Classic City Arborists News and Blog

Underbrush Clearing

6/29/2020

At Classic City Arborists, one of the services we're proud to offer is professional underbrush clearing. This incredibly important component of land maintenance is often overlooked, because most people consider it to be a purely aesthetic choice. If you don't mind the sight of cluttered underbrush, why pay someone to do something about it? But underbrush clearing has many benefits beyond just enhancing curve appeal.

What is underbrush?

Underbrush is defined as “shrubs, bushes, or small trees growing beneath large trees in a wood or forest.” That’s about as on-the-nose as it gets! In the arboreal world, underbrush extends to yards as well—if you’ve got some tall trees lining your fence and a tangled mass of bushes and vines and shoots growing beneath them, then you’ve got underbrush.

Why should you get rid of it?

We already mentioned the widely-accepted reason for clearing underbrush, which is purely aesthetic. Your yard will look much cleaner and neater without the mess, especially if you’re looking to sell your home! Clearing out underbrush is like getting a fresh haircut before a job interview. It can up your curb appeal and the value of your land.

But for those who don’t mind the visual of rampant undergrowth, there’s still plenty of reason to clear it out.

Spiders, Termites, and Snakes, Oh My!

One of the biggest selling points when it comes to underbrush clearing is the removal of pests. Twisting vines and thick, low-to-the-ground shrubbery is the ideal home for all kinds of creepy crawlies (think snakes, spiders, mice, ticks, and more). While that idea in and of itself isn’t necessarily off-putting, consider how close to your home your underbrush is. A family of mice living in the bushes outside could easily explore their surroundings and decide that your attic makes a much nicer nesting ground than the cold, dirty ground.

And we don’t have to tell you the kind of damage termites could do to your house—you definitely want to keep them as far away as possible!

In addition to running off the rodents and terrorizing the termites, clearing underbrush also reduces the chances of snakes and other bugs. Sitting on your back porch enjoying a glass of sweet tea in the evening is a lot more appealing when you aren't being eaten alive by mosquitoes, and having your kiddos run through the yard is a lot less scary when you’re not afraid of snakes lying in wait under every leaf.

Removing that coverage is a sure-fire way to reduce the chances of all kinds of infestations. If you build it, they will come, and if you tear it down, they will go!

Cut out the competition

Excessive undergrowth also poses a threat to the trees and plants you actually do want around. Your new crepe myrtle needs a lot of water as it establishes itself in your yard, and it might not make it if it has to fight overgrown shrubs and vines for nutrients. Underbrush can also crowd out your new flower bed or vegetable garden, even if it doesn’t seem like it’s close enough—remember to account for the roots, because they spread a lot farther than you think.

Getting the most out of your land

Another reason to clear underbrush from your property is that it actually makes that property usable. Whether you’d like to have a nice outdoor fire pit for the cooler fall evenings, or you have fur babies who would love the chance to run around through open spaces, clearing underbrush gives you much more real estate to work with. Our clients are often surprised by just how much backyard they actually have once it’s not all cluttered with overgrown foliage!

Weed out the wildfires

Though this might not apply here in the Athens area, where we aren’t prone to frequent wildfires, underbrush is always at some risk for them. In dry seasons or after long dry spells, that undergrowth is all but self-lighting tinder ready to burn, and that’s the last thing you want anywhere near your home or family.

Okay, I get it - but why can't I do it myself?

Even if you do accept that underbrush is worth the effort of clearing, most people don't understand why you have to hire a professional to do it. It seems like a pretty easy thing, after all - just get out there and chop away, and you're done! Why pay someone for that?

In reality, brush clearing is time-consuming, strenuous, and (especially here in the South) hot-and-sweaty hard work. Getting to the job often gets pushed by the wayside in favor of smaller, less-exhausting projects, which leads to rampant undergrowth that becomes even more overwhelming by the day. Calling your friendly neighborhood arborist is a great way to ensure the brush is actually cleared.

But more than that, clearing underbrush can be dangerous. All those pests we mentioned? They might already be nice and cozy in those tangled vines, and they won't be too happy when you disturb them. Our team of professionals is prepared to deal with whatever nature has to throw our way, and we have the property equipment and safety gear to ensure no one (not even the pests!) gets hurt.

If you're ready to get that underbrush cleared so you can start enjoying a pest-free, accessible, and beautiful yard, contact us today to get a free estimate!

Author

Emily 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
Benefits of Brush Clearing Your Land
Five Good Reasons to Remove Underbrush
Venomous snake hidden in pile of sticks - can you see it?
Florida Times-Union
How to Get Rid of Ticks

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Tree of the Month: Crepe Myrtle

6/18/2020

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The Crepe Myrtle (or Crêpe Myrtle, or even Crape Myrtle) is a popular deciduous decoration to any home or park, especially in the South—and especially here in the Athens area. You probably know them as those trees with the long, puffy bunches of flowers—the ones that always seem to bloom the second it gets warm and continue to bloom well into the fall? The ones that come in pinks, reds, whites, purples, and everything in between, and rain down a shower of petals with the wind (or a good shaking)?

Crepe Myrtles actually get their common name from these flowers; the small, delicate petals are wrinkled and highly resemble crêpe paper.

They are tenuously attached to the tree, and will fall at the slightest provocation, leading to sidewalks and driveways littered with a veritable carpet of color. Children—and even, admittedly, adults—love to rustle the branches while standing under them to watch them float gently to the ground, like a colorful snowfall.

The flowers and even leaves and seeds are rated as safe for human consumption, so if you have an adventurous toddler interested in munching some petals, they’re perfectly safe. The ASPCA has also certified them as safe for animal consumption, so you don’t have to worry about your beloved fur-baby who loves to eat anything and everything in sight.

Did You Know?

There are nearly fifty varieties of Crepe Myrtles world-wide, though only about half a dozen are commonly seen in the South.

In addition to their colorful flowers, Crepe Myrtles have pretty colorful foliage, too. In the summer, the 2- to 8-inch long leaves are a deep, vibrant green, and in the fall, they can change to stunning reds, yellows, and oranges. An early cold snap or overnight freeze can actually lock the leaves into their green color, effectively canceling the show, but that’s rarely a problem we have down here in the South.

The fruit of the Crepe Myrtle grows in the form of small, green capsules that ripen to dark brown or black and eventually split along six or seven lines. These splits will release a bunch of small, winged seeds, which we’ve all played with at one time or another. With only the one wing and the heavy seed at one end, they will float to the ground in a quick spiral when dropped. Do keep an eye on them, though, because they can stain your driveway if trampled.

Crepe Myrtles are great to have around in the winter months, even though they will be bare of leaves and flowers, thanks to their beautiful bark. It’s what’s called “exfoliating” bark, which basically means it has two layers; the thin, grey outer layer is what exfoliates and flakes away, which exposes the smooth inner layer that can also be grey, or lean more towards brown.

One of the higher points of appeal of Crepe Myrtles is the wide range of sizes available.

On the smaller side, we have the dwarf varieties, which only grow around 2 feet high and make great shrubs or additions to garden beds; there are also miniature and bonsai sizes that you can keep in the house! The other side of the spectrum includes larger trees that reach heights of up to 30 feet—but don’t worry. If that sounds a bit intimidating to you, there’s always the average, medium-sized Crepe Myrtle that tops out at around 12 to 15 feet, or the semi-dwarf varieties that reach around 6 to 8 feet tall.

In addition to the different sizes, Crepe Myrtles are versatile in both shape and function.

Some people like to plant them closer together and encourage multiple trunks to create a living, flowering privacy fence. Others will prune back competing trunks to encourage a single leader for a more classic tree shape. The smaller sizes make a great frame for your front door, or even a potted plant on your back porch. You can cultivate your Crepe Myrtle into their trademark flower vase shape, a regular tree shape with a single trunk, or a hedge-like shape with lots of crooked trunks that makes a great border for your garden.

Whatever shape you go for, remember the golden rule of pruning: don’t prune too much!

A common misconception when it comes to Crepe Myrtles is that, in order to secure bountiful blooms for the next season, you need to chop off all branches down to the main trunk(s). This is not true, and often referred to in the arboreal world as Crepe Murder. Not only does a lobbed-off tree look sad, it’s also extremely unhealthy. All nutrients and energy will be channeled into new growth from the nubs, and while this new growth will bloom as desired, the blooms will be too heavy for the twigs they grow on, and will weigh them down until they break.

Thou shalt not murder, and that includes Crepe Murder!

When it comes to caring for your Crepe Myrtle, most have the same needs regarding resources like sun and water. They love the warmer weather and need at least 6 hours of full sun every day—the more sun exposure they get, the more blooms they’ll grow! They’re fairly drought-resistant once firmly established, but are nearly always thirsty when newly planted. Be sure to sufficiently water any new additions to your landscape twice a week until they’ve officially set up shop.

While we’ve already stressed the importance of avoiding Crepe Murder, it is still important to prune your tree, even if you’re not going for any particular shape or size. By trimming off dead and dying blooms, you can get new ones to take their place. If you’re diligent, you could end up with three or even four full blooms in one year! Whether you choose to do that or not, you’ll still want to be sure to trim off the dead blooms once fall rolls around, to ensure plenty of flowers next year. You can also trim the fruit if you like, to prevent the littering of seeds (and subsequent pavement staining). It’s recommended to trim away twiggy and cross growth on an established tree, mostly to keep the beautiful bark exposed and prevent overcrowding.

Did You Know?

The common Crepe Myrtle is a native of China and Korea. They call it The Lilac of the South.

So now that you’ve reached the end of this article, you’re probably thinking how much you’d like to plant a Crepe Myrtle or two in your backyard, or maybe by your front door, and you’re probably feeling put out that it’s summer now, and most trees need to be planted in the early spring. But never fear! While they do prefer to be planted in early spring, they can still survive a summer planting, so long as they are sufficiently watered.

If you do decide to grab yourself a new tree friend, be sure to read the tag thoroughly before you buy, so you get the exact size and color you want. There are many colors to choose from, and it would be a shame if you have your heart set on light pink blooms and you end up with dark red next year.

You’ll also want to double-check the size; you don’t want to end up with a 30-foot-tall, 20-foot-wide behemoth when you were hoping for a 2-foot dwarf bush in a planter. If you do intend on getting a larger tree, remember that it will need enough clearance to avoid power lines and buildings. You’ll also want to account for the roots; Crepe Myrtle roots are usually flexible and soft, meaning they aren’t likely to grow through any pipes or break through your sidewalk, but they do spread pretty far and suck up water and nutrients like a vacuum, so they can present competition for other nearby flora.

Author

Sources:
Beginners Guide to Crepe Myrtles
Crapemyrtle: Lagerstroemia Indica
Crape Myrtle Trees
Crepe Myrtle: Essential Southern Plant
Lagerstroemia

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The Root of the Problem: Accounting for Root Systems Around Your Home

6/10/2020

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Have you ever driven down someone’s driveway and commented on how bumpy the concrete is? Or maybe you’ve noticed how the sidewalk in the park has huge fissures and bulges, like something’s trying to break through. Maybe you’ve seen a veritable wall of bushes lined up in a row with one or two looking yellow and sickly, even though the bushes around them are just fine

The likely culprit in all these situations: Roots!

Most people don’t realize how large a root system can grow, and how far that root system will spread. Just like the tip of the iceberg you see sticking out of the water is only…well, the tip of the iceberg—there’s a massive danger lurking just beneath the surface, whose size is underrepresented by what you can see.

The unsuspecting happily plant trees too close to buildings or other structures, sidewalks, pavement, and even each other, where their roots will cause all kinds of trouble down the road. City establishments are repeat offenders when it comes to planting trees too close to a sidewalk or playground; what they’re hoping will provide shade and a general enhanced aesthetic ends up destroying the walkway and poses a tripping risk for children.

New homeowners are also guilty of this; thinking about how commanding and fairy-tale-like it would look with a pair of gorgeous oaks framing the driveway, they plant much too close to the pavement and end up with massive bumps and cracks in their new driveway.

Sometimes, it’s the other way around; structures are built much too close to surrounding trees, with an unintentional disregard for the potential danger. In the South, this is seen frequently with sheds; people like to build one under a nice, big tree for the cool shade it offers (the shed itself will likely not be air-conditioned). This leads to roots breaking through the floor of your new workshop, which damages its structural integrity.

But just as roots pose a major threat to your shed, driveway, and home, we can pose the same level of threat to the tree. Tree roots are incredibly sensitive to any kind of impact; whether it’s something as drastic as new construction, or something as innocuous as installing a sprinkler system, roots are notoriously easy to damage. Disturbed roots can stunt the tree’s overall growth, and can even end up killing off some (or even all) of the tree

They are also at risk of suffocation from compacted soil; the ground can become denser when heavy machinery drives over it repeatedly, and this reduces the oxygen concentration as well as the water flow, which in turn can cause root rot and death.

Unfortunately, about 90% of a tree’s root system lives in the first 12 to 18 inches of soil, meaning even surface-level alterations, like digging a new flower bed, can lead to root damage. Even worse, the effects of root damage can take 5 to 10 years to show in the tree itself, so you might not even realize you’ve disturbed anything until a lot later down the line

So What Can You Do?

The easiest answer is simple: account for the roots!

To avoid roots damaging the things around them, don’t plant trees too close to anything, even each other. The rule of thumb when it comes to how big a tree’s root system will grow is that roots will most often mirror the tree they support; so however big you’re expecting your tree to get, you can expect the same size and spread underground, though without the leaves

Be sure to note that when we say the roots will mirror their tree, we mean they will mirror how big the tree would naturally grow. Roots can spread with the intent to support their tree at its fullest potential, no matter how you curb the actual tree’s shape by pruning and trimming

If you’re hoping to establish a privacy fence with a row of Leyland Cypresses, make sure you know how far apart they need to be; otherwise, they’ll crowd each other and end up competing for resources, and you’ll end up with some dead trees and a lot of holes in your privacy fence.

If you want your shed to sit under the protection of canopy, consider elevating it so the floor is safely away from the ground, and there’s room underneath for roots to impose in. If you’re looking at planting a Crepe Myrtle by your front door, look into how big the tree will grow; while they are usually trimmed to look more like a bush, Crepe Myrtles are trees that can grow quite large, and their root system will reflect that no matter how small you’ve cut back the tree itself.

What About Established Trees?

Unfortunately, once a tree is established, there isn’t much you can do to curb the spread of its roots—except removing the tree entirely, which will kill the root system. If you’re concerned about the root system of an established tree on your property, schedule a free estimate with us today, and we’ll come out to give you our professional opinion on whether or not the root system presents a threat, and possible options for curbing that threat

How Do You Protect Your Trees?

The best way to avoid causing damage to your tree’s root system is to make sure you don’t do any kind of construction or land alteration too close to the tree’s trunk; the root system closest to the tree offers structural support as well as a bulk of the tree’s nutrients, and a hit there could be fatal. The ends of a root system, while still important, will have less of a drastic impact on the tree’s overall health

The general rule of thumb to keep in mind is that you should stay about 6 to 12 inches away from the trunk for every inch of diameter the tree has. So, for example, if the tree is about a foot wide, that means its diameter is about 12 inches; this means you should give at least 72 inches, or 6 feet, of buffer around your tree if at all possible. When measuring diameter, make sure you’re working at breast-height, or about 4 and a half feet up from the ground

If you’re unsure how close is too close, give us a call for a consultation or contact another certified arborist. Also be sure to keep an eye out for signs of damage and decay in your trees, which can indicate root damage. Check out our article on what to look for!

Also, be sure to keep an eye out for our Tree of the Month articles; every month, we feature a tree that’s commonly found in Athens, or maybe a tree you might want to plant in your yard. We highlight the pros and cons of the tree, including how big it can get, so you’ll have a quantitative measure of how far the roots might spread.

And remember, no matter what you plant, what you build, or what you do, always account for the roots!

Author

Sources
The Dangers of Root Disturbance

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Ecological Warfare: What to Plant to Discourage Potential Pests

6/5/2020

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Last week, we learned about What to Plant to Attract Pollinators, such as birds, bees, and butterflies. Doing your part to provide these animals with food and nesting grounds is an admirable thing, but sometimes, we’d rather not have bees buzzing around our back porch, and would definitely like to avoid birds nesting anywhere near our house, because they get poop everywhere.

What can you plant to keep these pests away?

Let’s start with bugs. On the whole, they’re pretty annoying, especially when you’re sitting on your patio and mosquitos keep landing on your arms and legs. While bees are friendly bugs that we might actually want around, wasps are menaces that terrorize children and adults alike with their angry buzz and painful sting. Plus, bugs like to eat away at your favorite flower bed and decimate your tomato plants.

When selecting plants to run off bugs, try to avoid anything blue, violet, or yellow—those are bees’ favorite colors and they’ll all but flock to them. Bees can’t see the color red, though, so feel free to plant red flowers everywhere. Trumpet-shaped flowers are also a good bet, because bees and other pollinators have a hard time getting to the nectar in them, and they’re more likely to give up than stick around.

What specific plants will deter insidious insects?

Whether you’re looking to prevent bee stings and the subsequent crocodile tears, avoid mosquito bites and the associated itching, or just protect your plants from plant-eating monstrosities, these are for you.

Herbs

Basil – Bees and wasps especially dislike the smell and won’t even go near it

Mint – Most all stinging insects hate the scent and will avoid it at all costs

Rosemary – Again, the scent is a natural deterrent for insects in general

Garlic – While it isn’t technically an herb, garlic will keep away things like stink bugs and snails (and bonus, it scares off vampires too!)

Lemongrass – These tall stalks actually contain citronella, which is the natural ingredient in most mosquito repellants

Chives – Make a great garnish for your favorite dishes, and specifically abhorrent to Japanese beetles and carrot rust flies

Flowering Plants

Chrysanthemums - The absolute best flower to plant to keep away bugs is the chrysanthemum. Their beautiful blooms will repel ants, Japanese beetles, roaches, bed bugs, spider mites, ticks, silverfish, harlequin bugs, and lice.

Geraniums - Geraniums have beautiful blooms and a scent that stinging things dislike, and their petals are red, which bees can’t actually see. With miniscule pollen per flower, pollinators will move on to bigger and better things.

Lavender - One of the most popular essential oil scents for humans, lavender is a natural mosquito, moth, and bug repellant. The only bugs willing to stick around are bees, so it can’t be your only line of defense, but it makes a great addition to your anti-insect arsenal.

Marigolds - These colorful flowers come in red varieties, which means bees won’t be able to see them, but no matter their color, their scent puts off stinging insects. Marigolds are hardy and don’t require much care, making them a great addition to your garden.

Nasturtiums - Plant these pretty flowers to specifically fight whiteflies and aphids. Rather than warding them off, nasturtiums actually attract them, and then trap them to keep them off your other plants! Just be sure to check the blooms regularly to dispose of the imprisoned insects, or they might escape to bother your other flora.

Other Plants

Citronella - As you probably already know, citronella will keep away mosquitos and other annoying bugs that might disturb your nice night out on the patio. It’s actually much more effective in its natural plant form than in liquid or candle form, so if you don’t mind the smell yourself, it makes a great addition to your yard.

Cucumber - Bet that’s not one you thought would be on this list, huh? But cucumber plants are actually great at keeping bees and wasps away. Both strongly dislike how bitter and acidic the cucumber peel is, and will generally avoid the plants all together. Plus, you’ll have fresh cucumbers for a summer salad, or even to make your own pickles!

Wormwood - Wormwood actually contains a small amount of absinthe, which is toxic to insects. It has a pungent scent to alert bees, wasps, and other flying pests of the potential danger, and will easily keep them away. Other bugs that might not heed the warning smell will learn quickly that it is poisonous. Remember to be careful if you decide to add wormwood to your garden, though, because it can kill off other plants that are planted too close to it.

Eucalyptus - Bees and wasps specifically don’t like the fragrance eucalyptus gives off, and they’ll steer clear. The drought-tolerant plant loves full sun, meaning it will do well here in Georgia, and can be used in essential oil applications as well as flower arrangements.

Beyond Bugs

The other repeat offenders in your yard are probably birds. Unfortunately, birds are the most difficult to get rid of. There is no one plant that will deter birds from your garden or yard; some might deter a species or two, but there are so many different kinds of birds in any given area that it wouldn’t do you much good. The only way to really keep birds away is to physically scare them off. If you’re trying to protect your vegetable garden from them, you can invest in things like garden netting. If you’d just like to keep them out of your yard, you can purchase things like little owl figurines that detect movement and then swivel their head to intimidate any feathered intruders. You can also DIY bird deterrents like making a wind chime of cut-up CDs, which will spin and move in even the slightest breeze and throw reflections around, scaring away the flying fiends.

So there you have it. Between this list and last week’s The Birds and The Bees: What to Plant to Attract Pollinators, you have all the information you need to make educated decisions on what to plant around your home. Feel free to mix and match between these lists to attract and repel specific insects and pests as you see fit, and happy gardening!

Author

Sources:
10 Plants That Repel Bees and Wasps
11 Garden Plants to Help Keep Bugs Away!
12 Plants That Naturally Keep Unwanted Bugs Away
Deer Proof Gardens: Four sure-fire ways to keep deer out of your garden

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Underbrush Clearing

What is underbrush?

Why should you get rid of it?

Okay, I get it - but why can't I do it myself?

Author

Tree of the Month: Crepe Myrtle

Did You Know?

Did You Know?

Author

The Root of the Problem: Accounting for Root Systems Around Your Home

So What Can You Do?

What About Established Trees?

How Do You Protect Your Trees?

Author

Ecological Warfare: What to Plant to Discourage Potential Pests

What can you plant to keep these pests away?

What specific plants will deter insidious insects?

Herbs

Flowering Plants

Other Plants

Beyond Bugs

Author

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scott rushing, Owner