s only half the work. Cleaning a tree up from a hard-to-access site is a physically-demanding process, and the miniature skid steer helps cut down on the time and effort needed to get everything spick and span. The miniature skid steer only weighs around 3,000 pounds, and is also on tracks like the lift to protect your ground. Preventative SafeguardsWhile having our equipment on tracks definitely helps reduce any wear and tear on the ground, we still take certain measures in special circumstances. For example, if you’ve just laid down delicate sod, or if it’s been raining and the ground is wet. In cases like this, we will lay down simple ¾-inch plywood for the machinery to drive over. Sometimes, we only need to lay plywood over certain areas. Other times, we might lay it all the way from the road to the tree we’re cutting down!
The pictures here show a job where we used our miniature skid steer, SK, and self-propelled lift steer to remove and clean up numerous cypress trees from a backyard. We laid down plywood in strategic areas to protect softer ground, especially over areas where the machinery would need to pivot. After over 20 trips back and forth, you can see that the sod was virtually unaffected – even in the areas where we didn’t lay down plywood. For more images and videos showing us using our equipment, check out our Photo Gallery! Initial AssessmentWhen Scott (our certified arborist and co-owner of Classic City Arborists) comes out to your property to give you an estimate, he isn’t just looking at the work you want done. He’s also looking at factors like how crowded the area is (which will impact how easy or hard it is to get the work done), and what the access to the work site looks like. There may be multiple ways to get from the road to the site, and Scott will consider all of them before deciding which they will use. Now, the route he recommends may not be the shortest or most efficient path from the road to the work site. The equipment we use is, for the most part, big, bulky, and heavy, and Scott takes these things into consideration when planning out a job. Whatever route he decides on will be noted on your estimate. This lets you know the plan, and also gives you the chance to weigh in. If you still have questions or concerns regarding our equipment, your yard, or our methods, please don’t hesitate to contact us! We’re happy to walk you through the process more thoroughly and discuss any thoughts you may have. Or, check out our other Frequently Asked Questions, to see if we’ve answered your question before! AuthorEmily Casuccio is sister and sister-in-law to Rebekah and Scott Rushing, and has over half a decade of experience in copywriting, copyediting, proofreading, and developmental storyboarding. She's worked with both published and undiscovered authors on both fiction and nonfiction, and takes pride in supporting local businesses. Her passion lies in the written word and helping authors of all capacities realize their dreams and achieve their fullest potential. To learn more about her, read samples of her work, or contact her, visit her online portfolio.
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As a native tree found pretty much everywhere in the southeast, it’s about time for us to feature the Southern Red Oak as our Tree of the Month! Also known as the Bottomland Red Oak, Three-Lobed Red Oak, and Spanish oak, Quercus falcata is a deciduous tree known for its stunning fall color displays and classically shaped acorns. The Southern Red Oak is a pretty widespread species, common in over a dozen southeast states. They prefer to grow upland (though will occasionally sprout along streams), and thrive in the poor mesic soil that other tree species would find uninhabitable. As their upland home might suggest, these behemoths prefer full sun exposure and are extremely drought-resistant. They can still survive flooding on occasion, though, and will tolerate partial shade assuming their soil is well-drained. Did You Know?Despite the fact that these trees look absolutely nothing like any of the oaks found in Spain, one of the colloquial names for this species is the Spanish Oak. Most likely, this comes from the fact many of the early Spanish colonies in North America were located in areas densely populated with these trees. When left to their own devices, Southern Red Oaks will reach an average height of 60 to over 100 feet. Their crown spreads are similarly massive at 50 to 60 feet wide, supported by a trunk of only 2 to 3 feet in diameter. As moderately fast growers, these trees are popular in both public and private landscaping as statement features. They are often used as shade trees in parks and public spaces, and are especially suited as street trees thanks to their drought resistance. The bark of the Southern Red Oak is thick, dark, and rough. What starts out as thin, smooth, and light gray will eventually age into furrowed, scaled, deeper greys and greyish-browns. Fully matured tree bark may even reach black in color. Branching begins well away from the ground, and maintains an evenly-spaced distribution. Each branch grows up and out for an overall symmetrical shape. Interestingly, Southern Red Oaks grow two different types of leaves. The first is pear-shaped, with three rounded lobes (these look a little like animal prints you’d see in a cartoon). From base to tip, these leaves average around 4 to 5 inches long. The second leaf type has skinnier, pointier lobes that are both asymmetrical and bristled. These are much longer, averaging closer to 9 inches in length. Both types of leaves are a deep, glossy green in the spring and summer, with tan, downy undersides that offer a nice contrast when the wind blows. In the fall, this green fades to rich reds and reddish-browns, which is the reason why we call them Southern Red Oaks. As with most oak species, these trees drop acorns. Around a quarter of an inch to half an inch long, these tiny fruits are protected with hairy little caps that cover about a third of the total nut. They’re generally stouter than the classic acorn shape, but are still instantly identifiable. While these acorns make for a delicious source of food for a variety of animals (and a fun scavenger hunt for the kids!), they can also be a nuisance, especially along sidewalks or in your backyard. Did You Know?Southern Red Oaks have been known to cross-pollinate with other red oak species in the southeast, resulting in hybrid acorns that grow into hybrid trees! Prior to these tripping hazards, however, come “flowers.” That’s in quotation marks because, though scientifically classified as such, the fruiting bodies of the Southern Red Oaks look nothing like what you’d think of when you hear the word. As a monoecious species, both male and female flowers grow together on the same tree. The male catkins are yellowish-green in color and long and skinny in shape, while the female clusters are reddish-brown in color and grown shorter and stouter. Interested in learning about more tree species? Check out our other Tree of the Month articles! AuthorEmily Casuccio is sister and sister-in-law to Rebekah and Scott Rushing, and has over half a decade of experience in copywriting, copyediting, proofreading, and developmental storyboarding. She's worked with both published and undiscovered authors on both fiction and nonfiction, and takes pride in supporting local businesses. Her passion lies in the written word and helping authors of all capacities realize their dreams and achieve their fullest potential. To learn more about her, read samples of her work, or contact her, visit her online portfolio. It’s January, the beginning of a new year (finally!). Time to make New Year’s resolutions, fill out 2021 planners, and start thinking ahead. In fact, when it comes to gardening, it’s time to start thinking very, very far ahead. We know it seems much too cold outside right now to be considered Spring, but nonetheless, the Spring planting season is upon us. But what plants would survive the weather right now? Believe it or not, there are actually plenty of species that like to get their roots established before they poke their heads out of the ground come the warmer weather. With this in mind, we’ve compiled a modest list of what flora prefers to be planted in the colder months, so you can stay on schedule and enjoys the fruits of your labor come summer time! FLOWERSNothing says “summer” like a gorgeous array of color!
FRUITS AND VEGGIESRather than throwing away wilted greens or rotten apples from the grocery store, why not pick fresh ones from your own backyard?
HERBS AND FOLIAGEPut back the jar of dried oregano, and season your spaghetti with some fresh herbs instead!
TREESNo landscape is complete without a tree or two.
So there you have it. If you’re interested in growing any of the plants we mentioned, check out the links below for helpful tips! Worried about your new flowers attracting too many bugs? Never fear! Check to see if what you want to plant is on our list of plants that attract pollinators, or maybe our list of plants that discourage pests! AuthorEmily Casuccio is sister and sister-in-law to Rebekah and Scott Rushing, and has over half a decade of experience in copywriting, copyediting, proofreading, and developmental storyboarding. She's worked with both published and undiscovered authors on both fiction and nonfiction, and takes pride in supporting local businesses. Her passion lies in the written word and helping authors of all capacities realize their dreams and achieve their fullest potential. To learn more about her, read samples of her work, or contact her, visit her online portfolio. Sources:
House Beautiful: Flowers You Should Plant for Spring Plants to Put in the Ground This Spring 10 Great Trees to Consider Planting this Spring Design Ideas for Small Gardens Growing Daffodils Growing and Caring for Hyacinths Chrysanthemums: Growing, Care, and Design Tips Growing Primrose Growing Tulips How to Grow and Care for Pansies Growing Rhododendrons and Azaleas Growing and Caring for Hydrangea Flowers Gardening 101: Daylily Dahlia Care Growing Bell Peppers How to Grow Broccoli How to Grow Brussels Sprouts How to Plant and Grow Cabbage How to Grow Cauliflower How to Grow Eggplant How to Grow Asparagus How to Grow Cantaloupe Growing Tomatoes How to Plant and Grow Watermelon How to Grow Basil Learn How to Grow Oregano Growing Rosemary Plants Growing Sage Thyme Plant Profile Growing Chives How to Grow Plum Trees Gingko Tree Care How to Grow Crab Apples How to Grow a Red Oak Tree How to Grow Sweetgum Trees |
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23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,
24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
Colossians 3:23-24
24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
Colossians 3:23-24